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 ...

THE SECOND BOOKE. (Book 2)

CHAP. I. Of rebellious and stubborne children to∣wards their Parents.

WEe have seene in the former Booke, what punishments they have incurred, that either malitiously or otherwise have transgressed and broken the commandements of the first Table: Now it followeth to discover the cha∣stisements which God hath sent upon the transgressors of the second Table. And first concerning the first commandement therof, which is, Honour thy father and mother, that thy dayes may be prolonged in the land which the Lord thy God hath given thee. Cham one of old Noah's sonnes, was guilty of the breach of this * 1.1 Commandement; who in stead of performing that reverence to his fa∣ther which he ought (and that presently after the deluge, which being yet fresh in memory, might have taught him to walke in the feare of God) came so short of his duty, that when he saw his nakednesse, hee did not hide it, but mocked and jeasted at it: for which cause hee was cursed both of his father, and of God, in the person of his youngest sonne Chanaan, and made a servant to the servants of his brethren: which curse was fulfilled in * 1.2 his posterity the Canaanites, who being forsaken of God, were rooted up and spued out of their land, because of their sinnes and abhomina∣tions.

Marvellous strange was the malice of Absolon, to rebell so furiously * 1.3 against his father David, as to wage warre against him: which he did with all his strongest endeavours, without sparing any thing that might further his proceedings; insomuch that he grew to that outrage and madnesse, through the wicked and pernitious counsell of Achitophel, that hee sha∣med not villanously to commit incest with his fathers concubines, and * 1.4 pollute his bloud even before the eyes of the multitude: by which means being become altogether odious and abhominable, hee shortly after lost * 1.5 the battell: wherein though himselfe received no hurt nor wound, yet was he not therefore quit; but being pursued by Gods just judgement, fell un∣wittingly into the snare which he had deserved: for as he rode along the forrest, to save himselfe from his fathers army; his moyle carrying him un∣der a thicke oake, left him hanging by the haire upon a bough betwixt

heaven and earth, untill being found by Ioab, he was wounded to death with many blowes. Whereby every man may plainly see that God wan∣teth no means to punish sinners when it pleaseth him; but maketh the dumbe and sencelesse creatures the instruments of his vengeance: for hee that had escaped the brunt and danger of the battell, (and yet not having therefore escaped the hand of God) was by a bruit beast brought under a sencelesse tree, which God had appointed to catch hold of him as an exe∣cutioner of his just judgement: which if wee consider, is as strange and wonderfull an accident as may possible happen; and such an one as God himselfe provided, to punish this wicked, proud, and rebellious wretch withall: for seeing his outrage and villany was so great as to rebell against his father, and so good and kinde a father towards him as he was, it was most just, that he should endure so vile a punishment. Beside, herein doubt∣lesse God would lay open to the eyes of all the world, a fearefull spectacle of his judgements against wicked and disobedient children, thereby to terrifie the most impudent and malitious wretches that live, from this horrible sinne. And for the same cause it was his pleasure, that that wic∣ked and false Achitophel should fall into extreme ignominy and confusion for forsaking David, and setting forward with counsell and presence yong Absolon against his father; for which cause with despaire he hung him∣selfe. Now by this example it is easie to perceive how unpleasant this sin is in Gods sight, and how much he would have every man to hate and de∣test it, seeing that Nature her selfe teacheth and instructeth us so farre, as to yeeld duty and obedience unto those that begat, nourished, and brought us up.

Notwithstanding all this, yet is the world full of ill advised and ill nur∣tured youth, that are little lesse disobedient unto their parents than Abso∣lon was, as Adramalech and Saraser, that slew their father Sennacherib as he was worshipping in the Temple of Nisroth his god: but whereas they loo∣ked * 1.6 for the soveraignty, they lost the benefit of subjection, and were banished into Armenia, their brother Esarhaddon raigning in their stead.

Gregory of Tours maketh mention of one Crannius the son of Clotarius * 1.7 King of France, who having conspired treacherously, and raised warre against his father, together with the Earle of Brittaine his supporter, were both vanquished and put to flight; but the Earle was slaine in the pursuit: The Prince himselfe also (thinking to escape by sea, where lay provided certaine ships ready to receive him) was in the mid way overtaken, toge∣ther with his wife and children, whom he purposed to make partakers of his fortune, and were altogether (by the expresse commandement of his father) shut up in a little house, and there burned together. In this wise did Clotarius revenge the treachery and rebellion of his sonne, after a more severe, cruell, and fierce manner than King David did, who would have sa∣ved his sonne Absolons life, notwithstanding all his wickednesse, and ma∣litious and furious rebellion: but this man contrariwise being bereft of all fatherly affection, would use no compassion towards his sonne, but com∣manded so cruell an execution to bee performed, not onely upon him, but upon his daughter in law also, and their children, perchance altogether innocent and guiltlesse of that crime. A very rare and strange example, seeing it is commonly seene, that grandfathers use more to cherish and

cocker their childrens children than their own. Therefore we must think, that it was the providence of God to leave behind a notable example of his most just and righteous severity against disobedient and rebellious chil∣dren, to the end to amase and feare all others from enterprising the like.

Philip Comineus hath recorded the treacherous tragedy of a most wicked * 1.8 and cruell sonne called Adolphus (for the world waxeth every day worse than other) that came in an evening suddenly to take his father the Duke of Gilderland prisoner, even as he was going to bed, and would not give him so much liberty as to pull on his hose (for he was bare legged) but car∣ried him away in all haste, making him march on foot without breeches five long Almaine miles, in a most cold weather: and then clapt him up in the bottome of a deep tower, where there was no light save by a little window, and there kept him close prisoner six moneths together. After which cruell fact, he himselfe was taken prisoner in like manner, and car∣ried bound to Namur, where he lay a long time, untill the Gaunts reprived him forthwith, and led him with them against Tournay, where he was slain: in the while of his imprisonment, his father yeelding to nature, disinhe∣rited him of all his goods, for his vile ingratitude and unnaturall cruelty, and left the succession of his dukedome to the Duke of Bourgondy.

In the yeare of our Lord 1461, in a village called Iuchi, neere to Cam∣bray, * 1.9 there dwelt a certaine man (or rather a beast) that in a great rage threw his owne mother out of his doores thrice in one day, and the third time told her in fury, That hee had rather see his house on fire, and burnt to coles, than that she should abide there but one day longer. It happe∣ned that the very same day, according to his cursed speech, his house was indeed fired, but how or whence no man could judge: and the fire was so fierce, that it consumed to ashes not only that house, but also twelve other houses adjoyning: which was an evident figure of Gods just judgement in punishing so vile and unnaturall a deed by fire, seeing he deserved at the least to lose his house for banishing her out of it, that had borne him in her belly, and nourished him with the milke of her paps.

In this place I may fitly insert two memorable examples of the same * 1.10 subject, gathered by an author of credit and fame sufficient, to this effect. It is not long (saith he) since a friend of mine, a man of a great spirit, and worthy to be beleeved, recounted to me a very strange accident which, he said, hapned to himselfe, and proved his saying by the testimony of many witnesses: which was this: That being upon a time at Naples at a kins∣mans and familiars house of his, he heard by night the voice of a man cry∣ing in the street for aid, which caused him to rise and light a candle, and run out to see what the matter was: being come out of the doores, he per∣ceived a cruell and ougly shaped divell, striving with all his force to catch and get into his clouches a yong man, that strove on the other side to de∣fend himselfe, and for feare raised that outcry which he had before heard: the yong man seeing him, ran to him forthwith, and catching fast hold by his cloathes, and pitifully crying to God, would in no case let go his hold untill his cruell enemy forsooke him: and being brought into the house all dismaied and beside himselfe, would not let go his hold untill he came to his sences againe out of that exceeding feare. The cause of which assault was, he had led all his time a most wicked life, and had been a con∣temner

of God, and a Rebell against his parents, using vile railing and bit∣ter speeches against them, in such sort, that in stead of blessing, they had layd a curse upon him. And this is the first example.

Concerning the second, I will also set downe the Authors owne words, as followeth. Of all the strange things (saith he) that ever I heard report of, that which happened not long since at Rome is most worthy to be re∣membred, of a certaine yong man of Gabia, borne of a base and poore fa∣mily, but endued with terrible and furious nature, and addicted to a loose and disordinate life. This gallant picking a quarrell with his owne father, in his anger reviled him with most grosse and reprochfull tearmes: In which mad fits, as one wholly given over to the Divell, he purposely de∣parted to Rome to practise some naughty device against his father: but his ghostly father the Divell met him in the way, under the shape of a cruell and ougly fellow with a thicke bushie beard, and haire hanging disorderly, and cloathes all rent and tattered; who as they walked toge∣ther, enquired of him why he was so sad: He answered, that there had passed some bitter speeches betwixt his father and him, and now he devi∣sed to work him some mischiefe. The Divell by and by like a crafty knave soothed him up & said, that he also upon the like occasion went about the same practise, and desired that they might pursue both their voyage and enterprise together: it was soone agreed upon betwixt them, being like to like, as the proverbe goeth. Therefore being arrived at Rome, and lod∣ged at the same Inne, one bed did serve them both; where whilest the yong man securely and soundly slept, the old malicious knave watching his opprtunity, caught him by the throat to strangle him: whereat the poore wretch awoke, and cried for help to God so that the wicked spirit was constrained to forsake him without performing his purpose, and to flee out at the chamber with such force and violence, that the house roofe crackt, and the tyles clattered downe aboundantly. The host of the house being awaked with the noyse, cryed out to know what the matter was, and running into the chamber where this noyse was, with a candle in his hand, found the poore young man all alone betwixt dead and alive, of whom (recovered) he learnt out the whole truth, as hath been told: but he af∣ter this terrible accident repented him of his wicked life, and was touch∣ed with the sence of his grievous sinne so nearly, that ever after he led a more circumspect and honest life. Thus much we finde written in that Author.

Henry the fifth inspired with the furies of the Pope of Rome, made warre upon his father Henry the fourth, vexing him with cruell and often * 1.11 battels, and not ceasing till he had spoiled him of his Empire, and till the Bishop of Mentz had proudly and insolently taken from him his Im∣periall ornaments even in his presence: but the Lord in recompence of his unnaturall dealing, made him and his army a prey unto his enemies the Saxons, and to flie before them, stirring up also the Pope of Rome to be as grievous a scourge unto him, as he had beene before time to his father. Now as the ambition of a Kingdome was the cause of this mans ingratitude, so in the example following, pride and disdaine ruled, and therefore he is so much the more to be condemned, by how much a Kingdome is a stronger cord to draw men to vice, than a mans owne affection.

There was (saith Manlius) an old man crooked with age, distressed with poverty, and almost pined with hunger, that had a sonne rich, strong, and fat, of whom he intreated no gold or silver, or possession, but food and * 1.12 sustenance for his belly, and clothes for his backe, but could not obtaine it at his hands: for his proud heart, exalted with prosperity, thought it a shame and discredit to his house, to be borne of so poore and base paren∣tage, and therefore not onely denied him reliefe, but also disclaimed him from being his father, and chased him away with bitter and crabbed reproaches. The poore old man thus cruelly handled, let teares fall as witnesse of his griefe, and departed comfortlesse from his Tygre minded sonne. But the Lord that gathereth up the tears of the innocent, looked down from heaven in justice, and sent a fury into the sences and under∣standing of this monstrous son, that as he was void of nature and compas∣sion, so he might bevoid of reason and discretion for ever after.

Another not so cruell and disdainfull as the former, yet cruell and dis∣dainfull * 1.13 enough to plucke downe vengeace upon his head, would not see his father beg indeed, nor yet abjure him as the other did; but yet under∣taking to keepe him, used him more like a slave than a father: for what should be too deare for him that gives us life? yet every good thing was too deare for this poore father, Vpon a time a dainty morsell of meat was upon the boord to be eaten, which as soone as he came in he conveied away, and foisted in courser victuals in the roome. But marke what his * 1.14 dainties turned to: when the servant went to fetch it againe, he found in stead of meat snakes, and of sauce serpents, to the great terrour of his con∣science: but that which is more, one of the serpents leaped in his face, and catching hold by his lip, hung there till his dying day, so that hee could never feed himselfe, but he must feed the serpent withall. And this badge carried he about as a cognisance of an unkinde and ungrate∣full sonne.

Moreover this is another judgment of God, that commonly as children deale with their parents, so doe their children deale with them: and this in the law of proportion is most just, and in the order of punishing most usuall: for the proofe whereof, as experience daily teacheth, so one exam∣ple or two I will subjoyne It is reported how a certaine unkind and per∣verse * 1.15 sonne beat his aged father upon a time, and drew him by the haire of his head to the threshold: who when hee was old was likewise beaten of his sonne, and drawne also by the haire of the head not to the thre∣shold, but out of doores into the durt; and how hee should say he was rightly served, if he had left him at the threshold, as he left his father, and not dragged him into the streets, which hee did not to his. Thus did his owne mouth beare record of his impiety, and his owne conscience con∣demne him before God and men.

Another old man being persuaded by his son (that had maried a yong * 1.16 wise) with faire and sugred promises of kindnesses and contentments, to surrender his goods and lands unto him, yeelded to his request, and found for a space all things to his desire: but when his often coughing annoyd his yong and dainty wise, he first removed his lodging from a faire high chamber to a base under roome, and after shewed him many other unkinde and unchildly parts: and lastly when the old man as ked for cloathes, he bought foure elnes of cloath, two wherof he bestowed upon him, and reser∣ved

the other two for himselfe. Now his young sonne marking this nig∣gardise of his father towards his grandfather, hid the two elles of cloath, and being asked why hee hid them (whether by ingeniousnesse or instinct of God) he answered, To the end to reserve them for his father, against he was old, to be a covering for him. Which answer touched his father so neere, that ever after hee shewed himselfe more loving and obsequious to his father than he did before. Two great faults, but soone and happily amended. Would it might be an example to all children, if not to miti∣gate them, yet at least to learne them to feare how to deale roughly and crookedly with their parents, seeing that God punisheth sinne with sinne, and sinners in their owne kinde, and measureth the same measure to every man which they have measured unto others. The like we read of another * 1.17 that provided a trough for his old decrepit unmannerly father to eat his meat in: who being demanded of his sonne also to what use that trough should serve, answered for his grandfather: What (quoth the childe) and must we have the like for you when you are old? Which words so abashed him, that he threw it away forthwith.

At Millan there was an abstinate and ungodly sonne, that when he was * 1.18 admonished by his mother of some fault which he had committed, made a wry mouth, and pointed his fingers at her in scorne and derision. Where∣at his mother being angry, wished that he might make such a mouth upon the gallowes. Neither was it a vaine wish, for within few daies he was ta∣ken * 1.19 with a theft, and condemned by law to be hanged; and being upon the ladder, was perceived to wryth his mouth in griefe, after the same fashion which he had done before to his mother in derision.

Henry the second of that name, King of England, sonne of Geffrey Plan∣tagenet, and Maud the Empresse, after he had raigned twenty yeares, was content to admit his young sonne Henry (married to Margaret the French Kings daughter) into participation of his Crowne: but he like an unnatu∣rall son to requite his fathers love, sought to dispossesse him of the whole; for by inciting the King of France and certaine other Nobles, hee tooke armes, and raised warre against his owne naturall father: betwixt whom di∣vers strong battels being fought, as well in England by the Deputies and friends of both parties, as also in Normandy, Poytou, Guian, and Britain; the victory alwayes inclined to the father, so that the rebellious son with his allies were constrained to bend to his fathers will, and to desire peace, which he gently granted, and forgave his offence. Howbeit the Lord for his disobedience did not so lightly pardon him, but because his hasty mind could not tarry for the Crowne till his fathers death, therefore the Lord cut him short of it altogether, causing him to die six yeares before his father, being yet but young, and like to live long.

Lothair King of Soissons in France, committed the rule of the province of Guian to his eldest son Cramiris, who when (contrary to the mind of his father) he oppressed the people with exactions, and was reclaimed home, he like an ungratious and impious son, fled to his uncle Childebert, and pro∣voked him towarre upon his owne father, wherein he himselfe was by the just vengeance of God taken, and burned with his wife and children to death.

Furthermore it is not (doubtlesse) but to a very good end enacted in the law of God, That he which curseth his father or mother should die the

death, and that rebellious children and such as be incorrigible, should at the instance and pursuit of their owne parents, by order of law be stoned to death.

As children by all these examples ought not onely to learne to feare to displease and revile their parents, but also to feare and reverence them, lest that by disobedience they kindle the fire of Gods wrath against them: so likewise on the other side parents are here advertised to have great care in bringing up and instructing their children in the feare of God, and obedi∣ence to his will; lest for want of instruction and correction on their part, they themselves incurre a punishment of their carelesse negligence in the person of their children. And this is proved by experience of the men of * 1.20 Bethel, of whose children two and forty were torne in pieces by Beares, for that they had been so evill taught as to mocke the holy Prophet Elizeus, in calling him bald-pate.

Heli likewise the high priest was culpable of this fault, for having two * 1.21 wicked and perverse sonnes, whom no feare of God could restraine, being discontent with that honourable portion of the sacrifices allotted them by God, like famished and unsatiable wretches fell to share out more than was their due, and by force to raven all that which by faire meanes they could not get: and that which is worse, to pollute the holy Tabernacle of God with their filthy whoredomes, in such sort, that the Religion of God * 1.22 grew in disgrace through their prophane dealings. And albeit it may seem that their father did his duty in some sort, when he admonished and repro∣ved them, yet it is manifest by the reprehension of the man of God, that he did no part of that at all, or if he did, yet it was in so carelesse, loose, and cold manner, using more lenity than hee ought, or lesse severity than was necessary, that God turned their destructions (when they were slaine at the overthrow of Israel by the Philistins) to be his punishment: for under∣standing the dolefull newes of his sonnes death, and the Arkes taking, at once, he fell backewards from his stoole, and burst his necke, being old and heavy, even fourescore and eighteene yeares of age, not able either to help or stay himselfe.

David also was not free from this offence; for hee so much cockered * 1.23 some of his children, that they proved the greatest plagues and scourges unto him, especially Absolon and Adonijah: for the one openly rebelled against him, and almost drove him out of his kingdome; the other usurped the title and honour of the kingdome before his fathers death: of this it is recorded. That David so cockered and pampered him, that he would ne∣ver displease him from his youth. But see how he was punished in them for this too great lenity; both of them came to an untimely death, and pro∣ved not onely the workers of their owne destruction, but also great crosses to their father.

Ludovicus Vives saith, That in his time a certain woman in Flanders did * 1.24 so much pamper and cocker up two of her sonnes, even against her hus∣bands will, that she would not suffer them to want money, or any thing which might furnish their roiotous life, both in drinking, banquetting, and dicing; yea she would stoale from her husband to minister unto them: but as soone as her husband was dead, she was justly plagued in them both, for they fell from royoting to robbing, (which two vices are commonly linked together) and for the same one of them was executed by the sword,

and the other by the halter, she her selfe looking on as a witnesse of their destructions, whereof her conscience told her that her indulgence was the chiefest cause. Hither may we referre that common and vulgar story, and I suppose very true, which is almost in every childes mouth, of him that going to the gallowes, desired to speake with his mother in her care ere he dyed; and when she came unto him, in stead of speaking, bit off her care * 1.25 with his teeth, exclaiming upon her as the causer of his death, because she did not chastise him in his youth for his faults, but by her flatteries esta∣blished him in vice, which brought him to this wofull end: and herein she was doubly punished, both in her sonnes destruction, and her owne infamy, whereof she carried about her a continuall ma••ke. This ought to be a war∣ning to all parents, to looke better to the education of their children, and to root out of them in time all evill and corrupt manners; lest of small sprigs they grow to branches, and of qualities to habits, and so either be hardly done off, or at least deprave the whole body, and bring it to destru∣ction: but above all to keep them from idlenesse and vaine pleasures, the discommodity and mischiefe whereof this present example will declare. At a towne called Hannuel in Saxony, the Devill transforming himselfe * 1.26 into the shape of a man, exercised many jugling trickes and pretty pa∣stime to delight young men and maids withall, and indeed to draw after him daily great companies: one day they followed him out of the city gates, unto a hill adjoyning, where he played a jugling tricke indeed with them, for he carried them all away with him, so that they were never after heard of. This history is recorded in the Annales of the aforenamed city, and avouched to be most true; being a notable and fearefull admonition to all parents, to set their children to learning and instruction, and to with∣draw them from all such vaine and foolish pastimes.

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 * 1.27 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 * 1.28 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, * 1.29 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 * 1.30 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 * 1.31 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. * 1.32

The punishment of Shiba the sonne of Bichri tarried not all so long, * 1.33 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, * 1.34 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 * 1.35 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 * 1.36 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 * 1.37 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 * 1.38 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 * 1.39 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, * 1.40 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, * 1.41 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 * 1.42 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 * 1.43 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 * 1.44 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, * 1.45 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.

CHAP. III. More examples of the same subject.

WHen Manuel the Emperour of Constantinople lay about * 1.46 Antioch with an army prepared against the Turke, one of his chiefest officers, namely, his Chancellour, put in practise this notable piece of treason against him: he waged three desperate young men with an infinite summe of money to kill him on a day appointed, and then with a band of souldiers determined to possesse himselfe of the Crowne, and of the City, and to slay all that any way crossed his purpose. But the treason being discoured secretly to the Em∣presse, she acquainted her Lord with it, who tooke the three traitours, and put them all to cruell deaths: and as for the Chancellour, he first bo∣red out his eyes, and plucking his tongue through his throat, tormented him to death with a rigorous and most miserable punishment.

When the Turke besieged Alba Graeca, certaine souldiers conspired to betray the City into his hands, for he had promised them large rewards * 1.47 so to doe; howbe it it succeeded not with them, for they were detected and apprehended by Paulus Kynifius Governour of Hungary, who constrai∣ned them to eat one anothers flesh, seething every dayone to feed the other withall, but he that was last was faine to devour his owne body.

Scribonianus a captaine of the Romans in Dalmatia, rebelled against the * 1.48 Emperor Claudius, and named himselfe emperor in the army; but his re∣bellion was miraculously punished, for though the whole army favored him very much, yet they could not by any meanes spread their banners, or remove their standers out of their places as long as he was called by the

name of Emperor, with which miracle being moved, they turned their loves into hatred, and their liking into loathing, so that whom lately they saluted as Emperor, him now they murthered as a traitor.

To rehearse all the English traitors that have conspired against their * 1.49 Kings from the Conquest unto this day, it is a thing unnecessary, and al∣most impossible. Howbeit, that their destructions may appeare more evi∣dently, and the curse of God upon traitors be made more manifest, I will briefely reckon up a catalogue of the chiefest of them. In the yere 1295 Lewline Prince of Wales rebelled against King Edward the first, and after much adoe, was taken by Sir Roger Mortimer, and his head set upon the Tower of London. In like sort was David, Lewline's brother served. R••••s and Madok escaped no better measure in stirring the Welchmen up to re∣bellion. No more did the Scots, who having of their owne accord com∣mitted the government of their kingdome to king Edward, after the death of Alexander (who broke his neck by a fall from an horse, and lest no issue male) and sworne fealty unto him; yet dispensed with their oath by the Popes commission, and Frenchmens incitement, and rebelled divers times against King Edward: for he overcame them sundry times, and made slaughter of their men, slaying at one time 32000, and taking divers of their Nobles prisoners. In like manner they rebelled against King Ed∣ward * 1.50 the third, who made three voyages into that land in the space of foure yeares, and at every time overcame and discomfited them, insomuch that well neere all the nobility of Scotland, with infinite number of the com∣mon people were slaine. Thus they rebelled in Henry the sixths time, and also Henry the eights, and divers other kings reignes, ever when our Eng∣lish forces were busied about forraine wars, invading the land on the other side most traiterously.

In the reigne of King Henry the fourth there rebelled at one time against him Sir Iohn Holland, D. of Excester, with the Dukes of Aumarle, Surrey, * 1.51 Salisbury, and Gloucester: and at another time Sir Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester, and Henry Percy son to the Earle of Northumberland: at ano∣ther, Sir Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke, and divers others of the house of the Lord Moubray: at another time Sir Henry Percy the father, Earle of Northumberland, and the Lord Bardolph: and lastly, Ryce ap Dee and Owen Glendour, two Welchmen: all which were either slaine, as Sir Henry Percy the younger; or beheaded, as the rest of these noble Rebels; or starved to death, as Owen Glendour was in the mountaines of Wales, af∣ter he had devoured his owne flesh.

In the reigne of Henry the fifth, Sir Richard Earle of Cambridge, Sir Richard Scroope Treasurer of England, and Sir Thomas Gray were beheaded for treason.

No lesse was the perfidious and ungratefull treachery of Humphry Ba∣nister an Englishman towards the Duke of Buckingham his Lord and ma∣ster, whom the said Duke had tenderly brought up, and exalted to great promotion, For when as the Duke being driven into extremity, by reason of the separation of his army which he had mustered together against King Richard the usurper, fled to the same Banister as his trustiest friend, to be kept in secret untill he could find opportunity to escape; this false traitor, upon hope of a thousand pounds which was promised to him that could bring forth the Duke, betraied him into the hands of Iohn Mitton

Shirife of Shropshire, who conveied him to the city of Salisbury, where King Richard kept his houshold; where he was soone after put to death. But as for ungratefull Banister, the vengeance of God pursued him to his utter ignominy: for presently after, his eldest sonne became mad and died in a bores sti••: his eldest daughter was suddenly stricken with a foule lepry: his second sonne marvellously deformed of his lims, and lame: his youngest sonne drowned in a puddle: and he himselfe in his old age ar∣raigned and found guilty of a murther, and by his Clergy saved: And as for his thousand pounds, King Richard gave him not a farthing; saying, That he which would be nutrue to so good a master, must needs be false to all other.

To passe over the time of the residue of the Kings, where in many exam∣ples of treasons and punishments upon them are extant, and to come nee∣rer unto our owne age, let us consider the wonderfull providence of God in discovering the notorious treasons which have been so oftenpretended, and so many, against our late Soveraigne Queene Elizabeth, and prote∣cting her so fatherly from the dint of them all. First therefore, to begin with the chiefest, the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland, in the eleventh yeare of her raigne began a rebellion in the North, preten∣ding their purpose to be sometimes to defend the Queenes person and go∣vernment from the invasion of strangers, and sometimes for conscience sake to seeke reformation of Religion: under colour whereof they got to∣gether an army of men, to the number of six thousand souldiers; against whom marched the Earle of Suffex, Lieutenant of the North, and the Earle of Warwicke, sent by the Queene to his ayde: Whose approch strucke such a terrour into their hearts, that the two Earles, with divers of the arch Rebels, fled by night into Scotland, leaving the rest of their company a prey unto their enemies, whereof threescore and six, or there∣about, were hanged at Durham. As for the Earles, one of them (to wit) of Northumberland, was after taken in Scotland, and beheaded at York. Westmerland fled into another Countrey, and left his house and family destroyed and undone by his folly.

A while after this, what befell to Iohn Throgmorton, Thomas Brooke, George Redman, and divers other Gentlemen at Norwich, who pretended a rebellion under the color of suppressing strangers, were they not disco∣vered by one of their owne conspiracy Thomas Ket, and executed at Nor∣wich for their paines? The same end came Francis Throgmorton to, whose trecheries as they were abhominable, and touching the Queens owne per∣son, so they were disclosed not without the especiall providence of God.

But above all, that vile and ungratefull traitor William Parry, upon whom the Queene had powred plentifully her liberality, deserveth to be had in everlasting remembrance to his shame; whose treasons being dis∣covered, he payed the tribute of his life in recompence thereof. What shall I say of the Earle of Arundell, and a second Earle of Northumber∣land? Did not the justice of God appeare in both their ends, when being attainted for treason, the one slew himselfe in prison, and the other died by course of nature in prison also? Notorious was the conspiracy of those arch traitours, Ballard, Babington, Savadge, and Tylney, &c. yet the Lord brought them downe, and made them spectacles to the World of his ju∣stice. Even so that notorious villaine Doctor Lopez (the Queenes Physi∣tian)

who a long time had not onely beene an intelligencer to the Pope and King of Spaine of our English Counsells, but also had poisoned ma∣ny Noblemen, and went about also to poyson the Queene her selfe, was he not surprised in his treachery, and brought to sudden destruction? In summe, the Lord preserved her Majesty not only from these, but many other secret and privy foes, and that most miraculously, and contrary to all reason, and spread his wings over her, evermore to defend her from all her enemies, and in despight of them all brought her, being full of yeares, in peace to her grave: All these treasons had their breeding and begin∣ning from that filthy sinke of Romish superstition, from whence the poi∣son was conveied into the hearts of these traiterous wretches, by the means of those common firebrands of the Christian World, the wicked Iesuites, whose chiefest art is Treason, and whose profession is equivocation, and practise, to stir up rebellion; and therefore as long as they breath in the world let us looke for no better fruits from such trees.

And hath the reigne of our now Soveraigne King Iames beene free from these Sinons? He hath as yet swayed the Scepter of this Kingdome not fully nine yeres, and how many treasons have beene complotted and pra∣ctised against his Majesty and the State, and how miraculously hath the Lord preserved him evermore, even as the apple of his eye, and the signet on his right hand. To omit the treason of Raleigh and Cobham, and that al∣so of Watson and Clerke, that late and last divellish and damnable practise of blowing up the Parliament house with gunpowder, together with the King, Prince, and all the Nobles and chiefe Pillars of the Land, is never to be omitted nor forgotten, but to be remembred as long as the Sunne and Moone endureth, to the shame of their religion, and the professours thereof: never Nation so barbarous, that ever practised the like: never any religion so odious, that maintained the like: but such are the fruits of their so much advanced religion, such the clusters of their grapes: How be it the Lord prevented their malice, and turned it upon their owne pates, not on∣ly by a Divine and miraculous discovery of their treason (the very night before it should have beene effected) but also by bringing the chiefe plot∣ters thereof unto confusion; some by the ordinary proceeding of justice, and some by slaughter in resistance: and that which is not to bee overpast, some of the principall of them being together in a chamber, were so scorched by their owne powder, which was in drying, that they were dri∣ven to confesse the heavy judgement of God to be upon them. I pray God such may ever bee the end of all traitours, and that the religion which bringeth forth such horrible fruits may not onely be suspected but abhorred of all.

Moreover, there is yet another kind of treason, and another ranke of traitors as pernitious as any of the former, and as odious before God and man. Such are they which either upon private quarrels, or received inju∣ries, or hope of gaine, or any other silly respect, forsake their countries, and take part with the enemies to fight against it: or they that in time of ne∣cessity refuse to fight, or dare not fight in defence of it: the former sort are called fugitives, & the latter cowards. As touching the first, they havebeen alwayes in detestation in well governed Policies, and also evermore se∣verely punished. The Aeginates punished them with the losse of their right hand thumbs, to the end they might no more handle a speare or a sword,

but an oare: the Mitylenians with losse of their lives: the inhabitants of Samos marked them in the face with the picture of an Owle: and the Ro∣mans punished them after divers fashions. Fabius Maximus caused all those that had fled from the Roman succours to the enemy to lose their hands. Africanus the former, though gentle and mild by nature, yet in * 1.52 this respect he borrowed from forreine cruelty: for having conquered Carthage, and got into his power all those Romane Rebels that tooke part against his countrey, he hung the Romans as traitors to their coun∣trey, and mitigated the punishment of the Latines, as but perfidious con∣federates. Africanus the later, when hee had subdued the Punicke Nati∣on, he threw all fugitives amongst wilde beasts to be devoured.

Lucius Paulus aftor the conquest of the King of Persia, committed these fellowes to the mercy of Elephants. Generally there is no Nation under the Sunne which holdeth them not in execration: and therefore our Eng∣lish fugitives, who under cloke of Religion not onely abandon their coun∣trey, their kindred, and their Prince, but also conspire the undoing, and sweare the destruction of them, are they not worthy to be handled like traitours, and to have their quarters spectacles of perfidy? The bridge and gates of London beare witnesse of the wofull ends that these runna∣gates come unto.

As touching cowards (I meane such as preferring their lives or liberty, or any other by-respects, before their countries welfare, and either dare not or will not stand stoutly in defence of it in time of warre and danger) they deserve no lesse punishment than the former, seeing that as they are open oppugners, so these are close underminers of the good thereof. And therefore the Romanes did sharpely chasten them in their government, as may appeare by diverse examples of the same: as first they were noted with this ignominy, never to eat their meat but standing; and hereunto they were sworne: Nay, they were in such hatefull account amongst them, that when Annibal offered the Senate 8000 captives to be redee∣med, they refused his offer; saying, That they were not worthy to be re∣deemed, * 1.53 that had rather be taken basely than die honestly and valiantly: The same Senate dealt more favourably with the captives which King Pyrrhus tooke, for they redeemed them, but with this disgrace, degrading them from their honours and places, untill by a double spoile they had woon their reputation againe. L. Calpurnius Piso handled Titius the cap∣taine of his horsemen in Sicilia (one who being overcharged with ene∣mies, delivered his weapons unto them) on this manner, he caused him to goe bare footed before the army, wearing a garment without seames, he forbad him society with any save such as were noted with the same * 1.54 fault, and from a Generall over horsemen he debased him to a common souldier. How did the same Senate correct the cowardise of Caius Vatie∣nus (who to the end to priviledge himselfe from the Italicke warre, cut off all the fingers of his left hand:) even they proscribed his goods, and cast him into perpetuall prison, that that life which hee re∣fused to hazard in defence of his countrey, he might consume in bondage and fetters.

Fulgosius saith, That among the Germanes it was so unhonourable * 1.55 a part to lose but a shield in the warre, that whosover had happened to doe so, was suspended both from the place of common councell, and from

the temples of Religion; insomuch, that many (as he reporteth) killed themselves to avoid the shame. The people called Daci punished cowards on this sort: they suffered them not to sleepe but with their heads to the beds feet-ward; and besides, by the law they made them slaves and sub∣jects to their owne wives. What viler disgrace could there be than this? And yet the Lacedemonians plagued them more shamefully: for with * 1.56 them it was a discredit to marry in the stocke of a coward; any man might strike them lawfully; and in their attire they went with their clothes rent, and their beards halfe shaven. Thus are all kind of traitors continually pu∣nished of the Lord by one meanes or other; and therefore let us learne to shun treason as one of the vilest and detestablest things in the world.

CHAP. IIII. Of such as have murthered their Rulers or Princes.

ZImri, Captaine of halfe the chariots of Elah, King of * 1.57 Israel, conspired against his Lord, as he was in Tirza drinking till he was drunke in the house of Arze his Steward, and came upon him suddenly, and smote him till hee died, and possessed the Kingdome in his roome. Howbeit, herein he was the Lords rod to punish the house of Baasha, yet when the punishment was past, the Lord threw the rod into the fire; for he enjoyed the Crowne but seven dayes: for all Israel, detesting his fact, made Omri King over them, who besieged him in Tirza, and drove him in∣to that extremity, that hee went into the palace of the Kings house, and burnt himselfe and the house with fire.

Iozachar the sonne of Shimeah, and Ieozabed the sonne of Shomer, came * 1.58 to no better end for murthering Iehoash King of Iuda: for Amaziah his sonne after the kingdome was confirmed unto him, caused them both to be put to death: but their children he slew not, according to that which is written in the Booke of the law; The fathers shall not be put to death for the * 1.59 children, nor the children for the fathers, but every man shall beare this owne sin.

Neither did Shallum, that slew Zacharia King of Israel, prosper any bet∣ter; * 1.60 for he reigned but one month in Samaria, when Menahim the sonne of Gadi rebelled against him, and slew him as he had done his master.

Amon, the sonne of Manasseh, was slaine by his owne servants, but the Lord stirred up the people of the Land to revenge his death, and to kill all them that had conspired against their King.

But to let passe the holy histories of the sacred Scripture, wherein, ever after any treason, the Holy Ghost presently setteth downe the punishment of traitours, as it were of purpose to signifie how the Lord hateth all such Rebels that rose up against his owne ordinance: let us consider a little the consequents of these in prophane, yet credible authors, and apply them unto our purpose.

Archelaus King of Macedonia had a minion called Cratenas, whom hee loved most entirely; but he againe requited him not with love but * 1.61

with hatred, and stretched all his wits to install himselfe in his king∣dome, by deposing and murthering him: which though he accompli∣shed, yet his deserts were cut short by the vengeance of God: for he con∣tinued not many dayes in his royalty, but he was served with the same sauce that he had made. Archelaus before him to taste of, even betraied and murthered, as he well deserved.

Lodovicus Sfortia to the end to invest himselfe with the Dukedome of Millain, spared not to shed the innocent bloud of his two Nephewes, the sonnes of Galenchus, together with their tutors, and one Francis Cala∣ber, a worthy and excellent man; but the Lord so disposed of his purposes, that he (in stead of obtaining the kingdome) was taken prisoner by the King of France, so that neither he nor any of his off spring injoyed that which he so much affected.

When Numerianus was to succeed ••arus his father in the Empire, Arri∣us Axer his father in law, to the end to translate the Empire unto him∣selfe, * 1.62 entered a conspiracy, and slew his sonne in law, that nothing mis∣trusted his disloyalty: but the Pretorian army understanding the mat∣ter, discharged Arrius, and elected Dioclesian in his roome, who laying hold upon his competitour, laied an action of treason to his charge, and put him to death in the sight of the multitude.

Theodoricke and Fredericke conspired against their owne brother Thuris∣mund * 1.63 King of the Visigothes, to the intent to succeed him in his King∣dome: And albeit that nature reclaymed them from the act, yet they slew him without all compassion. But after thirteene yeres reigne the same Theodericke was requited by his other brethren with the same measure that he before meted to his brother Thurismund. And so though vengeance slept a while, yet at length it wakened.

Aelias Antonius Gordianus, Emperour of Rome, though so excellent * 1.64 a young Prince, that he deserved to be called the Love and Iewell of the World, yet was he slaine by one promoted by himselfe to high honour, * 1.65 called Philip Arabs, when he was but two and twenty yeres old: after whose decease this Philip got himselfe elected Emperour by the Band, and con∣firmed by the Senate. All which notwithstanding, after five yeres Decius rebelled, and his owne souldiers conspired against him, so that both he at * 1.66 Verona, and his sonne at Rome, were slaine by them about one time.

After the death of Constantine the Great, his three sonnes dividing the * 1.67 Empire betwixt them, succeeded their father. Constantine the eldest had for his share Spaine, France, the Alpes and England; Constance the second held Italy, Africa, Graecia, and Illyricum; Constantine the younger was King and Emperour of the East. But ambition suffered them not to enjoy quietly these their possessions: for when the eldest being more proud and seditious than the other, not content with his alotted portion, made warre upon his brother Constance his Provinces, and strove to enter Italy, he was slaine in a battell by Aquileia, when he was but five and twenty yeares old; by which meanes, all the provinces which were his, fell to Con∣stance, and therewithall such a drowsinesse and Epicurisme for want of a stirrer up after his brothers death, that he fell into the gout, and neglected the governement of the Empire: Wherefore in A••sourge and in Rhetia they created a new Emperour; one Magnentius, whose life before time Constance had saved from the souldiers, and therefore

his treachery was the greater. This Magnentius deprived and slew Con∣stance, but was overcome by Constantine the third brother in Illyricum, yet in such sort, that the conqueror could not greatly brag, for he lost * 1.68 an infinit company of his men, and yet missed of his chiefe purpose, the taking of Magnentius, for he escaped to Lyons, and there massacring all that he mistrusted, at last growing (I suppose) in suspition with his owne heart, slew himselfe also: and so his traiterous, ingratefull, and ambitious murther was revenged with his owne hands.

Victericus betrayed Lnyba king of Spaine, and succeeded in his place; seven yeares after, another traitour slew him, and succeeded also in his * 1.69 place. Mauritius the Emperor was murthered by Phocas, together with his wife and five of his children, he seating himselfe Emperour in his roome: Howbeit, traitors and murtherers can never come to happy ends: for as he had slaine Mauritius; so Priscus, Heraclianus, and Phorius three of his chiefest captaines, conspiring against him, with three severall ar∣mies gave him such an alarme at once at his owne doores, that they soone quailed his courage, and after much mangling of his body, cut him shor∣ter by the head and the kingdome at one blow.

In the time of Edward the second and Edward the third in England, one Sir Roger Mortimer committed many villanous outrages in shedding * 1.70 much bloud, and at last King Edward himselfe, lying at Barkley castle, to the end that he might (as it was supposed) enjoy Isabel his wife, with whom he had very suspitious familiarity. After this, he unjustly accu∣sed Edmund Earle of Kent of treason, and caused him to bee put to death therefore: and lastly, he conspired against King Edward the third, as it was suspected, for which cause he was worthily and deservedly beheaded.

Among this ranke of murtherers of Kings we may fitly place also Ri∣chard the third, usurper of the Crowne of England, and divers others * 1.71 which he used as instruments to bring his detestable purpose to effect: as namely Sir Iames Tirrèl Knight, a man for natures gifts worthy to have served a much better Prince than this Richard, if he had well served God, and beene endued with as much truth and honesty as he had strength and wit: also Miles Forest, and Iohn Dighton two villaines fleshed in murthers. But to come to the fact, it was on this sort: When Richard the usurper had enjoyned Robert Brackenbury to this piece of service of murthering the young King Edward the fifth, his Nephew, in the Tower, with his brother the Duke of Yorke, and saw it refused by him: he committed the charge of the murther to Sir Iames Tirrel; who hasting to the Tower, by the Kings Commission received the keyes into his owne hands, and by the helpe of those two butchers, Dighton and Forest, smothered the two Princes in their bed, and buried them at the staires feet: which being done, Sir Iames rode back to king Richard, who gave him great thankes, and as some say, made him knight for his labour. All which things on every part well pondered, it appeareth, that God never gave the world a notabler example, both of the unconstancy of worldly w••ale, and also of the wretched end which ensueth such despightfull cruelty: for first, to begin with the ministers, Miles Forest rotted away peecemeale at Saint Martins, Sir Iames Tirrel died at the Tower hill beheaded for treason, King Kichard himselfe (as it is declared elsewhere) was slaine in the field, hacked and hewed of his enemies, carried on horse∣backe

dead, his haire in despight torne and tugged like a dog: besides, the inward torments of his guilty conscience were more than all the rest: for it is most certainly reported, That after this abhominable deed hee never had quiet in his minde; when he went abroad, his eye whirled about, his body was privily fenced, his hand ever upon his dagger, his countenance and manner like one alwaies ready to strike, his sleep short and unquiet, full of fearefull dreames, insomuch that he would often suddenly start up and leap out of his bed, and runne about his chamber, his restlesse consci∣ence was so continually tossed and tumbled with the tedious impression of that abhominable murther.

CHAP. V. Of such as rebelled against their Superiors, because of Sub∣sidies and Taxes imposed upon them.

AS it is not lawfull for children to rebell against their parents, though they be cruell and unnaturall, so also it is as unlawfull for subjects to withstand their Princes and Governors, though they be somewhat grievous and burthensome unto them: which we af∣firme, not to the end that it should be licensed to them to exercise all manner of rigour and unmeasu∣rable oppression upon their subjects (as shall be de∣clared hereafter more at large) but we entreat onely here of their duties which are in subjection to the power of other men, whose authority they ought in no wise to resist, unlesse they oppose themselves against the ordi∣nance of God. Therefore this position is true by the word of God, That no subject ought by force to shake off the yoke of subjection and obedi∣ence due unto his Prince, or exempt himselfe from any taxe or contribu∣tion, which by publicke authority is imposed: Give (saith the Apostle) tribute to whom tribute belongeth, custome to whom custome pertaineth, feare to whom feare is due, and honour to whom honour is owing. And generally in all actions wherein the commodities of this life (though with some oppressi∣on and grievance) and not the Religion and service of God, nor the consci∣ence about the same is called into question, we ought with all patience to endure whatsoever burthen or charge is laid upon us, without moving any troubles, or shewing any discontentments for the same: for they that have otherwise behaved themselves, these examples following will shew how well they have been appaied for their misdemeanors.

