The theatre of Gods judgements wherein is represented the admirable justice of God against all notorious sinners ... / collected out of sacred, ecclesiasticall, and pagan histories by two most reverend doctors in divinity, Thomas Beard ... and Tho. Taylor ...

CHAP. II. Of those that rebell against their Superiors.

NOw as it is a thing required by law and reason, that chil∣dren beare that honour and reverence to their naturall parents which is commanded; so it is necessary by the same respect, that all subjects performe that duty of honour and obedience to their Lords, Princes, and Kings, which is not derogatory to the glory of God; & the rather, because they are as it were their fathers, in supplying that duty towards their subjects which fathers owe their children: as namely in maintaining their peace and tranquility in earthly things, and keeping them under the discipline of Gods Church; to which two ends they were ordained. For this cause the Scripture biddeth every man to be subject to the higher powers; not so much to avoid the punish∣ment which might befall the contrary, as because it is agreeable to the will of God. And in another place, To honour the King; and, To give unto Caesar that which is Caesars, as unto God that which is Gods. So also in Moses law wee are forbidden to detract from, or speake evill of the Magistrate, or to curse the Ruler of the people.

Yet for all this the children of Israel were not afraid many times to commit this sin, but then especially when they charged Moses with con∣spiring the murther of those Rebels that (under Corah, Dathan, and Abi∣ram, Captaines of that enterprise) set themselves against him and Aaron; whom not he, but God for their pride and stubburnnesse, had rooted out and destroyed: and thus they backbited and slandered Moses, and muti∣ned against him, being their soveraigne Magistrate and Conductor, that so meekly and justly had brought them out of Egypt, even by the speciall commission of Almighty God. But the fury of Gods displeasure was so stirred up against them for this their fact, that they were scourged with a grievous plague, whereof dyed about foure thousand and seven hundred persons.

In the time of King Davids flight from Absalom, who pursued him to bereave him of his kingdome, there was one Semei a Ieminite, that in his wicked and perverse humour, in stead of service done unto his Soveraigne, especially in that extremity, not only presented not himselfe unto him as a subject, but as a railer cursed him with most reproachfull tearmes, as of murtherer, and wicked man, and also threw stones at him and his follow∣ers, in most despightfull manner: for which his malitious and rebellious act, though whilest David lived he was not once called in question: yet was he not exempted from punishment therefore; for in the end his wic∣kednesse fell upon his owne head, and destruction overtooke him by desert of another fault, at the commandement of Solomon.

The punishment of Shiba the sonne of Bichri tarried not all so long, who having also with a proud and audacious heart stirred up the greatest part of Israel to rebell against David, then when he thought to have been most at quiet, enjoyed not long his disloyall enterprise; for being speedily pursued by Davids servants, and besieged in the city Abel, his head was cut off by the citizens, and throwne over the wall, as a just reward for his re∣bellious act.

But let us passe over these sacred histories, and come to prophane, yet probable, and more neere examples. When Camillus besieged the Phalis∣chi, a people in Hetruria, neere to mount Floscon, a Schoolemaster of the city, who had the rule over the chiefe mens sons, both touching instruction and governance, led them out of the city gates one day in shew to walke, but indeed to betray them into Camillus hands: which unfaithfull dealing Camillus did not onely mislike, but detest and refuse, thinking it an unho∣nest part by such finister meanes to bring even his enemies in subjection; and therefore reproving the trustlesse Schoolmaster, and binding his hands behind his back, he gave every one of his schollers a rod, with commande∣ment to whip him backe unto the parents, whom hee had pretended so to deceive. A most noble act in Camillus (would wee could finde the like among Christians) and a most deserved punishment of the Schoolmaster, (would no traitor might be served better.) Neither might that worthy Romane repent his deed, for the Phalischi in admiration and love of this notable justice, freely yeelded themselves and their city to him, which otherwise in long time, and without great effusion of bloud he could not have atchieved.

Did Tarpeia the daughter of Sp. Tarpeius speed any better, when sh••t be∣trayed the tower whereof her father was the overseer; to Tatius King of the

Sabines, who at that season besieged Rome, upon condition of a summe of gold, or as other writers say, of all that the souldiers wore on their left hands? No verily, for the Sabines (as soon as they had obtained their pur∣pose) overwhelmed her with her left hand gifts; to wit, their shields, and not their rings and bracelets, which she hoped: to the end to leave an ex∣ample to the posterity, how no promise nor oath ought to be of force to traitors, to keep them from punishment.

Neither did these noble young men of Rome, amongst whom were the Consull Brutus sonnes, come to any better issue, when they conspired to receive King Tarquinius into the city by night, who by the vertue and va∣lour of their father was worthily expulsed: for their secret and wicked counsell being bewrayed to the Consuls Iunius and Pub. Valerius, by Vin∣dicio a bondslave, they were apprehended, having letters about them writ∣ten to Tarquinius to the same effect: and being condemned, were first shamefully scourged with rods, and after executed to death.

