The Protestants and jesuits up in Arms in Gulicke-land. Also, A true and wonderful relation of a Dutch maiden (called Eve Fliegen of Meurs in the Country of Meurs) who being now (this present year) 36 years of age, hath fasted for the space of 14 years, confirmed by the testimony of persons, both Honourable and worshipful, (as well English, as Dutch. Truly translated according to the Dutch Copy. portrait of woman holding flower EVA VLIEGE Imprinted at London for Nicholas Bourne, 1611. Laus Deo this 27 of july Anno 1611 stilo magnae Brytanniae. The Letter. Beloved Brother: many hearty commendations, etc. I have sent unto you the picture and lively description of a Dutch maiden, drawn out of Dutch colours, & put into English. The Dutch copy comes along with it, which I have translated, as well to give you testimony of my brotherly affection towards you, as to have my Countrymen in England acquainted with so miraculous a power of God's work on so weak a creature, thereby the more to magnify his glory. If the news of this be not as yet come to London, I wish you to send it to the Press. It is not to be doubted but that a relation so fresh and un-common, will be acceptable to our Nation, to whom News are most welcome I know. To confirm the truth hereof, my Lord General, with many other noble Gentlemen, are worthy witnesses, who both know this maiden, & have seen her. The report is new and lately published: If it had been possible to have gotten means (by a messenger) sooner to have sent it to you, it had sooner come to your hands. But as it is, I pray receive it, & with it, a second News, as fresh in the mouths of all men, and fuller of construction, by reason of an expected Event thereof, to break into a wars. And that is in Aken, within a dozen miles of Gulicke: which I pray you likewise to publish to the common view. The Dutch Copy of the relation of Eve Fliegen of Meurs in the County of Meurs, a maiden (now aged 36 years) who hath neither eat nor drunk, any manner of Sustenance, by the space of 14 years, translated into English as followeth. THe Omnipotent Creator of the world, hath not in times passed only expressed the glory of his power, in his wonderful composition, framing and presenting to the eye of Man all sorts of creatures, both in heaven, earth, and the waters: But even now at this day, is the same his miraculous hand working still. Amongst infinite numbers of which his excellent pieces, able to bold man in astonishment, this of a Maiden is well worthy of admiration, of whom (because the true body and shape cannot in substance be sent up and down the world) this picture or counterfeit (so near as words can express her) shows her drawn to the life. This Maiden (by name Eve Fliegen) lives at this present within the town of Meurs, she was borne in the year of our Lord 1575., within a little of that town at a place called Fliegen-house, whereupon she takes her name: of mean and very poor parents. So that in her younger days (they being not able better to maintain her) she was compelled to keep swine for the country people, enduring (by that hard course of life) the bitterness of much hunger, as she herself confesseth. Living in this extremity of misery, she often (so well as she could, seeing no other ways nor hope of comfort) made earnest prayers to God, that he would take pity of her wretchedness, and relieve her, from that daily hunger, by which her body was tormented & consumed: her prayers were heard, according to her request: And such compassion took the Almighty of her miseries that in the year 1594, her desire of feeding, which in former times she had grew to be faint, & very small. Insomuch that every 2, 3 & 4 days, she took little sustenance or none at all. From the 4 day she began voluntarily to fast till the ●0 day & so did forbear, or rather had no stomach to meat, the space of fourteen days together, which abstinence of hers grew in the end end to such a custom, that she utterly refused the taste either of meat or drink, and in that manner hath her body (by God's providence) been preserved ever since the year of our Lord 1597 to this present year 1611 (being full 14 years) This strange wonder continuing thus long, drew not only many people to see her, but also many trials to be put upon her, amongst which, this was one, In the year 1599, the Noble Countess of Meurs with her waiting Gentlewoman, having brought this Eve Fleigen into a garden, with much importunity to have her eat somewhat, so prevailed that she plucked a cherry and tasted it, and had no sooner eaten it down, but that the Lady with her servants were in fear she would there presently have died, she fell into so sudden and violent passion of an extreme sickness: in the which she continued a long time, but in the end with much ado recovered her health. Which a year after the said Eve falling again into a greater sickness, it was held fit (by the opinion of Doctors) to have her drink a spoonful or two of the thin whey, which comes from Buttermilk, being sodden: she made offer to taste it, but could by no means take it down. At another time of sickness, she herself thought she could sup the broth of a chicken, but no more than a spoonful being offered to her, she fell into a more extreme fit of sickness then before, so that finding her body afflicted by these trials, she utterly abandoned the use of any food, or nourishment, by the full space now of 14 years. In all which time, through no disposition of the season or time of the year, hath she been seen or known either to complain of thirst or hunger: yet until her age of 20 or 22 years, she took her food (where by her labour or other honest means it could be