In the yeare of our Lord 1304, after that Guy Earle of Flanders having * 1.72 rebelled against Philip the Faire his Soveraigne, was by strength of armes reduced into subjection, and constrained to deliver himselfe and his two sons prisoners into his hands, the Flemings made an insurrection against the Kings part, because of a certain taxe which he had set upon their ships that arrived at certaine havens: and upon this occasion great warre, divers battels, and sundry overthrowes on each side grew, but so, that at last the King remained conqueror, and the Flemings (for a reward of their rebel∣lion)

lost in the battell six and thirty thousand men that were slaine, beside a great number that were taken prisoners.

Two yeares after this Flemmish stirre, there arose a great commotion * 1.73 and hurly burly of the rascall and basest sort of people at Paris, because of the alteration of their coines: who being not satisfied with the pillage and spoilage of their houses, whom they supposed to be either causes of the said alteration, or by counsell or other meanes any furtherers there∣unto, came in great troupes before the Kings Palace, at his lodging in the Temple, with such an hideous noise and outrage, that all the day after, neither the King nor any of his officers durst once stir over the threshold: nay they grew to that overflow of pride and insolency, that the victuals which were provided for the Kings diet, and carried to him, were by them shamefully throwne under feet in the dirt, and trampled upon in despight and disdaine. But three or foure daies after this tumult was appeased, ma∣ny of them for their pains were hanged before their own doores, and in the city gates, to the number of eight and twenty persons.

In the raigne of Charles the sixth, the Parisians (by reason of a certaine taxe which he minded to lay upon them) banded themselves and conspi∣red together against him: they determined once (saith Froissard) to have beaten downe Loure, and S. Vincents castle, and all the houses of defence * 1.74 about Paris, that they might not be offensive to them. But the King (though young in yeares) handled them so ripe and handsomely, that ha∣ving taken away from them their armor, the city gates and chaines of the streets, and locked up their weapons in S. Vincents castle, hee dealt with * 1.75 them as pleased him. And thus their pride being quashed, many of them were executed and put to death: As also for the like rebellion were at * 1.76 Troyes, Orlean, Chalon, Sens, and Rhemes.

About the same time the Flandrians, and especially the inhabitants of Gaunt wrought much trouble against Lewis the Earle of Flanders, for di∣vers * 1.77 taxes and tributes which he had layd upon them, which they in no re∣spect would yeeld unto. The matter came to be decided by blowes, and much bloud was shed, and many losses endured on both sides, as a meanes appointed of God to chastise as well the one as the other. The Gaunts being no more in number than five or six thousand men, overthrew the * 1.78 Earles army consisting of forty thousand, and in pursuit of their victory tooke Bruges, whither the Earle was gone for safety, and lying in a poore womans house, was constrained (in the habit of a beggar) to fly the City. And thus he fared till King Charles the sixth sent an army of men to his succor (for he was his subject) by whose support he overcame those Rebels * 1.79 in a battell fought at Rose Bec, to the number of forty thousand: and the body of their chiefetaine Philip Artevil, slaine in the throng, he caused to be hanged on a tree. And this was the end of that cruell Tragedy, the * 1.80 countrey being brought againe into the obedience of their old Lord.

A while before this, whilest King Iohn was held prisoner in England, there arose a great commotion of the common people in France, against * 1.81 the nobility and gentry of the realme, that oppressed them: this tumult began but with an hundred men that were gathered together in the coun∣trey of Beauvoisin, but that small handfull grew right quickly to an arm∣full, ••••on to nine thousand, that ranged and robbed throughout all Brie, along by the river Marne to Laonoise, and all about Soissons, armed with

great bats shod with yron: an headlesse crue without Governour, fully purposing to bring to ruine the whole nobility. In this disorder they wrought much mischiefe, broke up many houses and castles, murthered many Lords; so that divers Ladies and Knights, as the Duchesses of Nor∣mandy & Orleance, were fain to fly for safegard to Meaux: whither when these Rebels would needs pursue them, they were there overthrown, killed, and hanged by troups.

In the yeare of our Lord 1525, there were certain husbandmen of Sou∣abe * 1.82 that began to stand in resistance against the Earle of Lupsfen, by rea∣son of certaine burthens which they complained themselves to be over∣laid with by him: their neighbors seeing this, enterprised the like against their Lords: And so upon this small beginning (by a certaine contagion) there grew up a most dangerous and fearefull commotion, that spread it selfe almost over all Almaine: the sedition thus increasing in all quarters, and the swaines being now full forty thousand strong, making their owne liberty and the Gospels a cloake to cover their treason and rebellion, and a pretence of their undertaking armes (to the wonderfull griefe of all that feared God) did not onely fight with the Romane Catholickes, but with all other without respect, as well in Souabe as in Franconia: they destroy∣ed the greater part of the Nobility, sacked and burnt many castles and for∣tresses, to the number of two hundred, and put to death the Earle of Hel∣fest, in making him passe through their pikes. But at length their strength was broken, they discomfited and torn in pieces with a most horrible mas∣sacre of more than eighteen thousand of them. During this sedition there were slaine on each side fifty thousand men. The captaine of the Souabian swaines called Geismer, having betaken himselfe to flight, got over the mountaines of Padua, where by treason he was made away.

In the yeare of our Lord 1517, in the Marquesdome of the Vandales, the like insurrection and rebellion was of the commonalty, especially the baser sort, against the Nobility, Spirituall, and Temporall, by whom they were oppressed with intolerable exactions: their army was numbred of ninety thousand men all clowns and husbandmen, that conspired together to redresse and reforme their owne grievances, without any respect of civill Magistrate, or feare of Almighty God. This rascality of swaines raged and tyranized every where, burning and beating down the castles and hou∣ses of Noblemen, and making their ruines even with the ground: Nay, they handled the Noblemen themselves, as many as they could attaine unto, not contumeliously only, but rigorously and cruelly, for they tormented them to death, and carried their heads upon speares, in token of victory. Thus they swayed a while uncontrolled, for the Emperour Maximilian winked at their riots, as being acquainted with what in juries they had been over∣charged: but when he perceived that the rude multitude did not limit their fury within reason, but let it runne too lavish to the damnifying as well the innocent as the guilty, he made out a small troup of mercinary souldiers, together with a band of horsemen, to suppresse them, who com∣ming to a city were presently so environed with such a multitude of these swaines, that like locusts overspread the earth, that they thought it impos∣sible to escape with their lives; wherefore feare and extremity made them to rush out to battell with them. But see how the Lord prospereth a good cause, for all their weak number in comparison of their enemies, yet such a

feare possessed their enemies hearts, that they fled like troups of sheep, and were slaine like dogges before them: insomuch, that they that escaped the sword, were either hanged by flocks on trees, or rosted on spits by fires, or otherwise tormented to death. And this end befell that wicked rebellious rout, which wrought such mischiefe in that country, with their monstrous villanies, that the traces and steppes thereof remaine at this day to bee seene.

In the yeare of our Lord 1381, Richard the second being King, the Commons of England (and especially of Kent and Essex) by meanes of a * 1.83 taxe that was set upon them, suddenly rebelled, and assembled together on Blackheath, to the number of 60000 or more: which rebellious rout had none but base and ignoble fellowes for their captaines; as Wat Tiler, Iacke Straw, Tom Miller, but yet they caused much trouble and disquietnesse in the Realme, and chiefly about the city of London, where they committed much villany, in destroying many goodly places, as the Savoy, and others; and being in Smithfield, used themselves very proudly and unreverently towards the King: but by the manhood and wisedome of William Walworth, Major of London (who arrested their chiefe captain in the midst of them) that rude company was discomfited, and the ringleaders of them worthily punished.

In like manner in the raigne of Henry the seventh, a great commotion was stirred up in England by the Commons of the North, by reason of a * 1.84 certaine taxe which was levied of the tenth peny of all mens lands and goods within the land; in the which the Earle of Northumberland was slain; but their rash attempt was soon broken, and Chamberlain their captain with divers other hanged at Yorke, for the same. Howbeit their example feared not the Cornishmen from rebelling upon the like occasion of a tax, under the conduct of the Lord Audley, untill by woefull experience they felt the same scourge: for the King met them upon Blackheath, and dis∣comfiting their troups, took their captaines and ring leaders, and put them to most worthy and sharp death.

Thus we may see the unhappy issue of all such seditious revoltings, and thereby gather how unpleasant they are in the sight of God. Let all the people therefore learne by these experiences to submit themselves in the feare of God to the higher powers, whether they be Lords, Kings, Princes, or any other that are set over them.

CHAP. VI. Of Murtherers.

AS touching Murther, which is (by the second comman∣dement of the second Table) forbidden in these words, Thou shalt not kill: the Lord denounceth this judgment upon it, That he which striketh a man that hee dieth, shall * 1.85 die the death. And this is correspondent to that Edict which he gave to Noah presently after the uni∣versall floud, to suppresse that generall cruelty which had taken root from the beginning in Cain and his posterity, being carefull

for mans life; saying, That he will require the bloud of man, at the hands of ei∣ther man or beast that killeth him: adding moreover, That whosoever sheddeth mans bloud, by man also his bloud shall be shed, seeing that God created him after * 1.86 his owne Image: which he would not have to be basely accounted of, but deare and precious unto us. If then the bruit and unreasonable creatures * 1.87 are not exempted from the sentence of death pronounced in the law, if they chance to kill a man: how much more punishable then is man, endued with will and reason, when malitiously and advisedly he taketh away the life of his neighbour? But the hainousnesse and greatnesse of this sinne is most lively expressed by that ordinance of God set downe in the 21 of Deutronomy, where it is enjoyned, That if a man be found slain in the field, * 1.88 and it be not knowne who it was that slew him, then the Elders and Iudges of the next towne assembling together, should offer up an expiatory sacri∣fice by the hands of the Priests, to demand pardon for that cruell murther, that the guilt of innocent bloud might not be imputed unto them. And if by oversight or negligence without any malice, hatred, or pretence, one killed another, yet was he not exempted from all punishment, but suffered to fly to the city of refuge, to be kept, and as it were inclosed untill his in∣nocency * 1.89 were made manifest, or at the least untill the death of the high Priest. From this (it may seeme) arose the custome of Painims in the like case; which was, that if a man had unwillingly committed murther, he did presently avoid the countrey, and goe unto some man of power and autho∣rity of a strange nation, and present himselfe at his gate, sitting with his face covered, humbly intreating pardon and reconciliation for his mur∣ther: and for one whole yeare he might not returne into his countrey. On this manner was the sonne of a certaine King of Phrygia entertained in King Craesus court, who unadvisedly had slaine his owne brother. Whereby * 1.90 it is manifest, how odious and execrable in all ages, and all places, and all people, this murther hath been: insomuch that men did shun their very meeting and company, and abandon them out of their temples and pub∣licke assemblies, as people excommunicate and prophane. And yet for all this, mankinde (for the most part) like savage beasts hath by the instiga∣tion of that wicked spirit (who was a murtherer from the beginning) been too too addicted to this kind of cruelty, not being afraid to offer violence to nature, and shed innocent bloud. Such was the franticke and perverse cruelty of the second man Cain, when without any occasion, but onely * 1.91 through envy, he slew his brother Abel, and that traiterously: which deed, albeit it was done in secret and without the view of men, yet it could not shun the piercing eye of God, who reproved him for it, saying, That the bloud of Abel cried for vengeance from the earth. And although this cursed and wicked murtherer received not immediately a condigne punishment an∣swerable to his crime (God to the end to spare mans bloud, using undeser∣ved favour towards him) yet escaped hee not scot free, for he was pursued with a continuall torment and sting of confcience, together with such an incessant feare, that he became a vagabond and a runnagate upon the earth: and seeing himselfe brought into so miserable an estate, he fell to complai∣ning, that the punishment was greater than he was able to beare. Thus God permitted this wretch to draw out his life in such anguish, that for a greater punishment he might pine away the rest of his daies without com∣fort. A man may find in this world many such brother murthering Cains,

who for no occasion sticke not to cut their throats, whom (for the bond of common nature wherein all men are linked together as branches to one root) they ought to acknowledge for their brethren and friends: upon whom the heavy hand of God hath not beene more slacke to punish either by one meanes or other, than it was upon their eldest brother Cain. But seeing the number of them is so great, and it is not so convenient to heape up here so huge a multitude together, it shall suffice onely to recount the most famous and notablest of them, as of those that have beene men of note and reputation of the world, or that through an ambitious desire of raigning, have by armes sought to atchieve their purposes: for these for the most part are the greatest murtherers and butchers of all, that through their wicked affections, worldly pompe, or desire of revenge, have no re∣morse of making the bloud of men run like rivers upon the earth, making no more account of the life of a man, than of a flie or a worme.

Such an one was Abimelech one of the sonnes of Gedeon, who to the end * 1.92 to usurpe the regiment of the people, (which his father before him refu∣sed) got together a rout of rascal and vile fellowes, by whose aid comming to his fathers house, he slew seventy of his brethren, even all except Ioa∣than the yongest, that stole away and hid himselfe. After which massacre, he raigned in jolity three yeares, and at the end thereof was cut short by God, together with the Sichemites his provokers and maintainers, who were also guilty of all the innocent bloud which he had shed: for God sent the spirit of division betwixt them, so that the Sichemites began to despise him, and rebell against him; but they had the worst end of the staffe, and were overcome by him: who pursuing the victory, tooke their city by force, and put them all to the edge of the sword. And after he had thus destroied their city, put fire also to the castle, wherein he consumed neere about a thousand persons of men and women, that were retired thi∣ther to save their lives. And thus God brought upon them the mischiefe which they had consented and put their hands unto: for as they had lent him aid and furtherance to the shedding of his brethrens bloud, so was their owne bloud with their wives and childrens shed by him: yet this ty∣ran not content therewith, made war also with the inhabitants of Tebez, and tooke their city, and would have forced the tower also, wherein the citisens had inclosed themselves; but as he approched to the wall, a wo∣man threw downe a piece of a milstone upon his head, wherewith finding himselfe hurt to death, he commanded one of his soldiers to kill him outright. And thus this wicked murtherer that had shed the bloud of many men, yea of his owne brethren, had his braines knockt out by a wo∣man, and died a most desperate death.

The bloudy treachery of Baana and Rechab, chiefe captaines of Ishbo∣sheth, Sauls son, in conspiring against and murthering their master whilest * 1.93 he slept, abode not long unpunished; for having cut off his head, they presented it for a present to king David, hoping to gratifie the king, and to receive some recompence for their paines. But David being of an up∣right * 1.94 and true kingly heart, could not endure such vile treachery, though against the person of his enemy; but entertained them as most vile trai∣tors and master-murtherers, commanding first their hands and feet to be cut off, which they had especially imployed as instruments about that villany, and afterwards caused them to bee slaine, and then

hanged for an example to all others that should attempt the like.

For the like cause was Ioab (Generall of king Davids host) for killing Abner traiterously (who forsaking Ishbosheth, had yeelded himselfe to the King) cursed of David, with all his house, with a most grievous and terri∣ble * 1.95 curse. And yet notwithstanding a while after he came againe to that passe, as to murder Amasa one of Davids chiefe captains, making shew to salute and embrace him. For which cruell deed, albeit that in Davids time he received no punishment, yet it overtooke him at last, and the same kinde * 1.96 of cruelty which he had so traiterously and villanously committed towards others, fell upon his owne head, being himselfe also killed as he had killed others: which happened in king Solomons raigne, who executing the charge and commandement of his father, put to death this murderer in the taber∣nacle * 1.97 of God, and by the Altar, whither hee was fled as to a place priviledged for safetie.

CHA. VII. A sute of examples like unto the former.

LEaving the Scripture, we finde in other writers notable ex∣amples * 1.98 of this subject▪ As first of Astyages king of the Medes, who so much swarved from humanity, that he gave in strait charge that young Cyrus his own daughters sonne, now ready to be borne, should be made away by some sini∣ster practise, to avoid by that meanes the danger which by a dreame was signified unto him. Notwithstanding the young infant find∣ing friends to preserve him alive, and growing up by meanes of the Peers favor (to whom his grandfather by his cruell dealings, was become odious) obtained the Crowne out of his hands, and dispossessing him, seated him∣selfe in his roome.

This Cyrus was that mighty and awfull king of Persia, whom God used as an instrument for the delivery of his people out of the captivity of Babylon, as he foretold by the Prophet Isaiah: who yet (following kinde) made cru∣ell war in many places for the space of thirty yeares: and therefore it was necessary that he should taste some fruits of his insatiable and bloud-thirsty desire, as hee indeed did: for after many great victories and conquests o∣ver * 1.99 divers countries atchieved, going about to assaile Scythia also, hee and his armie together were surprised, overcome, and slaine, to the number of two hundred thousand persons: and for his shame received this disgrace at a womans hand, who triumphing in her victory, threw his head into a sacke full of bloud, with these tearmes, Now glut thy selfe with bloud which thou hast thirsted after so long time.

Cambyses, Cyrus son, was also so bloudy and cruell a man, that one day hee * 1.100 shot a noblemans sonne to the heart, with an arrow, for being admonished by his father of his drunkennesse, to which he was very much given, which he did in indignation, and to shew that he was not yet so drunken but he knew how to draw his bow. He caused his own brother to be murdered privi∣ly, for feare he should raigne after him; and slew his sister for repro∣ving him for that deed. In his voyage to Aethiopia, when his armie

was brought into so great penurie of victuals, that they were glad to feed upon horse flesh, hee was so cruell and barbarous, that after their horses were spent he caused them to eat one another: but at his returne from Ae∣gypt, the Susians his chiefe citizens welcommed him home with rebellion: and at last, as he was riding, it so chanced, that his sword fell out of the scabberd, and himselfe upon the point of it, so that it pierced him through, and so he dyed.

After that Xerxes by his overbold enterprise had disturbed the greatest part of the world, passed the sea, and traversed many countries, to the * 1.101 end to assaile Greece with innumerable forces, he was overcome both by sea and by land, and compelled privily to retire into his countrey with shame and discredit: where he had not long beene, but Artabanus the cap∣taine of his guard killed him in his palace by night: who also after that and many other mischiefes committed by him, was himselfe cruelly murthered.

The thirty Governours which the Lacedemonians set over the Atheni∣ans by compulsion, were such cruell tyrants, oppressors, and bloudsuckers * 1.102 of the people, that they made away a great part of them, untill they were chased away themselves violently: and then being secretly dogged and pur∣sued, were all killed one after another.

Pyrrhus king of Epire that raigned not long after Alexander the great, was naturally disposed to such a quicknes and heat of courage, that he could never be quiet but when he was either doing some mischiefe to another, or when another was doing some unto him: ever devising some new practise of molestation for pastimes sake. This his wilde and dangerous disposition began first to shew it selfe in the death of Neoptolemus, who was conjoyned king with him, whom having bidden to supper in his lodging under pre∣tence of sacrifice to his gods, he deceitfully slew: preventing by that meanes Neoptolemus pretended purpose of poysoning him when occasion should serve. After this he conquered Macedonia by armes, and came into Italie to make war with the Romans, in the behalfe of the Tarentines, and gave them battel in the field, and slew fifteen thousand of them in one day: he took their camp, revoked many cities from their alliance, and spoyled much of their countrey even to the walls of Rome: and all this in a trice without breath∣ing. Againe by Ascolie he encountred them the second time, where there was a great overthrow of each side of fifteene thousand men: but the Romanes had the worst, and tooke their heeles. When hee was intreated by the Sicilian embassadors to lend them aid to expulse the Carthaginians out of their Isle, hee yeelded presently and chased them out. Being recalled by the Tarentines into Italy for their succour, he was conquered by the Ro∣manes after he had made war upon them six yeres. At his returne to Epire he re-entred by violence Macedonia, tooke many places, overcame the army of king Antigonus that resisted him, & had all the whole realm rendred into his hand. Being intreated by Cleominus to make war upon Sparta, to the end tore∣install him in his kingdome which he was deprived of: forthwith he mustered his forces, besieged the citie, and spoyled and wasted all the whole country. Afterwards there being a sedition raised in the city of Argos betweene two of the chiefest citizens, one of the which sent unto him for aid, he (what issue soever was like to ensue, whether victory or vanquishment) could not abide in peace from disquieting others and himselfe, but must needs go to take part in that sedition: but to his cost, even to his destruction. For first in his way

he found an evill-favoured welcome by an ambush placed of purpose to in∣terrupt his journey, amongst whom he lost his son: which mishap nothing dismaied him, nor abated any whit of his purpose or courage from pursu∣ing this journey to Argos, though the citizens themselves intreated him to retire, and though he had no businesse there save only to looke over the town•• being arrived by night, and finding a gate left open for him to enter by, by the meanes of him that had sent for him to his aid, hee put his souldiers in, and possessed himselfe of the towne incontinently. But the city being aided by Antigonus and the King of Sparta, charged and pressed him so sore, that he sought meanes to retire out of the same, but could not. At which time being about to strike a young man of the city that had done him some hurt, his mother being aloft upon the roofe of an house, perceiving his intent, threw downe a tile with both her hands upon his head, and hit him such a knocke upon the necke through default of his armour, that it so bruised his joynts, that he fell into a sudden swound, and lost his sight, his raines falling out of his hand, and he himselfe tumbling from his saddle upon the ground, which when some of the soldiers perceived, they drew him out of the gate, and there, to make an end of the tragedy, cut off his head.

The cruelty of the Ephori was marvellous strange, when being unwilling once to heare the equality of lands and possessions to be named, which Agis * 1.103 their King, for the good of the commonwealth (according to the antient cu∣stome and ordinance of Licurgus) sought to restore: they rose up against him and cast him in prison, and there without any processe or forme of law sttan∣gled him to death, with his mother and grandfather. But it cost them very deare: for Cleamenes who was joynt King with Agis, albe it he had consented to the weaving of that web himself, to the end he might raigne alone; yet cea∣sed he not to prosecute revenge upon them, which hee did not onely by his daily and usuall practises openly, but also privily; for taking them once at advantage, being at supper all together, hee caused his men to kill them sud∣denly as they fat. And thus was the good King Agis revenged. But this last murtherer which was fullied and polluted with so much bloud, he went not long unpunished for his misdeeds: for soone after, Antigonus King of Mace∣donia gave him a great overthrow in a battell, wherein hee lost Sparta his chiefe city, and fled into Aegypt for succour: where after small abode, upon an accusation laid against him, he was cast into prison, and though he esca∣ped out with his company by cunning and craft, yet as he walked up and down Alexandria in armor, in hope that through his seditious practises the citizens would take his part, and help to restore him to his liberty; when he perceived it was nothing so, but that every man forsooke him, and that there was no hope left of recovery, he commanded his men to kill one another, as they did. In which desperate rage and fury he himselfe was slain, & his body being found, was commanded by King Ptolomey to be hangd on a gibbet, and his mother, wives, and children that came with him into Aegypt, to bee put to death. And this was the tragicall end of Cleomenes King of Sparta.

Alexander the tyrant of Pheres never ceased to make and spy out all occa∣sions of warre against the people of Thessaly, to the end to bring them ge∣nerally in subjection under his dominion: he was a most bloudy and cruell minded man, having neither regard of person or justice in any action. In his cruelty he buried some alive, others he clothed in beares and boares skins, and then set dogs at their tailes to rend them in pieces; others hee used

in way of pastime to strike through with darts and arrowes. And one day as the inhabitants of a certaine city were assembled together in counsell, he caused his guard to inclose them up suddenly, and to kill them all even to the very infants. He slew also his owne uncle, and crowned the speare wher∣with he did that deed with garlands of flowers, and sacrificed unto him be∣ing dead, as to a god. Now albeit this cruell Tygre was garded continually with troupes of souldiers that kept night and day watch about his body wheresoever hee lay, and with a most ougly and terrible dog, unacquainted with any saving himselfe, his wife, and one servant that gave him his meat, tied to his chamber dore, yet could hee not escape the evill chance which by his wives meanes fell upon him: for she taking away the staires of his chamber, let in three of her owne brethren provided to murther him, as they did: for finding him asleep, one tooke him fast by the heeles, the other by the haire, wringing his head behind him, and the third thrust him through with his sword, shee all this while giving them light to dispatch their businesse. The citizens of Pheres when they had drawne his car∣kasse about their streets, and trampled upon it their bellies full, threw it to the dogges to be devoured; so odious was his very remembrance among them.

I••gurth, sonne to Manastabal, brother to Micipsa King of Numidia, by * 1.104 birth a bastard, for hee was borne of a concubine, yet by nature and disposition so valiant and full of courage, that hee was not onely belo∣ved of all men, but also so deerely esteemed of by Micipsa, that he adop∣ted him joynt heire with his sonnes Adherbal and Hiempsal, to his crowne, kindly admonishing him in way of intreaty to continue the union of love and concord without breach between them, which hee promised to performe.. But Micipsa was no sooner deceased, but hee by and by not content with a portion of the Kingdome, ambitiously sought for the whole. For which cause hee first found meanes to dispatch Hiempsal out of his way by the hands of the guard, who in his lodging by night cut his throat, and then by battell having vanquished Adherbal his brother, obtained the sole regiment without controlment. Besides, hee corrup∣ted so by bribes the Senators of Rome that had soveraigne authority in and over his Kingdome, that in stead of punishment which his murther cried for, he was by the decree of the Senate allotted to the one halfe of the Kingdome. Whereupon being growne yet more presumptuous, hee made excursions and ryots upon Adherbals territories, and did him thereby much injury: and from thence falling to open warre, put him to flight, and pursued him to a city, where hee besieged him so long, till he was constrained to yeeld himselfe. And then having gotten him within his power, put him to the cruellest death he could devise: which villanous deed gave just cause to the Romanes, of that warre which they undertooke against him, wherein hee was discomfited: and seeing him∣selfe utterly lost, fled to his sonne in law Bochus, King of Mauritania, to seeke supply of succour, who receiving him into safegard, proved a false gard to him, and delivered him into the hands of his enemies, and so was he carried in triumph to Rome by Marius fast bound; and being come to Rome, cast into perpetuall prison, where first his gowne was torne off his backe by violence, next a ring of gold pluckt off his eare, lap and all; and lastly, himselfe starke naked throwne into a deepe ditch, where com∣bating

with famine six dayes, the seventh miserably ended his wretched life, according to the merits of his misdeeds. Orsius, saith he, was strang∣led in prison.

Methridates king of Parthia put to death the king of Cappadocia, to * 1.105 get his kingdome, and after under pretence of parlying with one of his sonnes, slew him also: for which cause the Romanes tooke up the quar∣rell, and made warre upon him, by meanes whereof much losse and in∣convenience grew unto him as well by sea as by land. After the first over∣throw, where one of his sisters was taken prisoner, when he saw himselfe in so desperate a case, that no hope of helpe was left, he slew two other of his sisters, with two of his wives, having before this warre given his foruth sister (who also was his wife) a dram of poyson to make up the tragedy. Afterward being vanquished in the night by Pompey the Roman, and put to flight with onely three of his company, as he went about to gather a new supply of forces, behold tydings was brought him of the revolt of many of his Provinces and countries, and of the delivering up of the rest of his daughters into Pompeyes hand, and of the treason of his yong sonne Pharnax, the gallantest of his sonnes, and whom he purposed to make his successor, who had joyned himselfe to his enemy, which troubled and asto∣nished him more than all the rest▪ so that his courage being quite dashed, and all hope of bettering his estate extinguished, his other two daughters he poysoned with his owne hands, and sought to practise the same experi∣ment upon himselfe, but that his body was too strong for the poison, and killed the operation thereof by strength of nature: but that which poyson could not effect, his owne sword performed.

Though Pompey the great was never any of the most notorious offenders in Rome, yet did this staine of cruelty, ambition and desire of rule, cleave * 1.106 unto him: for first he joyning himselfe to Silla, dealt most cruelly and un∣naturally with Carbo, whom after familiar conference, in shew of friend∣ship, he caused suddenly to be slain, without shew of mercy. And with Quintius Valerius, a wise and well lettered man, with whom walking but two or three turnes, he committed to a cruell and unexpected slaughter. He executed severe punishment upon the enemies of Sylla, especially those that were most of note and reputation, and unmercifully put Brutus to death, that had rendered himselfe unto his mercy. It was he that devised that new combat of prisoners and wilde beasts, to make the people sport withall; a most inhumane and bloudy pastime, to see humane and manly bodies torne and dismembred by brute and senselesse creatures: which, if we will beleeve Plutarch, was the onely cause of his destruction. Now af∣ter so many brave and gallant victories, so many magnificent triumphs; as the taking of King Hiarbas, the overthrow of Domitius, the conquest of Africa, the pacifying of Spaine, and the overwelding of the commotions that were therein, the clearing of the sea coasts from Pirates, the victo∣ry over Methridates, the subduing of the Arabians, the reducing of Syria into a Province, the conquest of Iudea, Pontus, Armenia, Cappadocia, and Paphlagonia: I say, after all these worthy deeds of armes and mighty vi∣ctories, he was shamefully overcome by Iulius Caesar in that civill warre, wherein it was generally thought that he had undertaken the better cause in maintaining the authority of the Senat, and defending the liberty of the people, as he pretended to doe: being thus put to flight, and making to∣wards

Aegypt, in hope the King (for that before time he had beene his tu∣tor) would protect and furnish him, that he might recover himselfe againe, he found himselfe so farre deceived of his expectation, that in stead thereof the Kings people cut him short of his purpose, and of his head both at once, sending it for a token to Caesar, to gratifie him withall. Never∣thelesse, for all this, his murtherers and betrayers, as the yong King, and all others that were causers of his death were justly punished for their cru∣elty, by the hands of him whom they thought to gratifie: for as Cleopatra the Kings sister thr••w her selfe downe at Caesars feet to entreat her portion of the kingdome, and he being willing also to shew her that favour, was by that means gotten into the kings palace; forthwith the murtherers of Pompey beset the palace, and went about to bring him into the same snare that they had caught Pompey in. But Caesar after that he had sustained their greatest brunt, frustrated their purposes, and recovered his forces into his hands, assayled them with such valour and prowesse on all sides, that in short space he overcame this wicked and traiterous nation. Amongst the slaine, the dead body of this young and evill advised King was found, over∣borne with dirt. Theodotus the kings schoolemaster (by whose instigation * 1.107 and advice both Pompey was slaine, and this warre undertaken) being esca∣ped and fled towards Asia for his safety, found even there sufficient instru∣ments both to abridge his journey and shorten his life. As for the rest of that murthering fellowship, they ended their lives some here, some there, in (that mercilesse element) the sea, and by (that boisterous element) the wind, which though senselesse, yet could not suffer them to escape unpunished.

Although that Iulius Caesar (concerning whom more occasion of speech * 1.108 will be given hereafter) did tyrannously usurp the key of the Roman Com∣mon-wealth, and intruded himselfe into the Empire against the lawes, customes, and authority of the people and Senate, yet was it accounted a most traiterous and cruell part to massacre and kill him in the Senate, as he sat in his seat misdoubting no mishap, as the sequell of their severall ends which were actors in this tragedy did declare: for the vengeance of God was so manifestly displayed upon them, that not one of the conspi∣rators escaped, but was pursued by sea and land so eagerly, till there was * 1.109 nor one left of that wicked crue whom revenge had not overtaken. Cassius being discomfited in the battell of Philippos, supposing that Brutus had beene also in the same case, used the same sword against himselfe (a mar∣vellous thing) wherewith before he had smitten Caesar. Brutus also a few dayes after, when a fearefull vision had appeared twice unto him by night, * 1.110 understanding thereby that his time of life was but short, though he had the better of his enemies the day before, yet threw himselfe desperately into the greatest danger of the battell, for his speedier dispatch; but he was reserved to a more shamefull end., for seeing his men slaine before him, he retired hastily apart from view of men, and setting his sword to his breast, threw himselfe upon it, piercing him through the body, and so ended his life. And thus was Caesars death revenged by Octavius and Anthony who remained conquerors, after all that bloudy crew was brought to nought: betwixt whom also ere long burst out a most cruell division, which grew unto a furious and cruell battell by sea, wherein Anthony was overcome, and sent flying into Aegypt, and there taught his owne hands

to be his murtherers. And such was the end of his life, who had beene an actor in that pernicious office of the Triumvirship, and a causer of the deaths of many men. And forasmuch as Cleopatra was the first motive and fetter on of Anthony to this warre, it was good reason that she should par∣take some of that punishment which they both deserved; as she did: for be∣ing surprised by her enemies, to the intent she might not be carried in tri∣umph to Rome, she caused an aspe to bite her to death. Marke here the pit∣tifull Tragedies that following one another in the necke, were so linkt to∣gether, that drawing and holding each other, they drew with them a world of miseries to a most wofull end: a most transparent and cleere glasse, wherein the visages of Gods heavy judgements upon all murtherers are ap∣parently deciphered.

CHAP. VI. Other examples like unto the former.

AFter that the Empire of Rome, declining after the death of Theodosius, was almost at the last cast, ready to yeeld * 1.111 up the ghost, and that Theodorick king of the Goths, had usurped the dominion of Italy under the Emperor Zeno, he put to death two great personages, Senators and chiefe citizens of Rome, to wit, Simmachus and ••oe∣ti••••, only for secret surmise which he had, without pro∣bability, that they two should weave some she web for his destruction. After which cruell deed, as he was one day at supper, a fishes head of great bignesse beeing served into the table, purposing to be very merry, sudden∣ly the vengeance of God assailed, amased, oppressed, and pursued him so freshly, that without intermission or breathing it sent his body a senselesse trunk into the grave in a most strange and marvellous manner: for he was conceited (as himselfe reported) that the fishes head was the head of Simma∣chus, whom he had but lately slaine, which grinned upon him, and seemed to face him with an overthwart threatning and angry eye: wherewith hee was so scarred, that he forthwith rose from the table, and was possessed with such an exceeding trembling and icle ehilnesse that ran through all his joynts, that he was constrained to take his chamber and goe to bed, where soone after with griefe and fretting and displeasure hee died. He com∣mitted also another most cruell and traiterous part upon Odoacer; whom inviting to a banquet, he deceitfully welcommed with a messe of swords in stead of other victuals, to kill him withall, that he might sway the Em∣pire alone both of the Gothes and Romanes without checke.

It was not without cause that Attila was called the scourge of God: for with an army of five hundred thousand men he wasted and spoiled all fields, * 1.112 cities and villages that he passed by, putting all to fire and sword, without shewing mercy to any: on this manner he went spoiling through France, and there at one time gave battell to the united forces of the Romans, Vice∣gothes, Frenchmen, Sarmatians, Burgundians, Saxons, and Almaignes: after that he entered Italy, tooke by way of force Aquilea, sacked and de∣stroyed

Millan, with many other cities, and in a word spoiled all the coun∣trey: in fine, being returned beyond Almaigne, having married a wife of excellent beauty, though he was well wived before, he died on his marri∣age night suddenly in his bed: for having well carowsed the day before, he fell into so dead a sleepe, that lying upon his backe without respect, the bloud which was often woont to issue at his nostrils, finding those conduits stopped by his upright lying, descended into his throat, and stopped his winde. And so that bloudy tyrant that had shed the bloud of so many peo∣ple, was himselfe by the effusion of his owne bloud murthered and stifled to death.

Ithilbald king of Gothia at the instigation of his wife put to death very unadvisedly one of the chiefe peeres of his realme: after which murther, as he sate banquetting one day with his princes, environed with his gard and other attendants, having his hand in the dish, and the meat between his fin∣gers, one suddenly reached him such a blow with a sword, that it cut off his head, so that it almost tumbled upon the table, to the great astonishment of all that were present.

Sigismund king of Burgundy suffered himselfe to be carried away with * 1.113 such an extreame passion of choler, provoked by a false and malicious ac∣cusation of his second wife, that he caused one of his sonnes which he had by his former wife, to be strangled in his bed, because he was induced to think that he went about to make himselfe king: which deed being blowne abroad, Clodomire sonne to Clodovee and Clotild king France, and cousin german to Sigismund, came with an army for to revenge this cruell and unnaturall * 1.114 part; his mother setting forward and inciting him thereunto, in regard of the injury which Sigismunds father had done to her father and mother, one of whom he slew, and drowned the other. As they were ready to joyne battell, Sigismunds souldiers forsooke him, so that hee was taken and pre∣sently put to death, and his sonnes which he had by his second wife were taken also, and carried captive to Orleance, and there drowned in a Well. Thus was the execrable murther of Sigismund and his wife punished in their owne children. As for Clodomire, though he went conqueror from this battell, yet was he encountered with another disastrous misfortune: for as hee marched forward with his forces to fight with Sigismunds bro∣ther, he was by him overcome and slaine; and for a further disgrace, his dismembred head fastened on the top of a pike was carried about to the en∣terview of all men. Hee left behinde him three young sonnes, whom his owne brethren and their uncles Clotaire and Childebert, notwithstanding their young and tender yeres, tooke from their grandmother Clotildes cu∣stody, that brought them up, as if they would install them into some part of their fathers kingdome; but most wickedly and cruelly, to the end to possesse their goods, lands, and seigniories, bereft them all of their lives, save one that saved himselfe in a Monastery. In this strange and monstrous act Clotaire shewed himselfe more than barbarous, when he would not take pity upon the youngest of the two, being but seven yeares old, who hearing his brother (of the age of tenne yeres) crying pittifully at his slaughter, threw himselfe at his uncle Childeberts feet with teares, desiring him to save his life: wherewith Childebert being greatly affected, entreated his brother with weeping eies to have pity upon him, and spare the life of this poore infant: but all his warnings and entreaties could not hinder the savage beast

from performing this cruell murther upon this poore childe, as he had don upon the other.

The Emperour Phocas attained by this bloudy means the imperiall dig∣nity, * 1.115 even by the slaughter of his lord and master Mauricius, whom as he fled in disguised attire for feare of a treason pretended against him, he being be∣foretime the Lievtenant Generall of his army, pursued so maliciously and hotly, that he overtooke him in his flight, and for his further griefe, first put all his children severally to death before his face, that every one of them might be a severall death unto him before he died, and then slew him also. This murtherer was he that first exalted to so high a point the popish horn, when at the request of Boniface he ordained, That the Bishop of Rome should have preheminence and authority over all other Bishops: which he did to the end that the staine and blame of his most execrable murther might be either quite blotted out, or at least winked at. Vnder his regency the forces of the Empire grew wondrously into decay▪ France, Spaine, Almaigne, and Lombardy, revolted from the Empire: and at last himselfe being pursued by his son in law Priscus with the Senatours, was taken, and having his hands and feet cut off, was together with the whole race of his off-spring put to a most cruell death, because of his cruell and tyrannous life.

Among all the strange examples of Gods judgements that ever were de∣clared in this world, that one that befell a King of Poland, called Popiel, for his murthers, is for the strangenesse thereof most worthy to be had in me∣mory: he reigned in the yeare of our Lord 1346. This man amongst other of his particular kinds of cursings and swearings, whereof he was no niggard, used ordinarily this oath, If it be not true, would rats might devoure me; pro∣phesying * 1.116 thereby his owne destruction; for hee was devoured by the same meanes which he so often wished for, as the sequell of his history will de∣clare. The father of this Popiel seeling himselfe neere death, resigned the go∣vernment of his kingdome to two of his brethren, men exceedingly reveren∣ced of all men for the valour and vertue which appeared in them. He being deceased, and Popiel being growne up to ripe and lawfull yeares, when he saw himselfe in full liberty, without all bridle of government to doe what hee listed, he began to give the full swinge to his lawlesse and unruly desires, in such sort, that within few daies he became so shamelesse, that there was no vice which appeared not in his behavior, even to the working of the death of his owne uncles, for all their faithfull dealing towards him, which he by poi∣son brought to passe. Which being done, he caused himselfe forthwith to be crowned with garlands of flowers, and to be perfumed with precious oynt∣ments: and to the end the better to solemni••e his entry to the crowne, com∣manded a sumptuous and pompous banquet to be prepared, whereunto all the Princes and Lords of his kingdome were invited. Now as they were about to give the onset upon the delicate cheere, behold an army of rats sal∣lying out of the dead and putrified bodies of his uncles, set upon him, his wife and children, amid their dainties, to gnaw them with their sharp teeth, insomuch that his gard with all their weapons and strength were not able to chase them away, but being weary with resisting their daily and mighty as∣saults, gave over the battell: wherefore counsell was given to make great cole ••ires about them, that the rats by that means might be kept off, not knowing that no policy or power of man was able to withstand the unchangeable de∣cree of God; for, for all their huge forces they ceased not to run through the

midst of them, and to assault with their teeth this cruell murtherer, Then they gave him counsell to put himselfe, his wife, and children into a boat, and thrust it into the middest of a lake, thinking that by reason of the wa∣ters the rats would not approach unto them: but alas in vaine; for they swum through the waters amaine, and gnawing the boat, made such chinkes into the sides thereof, that the water began to run in: which being perceived of the boatman, amased them sore, and made them make poste haste unto the shore, where hee was no sooner arrived, but a fresh muster of rats uniting their forces with the former, encountred him so sore, that they did him more scath than all the rest. Whereupon all his guard, and others that were there present for his defence, perceiving it to be a judgement of Gods vengeance upon him, abandoned and for sooke him at once: who seeing himselfe desti∣tute of succour, and forsaken on all sides, flew into a high tower in Chouz∣itze, whither also they pursued him, and climbing even up to the highest roome where hee was, first eat up his wife and children (she being guilty of his uncles death) and lastly gnew and devoured him to the very bones.

After the same sort was an Archbishop of Mentz, called Hatto, punished * 1.117 in the yeare 940, under the reigne of the Emperour Otho the great, for the extreme cruelty which he used towards certain poor beggers, whom in time of famine he assembled together into a great barn, not to relieve their wants, as he might and ought, but to rid their lives, as he ought not, but did: for he set on fire the barne wherein they were, and consumed them all alive; and * 1.118 comparing them to rats and mice that devoured good corne, but served to no other good use. But God that had regard and respect unto those poore wretches, tooke their cause into his hand, to quit this proud Prelate with just revenge for his outrage committed against them; sending towards him an army of rats and mice to lay siege against him with the engines of their teeth on all sides, which when this cursed wretch perceived, he removed into a tower that standeth in the midst of Rhine, not far from Bing, whither hee presumed this host of rats could not pursue him; but he was deceived: for they swum over Rhine thick and threefold, and got into his tower with such strange fury, that in very short space they had consumed him to nothing; in memoriall whereof, this tower was ever after called the tower of rats. And this was the tragedy of that bloudy arch-butcher that compared poore Christian soules to brutish and base creatures, and therefore became him∣selfe a prey unto them, as Popiel King of Poland did before him; in whose strange examples the beames of Gods justice shine forth after an extraor∣dinary and wonderfull manner, to the terrour and feare of all men; when by the means of small creatures they made roome for his vengeance, to make entrance upon these execrable creature-murtherers, notwithstanding all mans devises and impediments of nature: for the native operation of the elements was restrained from hindering the passage of them, armed and in∣spired with an invincible and supernaturall courage, to feare neither fire, water, nor weapon, till they had finished his command that sent them. And thus in old time did frogs, flyes, grashoppers, and lice, make war with Pha∣raoh, at the command of him that hath all the world at his becke.