Pausanias King of Sparta having conspired with the Persians against his own countrey, and as it were offered violence to his owne bowels, fled into the Sanctuary of Pallas for reliefe, when he saw the Ephori to go about to call him in question for his treason. Now whereas it was irrelegious to take him from thence by violence, they agreed to shut him up there con∣tinually, and so to pine him to death. Which when his mother understood, she was the first person that brought a stone to stop up the doores, to hin∣der him from getting forth: and therein shewed a notable example of god∣ly cruelty to her childe, and cruell pitty to her countrey: approving that saying of Aristippus, who being demanded why hee neglected his sonne being borne of his body? answered, Doe wee not cast from us lice and flegme which are also bred of our bodies? Insinuating, That they which have nothing to commend them to their parents but genera∣tion, are not to be esteemed as children; much lesse they that degenerate.

When Brennus, Captaine of the Gaules, brother to Belinus, and sonne to Moluntius King of Brittaine, besieged Ephesus, a devillish woman enti∣ced with the jewels which Brennus wore about him, betraied the city into his hands. But Brennus detesting this abhominable covetousnesse, when he entred the city so loaded her with gold, that he covered and oppressed her therewith.

In like manner Herodamon delivered up to the Emperour Aurelian his own native city Tian••, in hope to save his owne life by betraying his coun∣trey. But it fell out quite contrary to his expectation; for though Caesar had sworne not to leave a dog alive within the wals, because they shut their gates against him, and also his souldiers were instant and urgent upon his promise, yet he spared the city, and destroyed the traitor, and quit himselfe of his promise, by hanging up every dog in the city, contrary to his owne intent, and his armies expectation; yet agreeable to his words, and most correspondent to equity and true fortitude.

In the yeare of our Lord 1270, the Bishop of Colonea practising to spoile the city of her priviledges, and reduce it under his own jurisdiction: Hermanus Grinu, Consul, and chiefe Magistrate, withstood his power and authority with all his force, so that he could not bring his purpose about. Wherefore two Cannons belonging to the Bishop, sought to undermine this their enemy by policy, and to take him out of the way: for which

end they invited him in very kind manner to dinner, but when he was come they brought him into a young lyons denne (which they kept in honour of the Bishop) and unawares shut the doores upon him, bidding him shift for himselfe, thinking that it was impossible for him to escape out alive.

But the Consull perceiving in what great danger he was, wrapped his cloake about his left arme, and thrusting it into the mouth of the hungry Lion, killed him with his right hand, and so by the wonderfull providence of God, escaped without hurt. But the two traiterous Canons he caught right soone, and hung them at their Cathedrall Church, to their owne con∣fusion, and tertor of all traitors.

It was noble saying, and worthy the marking, of Augustus Caesar, to Rami∣talches King of Thracia, who having forsaken Anthony, to take part with Augustus, boasted very insolently of his deserts towards him: then Caesar dissembling his folly, dranke to another King, and said, I love treason, but I cannot commend nor trust a traitour. The same also in effect Philip of Macedony and Iulius Caesar were wont to say, That they loved a traitour at the first, but when hee had finished his treason, they hated him more than any other: signifying, that traitours deserved no retribution of thankes, seeing their office was accepted for a time, yet they themselves could never be counted lesse than naughty and disloyall persons: for no honest man ever betrayed his countrey or his friend: and what greater pu∣nishment can there be than this? But for manifest proofe hereof let this one example serve in stead of many, namely, of Theodoricke King of Fran∣cia, and Irminfride King of Thuringia, who being profest foes, and having sought many cruell battels, at length the latter was conquered of the for∣mer, by the lucky assistance of the Saxons. This Irminfride thus subdued, sued for pardon and release at the conquerours hand, but hee was so farre from pittying his estate, that he corrupted one Iringus a Nobleman, and Irminfride's subject, to murther his master, which he performed kneeling before Theodoricke, running him through with his sword at his backe: which traiterous deed, as soone as it was finished, Theodoricke, though the setter of it, yet he could not abide the actour, but bad him be packing, for who could put trust in him that had betrayed his owne master? At which words Iringus (mad with anger and rage) ranne at Theodericke also with purpose to have slaine him too; but his hand missing the marke, returned his sword into his owne bowels, so that he fell down dead upon his masters carkasse. What more notable and wonderfull judgement could happen? surely it is an example worthy to be written in golden letters, and to bee read and remembred of every one, to teach men allegiance and obedience to their Princes and Superiors, lest more sudden destruction than this fall upon them.