gotten) as other people commonly use to do. This her forbearance to take the due nourishment that should maintain life, hath brought her body to a weakness, and her face to an exceeding paleness. She saith that every second day an exceeding clear light shineth round about her body; the common light or brightness of the day, being nothing comparable to it: which light when she beholdeth and (as she saith) feeleth shining upon her, she hath likewise a feeling on her tongue of a strange and extraordinary delicate sweetness, the moisture of which strengthens her (to her seeming) for her eyes can behold no other thing but only that perfect and unusual light. The Preacher of Meurs (by name, Conradus Felthnijsen) could not a long time be persuaded that this was truth, which he heard reported of this maiden: to give therefore not only content to himself, but satisfaction in this matter to others his friends who were of his belief likewise, he took the said Eve (being come to hear the evening Sermon) home with him to his own house, & there kept her in a chamber by the space of 13 days, watched day and night by sundry other persons his friends, candles burning every night, and she never being suffered to be alone without company the space of one minute, in all which time she never tasted food, and (at the end of 13 days and nights) being demanded whether she where then either hungry or thirsty, she answered no: so that the Preacher now having by the experience of his own eyes, found out that which he could not before believe, is now enforced with admiration to acknowledge to be true. To whose testimony, a thousand persons (both honourable and of other condition) can witness, and there is she living at this day, in the town of Meurs to be seen, and spoken with daily and hourly, & her manner of living being observed with the narrowest eyes, & severest circumspection, so that it is impossible, she should be an impostor or deluder: and the better to confirm the truth of this, a worthy Magistrate of the same town hath given liberal and ample approbation to certain Cities, & to several persons of worth, with his certificate and the seal of the town thereunto annexed: if all these testimonies of her, cannot persuade and win credit to our report, the maiden (of whom it is made) is yet to be seen, in the town of Meurs. Nor shall it be amiss, the better to strengthen this short discourse, to set down in a few lines more what some histories of our present times do mention of persons who in the like manner have fasted long (beyond the ordinary strength & custom of man's body) and lived (as this maiden does now) without eating. Franciscus Citesius (Doctor in the university at Poitiers) witnesseth (in his book written in Latin & imprinted at Montpellier in Anno 1602) that for certain years, one Catherine of Colberghen lived in Spires 7 years together, without meat or drink. Also within the town of Conflans in France lying upon the borders of Limosin upon the river Vien, A Smith (by name, john Balam) begot of his wife (Lucrece Chambelle) in the year 1588., a daughter named jone Balam, who for the space of two years, did neither eat or drink, in publication of which wonder, that famous and eloquent Doctor, jacobus Viverius wrote certain verses, which are thus Englished. How many wonders great before our eyes appears, Whereof no reason firm to you can showed be. Behold, 〈◊〉 in health, endures at woman's years Twice a months long to fast, for sustenance none takes she. The Lords and neighbours there, to her had good regard, That dwelled in Conflans town, on that Vienish fare. No meat no● drink in all that time so long she marred, Her throat so narrow was, her victuals she did spare. Full strange it was to see, her belly was so flat, The passages were shut, no entrance there was found, She voided nothing forth, nothing at all she ate, Her privy parts were clean, thence nothing fell to ground, But yet she speaks, she sighs, she goes, she feels I know, Mine eyes are witness sure, here of you need not doubt: Which wondrous work doth teach, that nature here below By God alone is ruled, who governs all about. To whom all things that were, or ever yet shall be, Must stoop their lofty tops, their heads also must bend, Whose wisdom, might & power, o man doth teach to thee To praise his name for aye: And so I make an end. Over the picture of the maiden in the Dutch Copy, stood these Latin verses, viz. Meursae haec (quam Cernis) decies tor, sexque peregit Annos, bis septem prorsus non vescitur Annis. Nec potat, sic sola sedet, sic pallida vitam Ducit, & exigni se oblectat floribus Horti. Thus Englished. This Maid (of Meurs) hath thirty six year spent. Fourteen of which she took no nourishment, Thus pale and wan she sits (sad and alone) A garden is all she loves to look upon. The Letter. Beloved Brother, if you call to remembrance my former letters (written unto you about the beginning of September 1605) you shall find in them, a report of this Maiden of Meurs, who at the time had fasted but eight years: which report I know you very slightly entertained, and as I think, thought it fabulous and untrue: But before that time, and ever since, her manner of living hath been so narrowly looked into, that I am now myself thoroughly persuaded to believe it, because not only I, but thousands besides, have seen her, & can testify with me. None of the Princes of Germany, nor any Noblemen or Gentlemen of England, traveling near that way, but have been eye-witnesses of what I writ to you, concerning her many at this present in the English Court have seen her. His excellency (Grave Maurice) who is Earl of Meurs, never cometh into the