After this Archbishop, in the same ranke of murtherers we finde regi∣stred many Popes, of all whom the most notorious and remarkable are these two, Innocent the fourth, and Boniface the eighth, who deserved rather to be called Nocents and Malefaces than Innocents and Boniface, for their wic∣ked

and perverse lives: for as touching the first of them, from the time that he was first installed in the Papacie, he alwayes bent his hornes against the Emperor Fredericke, and fought with him with an armie not of men, but of excommunications and cursings; as their manner is: and seeing that all his thundering Buls and Canons could not prevaile so farre as he desired, he pre∣sently sought to bring to passe that by treason which by force he could not: for he so enchanted certain of his household servants with foule bribes and faire words, that when by reason of his short draught, the poyson which * 1.119 he ministred could not hurt him, he got them to strangle him to death. Moreover, he was chiefe sower of that warre betwixt Henry, Lantgrave of Thuring, whom hee created King of the Romanes, and Conrade, Frederickes sonne, wherein he reaped a crop of discomfitures and overthrowes: after which, he was found slaine in his bed, his body being full of blacke markes, as if he had beene beaten to death with cudgels.

Concerning Boniface, after he had by subtile and crafty meanes made his predecessor dismisse himselfe of his Papacie, and enthronised himselfe there∣in, * 1.120 he put him to death in prison, and afterward made war upon the Gibi∣lines, and committed much cruelty; wherefore also he dyed mad, as we heard * 1.121 before. But touching Popes and their punishments, we shall see more in the 44 chapter following, whither the examples of them are referred, that exceeding in all kinde of wickednesse, cannot be rightly placed in the trea∣tise of any particular commandement.

CHAP. IX. Other memorable examples of the same subject.

IF wee descend from antiquities to histories of later and fresher memory, wee shall finde many things worthy report and credit: as that which happened in the yeere * 1.122 1405 betwixt two Gentlemen of Henault; the one of which accused the other for killing a neere kinsman of his, which the other utterly & stedfastly denied: whereon DWilliam, County of Henault, offered them the combat in the city of Quesney to decide the controversie, when as by law it could not be ended: whereunto they being come, and having broken their speares in two, and encountered valiantly with their swords, at length he that was charged with and indeed guilty of the murder, was over∣come of the other, and made to confesse with his mouth in open audience the truth of the fact: Wherefore the Country adjudged him in the same place to be beheaded; which was speedily executed, and the conquerour ho∣nourably conducted to his lodging. Now albeit this manner of deciding controversies be not approved of God, yet we must not think it happened at all adventures, but rather that the issue thereof came of the Lord of Hosts, that by this meanes gave place to the execution of his most high and sove∣raigne justice, by manifesting the murderer, and bringing him to that pu∣nishment which he deserved.

About this very time there was a most cruell and out ragious riot practi∣sed and performed upon Lewis Duke of Orleance, brother to Charles the * 1.123 sixth, by the complot and devise of Iohn Duke of Burgundie, who (as hee was naturally haughtie and ambitious) went about to usurpe the govern∣ment of the realme of France, for that the king by reason of weakenesse of his braine was not able to mannage the affaires thereof, so that great trouble and uncivill warres were growne up by that occasion in every corner of the realme. As therefore he affected and gaped after the rule, so hee thought no meanes dishonest to attaine unto it, and therefore his first enterprise was to take out of the way the Kings brother, who stood betwixt him and home. Having therefore provided fit champions for his purpose, he found oppor∣tunity one night to cause him to come out of his lodging late by counterfeit tokens from the king, as if he had sent for him about some matters of im∣portance: and being in the way to S. Pauls hostle, where the kings lodging was in Paris, the poore Prince suspecting nothing, was suddenly set upon with eighteen roisters at once, with such fury and violence, that in very short space they left him dead upon the pavement, by the gate Barbet, his braines lying scattered about the street. After this detestable and odious act committed and detected, the cruell Burgundian was so farre from sha∣ming, that he vanted and boasted at it, as if he had atchieved the most valo∣rous and honourable exploit in the World (so farre did his impudencie outstretch the bond of reason.) Neverthelesse, to cast some counterfeit co∣lour upon this rough practise, he used the conscience and fidelitie of three famous Divines of Paris, who openly in publike assemblies approved of this murder; saying, That he had greatly offended, if he had left it undone. About this device he imployed especially M. Iohn Petit, a Sorbonist Do∣ctor, whose rashnesse and brasen-facednesse was so great, as in the councel∣house of the King, stoutly to averre, That that which was done in the death of the Duke of Orleance was a vertuous and commendable action, and the author of it to be void of fault, and therefore ought to be void of punish∣ment. The preface which this brave Orator used, was, That he was bounden in duetie to the Duke of Burgundie, in regard of a goodly pension which he had received at his hands, and for that cause he had prepared his poor tongue in token of gratitude to defend his cause. He might better have said thus, That seeing his tongue was poore and miserable, and he himselfe a sencelesse creature, therefore he ought not to allow or defend so obstinately such a de∣testable & traiterous murder committed upon a Duke of Orleance, and the same the Kings brother, in such vile sort; and that if he should doe other∣wise, he should approve of that which God and man apparently condemned, yea the very Turkes and greatest Paynims under heaven; and that he should justifie the wicked, and condemne the innocent, which is an abomination before God; and should put darkenesse in stead of light, and call that which is evill, good: (for which the Prophet Esay in his fifth chapter denounceth the jugdements of God against false prophets) and should follow the steps of Balaam, which let out his tongue to hire for the wages of iniquity: but none of these supposes came once into his minde. But to returne to our Hi∣story: The Duke of Burgundy having the tongues of these brave Doctors at his commandement, and the Parisians who bore themselves partially in this quarrell (generally favourers of his side) came to Paris in armes, to justifie himselfe, as he pretended, and strucke such a dreadfull awe of him∣selfe

into all mens mindes, that notwithstanding all the earnest pursuit of the Dutchesse, the widow of Orleance, for justice, he escaped unpunished, untill God (by other meanes) tooke vengeance upon him: which happe∣ned after a while, after that those his complices of Paris (being become lords and rulers of the citie) had committed many horrible and cruell mur∣ders, as of the Constable and Chancellor, two head officers of the realme, whose bodies fast bound together, they drew naked through the streets from place to place in most despightfull manner: for the Daulphin escaping their hands by night, and safegard in his castle, after that he heard of the seisure of the citie; found meanes to assemble certuine forces, and marched to Montereaufautyon with 20000 men, of purpose to be reven∣ged on the Duke for all his brave and riotous demeanors: hither, under colour of parling and devising new means to pacifie these old civill troubles, he enticed the Duke, and being come, at his very first arrivall, as he was bowing his knee in reverence to him, he caused him to be slaine. And on this manner was the Duke of Orleance death quitted, and the evill and cru∣elty shewed towards him, returned upon the murderers owne necke; for as he slew him trecherously and cowardly, so was he also trecherously and cowardly slaine, and justly requited with the same measure that he before * 1.124 had measured to another: notwithstanding herein the Daulphin was not free from a grievous crime of disloyaltie and truth-breach, in working his death without shame of either faith-breach or perjury, and that in his owne pre∣sence, whom hee had so often with protestation of assurance and safetie, re∣quested to come to him. Neither did he escape unpunished for it; for af∣ter his fathers decease he was in danger of losing the Crowne, and all for this cause: for Philip Duke of Burgundie taking his fathers revenge into his hands, by his cunning devices wrought meanes to displace him from the succession of the kingdome, by according a marriage betwixt the King of England and his sister, to whom he in favor agreed to give his kingdome in reversion after his owne decease. Now assoone as the King of England was seised upon the governement of France, the Daulphin was presently summoned to the marble Table, to give answere for the death of the old Duke: whither, when he made none appearance, they presently banished him the realme, and pronounced him to be unworthy to be succeeder to the noble Crowne: which truely was a very grievous chastisement, and such an one as brought with it a heape of many mischiefes and discomfitures, which happened in the warre betwixt England and him, for the recovery of his kingdome.

Peter, sonne to Alphonsus King of Castile, was a most bloudy and cruell * 1.125 Tyran: for first he put to death his owne wife, the daughter of Peter Duke of Burbon, and sister to the Queene of France: next hee slew the mother of his bastard brother Henrie, together with many Lords and Barons of the realme, for which he was hated not onely of all his subjects, but also of his neighbor and adjoyning countries: which hatred moved the foresaid Henrie to aspire unto the Crowne; which, what with the Popes avouch, who le∣gitimated him, and the helpe of certaine French forces, and the support of the Nobility of Castile, he soone atchieved. Peter thus abandoned, put his safest gard in his heeles, and fled to Bordeaux, towards the Prince of Wales, of whom he received such good entertainment, that with his aid he sonne re-entred his lost dominions, and by maine battell chased his ba∣stard

brother out of the confines thereof: but being re-installed, whilest his cruelties ceased not to multiply on every side, behold Henrie (with a new supply out of France) began to assayle him afresh, and put him once again to his shifts: but all that he could doe, could not shift him out of Henries hands, who pursued him so hotly, that with his owne hands hee soone rid him out of all troubles, and afterwards peaceably enjoyed the kingdome of Castille.

But above all the horrible murders and massacres that ever were heard or read of in this last age of the World, that bloudy massacre in France, un∣der the reigne of Charles the ninth, is most famous, or rather infamous; wherein the noble Admirall, with many of the nobility and gentrie, which were Protestants, were most traiterously and cruelly murdered in their chambers and beds in Paris, the foure and twentieth of August, in the night: in this massacre were butchered in Paris that very night ten thousand Protestants, and in all France, (for other cities followed the example of Paris) thirty, or as some say, forty thousand. I will not stand to relate the particular circumstances and manner thereof, it being at large descri∣bed by divers writers both in French and English: only to our purpose, let us consider the judgements and vengeance of Almightie God upon the chiefe practisers and plotters thereof, which were these: Charles the ninth then King, by whose commission and commandement this massacre was undertaken; his brother and successour the Duke of Aniou; the Queene mother, his bastard brother, and the Duke of Guise, yea the whole towne of Paris; and generally all France was guilty thereof. Now observe Gods just revenge: Charles himselfe had the thred of his life cut off by the imme∣diat hand of God, by a long and lingring sickenesse, and that before he was come to the full age of 24 yeres: in his sicknesse bloud issued in great abun∣dance out of many places of his body, insomuch that sometimes he fell and wallowed in his owne bloud: that as he had delight to shed the bloud of so many innocents, so he might now at the latter end of his dayes be glut∣ted with bloud. And surely by this meanes the Lord did put him in minde of his former bloudy murders, to draw him to repentance, if it were pos∣sible. The Duke of Anjou, who succeeded this Charles in the Crowne of France, and was called Henrie the third, was murdered by a young Iacobine Monke, called Frier Iaques Clement, at the instigation of the duke de Maine and others of the league, and that (wherein appeareth manifestly the hand of God) in the selfe same chamber at S. Cloves wherein the Councell for the great massacre had beene taken and plotted, as it is constantly affirmed. The Duke of Guise, in the yeare 1588, the 23 of December, was murde∣red by the kings owne appointment, being sent for into the kings chamber out of the councell chamber, where attended him 45 with rapiers and po∣niards ready prepared to receive him. The Queene mother soone after the slaughter of the Duke of Guise, tooke the matter so to heart, that shee went to bed, and dyed the first of Ianuarie after. Touching all the rest that were chiefe actors in the tragidie, few or none escaped the apparant venge∣ance of God: and as for Paris and the whole realme of France, they also felt the severe scourge of Gods justice, partly by civile wars and bloudshed, and partly by famine and other plagues; so that the Lord hath plainly made knowne to the world, how precious in the sight of his most Holy Majestie, is the death of innocents, and how impossible it is for cruell murderers to escape unpunished.

CHAP. X. Of divers other Murderers, and their severall punishments.

MAximinus from a shepheard in Thracia, grew to be an Emperor in Rome by these degrees: his exceeding stength and swiftnesse in running commended him so to Severus then Emperour, that he made him of his gard, from that he arose to be a Tribune, and at last to bee Emperor: which place he was no sooner in possession of, but immoderate cruelty (all this while buried) began to shew it selfe: for he made havocke of all the Nobilitie, and put to death those that he suspected to be acquainted with his estate: insomuch as some called him Cyclops, some B••siris, others A••∣teus, for his cruelty. Wherefore the Senate of Rome seeing his indignity, proclaimed him an enemy to their commonwealth. and made it lawfull for any man to procure his death: Which being knowne, his souldiers lying at the siege of Aquileia, moved with hatred, entred his tent at noone day, and flew him and his sonne together.

Iustinian the yonger (no lesse hatefull to his subjects for his cruelty than Maximinus) was deposed from the empire by conspiracy, and having his nosthrils slit, exiled to Chersona, Leontius succeeding in his place. How∣beit ere long he recovered his Crowne and Scepter, and returned to Con∣stantinople, exercising more cruelty at his returne, than ever he had done before: for he had not only put to death Leontius and Tiberius, but also all that any way favored their parts. It is said of him, that he never blew his mangled nose, but he caused one of them to be executed to death. At last he was slaine by Philippicus, to verifie the word of the Lord, That he which striketh with the sword shall perish with the sword.

Albonius king of Lunbardy, drinking upon a time to his wife Rosimund in a cup made of her fathers skull (whom he in battell had slaine) so dis∣pleased her therewith, that (attributing more to naturall affection than unity of marriage) decreed with her selfe to hazard life and kingdome, to be revenged upon this grievous injurie; wherefore she thus practised: A knight called Hemichild was enamoured with one of her maids; him shee brought into a secret darke place by policie, in shew to injoy his love, but indeed to be at her command; for she supplyed his loves place: and then discovering her selfe, put it to his choise, either to kill her husband, or to be accused by her of this villanie. Hemichild chose the former, and indeed murdered his Lord in his bed; and after the deed done, fled with her to Ra∣venna. But marke how the Lord required this murder, even most strangely; for they both which were linkt together in the fact, were linkt together also in the punishment; and as they had beene joynt instruments of anothers destruction, so he made them mutuall instruments of their owne for Rosi∣mund thinking to poyson him too, made him drinke halfe her medicine: but hee feeling the poyson in his veines, staied in the mid way, and made her sup up the other halfe for her part: so they died both together.

The Electors of the Empire disagreeing in suffrages, Adolphus Duke * 1.126

of Nassavia, and Albertus Duke of Austria, tooke upon them the regi∣ment and managing of the State: whereupon grew grievous wars in all Germanie, and dissention between the two State-men, so that Adolphus was slaine by the Duke of Austria in battell by the citie of Spire: whose death was thus notably revenged. All that tooke part against him, or that were accessary to the murder, perished most strangely; Albert Earle of Hagerloch was slaine, Otto of Ochsensteme was hanged, the Bishop of Mentz died suddenly of an apoplexie, in his cellar, the Bishop of Strasbrough was butchered by a Butcher: the Earle of Leimingen died of a frensie, the Duke of Austria himselfe was slaine by his nephew Iohn, from whom hee had taken the government of Suevia, because of his unthriftinesse: generally they all came to destruction, so grievous is the crie of innocent bloud, against those that are guilty thereof.

After the death of Woldimirus King of Rhythenia, his sonne Berisus succeeded in the kingdome, who though hee was a vertuous and reli∣gious * 1.127 Prince, yet could not his vertue or religion priviledge him from the malice of his brother Suadopolcus, who gaping and itching for the Crowne, slew his brother this good Prince as hee was sleeping in his Chamber, together with his Esquire that attended upon him: and * 1.128 not content herewith, but adding murder to murder, hee assaulted ano∣ther of his brethren by the same impietie, and brought him to the same end. Whereupon the last brother Iorislaus (to bee revenged on this villanie) set upon him with an armie of men, and killing his complices, drove him to fly to Crachus king of Polonia for succour: who furnishing him with a new armie, sent him backe against his brother, in which battell (his successe being equall to the former) hee lost his men, and himselfe escaping the sword, dyed in his flight to Polonia, and was buried in a base and ignoble sepulchre, fit enough for so base and ignoble a wretch. And that we may see how hatefull and ungodly a thing it is to be either a protector or a saver of any murderer, marke the judgement of God that fell upon this king of Polonia, though not in his own person, yet in his posterity; for hee being dead, his eldest sonne and heire Crachus * 1.129 was murdered by his younger brother Lechus, as they were hunting, so dis∣guised and torn, that every man imputed his death not to Lechus (whose eyes dropt crocodiles teares) but to some savage and cruell beast: howbeit ere long (his trechery being discovered, and disseised of his kingdome) hee died with extreame griefe and horrour of conscience. And thus we see that Cra∣chus his kingdome came to desolation for maintaining a murderer.

Iohn the high Priest of Jerusalem, sonne and successor to Iudas, had a brother termed Iesus, to whom Bagoses the lieutenant of Artaxerxes army promised the Priesthood, meaning indeed to depose Iohn, and install him in his roome: upon which occasion this Iesus growing insolent, spared not * 1.130 to revile his brother, and that in the temple, with immodest and opprobri∣ous speeches, so that his anger being provoked he slew him in his rage; a most impious part for the high Priest to pollute the holy temple with bloud, and that of his owne brother, and so impious, that the Lord in * 1.131 justice could not chuse but punish the whole nation for it most severely. For this cause Bagoses imposed a tribute upon them, even a most grie∣vous tribute, that for every lambe they offered upon the altar, they should pay fiftie groats to the king of Persia, besides the prophanation of

their temple with the uncircumcised Persians, who entred into it at their pleasures, and so polluted the Sanctuary and holy things of God: this pu∣nishment continued upon them seven yeares and all for this one murder.

Gerhardus Earle of Holsatia, after he had conquered the Danes in many and sundry battells, was traiterously slaine in the citie Kanderhusen, by one * 1.132 Nicolaus Iacobus, a rich Baron: so that whom the open enemy feared in the field, him the privie subtile foe murdered in his chamber. But the traitor and murderer, albeit hee fled to the castle Schaldenburg, and got a band of souldiers to defend himselfe, yet hee was surprised by the Earles sonnes, who tormenting him as became a traitor to bee tor∣mented, at last rent his body into foure quarters, and so his murder and treason was condignely punished.

Above all, the execution of Gods vengeance is most notably manifested in the punishment and detection of one Parthenius an homicide, treasurer * 1.133 to Theodobert king of France; who having traiterously slaine an especi∣all friend of his called Ausanius, with his wife ••apianilla, when no man suspected or accused him thereof, he detected and accused himselfe after this strange manner: As hee slept in his bed, suddenly hee roared out * 1.134 most pittifully, crying for helpe, or else hee perished: and being deman∣ded what he ailed, he halfe asleepe answered, That his friend Ausanius and his wife, whome hee had slaine long agoe, summoned him to judge∣ment before God: upon which confession hee was apprehended, and after due examination stoned to death. Thus though all witnesses faile, yet a mur∣derers own conscience will betray him.

Pepin and Martellus his sonne, kings of France, enjoying prosperity and ease, fell into divers monstrous sinnes: as to forsake their wives * 1.135 and follow whores: which filthynesse when the Bishop of Tung••ia re∣proved, Dodo the harlors brother murdered him for his labor: but hee was presently taken with the vengeance of God, even a lousie and most filthie disease, with the griefe and stinke whereof being moved, hee threw himselfe into the river of Mosa, and there was drowned.

How manifest and evident was the vengeance of God upon the murde∣rers * 1.136 of Theodorick Bishop of Treverse •• Conrade the author of it dyed sud∣denly: the souldier that helped to throw him downe from the rocke, was * 1.137 choaked as he was at supper two other servants that layd to their hands to this murder, slew themselves most desperatly.

About the yeare of our Lord 700. Ge••lian the wife of Gosbere prince of Wurtiburg, being reproved by Kilianus for incest (for shee married her * 1.138 husbands brother) wrought such meanes, that both hee and his brethren were deprived of their lives: but the Lord gave her up to Satan in venge∣ance, so that shee was presently possessed with him, and so continued till her dying day.

A certaine woman of Millaine in Italie hung a young boy, and after de∣voured him instead of meat, when as she wanted none other victuals▪ and when she was examined about the crime, she confessed that a spirit per∣swaded her to doe it, telling her, that after it she should attaine unto what∣soever she desired: for which murder shee was to r••••••nted to death by a lin∣gring and grievous punishment. This Arlunus reporteth to have happened in his time. And surely how soever openly the Divell sheweth not himselfe, yet he is the mover and perswader of all murders, and commonly the doctor.

For hee delighteth in mens blouds and their destruction, as in nothing more.

A gentleman of Chaleur in Fossignie, being in the Duke of Savoyes army, in September the yeare of our Lord 1589, and grieving to behold the cruelties which were exercised upon the poore inhabitants of that countrey, resolved to depart from the said army: now because there was no safer nor neerer waie for him, than to crosse the lake to Bonne, he entrea∣ted one of his acquaintance, named Iohn Villaine, to procure him meanes of safe passage over the lake: who for that purpose procured two watermen to transport him, with his horse, apparell, and other things: being up∣on the lake, the watermen, whereof the chiefest was called Martin Bourrie, fell upon him and cut his throat: Iohn Villaine understanding hereof com∣plained to the magistrates; but they being forestalled with a present from the murderer, of the gentlemans horse, which was of great value, made no inquisition into the matter, but said, that hee was an enemy which was dispatched: and so the murderers were justified; but God would not leave it so unpunished: for about the fifteenth of Iuly 1591, this Bourrie go∣ing with divers others to shoot for a wager, as hee was charging the har∣quebuse which hee had robbed the gentleman of when hee murdered him, it suddenly discharged of it selfe, and shot the murderer through the heart, so that hee fell downe starke dead, and never stirred nor spake word.

In the first troubles of France, a gentleman of the troups which besie∣ged Moulins in Bourbonnois, was taken with sickenesse, in such sort that * 1.139 hee could not follow his company when they dislodged; and lying at a Bakers house which professed much friendship and kindnesse to him, hee put such confidence in him, that hee shewed him all the money that he had: but so farre was this wretch from either conscience or common ho∣nestie, that assoone as it was night hee most wickedly murdered him. Now marke how God revenged it: it happened not long after, that the murderer being in sentinell, one of his owne fellowes unawares shot him through the arme with a harquebuse, whereof he languished the space of three moneths, and then died starke mad.

The town of Bourges being yeelded by Monsieur D'yvoy, during the first troubles in France, the inhabitants were inhibited from talking together, * 1.140 either within or without the towne, or from being above two together at a time: under colour of which decree many were most cruelly murdered: And a principall actor herein was one Garget captaine of the Bourbonne quar∣ter, who made a common practise of killing innocent men, under that pretence. But shortly after, the Lord that heareth the crie of innocent bloud met with him for hee was stricken with a burning fever, and ranne up and downe blaspheming the Name of God, calling upon the Divell, and crying out if any would goe along with him to hell, hee would pay his charges; and so died in desperate and franticke manner.

Peter Martin, one of the Queries of the King of France his stable, and Post-master at a place called Lynge, in the way towards Poyctou, up∣on * 1.141 a sleight accusation, without all just forme of lawfull processe, was condemned by a Lord to bee drowned: The Lord commanded one of his Faulkners to execute this sentence upon him, upon paine to bee drowned himselfe: whereupon he performed his masters command: But God defer∣red not the revenge thereof long; for within three daies after, this Faulkner and a Lackey falling out about the dead mans apparell, went into the field

and slew one another. Thus he that was but the instrument of that murder was justly punished: how much more is it likely that the author escaped not scot free, except the Lord gave him a heart truely to repent?

It hath beene observed in the history of France, since the yeare of our Lord 1560, that of a thousand murders which remained unpunished in regard of men, not tenne of them escaped the hands of God, but came to most wretched ends.

In the yeare of our Lord 1546 Iohn Diazius, a Spaniard by birth, living a student and Professor in Paris, came first to Geneva, and then to Stras∣brough, and there by the grace of Gods spirit saw his Sorbonicall errors, and renounced them, betaking himselfe to the profession of the purer reli∣gion, and the company and acquaintance of godly men: amongst whom was Bucer that excellent man, who sent him also to Nurnburge, to oversee the printing of a booke which he was to publish. Whilest Diazius lived at this Nurnburge (a city scituat upon the river Dimow) his brother, a lawyer, and judge laterall to the Inquisition, by name Alphonsus, came thither, and * 1.142 by all meanes possible endevoured to dissuade him from his religion, and to reduce him againe to Popery. But the good man persisted in the truth not∣withstanding all his perswasions and threats: wherefore the subtill fox took another course, and faining himselfe to be converted also to his religion, ex∣horted him to goe with him into Italy, where he might do much good; or at the least to Angust: but by the counsell of Bucer and his friends he was kept back, otherwise willing to follow his brother. Wherefore Alphonsus depar∣ted, and exhorted him to constancy and perseverance, giving him also four∣teene crowns to defray his charges. Now the wolfe had not been three dayes absent, when he hired a rakehell and common butcher, and with him flew a∣gain to Nurnburge in post hast: and comming to his brothers lodging, de∣livered him a letter, which whilest he read, the villain his confederat cleft his head in pieces with an axe, leaving him dead upon the floore, and so fled with all expedition. Howbeit they were apprehended, yet quit by the Popes justice (so holy and sacred are the fruits of his Holinesse) though not by the justice of God, for within a while after hee hung himselfe upon his mules necke at Trent.

Duke Abrogastes slew Valentinian the Emperour of the West, and ad∣vanced Eugenius to the crowne of the Empire: but a while after, the same sword which had slain his lord and master was by his owne hands turned in∣to his owne bowels.

Mempricius the sonne of Madan, the fourth King of England, then called * 1.143 Britaine after Brute, had a brother called Manlius, betwixt whom was great strife for the soveraigne dominion: but to rid himselfe of all his trouble at once, he slew his brother Manlius by treason, and after continued his raigne in tyranny and all unlawfull lusts, the space of twenty yeeres: but although vengeance all this while winked, yet it slept not, for at the end of this space, as he was hunting, he was devoured of wilde beasts.

In the yeare of our Lord God 745 one Sigebert was authorised king of the Saxons in Britaine, a cruell and tyrannous Prince towards his subjects. and one that changed the ancient Lawes and customes of his Realme after his owne pleasure: and because a certaine Nobleman somewhat sharpely advertised him of his evill conditions, hee maliciously caused him to bee put to death. But see how the Lord revenged this murder, hee caused his

Nobles to deprive him of his kingly authority, and at last as a desolate and forlorne person, wandring alone in a wood, to be slaine of a swine∣heard, whose master he (being king) had wrongfully put to death.

About the yeare of our Lord 793 Ethelbert king of the East Angles, a learned and right godly Prince, came to the court of Offa the king of * 1.144 Mercia, perswaded by the counsell of his nobles, to sue for the marri∣age of his daughter, well accompanied like a prince with a great traine of men about him: whereupon Offa's Queene conceiving a false suspition of that which was never minded, That Ethelbert under the pretence of this marriage, was come to worke some violence against her husband, and the kingdome of Mercia, so perswaded with king Offa and certaine of his Councell that night, that the next day following Offa caused him to be trained into his palace alone from his company, by one called Guymber∣tus, who tooke him and bound him, and after strooke off his head, which forthwith he presented to the king and Queene. Thus was the in∣nocent King wrongfully murdered, but not without a just revenge on Gods hand: for the aforesaid Queene, worker of this villany, lived not three moneths after, and in her death was so tormented, that she bit and rent her tongue in pieces with her teeth, which was the instrument to set abroach that murtherous practise. Offa himselfe understanding at length the innocency of the king, and the hainous cruelty of his fact, gave the tenth part of his goods to the Church, bestowed upon the Church of Here∣ford, in remembrance of this Ethelbert, great lands, builded the Abbey of S. Albons, with certaine other Monasteries beside, and afterward went to Rome for his penance, where hee gave to the Church of S. Peter, a peny through every house in his dominion, which was commonly called Rome∣shot, or Peterpence, and there at length was transformed from a king to a monke. Thus God punished not only him and his wife, but the whole land, for this vile murder.

One principall cause of the conquest of this land by the Normans, was * 1.145 a vile and horrible murder committed by one Goodwin, an Earle in Eng∣land, upon certaine Mormans that came overwith Alfred and Edward, to visit their mother Emma, that had beene married to King Canutus. This matter thus fell out: When these two came from Normandy to England, to visit their mother, as I have said, Earle Goodwin having a daughter called Godith, whom hee thought to marry to Edward, and ad∣vance him to the kingdome, to bring his purpose to passe used this pra∣ctise, that is, to perswade King Hardeknout and the Lords, not to suf∣fer those Normans to bee within the Realme, for jeopardy, but rather to punish them for example: by which meanes hee got authority to or∣der the matter himselfe: Wherefore hee met them on Guild downe, and there wretchedly murdered, or rather martyred the most part of the Nor∣mans, killing nine, and leaving the tenth alive throughout the whole company; and then tything againe the said tyth, he slew every tenth knight, and that by cruell torment, as winding their guts out of their body, after a most savage manner: among the rest he put out the eyes of the elder of the two brethren, Alfred, and sent him to an Abbey at Elie; where being fed with bread and water, hee ere long ended his life. Now albeit hee obtained his purpose hereby; and married his daugh∣ter to Edward, who was after King, called Edward the Confessor,

yet did not Gods justice sleepe to punish this horrible murder: for he him∣selfe died not long after suddenly, having forsworne himselfe, and the Normanes with William their Duke ere long came into this Iland, to revenge this murder, as also to claime a right of inheritance bequeathed unto him by Edward his Nephew: and how hee succeeded, and what mise∣ry he brought this whole Nation unto, who knoweth not. But heere is the justice of God: As the Normans comming with a naturall English Prince, were most cruelly and barbarously murdered of Englishmen; so afterwards the Englishmen were slaine and conquered, by the Normans comming with a forreine King, being none of their naturall countrey.

In the yeare of our Lord sixe hundred threescore and eighteene, Childe∣rich King of France caused a Nobleman of his Realme, called Bolyde, to bee bound to a stake, and there beaten to death, without the pretence of any just crime or accusation against him: For which cruelty his Lords and Commons, being grievously offended, conspired together, and slew him and his wife as they were hunting.

In the raigne of Edward the second and Edward the third, Sir Roger Mor∣timer committed many villanous outrages, in shedding much humane bloud: but he was also justly recompenced in the end; first he murdered King Edward the second, lying in Barkeley Castle, to the end he might, as it was supposed, enjoy Isabel his wife, with whom he had very suspi∣tious familiarity. Secondly, he caused Edward the third to conclude a di∣shonorable peace with the Scots, by restoring them all their ancient wri∣tings, charters, and patents, whereby the Kings of Scotland had bound themselves to be feudaries to the Kings of England. Thirdly, he accused Edmund Earle of Kent, uncle to King Edward, of treason, and caused him unjustly to bee put to death. And lastly he conspi redagainst the King to worke his destruction; for which and divers other things that were laid to his charge he was worthily and justly beheaded.

In the reigne of Henry the sixt, Humfrey the good duke of Gloucester, and faithfull protectour of the King, by the meanes of certaine malicious persons, to wit, the Queene, the Cardinall of Winchester, and especi∣ally the Marquesse of Suffolke, (as it was supposed) was arrested, cast into hold, and strangled to death in the Abbey of Bure: For which cause the Lords hand of judgement was upon them all: for the Marquesse was not onely banished the land for the space of five yeares, but also banished out of his life for ever; for as hee sailed towards France, hee was met withall by a Ship of Warre, and there presently beheaded, and the dead corps cast up at Dover; that England wherein he had committed the crime, might be a witnesse of his punishment. The Queene, that thought by this meanes to preserve her husband in honour, and her selfe in estate, thereby both lost her husband and her state: her husband lost his realme; and the Realme lost Anjou, Normandy, with all other places beyond the sea, Calice onely excepted. As for the Cardinall, who was the principall artificer of all this mischiefe, he lived not long after; and being on his death bed, murmured and grudged against God, asking wherefore hee should die, having so much wealth and riches? and saying, That if the whole Realme would save his life, he was able either by policy to get it, or by riches to buy it: but death would not be bri∣bed; for all his aboundant treasure he died miserably, more like a Heathen

than a Christian, without any shew of repentence. And thus was the good Dukes death revenged upon the princiall procurers thereof.

As the murder of a gentleman in Kent, called master Arden of Fever∣sham, was most execrable, so the wonderfull discovery thereof was exceed∣ing rare. This Arden being somewhat aged, had to wife a young woman, no lesse faire than dishonest, who being in love with one Mosbie more than her husband, did not onely abuse his bed, but also conspired his death with this her companion: for together they hired a notorious Ruffin, one Blacke Will, to strangle him to death with a towell as he was playing a game at ta∣bles: which though secretly done, yet by her owne guilty conscience, and some tokens of bloud which appeared in his house, was soone discovered and confessed. Wherefore she her selfe was burnt at Canterbury: Michael, master Ardens man, was hanged in chaines at Feversham: Mosbie and his sister were hanged in Smithfield: Greene another partner in this bloudy action was hanged in chaines in the high way against Feversham: And Blacke Will the Ruffian, after his first escape, was apprehended and burnt on a seaffold at Flushing in Zeeland. And thus all the murderers had their de∣served dues in this life, and what they endured in the life to come (except they obtained mercy by true repentance) is easie to judge.

CHA. XI. Of the admirable discovery of Murders.

AS the Lord hath shewed himselfe a most just Judge, in punishing most severely this horrible sinne of shed∣ding mans bloud, so hath he alwaies declared his dete∣station thereof, and his will to have it punished by those who are in his stead upon the earth, and have the sword of vengeance committed unto them: by his mi∣raculous and superhaturall detecting of such murder∣ers from time to time, who have carried their villa∣nies so closely, as the eye of man could not espy them: plainely shewing thereby, that the bloud of the slaine crieth to the Lord for vengeance from the earth, as Abels did upon Cain▪ and that God will have that law stand * 1.146 true and firme, which he made almost before all other lawes: He that shed∣deth mans bloud, by man shall his bloud be shed. If I should commit to writing * 1.147 all the examples of this kinde, which either are recorded in Authors, or which dayly experience doth offer unto us, it would require rather a full Booke than a short Chapter for that subject: And therefore I will be con∣tent with some few, and those for truth most credible, and yet for strange∣nesse most incredible.

And to begin with our owne countrey: About the yeare of our Lord * 1.148 867, a certaine Nobleman of the Danes, of the kings stock, called Lothebro∣cus, father to Inguar and Hubba, entring upon a certaine time with his hawke into a cockboat alone, by chance through tempest was driven with his hawke to the coast of Northfolke in England, named Rodham: where be∣ing found, and detained, he was presented to king Edmund, that raigned over the East-Angles in Northfolke and Suffolke at that time. The King (as hee

was a just and good man) understanding his parentage, and seeing his cause, entertained him in his Court accordingly; and every day more and more perceiving his activity, and great dexterity in hunting and hawking, bare speciall favour unto him: insomuch that the Kings Faulconer bearing pri∣vy malice against him, for this cause, secretly as they were hunting together in a wood, did murther him, and threw him in a bush. Lothebroke being thus murthered, and shortly missed in the Kings house, no tydings could be heard of him, untill it pleased God to reveale the murther by his dog: which continuing in the wood with the corps of his Master, at sundry times came to the Court, and fauned on the King: so that the King suspecting some such matter, at length followed the trace of the hound, and was brought to the place where Lothebroke lay. Whereupon inquisition being made, at length by some circumstances of words, and other suspitions, it was knowne that he was murdered by Berik•• the Kings Faulconer: who for his punishment he was set into the same boat of Lothebroke alone, and so com∣mitted to the mercy of the sea: but the sea more mercifull to him than he was to Lothebroke, carried him directly to the coast of Denmarke, from whence Lothebroke came; as it were there to be punished for his murder. Here the boat of Lothebroke being well knowne, hands were lay upon him, and by torments he was enquired into: but hee to save himselfe, uttered an untruth of King Edmund; saying, That the King had put him to death in Northfolke. Whereupon revenge was devised, and to that end an army of men prepared and sent over: which was the first occasion of the Danes ar∣rivall in this land. Thus was this murther wonderfully discovered by meanes of a dog.

Plutarch in his book Desolertia a••imalium, reporteth the like story of a * 1.149 souldier of King Pyrrhus, who being slain, his dog discovered the murder∣ers: for when as the dog could by no meanes be brought from the dead bo∣dy, but fauning upon the King, as it were desiring helpe at his hand; the King commanded all his Army to passe by in good order by two and two, till at length the murtherers came; and then the dog flew upon them so fiercely, as if he would have torne them in pieces; and turning to the king, ranne againe upon the murderers. Whereupon being apprehended and examined, they soone confessed the fact, and received condigne punishment for their desert. Plutarch ascribeth this to the secret of Natures instinct: but we must rather attribute both this and all such like, to the mighty fin∣ger of God. who to terrifie men from shedding humane bloud, doth stirre up the dumbe creatures to be revealers of their bloudy sinne.

The like story the same Author reporteth of the murder of the Poet Hesiod, who being slaine by the sonnes of Ganyctor, the murder, though se∣cret, * 1.150 and the Murderers, though unknowne to all the world save to God and their owne conscience, were discovered and brought to punishment by the means of a dog which belonged to him that was murdered.

The like also we reade of two French Merchants, which travailing toge∣ther through a certaine Wood, one of them rose against the other for the * 1.151 desire of his mony, and so slew him, and buried him▪ but the Dog of the murdered Merchant would not depart from the place, but filled the Woods with howlings and cryes. The murderer went forward on his journey, and the Inhabitants neere the said Wood, found out the murdered corps, and also the Dog, whom they tooke up and nourished till the Faire was done,

and the Merchants returned; at which time they watched the Highwayes, having the Dog with them: who seeing the murtherer, instantly made force at him without all provocation, as a man would doe at his mortall enemy: which thing caused the people to apprehend him; who being exa∣mined, confessed the fact, and received condigne punishment for so foule a deed.

The same Author reporteth yet a more memorable and strange story of * 1.152 another murder discovered also by the meanes of a dogge, which I may not omit. There was (saith hee) a certaine maid neere Paris, who was be∣loved of two young men; the one of whom as he was going to visite his love, happened to be murdered by the way, and buried: now his dog which he had with him would not depart from the grave of his master: at the last the young man being missed by his father and brethren, was diligently sought for; but not finding him, at last they found his dog lying upon his grave, that howled pittifully as soone as he saw his masters brother: the grave was opened, and the wounded corps found, which was brought away, and committed to other buriall, untill the murderer should be descryed: Afterward, in processe of time, the dogge in the presence of the dead mans brethren espied the murderer, and presently assaulted him with great fierce∣nesse: Whereupon he was appreliended, and examined, and when by no meanes nor policy he would confesse, the magistrate adjudged, That the young man and the dogge should combate together: The dogge was cover∣ed with a dry sod skinne in stead of armour, and the murderer with a speare, and on his body a thinne linnen cloth; and so they both came forth to fight: but behold the hand of vengeance: the man offering at the dogge with his speare, the dogge leaped presently at his face, and caught him fast by the throat, and overthrew him: whereat the wretch amased, cryed out to the beholders, Take pity on me, and pull off the dogge from my throat, and I will confesse all▪ the which being done, he declared the cause and manner of the whole murder, and for the same was deservedly put to death.

All these murders were discovered by dogges, the Lord using them as instruments to reveale his justice and vengeance upon this bloudy sinne, but these following by other meanes: The murder of the Poet Ibycus was detected by Cranes; as you may see in the 36 chapter of this booke more at large set forth.

Luther recites such another story as that of Ibycus, of a certain Almaigne, * 1.153 who in travelling fell among theeves, which being about to cut his throat, the poore man espied a flight of Crows, and said, O Crows I take you for wit∣nesses and revengers of my death. About two or three daies after, these mur∣dering theeves drinking in an Inne, a company of Crows came and lighted on the top of the house: whereupon the theeves began to laugh and say one to another, Looke yonder are they which must revenge his death, whom we dispatched the other day. The Tapster over-hearing them, told it to the ma∣gistrat; who presently caused them to be apprehended, and upon their dis∣agreeing in speeches and contrary answers, urged them so far, that they con∣fessed the truth, and received their deserved punishment.

There was one Bessus (as Plutarch reporteth) who having killed his fa∣ther, was brought both to knowledge and punishment by the meanes of * 1.154 Swallowes: for his guilty conscience persuaded him, that the Swallowes in their chattering language did say to one another, That Bessus had killed his

father: whereupon not able to conceale his owne guiltinesse, hee be∣wrayed his horrible fact: and was worthily and deservedly for the same put to death.

But of all the examples that either reading or experience can afford, none in my opinion is either more admirable, or a more clearer testimony of Gods providence & justice, than that which hapned about a Lucquois Merchant, * 1.155 who comming out of England to Roan in France, and from thence making towards Paris, was in the way, on a mountain neer to Argentueil, murdered by a Frenchman his servant, and his body throwne amongst the Vines. Now as this fact was a doing, a blind man ran by, being led by his dog; who hea∣ring one groane, asked who it was? Whereunto the murderer answered, that it was a sicke man going to ease himselfe. The blind man thus deluded, went his way, and the servant with his masters money, and with Papers of his takes up at Paris a good summe of money, and sets up a shop at Roane. Now this Merchant being expected at Luca a whole yeare together, whi∣ther he had sent word he would shortly repaire; when he came not, a mes∣senger was dispatched to seeke him out; and after much enquiry at London and Roan, and elsewhere, he learnt at last in an Inne, that a Lucquois Mer∣chant about sixe moneths before had lodged there, and was gone to Paris: where also not hearing any tydings of him, he suspected that he was mur∣thered, & made his complaint to the Court of Parliament at Roan: Which imbracing this businesse (being directed by Gods providence) made en∣quiry up and downe the Towne, Whether there were any that within seven or eight moneths had set up a new shop; and finding one, caused him to be arrested for a supposed and a pretended debt: but in the end examined him upon this murther, and laid it to his charge: herewith the prisoner, so∣licited partly bythe remorse of his conscience, & partly by hope of freeing himselfe by a bribe, confessed the fact in private to the Justice but as soone as he perceived that he went about to call in witnesses to his confession, hee denyed it againe: in briefe, the new Merchant is committed to prison, and he sueth the Justice for forgerie and false imprisonment: the Justice can by no meanes cleare himselfe, but onely by the assurance that all men had of his honesty. The matter hangs thus in suspence, till at length the dead carkasse of the Lucquois was ••eard of, and the blind man also came to light who heard the noyse of the murther: to make short, this blind man was brought to confront the prisoner; and twenty men were caused to speake one after another, and still the blinde man was demaunded, whether hee knew their voices, and said, That that was the man that answered him on the mountaine. This course being ofttimes re-iterated, the blind man hit al∣wayes on the right, and never missed. Whereupon the Court condemned him to death, and before he dyed he confessed the fact, to the great glory of Gods Justice, and the great amazement and strange astonishment of all men.

