A True relation of Go●● wonderful mercies, in preserving one alive, which hanged five days, who was falsely accused.  
LONDON Printed by Edw: Allde. dwelling on Lambard-hill, 〈…〉   

A True Relation, of a most wonderful and strange accident which happened on a young man borne at Dort a town in Holland: who travailing between Franckfort and Antwerp, was falsely accused for a robbery, and executed for the same at a Town called Bon, where he hanged five days, & was by God mightily preserved, to the great astonishment of all the beholders.  
YN the town of Dort upon the long reed Bank (near the sign of the three Pigeons) there dwelled a man whose name was john Peterson, borne in the City of Antwerp: who married with a young woman, borne at Dort aforesaid: This john Peterson with his wife lived many years together, he being a waterman, who used to ferry passengers from Dort to Rotterdam, and his wife used the trade of dressing of Flax: these two having had divers children, it pleased God that all died saving two Sons, whose names were, the one Nicholas johnson who now dwelleth at the Brill, the other john johnson (for often they take their surnames of their Father's Christian name) of which john johnson we are hereafter to entreat: whose Parents died in the year of our Lord 1600. being very poor.  
This john Peterson being deceased, having a brother yet dwelling in the City of Antwerp who understanding of the death of his brother sent to Dort for john johnson the youngest son of his brother deceased (being a pretty youth) who thought it fit to keep one of his own kinsmen, than the son of any stranger: When this youth came to Antwerp, his Uncle gave him very kind welcome, being joyful to see him, for he had never seen him before that time. Now it pleased his Uncle to employ this john johnson about his affairs, who used such diligence in all things he went about, that he procured such love of his Uncle, as if he had been his dear child, he could never have respected him with more regard: and the rather, for that he gave his mind to all virtuous & godly exercises: Insomuch, that whatsoever the young man did, it was most pleasing to his Uncle, as also to most who knew him: He was many times assailed by jesuits (and others of that religion) to convert him from the true religion which he then professed, but he continuing constant, by no means would yield unto them: which being bruited in the City, he was of all the godly generally well respected.  
To come to the matter: his Uncle being a man of great trading in merchandise, had occasion (with divers other merchants) to travail to Francfort Mart (for he used much to go thither) and thought it fit to take his kinsman john johnson along with him, to acquaint him in those parts, that he might the better afterwards have knowledge in his business: & his Uncle delighted greatly in his company, by reason he was given to much honest mirth, for which all that knew him did exceedingly affect him, and called him the Hollander, demanding often of him, if all Hollanders were so pleasant as himself was passing on the way? After their long journey, they came to Francfort, every man taking his leave of other, intending to go about their affairs: And after some few days of their continuance in Francfort, there came a Letter to this john johnsons Uncle (from Antwerp) to certify him of business of great import, which was speedily to be disspatched at home: whereupon his Uncle having as yet effected little business, did think it most convenient to send the said john johnson to Antwerp (knowing his sufficient care in any of his employments) whilst he himself stayed till the end of the Mart. Now having commandment of his Uncle to departed for Antwerp, he took his leave, and set forward on his journey without any fear, for he had little to lose, and taking his journeys to the same Towns and Inns, where before he with his Uncle & other Merchants had lain: At length he came to Bon, to the same Inn where he before had lodged, which was near the marketplace, at the sign of the Swan, without suspect of any danger: where also lodged divers Merchants, with whom this john johnson that night supped, having had very good fare: and passing the time away with pleasant discourse, until it grew towards bedtime: and being showed their chambers, the youngman desired the Host that he would call him up very early, who promising so to do, departed: This Host having espied one of the other Merchants to have a Budget, wherein was good store of money, (who lodged in the same Chamber where the young man lodged) thought with himself how he might get this Budget, and to live unsuspected: at last he devised with himself, that having the money, he would work so cunningly that none should be suspected but the young man: The Host in the night came stealing into their chamber, there taking away the merchants Budget with money, and the young man's Wallet, wherein was some foul linen, and shoes, and such like. When this Host had opened the merchants Budget, and taken out the money, he found also in the same a Seal Ring & an Obligation, which Obligation and Seale-ring, the Host took out, and with a silver Ton of his own, whereon the Hosts mark was graven, and which his guests did drink in the night before at Supper, he put these three in the young man's wallet, and tied it up as it was afore, and entering the Chamber again laid the wallet in the place from whence he took it.  