Town, but he makes her one of his guests, yet she eateth noting at all. Thus much of this wonder. Now for Gulicke-newes. The Protestants and jesuits up in Arms in Gulicke-land. AT Aken, a great Town (where the Crown of the Empire is kept) standing within 12 miles of Gulicke, in Gulicke-land did this quarrel begin, upon the occasion following. Since the taking of Gulick, that the land was governed by a Protestant Prince, the Protestants presumed (as well they might) to have more liberty than they had wont, and to go to hear Sermons a mile or two out of the town (yet in most Towns in Cleve-land they use to preach in Churches) The jesuits taking note of this, and the Magistrates being Papists & favourers of their own religion, consulted together how to stop this tide and passage of the Protestants from swelling to a greater stream & thereupon suddenly apprehended as many of the Protestants that had been at the Sermons as they could possible lay hands upon: Great fines being set upon some, and the rest (whose number were not few) appointed to be banished. Which severity & cruel doom was borne with patience so long, that out of Aken were drawn into banishment 300 families at least, and that upon the 13 day of june (now last passed) there were to be sent from thence into the like misery and exile a great number more, The sight of which, striking into the hearts of the common Burgesses of the town, & moving them to compassion, they resolved to go altogether to the Town-hall, to have their poor countrymen, with their wives and children stayed: at their entreaty, and humble intercession, they did so, as they resolved, and came to the place where their Magistrates were assembled: But no prayers, no tears, no entreaty could prevail, but all were by the Magistrates sharply charged and commanded to departed peaceably home to their houses: for they knew well enough what belonged to their places, to the state of town, and what was to be done. But a number of people (both Protestants and Papists) in a mixed assembly being gathered together, before the Townehall, the Papists expecting the event of this new business, the Protestants lamenting the banishment & departure of their friends, kinds-folkes, & countrymen, and seeing no hope to find any mercy at the Magistrates hands, some (amongst the rest) burst out into passionate expostulations, crying (out of their true pity, sorrow, and desire of revenge.) Is there no remedy, no helping strong hand that can, or that dares cast off a burden so heavy, and so intolerable as this? Must we behold our fathers, our sons, our brethren, wives, sisters & acquaintance, driven thus like outcasts into foreign and unknown countries (out of our native land) only for hearing the word of God truly preached amongst us. And is there none so valiant to step forth and defend them and us from this miserable and tyrannous bondage? Can we fight for the same cause (O you faint-hearted Dutch nation) against proud foreign people, keeping them out at the swords point, and shall we not be able to maintain our own quarrel against our own countrymen? Can our arms and our weapons, with which we have won battles, not now help ourselves? no, no, replied others, we the wretched and despised number of the Protestants are few, but the jesuits and Papists (our cruel enemies) are many and strong, Yet cried others in what nobler, in what better quarrel can we venture our lives, and, venturing so lose them, then in defence of the Gospel, our country, our brethren, kindred, and friends? We are Gods Soldiers in so just a war, & therefore why do we not arm ourselves to maintain his cause? These and such like speeches, annimated the people, kindled manly fire in their bosoms, and so inflamed them, that on a sudden, flying to their best defence and guard of safety, Arm, Arm, Arm, was cried, every one betook him to his weapons, so that within one half hour, all the town was filled with armed men, the walls giving as much cause of terror to the country-faction as the streets did, because they were as suddenly and as bravely manned too. The keys of the gates being seized upon, into the Protestants hands, an able and stout watch was presently chosen, and planted for their better security: the old Magistrates removed and new put into their places, and (as it often happens in such commotions) nothing was left undone, which the rage of people newly delivered from fear, and having now the bridle of government to themselves, had will to execute, so that all prisons were set open, & all prisoners at liberty to strengthen their side, and fight for them, because they were now rather to do then to deliberate: to the jesuits Cloisters they went, where they slew some, took other prisoners, & those who escaped best went away with much danger of their lives: the Cloisters were defaced, Altars thrown down, Images broken in pieces, & after many violent-outrages, in the end the town of Aken was surprised and made theirs. And now (coming to capitulations) the Papists would be content to suffer the Protestants to Preach without the town: but the Protestants on the contrary part, will not now suffer them to exercise their Mass within the Town, but thrust them out of the gate. This quarrel hanging yet in a doubtful balance, is to be decided by the Duke of Brandenburg, (prince of that country) now being in high Germany. What hereafter ensues upon it I shall (dear broth●r) God willing acquaint you in writing, and be sorry, if this short relation of our Gulicks service, prove not delightful to yourself, or to any of your friends and my Countrymen, that may read happily the same. I did not more enlarge it. Farewell from Vtrecht. FINIS.