After the death of Ieronimus King of Siracuse, Andronodorus and Themi∣stius, provoked by their wives descending of the bloud royall, affected an usurpation of the crowne, and wrought much hurt to the commonwealth: but their practises being discovered, the Pretors (by the consent of the Senatours) slew them both in the market place, as rotten members of their common body, and therefore fit to be cut off. And when they un∣derstood, how their wives Damarata and Harmonia were breeders and incen∣sers of this mischiefe, they sent to kill them also; yea and Heraclia, Har∣monia her sister, guiltlesse and witlesse of the crime (for no other cause,

but because shee was sister unto her) was pluckt from the Altar, and slain in the tumult, with two of her daughters that were virgins. And thus is treason plagued not only in traitors themselves, but also in those that are linked unto them in friendship and affinity.

The glory and reputation of Fabritius the Roman is eternised by that noble act of his, in sending bound to Pyrrhus a traitor that offered to poy∣son him. For albeit that Pyrrhus was a sworne enemy to the Roman Em∣pire, and also made war upon it, yet would not Fabritius trecherously seeke his destruction, but sent back that traitor unto him, to be punished at his discretion.

What notable treasons did Hadrian the fourth, Pope of Rome, practise against the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, yet all was still frustrate; for the Lord protected the Emperour, and punished the traitour with a sudden and strange death; for he was choaked with a flie which went downe his throat and stopped his breath, and could by no meanes be pulled out till it made an end of him. Besides, many others that went about the same pra∣ctise, were brought to notable destructions: as that counterfeit foole whom the Italians set on to murder Fredericke in his chamber, which had been performed, had he not leaped out of a window into a river, and so saved his life: for the foole being taken, was throwne headlong out of the same window and broke his neeke. As also an Arabian Doctor, a grand poysoner, who going about to infect with poyson his bridle, his saddle, his spurres, and stirrops, that as soone as he should but touch them, hee might be poysoned, was discovered and hanged for his labour.

In the yeare of our Lord 1364, when as the Emperour Charles the fourth, and Philip Duke of Austria, were ready to joyne battell in the field, Charles distrusting his owne power, undermined his foe by subtil∣ty on this fashion: he sent for three of Duke Philips captaines privily, and persuaded them with promises of rewards to worke some meanes to terri∣fie the Duke, and dissuade him from that battell: which they performed with all diligence; for they told the Duke, that they had stolne into the Emperours tents by night, and viewed his power, which they found to ex∣ceed his by three parts, and therefore counselled him not to try the ha∣zard of the battell, but to save his souldiers lives by flight, which if they tarried, they were sure to loose. Wherewithall the Duke mistrusting no fraud, sore affrighted, tooke the next occasion of flight, and returned home with dishonour. Now when these three traitors came to the Em∣perour for their compacted rewards, he caused them to bee payed in coun∣terfeit money, not equivaling the summe of their bargaine by the twen∣tieth part: which although at first they discerned not, yet afterwards finding how they were cousened, they returned to require their due, and complaine of their wrong. But the Emperor looking sternely upon them, answered▪ That counterfeit money was good enough for their counter∣feit service, and that if they tarried long, they should have a due reward of their treason.

Ladislaus Lerezin, Governour of Alba Iulia in Hungary, under Maximi∣lian the Emperour, in the yeare 1566: the City being besieged, and in some danger of losing, albeit hee was advertised, That within two dayes he should receive some reliefe, yet yeelded the City traiterously into the hands of the Turkes upon composition. The cruell Turks forgetting their

faith and all humanity, massacred all the souldiers within the City, and sent Ladislaus the traitour bound hand and foot to Selym the great Turke: where he was accused for his cruell slaying of some Turkish prisoners, and delivered to his accusers to be used at their pleasure; who (a just reward of his former treason) put him into a great Pipe stickt full of long nailes, and then rolled him downe from a high mountaine, so as the nailes ran through him, and ended his life in horrible torment. Besides, his sonne that was also partaker of this treason, died miserably without meanes, and abandoned of all men, in great poverty and extremity.

When as the City of Rhodes was besieged by the Turke, there was in it a certaine traiterous Nobleman, who upon promise to have one of Soly∣mans daughters given him in marriage, did many services to the Turke in secret, to the prejudice of the City. The Island and towne being woon, he presented himselfe to Solyman, expecting the performance of his promise: but hee in recompence of his treason caused him to be flayed alive; say∣ing, That it was not lawfull for a Christian to marry a Turkish wife, ex∣cept he put off his old skinne: being thus flayed, they layed him upon a bed all covered with salt, and so poudered him, that in short space he di∣ed in unspeakable tormenes.

Notes

• Rom. 13.
• 1 Pet. 2. Mat. 22. Exod. 22.
• Num. 16.
• 2 Sam. 16.
• Mandat. 3. Cursers, lib. 1. cap. 33.
• 1 King. 2.
• 2 Sam. 20.
• Liv. lib. 5.
• Liv. lib. 1.
• Tit. Liv.
• Thucyd, lib. 1••
• Aelian. lib. 9.
• Eras. in Apoph. lib. 6.
• Albert. Crantz
• Tit. Livius.
• Cic. offic. lib. 3.
• Albert. Crantz
• Leunclanias Annales of Turky.
• Camerarius Historicall me∣ditat. cap. 7.