At Paris, in the yeare of our Lord 1551, a certaine young woman was brained by a man with a hammer, neere unto Saint Opportunes Church, * 1.156 as she was going to midnight Masse, and all her rings and jewels taken from her: This hammer was stolne from a poore Smith there by the same eve∣ning; who therefore being suspected of the murder, was cruelly handled, and put to extraordinary torture, by reason of the vehement presumptions made against him; in such sort, that hee was quite lamed and deprived

of the meanes to get his living; whereby being reduced into extreame po∣verty, he ended his life in great misery. All this while the murderer re∣mained unknowne almost for the space of twenty yeares, and the memory of the murder seemed to be buried with the poore woman in her grave: now marke the justice of God, who hath promised, that nothing shall be so hid but shall be brought to light. It hapned, that one Iohn Flaming, Serge∣ant of the Subsidies at Paris, being upon occasion of businesse at S. Leups, a Village by Montmorency, chanced among other talke at Supper to say, how he had left his wife at home sicke, and no body with her but a little boy: there was an old man then present, named Monstier, and a sonne in law of his, who immediatly upon this speech went away that night, with each of them a basket of cherries and a greene goose, and came about ten of the clock the next morning to Flamings house, where they intended to murder both the woman and the boy, and to possesse themselves of all the goods that they could conveniently carrie away: but the Lord prevented them of their pur∣pose: for being let in at the dores by the boy, pretending that they came from the husband with th••se remembrances to his wife, they presently slew the boy, thinking also to surprise the woman; but she hearing the cry of the boy, lockt fast her chamber dore, and cried for helpe out at her window, whereupon the neighbors running to the house tooke these two villaines, one hidden in the funnell of the Chimney; and the other in a Well in the Cellar, with nothing but his nose above water. Now these two wretches be∣ing thus apprehended, arraigned, and condemned, being on the seaffold at the place of execution, the old man desired to speake with the Smithes wi∣dow, whose husband was suspected for the first murder: of whom when she came, hee asked forgivenesse; saying, that it was he which had killed the young woman by S. Opportunes Church. Thus the Lord discovered both the innocency of the Smith, and the guiltinesse of this vile murderer, and that twenty yeeres after the fact was committed.

Not long since the like discovery of a murderer was made here in Eng∣land in Leicestershire, not farre from Lutterworth, almost twenty yeeres after the fact committed, The murder was committed by a Miller upon one in his Mill, whom he buried in the ground hard by: This Miller removed unto another countrey, and there dwelt a long space, untill at last guided by Gods Almighty providence, to the manifestation of his justice, he returned unto that place to visit some of his friends. Now in the meane time whilest he was there, the Miller that now possessed the former Mill, had occasion to dig deepe into the ground, where he found the carkasse of a dead man, pre∣sently it was suspected that some had beene murdered, and was there buried: whereupon the Lord put it into their hearts to remember, how about twenty yeares before a certaine neighbour of theirs was suddenly missed, and could never be heard of, insomuch that all supposed him to have beene dead in some strange countrey: this carkasse they suspected to be his, and bethinking themselves who was then Miller of that Mill, behold he was there ready in the towne, not having been there for many yeares before. This man was suspected, nd thereupon examined, and without much adoe confes∣sed the fact, and received deserved punishment.

Who seeth not here manifest traces and footsteps of Gods providence? First in reducing the murderer to that place at that time: Secondly, in stirring up the Miller to digge at the same time also: thirdly, in

putting into the hearts of the people the missing of such a man, whose me∣mory was almost forgotten: and lastly, in causing the murderer to confesse his deed, when as no proofe nor witnesse could be brought against him: but here is the justice of God against all such, Vengeance will not suffer the mur∣derer * 1.157 to live.

Henry Ranzovius, Lieutenant for the King of Denmarke in the Duchie of * 1.158 Holsace, makes relation in a letter of his, of an ordinary meanes of finding out Murderers, practised in the kingdome of Denmark by King Christiernus the second, and permitted over all his Kingdome; the occasion whereof (he saith) was this: Certaine Gentlemen being on an evening together in a stove, fell out among themselves, and from words grew to blowes (the Candles being put out) insomuch that one of them was stabbed with a pu∣nyard. Now the deed doer was unknowne by reason of the number; al∣though the Gentleman accused a Pursevant of the Kings for it, who was one of them in the stove. The King to finde out the homicide, caused them all to come together in the stove, and standing round about the dead Corps, becommanded that they should one after another lay their right hand on the slain Gentlemans naked breasts, swearing they had not killed him: the Gentlemen did so, and no signe appeared to witnesse against them; the Pur∣sevant onely remained, who condemned before in his owne conscience, went first of all and kissed the dead mans feet, but as soone as he layed his hand on his breast, the blood gushed forth in abundance, both out of his wound and nosthrils, so that urged by this evident accusation, he confessed the murder, and by the Kings owne sentence was incontinently beheaded: whereupon (as I said before) arose that practise which is now ordinary in many places of finding out unknowne Murders; which by the admirable power of God are for the most part revealed, either by the bleeding of the corpes, or the opening of the eye, or some other extraordinary signe, as daily experience doth teach.

The same Authour reporteth another example farre more strange, in the same letter written to David Chytreus, which happened at Itzehow in Den∣marke. A Traveller was murdered by the high-way side, and because the murderer could not be found out, the Magistrates of Itzehow caused the bo∣dy to be taken up, and one of the hands to be cut off, which was carried into the prison of the Towne, and hung up by a string in one of the Cham∣bers: about ten yeares after, the murderer comming upon some occasion in to the prison, the hand which had been a long time dry began to drop blood on the Table that stood underneath it: which the Gaoler beholding, stayed the fellow, and advertised the Magistrates of it; who examining him, the * 1.159 murderer giving glory to God, confessed his fact, and submitted himselfe to the rigour of the Law, which was inflicted on him, as he very well de∣served.

At Winsheime in Germany, a certaine Theefe after many Robberies and Murders committed by him upon Travellers and Women with childe, went to the Shambles before Easter, and bought three Calves heads, which when hee put into a Wallet, they seemed to the standers by to be mens heads: whereupon being attached and searched by the Officers, and he ex∣amined how hee came by them, answered and proved by witnesses, that hee bought Calves heads, and how they were transformed ••hee knew not: whereupon the Senate amazed, not supposing this miracle to

arise of naught, cast the party into prison, and tortured him to make him confesse what villany he had committed; who confessed indeed at last his horrible murders, and was worthily punished for the same, and then the heads recovered their old shapes. When I read this story, I was halfe afraid to set it downe, least I should seeme to insert fables into this serious Treatise of Gods Judgements: but seeing the Lord doth often worke miraculously for the disclosing of this foule sinne, I thought that it would not seeme alto∣gether incredible.

Another murderer at Tubing betrayed his murder by his owne sighes, which were so deepe and incessant, in griefe not of his fact, but of his small * 1.160 booty, that being but asked the question, he confessed the crime, and under∣went worthy punishment.

Another murtherer in Spain was discovered by the trembling of his heart; for when many were suspected of the murder, and all renounced it, the Judge caused all their breasts to be opened, and him in whom he saw most trembling of brest, he condemned, who also could not deny the fact, but pre∣sently confessed the same.

At Isenacum a certaine yong man being in love with a maid, and not ha∣ving wherewith to maintain her, used this unlawfull meanes to accomplish his desire; upon a night he slew his host, and throwing his body into a Cel∣lar, tooke away all his money, and then hasted away; but the terrour of his owne conscience and the judgement of God so besotted him, that hee could not stirre a foot untill he was apprchended. At the same time Mar∣tin Luther, and Philip Melancthon abode at Isenacum, and were eye-witnesses of this miraculous judgement, who also so dealt with this murderer, that in most humble and penitent confession of his sinnes, and comfort of soule, he ended his life.

By all these examples wee see, how hard it is for a murderer to escape without his reward: when the justice of man is either too blinde, that it cannot search out the truth, or too blunt, that it doth not strike with seve∣rity the man appointed unto death, then the justice of God riseth up, and with his owne arme he discovereth and punisheth the murderer; yea, rather than he shall goe unpunished, sencelesse creatures and his owne heart and tongue rise to give sentence against him. I doubt not but daily experi∣ence in all places affordeth many more examples to this purpose, and espe∣cially the experience of our Judges in criminall causes, who have continuall occasion of understanding such matters in their Circuits: but these shall suffice for our present purpose.

CHAP. XII. Of such as have murdered themselves.

WHen the Law saith, Thou shalt not kill, it not onely condemneth the killing of others, but much more of our selves: for charity sprin∣geth from a mans selfe; & therfore if they be guilty of murder

that spill the bloud of others, much more guilty are they before God that shed their owne bloud: and if nature bindeth us to preserve the life of all men as much as lyeth in our power, then much more are we bound to pre∣serve our owne lives, so long as God shall give us leave. We are here set in this life as souldiers in a station, without the licence of our Captaine we must not depart: our soule is maried to the body by the appointment of God, none must presume to put a sunder those whom God hath coupled: and our life is committed to us as a thing in trust, we must not redeliver it, nor part with it, untill he require it againe at our hands that gave it into, our hands. Saint Augustine in his first Booke De Civitate Dei, doth most * 1.161 strongly evince and prove, That for no cause voluntary death is to be un∣dertaken: neither to avoid temporall troubles, least we fall into eternall; nor for feare to be polluted with the sinnes of others, lest by avoiding other mens sinnes, we encrease our owne; nor yet for our owne sinnes that are past, for the which we have more need of life that we might repent of them: nor lastly: for the hope of a better life, because they which are guilty of their owne death, a better life is not prepared for them. These be the words of Augustine: wherein he alledgeth foure causes, by which men are mooved to this unnaturall act; and concludeth, that for none of them, nor for any other cause what soever, a man ought to lay vio∣lent and bloudy hands upon himselfe; yea, concludeth peremptorily, that a better life after death doth not receive such, to wit, that wilfully and desperately murder themselves, and die without repentance, as com∣monly they doe. But here it is to be observed, that many which seeme to make away themselves, are murdered and made away by the Divell, and not by themselves: for otherwise it were not possible that then should pe∣rish so strangely as they doe: as when some have beene hanged with their knees almost touching the ground; others upon a weake twigge, not strong enough to beare the weight of the tenth part of their body: others beene drowned in a puddle of water: which plainely sheweth, that the Divell, either as the principall actor, or at least as a helper, was the procurer of their murders, and not alwayes themselves: And therefore I must needs say with Luther, That both charity and conscience inhibites resolutely to judge all such to be damned that seeme to have made havocke of their owne lives; for the mercy of God is incomprehensible, and why may he not save the soules of them, whose bodies he gave leave to the Di∣vell to torment, yea to destroy? Besides, we read of many holy wo∣men, who in the time of persecution cast themselves into the deep stream to preserve their chastity from the violence of the wicked persecutours; and yet were reputed in the Church for holy Martyrs. Saint Augu∣stines judgement is worthy to be learned and imitated of all concerning this matter, who thus defineth the case: Of these (saith he) I dare avouch nothing rashly: it may be the Church of God was perswaded by divine authority to receive them into the number of Martyrs; or it may be they did this act, not be∣ing deceived, after the manner of men, but being commanded of God, not er∣ring, but obeying; as also we are to judge of Sampson: now when God biddeth, and without all doubt makes knowne his will, who can call this obedience a crime? who can accuse a duety of piety? But a little after he giveth a ca∣veat, Ne divina iussio ullo nutet incerto; that is, that we be sure God bids; for often times the divell translates himself into an Angell of light, and wil feine

a message from God, which proceedeth from his owne malice. All this is to be conceived only touching that extraordinary case of those holy women that drowned themselves, and yet were held for Martyrs in the Church of God: as for others that shall wilfully and wofully shed their owne blouds, and rob themselves of that precious jewell of life which God hath given them to keep, no doubt but as they commit a horrible and hainous crime, so they incurre a horrible and fearefull judgement: yea, the very act it selfe is both a crime and a judgment; a crime deserving a further judgment, even eternall damnation in hell fire; and a judgement and punishment of some notable sinnes comm••••ed by them before, and of an ungodly and wicked life unrepented of. The drift therfore & purpose of these examples follow∣ing is this, to shew how the Lord punisheth oftentimes in men an ungodly life with voluntary and wilfull murder of themselves, and this wilfull mur∣der of themsel••es with eternall damnation after this life ended, as a just re∣compence of their deserts; and all to teach us repentance, the onely means to prevent both these.

The first we reade of in holy Scripture that cruelly murdered himselfe * 1.162 with his owne hands, was King Saul; who, as it is recorded of him, was a most wicked man and a Tyran: for being chosen from among all the people of Israel to be King by the Lords owne appointment, and advanced as it were from the Plough to the Scepter, he like a most ungratefull wretch kicked against his advancer, and rebelled against his God that had done so great things for him: yea, hee not onely contemned his lawes, and cast his commandements behind his backe but also proved a most cruell Tyran, and shed much innocent blood: amongst the rest of his cruelties, this was the chiefe; upon the false accusation of Doeg the Edomite, he caused foure∣score * 1.163 and five persons, that were Priests, and wore a linnen Ephod, to bee staine at one time, and Nob the Citie of the Priests to be smote with the edge of the sword, both man and woman, childe and suckling, Oxe and Asse: yea, so wicked was he, that when the Lord would not answer him neither by Prophets, nor by dreames, nor by any other meanes, he went to take coun∣sell of the Divell, at the mouth of the Witch of Endor: for all which his * 1.164 abominable wickednesse, the Lord gave him over at last to so desperate a minde, that rather than he would fall into the hands of his enemies, he fell upon his owne sword, and murdered himselfe.

Zimri also, the King of Israel, is set forth by the holy Ghost to be a wic∣ked man, and a traitor: for he conspited against his master Ela, the sonne * 1.165 of Baasha King of Israel, and flew him as he was drinking in Tirza, and pro∣claimed himselfe King in his roome: but the army hearing thereof, made Omri, the Captaine of the hoste, King: who comming to besiege Tirza, wherein Zimri was, Zimri seeing that the Citie was taken, went into the pa∣lace of the Kings house, and there, together with the house burnt himselfe, rather than he would fall into the hands of his enemy: Now the holy Ghost setteth it downe in plaine words, that the Lord sent this judgement upon him for his sinnes which he had sinned, in doing that which was evill in the of the Lord, and walking in the way of Ieroboam, who made Israel to sinne.

Achitophel, that great Counsellor of State to King David, of whom it is * 1.166 said, that the counsell which he counselled was like the Oracle of God, when hee saw that the counsell which hee gave was not followed, but de∣spised,

hee sadled his Asse, and arose and went home into his owne citie, and put his houshold in order, and hanged himselfe: And that this was Gods just vengeance upon him for his former wickednesse, it may appeare both by his conspiracie with Absalom against his liege lord king David, * 1.167 and also that wicked counsel which hee gave unto him, of going in unto his fathers concubines in the sight of the people.

In the second booke of the Machabees is recorded a notable story of one * 1.168 Raz is an Elder of Jerusalem, who is there set forth to bee a man of very good report, constant in religion, a father of the Jewes, and a lover of the citie: yet notwithstanding, this man rather than hee would fall into the hands of Nicanor his enemy, murdered himselfe after a most fearefull and savage manner, for first hee fell upon his sword, and when as for haste that stroke dispatched him not, hee ran boldly or rather furiously to the wall, and cast himselfe downe headlong; after which yet breathing, hee got up on a steepe rocke, and rending out his bowels with his owne hands, threw them amongst the people, calling upon the Lord of life, that hee would restore them againe unto him. The author of that booke commendeth this fact for a valiant and noble deed; but surely wee are taught out of the booke of God by Gods spirit, that it was a most bloudy, barbarous, and irreli∣gious act: for rather should a man endure all the reproaches and torments of an enemy, than embrue his owne hands in his owne bloud; and there∣fore if he were not extraordinarily stirred up hereunto by the spirit of God, this must needs bee a just punishment of some former sinne wherein hee lay without repentance, and a forerunner of an eternall punishment after this life.

Let us joyne Iudas and Pilate together, the one being the betrayer of his Lord and Master Jesus Christ our Saviour, the other the condemner of him, and that against his conscience: as they both agreed in one malicious pra∣ctise against the life of Christ, so they disagreed not in offering violence to their owne lives: for Iudas hanged himselfe, and his bowels gushed out, and Pilat being banished to Vienna, and oppressed with the torment of con∣science * 1.169 and feare of punishment for his misdeeds, to prevent all killed him∣selfe, and so became a notable spectacle of Gods justice, and Christs in∣nocencie.

The Jewes, as they are recorded in Scripture to bee a stiffe-necked and stubborne Nation, above all the Nations under the Sunne, so none were ever more hardy and daring in this bloudy practise of selfe-murther than they were; which may bee thought a portion of Gods just judgement upon them for their sinnes: three examples of greatest note I will propound, which I thinke can hardly bee matched.

When the City of Jerusalem was taken by Herod and Sosius, there was a certaine Jew that had hidden himselfe in a denne with his wife and seven * 1.170 children; to whom Herod offered both life and liberty, if hee would come forth: but the stiffe-hearted wretch had rather die than bee captive to the Romanes: therefore refusing Herods offer, hee first threw downe his chil∣dren headlong from a high rocke, and burst their neckes, next hee sent his wife after them, and lastly tumbled himselfe upon their carkasses to make up the tragedie: a horrible and lamentable spectacle of a proud and despe∣rate minde.

The second example is nothing inferior to the former. After the siege

and sacking of Jotapata by the Romanes, forty Jewes (among whom was Iosephus the writer of this story) having hid themselves in a cave, by mutu∣all consent killed one another, rather than they would fall into the hands of * 1.171 the Romanes▪ Iosephus onely, with one other, by his persuasion, by great art and industry, after the other were slain, proceeded not in that bloudy enterprise, but yeelded themselves to the mercy of the enemies, and so es∣caped with their lives. This fearefull obstinacy may well be imputed to the justice of God upon them, as for their other sinnes, so especially for cruci∣fying the Lord of life, whose bloud they imprecated might fall on them and on their children.

The third example surpasseth both the former both in cruelty and obsti∣nacy: Eleazer the Jew after the taking of Jerusalem fled into the tower of Messada with nine hundred followers; being besieged there by Sabinus Fla∣vius, a Roman Captaine, when he saw that the walls were almost beaten * 1.172 downe, and that there was no hope of escaping, he persuaded his compani∣ons by a pithy and vehement Oration, and drew them to this resolution, that tenne should be chosen by lot, which should kill all the rest, together with their wives and children, and that afterward they themselves should kill each other. The former part of this Tragedy being performed, the surviving tenne first set on fire the Tower, that no prey might come unto the enemy (the victuals only preserved, to the end it might be knowne, that not hunger, but desperate valour drew them to this bloudy massacre▪) then according to their appoyntment, by mutuall wounds they dispatched one another: and of so great a number not one remained, besides one wo∣man with her five children, who hearing the horriblenesse of their determi∣nation, hid her selfe in a cave in the ground, and so escaped with the life of her selfe and her children, and became a reporter of this whole story.

The like story is recorded by Livie touching the Campagnians; who being besieged by the Romanes, and constrained to yeeld up their City unto them upon composition, Vibius, a chiefe nobleman of the City, with seven * 1.173 and twenty other Senatours, that they might not fall into their enemies hands, after they had glutted themselves with wine and good cheere, dranke all of them poyson, and so bewayling the state of their countrey and embra∣cing each other, and taking their last farewell, died ere the enemies were re∣ceived into the city.

Buthes, otherwise called Boges by Herodotus, Governor of Thracia, being besieged in the city Eion, by Cymon the Athenian captaine, to the end that * 1.174 the enemy might receive no benefit nor great glory by his victory, first caused the city to be fired, and then by one consent they all killed them∣selves. So likewise did Ariarathes king of Capadocia, when he was besieged by Perdicca. Cato Vticensis, rather than he would fall into the hands of Iuli∣us Caesar, his enemy, after his victory over Pompey, fell upon his owne sword, and slew himselfe; having first read Plato's booke of the immortality of the soule. So likewise did Marcus Antonius, after that he was over come by Au∣gustus. And Cleopatra the Aegyptian Queene, when as by her allurements she could not intice Augustus to her lust, as she had done Anthony, but perceived that she was reserved for triumph, escaping out of prison, and placing her selfe in her sumptuous sepulchre, neere to the body of her dead paramour, set an Aspe to her left arme, by the venome whereof she died as it were in a sleepe. Thus the Lord doth infatuate the mindes of wicked and

ungodly persons, and such as have no true knowledge nor feare of the true God in their hearts, making them instruments of his vengeance, and execu∣tioners of his wrath upon themselves.

Hannibal the sonne of Amilchar, after many victories and much blood∣shed * 1.175 of the Romans, at last being overcome, and doubting of the faith of Pru∣sia the King of Bythinia, to whom he was fled for succour, poysoned himselfe with poyson which he alwayes carried in a Ring to that purpose.

At the destruction of Carthage, when as Asdrubal the chiefe Captaine * 1.176 submitted himselfe to the mercy of Scipio, his wife cursing and railing on him for his base mind, threw her children into the midst of a fire, and there ended her dayes: and Asdrubal himselfe not long after followed her by a vo∣luntary and violent death.

When Cinna besieged the city of Rome, two brothers chanced to encoun∣ter * 1.177 together in single fight, one of Cinna's army, the other of the contrary: and the one having slaine the other, after that the Conquerour perceived that it was his brother whom hee had slaine, hee slew himselfe also, to make satisfaction for his brothers blood: and so they were both buried in one grave.

Norbanus a Consull of Rome flying from Scylla, slew himselfe at Rhodes, rather than he would fall into his enemies hands: and so did likewise Marius the sonne, at Praeneste.

Of the murderers of Iulius Caesar, almost all became also the murderer of themselves: Cassius stabb'd himselfe with the same dagger wherewith he had stabb'd Caesar: Brutus the night before his overthrow at Philippi, saw in his chamber a vision of a great fearefull man; and he demanding who he was, and what he would, he answered, I am (O Brutus) thy evill spirit, and to morrow thou shalt see me at Philippi: To whom Brutus with a bold cou∣rage answered, I will therefore see thee there. The next day Brutus being conquered by Augustus and Anthony, at Philippi, fell upon his own sword and slew himselfe.

Methridates that bloody and mighty King of Pontus being overcome of Lucullus and Pompey, and set upon by his owne sonne, went about to make away himselfe by poyson: which when it tooke not effect, by reason of his daily taking of Antidotes, he forced a French souldier of his to lay violent hands upon him; and so hee became a wilfull spiller of his owne blood, that had caused the blood of so many thousands to be spilt. His two wives Monica and Veronica, hearing of the miserable end of the king, made likewise themselves away; for the one hanged her selfe, but when the weight of her body broke the cord, shee committed her selfe to Bochis the Eunuch to bee slaine: the other received poyson, which when it wrought not so speedily as shee desired, Bochis also was made an instrument to dispatch her.

Most famous and notorious is the story of Lucretia, who being ravished * 1.178 by Tarquinius the yonger, and impatient of that injury and disgrace, slew her selfe openly, and gave cause by her death of the change of the Roman State, from the government of Kings to Consuls.

Sophronia another Roman woman, but a Christian, when as she could by * 1.179 no meanes escape the lust of Decius the Emperour, daily assaulting her cha∣stity, tooke a sword, and by her husbands consent slew her selfe; and so to prevent one sin, she committed another farre worse than that she feared.

Portia the daughter of Cato, and wife of Brutus, hearing of the death of

her husband at Philippi, sought for a knife to kill her selfe; which being denyed her, she eat burning coales, and so ended her life by a strange kinde of death.

Wee read of many wanton and lewd Poets that have thus made an end of themselves: who as for the most they are Epicures and Atheists, so sel∣dome come to a good end: Labienus the railing Poet (who for that cause was called Rabienus) understanding that his bookes were adjudged to bee burned by a publike Decree, would not survive his own writings, and there∣fore killed himselfe. Lucretius the Atheist taking a love potion to incite his lust, was by the force therof deprived of his sences, and so deprived him∣selfe also of life in his rage. Empedocles the vainglorious Poet, affecting the name of a god, and of immortality, threw himselfe headlong into mount Aetna, and so perished. Silvius Italicus being taken with an incurable dis∣ease, chose rather to be his owne murderer, than to endure the torment of his sicknesse. Cornelius Gallus an amatorius Poet, having robbed the City Thebes, over which he was set to be governour by Augustus Caesar, and fea∣ring * 1.180 to be called to account, prevented the punishment of humane justice, by executing the justice of God upon himselfe with his owne hands.

Of those that persecuted the Church of Christ, very many were given o∣ver by God to be persecutors of themselves, and spoylers of their owne lives: as Nero for example, the first Emperour that tooke in hand to per∣secute * 1.181 Christians, he seeing himselfe in danger to be murdered by one ap∣pointed for that purpose, to prevent the malice of the murderer, murdered himselfe. Magnentius another tyrant, and enemy to Christs Church, being overcome by Constantius, brother to Constans, whom he had slaine, fled to Lions, and there became his owne Butcher: whose death as soone as his brother Decentius understood, he also hanged himselfe.

Galerius the Emperour, after he had tormented the Christians by all cru∣ell means, and left no way unattempted whereby he might root them out of his Kingdome, fell into a grievous disease, through the torment whereof, not being able to endure any longer, he thrust a sword into his own bowels, and so miserably ended his dayes.

And to come neerer to our owne age, in King Edward the sixths dayes one Clerke an open enemy to the Gospel, hanged himselfe in the Tower: so did Pavier Towne-clerke of London: so did the sonne of one Levar a hus∣bandman, that mocked and scorned at the holy Martyr master Latymer: so likewise did Henry Smith a Lawyer, another open adversary to Gods truth.

Richard Long, another enemy to Gods truth, drowned himselfe at Calice, in King Henry the eights dayes. Iohn Plankney, a Fellow of New Colledge in Oxford, did the like Anno 1566. and likewise one Hanington, a Fellow of the same Colledge, in a well at Padua; or, as some thinke, at Rome. Of these you may reade more in the first booke.

Hither I might adde many examples of moderne experience, as name∣ly of a covetous wretch in the Isle of Elie, who being cast in a suit of Law, through impatience of griefe, came home and hanged himselfe: of another that had beene a great dealer in worldly matters, and an undoer of a Family or two of good credit and revenue, by usury, and taking for∣feiture of bonds, and that by his owne flattering perswasion: being himselfe arrested at Huntington for debt, rather then he would satisfie it, though he

was able enough, cut his owne throat, after a most fearefull and horrible manner: another being a man of note and good possessions, threw himselfe downe headlong from the top of a Church. Many such like examples I could adjoyne, with their names and places of abode, but I forbeare, least by reporting Gods judgements upon the dead, I should offend some that are alive.

These therefore already proposed may be a sufficient taste of this kinde of judgement, inflicted by God upon wicked persons: and also may serve for a caveat and warning to all men to take heed how they offer violence to their owne lives, seeing it is not onely a punishment of sinne past, but a fear∣full sinne it selfe, and a forerunner and causer of punishment to come, even of eternall punishment, except the Lord extraordinarily and mi∣raculously shew mercy, which none ought to presume of.

CHAP. XIII. Of Paricides, or Parent Murderers.

IF all effusion of humane blood be both horrible to be∣hold, and repugnant to nature, then is the murdering of Parents especially detestable, when a man is so possessed with the Devill, or transported with a hellish fury, that he lifteth up his hand against his own father or mother, to put them to death: this is so monstrous and inor∣mous an impiety, that the greatest Barbarians ever have had it in detestation: wherefore it is also expresly com∣manded in the Law of God. That whosoever smiteth his father or mo∣ther * 1.182 in what sort so ever, though not to death, yet he shall die the death. If the disobedience, unreverence, and contempt of children towards their Pa∣rents, are by the just judgements of God most rigorously punished (as hath beene declared before in the first commandement of the second Table) how much more then when violence is offered, and above all, when murder is committed? Thus the Aegyptians punished this sinne: they put the com∣mittants upon a stacke of thornes, and burnt them alive, having beaten their * 1.183 bodies beforehand with sharpe reeds made of purpose. Solon being deman∣ded why he appointed no punishment in his Lawes for Paricides; answered, that there was no necessity, thinking that the wide world could not afford so wicked a wretch. It is said, that Romulus for the same cause ordained no pu∣nishment in his Common wealth for that crime, but called every murde∣rer a Paricide; the one being in his opinion a thing execrable, and the other impossible. And in truth there was not for 600 yeeres space (according to Plutarchs report) found in Rome any one that had committed this execra∣ble fact. The first Paricide that Rome saw, was Lucius Ostius, after the first Punicke warre; although other Writers affirme, that M. Malliolus was the first, and Lucius the second: how soever it was, they both underwent the punishment of the Law Pompeia, which enacted, That such offenders should be thrust into a sacke of Leather, and an Ape, a Cocke, a Viper, and a Dog, put in to accompany them, and then to be throwne into the water, to the

end that these beasts being enraged and animated one against another, might wreke their teene upon them, and so deprive them of life after a strange fashion, being debarred of the use of the aire, water, and earth, as unworthy to participate the very Elements with their deaths, much lesse with their lives: which kinde of punishment was after practised and confirmed by the constitution of Constantine the Great. And albeit the regard of the punishment seemed terrible, and the offence it selfe much more monstrous, yet since that time there have beene many so perverse and exceeding wic∣ked, as to throw themselves headlong into that desperate gulfe.

As Cleodoricke sonne of Sigebert King of Austria, who being tickled with an unsatiable lust of raigne through the deceivable perswasions of Cleo∣dovius * 1.184 King of France, slew his father Sigebert as he lay asleepe in his Tent in a forrest at noone time of the day; who being weary with walking, laid himselfe downe there to take his rest: but for all that, the wicked wretch was so farre from attaining his purpose, that it fell out cleane contrary to his expectation: for after his fathers death, as he was viewing his treasures, and ransacking his coffers, one of Cleodovius factors strooke him suddenly, and murdered him, and so Cleodovius seised both upon the Crowne and Treasures.

After the death of Hircanus, Aristobulus succeeded in the government of * 1.185 Judea, which whilest he strove to reduce into a kingdome, and to weare a crown, contrary to the custome of his predecessors, his mother & other bre∣thren contending with him about the same, he cast in prison, & took Antigo∣nus his next brother to be his associate: but ere long (a good gratefull son) he famished her to death with hunger that had fed him to life with her teares, even his naturall mother: And after perswaded with false accusations, cau∣sed his late best beloved Antigonus to be slaine by an ambush that lay by Strato's tower, because in the time of his sicknesse he entred the Temple with pompe. But the Lord called for quittance for the two bloodsheds immediately after the execution of them: for his brothers blood was scarce washed off the ground, ere in the extreamity of his sicknesse he was carried into the same place, and there vomiting up blood at his mouth and nost∣hrils, to be mingled with his brothers, he fell downe starke dead, not with∣out horrible tokens of trembling and despaire.

Nero that unnaturall Tyran surpassed all that lived, as in all other vices, * 1.186 so in this; for he attempted thrice by poyson to make away his mother Agrippina: and when that could not prevaile, by reason of her usuall Anti∣dotes and preservatives, hee assayed divers other meanes: as first a devise, whereby she should be crushed to death as she slept, a loosened beame that should fall upon her; and secondly by shipwracke: both which when she * 1.187 escaped, the one by discovery, and the other by swimming, he sent Anic••tus the Centurion to slaughter her with the sword: who with his companions breaking up the gate of the City where she lay, rushed into her Chamber, and there murdered her. It is written of her, that when she saw there was no remedy but death, she presented her belly unto the murderer, and desired him to kill her in that part which had most deserved it, by bringing into the world so vile a monster: and of him, that he came to view the dead carkasse of his mother, and handled the members thereof, commending this, and dis∣commending that, as his fancy led him, and in the meane time being thirsty, to call for drinke: so farre was he from all humanity and touch of Nature:

but he that spared not to embrue his hands in her blood that bred him, was constrained ere long to offer violence to his own life, which was most deere unto him.

Henry the son of Nicolotus Duke of Herulia, had two wicked, cruell, and * 1.188 unkind sonnes, by the yonger of whom, with the consent of the elder, he was traiterously murdered, because he had married a third wife: for which cause Nicolotus, their cousin-german, pursued them both with a just revenge; for he deprived them of their kingdome, and drove them into exile, where they soon after perished.

Selymus the tenth Emperour of Turkes was so unnaturall a childe, that he * 1.189 feared not to dispossesse his father Bajazet of the crown by treason; and next to bereave him of his life by poyson. And not satisfied therewith, even to murder his two brethren, and to destroy the whole stock of his own blood. But when hee had raigned eight yeares, vengeance found him out, and be∣ing at his backe▪ so corrupted and putrified his reins, that the contagion spread it selfe over all his body: so that he dyed a beast-like and irksome death, and that in the same place where he had before oppressed his father Bajazet with an army, to wit, at Chiurle a city of Thracia, in the year of our Lord 1520. in the moneth of September.

Charles the younger, by surname called Crassus son to Lodouick the third, * 1.190 was possessed & tormented with a divell in the presence of his father, & the Peeres of the Realme; which he openly confessed to have justly happened unto him, because he had pretended in his mind to have conspired his fa∣thers death and deposition: what then are they to expect, that doe not pre∣tend, but performe this monstrous enterprise?

A certaine degenerate and cruell son longing and gaping after the inhe∣ritance of his father, which nothing but his life kept him from, wrought this means to accomplish his desire: he accused his father of a most filthy un∣nameable crime, even of committing filt••inesse with a Cow; knowing that if he were convicted therof, the law would cut off his life: & herein he wroght a * 1.191 double villany, in going about not only to take away his life (w^ch by the law of nature he ought to have preserved) but also his good name, without respe∣cting that the stain of a father redoundeth to his posterity, and that children * 1.192 commōly do not only inherit the possessions, but also imitate the conditions of their parents: but all these supposes laid aside, together with▪ all feare of God, he indicted him before the Magistrate, of incest, and that upon his own knowledge: insomuch that they brought the poore innocent man to the rack, to the end to make him confesse the crime; which albeit amidst his tortures he did, as soon as he was out, he denyed again: howbeit his extorted confessi∣on stood for evidence, and he was condemned to be burned with fire, as was speedily executed, and constantly endured by him, exclaiming still upon the false accusation of his son, and his own unspotted innocency; as, by the issue that followed, most cleerely appeared; for his son not long after fell into a reprobate mind, and hanged himselfe: and the Judge that condemned him, with the witnesses that bare record of his forced confession, within one moneth died all, after a most wretched▪ and miserable sort. And thus it plea∣sed God both to revenge his death, and also to quit his reputation and in∣nocency, from ignominy and discredit in this world.

Manfred Prince of Tarentum, bastard son to Frederick the second, smo∣thered * 1.193 his father to death with a pillow, because (as some say) he would not bestow the kingdome of Naples upon him: and not content herewith, he poi∣soned also the heirs of Frederick, to the end he might attain unto the crown,

as Conrade his elder brother, and his nephew the son of Henry the heir, which Henry died in prison; and now onely Conradinus remained betwixt him and the kingdome, whom though he assayed to send after his father, yet was his intention frustrate, for the Pope thundered out his curses against him, and instigated Charles Duke of Angiers to make war against him: wherein ba∣stard and unnaturall Manfred was discomfited and slaine, and cut short of his purpose, for which he had committed so many tragedies.

Martin Luther was wont to report of his own experience this wonderfull history of a Locksmith, a yong man, riotous and vicious, who to find fuel for * 1.194 his luxury, was so bewitched that he feared not to slay his own father & mo∣ther with a hammer, to the end to gain their mony and possessions: after w^ch cruell deed, he presently went to a shoomaker and bought him new shooes, leaving his old behind him, by the providence of God to be his accusers: for after an houre or two the slain bodies being found by the Magistrate, and in∣quisition made for the murderer, no manner of suspition being had of him, he seeming to take such griefe therat. But the Lord that knoweth the secrets of the heart discovered his hypocrisie, and made his owne shooes which hee had left with the Shoomaker rise up to beare witnesse against him: for the blood which ran from his fathers wounds besprinckled them so, that thereof grew the suspition, and from thence the examination, and very soon the con∣fession, and last of all his worthy and lawfull execution. From hence we may learne for a generall trueth, that murder, never so secret, will ever by one means or other be discovered; the Lord will not suffer it to goe unpunished, so abominable it is in his sight.

Another son at Basil, in the yeare of our Lord God, 1560, bought a quan∣tity of poyson of an Apothecary, and ministred it to none but to his own fa∣ther, * 1.195 accounting him worthiest of so great a benefit: which when it had ef∣fected his wish upon him, the crime being detected, in stead of possessing his goods which he aimed at, he possessed a vile and shamefull death; for he was drawne through the streets, burnt with hot Irons, and tormented nine houres in a wheele, till his life forsooke him.

As it is repugnant to nature for children to deale thus cruelly with their parents, so it is more against nature for parents to murder their children: insomuch as naturall affection is of greater force in the descent than in the ascent, & the love that parents bear their children, is greater than that which children redound to their Parents; because the childe proceedeth from the father, and not the father from the childe, as part of his fathers essence, and not the father of his: Can a man then hate his own flesh, or be a rooter out of that which himselfe planted? It is rare, yet sometimes it commeth to passe. Howbeit as the offence is in an high degree, so it is alwayes punished by some high judgement: as by these examples that follow shall appeare.

The ancient Ammonites had an Idoll called Moloch to the which they offered their children in sacrifice: this Idoll, (as the Jewes write) was of a great stature, and hollow within, having seven chambers in his hollownesse, whereof one was to receive meat, another turtle Doves, the third a sheep, the fourth a ram, the fifth a calfe, the sixth an oxe, and the seventh a childe: his hands were alwayes extended to receive gifts; and when a childe was offered, they were made fire hot to burne it to death: none must offer the childe but the father: and to drowne the cries of it, the Chemarims (for so were the Priests of that Idoll called) made a noise with bels, cymbals and horns: thus is it written, that king Ahab offered his son, yea, and many of the children of Israel beside, as the Prophet David affirmeth: They offered (saith he) their * 1.196

sons and daughters to Divels, and shed innocent blood, &c. this is the horrible crime. Now marke the judgement concerning the Canaanites: the land∣spued them out for their abominations, Achab with his posterity was accur sed, himselfe being slaine by his enemies, and the crowne taken from his po∣sterity, not one being left of his off-spring to pis against the wall, according to the saying of Elias: as for the Jewes, the Prophet David in the same place declareth their punishment, when he saith, That the wrath of the Lord was * 1.197 kindled, and he abhorred his inheritance, and gave them into the hands of the hea∣then, that they that hated them were lords over them.

In the yeare of our Lord 1551, in a town of Hassia called Weidenhasten, * 1.198 The twentieth day of November, a cruell mother inspired with Satan, shut up all her doores, and began to murder her four children on this manner: shee snatcht up ā sharpe axe, and first set upon her eldest son, being but eight yeares old, searching him out with a candle behinde a hogs-head, where he hid himselfe, and presently (notwithstanding his pitifull praiers and com∣plaints) clave his head in two pieces, and chopped off both his armes: Next shee killed her daughter of five yeares old, after the same manner: another little boy of three yeares of age (seeing his mothers madnesse) hid himselfe (poore infant) behinde the gate, whom as soone as the Tygre espied, shee drew out by the haire of the head into the floore, and there cut off his head: the yongest lay crying in the cradle but halfe a yeare old, him she (without all compassion) pluckt out and murdered in like sort. These murders being finished, the Diuell incarnate (for certaine no womanly nature was left in her) to take punishment of her selfe for the same, cut her owne throat; and albeit she survived nine dayes, and confessing her fault, dyed with teares and repentance, yet we see how it pleased God to arme her own hands against her selfe, as the fittest executioners of vengeance.

The like tragicall accident we reade to have happened at Cutzenborff, a * 1.199 City in Silesia, in the yeare 1536, to a woman and her three children; who having slain them all in her husbands absence, killed her selfe in like manner also to make up the tragedy.

Concerning stepmothers, it is a world to reade how many horrible mur∣ders they have usually practised upon their children in law, to the end to bring the inheritance to their own brood, or at least to revenge some injury supposed to be done unto them: of which, one or two examples I will subnect as a taste out of many hundred, leaving the residue to the judgment and reading of the Learned.

Constantius, the son of Heraclius, having raigned Emperour but one yeere, * 1.200 was poysoned by his stepmother Martina, to the end to install her own son Heraclon in the Crown: but for this cruell part becomming odious, to the Senat, they so much hated to have her or her son raigne over them, that in stead thereof they cut off her tongue and his nose, and so banished them the City.

Fausta the wife of Constantine the great fell in love with Constantine her sonne in Law, begotten upon a Concubine: whom when shee could not * 1.201 perswade unto her lust, she accused unto the Emperour, as a solicitor of her chastity; for which cause he was condemned to die: but after the truth knowne, Constantine put her into a hot bath, and suffered her not to come forth, untill the heat had choaked her, revenging upon her head her sonnes death, and her owne unchastity.

CHAP. XIIII. Of Subject Murtherers.

SEeing then they that take away their neighbours lives doe not escape unpunished, (as by the former examples it appeareth) it must needs follow, that if they to whom the sword of Justice is committed of God, to represse wrongs, and chastise vices, do give over themselves to cruelties, and to kill and slay those whom they ought in duty to protect and defend, must receive a greater measure of punishment, according to the measure and quality of their offence. Such an one was Saul the first king of Israel; who albeit he ought to have beene sufficiently instructed out of the law of God in his duty in this behalfe: yet was hee so cruell and bloody-minded, as contrary to all Justice, to put to death Abi∣melech the high Priest, with fourescore and five other Priests, of the family of his father, onely for receiving David into his house: a small, or rather no offence. And yet not satisfied therewith, he vomited out his rage also against * 1.202 the whole city of the Priests, and put to the mercilesse sword both man, wo∣man, and child, without sparing any. He slew many of the Gibeonites, who though they were reliques of the Amorites that first inhabited that land, yet because they were received into league of amity by a solemne oath, and permitted of long continuance to dwell amongst them, should not have beene awarded as enemies, nor handled after so cruell a fashion. Thus therefore hee tyrannizing and playing the Butcher amongst his own subjects (for which cause his house was called the house of slaughter) and practi∣sing many other foule enormities, he was at the last overcome of the Phili∣stims, and sore wounded: which when he saw, fearing to fall alive into his enemies hands, and not finding any of his owne men that would lay their hands upon him, desperately slew himselfe. The same day three of his sons, and they that followed him of his owne houshould, were all slaine. The Philistims the next day finding his dead body dispoyled among the carkas∣ses, beheaded it, and carried the head in triumph to the temple of their god, and hung up the trunke in disgrace in one of their Cities, to be seene, lookt upon, and pointed at. And yet for all this was not the fire of Gods wrath quenched: for in King Davids time there arose a famine that lasted three yeeres, the cause thereof was declared by God to be the murder which Saul committed upon the Gibeonites: wherefore David delivered Sauls seven * 1.203 sons into the Gibeonites hands that were left, who put them to the most shamefull death, that is, even to hanging. Amongst all the sins of King A∣chab * 1.204 and Iezabel, which were many and great, the murder of Naboth standeth in the fore front; for though hee had committed no such crime as might any way deserve death, yet by the subtill and wicked devise of Iezabel, foolish and credulous consent of Achab, and false accusation of the two sub∣orned witnesses, he was cruelly stoned to death: but his innocent blood was punished first in Achab, who not long after the Warre which he made with the King of Syria, received so deadly a wound, that he dyed there∣of, the dogs licking up his blood in the same place where Naboths blood was licked, according to the foretelling of Elias the Prophet. And secondly of Iezabel, whom her own servants at the commandement of Iehu (whom * 1.205 God had made executor of his wrath) threw headlong out of an highwindow unto the ground, so that the wals were dyed with her blood, and the horses trampled her under their feet, and dogs devoured her flesh, till of all her

dainty body there remained nothing saving onely her skull, feet, and palme of her hands.