In the morning the Host (according to his promise) calls up the young man, who presently rising, made him ready, paid his reckoning, took his leave, and went his way on his journey, having the merchants King and Obligation, with the Hosts silver Ton, tied up in his wallet, unknown unto him: so travailing on without any mistrust, it fortuned that the Merchant arising, and missing his Budget with his money, presently called out, saying he was robbed: and being exceedingly perplexed, and in a great fury, the Host (as if he had not known any thing) come speedily unto him, demanding the occasion of his outrage▪ To whom he replied that his Budget with his money was stolen away from him: The Host answering, that if he had fit any thing, there was none could have it but the youth who lodged that night in the Chamber, and was so suddenly gone away in the morning. Therefore let us with all speed take horse, & we shall surely overtake him: Whereupon, with all haste that might be, the Merchant, with the treacherous host, took their Horses, and in very short time they overtook this john johnson: The Host speaking very furiously unto him, charged him of Felony, saying, thou hast rob this Merchant (who lay this night in the same Chamber where thyself didst lodge) of all his money: The modest young man, at the first being greatly affrighted stood amazed, knowing himself without fault, answered: Truly I am as clear from such offence, as any person in the world: Yet notwithstanding, the Host was marvelous importunate to have the young man's wallet searched, which being opened, there appeared to their fight, the Hosts silver Ton, with the merchants Obligation and seal King: which when the Merchant espied, he thought verily that none had his money but he: The young man when he saw these things pulled out of his Mallet, almost died with grief, excusing himself, that he never knew how they came into his Wallet: but the Boast vowed that he should be hanged if it should cost him an hundredth pound: So causing the youth to return back again to Bon, they brought him before the Magistrates, who after his examination, he still denying the fact, was committed to prison, put upon the Rack, and grievously tormented: the youth feeling this miserable pain, cried to God for aid, and voluntarily confessed that he had done the deed, although indeed he did it not: Afterward, being brought to the public place of trial, he was there adjudged to be hanged for that oftence: But when he perceived that he must needs die the shameful death, he lamenting all his sinful life passed, which he had committed against the Majesty of Almighty God, he hoped to be saved in the faith he had in jesus Christ: So being led to the place of execution, in the presence of all the beholders, said: I am here come to suffer death in this place, and now in presence of you all, I take God to be my witness (& therewith wept most bitterly) that I never knew of the stealing either of the merchants money, neither of the Hosts silver Ton, nor can any way devise by what means they should come into my Mallet: and in respect I am clear of this fact for which I am here condemned to die, I do beseech Almighty God that it will please him through his great power, to show some miracle on me, whereby the truth may be known; and that all men may perceane that I suffered innocently: the people grieved much to hear him invocate the name of God in that extremity, prayed also with him and lamented his timeless death, if he were as he said without fault: so having ended his prayers, he was turned off the Ladder and hanged: but the Lord God having heard his prayers, and knowing his innocency, did most miraculously preserve him, as hereafter you shall hear.  
His Uncle having ended all his business at Francfort, in the company of divers other Merchants, took their journeys homewards towards Antwerp, and according to their wont manner they took their Inn (where before they were accustomed) at the Sign of the Swan in the Town of Bon.  
In the morning following, when these Merchants intended to departed from thence, The host being amongst them, told them that there was a young man, which was in their company the last time that they lodged there, who had rob him of a silver Ton which they used to drink in, and a Merchant (which lodged in the house) of a great sum of money: for which offence, the young man was apprehended, and afterwards confessed the fact, and then adjudged to be hanged, which is now five days since he was executed, and still hangeth on the gallows without the gates.  
The young man's Uncle being strooken into wonderful admiration at this speech, demanded of the Host what manner a fellow he was which committed the robbery? he being well assured that his kinsman would not commit any such abuse: but by the Hosts description, in all things it was his kinsman: whereupon, because he would be certain whether it was he or no, he earnestly requested the other Merchants which were with him, to take so much pains, as to go with him to see him, for he could hardly yet believe it to be him.  
And coming to the place where the young man hanged, so soon as he came near him, he espied him to be his kinsman, at the sight whereof he suddenly fell down in a swoon: but the merchants helping him up, comforted him with all their helps. Presently, the youngman (there hanging) spoke to his Uncle in this manner following.  
O my loving and most dear Uncle, although I here hang most shamefully, yet am I not dead, for it hath pleased Almighty God to preserve me, by placing a stool under my feet, which to you is not perceived, upon the which I stand, And the Angel of the Lord, from heaven, hath fed me here five days: I beseech you take the pains, to return to the Town of Bon, and certify the Maiestrater there, in what manner you have found me, and request them to come with you, and I will let them understand that I am here hanged without any offence: The Merchants hearing the young man speaking in this manner, were much astonied, and straightway departed from thence: and when they came before the Magistrates, they before them upon their Oaths delivered what the young man had related unto them: whereat the Magistrates marveled, and presently with the Merchants they went to the place where the young man did hang, and perceiving all to be true which the Merchants had reported unto them, they caused him to be presently taken down, who was then in perfect health, although he had hanged five days.  
But God, the defender of all that put their whole trust in his mercies, seeing this young man's innocency (to make his wondrous works to seem the more admirable, and to bring the truth to light) preserved him all this time, without any peril or danger.  
Then the Magistrates (in the company of those Merchants) having seen this miraculous work of the Lord, brought this john johnson into the Town, where they examined this youth thoroughly of all doubts, who certified them of all the manner: first of his coming to such an Inn, then how he requested his Host to call him up in the morning, then of his departing, and afterwards how the Host with the Merchant came riding after him, and apprehended him: which when they perceived, presently they sent for the Host, to examine him upon the particulars, touching this young man: but when the Host beheld the young man still to be alive, the Host presently confessed the deed, & how he himself had wrongfully accused that youth of those felonies which he himself had committed. When these Magistrates heard all the truth of this business, they praised God for preserving this young man, and brigning to light the wretched offender: And so sentence was pronounced upon this Host, that he should be conveyed to prison, and the next day to be bound to a Stake near the place where the youngman was hanged, and there to be burnt: which was accordingly performed. And likewise it was ordered by those judges that the young man should possess to his own use, the some of three thousand Guilders, of the Hosts money, in recompense of the injury was done unto him.  
After this execution was finished, the young man, with his Uncle, & the other Merchants, taking their leaves of the Magistrates, departed towards Antwerp where now this john Johnson, with his Uncle Gerard Atthonyson, do at this day remain, near a place called the Mere, or water. Whosoever do repair to that place, may be an eye-witness, & see the party who was executed as before is declared.  
The Magistrates of Bon, caused this to be Printed, to set forth the mighty power and glory of God, as themselves were witnesses thereof.  
FINIS.