Ioram sonne of Iehosaphat King of Judah, being after his fathers death * 1.206 possessed of the Crowne and Scepter of Judah, by and by exalted himselfe in tyranny, and put to death sixe of his owne brethren, all younger than him∣selfe, with many Princes of the Realme: for which cause God stirred up the Edomites to rebell, the Philistines and Arabians to make warre a∣gainst him, who forraged his countrey, sacked and spoiled his cities, and tooke prisoners his wives and children, the youngest onely excepted, who afterwards also was murdered, when he had raigned King but a small space. And lastly, as in doing to death his own brethren, he committed cruelty a∣gainst his owne bowels, so the Lord stroke him with such an incurable dis∣ease in his bowels, and so perpetuall (for it continued two yeares) that his very entrails issued out with torment, and so he dyed in horrible misery.

Albeit that in the former booke we have already touched the pride and arrogancy of King Alexander the Great; yet we cannot pretermit to speake of him in this place, his example serving to fit for the present subject; for although as touching the rest of his life he was very well governed in his private actions, as a Monarch of his reputation might be, yet in his de∣clining age (I meane not in yeares, but to deathward) he grew exceeding cruell, not onely towards strangers, as the Cosseis, whom he destroyed to the sucking babe, but also to his houshold and familiar friends: Insomuch that being become odious to most, fewest loved him, and divers wrought all meanes possible to make him away, but one especially, whose sonne in law and other neere friends he had put to death, never ceased untill he both mi∣nistred a deadly draught unto himselfe, whereby he deprived him of his * 1.207 wicked life, and a fatall stroke to his wives and children after his death, to the accomplishment of his full revenge.

Phalaris, the Tyran of Agrigentum, made himselfe famous to posterity by no other meanes than horrible cruelties, exercised upon his subjects, in∣venting * 1.208 every day new kinds of tortures to scourge and afflict the poore soules withall. In his dominion there was one Perillus artificer of his craft, one expert in his occupation, who to flatter and curry favour with him, de∣vised a new torment, a brasen bull of such a strange workmanship, that the voyce of those that were roasted therein, resembled rather the roaring of a Bull, then the cry of men. The Tyran was well pleased with the Invention, but he would needs have the Inventor make first triall of his owne worke, as he well deserved, before any other should take taste thereof. But what was the end of this Tyran? The people not able any longer to endure his * 1.209 monstrous and unnaturall cruelties, ran upon him with one consent, with such violence, that they soone brought him to destruction: and as some say, put him into the brasen Bull (which hee provided to roast others) to bee roasted therein himselfe: deserving it as well for approoving the devise, as Perillus did for devising it.

Edward the second of that name, King of England, at the request and de∣sire * 1.210 of Hugh Spencer his darling, made warre upon his subjects, and put to death divers of the Peeres and Lords of the Realme, without either right or form of the law, insomuch that queen Isabel his wife fled to France with her yong son, for fear of his unbrideled fury, & after a while finding opportunity and means to return again, garded with certain small forces which she had

in those countreyes gathered together, she found the whole people discon∣tented with the Kings demeanours, and ready to assist her against him: so she besieged him with their succour, and tooke him prisoner, and put him into the Tower of London to be kept, till order might be taken for his de∣position; so that shortly after by the Estates (being assembled together) he was generally and joyntly reputed and pronounced unworthy to be King, for his exceeding cruelties sake which he had committed upon many of his worthy Subjects; and so deposing him, they crowned his young sonne Ed∣ward (the third of his name) King in his roome, he yet living and beholding the same.

Iohn Maria Duke of Millan may be put into this ranke of Murtherers: * 1.211 for his custome was divers times when any Citizen offended thim, yea, and somtimes without offence too, to throw them amongst cruell Mastives to be torne in pieces and devoured. But as he continued and delighted in this un∣naturall kinde of murther, the people one day incensed and stirred up against him, ranne upon him with such rage and violence, that they quickly depri∣ved him of life. And he was so well beloved, that no man ever would or durst bestow a Sepulchre upon his dead bones, but suffered his body to lie in the open streets uncovered, save that a certaine harlot threw a few Roses upon his wounds, and so covered him.

Alphonsus the second, King of Naples, Ferdinands sonne, was in tyranny towards his subjects nothing inferiour to his father: for whether of them * 1.212 imprisoned and put to death more of the Nobility and Barons of the Realme it is hard to say; but sure it is, that both were too outragious in all manner of cruelty: for which, so soone as Charles the eight, King of France departing from Rome, made towards Naples, the hatred which the people bore him secretly, with the odious remembrance of his fathers cruelty, be∣gan openly to shew it selfe by the fruits; for they did not nor could not dissemble the great desire that every one had of the approach of the French∣men: which when Alphonsus perceived, and seeing his affaires and estate brought unto so narrow a pinch, he also cowardly cast away all courage to resist, and hope to recover so huge a tempest: and he that for a long time had made warre his trade and profession, and had yet all his forces and armies complete and in readinesse, making himselfe banquerupt of all that honour and reputation, which by long experience and deeds of armes he had gotten, resolved to abandon his kingdome, and to resigne the title and authority thereof to his sonne Ferdinand, thinking by that meanes to asswage the heat of their hatred, and that so young and innocent a King, who in his owne per∣son had never offended them, might be accepted and beloved of them, and so their affection toward the French rebated and cooled. But this devise see∣med to no more purpose than a salve applyed to a sore out of season, when it was growne incureable, or a prop set to a house that is already falne. Therefore he tormented with the sting of his owne conscience, and finding in his minde no repose by day, nor rest by night, but a continuall summons and advertisement by fearefull dreames, that the Noblemen which hee had put to death, cryed to the people for revenge against him, was surprised with so terrible terrour, that forthwith, without making acquainted with his departure either his brother or his owne sonne, he fled to Sicilie, suppo∣sing in his journey, that the Frenchmen were still at his backe, and starting at every little noyse, as if he feared all the Elements had conspired his de∣struction.

Philip Comineus, that was an eye-witnesse of this journey, repor∣teth, That every night he would cry, that he heard the Frenchmen, and that the very trees and stones echoed France into his eares: And on this manner was his flight to Sicilie. King Charles in the meane while having by force and bloodshed to terrifie the rest, taken two passages that were before him, the whole Realme without any great resistance yeelded it selfe unto his mer∣cy, albeit that the young King had done what he could to withstand him. But at length seeing the Neapolitanes ready to rebell, and himselfe in dan∣ger to be taken prisoner, he fled from the Castle of Naples, and with a small company got certaine Brigandines, wherein he sayled to the Island Ischia, thirty miles from Naples: saying at his departure this verse out of the Psalmes, How vaine are the watchmen and gards of that City which is not gar∣ded and watched by the Lord? which he often repeated, and so long as Naples was in his view. And thus was cruelty punished both in Ferdinand the fa∣ther, and Alphonso the sonne.

Artaxerxes Ochus the eight King of the Persians began his raigne with thus many murders: he slew two of his owne brethren first: secondly, * 1.213 Euagoras King of Cyprus, his partner and associate in the kingdome; third∣ly, he tooke Gidon traiterously, and was the cause of forty thousand mens deaths that were slaine and burned therein; beside many other private mur∣ders and outrages which he committed: for which cause the Lord in his justice rained downe vengeance upon his head: for Bagoas one of his Prin∣ces ministred such a fatall cup to his stomacke, that it mortified his senses, and deprived him of his unmercifull soule and life, and not onely upon his head, but upon his Kingdome and his sonne Arsame also, for he was also poysoned by the same Bagoas, and his Kingdome was translated to Darius Prince of Armenia; whom when the same Bagoas went about to make taste of the same cup, which his predecessors did, he was taken in his owne snare; for Darius understanding his pretence, made him drinke up his owne poy∣son which he provided for him: and thus murder was revenged with mur∣der, and poyson with poyson, according to the Decree of the Almighty, who saith, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, &c. * 1.214

In the yeare of the World 3659. Morindus a most cruell and bloody * 1.215 minded Prince raigned here in England, who for his cruelties sake came to an unhappy and bloody end: for out of the Irish seas came forth a Mon∣ster which destroyed much people: whereof he hearing, would of his vali∣ant courage needs fight with it, and was devoured of it: so that it may tru∣ly here be said, that one Monster devoured another.

There was (as Aelianus reporteth) a cruell and pernicious Tyran, who * 1.216 to the end to prevent all practises of conspiracy and treason (as Tyrans are ever naturally and upon desert timerous) that might be devised against him, enacted this Law among his subjects, That no man should conferre with another, either privately or publikely, upon paine of death: and so indeed he abrogated all civill society: (For speech, as it was the beginning and birth of fellowship, so it is the very joynt and glue thereof) but what cared he for society, that respected nothing but his owne safety? hee was so farre from regarding the common good, that when his subjects, not daring to speake, signified their mindes by signes, he prohibited that also: and that which is yet more, when not daring to speake, or yet make signes, they fell to weeping and lamenting their misery, he came with a band of men even

to restraine their teares too: but the multitudes rage being justly incensed, they gave him such a desperat welcome, that neither he nor his followers re∣turned one of them alive. And thus his abominable cruelty came to an end, together with his life; and that by those meanes (which is to be observed) by which he thought to preserve and maintaine them both.

Childericus, who in the yeare 697, succeeded in the Kingdome of France * 1.217 Theodoricke (that for his negligence and sluggish government was deposed, and made of a King, a Frier) exercised barbarous and inhumane cruelty up∣on his subjects: for he spared neither noble or ignoble, but mixtly sent them to their graves, without respect of cause or justice. One of the noble sort he caused to be fastened to a stake, and beaten with clubbes, not to death, but to chastisement: which monstrous cruelty so incensed the peoples mind against him, that there wanted no hands to take part with this club-beaten man against the Tyran his enemie. Wherefore they layed wait for him as he came one day from hunting, and murdered him, together with his wife great with childe, no man either willing or daring to defend him.

Tymocrates the King, or rather Tyran of the Cyrenians, will give place to none in this commendation of cruelty: For he afflicted his subjects with many and monstrous calamities, insomuch that he spared not the priests of his gods, which commonly were in reverent regard among the Heathen; As the bloody death of Menalippus (Apollo's priest) did witnesse, whom to the end to marry his faire and beautifull wife Aretaphila, he cruelly put to death: how beit, it prospered not with him as he desired: for the good woman not contented with this sacrilegious contract, sought rather meanes to revenge her first husbands death, than to please this new letchers hu∣mour: Wherefore she assayed by poyson to effect her wish; and when that prevailed not, she gave a yong daughter she had to Leander, the Tyrans brother, to wife, who loved her exceedingly; but with this condition, that he should by some practise or other worke the death and destruction of his brother: which indeed he performed; for he so bribed one of the groomes of the Tyrans chamber, that by his helpe he soone rid wicked Tymocrates out of the way by a speedy and deserved death. But to abridge these long discourses, let us looke into all times and ages, and to the histories of all Countries and Nations, and we shall finde, that Tyrans have ever come to one destruction or other.

Diomedes the Thracian King fed his horses with mans flesh as with pro∣vender, but was made at last provender for his owne horses himselfe by * 1.218 Hercules.

Calippus the Athenian, that slew Dion his familiar friend, and deposed Dionisius the Tyran, and committed many other murders amongst the peo∣ple, was first banished Rheginum, and then living in extreame necessity, slaine by Leptines and Polysperchon. * 1.219

Clephes the second King of the Lumbards, for his savage cruelty towards his subjects was slaughtered by one of his friends.

Damasippus that massacred so many Citizens of Rome, was cut off by Scylla.

Ecelinus that played the Tyran at Taurisium, guelding Boyes, deflowring Maydes, mayming Matrons of their Dugs, cutting children out of their mo∣thers bellies, and killing 1200 Patavians at once that were his friends, was cut short in a battell. In a Word, if we read and consult Histories of all * 1.220

Countries and times, we shall find seldome or never any notorious Tyran and oppressor of his subjects that came to any good end, but ever some no∣table judgement or other fell upon them.

CHAP. XV. Of those that are both cruell and disloyall.

NOw if it be a thing so unworthy and evill beseeming a Prince, as nothing more, to be stayned with the note of cruelty, how much more dishonourable is it, when with cruelty, disloyalty and falshood is coupled? and when he is not ashamed not onely to play the Tyran, but also the traitour, dissembler, and hypocrite; to the end hee may more freely poure out the ••ome of his rage against those that put confidence in him. This is one of the foulest and vilest blots that can be, wherewith the honour and reputation of a man is not one∣ly stayned, but blasted and blotted out, not ever to be recovered: for what perswasion can one have of such? Or who is so fond as to put affiance in them?

This was one of the notorious vices of King Saul, when maligning the prosperity of David, he cunningly promoted him to be Generall of his Ar∣my, and married him to one of his daughters, to this end, that by exposing * 1.221 him to the hazards & perils of warre, he might bring him to speedy destru∣ction; seeking besides other unlawfull means to put him to death by▪ but what was the end of this unjust murderer, we have declared in the former Chapter.

But above all that by treason and deceit made way unto their cruelty, the Emperour Antonius, surnamed Caracalla, was the chiefe▪ who to revenge * 1.222 himselfe more at full upon the Citizens of Alexandria in Aegypt, feyned as if he would come see their City, built by Alexander, and receive an Oracle from their god: Which when he approached neere unto, the Alexandrians prepared to entertain him most honourably: and being entred, he went first to visite their Temples where to cast more colours upon his treachery, hee offered many sacrifices, & in the mean while perceiving the people gathered together from all quarters to bid him welcome, finding opportunity fitting his wicked and traiterous enterprise, he gave commandement, that all the young men of the Citie should assemble together at one place; saying, That hee would acquaint them to range themselves in battell after the manner of the Macedonians, in honour of King Alexander. But whilest they thus assembled together in mirth and bravery, hee making as though he would bring them in array by going up and down amongst them, and holding them in talke, his army enclosed them on all sides: then with drawing himselfe with Kis guard, he gave the watch-word, that they should rush upon them; which was performed with such outrage, that the poor cre∣dulous people being surprised at unawares, were all most cruelly massacred. There might you see the most horrible, barbarous, and incredible butche∣ry of men that ever was heard of: for besides those that were actors in this bloody tragedy, there were others that drew the slaine bodies into great

ditches, and very often haled in them that were scarce dead, yea and some∣times that were altogether alive; which was the cause that divers soul∣diers perished at the same time, when those that having some strength of life left, being haled to the ditch, held so fast by the halers, that divers times both fell in together. The bloud that was shed at this massacre was so much, that the mouth of the River Nilus, and the sea shore were died with the streams thereof, that ran downe by smaller Rivers into those plain places. Furthermore, being desirous to obtain a victory over the Parthians, that he might get himselfe fame and reputation thereby, he passed not at what rate he bought it: he sent therefore Embassadours with Letters and Presents to the King of Parthia, to demand his daugh∣ter in marriage, though he never intended any such thing, and being non∣suted at the first with a deniall, yet pursued he his counterfeit purpose with much earnestnes, and with solemne Oath protested his singular good affection and love that he bore unto her; so that in the end the match was condescended unto by all parties, whereof the Parthian people were not a little glad, in hope of so durable a peace, which by this marriage was like to be established betwixt them. The King therefore with all his subjects being ready to entertain this new Bridegroom, went out with one consent to meet him in the mid-way: their encounter was in a fair plain, where the Parthians having sent backe their horses, being unarmed, and prepared, not for a day of battle, but of marriage and disport, gave him the most honourable welcome they could: but the wicked varlet finding opportunity so fit, set his armed souldiers upon the naked multitude, and hewed in pieces the most part of them; and had not the King with a few followers bestirred him well, he had been served with the like sauce. After which worthy exploit and bloudy stratagem he took his voyage * 1.223 backeward, burning and spoiling the townes and villages as he went, till he arrived at Charam, a City in Mesopotamia; where making his abode a while, he had a fancy to walke one day into the fields, and going apart from his company to unburden nature, attended upon by one onely ser∣vant, as he was putting downe his breeches, another of his company ran in and strucke him through with his dagger. Thus God blessed the World, by taking out of it this wicked Tyran, who by treason and trea∣chery had spilt so much innocent bloud.

Seturus Galba, another bird of the same feather, exercised no lesse perfidious cruelty upon the people of three Cities in Lusitania: for hee assembled them together, in colour of providing for their common af∣faires: but when hee had gotten them into his hands unarmed and wea∣ponlesse, he took nine thousand of the flower of their youth, and partly committed them to the sword, and partly sold them for bondslaves.

The disloyall and treacherous dealing of Stilico towards the Gothes, * 1.224 how dear it cost him and all Italie beside, Histories do sufficiently testi∣fie: for it fell out, that the Gothes (under the conduct of Allaricus) entered Italie with a puissant and fearfull Army, to know the cause why the Em∣peror Honorius with-held the pension which (by vertue of a league, and in recompence of their aid to the Empire in time of war) was due unto them: which by riper judgement and deliberation of the Councell was quiet∣ed; and to preserve their Countrey from so imminent a tempest, offer was made unto them of the Spaniards and French-men, if they could recover * 1.225

them out of the hands of the Vandales; which usurped over them; so that incontinently they should take their journey over the Alpes to∣wards them, and depart their Coasts. Which offer and gift the Gothes accepting, did accordingly fulfill the condition, and passed away, without commiting any riot or any damages in their passages. But as they were upon mount Cinis, making toward France, behold Stilico, Honorius his father in law (a man of a stirring, stubborne, and rash spirit) pursueth and chargeth them with battell unawares, and dreaming of nothing lesse: whereat they, being at the instant amazed, quickly gathered their spirits together, and putting themselves in defence, fought it out with such cou∣rage and eagernesse, that the traitors Army was wholly discomfited, and he himselfe with one of his sonnes, slain. The Gothes having gotten this victory, broke off their voyage to France, and turned their course backe again to Italie, with purpose to destroy and spoil; and so they did; for they laid waste all the Countrey of Piemont and Lumbardy, and else∣where, and besieged Rome it selfe: so that from that time Italie never ceased to be scourged and tormented with the Gothes for the space of eighteen yeers. Moreover, whosoever else have been found to follow the steps of these truce, peace, and promise-breakers (void of truth and re∣gard of reputation) alwayes underwent worthy punishment for their un∣worthy acts, and fell headlong into confusion and ignominy, making themselves subjects worthy to be curst and detested of all men.

CHAP. XVI. Of Queenes that were Murtherers.

IF these and such like cruelties as we have spoken be∣fore, be strange and monstrous for men, what shall we then say of wicked and bloudy women, who (con∣trary to the nature of their sex) addict themselves to all violence and bloudshedding, as cursed Iezabel Queen of Israel did; of whom sufficient hath been spoken before.

Athaliah, Ahabs daughter, and wife to Ioram King * 1.226 of Judah, was a bird of the same feather: for she was possessed with such a spirit of fury and rage, that after the death of her son Ochosias (that died without issue) she put to death all the bloud royall, to wit, the posterity of Nathan, Solomons brother, to whom by right of succession the inheritance of the Crown appertained, to the end that she might in∣stall her selfe into the kingly diadem: after this cruell butchery of all the royall male children, except Ioas, who (by Gods providence) was pre∣served alive, she usurped the Crowne and Scepter of Juda full seven yeeres; at the end of which date, Ioas was exalted to the Crowne, and she not onely deposed, but slain by the hands of her Guard that attended upon her.

Semiramis the Queen of Assyria was a woman of an ambitious spirit, who through her thirst of reigning counterfeited her sex, and attired her * 1.227

selfe like a man to get more authority and reverence to her selfe. She was the destruction of many thousand people, by the unjust war which she stirred up; besides that, she was a notorious strumpet, and withall a murderer of those that satisfied her lust; for still as they came from her bed, some lay privily in watch to kill them, lest they should bewray her villany: it is reported, that she was so shamelesse, that she solicited her owne son to commit incest with her; who in detestation of her fil∣thinesse and cruelty raised a power against her, and conquering her in one great battell, caused her most deservedly to be put to death.

Brunchild (whom Histories call Brunhault) a Queen of France by mar∣riage, * 1.228 but a Spaniard by birth, was a woman that bred much mischiefe in her age, and that wrought many horrible and death-deserving crimes: for partly with her subtle devices, and partly with her owne hands, she murdered ten Kings of France one after another: she caused her hus∣band to slay his owne brother: she procured the death of her nephew Meroveus, whom against all equity and honesty she had secondly espoused for her husband; for he being hated of his father for that vile incest, and perceiving himselfe in danger of taking, made one of servants thrust him through. After she had committed these and many other foul facts, she went aboutalso to defraud Clotairius the son of Chilpericke, of the right of the Crowne, which pertained unto him, and to thrust in another in his room: whereupon arose great war, in the which as she dealt more boldly and manfully than the condition of her sexe would bear, so she received the due wages of her brave and vertuous deeds for she was taken prisoner, with three of her nephewes, whose throats she saw cut before her face, and after her selfe was set upon a Camell, and led through the hoste three dayes together, every man reviling, mocking, reproaching, and despighting her; and at last by the award and judgement of the Princes and Captaines of the Army she was adjudged to be tied by the hair of her head, one arme and one foot to the tail of a wilde and un••••∣med horse, and so to be left to his mercy to be drawne miserably to her destruction: which was no sooner executed, but her miserable carkase (the instrument of so many mischiefes) was with mens feet spurned, bruised, trampled, and wounded after a most strange fashion: and this was the wofull end of miserable Brunchild.

Edilburga, the daughter of Offa King of Mercia, in England, who was married to Brigthricus King of the West Saxons, was a woman so passing * 1.229 all the bounds of humanity, and so given to cruelty and other beastly conditions, that she first poysoned divers of the Nobles of the King∣dom: and then having practised this wickednesse upon them, she at length poysoned also the King her husband: for which cause flying over into France unto Charles the Great for fear of punishment among her owne people, when by reason of her beautie it was offered unto her, that she should marry either with the King himselfe or with his son; because she chose the son before the father, married neither the one nor yet the other, but was thrust into a Monastery, where she not forgetting her old trade, playing the harlot with a Monke, was expulsed from thence, and ended her life in great penury and misery.

About the same time that this Edilburga was thus working her feats in * 1.230 England, Irene, another most idolatrous and cruell minded woman, be∣ing

Emperesse of the Greekes, was as busie for her part at Constanti∣nople. This wicked woman, through the meanes of Pope Adrian, took up the body of Constantine Emperour of Constantinople, her owne husbands father; and when she had burned the same, she caused the ashes to be cast into the sea, because he disannulled images. Afterward reigning with her son Constantine the sixth, son to Leo the fourth, and being at dissention with him for disallowing the worshipping of images, caused him to be taken and laid in prison: who afterward, through power of friends, being re∣stored to his Empire again, at last she caused the same her owne son to be cast in prison, and his eyes to be put out so cruelly, that within short space he died. After this, the said Emperesse as it were triumphing in her cruel∣ty and idolatry, caused a Councell to be held at Nice, where it was decreed, That images should again be restored to the Church▪ but this Councell was after repealed by another Councell holden at Frankford by Charles the Great: and at length this wicked woman was deposed by Nicephorus (who reigned after) and was expulsed the Empire, and after the example of Edil∣burga above mentioned (being condignely punished for her wickednesse) ended her life in much penury and misery.

Alexius Emperour of the Greekes dying, left behinde him a wicked * 1.231 and cruell woman, his late wife now widow. this widow being exhorted by the Peeres of the Empire to a second marriage, and to that end choice being offered unto her of all the Nobility, to chuse whom she should best affect, notwithstanding refused all: for she was so linked in familiarity with one of her owne houshold called Grifo (who afterward when he came to be Emperour called himselfe Emanuel) that for his love she refused all other matches: with this Grifo this wicked woman entereth a secret and bloudy practise: she consulted with him, that he should bring into the Court a number of his servants secretly armed; which comming in at di∣vers times, and by divers wayes, to avoid suspition, she disposed in the house in secret places, to be ready at her call to execute her bloudy designe∣ment. This being thus plotted, she called together the Peeres of the Em∣pire, and demanded of them, if they were content that she should chuse to her husband whom she pleased, and that they would acknowledge him for their Emperour whom she should chuse; when as the Noblemen hereunto consented, supposing that she would have chosen one fitting for her estate, she presently saluted this Grifo, her old adulterous companion, for her hus∣band and Emperour, and commanded them all to swear fealty unto him; which when as they all utterly refused and disdained, the wicked woman forthwith called the bloudy troop prepared for that purpose, and caused them all to be murdered, not one escaping alive. Thus to satisfie her wic∣ked lust, she spared not to spill the bloud of the most part of her Nobility after a most savage and cruell manner: and indeed she injoyed her desire, but behold the issue of it: from this time forward the race of Constantine ceased to sit in the Imperiall throne, and no doubt but Gods vengeance also fell upon her and her wicked husband.

In the yeer of our Lord 700. Gracus the famous King of Poland being * 1.232 deceased, the Crowne and Government descended upon his onely daughter Venda, by full consent of the whole Realme. This Venda being of a proud and stately nature, refused to be joyned in marriage with any; saying, That she had rather be a Prince her selfe, and governed by her owne power,

than the wife of the greatest Prince in the World. Among many that were suiters unto her, there was one Ritigerus, a noble and mighty Prince of the Theutons; whose suit being not onely denied, but scornefully re∣jected, and he notwithstanding greatly inflamed with her love, went about to enforce her by strength to his will: but she as valiant as he, raised a great power to withstand his violence: when the matter was ready to come to deciding by blowes, Ritigerus his army perceiving the resolution of Queen Venda, and the danger and losse which was like to arise to them, and that upon so slight an occasion, refused to fight: so that Ritigerus be∣ing thus forsaken, for griefe and shame slew himselfe: and Queen Venda returning to Cracovia, and there sacrificing to her gods for her good suc∣cesse; at last, least her succesfull government should be stained with some disastrous misfortune, and so her pride abated, to prevent this fear, despe∣rately threw her selfe from an high bridge into the River Vistula, and there ended her glorious and proud dayes with a shamefull and ignominious death.

Let every one both great and small learne by these examples to contain themselves within the limits of humanity, and not be so ready and prompt to the shedding of humane bloud, knowing nothing to be more true than this, That he that smiteth with the sword, shall perish with the sword.

CHAP. XVII. Of such, as without necessity, upon every light cause, move war.

AS in Surgery, so in a Common-wealth we must account war as a last refuge, and as it were a desperate medi∣cine, which without very urgent necessity, when all other meanes of maintaining our estate against the as∣saults of the enemy fail, ought not to be taken in hand: and indeed the chief scope and marke that all those that * 1.233 lawfully undertake war, ought to propound to them∣selves, should be nothing else, but the good and quiet of the Common∣wealth, with the peace and repose of every member thereof. And there∣fore so ost as any reasonable offers and conditions of peace are propounded, they ought to be accepted, to the end to avoid the masse of evils (as ruines, bloudsheds, robberies) which alwayes accompany war as necessary atten∣dants: for whosoever doth not so, but upon every light occasion runneth to Armes, and to trie the hazard of battell, they manifest their owne foolish and pernicious rashnesse, and their small conscience in shedding humane bloud.

Amongst the good Kings of Judah, Iosias for piety and zeal in the ser∣vice of God, was most renowned: for he purged the Realme from all drosse of idolatry, repaired the decayed Temple, and restored it to the first glory; and yet for all this for committing this one crime, he lost his life: for as Necho King of Aegypt was passing with an Army toward the King of Babylon in Charcamis, beside Euphrates, to bid him battell, he would * 1.234

needs encounter him by the way, and interrupt his journey by unprovoked war; yea, though Necho had by embassage assured him not to meddle with him, but intreated onely free passage at his hand: yet would not Iosias in any wise listen (so opinionative and selfe-willed was he) but gave him battell in the field, without any just cause, save his owne pleasure, which turned to his pain: for he caught so many wounds at that skirmish, that shortly after hee died of them, to the great griefe of the whole people, and the Prophet Ieremy also, that lamented his death.

King Iohn of France (for refusing reasonable conditions of peace at the English mens hands) was overthrowne by them two miles from Poytiers, * 1.235 with a great overthrow: for the Englishmen in regard of their owne small number, and the huge multitude of the French to encounter with them, ti∣morously offered up a surrender of all that they had either conquered, taken, or spoiled, since their comming from Bourdeaux, and so to be sworne not to bear Armes against him for seven yeares, so that they might quietly de∣part. But the King, that crowed before the Conquest, affying too much in the multitude of his Forces, stopt his eares to all conditions, not willing to hear of any thing but war, war, even thinking to hew them in pieces, without one escaping: but it fell out otherwise, for the English men in∣trenching themselves in a place of advantage, and hard of accesse, inclosed with thicke hedges and brambles, disturbed and overthrew with their Ar∣chers, at the first onset, the French Horsemen, and wounded most of their men and horses with multitude of arrowes: it tarried not long ere the foot∣men also were put to flight on the other side, and the whole Army of three∣score thousand men, by bare eight thousand English, discomfited: divers great Lords were found slain in the field, and divers others with the King himselfe carried Prisoners into England: which was a great shake to the whole Realme, and the occasion of many tumults and disorders that ensued afterwards.

Moreover, as it is a rash part to hazard the doubtfull event of battell indiscreetly, and without cause, so it is a point of no lesse folly to thrust ones selfe voluntarily into any action of war without charge, not being particularly called and bound thereunto, or having a body unsufficient and unfit for the same. And this was also one of the warlike points of Disci∣pline which the antient Romans used; That none should presume to fight for his Countrey, before he had been admitted by some Captain by a so∣lemne Oath.

Of all the Histories that I ever read, I know none more strange in mat∣ter of war, than this which I now go about to recite, of Henry of Luxen∣bourg, * 1.236 Emperour of Germany, who when he heard that his son Charles King of Bohemia was in the French Army, and that Philip of Valois, King of France, was ready to give battell to the English, albeit he was blinde, and consequently unfit for war, yet would needs take part with the French: and therefore commanded his men at Armes to guide him into the place where the Field was to be fought, that he might strike one blow. They as foolish as himselfe, not willing to crosse his minde, and fearing to lose him in the prease, tied him faste to the raines of their bridles, being by this meanes so coupled together, as if they meant all to perish together if need were, as indeed they did, for they were overcome in battell, and the next day found all dead, horse and men faste bound together. This accident be∣fell

at Crecy neer Abrevile, in which journey the French King sustained an inestimable damage, for he lost fifteen of his chiefest Princes, fourscore Ensignes, twelve hundred Knights, and about thirty thousand men.

In the yeer 1455. the Hungarians without any just cause or pretence, * 1.237 made war upon the Emperour Otto, onely moved with a desire of bringing under their subjection the Germane powers; and the rather at this time, because they supposed the Emperours strength of war to be weakened, and his power of men lessened, by those continuall troubles and wars which he had been daily occupied in: notwithstanding Otto, as by his former deeds of Armes, he deserved the sirname of Great, so in this exploit especially, for he conscribed eight Legions of men out of Franconia, Bavaria, and Bohemia, and with that small valiant handfull, overturned and destroyed the huge unchristened multitude of his enemies: for albeit the Bohemians being placed in the Rereward, were as suddenly and unexpectedly assaulted by the enemy, that craftily passed over the River Lycus to set upon them behinde, as unhappily put to flight with the losse of the carriages and vi∣ctuals, which they were set to protect; yet Otto with his other Legions renuing the battell, and encouraging his souldiers, gave the enemy such an encounter and repulse, that he put them to flight and slew them with a mi∣serable slaughter: three of their Kings he took Prisoners, and few of that vaste Army escaped with their lives. On the Emperours side died many worthy men, among whom Conrade the Emperours son in law, and Burg∣hard Duke of Suevia were two, beside many other. In this successive bat∣tell, it is to be noted above the rest, how religiously the Emperour both began and finished it: the day before the Fight he enjoyned a Faste in his Army, and directed his prayers to the Almighty, relying more upon the presence of Gods helpe, than his owne power: after the Conquest gotten, he caused solemne thankes to be given in all Churches to God, for the great deliverance. I would our moderne Generals and Captaines would learne by this example to follow his footsteps, and not to make their pray∣ers quaffings, and their thanksgiving carousings, as they use to do, even as it were purposely to tempt the Lord, and to stir up his wrath against them.

Penda King of middle England, making war upon Anna King of East Angles, slew him in open field: with which victory being puffed up by * 1.238 pride, he sent defiance to Osway King of Northumberland also: who hear∣ing of his approach proffered him great gifts, and fair conditions of peace, which when Penda obstinately refused, he was slain in battell with thirty of his most noble Captaines, although he had thrice the number of people which Osway had. And thus the heathen and bloudy Pagan ended his cruel∣ty, and paid dear for his too much forwardnesse in war.

CHAP. XVIII. Of such as please themselves overmuch in seeing Cruelties.

THe Romanes were so accustomed by long use of war to behold fightings and bloudshed, that in time of peace also they would make themselves sports and pastimes therewith: for they would compell poor captives and bondslaves either to kill one another by mutuall blowes, or to enter combate with savage and cruell beasts, to be torne in pieces by them. The first (ac∣cording to Seneca) that devised and put in practice this unkindely Com∣bate of Beasts and Malefactours, was Pompey, who provided an Army of * 1.239 eighteen Elephants to fight with men, and thought it a notable and com∣mendable spectacle to put men to death after this new and strange fashion. Oh how mens mindes are blinded with over much prosperity! He esteem∣ed himselfe at that time to be higher in dignity than all other, when he thus threw to wilde beasts people of farre Countries, and in the presence of the people caused so much bloud to be shed: but not long after himselfe was betrayed by the treachery of the Alexandrians, and slain by a bond∣slave (a just quittance for murdering so many of that condition:) thus much of Seneca. Now it is manifest that this was an ordinary pastime among the Romans, albelt it is strange, that any pastime or pleasure could arise by seeing poor Creatures interchangeably strike one another to death, and humane bloud to run like water along the streets.

It was not then without cause, but by a speciall will of God to revenge cru∣elty, * 1.240 that the bondslaves (conducted by Spartacus the Fencer) rebelled against their masters in Rome, after they had broken through the guards of Len∣tulus his house, and issuing out of Capua, gathered together above ten thousand fighting men, and encamped themselves in mount Vesuvius; where being besieged by Clod••us Glaber, they sallied so rudely and boiste∣rously upon him, that the victory and spoil of their enemies tents remain∣ed on their sides: after this they ran over all the Land, forraged the Coun∣trey, and destroyed many Villages and Townes, but especially these four, Nola, Nocera, Terrenevae, and Metaponte, were by them sacked and spoil∣ed with a strange and bloudy overthrow: after all which, having encoun∣tred two Consuls, they overcame Lentulus on mount Appennine, and dis∣comfited Gaiu•• Cassius near Modene▪ all which victories and lucky pro∣ceedings did so embolden and puffe up the courage of Captain Fencer, that he determined to give an alarme to Rome, and to lay siege unto it: but the Romanes preparing and directing all their Forces to withstand their pra∣ctices, gave him and his crue so sore a repulse, that from Rome they were fain to flie to the uttermost parts of Italie, and there seeing themselves pent in on all sides, and driven to deep extremity, they gave so desperate an onset on their enemies, that both their Captain and they were all slain. And thus the Romans made jolly pastime with their Fencers and bondslaves, and more (I thinke at this time) than they either looked or wished for: for

four hundred of them being taken by the bondmen, were enforced to shew them pastime at the same game whereat they had oftentimes made them∣selves merry at their costs; and to kill one another, as they had before * 1.241 time caused them to do.

How curious and desirous the people of Rome was wont to be of be∣holding * 1.242 these bloudy and mischievous games, Cornelius Tacitus in the fourth book of his Annales declareth at large: where he reporteth, That in the City of the Fidenates (in the twelfth year of the Raigne of Tiberius) the people being gathered together to behold the Fencers prizes were fifty thousand of them hurt and maimed at one time, by the Amphitheatre that fell upon them; a cruell pastime indeed, and a strange accident, not com∣ming by adventure (as some suppose) but by the just vengeance of God, to suppresse such pernitious and uncivill sports. The same story is registred by Paulus Orosius in his seventh book, with this adjection, That at that time were slain more than twenty thousand persons.

I cannot passe over in silence two notable and memorable Histories of * 1.243 two Lions, recorded by two famous Authours, Seneca the one, and Aulu•• Gellius the other. The first of whom reporteth, That he saw on the Theatre a Lion, who seeing a slave that sometimes had been his keeper, throwne among the beasts to be devoured, acknowledged him, and defended him from their teeth, and would not suffer any of them to do him hurt. The second bringeth the testimony of one Appianus, that affirmeth himselfe to * 1.244 have seen at Rome a Lion, who for old acquaintance sake which he had with a condemned servant, fawned upon him, and cleared him in like man∣ner from the fury of the other beasts. The History was this:

A certain bondslave too roughly handled by his master, forsook him, and fled away, and in his flight retiring into a desart, and not knowing how to bestow himselfe, took up a cave for his lodging, where he had not long abode, but a mighty Lion came halting to his den, with a sore and bloudy leg: the poor slave all forgone at this strange and ugly sight, looked every minute to be devoured, but the Lion in another mood came fawningly and softly towards him, as if he would complain unto him of his grief: where∣at (somewhat heartened) he bethought himselfe to apply some medicine to his would, and to binde up the sore as well as he could; which he had no sooner done, but the Lion made out for his prey, and ere▪long returning, brought home to his Host and Chirurgion certain gobbets of raw flesh, which he halfe roasting upon a rocke by the Sun-beames, made his daily sustenance, for the time of his abode there: notwithstanding at length wearied with this old and savage life, and hating to abide long in that estate, he for sook the desart, and put himselfe again to adventure: now it chanced that he was taken by his old master, and carried from Aegypt to Rome, to the end to be an actor in those beastly Tragoedies; but by chance his old patient the Lion (taken also since his departure, being ready amongst other beasts to play his part) knew him by and by, and ran unto him, fawning and making much of him: the people wondring at this strange accident, after enquiry made of the cause thereof, gave him the Lion, and caused him to lead him in a string through the City for a miracle: for indeed both this and the former deserve no other name. Thus God reproveth the savage inhumanity of men, by the example of the wilde and furious beasts at whose teeth poor servants found more favour than at their masters hands.

The Emperour Constamine weighing the indignity of these and such like pastimes, and knowing how far they ought to be banished from the society of men, by a publike Edict abolished all such bloudy and monstrous spe∣ctacles, In like manner these monomachies and single combates performed in places inclosed for the purpose, wherein one at the least, if not both, must of necessary die, ought to be abrogated in a Christian policy, as by the Laterane Councell it was well enacted, with this penalty, That whoso∣ever should in that manner be slain, his body should be deprived of Eccle∣siasticall buriall: and truely most commonly it commeth to passe, that they that presume most upon their owne prowesse and strength, and are most forward in offering combat, either lose their lives, or gain discredit, which is more grievous than death.

CHAP. XIX. Of such as exercise too much rigour and severity.

FUrthermore we must understand, that God doth not only forbid murder and bloudshed, but also all tyranny and oppression; therein providing for the weak against the strong, the poor against the rich, and bondslaves against their masters: to the end that none might be trode under foot, and oppressed of others, under pain of his indignation. Insomuch therefore as the Romans used such rigour towards their servants, it came to passe by a just judge∣ment of God, that they being Lords over all the World, were three sundry times driven by their servants into great extremities. As first in Rome within the wals, at the sametime when they also were troubled with the se∣ditious factions of their Tribunes. Secondly in Sicily, where they horribly laid waste the whole Countrey: the cause of which commotion was, be∣cause the Romans had chained a multitude of slaves together, and in that order sent them to ma••••ur and till the ground: for a certain Syrian first assembled two thousand men of them that came next hand, then breaking up the Prisons, multiplied his Army to fourty thousand, and with them pul∣led downe Castles, rased up Townes, and destroyed every where. The third undertaken by a Shepherd, who having killed his master, set at liberty all the ••ondmen, and prepared an Army of them, wherewith he spoiled Ci∣ties, Townes, Castles, and discomfited the Armies of Servilius and Lucul∣lus who were pretors at that time: but at last they were destroyed and rooted out by little and little: and this good service got the Romans at their servants hands.

As every Nation hath his proper vertue and vice ascribed to it, so the Spaniards for their part are noted famous for cruelty towards their sub∣jects and vassals, insomuch that (as experience in many witnesseth) they are intolerable in that kinde: for which cause they have bor•••• the markes of Gods Justice, for their rigorous and barbarous handling of the poor West Indians, whom they have brought to that extremity by putting

them to such excessive travels in digging their mines of Gold (as namely in the island Hispagnola) that the most part by sighes and teares wish by death to end their miseries: many (first killing their children) have desperately * 1.245 hung themselves on high trees; some have throwne themselves headlong from steep mountaines, and others cast themselves into the sea to be rid of their troubles; but the Tyrans have never escaped scot-free, but came al∣wayes to some miserable end or other: for some of them were destroyed by the inhabitants, others slew one another with their owne hands, pro∣voked by insatiable avarice: some have been drowned in the sea, and others starved in the Desart; in fine, few escaped unpunished.

Bombadilla, one of the Governours of Hispagnola, after he had swayed there a while, and enriched himselfe by the sweat and charge of the inhabi∣tants, was called home again into Spain: whitherward (according to the commandment received) as he imbarqued himselfe, shipping with him so much treasure as in value mounted to more than an hundred and fifty thousand duckats, beside many pieces and graines of Gold, which he car∣ried to the Spanish Queen for a Present, whereof one weighed three thou∣sand duckats, there arose such a horrible and outragious tempest in the broad sea, and beat so violently against his ships, that four and twenty vessels were shivered in pieces, and drowned at that blow: there perished Bombadilla himselfe with most of his Captaines, and more than five hun∣dred Spaniards, that thought to returne full rich into the Country, and be∣came with all their treasures a prey unto the fishes.

In the year of our Lord 1541. The eight day of September, there chan∣ced in the City Guatimala (which lyeth in the way from Nicaragna West∣ward) * 1.246 a strange and admirable judgement. After the death of Alvarado, who subdued this province, and founded the City; and was but a little before slain in fight, it rained so strangely and vehemently all this whole day and night, that of a sudden so huge a deluge and floud of waters overflowed the earth, streaming from the bottom of the mountains into the lower grounds, with such violence, that stones of incredible bignesse were carried with it; which tumbling strongly downewards, bruised and burst in pieces whatso∣ever was in their way. In the mean while there was heard in the air fearfull cries and voices, and a blacke Cow was seen running up and downe in the midst of the water, that did much hurt. The first house that was Over∣throwne by this tempest, was dead Alvarado's, wherein his widow (a very proud woman, that held the Government of the whole Province in her hand, and had before despited God for her husbands death) was slain with all her houshold, and in a moment the Citie was either drowned or subvert∣ed: there perished in this tempest of men and women sixscore persons: but they that at the beginning of the floud ••ted, saved their lives. The mor∣row after the waters were surceased, one might see the poor Spaniards lie along the fields, some maimed in their bodies, other with broken armes or legs, or otherwise miserably wounded. And thus did God revenge the mon∣strous Spanish cruelties exercised upon those poor people, whom instead of in••icing by fair and gentle meanes to the knowledge of the true God and his Son Christ, they terrified by extraordinary tyranny (for such is the Spanish nature) making them thinke that Christians were the cruellest and most wicked men of the earth.

In the year of our Lord 1514. happened the horrible sedition and

butchery of the Croysadoes in Hungary: the story is this, There was a ge∣nerall discontent amongst the people, against the King and chiefest of the Realme, because they went not about to conquer those places again from * 1.247 the Turke which he held in Hungary. Thereupon the Popes Legate published Pardons for all those that would crosse themselves to go to war against the Turke. Whereupon suddenly there gathered together a won∣derfull company of thieves and robbers, from every corner of Hungary, who together with great multitudes of the common people that were op∣pressed by the insolency of the Nobility (creating themselves a Generall) committed a most horrible spoil almost over all Hungary; murdering all the Gentlemen and Bishops they could meet withall: the richest and those which were noblest descended, they empailed alive. This cruell rage con∣tinuing, at last the King raised Forces against them, and ere long they were defeated in a set battle, by Iohn the son of Vayvod Stephen, who having cut the most of them in pieces, took their Leaders, and put them to death by such strange torments as I have horrour to remember: for the Generall of this seditious troop, called George, he caused to be stript naked, and a Crowne of hot burning iron to be set upon his head; then some of his veines to be opened, and made Lucatius his brother to drinke the bloud which issued out of them. After that, the chiefest of the Peasants, who had been kept three dayes without meat, were brought forth, and forced to fall up on the body of George (yet breathing) with their teeth, and every one to tear away and eat a piece of it. Thus he being torne in pieces, his bowels were pulled out, and cut into morsels, whereof some being boyled, and the rest roasted, the Prisoners were constrained to feed on them: which done, all that remained were put to most horrible and languishing deaths. An ex∣ample of greater cruelty can hardly be found since the world was a world, and therefore no marvell if the Lord hath punished the King and Realme of Hungary, for such strange cruelties, by suffering the cruell Turkes to make spoil of them. Cruell chastisements are prepared for them that be cruell and inhumane.

During the Peasants war in Germany, in the year 1525. a certain Gen∣tleman not content to have massacred a great number even of those which had humbly craved pardon of him, used in all company to glory of his ex∣ploits, and to tell what murders and thefts he had committed. But some moneths after he fell sicke, and languished many dayes of an extreme pain in the reines of his back; through the torment whereof he fell into de∣spair, and ceased not to curse and deny his Creatour, who is blessed for ever, untill that both speech and life failed him. Neither did the severity of Gods justice here stay, but shewed it selfe on his posterity also; for his eldest son seeking to exalt the prowesse and valour of his father, vaunted much of his fathers exploits in an open assembly at a banquet; where∣withall a countriman being moved, stabbed him to the heart with his dag∣ger: and some few dayes after the Plague fals among the residue of his Family, and consumeth all that remaineth.

CHAP. XX. Of Adulteries.

IT followeth by the order of our subject now to touch the transgression of the third Commandement of the second Table; which is, Thou shalt not commit Adul∣tery: in which words, as also in many other Texts of Scripture, Adultery is forbidden, and grievous threat∣nings denounced against all those that defile their bo∣dies with filthy and impure actions, estrange them∣selves from God, and conjoyne themselves to whores and ribauds.

This sin did the Israelites commit with the woman of Madian, by means whereof they were to follow strange gods, and to fall into Gods heavie dis∣pleasure, who by a cruell Plague destroyed 24000. of them for the same sin. And forasmuch as the Madianites (through the wicked and pernicious counsell of Balaam) did lay this snare for them, and were so villanous and shamelesse, as to prostitute and be Bauds to their owne wives; therefore they were by the expresse Commandement of God discomfited, their Kings and false prophets, with all their men and women, except onely their unpolluted virgins that had knowne no man, slain: and all their Cities and dwellings burned and consumed to ashes. As every one ought to have re∣gard and care to their honesty, so maides especially, whose whole credit and reputation hangeth thereupon; for they that make no account thereof, but suffer themselves to be polluted with any filthinesse, draw upon them not onely most vile infamy, but also many great miseries: as is proved by the daughter of Hippomenes Prince of Athens, who being a whore, her father shut up in a stable with a wilde horse, giving him no provender, nor other meat to eat, that the horse (naturally furious enough, but more enraged by famine) might tear her in pieces, and with her carkase refresh his hunger, as he did. Pontus Aufidian understanding that his daughter had been betray∣ed and sold into a lechers hands by a slave of his that was her schoolmaster; put them both to death. In like manner served Pub. Atilius, Falisque his daughter, that fell into the same infamy. Vives reporteth, that in our fa∣thers * 1.248 dayes, two brothers of Arragon perceiving their sister (whom they ever esteemed for honest) to be with childe, (hiding their displeasure untill her delivery was past) came in suddenly, and stabbed her into the belly with their daggers, till they killed her, in the presence of a sage matron that was witnesse to their deed. The same Authour saith, That when he was a young man, there were three in the same Countrey, that conspired the death of a companion of theirs, that went about to commit this villany, and as they conspired, so they performed it, strangling him to death with a napkin, as he was going to his filthinesse. As for Adulterers, examples are infinite both of their wicked lives and miserable ends. In which number many of them may be scored, that making profession of a single life; and undertaking the vow of chastity, shew themselves monstrous knaves and ribauds, as many of the Popes themselves have done. As we reade of Iohn the Ele∣venth, * 1.249

bastard son to Lando his predecessour, who by meanes of his Adul∣teries with Theodora, then Governesse of Rome, came by degrees to the Pa∣pacy; so he passed the blessed time of his holy Popeship with this vertu∣ous Dame, to whom he served instead of a common Horse to satisfie her in∣satiable and disordinate lust: but the good and holy father was at last taken and castin prison, and there smothered to death with a pillow. Benedict the Eleventh, di••ing on a time with an Abbesse, his familiar, was poysoned with * 1.250 certain figs that he eat. Clement the Fifth was reported to be a common Bawd and a protectour of whores: he went apart into Avignion, and there stayed of purpose to do nothing but whore-hunt: he died in great torment of the bloudy flux, plurisie, and grief of the stomacke.

In our English Chronicles we reade of Sir Roger Mortimer Earl of March, in the time of Edward the Third, who having secret familiarity with Isabel, Edward the Seconds wife, was not onely the cause to stir her up to make war against her husband, but also when he was vanquished by her, and deposed from his Crowne, his young son being installed in his Throne, caused him most cruelly to be put to death, by thrusting a hot spit into his body, at his fundament. He also procured the Earle of Kent, the Kings uncle, to be arraigned and beheaded at Winchester, for that he withstood the Queenes and his dealings, and would not suffer them to do what they listed. All these mischiefes sprung out from the filthy root of Adultery. But the just judgement of God not permitting such odious crimes to be unpunished nor undetected, it so fell forth at the length, that Isabel the old Queen was discovered to be with childe by the said Mortimer: whereof complaint being made to the King, as also of the killing of King Edward his father, and conspiring and procuring the death of the Earle of Kent the Kings uncle, he was arreigned and indicted, and by verdict found guilty, and suffered death accordingly like a Traitor, his head being exalted upon Lon∣don-bridge, for a spectacle for all murderers and adulterers to behold, that they might see and fear the heavy vengeance of God.

CHAP. XXI. Of Rapes.

NOw if Adultery, which with liking and consent of par∣ties is committed, be condemned, how much more grievous and hainous is the offence and more guilty the offendour, when with violence the chastity of any i••, assailed, and enforced? This was the sin wherewith Si∣chem the son of Hemor the Levite is marked in holy Scripture; for he ravished Dina, Iacobs daughter, for * 1.251 which cause Simeon and Levi revenged the injury done unto their sister up∣on the head of not onely him and his father, but all the Males that were in the City, by putting them to the sword.

It was a custome amongst the Spartans and Messenians during the time, of peace betwixt them, to send yearly to one another certain of their daugh∣ters, to celebrate certain feasts and sacrifices that were amongst them: now

in continuance of time it chanced that fifty of the Lacedemonian virgins being come to those solemne feasts, were pursued by the Messenian gallants, to have their pleasures of them: but they joyntly making resistance, and fighting for their honesties, strove so long, not one yeelding themselves a prey into their hands, till they all died: whereupon arose so long and mise∣rable a war, that all the Countrey of Messena was destroyed thereby.

Aristoclides a Tyran of Orchomenus a City of Arcadia, fell enamored with a maid of Stymphalis: who seeing her father by him slain, because he seemed to stand in his purposes light, fled to the Temple of Diana, to take Sanctuary, neither could once be plucked from the image of the goddesse, untill her life was taken from her but her death so incensed the Arcadi∣ans, that they fell to Armes and sharpely revenged her cruell injury.

Appius a Roman, a man of power and authority in the City, inflamed * 1.252 with the love of a virgine, whose father hight Virginius, would needs make her his servant, to the end to abuse her the more freely, and whilest he en∣deavoured with all his power and policy to accomplish his immoderate lust, her father slew her with his owne hands, more willing to prostitute her to death, than to so soul an opprobry and disgrace: but every man stirred up with the wofulnesse of the event, with one consent pursued, apprehen∣ded, and imprisoned the foul lecher; who fearing the award of a most shamefull death, killed himselfe to prevent a further mischief.

In the year of our Lord 1271. under the Raigne of the Emperour Ro∣dolph, the Sicilians netled and enraged with the horrible whoredomes, adul∣teries * 1.253 and Rapes, which the Garrisons that had the government over them committed, not able any longer to endure their insolent and outragious de∣meanour, entered a secret and common conspiracy upon a time appointed for the purpose, which was on Easter Sunday, at the shutting in of the evening, to set upon them with one accord, and to murder so many as they could: as they did, for at that instant they massacred so many throughout the whole Island, that of all the great multitude there survived not one to bear tidings, or bewail the dead.

At Naples it chanced in the Kings Palace, as young King Fredericke, Ferdinands son, entered the Privy Chamber of the Queen his mother, to * 1.254 salute her and the other Ladies of the Court, that the Prince of Bissenio waiting in the outward chamber for his returne, was slain by one of his owne servants, that suddenly gave him with his sword three deadly strokes in the presence of many beholders; which deed he confessed he had watch∣ed three yeares to performe, in regard of an injury done unto his sister, and in her to him, whom he ravished against her will.

The Spaniards that first took the Isle Hispaniola, were for their whore∣domes and Rapes, which they committed upon the wives and virgines, all * 1.255 murdered by the inhabitants.

The inhabitants of the Province Cumana, when they saw the beastly outrage of the Spanish Nation, that lay along their Coasts to fish for * 1.256 Pearle, in forcing and ravishing (without difference) their women young and old, set upon them upon a Sunday morning with all their force, and slew all that ever they found by the Sea-coasts Westward, till there remain∣ed not one alive: and the fury of the rude uncivill people was so great, that they spared not the Monkes in their Cloysters, but cut their throats as they were mumbling their Masses; burnt up the Spanish houses, both religious

and private, burst in pieces their bels, drew about their Images, hurld downe their Crucifixes, and cast them in disgrace and contempt overthwart their streets to be troden upon: nay, they destroyed whatsoever belonged unto them, to their very dogs and hennes, and their owne countrymen that served them in any service, whether religious or other, they spared not, they beat the earth, and cursed it with bitter curses, because it had upholden such wicked and wretched Caitises. Now the report of this massacre was so fearfull and terrible, that the Spaniards which were in Cubagna doubted much of their lives also; and truly not without great cause: for if the In∣dians of the Continent had been furnished and provided with sufficient store of barkes, they had passed even into that Island, and had served them with the same sauce which their fellowes were served with; for they want∣ed not will, but ability to do it. And these are the goodly fruits of their Adulteries and Rapes, which the Spanish Nation hath reaped in their new∣found land.

The great calamity and overthrow which the Lacedemonians indured at Lectria, wherein their chiefest strength and powers were weakened and con∣sumed, was a manifest punishment of their inordinate lust committed up∣on * 1.257 two virgins, whom after they had ravished, in that very place they cut in pieces and threw them into a pit: and when their father came to complain him of the villany, they made so light account of his words, that in stead of redresse he found nothing but reproach and derision, so that with grief he slew himselfe upon his daughters sepulchre: but how grievously the Lord revenged this injury, Histories do sufficiently testifie, and that Leu∣ctrian calamity doth bear witnesse.

Brias a Grecian Captain being received into a Citizens house as a guest, * 1.258 forced his wife by violence to his lust: but when he was asleep, to revenge her wrong, she put out both his eyes; and afterward complained to the Citizens also, who deprived him of his Office, and cast him out of their City.

Macrinus the Emperour punished two Souldiers that ravished their Hostesse on this manner: he shut them up in an Oxes bowels with their heads out, and so partly with famishment, and partly with wormes and rot∣tennesse, they consumed to death.

Rodericus King of the Gothes in Spain forced an Earles daughter to his lust; for which cause her father brought against him an Army of Sarasens * 1.259 and Moores, and not onely slew him with his son, but also quite extinguish∣ed the Gothicke kingdom in Spain: in this war, and upon this occasion, seven hundred thousand men perished, as Histories record, and so a king∣dom came to ruine by the perverse lust of one lecher, Anno 714.

At the sacking and destruction of Thebes by King Alexander, a Thracian Captain which was in the Macedonian Army took a noble Matron prison∣er, * 1.260 called Timoclea, whom when by no perswasion of promises he could intice to his lust, he constrained by force to yeeld unto it: but this noble minded woman invented a most witty and subtle shift both to rid her selfe out of his hands, and to revenge his injury: she told him, that she knew where a rich treasure lay hid in a deep pit; whither when with greedinesse of the gold he hastened, and standing upon the brinke, pried and peered into the bot∣tome of it, she thrust him with both her hands into the hole, and tumbled stones after him, that he might never finde meanes to come forth: for

which fact she was brought before Alexander, to have justice; who de∣manding her what she was, she answered, that Theagenes, who led the The∣bane Army against the Macedonians, was her brother. Alexander percei∣ving the marvellous constancy of the woman, and knowing the cause of her accusation to be unjust, manumitted and set her free with her whole Family.

When C••. Manlius having conquered the Gallo-Grecians, pitched his * 1.261 Army against the Tectosages (people of Narbonia towards the Pyrene monntaines) amongst other prisoners, a very fair woman, wife to Orgiagous Regulus, was in the custody of a Centurion, that was both lustfull and cove∣tous: this lecher tempted her first with fair perswasions, and seeing her unwilling, compelled her with violence to yeeld her body, as slave to for∣tune, so to infamy and dishonour: after which act, somewhat to mitigate the wrong, he gave her promise of release and freedom, upon condition of a certain sum of money; and to that purpose, sent her servant that was captive with her to her friends to purvey the same: which he bringing, the Centurion alone, with the wronged Lady met him at a place appointed, and whilest he weighed the money, by her counsell was murdered of her servants: so she escaping, carried to her husband both his money, and threw at his feet the villaines head that had spoiled her of her chastity.

Andreas King of Hungary having undertaken the voyage into Syria for the recovery of the Holy Land, together with many other Kings and Prin∣ces, * 1.262 committed the charge of his Kingdom and Family to one Bannebanius, a wise and faithfull man, who discharged his Office as faithfully as he took it willingly upon him. Now the Queen had a brother called Gertrude, that came to visit and comfort his sister in her husbands absence, and by that meanes sojourned with her a long time, even so long, till he fell deadly in love with Bannebanius Lady, a fair and vertuous woman, and one that was thought worthy to keep company with the Queen continually: to whom when he had unfolded his suit, and received such stedfast repulse, that he was without all hope of obtaining his desire, he began to droup and pine, untill the Queen his sister perceiving his disease, found this perverse reme∣dy for the cure thereof; she would often give him opportunity of dis∣course, by withdrawing her selfe from them being alone, and many times leave them in secret and dangerous places, of purpose that he might have his will of her, but she would never consent unto his lust; and therefore at last, when he saw no remedy, he constrained her by force, and made her sub∣ject to his will against her will: which vile disgracefull indignity when she had suffered, she returned home sad and melancholy, and when her husband would have embraced her, she fled from him, asking him, if he would em∣brace a whore, and related unto him her whole abuse, desiring him either to rid her from shame by death, or to revenge her wrong, and make knowne unto the world the injury done unto her. There needed no more spurres to pricke him forward for revenge: he posteth to the Court, and upbraiding the Queen with her ungratefull and abominable treachery, runneth her through with his sword, and taking her heart in his hand, proclaimeth openly, that it was not a deed of inconsideration, but of judgement, in re∣compence of the losse of his wives chastity: forthwith he flieth towards the King his Lord, that now was at Constantinople, and declaring to him his fact, and shewing to him his sword besmeared with his wives bloud,

submitteth himselfe to his sentence, either of death in rigour, or pardon in compassion: but the good King enquiring the truth of the cause, though grieved with the death of his wife, yet acquit him of the crime, and held him in as much honour and esteem as ever he did; condemning also his wife as worthy of that which she had endured, for her unwomanlike and traiterous part. A notable example of justice in him, and of punishment in her, that forgetting the law of womanhood and modesty, made her selfe a Bawd unto her brothers lust: whose memory as it shall be odious and execrable, so his justice deserveth to be engraven in marble with characters of gold.

Equal to this King in punishing a Rape, was Otho the first: for as he passed through Italy with an Army, a certain woman cast her selfe downe * 1.263 at his feet for justice against a villain that had spoiled her of her chastity; who deferring the execution of the law till his returne, because his haste was great, the woman asked, who should then put him in minde thereof? he answered, This Church which thou seest shall be a witnesse betwixt me and thee, that I will then revenge thy wrong. Now when he had made an end of this warfare, in his returne, as he beheld the Church, he called to minde the woman, and caused her be fetched; who falling downe before him, desired now pardon for him whom before she had accused, seeing he had now made her his wife, and redeemed his injury with sufficient satis∣faction: not so I swear (quoth Otho) your compacting shall not infringe, or colludo the sacred Law, but he shall die for his former fault, and so he caused him to be put to death. A notable example for them, that after they have committed filthinesse with a maid, thinke it no sin, but competent amends, if they take her in marriage whom they abused before in forni∣cation.

Nothing inferiour to these in punishing this sin, was Gonzaga Duke of Ferrara, as by this History following may appear. In the year 1547. a Ci∣tizen * 1.264 of Comun was cast into Prison upon an accusation of murder, whom to deliver from the judgement of death, his wife wrought all meanes possi∣ble: therefore comming to the Captain that held him Prisoner, she sued to him for her husbands life; who upon condition of her yeelding to his lust and payment of two hundred Ducats, promised safe deliverance for him; the poor woman seeing that nothing could redeem her husbands life, but losse and shipwracke of her owne honesty, told her husband: who wil∣led her to yeeld to the Captaines desire, and not to pretermit so good an oc∣casion; wherefore she consented: but after the pleasure past, the traiterous and wicked Captain put her husband to death notwithstanding: which in∣jury when she complained to Gonzaga Duke of Ferrara, he caused the Cap∣tain first to restore backe her two hundred Ducats, with an addition of seven hundred Crownes, and secondly to marry her to his wife; and lastly, when he hoped to enjoy her body, to be hanged for his treachery. O noble justice, and comparable to the worthiest deeds of Antiquity, and deserving to be held in perpetuall remembrance!

As these before mentioned excelled in punishing this sin, so this fellow following excelled in committing it, and in being punished for it; his * 1.265 name is Novellus Cararius, Lord of Pavie, a man of note and credit in the World for his greatnesse, but of infamy and discredit for his wickednesse. This man after many cruell murders and bloudy practises, which he exer∣cised

in every place where he came, fell at last into this notorious and ab∣hominable crime; for lying at Vincentia, he fell in love with a young maid of excellent beauty, but more excellent honesty, an honest Citizens daugh∣ter, whom he commanded her parents to send unto him, that he might have his pleasure of her: but when they regarding their credit, and she her cha∣stity, more than the Tyrans command, refused to come, he took her vio∣lently out of their house, and constrained her body to his lust; and after, to adde cruelty to villany, chopped her into small pieces, and sent them to her parents in a basket for a present: wherewith her poor father astonished; carried it to the Senate, who sent it to Venice, desiring them to consider the fact, and to revenge the cruelty. The Venetians undertaking their defence, made war upon the Tyran, and besieging him in his owne City, took him at last prisoner, and hanged him with his two sons, Francis and William.

Diocles, son of Pisistratus, Tyran of Athens, for ravishing a maid was slain by her brother; whose death when Hippias his brother undertook to * 1.266 revenge, and caused the maidens brother to be racked, that he might disco∣ver the other conspiratours, he named all the Tyrans friends (which by commandment being put to death) the Tyran asked, whether there were any more? None but onely thy selfe (quoth he) whom I would wish next to be hanged; whereby it was perceived how abundantly he had revenged his sisters chastity: by whose notable stomacke all the Athenians being put in remembrance of their liberty, expelled their Tyran Hippias out of their City.

Mundus, a young Gentleman of Rome, ravished the chaste Matron Pau∣lina in this fashion: when he perceived her resolution not to yeeld unto his * 1.267 lust, he perswaded the Priests of Isis to say, that they were warned by an Oracle, how that Anubius the god of Egypt, desired the company of the said Paulina: to whom the chaste Matron gave light credence, both because she thought the Priests would not lie, and also because it was accounted a great renowne to have to do with a god: and thus by this meanes was Pau∣lina abused by Mundus in the Temple of Isis, under the name of Anubius. Which thing being after disclosed by Mundus himselfe, he was thus justly revenged; the Priests were put to death, the Temple beaten downe to the ground, the Image of Isis throwne into Tiber, and the young man banished.

A principall occasion of the Danes first arrivall here in England (which after conquered the whole Land, and exercised among the Inhabitants most * 1.268 horrible cruelties and outrages) was a Rape committed by one Osbright a deputy King, under the King of the West-Saxons in the North part. This Osbright upon a time journeying by the way, turned into the house of one of his Nobles called Bruer, who having a wife of great beauty (he being from home) the King after dinner (allured with her excellent beauty) took her to a secret Chamber, where he forcibly, contrary to her will, ravished her: whereupon she being greatly dismayed and vexed, made her mone to her husband at his returne, of this violence and injury received. The No∣bleman forthwith studying revenge, first went to the King, and resigned to his hands all such services and possessions which he held of him, and then took shipping and sailed into Denmarke, where he had great friends, and had his bringing up: there making his mone to Codrinus the King, desired his aid in revenging of the great villany of Osbright against him and his wife. Codrinus glad to entertain any occasion of quarrell against this Land,

presently levied an Army, and preparing all things for the same, sendeth forth Inguar and Hubba, two brethren, with a mighty Army of Danes into England; who first arriving at Holdernesse, burnt up the Countrey, and killed without mercy both men, women, and children: then marching to∣wards Yorke, encountered with wicked Osbright himselfe, where he, with the most part of his Army was slain and discomfited: a just reward for his villanous act; as also one chief cause of the Conquest of the whole Land by the Danes.

In the year of our Lord 955. Edwine succeeding his uncle Eldred, was * 1.269 King of England: this man was so impudent, that in the very day of his Coronation he suddenly withdrew himselfe from his Lords, and in sight of certain persons ravished his owne kinswoman, the wife of a Nobleman of his Realme, and afterward slew her husband, that he might have unlawfull use of her beauty: for which act he became so odious to his Subjects and Nobles, that they joyntly rose against him, and deprived him of his Crowne, when he had reigned four yeares.

CHAP. XXII. Other examples of Gods Judgements upon Adulterers.

AMongst all other things, this is especially to be noted, how God (for a greater punishment of the disordinate lust of men) strucke them with a new (yet filthy and stinking) kinde of Disease called the French Pox; though indeed the Spaniards were the first that were infected therewith, by the heat which they caught * 1.270 among the women of the new-found lands, and sowed the seeds thereof first in Spain, and from thence sprinkled Italy therewith, wherethe French men caught it, when Charles the Eighth their King went * 1.271 against Naples. From whence the contagion spread it selfe throughout di∣vers places of Europe. Barbary was so over-growne with it, that in all their Cities the tenth part escaped not untouched, nay almost not a Family but was infected. From thence it ran to Aegypt, Syria, and the graund Cair; and it may near hand truly be said, that there was not a corner of the habitable world, where this not onely new and strange (for it was never heard of in antient ages) but terrible and hideous scourge of Gods wrath stretched not it selfe. They that were spotted with it, and had it rooted in their bodies, led a languishing life, full of aches and torments, and carried in their visages filthy markes of unclean behaviour, as ulcers, boyles, and such like, that greatly disfigured them. And herein we see the words of Saint Paul verified, That an Adulterer sinneth against his owne body. Now for so much as the world is so brutishly carried into this sin, as to none more, * 1.272 the Lord therefore hath declared his anger against it in divers sorts, so that divers times he hath punished it in the very act, or not long after, by a strange death. Of which, Alcibiades, one of the great Captaines of Athens, * 1.273 may stand for an example; who being polluted with many great and

odious vices, and much given to his pleasures, and subject to all unclean∣nesse, ended his life in the midst thereof: for as he was in company of a Phrygian strumpet (having flowne thither to the King of Phrygia for shel∣ter) was notwithstanding set upon by certain Guards, which the King (in∣duced by his enemies) sent to stay him; but they though in number many, through the conceived opinion of his notable valour, durst not apprehend him at hand, but set fire to the house, standing themselves in armes round about it, to receive him if need were: he seeing the fire, leaped through the midst of it, and so long defended himselfe amongst them all, till strength failed in himselfe, and blowes encreasing upon him, constrained him to give up his life amongst them.

Pliny telleth of Cornelius Gallus and Q. Elerius, two Roman Knights, * 1.274 that died in the very action of filthinesse.

In the Irish History we finde recorded a notable judgement of God upon * 1.275 a notorious and cruell lecher, one Turgesnis, a Norwegian, who having twice invaded Ireland, reigned there as King for the space of thirty yeares. This Tyran not onely cried havocke and spoil upon the whole Countrey, abusing his victory very insolently, but also spared not to abuse virgins and women at his pleasure, to the satisfying of his filthy lust. Omalaghlilen King of Meth was in some trust with the Tyran: his onely daughter Tur∣gesnis craved for his Concubine; but he having a ready wit, and watching his opportunity, seemed not onely not to deny his daughter, but to offer him the choice of many other his neeces and cousins, endowed (as he s•••• them forth) with such singular beauty, as they seemed rather Angels than mortall Creatures. The Tyran as it were ravished, and doting in love with those pecrlesse pieces, could endure no delay, but must needs possesse him∣selfe of their bodies, and that very speedily: to which Omalagblilen con∣descending, attired his daughter in princelike apparell, and with her sixteen proper young men, beautifull and amiable to behold, in like array, and so being sent unto the King, were presented unto him in his Privy Chamber, having none about him but a few dissolute youthfull persons: whereupon those disguised young striplings drew forth from under their long wo∣manish garments their skenes, and valiantly bestirring themselves, first stabbed their weapons points through the body of the Tyran, and then ser∣ved all those youthes about him with the like sauce, they making small or no resistance. And thus the abhominable lecher, together with his rabble of filthy Pandars, received the due reward of their ugly filthinesse; and by this means the Irish Nation was freed from the slavery of a cruell Tyran.

Theodebert, the eldest son of Glotharius, died amidst his whores, to whom * 1.276 he was (though married) too too much addicted. The like befell one Ber∣trane Ferrier at Barcelone in Spain, according to the report of Pontanus. * 1.277 In like manner there was one Giachet Geneve of Saluces, a man that had * 1.278 both wife and children of his owne, of good yeares, well learned, and of good esteem amongst his neighbour Citisens, that secretly haunted the company of a young woman; with whom being coupled one evening in his study, he suddenly died: his wife and children seeing his longtariance, when time required to go to bed, called him, and knocked at his door very hard, but when no answer was made, they broke open the doores that were locked on the inner side, and found him (to their great grief and dismay) lying upon the woman starke dead, and her dead also.

Claudius of Asses, Counsellour of the Parliament of Paris, (a man very evill-affected toward the Professours of the Gospel) committed villany with one of his waiting-maids, in the very midst whereof he was taken with an Apoplexy, which immediately after made an end of him.

Not long since, here in our owne Countrey, a Noblemans servant of good credit and place with his master, having familiarity with another mans wife, as he was about to commit villany with her in a chamber, he fell downe starke dead with his ho••e about his heeles: which being heard (by reason of the noise his fall made) of those which were in the lower room, they all ran up hastily, and easily perceived both the villany he went about, and the horrible judgement of God upon him for the same. This happened in Northamptonshire, as it was testified by very godly, honest, and sufficient witnesses.

Another in Hertfordshire about Barkway, having the company of a harlot in a Wood, was also surprised by the judgement of God, and strucke dead as it seemed in the very committall of that filthy act: his name I conceal, as also of the former, that none might thinke themselves disgraced thereby, but all learne to fear the wrath of God, and tremble at his judge∣ments.

We reade also of a Chirurgeon, who disdaining his honest wife, had abandoned himselfe to a strumpet; and going on a time to horsebacke, and asked by his wife whither he went, he answered scornefully, To the Stewes, going indeed presently to his Adulteresse. After a while he returneth to horse, and offering to manage his round, the horse leapes and bounds extra∣ordinarily, and casts this wretched man out of the saddle, in such sort, as one of his feet hung in the bridle. The horse being hot, ran so furiously upon the stones, as he beat out his braines, and never stayed untill he came before the Stues, where this miserable man remained dead upon the place.

The Spaniards in the West-Indies going to seek gold near unto the gulfe * 1.279 of Uruba, their Captain, called Horeda, carried away the daughter of the Cacique or Lord of the place prisoner, and abused her as his Concubine: the Cacique soon after came to the Captain, making shew that he came to redeem his daughter, but being come into his presence, he reproached him with injurious words, and shot a poysoned arrow at him, with an intent to kill him; but he wounded him onely in the thigh: whereupon the Spani∣ards rushing in suddenly with their swords drawne, slew the Cacique, his wife, and all his company. But this villanous Captain escaped not the ar∣row of Gods wrath: for he was driven to retire out of that Countrey into Hispaniola, where he died of his wound within few dayes after in extreme paines: all his company being imbarqued to Spain-ward, were driven backe by the winde, and after infinite toiles, some of them were slain by the Indians, and the rest died miserably of divers Diseases: and this was the fruit of that Adultery.

In the year 1533. a certain religious man in the Towne of Clavenne in * 1.280 the Grisons Countrey, being enamoured with a certain beautifull maid, as∣sayed by all meanes to corrupt her chastity, and to allure her to his will: but when by no meanes he could obtaine his desire, he counterfeited certain ap∣paritions and revelations, abusing the sacred Name of God, and of the Vir∣gin Mary, and so seduced this poor maid to his lust: but his imposture be∣ing discovered, he was committed to prison, and notwithstanding his Order, was publikely beheaded, and his body burnt.

CHAP. XXIII. Shewing that Stues ought not to be suffered among Christians.

BY this which hath been spoken it appeareth manifestly, how infamous a thing is it among Christians to privilege and allow publique places for Adulteries, albeit it is a com∣mon thing in the greatest Cities of Europe; yea, and in the very bowels of Christendom, where no such villany should be tolerated. There is nothing that can cast any colour of excuse upon it, seeing it is expresly contrary to Gods ediet in many places: as first, Thou shalt not commit Adultery: and in Lev. 19. 29. Thou shalt not pollute thy daughter in prostituting her to be a where, lest the land be defiled with wheredom, and filled with wickednesse: and in Deut. 23. 17. Let there be no where of the daughters of Israel, neither a where-keeper of the sonnes of Israel. This is the decree of God, and the rule which he had given us to square our affections by, and it admitteth no dispensation. But some do object, that those things are tolerated to avoid greater mischiefes: as though the Lord were not well advised when he gave forth those Com∣mandments, or that mortall men had more discretion than the immortall God. This truely is nothing else but to reject and disannull that which Saint Paul requireth as a duty of all Christians; namely, That fornicati∣on * 1.281 and all uncleannesse should not once be named amongst us, neither filthinesse, foolish talking, or jesting, which are things not comely; forsomuch as no whoremonger nor unclean person can have any inheri∣tance in the Kingdom of God. Plate the Philosopher, though a Panim, and * 1.282 ignorant of the knowledge of the true God, for bad expresly in his common wealth Poets and Painters to represent or set to the view any unclean and lascivious counterfeit, whereby good manners might be any wayes depra∣ved. Aristotle following his masters steps, ordained in his Politiques, That all filthy communication should be banished out of his City. How * 1.283 far then were they from giving leave and liberty for filthy and stinking bro∣thel-houses to be erected and maintained? In this therefore the very Hea∣then are a shame and reproach to those that call themselves Christians and Catholiques. Besides, the goodly reason which they alleage for their up∣holding of their Stues is so far from the truth, that the contrary is ever truer; namely, that by their odious and dishonest liberty more evill ariseth to the world than otherwise would, insomuch as it setteth open a wide door to all dissolutenesse and whoredomes, and an occasion of lechery and uncleannesse even to those that otherwise would abstain from all such filthy actions. How many young folke are there, as well men as women, that by this meanes give themselves over to loosenesse, and undo themselves utter∣ly? How many murders are, have been, and still will be committed there∣by? What a disorder, confusion, and ignominy of nature is it, for a father to lie with her with whom his son had been but a little before? Or the son to come after the father? and such like: but by the just judgement of God it commeth to passe, that that which is thought to be enclosed within the pre∣cincts

of certain appointed places, spreadeth it selfe at large so far, that oftentimes whole streets and Cities are poysoned; yea, even their houses, who in regard of their place either in the Law or policy, ought to stop the stream of such vices: nay, which is more marvell, they that with open mouth vaunt themselves to be Gods Lieutenants on earth, Christs Vicars, and Successours to his Apostles, are so filthy and abhominable, as to suffer publike bauds and whores to be under their noses uncontroled; and which is more, to enrich their treasures by their traffique. Cornelius Agrippa saith, That of all the ••e-bauds of his time, Pope Sextus was most infamous: for he builded a most glorious and stately Stues (if any state or glory can abide in so bad a place) as well for common Adultery, as unnaturall Sodomy, to be exercised in. He used (as Heliogabalus was wont to do) to maintain whole heards of whores, with whom he participated his friends and servants as they stood in need, and by Adulteries reared yearly great revenues into his purse. Baleus saith, That at this day every whore in Rome payes tribute to the Pope, a Iulle; which amounted then to twenty thousand Ducats by the year at least; but now the number is so encreased, that it ariseth to fourty thousand. I thinke there is none ignorant, how Pope Paul the third had by computation five and fourty thousand whores and curtezans, that paid him a monethly tribute for their whoredomes: and thus also this holy Father was a protectour and upholder of the Stues, and deserved by his villanous behaviour (for he was one of the lewdest Adulterers of that time) to bear the name of the master and erectour of these filthy places: and herein both he and the rest of that crue have shewed themselves enemies to God, and true Antichrists indeed, and have not onely imitated, but far surpassed shamelesse and wicked Caligula in all filthy and monstrous dealings. Thou shalt not (saith Moses) bring the hire of a whore into the house of the Lord * 1.284 thy God for any vow: by what title then can these honest men exact so great rent from their whorish Tenants, seeing it is by the Law of God a thing so abhominable? Truly it can no otherwise be but a kinde of art of baudery, as may be gathered out of the Law which is in F. deritu nupt. L. palem. Qui habet mancipia, &c. The meaning whereof is, That he which for gain prostituteth his slaves to the lust of men, and draweth thereby com∣modity to himselfe, is a Baud: He is also stained with infamy by the Law Athletas, that partaketh the gain or wages of a whore. How much more then is that Law of Iustinian to be commended, which commandeth all whores to be banished out of the confines of Cities and Commonwealths? It was also a worthy and memorable act of Theodosius, when he rooted the * 1.285 Stues out of Rome; and of Saint Lewis King of France, that pulled downe the Stues at Paris, and chased away, as neer as he could, all loose and who∣rish women from his Dominions. The antient Romans permitted no wo∣man to become an open whore, before she had made a formall declaration * 1.286 of her intent before the Aediles; thinking by this meanes to quench their hot lust, because they would be ashamed to make such an open confession. And by a decree of the Senate it was enacted, That no woman comming of gentile stocke should be suffered to give her selfe over to this Trade, it being a stain and blot to true Nobility.

CHAP. XXIIII. Of Whoredomes committed under colour of Marriage.

SEeing that oftentimes it falleth out, that those which in shew seem most honest, thinke it a thing lawfull to con∣verse together as man and wife by some secret and pri∣vate contract, without making account of the publike celebration of Marriage as necessary, but for some worldly respects, according as their foolish and disor∣dinate affections misperswadeth them, to dispence therewith: It shall not be impertinent as we go, to give warning how un∣lawfull all such conversation is, and how contrary to good manners, and to the laudable customes of all civill and well governed people. For it is so far from deserving the name of Marriage, that on the other side it can be nothing but plain whoredom and fornication: the which name and title Tertullian giveth to all secret and privy meeting which have not been allow∣ed * 1.287 of, received, and blessed by the Church of God. Again, besides the evill examples which is exhibited, there is this mischief moreover, that the children of such a bed cannot be esteemed legitimate, yea God himselfe ac∣curseth such law lesse familiarity, as the mischiefes that arise therefrom do declare, whereof this one example which we alledge shall serve for suffici∣ent proof.

In the reigne of Lewis the Ninth, King of France, and Iulius the Second, Pope of Rome, there was a Gentleman of Naples called Antonio Bologne, that had been Governour of Fredericke of Arragons house, when he was King of Naples, and had the same Office under the Duchesse of Malfi after she was widow; with whom in protract of time he grew to have such secret and privie acquaintance (albeit she was a princesse and he her servant) that he enjoyeed her as his owne wife. And thus they conversed secretly together under the colour of Marriage accorded betwixt them, the space of certain yeares, untill she had bore unto him three children: by which meanes their private dealings which they so much desired to smother and keep close, burst out and bewrayed it selfe. The matter being come to her brothers eares, they took it so to the heart, that they could not rest untill they had revenged the vile injury and dishonour which they pretended to have been done to them and their whole house, equally by them both. Therefore when they had chased them first from Ancona, whither in hope of quiet∣nesse they had fled out of Naples, they drave them also out of Tuscane: who seeing themselves so hotly pursued on every side, resolved to make to∣wards Venice, thinking there to finde some safety: But in the midway she was overtaken, and brought backe to Naples, where in short space she mi∣serably ended her life: for her brothers Guard strangled her to death, to∣gether with her chambermaid, who had served in stead of a Baud to them; and her poor infants which she had by the said Bologne. But he by the good∣nesse of his horse escaping, took his flight to Milan, where he sojourned quietly a long while, untill at the instant pursuit of one of her brothers,

the Cardinall of Arragon, he was slain in the open streets, when he least mistrusted any present danger. And this was a true Cardinall like exploit indeed, representing that mildenesse, mercifulnesse, and good nature which is so required of every Christian, in traiterously murdering a man so many yeares after the first rancour was conceived, that might well in halfe that space have been digested, in fostering hatred so long in his cruell heart, and waging ruffians and murderers to commit so monstrous an act: wherein al∣beir the Cardinals cruelty was most famous, as also in putting to death the poor infants, yet Gods justice bare the sway, that used him as an instru∣ment to punish those who under the vail of secret Marriage thought it law∣full for them to commit any villany. And thus God busieth sometime the most wicked about his will, and maketh the rage and fury of the Devill himselfe serve for meanes to bring to passe his fearfull judgements.

CHAP. XXV. Of unlawfull Marriages, and their issues.

NOw to redres all such evils as have before been mention∣ed, and to avoid all inconveniences in this case, God of his bountifull mercy hath ordained Marriage as a reme∣dy to be applied to all such as have not the gift of con∣tinency, least they should fall into fornication: which notwithstanding many shamelesse creatures that blush not at their owne filthinesse, but rather rejoyce therein, make no account of. Such are they that making Marriage one of the Sacra∣ments of the Church, do neverthelesse despise as a vile and prophane thing; albeit that the Apostle saith, That Marriage is honourable among all men, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge. But they have it not in that estimation, seeing by authority they are deprived of the use thereof, and not of Adultery. That which is honest and laudable is for∣bidden, and that which is sinfull and unlawfull, allowed of. This (saith Sleiden) is the custom of the Germane Bishops, for money to suffer their * 1.288 Priests to keep harlots, not exacting any other punishment, saving their purses, to privilege their knaveries. But these reines of liberty were let more loose in certain Villages of the Cantons of Switzers, where it was * 1.289 not onely winked at, but also commanded, That every new Priest should have his private whore for his owne tooth; that he might not intermeddle with other mens. Neither was it without reason that Iohn le Maire said, how under the shew and colour of chastity, Priests whoredomes did over∣flow, being men abandoned to all dissolute and riotous living. Now then it were far better to marry than to burne; yet in such sort to marry, that all giddinesse and inconsideration set aside, every one should matcht himselfe according to his degree and age, with great respect and good advisement had unto them both, to the end to avoid those mischiefes and enormities which oftentimes happen, when either by an over-hardy, foolish, and rash presumption, a man would nestle himselfe in an higher nest than his estate and calling requireth, or by a sensuall and fleshly lust passing the bounds of

reason, goeth about to constrain and interrupt the law of nature. The chiefest thing that is required in Marriage, is the consent of parties, as well of themselves that are to be joyned together, as of each of their parents; the contrary whereof is constraint, where either party is forced: as it hapned to those two hundred maids which the Benjamites took by force and vio∣lence to be their wives. * 1.290

This was a reproach to Romulus the first King of Rome, when he ravish∣ed the Sabine virgins that came to see their sports, which was cause of great war betwixt them. Moreover besides the mutuall joint of love which ought to be betwixt man and wife, it is necessary that they that marry do marry in the Lord, to serve him in greater purity, and with lesse distur∣bance; which cannot be if a Christian marry an Infidell, for the great dif∣ficulties and hinderances that usually spring from such a root. Therefore it was straitly forbidden the people of God to contract Marriages with Idolaters; yea, and the holy Patriarchs before any such law was given, had * 1.291 carefully great regard (in the Marriages of their children) to this thing, as the example of Abraham doth sufficiently declare. Therefore they that have any manner of government and authority over unmarried folkes, whe∣ther they be fathers, morthers, kinsmen, or Tutors, ought to have especiall care and regard thereof. Yea, Christian Princes and Lords, or Rulers of Common-wealths, should not in this respect be so supine and negligent in the performance of their Offices, as once to permit and suffer this amongst them, which is so directly contrary to the Word of God; but rather by especiall charge forbid it, to the end that both their Lawes might be con∣formable, and in every respect agreeable to the holy Ordinance of God; and that the way might be stopped to those mischiefes which were likely to arise from such evil concluded Marriages. For what reason is it that a young maid baptised and brought up in the Church of Christ, should be given in marri∣age to a worshipper of Images and Idols; and sent to such a Countrey where the worship of God is not so much as once thought upon? Is not this to plucke a soul out of the House of God, and thrust it into the house of the de∣vill? out of Heaven, into Hell? than which, what greater apostasie or falling from God can there be? whereof all they are guilty, that either make up such Marriages; or give their good will or consent to them, or do not hin∣der the cause and proceedings of them, if any manner of way they can. Now that this confusion and mixture of Religion in Marriages is unplea∣sant and noysom to God, it manifestly appeareth Gen. 6. where it is said, that because the sonnes of God (to wit, those whom God had separated for himselfe from the beginning of the world to be his peculiar ones,) were so evill advised, as to be allured with the beauties of the daughters of men, (to wit, of those which were not chosen of God to be his people; and to marry with them, corrupting themselves by this contagious acquaintance of prophane people, with whom they should have had nothing to do) that therefore God was incensed against them, and resolved simply to revenge the wickednesse of each party without respect. Beside, the monstrous fruits of those prophane Marriages, do sufficiently declare their odiousnesse in Gods sight: for from them arose gyants of strength and stature, exceeding the proportion of men, who by their hugenesse did much wrong and vio∣lence in the world, and gained fearfull and terrible names to themselves: but God (provoked by their oppressions) drowned their tyrannies in the Floud, and made an end of the world for their sakes.

In the time of the Judges in Israel, the Israelites were chastised by the hand of God for this same fault; for they tooke to wives the daughters of the uncircumcised, and gave them their daughters also. In like sort framed * 1.292 they themselves by this meanes to their corrupt manners and superstitions, and to the service of their Idolatrous gods: but the Lord of heaven raigned downe anger upon their heads, and made them subject to a stranger, the King of Mesopotamia, whom they served the space of eight yeares.

Looke what hapned to King Solomon for giving his heart to strange wo∣men * 1.293 that were not of the houshold of Gods people: he that before was re∣plenished with such admirable wisdome, that he was the wonder of the world, was in his olde age deprived thereof, and besotted with a kinde of dulnesse of understanding, and led aside from the true knowledge of God to serve Idols, and to build them Altars and Chappels for their worship; and all this to please forsooth his wives humours, whose acquaintance was the chiefe cause of his misery and Apostasie.

CHAP. XXIV. Touching incestuous Marriages.

NOw as it is unlawfull to contract marriages with parties of contrary religion, so it is as unlawfull to marry those that are neare unto us by any degree of kindred or affini∣ty, as it is inhibited not only by the law of God, but also by civill and politique constitutions: whereunto all na∣tions have ever by the sole instinct of nature agreed and accorded, except the Aegyptians and Persians, whose ab∣hominations were so great, as to take their owne sisters and mothers to be their wives. Cambyses King of Media and Persia, married his owne sister, but it was not long ere he put her to death: a just proofe of an unjust and accursed marriage. Many others there were in protract of time, that in their insatiable lusts shewed themselves no lesse unstaied and unbriedled in their lawlesse affections then he: One of which was Antigonus King of Judea, * 1.294 son of Herodes, sirnamed Great, who blushed not to marry his sister, the late wife of his deceased brother Alexander, by whom she had borne two children: but for this and divers other his good deeds, he lost not only his goods (which were confiscated) but was himselfe also banished out of his countrey into a forraine place, from Judea to Vienna, in France.

Herod also the Tetrarch was so impudent and shamelesse, that he tooke * 1.295 from his brother Philip his wife Herodias, and espoused her unto himselfe: which shamelesse and incestuous deed Iohn Baptist reproving in him, told him plainly how unlawfull it was for him to possesse his brothers wise: but the punishment which befell him for this, and many other his sins, we have heard in the former booke, and need not here to be repeated.

Anton. Caracalla tooke to wife his mother in law, allured thereunto by her faire enticements: whose wretched and miserable end hath already been touched in the former booke.

The Emperour Heraclius, after the decease of his first wife, married his

owne neece the daughter of his brother: which turned mightily to his un∣doing; for besides that, that under his raigne, and as it were by his occasi∣on, the Saracens entred the borders of Christendome, and spoiled and de∣stroyed his dominions under his nose, to his foule and utter disgrace, he was over and above smitten corporally with so grievous and irksome a disease of dropsie, that he dyed thereof.

Thus many men run ryot, by assuming to themselves too much liberty, and breake the bounds of civill honesty required in all Contracts, and too audaciously set themselves against the commandement of God, which ought to be of such authority with all men, that none (be they never so great) should dare to derogate one jot from them, unlesse they meant wholly to op∣pose themselves as profest enemies to God himselfe, and to turne all the good order of things into confusion. All which notwithstanding, some of the Romish Popes have presumed to encroach upon Gods right, and to dis∣anull by their foolish decrees the lawes of the Almighty: As Alexander the sixth did, who by his Bull approved the incestuous marriage of Ferdinand * 1.296 King of Naples with his owne Aunt his father Alphonsus sister by the fathers side: which otherwise (saith Cardinall Bembus) had been against all law and equity, and in no case to be tollerated and borne withall.

Henry the seventh, King of England, after the death of his eldest son Ar∣thur, caused (by the speciall dispensation of Pope Iulius) his next son named Henry, to take to wife his brothers widdow called Katherine, daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine, for the desire he had to have this Spanish affini∣ty continued: who succeeding his father in the Crowne, after continuance of time, began to advise himselfe, and to consult whether this marriage with his brothers wife were lawfull or no; and found it by conference both of holy and prophane lawes utterly unlawfull: whereupon he sent certaine Bi∣shops to the Queene to give her to know, That the Popes dispensation was altogether unjust, and of none effect to priviledge such an act: to whom she answered, That it was too late to call in question the Popes Bull which so long time they had allowed of. The two Cardinals that were in Commissi∣on from the Pope to decide the controversie, and to award judgement upon the matter, were once upon point to conclude the decree which the King de∣sired, had not the Pope impeached their determination in regard of the Emperour Charles, nephew to the said Queene, whom he was loath to dis∣please: wherefore the King seeing himselfe frustrate of his purpose in this behalfe, sent into divers Countries to know the judgement of all the learned Divines concerning the matter in controversie, who (especially those that dwelt not far off) seemed to allow and approve the divorce: Thereupon he resolved (rejecting his olde wife) to take him to a new, and to marrie (as he did) Anne of Bulloine one of the Queenes maides of honour, a woman of most rare and excellent beauty. Now as touching his first marriage with his brothers wife, how unfortunate it was in it owne nature, and how unjust∣ly dispensed withall by the Pope, we shall anon see by those heavy, sorrow∣full, and troublesome events and issues which immediatly followed in the neck thereof.

And first and formest of the evill fare of the Cardinall of Yorke, with whom the King being highly displeased for that at his instance and request, the Pope had opposed himselfe to this marriage, requited him (and not un∣deservedly) on this manner: first he deposed him from the office of the

Chancellorship: secondly, deprived him of two of his three bishoprickes which he held: and lastly, sent him packing to his owne bouse, as one whom he never purposed more to see: yet afterward being advertised of certaine insolent and threatning speeches which he used against him, he sent againe for him: but he not daring to refuse to come at his call, dyed in the way with meere griefe and despight. The Pope gave his definitive sentence against this act, and favoured the cause of the divorced Ladie: but what gained he by it, save only that the King, offended with him, rejected him and all his trumpery, retained his yearely tribute levied out of this Realm, and converted it to another use: and this was the recompence of his good∣ly dispensation with an incestuous marriage: wherein although, to speake truly and properly, he lost nothing of his owne, yet it was a deep check and no shallow losse to him and his successors, to be deprived of so goodly a re∣venue, and so great authority in this Realme, as he then was.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Adulterie.

SEeing that marriage is so holy an institution and ordinance of God, as it hath been shewed to be; it followeth by good right that the corruption thereof, namely Adultery, where∣by the bond of marriage is dissolved, should be forbidden: for the woman that is polluted therewith, despiseth her owne husband, yea and for the most part hateth him, and foisteth in strange seed (even his enemies brats) in stead of his owne, not on∣ly to be fathered, but also to be brought up and maintained by him, and in time to be made inheritors of his possessions: which thing being once knowne, must needes stir up coales to set anger on fire, and set abroach much mischiefe: and albeit that the poore infants are innocent and guiltlesse of the crime, yet doth the punishment and ignominie thereof redound to them, because they cannot be reputed as legitimate, but are even marked with the black coale of bastardy whilest they live: so grievous is the guilt of this sin, and uneasie to be removed. For this cause the very Heathen not on∣ly reproved adultery evermore, but also by authority of law prohibited it, and allotted to death the offenders therein.

Abimelech King of the Philistims, a man without circumcision, and * 1.297 therefore without the covenant, knowing by the light of nature (for hee knew not the law of God) how sacred and inviolable the knot of marriage ought to be, expresly forbad all his people from doing any injury to Isaac in regard of his wife, and from touching her dishonestly upon paine of death. Out of the same fountaine sprang the words of queene Hecuba in Eu∣ripides, speaking to Menelaus touching Helen, when she admonished him to enact this law, That every woman which should betray her husbands cre∣dit, and her owne chastity to another man, should die the death.

In olde time the Aegyptians used to punish adultery on this sort; the * 1.298 man with a thousand jerkes with a reed, and the woman with cutting off her nose; but he that forced a free woman to his lust, had his privy mem∣bers

cut off. By the law of Iulia, adulterers were without difference adjug∣ed to death, insomuch that Iulius Antonius, a man of great parentage and reputation among the Romanes, whose son was nephew to Augustus sister (as Cornelius Tacitus reporteth) was for this crime executed to death. Au∣relianus * 1.299 the Emperour did so hate and detest this vice, that to the end to scare and terrifie his souldiers from the like offence, he punished a souldier which had committed adultery with his hostesse in most severe manner, even by causing him to be tyed by both his feet to two trees bent downe to the earth with force, which being let goe, returning to their course, rent him cruelly in pieces, the one halfe of his body hanging on the one tree, and the other on the other. Yea and at this day amongst the very Turkes and Tarta∣rians, this sin is sharply punished. So that we ought not wonder that the Lord should ordaine death for the Adulterer. If a man (saith the law) lie with another mans wife, if (I say) he commit adultery with his neighbours * 1.300 wife, the Adulterer and the Adulteresse shall die the death. And in ano∣ther place, If a man be found lying with a woman married to a man, they * 1.301 shall die both twaine; to wit, the man that lay with the wife, and the wife, that thou maiest put away evill from Israel. Yea, and before Moses time al∣so, it was a custome to burne the Adulterers with fire, as it appeareth by * 1.302 the sentence of Iuda (one of the twelve Patriarchs) upon Thamar his daugh∣ter in law, because he supposed her to have played the whore. Beside all this, to the end this sin might not be shuffled up and kept close, there was a meanes given, whereby if a man did but suspect his wife for this sin, though she could by no witnesse or proofe be convinced, her wickednesse notwith∣standing most strangely and extraordinarily might be discovered. And it was this: The woman publikely at her husbands suit called in question be∣fore * 1.303 the Priest, who was to give judgement of her after divers ceremonies and circumstances performed, and bitter curses pronounced by him, her belly would burst, and her thigh would rot, if she were guilty, and she should be a curse amongst the people for her sin; but if she was free, no evill would come unto her. Thus it pleased God to make knowne, that the fil∣thinesse of those that are polluted with this sin, should not be hid. This may more clearely appeare by the example of the Levites wife, of whom it is spoken in the 19, 20, and 21. Chapters of Iudges, who having forsaken her husband to play the whore, certaine moneths after he had againe recei∣ved her to be his wife, she was given over against her will to the villanous * 1.304 and monstrous lusts of the most wicked and perverse Gibeonites, that so abused her for the space of a whole night together, that in the morning she was found dead upon the threshold: which thing turned to a great destru∣ction and overthrow in Israel; for the Levite, when he arose, and found his wife newly dead at the dore of his lodging, he cut and dismembred her body into twelve pieces, and sent them into all the countries of Israel, to every tribe one, to give them to understand, how vile and monstrous an injurie was done unto him: whereupon the whole nation assembling and consulting together, when they saw how the Benjamites (in whose tribe this monstrous villany was committed) make no reckoning of seeing punishment executed upon those execrable wretches, they tooke armes against them, and made war upon them; wherein though at the first conflict they lost to the num∣ber of forty thousand men, yet afterward they discomfited and overthrew the Benjamites, and slew of them 25000. rasing and burning downe the

City Gibea (where the sinne was committed) with all the rest of the Ci∣ties of that Tribe, in such sort that there remained alive but six hundred persons, that saved their lives by flying into the desart, and there hid themselves foure moneths, untill such time as the Israelites taking pitty of them, lest they should utterly be brought to nought, gave them to wife (to the end to repeople them againe) foure hundred virgins of the inha∣bitants of Jabes Gilead, reserved out of that flaughter of those people, wherein man, woman, and childe, were put to the sword, for not com∣ming forth to take part with their brethren in that late warre. And foras∣much as yet there remained two hundred of them unprovided for, the An∣tients of Israel gave them liberty to take by force two hundred of the daugh∣ters of their people: which could not be but great injury and vexation unto their parents, to be thus robbed of their daughters, and to see them married at all adventures, without their consent or liking. These were the mischiefes which issued and sprang from that vile and abominable a∣dultery of the wicked Gibeonites with the Levites wife, whose first vo∣luntary sinne was in like manner also most justly punished by this second rape: and this is no new practise of our most just God, to punish one * 1.305 sinne by another, and sinners in the same kinde wherein they have offended.

When King David, after he had overcome the most part of his enemies, * 1.306 and made them tributaries unto him, and injoyed some rest in his king∣dome, whilest his men of war pursuing their victory, destroyed the Am∣monites, and were in besieging Rabba their chiefe City, he was so en∣flamed with the beauty of Bathshabe, Vriahs wife, that he caused her to bee conveyed to him to lye with her: to which sinne he combined another more grievous; to wit, when he saw her with childe by him (to the end to cover his adultery) he caused her husband to be slaine at the siege, by putting him in the Vantgard of the battell at the assault; and then think∣ing himselfe cocksure, married Bathshabe. But all this while, as it was but vaine allurements, no solid joy that fed his minde, and his sleepe was but of sinne, not of safety, wherein he slumbred: so the Lord awakened him right soone by afflictions and crosses, to make him feele the burden of the sinne which he had committed: first therefore the childe (the fruit of this adultery) was striken with sicknesse and dyed: next his daughter Tha∣mar, Absaloms sister, was ravished by Ammon one of his owne sonnes: * 1.307 thirdly Ammon for his incest was slaine by Absalom: and fourthly Absa∣lom (ambitiously aspiring after the kingdome, and conspiring against him) * 1.308 raised war upon him, and defiled his Concubines, and came to a wofull de∣struction. All which things (being grievous crosses to K. David) were infli∣cted by the just hand of God, to chastise and correct him for his good, not to destroy him in his wickednesse: neither did it want the effect in him, for he was so far from swelling and hardening himselfe in his sin, that con∣trariwise he cast downe and humbled himselfe, and craved pardon and for∣givenesse at the hand of God with all his heart, and true repentance: not like to such as grow obstinate in their sinnes and wickednesse, and make themselves beleeve all things are lawfull for them, although they be never so vile and dishonest. This therefore that we have spoken concerning Da∣vid, is not to place him among the number of lewd and wicked livers, but to shew by his chastisements (being a man after Gods owne heart) how

odious and displeasant this sin of Adultery is to the Lord, and what punish∣ment all others are to expect that wallow therein, since he spared not him whom he so much loved and favoured.

CHAP. XXVIII. Other examples like unto the former.

THE history of the ravishment of Helene, registred by so many worthy and excellent Authors, and the great evils that pursued the same, is not to be counted altogether an idle fable, or an invention of pleasure, seeing that it * 1.309 is sure, that upon that occasion great and huge war arose betweene the Graecians and the Trojanes; during the * 1.310 which the whole Countrey was havocked, many Cities and Townes destroyed, much blood shed, and thousands of men discomfit∣ed; among whom the ravisher and adulterer himselfe (to wit Paris, the chiefe mover of all those miserable tragedies) escaped not the edge of the sword; no nor that famous city Troy (which entertained and maintained the adulterers within her walls) went unpunished, but at last was taken and destroyed by fire and sword. In which sacking, olde and gray headed King Pri••m, with all the remnant of his halfe slaine sonnes, were together mur∣dered, his wife and daughters were taken prisoners, and exposed to the mer∣cy of their enemies: his whole kingdome was entirely spoiled, and his house quite defaced, and well nigh all the Trojane Nobility extinguished: and as touching the whore, Helene her selfe (whose disloyalty gave consent to the wicked enterprise of forsaking her husbands house, and following a stranger) she was not exempt from punishment: for as some writers affirm, * 1.311 she was slaine at the sacke: but according to others, she was at that time spared, and entertained againe by Menelaus her husband; but after his death, she was banished in her olde age, and constrained for her last refuge (being both destitute of reliefe and succour, and forsaken of kinsfolkes and friends) to flie to Rhodes, where at length (contrary to her hope) she was put to a shamefull death, even hanging on a tree, which she long time be∣fore deserved.

The injury and dishonour done to Lucrece, the wife of Collatinus, by Sex∣tus * 1.312 Tarquinius, son to Superbus the last King of Rome, was cause of much trouble and disquietnesse in the City and elsewhere: for first she (not able * 1.313 to endure the great injurie and indignity which was done unto her, pushed forward with anger and despite) slew her selfe in the presence of her hus∣band and kinsfolke, notwithstanding all their desires and willingnesse to cleare her from all blame: with whose death the Romanes were so stirred and provoked against Sextus the sonne, and Tarquinius the father, that they rebelled forthwith, and when he should enter the City, shut the gates a∣gainst him, neither would receive or acknowledge him ever after for their King. Whereupon ensued war abroad, and alteration of the state at home••

for after that time Rome endured no more King to beare rule over them, but in their roome created two Consuls to be their governours; which kinde of government continued to Iulius Caesars time. Thus was Tarquinius the father shamefully deposed from his crowne, for the adultery, or rather, rape of his son; and Tarquinius the son slaine by the Sabians, for the rob∣beries and murders which by his fathers advice he committed against them; and he himselfe not long after in the war which by the Tuscane succours he renued against Rome to recover his lost estate, was discomfited with them, * 1.314 and slaine in the middest of the rout.

In the Emperour Valentinianus time, the first of that name, many wo∣men of great account and parentage, were for committing adultery put to death, as testifieth Ammianus Marcellinus.

When Europe, after the horrible wasting and great ruines which it suf∣fered by the furious invasion of Attila, began to take a little breath and * 1.315 finde some ease, behold a new trouble, more hurtfull and pernitious than the former, came upon it, by meanes of the filthy lechery and lust of the Emperour Valentinianus, the third of that name, who by reason of his evill bringing up, and government under his mother Placidia, being too much * 1.316 subject to his owne voluptuousnesse, and tyed to his owne desires, disho∣noured the wife of Petronius Maximus, a Senatour of Rome, by forcing her to his pleasure; an act indeed that cost him his life, and many more be∣side, and that drew after it the finall destruction of the Romane Empire, and the horrible besacking and desolation of the City of Rome: For the Emperour being thus taken and set on fire with the love of this woman, through the excellent beauty wherewith she was endued, endeavoured first to entice her to his lust by faire allurements; and seeing that the bulwarke of her vertuous chastity would not by this meanes be shaken, but that all his pursute was still in vaine, he tryed a new course, and attempted to get her by deceit and policie; which to bring about, one day setting himselfe to play with her husband Maximus, he won of him his Ring, which he no sooner had, but secretly he sent it to his wife in her husbands name, with this commandement, That by that token she should come presently to the Court, to doe her duty to the Empresse Eudoxia: she, seeing her husbands Ring, doubted nothing, but came forthwith, as she was commanded; where, whilest she was entertained by certaine suborned women, whom the Em∣perour had set on, he himselfe commeth in place, and discloseth unto her his whole love, which he said he could no longer represse, but must needes satisfie, if not by faire meanes, at least by force and compulsion, and so he constrained her to his lust. Her husband advertised hereof, intended to * 1.317 revenge this injury upon the Emperour with his owne hand: but seeing he could not execute his purpose, whilest Actius, the Captaine Generall of Valentinianus army lived (a man greatly reverenced and feared for his mighty and famous exploits, atchieved in the wars against the Burgundians, Gothes, and Attila) he found meanes by suggesting a false accusation of treason against him (which made him to be hated and suspected of the Em∣perour) to worke his death. After that Actius was thus traiterously and un∣worthily slaine, the griefe of infinite numbers of people for him, in re∣gard of his great vertues and good service which he had done to the Com∣monwealth, gave Maximus ••it occasion to practise the Emperours de∣struction, and that by this meanes: He set on two of Actius most faithfull

followers, partly by laying before them the unworthy death of their ma∣ster, and partly by presents and rewards, to kill the Emperour; which they performed as hee was sitting on his seat of judgement in the sight of the whole multitude; among whom there was not one found that would op∣pose himselfe to Maximus in his defence, save one of his Eunuchs, who stepping betwixt to save his life, lost his owne: and the amazement of the whole City with this sudden accident was so great, that Maximus ha∣ving revenged himselfe thus upon the Emperour, without much adoe not only seised upon the Empire, but also upon the Empresse Eudoxia, and that against her will, to be his wife (for his owne dyed but a little before:) Now the Empresse, not able to endure so vile an indignity (being above measure passionate with griefe and desire of revenge) conspired his destru∣ction on this manner: She sent secretly into Africa to solicite and request most instantly Gensericus King of the Vandales, by prayers mingled with presents, to come to deliver her and the City of Rome from the cruell ty∣ranny of Maximus, and to revenge the thrice unjust murder of her hus∣band Valentinian; adding moreover, that he was bound to doe no lesse, in consideration of the league of friendship which by oath was confirmed betwixt them. Gensericus well pleased with these newes, laid hold upon the offered occasion, which long time hee had more wished than hoped for, and forthwith (being already tickled with hope of a great and inesti∣mable booty) rigged his ships and made ready his armie by Sea, lanching forth with three hundred thousand men, Vandales and Moores, and with this huge fleete made straight for Rome. Ma∣ximus meane while mistrusting no such matter, especially from those parts, was sore affrighted at the sudden brute of their comming; and not yet understanding the full effect of the matter, perceiving the whole Citty to bee in dismay, and that not only the common people, but also the Nobilitie had for feare forsaken their houses, and fled to the Mountaines or Forrests for safety: hee I say de∣stitute of succour, tooke himselfe also to his heeles, as his surest refuge; but all could not serve to rid him from the just vengeance of God prepared for him, for the murders which hee had beene cause of: for certaine Senatours of Rome, his private and secret foes, * 1.318 finding him alone in the way of his flight, and remembring their olde quarrels, fell upon him suddenly and felled him downe with stones, and af∣ter mangled him in pieces, and threw his body into Tiber. Three dayes after arrived Gensericus with all his forces, and entering Rome, found it naked of all defence, and left to his owne will and discretion: where (al∣beit he professed himselfe to be a Christian) yet he shewed more pride and cruelty, and lesse pitty than either Attila or Allaricus, two heathen Kings: For having given his souldiers the pillage of the City, they not only spoiled all private houses, but also the Temples and Monasteries in most cruell and riotous manner. All the best and beautifullest things of the City they took away, and carried a huge multitude of people prisoners to Affrica, amongst the which was Eudoxia the Empresse (with her two daughters Eudocia and Placidia) who was the cause of all this calamity; but her trechery saved not her self nor them from thraldome. And thus was Rome sacked and destroyed more than ever it was before; insomuch, that the Romane Empire could ne∣ver * 1.319 after recover it selfe, but decayed every day, and grew worse and worse.

These were the calamities which the adultery of Valeutinian brought upon himselfe and many others, to his owne destruction, and the utter ruine of the whole Empire.

Childericke King of France, son to Merouce, for laying siege to the chasti∣ty * 1.320 of many great Ladies of his Realme, the Princes and Barons conspired against him, and drove him to flie for his life.

Eleonor the wife to King Lewis of France (he that first cut through the * 1.321 sea surrowes towards Jerusalem, against the Turkes and Saracens) would needs couragiously follow her husband in that long and dangerous voyage; but how? Marrie, whilest he travailed night and day in perill of his life, she lay at Antioch bathing her selfe in all delights, and that more licenti∣ously than the reputation or duty of a married woman required: wherefore being had in suspition, and evill reported of for her lewd behaviour, it was thought meet that she should be divorced from the King under pretence of consanguinity, to the end she should not altogether be defamed.

The faire daughters of Philip the faire King of France escaped not at so * 1.322 good a rate: for the King as soone as he smelt out the haunt of their uncha∣stity, caused them to be apprehended and imprisoned presently: howbeit one of them (namely, the Countesse of Poictiers) her innocency being knowne, was set at liberty, and the other two (to wit, the Queen of Na∣varre, and the wife of Iohn de le March) being found guilty by proofe, were adjudged to perpetuall imprisonment: and the Adulterers (two brethren of the countrey of Anjou) with whom these Ladies had often lyen, were first cruelly flaine, and after hanged.

Charles, son of the aforesaid Philip the faire, had to wife the daughter of * 1.323 the Earle of Artois, that also offended in the like case, and in recompence received this dishonour and ignominie to be divorced, and put in prison, and to see him married to another before her face.

In the reigne of Charles the sixth there befell a notable and memorable * 1.324 accident, which was this: one Iaques le Gris, of the Countrey of Alanson being enamoured with a Lady no lesse faire than honourable, the wife of the Lord of Carouge, came upon a day when he knew her husband to bee from home, to her house; and faining as if he had some secret message to unfold unto her on her husbands behalfe (for their familiarity was so great) * 1.325 entred with her all alone into a most secret chamber, where as soone as he had gotten her, he locked the doore, and throwing himselfe upon her, forced her unto his lust, and afterward saved himselfe by speedy flight. Her hus∣band at his returne understanding the injury and wrong which was done him by this vile miscreant, sought first to revenge himselfe by justice, and therefore put his cause to be heard by the Parliament of Paris; where be∣ing debated, it could not well be decided, because he wanted witnesses to convince the crime, except his owne wives words, which could not be ac∣cepted: so that the Court, to the end that there might some end be made of their quarrell, ordained a combate betwixt them; which was forthwith performed: for the two duellists entering the lists, fell presently to strokes, and that so eagerly, that in short space the quarrell was decided: the Lord of Carouge, husband of the wronged Lady, remained conquerour, after he had slaine his enemy that had wronged him so wickedly and disloyally: the vanquished was forthwith delivered to the hangman of Paris, who dragged him to mount Falcon, and there hanged him. Now albeit this forme and

custome of deciding controversies hath no ground nor warrant either from humane or divine Law (God having ordained only an Oath to end doubts, where proofes and witnesses faile) yet doubtlesse the Lord used this as an in∣strument to bring the treacherous and cruell Adulterer to the deserved pu∣nishment and shame, which by deniall he thought to escape.

A certaine Seneschall of Normandy perceiving the vicious and suspiti∣ous behaviour of his wife with the Steward of his house, watched them so * 1.326 narrowly, that he tooke them in bed together; he slew the Adulterer first, and after his wife for not all her pittifull cryings for mercy, with innume∣rable teares for this one fault, and holding up in her armes the children which she had borne unto him, no nor her house and parentage, being sister to Lewis the eleventh then King, could not withhold him from killing her with her companion: Howbeit, King Lewis never made shew of anger, or offence for her death.

M••ssel••na, the wife of Claudius the Emperour, was a woman of so notable incontinency, that the would contend with the common harlots in filthy * 1.327 pleasure: at last she fell in love with a faire young Gentleman called Silius, and to obtaine more commodiously her desire, she caused his wife Sillana to be divorced; and notwithstanding she was wife to the Emperour then li∣ving, yet she openly married him; for which cause, after great complaint made to the Emperour by the Nobles, she was worthily put to death.

Abusahed King of Fez was with six of his children murdered at once by his Secretary for his wives sake whom he had abused. And it is not long sithence * 1.328 the two Cities Dalmendine and Delmedine were taken from the King of Fez, and brought u••der the Portugals dominion, only for the ravishment of a woman, whom the Governour violently took from her husband to abuse, and was slain for his labour.

CHAP. XXIX. Other examples like unto the former.

MArie of Arragon, wife to Otho the third, was so unchast and lascious a woman, and withall barren (for they com∣monly * 1.329 goe together) that she could never satisfie her unsatiable lust · she carried about with her continual∣ly a young lecher in womans clothes to attend upon her person, with whom she daily committed filthinesse: who being suspected, was in the presence of many, un∣tyred, and found to be a man; for which villany hee was burnt to death. Howbeit the Empresse, though pardoned for her fault, returned to her old vomit, and continued her wanton traffique with more than either desired or loved her company: at last she fell in love with the County of Mutina, a gallant man in personage, and too honest to be allu∣red with her stale, though he was often solicited by her: wherefore like a Tvgre she accused him to the Emperour (for extreame love converts to ex∣treame hatred if it be crossed of offering to ravish her against her will; for which cause the Emperour Otho caused him to lose his head: but his wife

being privy to the innocency of her husband, traversed his cause, and re∣quired justice, that though his life was lost, yet his reputation might bee preserved: and to prove his innocency, she miraculously handled Iron red with heat without any hurt; which when the Emperour saw, searching out the cause very narrowly he found out his wives villany, and for her paines caused her to be burned at a stake, but on the Earles wife he bestowed great rewards, even foure Castles in recompence of her husband, though no re∣ward could countervaile that so great a losse.

Rodoaldus the eighth King of Lumbardy being taken in Adultery even in the fact, by the husband of the Adulteresse, was slaine without delay. Anno * 1.330 659. In like sort, Iohn Malatesta slew his wife and the Adulterer together, when he tooke them amidst their embracements. So did one Lodowicke, steward of Normandy, kill his wife Carlotta and her lover Iohn Lavernus, as they were in bed together.

Hedion in his Chronicle telleth of a Doctor of the Law that loved his Proctors wife, with whom as he acquainted himselfe over familiarly and un∣honestly, * 1.331 both at her owne house, when her husband was absent, and at a bath in an olde womans house hard by, the Proctor watched their haunt so neere, that he caught them naked together in the bath, and so curried the lecherous Doctor with a curry-combe, that he scraped out his eyes, and cut off his privy members; so that within three dayes after he dyed: his wife he spared, because she was with childe, otherwise she should have tasted the same sauce.

Another storie like unto this he telleth of a Popish Priest, that never left to lay siege to the chastity of an honest Matron, till she condescending to his desire, brought him into the snare, and caused her husband to geld him. I would to God that all that dishonour their profession by filthy acti∣ons might be served after the same manner, that there might be fewer ba∣stards and bauds and common strumpets than there are now adaies, and that since the feare of God is extinguished in their soules, the feare and certain∣ty of sudden judgements might restraine them.

Wolfius Schrenk reported to Martin Luther, how in Vaitland foure mur∣ders were committed upon the occasion of one Adultery; for whilest the Adulteresse strumpet was banqueting with her lovers, her husband came in with a hunting speare in his hand, and struck him through that sat next un∣to her, and then her also; other two in the mean while leapt downe staires with feare and haste, broke their armes and shortly after dyed.

A certaine Cardinall committed daily Adultery with a mans wife, that * 1.332 winked and as it were subscribed unto it: wherefore her brother taking this dishonour to his house in evill part, watched when the lecher had promised to come, but upon occasion came not, and in the darke slew his sister and her husband, supposing it to have been the Cardinall: but when he per∣ceived his errour, he fled the countrey for feare of the Law: Howbeit, be∣fore his departure he wrought such meanes, that whom he missed in his pur∣pose of the sword, him he murdered by poyson. This judgement is not on∣ly for Adulterers, but for Wittals also, that yeeld their consents to the dishonouring of their owne wives; a monstrous kinde of creatures, and de∣generate not only from the law of humanity, but of nature also.

Martin Luther hath left recorded in his writings many examples of judge∣ments on this sin, but especially upon Clergy men, whose profession as it

requireth a more strict kinde of conversation, so their sins and judgements were more notorious, both in their owne natures, and in the eye and opini∣on of the world, some of which, as it is not amisse to insert in this place, so it is not unnecessary to beleeve them, proceeding from the mouth of so wor∣thy a witnesse.

There was (saith he) a man of great authority and learning, that forsa∣king his secular life, betooke himselfe into the Colledge of Priests (whe∣ther * 1.333 of devotion, or of hope of liberty to sin, let them judge that reade this history) this new adopted Priest fell in love with a Masons wife, whom hee so wooed, that he got his pleasure of her; and what fitter time but when Masse was singing did he daily chuse for the performing of his villany? In this haunt he persisted a long season, till the Mason finding him in bed with his wife, did not summon him to law nor penance, but tooke a shorter course and cut his throat.

Another Nobleman in Thuringa being taken in adultery, was murther∣ed after this strange fashion by the Adulteresses husband; he bound him * 1.334 hand and foot and cast him into prison; and to quench his lust, seeing that Ceres, that is, gluttony, is the fewell of Venus, that is, lust, denied him all manner of sustenance, and the more to augment his paine, set hot dishes of meate before him, that the smell and sight thereof might more provoke his appetite, and the want thereof torment him more. In this torture the wretched lecher abode so long, untill he gnew off the flesh from his owne shoulders, and the eleventh day of his imprisonment ended his life. His punishment was most horrible, and too too severe in respect of the infli∣cter, yet most just in respect of God, whose custome is to proportion his judgements to the quality of the sin that is committed. Luther affirmeth this to have hapned in his childhood, and that both the parties were known unto him by name, which for honor and charity sake he would not discose.

There was another nobleman that so delighted in lust, and was so inor∣dinate in his desires, that he shamed not to say, that if his life of pleasure, * 1.335 and passing from harlot to harlot might endure ever, he would not care for heaven or life eternall. What cursed madnesse and impiety is this? a man to be so forgetfull of his Maker and himselfe, that he preferred his whores before his Saviour, and his filthy pleasure before the grace of God? Doth it not deserve to be punished with Scorpions? Yes verily, as it was indeed; for the polluted wretch dyed amongst his strumpets, being strucken with a sudden stroke of Gods vengeance.

In the yeare 1505. a certaine Bishop well seen in all learning and elo∣quence, and especially skilfull in languages, was notwithstanding so filthy in his conversation, that he shamed not to defile his body and name with many adulteries: but at length he was slaine by a Cobler, whose wife hee had often corrupted, being taken in bed with her, and so received a due re∣ward of his filthinesse.

In the yeare of our Lord 778. Kenulphus King of the West Saxons in Britaine, as he usually haunted the company of a certaine harlot which hee * 1.336 kept at Merton, was slaine by one Clito the kinsmun of Sigebert that was late King.

Sergus a King of Scotland was so foule a drunkard and glutton, and so outragiously given to harlots, that he neglected his owne wife, and drove * 1.337 her to such penury, that she was faine to serve other noble-women for her

living; wherefore she murthered him in his bed, and after slew her selfe also.

Arichbertus eldest son unto Lotharius King of France, dyed even as hee was embracing his whores.

In summe to conclude this matter, our English Chronicles report, that in the yeare of our Lord 349, there was so great a plenty of corne and fruit in Britaine, that the like had not been seene many yeares before: but this was the cause of much idlenesse, gluttony, lechery, and other vices in the land: (For usually case and prosperity are the nurses of all enormity:) but the Lord requited this their riotous and incontinent life with so great a pe∣stilence and mortality, that the living scantly sufficed to bury the dead.

Petrarch maketh mention of a certaine Cardinall, that though hee was * 1.338 seventy yeares old, yet every night, would have a fresh whore, and to this end had certaine bauds purveyours and providers of his trash: but he dyed a miserable and wretched death. And Martin Luther reported, that a bishop being a common frequenter of the stewes in Hidelberg, came to this mist∣rable end; the boards of the chamber whither he used to enter went loosen∣ed, that as soone as he came in he slipped through and broke his neck.

But above all, that which we finde written in the second booke of Fince∣lius * 1.339 is most strange and wonderfull, of a priest in Albenthewer, a towne neare adjoyning to Gaunt in Flanders, that perswaded a young maid to re∣ject and disobey all her parents godly admonitions, and to become his con∣cubine: when she objected how vile a sin it was, and how contrary to the Law of God, he told her, that by the authority of the Pope, he could dis∣pence with any wickednesse, were it never so great, and further alledged the discommodities of marriage, and the pleasure that would arise from that kinde of life: in fine, he conquered her vertuous purpose, and made her yeeld unto his filthy lust. But when they had thus pampered their desires together a while, in came the devill, and would needs conclude the play: for as they were banquetting with many such like companions, he tooke her away from the Priests side, and notwithstanding her pittifull crying and all their exorcising and conjuring, carried her quite away, telling the Priest that very shortly he would, fetch him also, for he was his owne darling.

I may not here passe over in silence an Irish history, famous both for * 1.340 notorious villany, and excellent in justice; wherein we may see by the adultery of one filthy Fryer occasion given not only of much bloodshed, but of the ruine of a famous City, called Rosse, scituate in Leinster. This City being first an unwalled towne, was (to prevent the sudden invasion of the Irish) compassed about with a large and strong wall, by the advice and charges of one Rose, a chaste widdow and bountifull Gentlewoman: This Rose had issue three sons, who being bolstered out by their mothers wealth and their owne traffique, made divers prosperous voyages into far coun∣tries: but as one of the three chapmen was employed in his traffique abroad, so the pretty poppet his wise began to play the harlot at home, and that with none but a fat religious cloysterer of the towne: they wallowed so long in this stinking puddle, that suspition began to creepe into mens braines, and from suspition the matter was so apparent, that it grew to plaine proofe: her unfortunate husband was no sooner come home, but notice hereof was blowne in his eares, so that with griefe and anger he grew (for such is the nature of jealous••e) almost starke mad; and not only he, but

the whole towne took themselves as extreamely wronged by this shamefull fact: whereupon divers of them conspiring together, agreed (as being a deed of charity) to grub away such wilde shrubs from the towne, and so flocking together in the dead of the night to the Abbey, wherein this Fryet was cloystered (the monument of which Abbey is yet to be seen at Rosse on the South side) they undersparred the gates, and breaking open the doores, stabbed the Adulterer, with the rest of the Covent, through with their weapons; where they left them goaring in their blood, and gasping up their ghosts in their couches: a cruell act, I must needs confesse, in the ex∣ecutioners; who being carried away with private revenge, had no measure in their cruelty; but yet a just vengeance upon the executed, that harboured and maintained so wretched a person: but secret and deep are the judge∣ments of God, who punisheth one sin with another, and maketh one wicked man a rod to plague another, and after casteth the rod also into the fire: for so did he here; stirring up the rest of the Clergy to be a meanes to punish this cruelty: for when as these three brethren not long after sped them∣selves into some far countrey to continue their trade, the religious men be∣ing informed of their returne homeward, every night did not misse to set a lantorne on the top of a high rock (which was used to be set upon the Hulk tower, a notable marke for Pilots, in directing them which way to sterne their Ships, and to eschew the danger of the rockes, which are there very plentifull) and so by this practise these three passengers bearing saile with a good winde, made right upon the lantorne, supposing it had been the Hulk tower, and so ere they were aware their Ship was dasht upon the rockes, and all the passengers over-whirled in the Sea. And thus was Adultery pu∣nished with cruelty, and cruelty with treason: but see the end; upon this there grew so great quarrels and discontentments between the townesmen and the religious, the one cursing the other, that the estate of that flourish∣ing towne was turned upside downe, and from abundance of prosperity, quite exchanged to extreame penury.

CHAP. XXX. More examples of the same argument.

I Cannot passe over in silence a history truly tragicall, touching the death of many men, who by reason of an Adultery slew one another in most strange and cruell manner, and indeed so strangely, that (as far as I ever read or knew) there was never the like particular deed heard of, wherein God more evidently poured forth the streame of his displeasure, turning the courage and valour of each part into rage and fury, to the end that by their owne meanes he might be revenged on them. In the Dukedome of Spaleto, which is the way from Ancona to Rome (of the antient Latines called Umbria) there were three brethren, who kept in their possession three Cities of the said Dukedome, namely Faligno, Nocera, and Trevio: the eldest of whom, whose sirname was Nicholas, as he passed from one town

to the other, being at Nocera, lodged divers times in the Castle in the keep∣ers and Captaines house, whom he had there substituted to defend the place with an ordinary band of souldiers. Now as he made his abode there a few dayes, he grew to cast a more lascivious eye upon the Captaines wife than was meet, and from looking fell to lusting after her; in such sort, that in short space he got very privy and familiar acquaintance with her, and often∣times secret and suspitious meetings: which being perceived by her hus∣band, he after watched so narrowly their haunts, that once he spyed them together without being seen of them: neverthelesse, digesting and swallow∣ing up this sorrow with silence, and without giving forth any tokens there∣of, he consulted in himselfe to revenge the injury by the death and rasing out, not only of the Adulterer, but also of the whole race and fraternity. Now when he had hampered this enterprise, and layed forth the plot there∣of in his head, he dispatched presently a messenger to the three Gentlemen brethren, to invite them against the next day to the hunting of the fairest wilde Bore that was this many a day seen in the forrests of Nocera. Seigni∣or Nicholas failed not to come at the time appointed, accompanied with Duke Camerino, who desired to be one of this jolly crue: they supped in the towne, but lodged in the castle, where being at rest, about midnight the Captaine rushed into his chamber with the greatest part of his guard, and there handled Seignior Nicholas on this manner; he first cut off his privy members, as being principall in the offence, then thrust him through on both sides with a speare, next pluckt out his heart, and lastly, tore the rest of his body into a thousand pieces. As for the Duke Camerino, he shut him up in a deep and dark dungeon with all the strangers of his retinue. At day breake another of the brethren called Caesar, that lay that night in the town, was sent for to come and speake with his brother, and as soone as he was en∣tered into the Court of the Castle, seven or eight of the guard bound him and his followers, and carried him into the chamber where his dead brother lay chopt as small as flesh to the pot, and there murdered him also. Conrade the third brother, being by reason of a Marriage absent from this feast, when he received the report of these pittifull news, gathered together a band of men from all quarters, and with them (assisted with the friends and allies of the Duke Camerino then prisoner) layed siege to the Castle, they battered the walls, made a breach, and gave the assault of enterance, and were man∣fully resisted five houres long, till the defendants being but thirty or forty men at the most, not able to stand any longer in defence, were forced to re∣tire and lay open way of enterance to the enemy: then began a most horri∣ble butchery of men; for Conrade, having woon the fort, first hewed them in pieces that stood in resistance, then finding the Captaines father, slew him, and cast him piece-meale to the dogs; some he tyed to the tailes of wilde horses, to be drawne over hedges, ditches, thornes, and bryers; others he pinched with hot Irons, and so burnt them to death: which when the Captaine from the top of the dungeon where he had saved himselfe, beheld, he tooke his wife whom he held there prisoner, and binding her hand and foot, threw her headlong from the top of the tower upon the pavement: which the souldiers perceiving, put fire to the tower, so that he was con∣strained through heat and smoke (himselfe, his brother, and his little child) to sally downe the same way which he had taught his wife a little before to goe, and so all three broke their necks: their carkasses were cast out to bee

meat for Wolves, as unworthy of humane sepulture. And this was the ca∣tastrophe of that wofull tragedy, where by the occasion of one Adultery (so heavy is the curse of God upon that sin) a number of men came to their ends.

In the histories of our time we finde recorded a fearefull story of many murders springing from one Adultery, together with the hand of God up∣on the Adulterers themselves; the story is this: an Advocate of Grasse in Provence, called Tolonio, that having the managing of the affaires of the Seignior of Chabrye, and by that meanes familiar accesse to him and his Lady, by this familiarity allured the Lady, who was then forty yeares old, and had foure children, to his filthy lust: and being plunged into this gulfe, Satan did thrust them headlong into others: for first they practised and performed the massacre of her husband, walking in his Warren, by two murderers suborned to that end: and secondly, when her eldest sonne seemed to dislike her wicked behaviour with the Advocate, they also wrought his death, by loosing certaine boords in a gallery, where he used ordinarily to walk, so that as soone as he set his foot on these disjoynted boords, he fell downe headlong, and had his braines beaten out. And third∣ly, when her younger son shewed his discontent to their brutish conversa∣tion, yet nothing misdoubted them to be guilty of the former parricides, these wicked wretches resolved to prevent him also, lest he should interrupt their resolved filthinesse. Wherefore they hired a murderer to make him away; who watching his opportunity, thrust him headlong downe a steep rock, so that he was at the bottome sooner slaine then he felt the murderer. After all this, these two miserable wretches, finding that they were obser∣ved by all men, and noted, did practise to marry together: but there was one betwixt them, namely the Advocates wife; wherefore they conspired her death to make up the messe, and indeed the villanous lecher, her hus∣band, lying one night by her, strangled her with a napkin; and then cryed out with a loud voice for help, pretending that a catarre had suffocated her in her sleep. But for all his cunning, the father of his wife mistrusted her death to be violent, and caused him to be strictly examined upon the same; who presently by silence bewrayed his guilty conscience, and after without torture confessed both his fact, and all the murders before mentioned: for which he was condemned to be quartered alive in the market place of Grasse, where he dwelled, and where his murders were committed. As for that cruell Lady his associate, because she could not be found, being fled the countrey, she was condemned by contempt, and executed in picture. But though she escaped the hand of justice among men, yet the hand of God pursued her: for flying to Genoa, she was first robbed by a servant of all she had, and after being constrained to serve an olde widdow, and to teach her daughters, being tormented with the sting of her owne conscience, with∣in short space dyed in great misery.

In the time of Pope Stephen the eighth, there was a varlet Priest that was Chaplaine in the house of a Marquesse of Italie, who although he was very * 1.341 mishapen and evill favoured, yet was entertained of the Lady Marquesse his mistresse to her bed, and made her paramour: upon a night as he was going to lie with her according to his wont (his Lord being from home) behold a dog barked so fiercely, leaping and biting at him, that all the ser∣vants of the house being awaked ran thitherward, and finding this gallant in

the snare, took him, and for all his bauld crowne stripped him naked, and cut off cleane his privy and adulterous parts: and thus was this lecherous Priest served.

Pope Iohn the thirteenth, a man as of wicked conversation in all things▪ * 1.342 so especially abominable in whoredomes and adultery, which good condi∣tions whilest he pursued, he was one day taken tardy in the plain fields, whi∣ther he went to disport himselfe; for he was found in the act of adultery, and slaine forthwith: and these are the godly fruits of those single life-lo∣vers, to whom the use of marriage is counted unlawfull, and therefore for∣bidden, but Adultery not once prohibited nor disallowed.

CHAP. XXXI. Of such as are divorced without cause:

BY these and such like judgements, it pleaseth God to make knowne unto men how much he desireth to have the estate of marriage maintained and preserved in the integrity, and how much every one ought to take heed how to deprave or corrupt the same: now then to proceed. If it be a sin to take away, ravish, or intice to folly another mans wife, shall we not thinke it an equall sin for a husband to forsake his wife, and cast her off to take another, she having not disanulled and cancelled the bond of marriage by adultery? Yes verily; for as concerning the permis∣sion of divorce to the Israelites under the law, our Saviour himselfe ex∣poundeth the meaning and intent thereof in the Gospell, to be nothing else * 1.343 but a toleration for the hardnesse and stubbornnesse of their hearts, and not a constitution from the beginning; upon which occasion speaking of mar∣riage, and declaring the right and strength of the same; he saith, That who∣soever putteth away his wife, except it be for adultery, and marrieth ano∣ther, committeth adultery; and he that marrieth her that is put away, committeth adultery also. All which notwithstanding the great men of this world let loose themselves to this sin too licentiously, as it appeareth by many examples: as of Antiochus Theos, son of Antiochus Soter, King of Syria, who to the end to goe with Ptolomie Philadelphus, King of Aegypt, and marrie his daughter Bernice, cast off his wife Laodicea, that had borne him children, and tooke Bernice to be his wife: but ere long he rejected her also, and betrayed her to her enemies (namely his son Callinicus) who slew her with one of her sons, and all that belonged unto her: and then he tooke a∣gaine his old wife, for which cause Ptolemie Euergetes (son to Philadelphus) renewed war upon him.

Herod the Tetrarch was so bewitched with the love of Herodias his bro∣ther * 1.344 Philips wife, that, to the end he might enjoy her, he disclaimed his law∣full wife, and sent her home to her father King Aretas; who being touch∣ed and netled with this indignity and disgrace, sought to revenge himselfe by armes: and indeed made so hot war upon him, and charged his army so furiously, that it was discomfited by him: after which shamefull losse, he was by the Emperour Caligula's commandement banished to Lions, there to end the residue of his daies.

Among the Romanes Marcus Antonius was noted for the most dissolute and impudent in this case of divorce, for albeit that in the beginning of his * 1.345 triumvirship he forsooke his first wife to marry Octavius his sister, yet hee proceeded further, not content herewith, but must needs forsake her also, to be with Cleopatra the Queen of Aegypt, from whence sprung out many great evils, which at length fell upon his owne head, to his finall ruine and de∣struction: for when he saw himselfe in such straits, that no meanes could be found to resist Octavius, be sheathed with his owne hands his sword into his bowels, when all his servants being requested, refused to performe the same; and being thus wounded, he fell upon a little bed, intreating those that were present, to make an end of his daies; but they all fled and left him in the chamber crying and tormenting himselfe, untill such time that he was con∣veighed to the monument wherein Cleopatra was inclosed, that he might die there. Cleopatra seeing this pittifull spectacle, all amased let downe chaines and cords from the high window, and with the help of her two maids drew him up into the monument, uniting their forces, and doing what they could to get his poore carkasse, though by a shamefull and undecent manner, for the gate was locked and might not be opened; and it was a lamentable sight to see his poore body all besmeared with blood, and breathing now his last blast (for he dyed as soone as he came to the top) to be drawne up on that cruell fashion. As for Cleopatra, who by her flattering allurements ravish∣ed the heart of this miserable man, and was cause of his second divorce, shee played her true part also in this wofull tragedy, and as she partaked of the sin, so she did of the punishment: For after she saw her selfe past hope of help, and her sweet-heart dead, she beat her owne breasts, and tormented her selfe so much with sorrow, that her bosome was bruised, and halfe murder∣ed with her blowes, and her body in many places exulcerate with inflamati∣ons: she pulled off her haire, rent her face with her nailes, and altogether infrensied with griefe, melancholie, and distresse, was found fresh dead, with her two maids lying at her f••••t: and this was the miserable end of those two, who for enjoying of a few foolish and cursed pleasures together, recei∣ved in exchange infinite torments and vexations; and at length, unhappy deaths together in one and the same place: verifying the olde proverbe, For one pleasure a thousand dolours.

Charles the eighth, King of France, after he had been long time married to the daughter of the King of the Romanes, sister to the Archduke of Au∣stria, * 1.346 was so evill advised as to returne her home againe upon no other occa∣sion but to marrie the Dutchesse of Britaine, the sole heire to her fathers Dukedome: wherein he doubly injured his father in law the Romane King; for he did not only reject his daughter, but also deprived him of his wife the Dutchesse of Britaine, whom by his substitute (according to the man∣ner of great Princes) he had first espoused. Bembus in his Venetian history * 1.347 handling this story, somewhat mollifieth the fault, when he saith that the Romane Kings daughter was never touched by King Charles in the way of marriage all the while she was there, by reason of her unripe and over∣young yeares. After a while, after this new married King had given a hot alarme to all Italy, and conquered the Realme of Naples; as the Venetians were deliberating to take the matter in hand of themselves, and to resist him, Maximilian the Romane King solicited them in the same, and thrust them forward, as well that he might confederate himselfe with the Duke of

Milan, as that he might revenge the injury touching his repelled daughter: so that by this meanes the French K. was fore troubled at his returne, having to withstand him all the Venetian forces, with the most part of the Poten∣tates of Italie: notwithstanding he broke through them all, after he had put the Venetians to the worst: but being returned after this victorious and * 1.348 triumphant voyage, it happened that one day as he led the Queen to the Castle of Amboise, to see some some sport at Tenise, he stroke his fore∣head against the upper door-poste of the gallery, as he went in, that he fell presently to the ground speechlesse, and died incontinently in the place, * 1.349 from whence (though the filthiest and sluttishest place about the Castle) they removed not his body, but laid it on a bed of straw to the view of the world from two of the clocke in the afternoon till eleven at midnight, and this good successe followed at last his so much desired divorce.

CHAP. XXVII. Of those that either cause or authorise unlawfull Divorcements.

ALthough the Commandment of our Saviour Christ be very plain and manifest, That man should not sepa∣rate * 1.350 those whom God hath joyned together, yet there are some so void of understanding and judgement, that they make no conscience to dissolve those that by the bond of marriage are united: Of which number was Sampsons father in Law, who took his daughter, first * 1.351 given in marriage to Sampson, and gave her to another; without any other reason, save that he suspected that Sampson loved her not. But what got he by it? Marry this; the Philistims provoked against him, consumed him and his daughter with fire, because that by the meanes of his injury Samp∣son had burned their corne, their vineyards and their olive-trees.

After the same sort dealt Saul with David, when he gave him his daugh∣ter * 1.352 Michol to Wife, and afterward in despight and hatred of him took her away again, and bestowed her upon another: wherein, as in many other things, he shewed himselfe a wicked and prophane man, and was worthily punished therefore, as hath been before declared.

Hugh Spencer, one of King Edward of Englands chiefest favourites, in∣somuch * 1.353 that his ear and heart was at his pleasure, was he that first persua∣ded the King to forsake and repudiate the Queen his Wife (daughter to Philip the Faire, King of France) upon no other occasion, but onely to satis∣fie his owne appetite, and the better to follow his delights: And thus by this meanes she was chased out of England, and driven to retire to King Charles her brother; where hoping to finde rest and refuge, she was de∣ceived: for what by the crafts and practises of the English, and what by the Popes authority (who thrust himselfe into this action, as his custom is) she was constrained to dislodge her selfe, and to change her countrey very speedily: wherefore from thence she went to crave succour of the Coun∣ty of Henault, who furnished her with certain forces, and sent her towards

England: where being arrived, and finding the people generally at her command, and ready to do her service, she set upon her enemy Hugh Spen∣cer, took him prisoner, and put him to a shamefull death, as he well de∣served: for he was also the causer of the deaths of many of the Nobles of the Realme: therefore he was drawne through the streets of Hereford up∣on an hurdle, and after his privie members, his heart, and head, were cut off, his four quarters were exalted in four severall places, to the view of the world.

Now if these be found guilty, that either directly make, or indirectly * 1.354 procure divorcements, shall we accuse them that allow and authorize the same, without lawfull and just occasion? No verily, no though they be Popes that take it upon them: as we reade Pope Alexander the sixth did, who for the advancement of his haughty desires, to gratifie and flatter, Lewis the twelfth, King of France, sent him by his son a dispensation to put away his Wife, daughter to King Lewis the eleventh, because she was barren and counterfeit, and to recontract Anne of Bretaigne, the widow of Charles the eighth lately deceased. But herein, though barrennesse of the former was pretended, yet the Duchie of the later was aimed at, which before this time he could never attain unto. But of what force and vertue this dispensation by right was, or at least ought to be, it is easie to perceive, seeing it is not onely contrary to the words of the Gospel, Matth. 19. but also to their owne decrees, secund. part. quest. 7. Hi qui matrimonium: where in is im∣ported, that marriage ought not to be infringed for any default or imper∣fection, no not of nature. But Popes may maim and clip both the Word of God and all other writings, and do what soever themselves liketh, be it good or bad.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Incestuous persons.

ALthough Incest be a wicked and abominable sin, and forbidden both by the Law of God and man, in so much that the very heathen held it in detestation, yet are there some so inordinately vicious and dissolute, that they blush not once to pollute themselves with this filthinesse, Reuben the Patriarch was one of this * 1.355 vile crue, that shamed not to defile himselfe with Bil∣ha his fathers concubine; but he was cursed for his la∣bour: for whereas by right of eldership and birth he ought to have had a certain prerogative and authority over his brethren, his excellency shed it selfe * 1.356 like water, and he was surpassed by his brethren both in encrease of progeny and renowne. Ammon one of King Davids sonnes was so strongly * 1.357 enchanted with the love of his sister Thamar, that to the end to fulfill his lust, he traiterously forced her to his will: but Absalom her naturall brother (hunting for opportunity of revenge for this indignity towards his sister) * 1.358 invited him two yeares after to a banquet with his other brethren, and after the same, caused his men to murder him for a farewell.

The same Absalom that slew Amnon for Incest with his sister, commit∣ted himselfe incest with his fathers concubines, moved thereto by the wic∣ked * 1.359 counsell of Achitophel, that advised him to that infamous deed of defi∣ling his fathers bed: but it was the forerunner of his overthrow, as we have already heard.

Divers of the Roman Empetours were so villanous and wretched, as to * 1.360 make no bones of this sin with their owne sisters, as Caligula, Antonius, and Commodus: and some with their mothers, as Nero, so much was he given over and transported to all licentiousnesse.

Plutarch telleth us of one Cyanippus, that being overcome with wine, de∣floured * 1.361 his owne daughter Cyane, but he was slain of her for his labour. Neither do I thinke it so unnaturall a part for her to kill her father, as in him to commit incest with his owne daughter: for the Oracle lessened, or rather approved her fault, when it abhorred and chastened his crime: for when Syracusa was grievously infected with the pestilence, it was pro∣nounced by the Oracle, That the plague should continue till the wicked person was sacrificed: which dark speech when no man knew, Cyane haled her father by the head to the Altar; telling them, that he was that wicked per∣son pointed at by the Oracle, and there sacrificed him with her owne hands, killing her selfe also with the same knife, that her innocency might be wit∣nessed even by her bloud. Thus it pleased God even among the idola∣trous heathen, to execute justice and judgement upon the earth, though by the meanes of the devill himselfe, who is the authour of all such villany.

Valeria Thusculana was in love with her owne father, and under colour of another maid got to lie with him: which as soon as he understood, he slew * 1.362 himselfe in detestation of his owne ignorant abhomination and wicked∣nesse: nay, so monstrous and horrible is this sin, even in the sight of man, that Nausimenes (a woman of Athens) taking her owne son and daughter toge∣ther, * 1.363 was so amazed and grieved therewith, that she never spake word after that time, but remained dumbe all the rest of her life time: as for the in∣cestors themselves, they lived not, but became murderers of their owne lives.

Papyrius a Roman, got with childe his owne sister Canusia: which when their father understood, he sent each of them a sword, wherewith they slew themselves.

But above all, the vengeance of God is most apparent in the punishment * 1.364 of Heraclius the Emperour, who to his notorious wickednesses, heresies, persecutions, and paganisme, he added this villany, to defile carnally his * 1.365 owne sister; so to his notorious punishments (the Sarasins sword, dropsie, and the ruine of the Empire) the Lord added this infamous and cruell judgement, that he could not give passage to his urine, but it would flie into his face, had not a pentise been applied to his belly to beat it downeward. And this last plague was proper to his last sin; wherein the very member which he had abused, sought revenge of him that had abused it; for that he had confounded nature, and most wickedly sinned against his owne flesh.

Agathias writing of the manners of the Persians, reporteth, That cer∣tain * 1.366 Philosophers comming out of Aegypt into Greece, where they had seen all manner of unnaturall mixtures, found the carkase of a man with∣out sepulchre; which when in charity they buried, the next day it was found unburied again: and as they went about to bury it the second time, a spirit appeared unto them, and forbad them to do it; saying, that it was unwor∣thy

that honour, seeing that when it lived he had committed incest with his owne mother. A notable story, shewing that the very earth abhorreth this monstrous confusion of nature: the truth whereof let it lie upon the Au∣thors credit.

Most abominable was the incest of Artaxerxes King of Persia; for first he tooke to himselfe Aspasia his brother Cyrus concubine, having overcome * 1.367 him in war; and afterward gave the same Aspasia to his owne son Darius to wife; from whom, after carnall knowledge, he tooke her againe, commit∣ting incest upon incest, and that most unnaturally: but mark how the Lord punished all this; first, Darius his eldest son was put to death for treason; then Othus (succeeding in the inheritance) slew Arsame another of his bre∣thren; and albeit Artaxerxes himselfe dyed without note of judgement, yet his seed after him was punished for his offence; for so miserable a calamity pursued them all, that in the second generation not one was left to sit upon his throne.

Now to teach us how execrable and monstrous this kinde of sin is, and how much to be abhorred of all men, the example of a bruit beast may stand in stead of a lesson for us; it being so worthy of remembrance, that I thought meet to make rehearsall of it in this place. It is reported by Varro * 1.368 a learned and grave Writer (whom S. Augustine often commendeth in his * 1.369 booke de Civitate Dei) of a certaine horse which by no meanes could bee brought to cover a mare that was his damme, untill by hiding her head they beguiled his sences: but after when he perceived their guile, and knew his damme being uncovered, he ran so furiously upon the keeper with his teeth, that incontinently he tore him in pieces. Truly a miraculous thing, and no doubt divinely caused, to reprove the enormous and too unruly lusts of men.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of effeminate persons, Sodomites, and other such like Monsters.

SArdanapalus King of Assyria was so lascivious and effemi∣nate, that to the end to set forth his beauty, he shamed not to * 1.370 paint his face with ointments, and to attire his body with the habits and Ornaments of women, and on that manner * 1.371 to sit and lie continually among whores, and with them to commit all manner of filthinesse and villany: wherefore be∣ing thought unworthy to beare rule over men, first Arbaces his lieutenant rebelled; then the Medes and Baby lonians revolted, and joyntly made war upon him, till they vanquished and put him to flight: and in his flight hee returned to a tower in his palace, which (moved with griefe and despaire) he set on fire, and was consumed therein.

Such like was the impudent lasciviousnesse of two unworthy Emperors, Commodus and Heliogabolus, who laying aside all Imperiall gravity, shewed * 1.372 themselves oftentimes publikely in womans attire; an act as in nature monstrous, so very dishonest and ignominious: but like as these cursed monsters ran too much out of frame in their unbridled lusts and affections,

so there wanted not many that hastened and emboldened themselves to con∣spire their destruction, as unworthy in their judgements to enjoy the bene∣fit of this light: wherefore to one of them poison was ministred, and when that would take no effect, strangling came in the roome thereof, and brought him to his end▪ the other was slaine in a jakes where he hid himselfe, and his body (drawne like carrion through the streetes) found no better sepul∣chre then the dunghill.

Touching those abominable wretches of Sodome and Gomorrah which * 1.373 gave themselves over with all violence, and without all shame and measure, to their infamous lusts, polluting their bodies with unnaturall sins, God sent upon them an unnaturall raine, not of water, but of fire and brimstone, to burne and consume them, that were so hot and fervent in their cursed vices: so that they were quite rooted and raked out of the earth, and their Cities and habitations destroyed, yea and the very soile that bore them, made desolate and fruitlesse; and all this by fire, whose smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace: yea and in signe of a further curse for to be a wit∣nesse and a marke of this terrible judgement, the earth and face of that coun∣trey continueth still parched and withered: and (as Iosephus saith) whereas before it was a most plentifull and fertile soile, and as it were an earthly pa∣radise, bedecked with five gallant Cities; now it lyeth desart, unhabitable, and barren, yeelding fruit in shew, but such as being touched, turneth to cinders. In a word, the wrath of God is so notoriously and fearefully ma∣nifested therein, that when the holy Ghost would strike a terrour into the most wicked, he threateneth them with this like punishment, saying:

The Lord will raine upon each wicked one, * 1.374 Fire, snares, and brimstone, for their portion.

Howbeit this maketh not but that still there are too many such monsters in the World, so mightily is it corrupted and depraved: neither is it any marvell, seeing that divers Bishops of Rome, that take upon them to be Christs Vicars, and Peters successours, are infected with this filthy conta∣gion: As namely, Pope Iulius the third, whose custome was to promote none to Ecclesiasticall livings save only his buggerers: Amongst whom was one Innocent, whom this holy father (contrary to the Suffrages of the whole Colledge) would needs make Cardinall: nay, the unsatiable and monstrous lust of this beastly and stinking goat was so extraordinary, that he could not abstaine from many Cardinals themselves. Iohn de la Casae, a Florentine by birth, and by office Archbishop of Benevento, and Deane of his Apostati∣call chamber, was his Legat and Intelligencer in all the Venetian Seignio∣ries▪ a man equall, or rather worse then himselfe; and such a one, as whose memory ought to be accursed of all posterity, for that detestable booke which he composed in commendation and praise of Sodomie; and was so shamelesse, nay rather possessed with some devillish and uncleane spirit, as to divulgate it to the view of the world. Here you may see (poore soules) the holinesse of those whom you so much reverence, and upon whom you build your beliefe and religion: you see their brave and excellent vertues, and of what esteeme their lawes and ordinances ought to be amongst you. Now touching the end that this holy father made, it is declared in the for∣mer booke among the ranke of Atheists, where we placed him. And albeit

that he and such like villaines please their owne humours with their abo∣minations, and approve and cleare themselves therein, yet are they reward∣ed by death, not only by the law of God, but also by the law of Iulia. * 1.375

When Charlemaigne reigned in France, there happened a most notable judgement of God upon the Monkes of S. Martin in Tours, for their disor∣dinate lusts: they were men whose food was too much and dainty, whose case was too easie, and whose pleasures were too immoderate, being altoge∣ther addicted to pastimes and merriments: in their apparell they went clad in silke like great Lords; and (as Nichol. Gill. in his first Volume of * 1.376 French Chronicles saith) their shooes were gilt over with Gold, so great was the super fluity of their riches and pride: in summe, their whole life was luxurious and infamous: for which cause there came forth a destroy∣ing Angel from the Lord (by the report of Budes the Abbot of Clugnie) and slew them all in one night, as the first born of Aegypt were slaine, save one only person that was preserved, as Lot in Sodome was preserved. This strange accident moved Charlemaigne to appoint a brotherhood of Canons to be in their roome, though little better, and as little profitable to their Commonwealth as the former.

It is not for nothing that the law of God forbiddeth to lie with a beast, and denounceth death against them that commit this foule sin: for there have been such monsters in the world at some times, as we reade in Calius * 1.377 and Volaterranus, of one Crathes a shepheard, that accompanied carnally * 1.378 with a shee Goat; but the Buck finding him sleeping, offended and provo∣ked with this strange action, ran at him so furiously with his hornes, that he left him dead upon the ground. God that opened an Asses mouth to re∣prove the madnesse of the false Prophet Balaam, and sent Lions to kill the strange inhabitants of Samaria, employed also this Buck about his service in executing just vengeance upon a wicked varlet.

CHAP. XXXV. Of the wonderfull evill that ariseth from this greedinesse of lust.

IT is to good reason, that Scripture forbids us to abstain * 1.379 from the lust of the flesh and the eyes, which is of the world and the corruption of mans own nature; forsomuch as by it we are drawn to evill, it being as it were a corrupt root which sendeth forth most bitter, sowre, and rotten fruit and this hapneth not only when the goods & riches of * 1.380 the world are in quest, but also when a man hunteth after dishonest and un∣chaste delights: this concupiscence is it that bringeth forth whoredomes, adulteries, and many other such sinnes, whereout spring forth oftentimes flouds of mischiefes, and that divers times by the selfe-will and inordinate desire of private and particular persons: what did the lawlesse lust of Poti∣phars Wife bring upon Ioseph? Was not his life indangered, and his bo∣dy * 1.381 kept in close prison, where he cooled his feet two yeares or more?

We have a most notable example of the miserable end of a certain wo∣man,

with the sacking and destruction of a whole City, and all caused by her intemperance and unbridled lust.

About the time that the Emperour Phocas was slain by Priscus, one Gysul∣phus * 1.382 (Governour and Chieftain of a Countrey in Lumbardy) going out in defence of his Countrey against the Bavarians (which were certaine re∣liques of the Hunnes) gave them battell, and lost the field and his life with∣all: Now the Conquerours (pursuing their victory) laid siege to the chief City of his Province, where Romilda his Wife made her abode; who view∣ing one day from the wals the young and fair King, with yellow curled lockes galloping about the City, fell presently so extreamly in love with him, that her minde ran of nothing but satisfying her greedy and new conceived lust: wherefore (burying in oblivion the love of her late husband, with her young infants yet living, and her Countrey, and preferring her owne lust before them all) she sent secretly unto him this message, That if he would promise to marry her, she would deliver up the City into his hands: he, well pleased with this gentle offer (through a desire of obtaining the City, which without great bloudshed and losse of men he could not otherwise compasse) accepted of it, and was received upon this condition, within the wals: and lest he should seeme too perfidious, he performed his promise of marriage, and made her his wife for that one night; but soone after (in scorne and disdaine) he gave her up to twelve of his strongest lechers, to glut her unquenchable fire: and finally nailed her on a gibbet, for a finall re∣ward of her tre••cherous and boundlesse lust. Marke well the misery where∣into this wretched woman threw her selfe, and not only her selfe, but a whole City also, by her boiling concupiscence, which so dazled her understand∣ing, that she could not consider how undecent it was, dishonest, and incon∣venient, for a woman to offer her selfe, nay to solicite a man that was an ene∣mie, a stranger, and one that she had never seen before, to her bed, and that to the utter undoing of her selfe and all hers. But even thus, many more (whose hearts are passionate with love) are blindfolded after the same sort (like as poeticall Cupid is fained to be) that not knowing what they take in hand, they fall headlong into destruction ere they be aware. Let us then be here advertised to pray unto God that he would purifie our drossie hearts, and divert our wandring eyes from beholding vanity, to be seduced thereby.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of unlawfull gestures, Idlenesse, Gluttony, Drunkennesse, Dancing, and other such like dissolutenesse.

LIke as if we would carry our selves chastly and uprightly be∣fore God, it behoveth us to avoid all filthinesse and adulte∣ry, so we must abstain from uncivill and dishonest gestures, which are (as it were) badges of concupiscence, and coales to set lust on fire, and instruments to injure others withall. From hence it was, that Pompey caused one of his souldiers * 1.383 eyes to be put out in Spaine, for thrusting his hand under a womans gar∣ment that was a Spaniard: and for the same or like offence did Sertorius

command a footman of his band to be cut in pieces. O that we had in these daies such minded captaines, that would sharply represse the wrongs and ravishments which are so common and usuall amongst men of war at this day, and so uncontrolled! they would not then doubtlesse be so rise and common as in these daies they are.

Kissing is no lesse to be eschewed than the former, if it be not betwixt those that are tyed together by some bond of kindred or affinity, as it was by antient custome of the Medes and Persians, and Romanes also; according to the report of Plutarch and Seneca: and that which is more, Tiberius Cae∣sar forbad the often and daily practise thereof in that kinde, as a thing not * 1.384 to be freqented, but rather utterly abhorred, though it be amongst kins∣folkes themselves. It was esteemed an indignity among the Graecians, to kisse any maid that was not in blood or assinity allyed unto them; as it ma∣nifestly appeareth by the earnest suit and request of the wife of Pisistratus the Tyran of Athens, to put to death a young man for kissing her daughter in * 1.385 the streets, as he met her, although it was nothing but love that moved him thereto. Saint Augustine also affirmeth, That he which wantonly kisseth a * 1.386 woman that is not his wife, deserveth the whip. It is true, that the holy Scripture often mentioneth kissing, but either betwixt father and childe, or brethren or kinsfolkes, or at least in a manner of salutation betwixt one an∣other * 1.387 of acquaintance, according to the custome of the people of God▪ and * 1.388 sometimes also it is mentioned as a token of honour and reverence, which the subject performeth to his superiour in this action. In the former ages * 1.389 Christians used to kisse also; but so, that it was ever betwixt parties of ac∣quaintance; and in such sort, that by this manner of greeting they testifi∣ed to each other their true and sincere charity, peace, and union of heart and soule in the Lord. Such chearings and loving embracings were pure and * 1.390 holy, not lascivious and wanton, like the kisses of prophane and leacherous wretches and strumpets, whereof Solomon maketh mention.

Furthermore, every man ought to shun all meanes and occasions which * 1.391 may induce or entice them to uncleanenesse; and amongst the rest especi∣ally Idlenesse, which cannot chuse but be as it were a wide doore and passage for many vices to enter by, as by experience we see in those that occupy themselves about no good nor profitable exercises, but mispend their time in trifling and doing nothing, and their wits either upon vaine and foolish conceit to the hurt of others; or upon lascivious and unchaste thoughts, to their owne overthrow; whereas on the contrary, to them that are well em∣ployed either in body or minde, no such thing betideth; wherefore wee ought to be here advertised every one of us to apply our selves to some ho∣nest and seemly trade, answerable to our divers and severall estates and con∣ditions, and not to suffer our selves to be overgrowne with Idlenesse, lest thereby we fall into mischiefe; for whom the adversary (that malicious and wicked one) findeth in that case, he knowes well how to fit them to his purpose, and to set them about filthy and pernitious services.

Next to idlenesse, the too much pampering the body with dainty and much food is to be eschewed: for like as a fat and well fed horse winceth and kicketh against his rider, so the pampered flesh rebelleth against God and a mans owne selfe. This fulnesse of bread, and abundance of ••••shly delights, was the cause of the destruction of Sodome and Gomorrah: and therefore our Saviour to good purpose warneth us, to take heed to our selves, that we * 1.392

be not oppressed with surfetting and drunkennesse: and the Apostle, to take no thought for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof, but to walke honestly, not * 1.393 being given to gluttony and drunkennesse, chambering, and wantonnesse: and in another place, not to be drunke with wine, wherein is excesse: for besides the losse of time and mispence of goods, the grievous diseases and pangs of the body, and dulling and besotting of the wit, which spring from intempe∣rance, many other great evils depend and wait thereon; as whoredomes, adulteries, uncleannesses, quarrels, debates, murders, with many other such like disorders and mischiefes.

Noah, that holy Patriarch, by drinking too much wine, not only disco∣vered * 1.394 his owne shame, but also was the occasion of that cruell curse which the Lord sent upon the posterity of Cham, which even to this day lyeth hea∣vy upon them.

Lot, though he hated the sin of Sodome, and escaped the punishment of * 1.395 Sodome, yet being overcome with the wine of the mountaines, he commit∣ted incest with his owne daughters, and made a new Sodome of his owne family.

Balthasar, rioting and revelling amongst his pots, had the end both of life and kingdome denounced against him, by a bodilesse hand-writing upon the * 1.396 wall, the Lords decree. Whilest Holofernes besotted his sences with excesse * 1.397 of wine and good cheare, Iudith found meanes to cut off his head.

The Emperours Septimius Severus, and Iovinianus, dyed with eating and drinking too much.

Likewise a certaine African called Donitius, overcharged his stomacke * 1.398 with so much food at supper, that he dyed therewith.

Gregory of Tours reporteth of Childericke a Saxon, that glutted himselfe so full of meat and drink over night, that in the morning he was found cho∣ked in his bed.

In our memory there was a Priest in Rovergne, neare Milan, that (dining with a rich farmer for his yeares dinner) cheared himselfe so well, and filled his belly so full, that it burst in two, and he dyed suddenly.

Alexander the great having invited many of his favourites and captaines to supper, propounded a crowne in reward to him that should drinke most: * 1.399 now the greatest drinker swallowed up foure steanes of wine, and woon the prize, being in value worth six hundred crownes; but lost his life (a jewell of greater worth) for he survived not three daies after the vile excesse: be∣sides, the rest that strove with him in this goodly conflict of carousing, one and forty of them dyed to beare him company.

The same Alexander was himselfe subject to wine, and so distempered divers times therewith, that he often slew his friends at the table in his drunkennesse, whom in sobriety he loved dearest.

Plutarch telleth us of Armitus and Ciranippus, two Syracusians, that be∣ing * 1.400 drunk with wine, committed incest with their owne daughters.

Cleomenes, King of Lacedemonia, being disposed to carouse after the man∣ner of the Scythians, dranke so much, that he became, and continued ever after, sencelesse.

Anacreon the Poet, a grand consumer of wine, and a notable drunkard, was choaked with the huske of a grape.

The monstrous and riotous excesses of divers Romane Emperours (as Tiberius by name, who was a companion of all drunkards) is strange to be

heard, and almost incredible to be beleeved: he loved wine so well, that in stead of Tiberius they called him Biberius, and in stead of Claudius, Caldus, and in stead of Nero, Mero; noting by those nicknames, how great a drunk∣ard he was.

The Earle of Aspremont (after he had by infinite excesse exhausted all his substance) being upon a day at S. Michael, dranke so excessively, that he dyed therewith.

Cyrillus a Citizen of Hippon, had an ungracious son, who leading a rio∣tous and luxurious life, in the middest of his drunkennesse killed his owne * 1.401 mother great with childe, and his father, that sought to restraine his sury, and would have ravished his sister, had she not escaped from him with ma∣ny * 1.402 wounds.

Bonosus the Emperour is reported to have been such a notorious drunk∣ard, that he was said to be borne not to live, but to drinke: if any Embassa∣dours * 1.403 came unto him, he would make them drunke, to the end to reveale their secrets: he ended his life with misery, even by hanging, with this Epi∣taph, That a tun, not a man, was hanged in that place.

Philostrates, being in the bathes at Sinuessa, devoured so much wine, that he fell downe the staires, and almost broke his neck with the fall. * 1.404

Zeno, the Emperour of the East, was so notoriously given to excesse of meates and drinkes, that his sences being benummed, he would often lie as * 1.405 one that was dead: wherefore being become odious to all men by his beast∣ly qualities, his wife Ariadne fell also in detestation of him, and one day as he lay sencelesse, she transported him into a tombe, and throwing a great stone upon it, pined him to death, not suffering any to remove the stone, or to yeeld him any succour; and this was a just reward of his drunkennesse.

Pope Paulus the second, beside the exceeding pompe of apparell which he used, he was also very carefull for his throat: for (as Platina writeth of him) he delighted in all kinde of exquisite dishes, and delicate wine, and that in superfluity: by which immoderate and continuall surfeiting he fell into a grievous Apoplexy, which quickly made an end of his life. It is re∣ported of him, that he eat the day before he dyed two great Melons, and that in a very good appetite; when as the next night the Lord struck him with his heavy judgement.

Alexander the son of Basilius, and brother of Leo the Emperour, did so wallow and drowne himselfe in the gulfe of pleasure and intemperance, that * 1.406 one day, after he had stuffed himselfe too full of meat, as he got upon his horse, he burst a veine within his body, whereat upwards and downewards issued such abundance of blood, that his life and soule issued forth withall.

The moderne examples of Gods fearefull judgements upon drunkards, not only in other countries, but even in this Nation of ours, are many and terrible: all which if I should stand to report, it would be matter for a whole booke. Our reverend Judges in their severall circuits doe finde by experience, that few murthers and manslaughters are committed, which are not from this root of drunkennesse: for when mens braines are heat with wine and strong drinke, then their tongues are let loose to opprobrious speeches, and thence proceed both sudden quarrels, and deliberate chal∣lenges, wherewith thousands are brought to their untimely ends: Besides, the Lord punisheth the Drunkard many waies; first, in his soule, with im∣penitency and hardnesse of heart: which commonly followeth this vice: for

as Saint Augustine saith, As by too much raine the earth is resolved into durt, and made unfit for tillage; so by excessive drinking, our bodies are altogether un∣fitted * 1.407 for ••he spirituall tillage, and so can bring forth no good fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse; but rather like biggest and marishes; are fit to b••••ed nothing but serpents, frog••, and vershine, that is, all manner of abominable sins and leathsome wickednesse. Secondly in his body, with deformednesse of feature; filthy diseases, and unseasonable death: for excessive drinking breedeth crudities, Rheumes, Imposthumes, Gouts, Consumptions, Apoplexies, and such like; whereof men perish before they are come to the halfe of their natu∣rall yeares: and this is one principall cause why men are now so short lived in respect of that they have ••••en heretofore. Thirdly, in his estate, for com∣monly poverty, yea penury followeth this vice at the heeles; as Solomon teacheth. P••ov. 21. 27. And lastly, with sudden death and destruction, even in the middest of their drunken fits, as wofull experience doth make mani∣fest every day, and almost in every corner of this land. Within these few yeares, of mine owne knowledge, three not far from Huntington being over∣come with drinke, perished by drowning; when being not able to rule their horses, they were carried by them into the maine streame, from whence they never came out alive againe, but left behinde them visible markes of Gods justice, for the terrour and example of others; and yet what sin is more commonly used and lesse feared than this.

Concerning Dancing (the usuall dependants of feasts and good cheare) there is none of sound judgement that know not, that they are baits and al∣lurements to uncleanenesse, and as it were instruments of bawdrie: by rea∣son whereof they were alwaies condemned among men of honour and repu∣tation, whether Romanes or Greekes, and left for vile and base minded men to use. And this may appeare by the reproach that Demosthenes the Orator gave to Philip of Macedony and his Courtiers, in an Oration to the Atheni∣ans, wherein he termed them common dancers, and such as shamed not as soone as they had glutted their bellies with meate, and their heads with wine, to fall scurrilously a dancing. As for the honourable Dames of Rome, truly we shall never reade that any of them accustomed themselves to dance, according to the report of Salust touching Sempronia, whom he judged to be too fine a dancer and singer to be honourable withall: as if these two could no more agree then fire and water.

Cicero in his apologie of Muraena rehearseth an objection of Cato against * 1.408 his client, wherein he challenged him for dancing in Asia; which he maketh a matter of so great reproach, that not daring to maintain or excuse the fact, he flatly denyeth it; saying, That no sober and discreet man ever would com∣mit that fault, unlesse his sence and reason was bereft him. Plutarch also setting forth the vertues of women, putteth in this among the rest, that she ought to be no dancer: and speaking in another place to all others as well as wo∣men, biddeth them to repulse even their friends, if they should lead and en∣tice them to that exercise.

Besides, all the ancient Doctors of the Church have utterly condemned them as unlawfull: Thou learnest to sing prophane and idle songs (saith Basil) and forgettest the godly Psalmes and Hymnes which were enact ••ught thee▪ thou caperest and leapest with thy feet in dances (unwise, as thou art) when a•• thou shouldest rather bend thy knees in prayer to the almighty but what gaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 got thereby 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Marry this, that virgins returne robbed of their virginities and

married wives of their tr••th to their husbands: both, and all, lesse chaste than they went; and more dishonest than they should, if not in act, which peradventure may be, yet stainedin thought, which cannot be eschewed. Heare (saith Chrysost.) you maids and wives, which are not ashamed to dance and trip it at others marri∣ages, and to pollute your se••es; wheresoever a lascivious dance is danced, there the devill beareth the other part, and is the author of it. It is better (saith Ambrose) to dig and delve upon holy daies than to dance. And in another place writing to his sister, he saith, That he ••eed not care for dissolute behaviours and songs which are used as marriages to make him merry withall; for when banquets are concluded with dances, then is chastity in an evill case and in great danger to suffer shipwracke by those suspitious allurements. Besides this, dancing hath been ab∣solutely forbidden by consent of the whole Church of Christ before time, * 1.409 under paine of excommunication; as it may appeare by the Constantino∣politan Councell under Iustinian the Emperour: what answer can they make then to this, that are Christians, and allow of these forbidden sports? Is it the denying of a mans selfe? The spirituall regeneration? The putting off the old man touching our conversation in this life? And if all adultery * 1.410 and uncleanenesse, all filthinesse and foolish talking, jesting and such like, ought not once to be named amongst us, because they are things not come∣ly: If I say it be not lawfull to jeast or speake the least lascivious word that is, how shall it be lawfull to doe an action with the motion and consent of the whole body, which representeth nothing else but folly, vanity, and lasciviousnesse? And this is for them that demand where dancing is for∣bidden in the Scripture; which I touch as it were by the way, and doe but point at, not minding to frame any long discourse thereof, seeing there is a particular treatise touching the same matter, which he may reade that desi∣reth to know any more touching it. Now let us see what goodly fruits and commodities have risen therefrom. The daughters of the children of Isra∣el being dancing in Silo upon a festivall day, after the manner of the uncir∣cumcised Idolaters, were ravished by the Benjamites for to be their wives, and that mixtly without regard of one or other, were they of never so high or base condition. * 1.411

At the feast which Herod the Tetrarch made to the Princes and Cap∣taines and Nobles of Galilee, the daughter of Herodias pleased him and his company so well with her dancing, that to gratifie this filthy strumpet the incestuous Tyran caused Iohn Baptist to be beheaded. * 1.412

Lodowicke, Archbishop of Magdeburge, celebrating a solemne feast at a towne called Calven, invited many of the worthy Citizens to make merry with him: the place for their joyalty was the great hall wherein judiciall causes were appointed to be discussed. Here after the banquet ended they fell a dancing, men and women mixtly together, such a ridiculous roundelay, and such a multitude, that what with the weight of their bodies, or rather the indignation of God against them for this scurrilous and immodest beha∣viour, the beames of the house began to crack and threaten a certain ruine; whereat the Archbishop affrighted, caught hold by a faire dame, and began first to goe downe the staires; but the steps afore loosened, as soone as he trode upon them, tumbled downe, and he and his consort headlong withall, and were crushed in pieces. And thus he that was principall of the feast and sport, was made an example to all the rest, of the Lords vengeance▪ be∣cause he dishonoured his calling and profession by such lewd and light be∣haviour:

and this was one goodly effect of dauncing.

Another we reade of in the Chronicles of the same City to this effect, * 1.413 in a village called Ossemer, adjoyning to Stendell: As the Popish Priest played the minstrell to his parishioners that danced the morris before him, and rejoyced in their merry May-games, a tempest arose, and a thunderbolt struck off his night hand, together with the harpe which he played on, and consumed about twenty foure men and women of the company: a just pu∣nishment of so prophane a Priest, who in stead of dehorting them (as his duty bound him) from that lascivious custome, played the chiefe part in their madnesse, and was an inticer of them unto it.

Moreover, in many places, by dances grievous and spitefull quarrels have been stirred up, and many murders executed, the examples whereof are so evident and notorious, that it is not needfull now to stand upon them: to conclude therefore this point with the saying of Lodovicus Vives, There * 1.414 is not a greater vanity in the world than dancing; for (saith he) I heard of certain men of Asia, that comming into Spaine, when they first saw the Spaniards dance, were so sore affrighted, that they ran away for feare, sup∣posing them to have been either possessed with some spirit, or out of their wits at least: and truly I thinke if a man had never seen a woman dance be∣fore, he could hardly be of another judgement, there being nothing that re∣sembleth frenzie and lunacy more than the strange shakings and motions of the body at the noise of a beaten sheep-skin: verily it is a pastime to mark the grave behaviour, the measurable march, the pomp and ostentation of women dancers, and the great care they have to performe wisely so foolish an action▪ it is very likely that all their wit at that time is distilled from their head into their feet, for there it is more requisite and needfull than in their braine. Thus much saith Lodovicus Vives.

Now touching Mummeries and Maskes, I place them in the same ranke with the other; for somuch as they are derived from the same fountaine, and communicate the same nature, and produce the same effects, and oftentimes are so pernicious, that divers honourable women have been ravished and conveyed away by their meanes: nay, and some Masquers have been well chastised in their owne vices: as it happened in the raigne of Charles the sixth, to six that masqued it to a marriage at the hostle of S. Pauls in Paris, being attired like wilde horses, covered with loose flax, dangling down like haire, all beda••bed with grease for the fitter hanging thereof, and fast bound one to another, and in this guise entered the hall, dancing with torches be∣fore them: but behold suddenly their play turned to a tragedy; for a spar•••• of one of their torches fell into the greasie flax of his neighbour, and set it immediatly on fire, so that in the turning of an hand they were all on ••lame then gave they out a most horrible ou••••ry: one of them threw himself head∣long into a tub of water provided to ••ince their drinking cups and goblets, and upon that occasion standing not far off: two were burnt to death, with∣out stirring once from the place: The bastard Foix and the Earle of Jouy escaped indeed present death; but being conveyed to their lodgings, they survived not two daies: the King himselfe being one of the s••••, was saved by the Dutchesse of Berry, that covering him with her loose and tide gar∣ments 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the fire before it could seise upon his flesh. Froyssard the * 1.415 reporter of this tragedy, ••aith▪ That the next morrow every man could say, tha•• this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wonderfull signe and advertisement sent by God to the King

to warne him to renounce all such fond and foolish devices which he de∣lighted too much in, and more then it became a King of France to doe: and this was the event of that gallant Masque.

It resteth now that we speak somewhat of Playes and Comedies, and such like toyes and May-games, which have no other use in the world but to de∣prave and corrupt good manners, and to open a doore to all uncleanenesse: the eares of yong folke are there polluted with many filthy and dishonest speeches, their eyes are there infected with lascivious and unchaste gestures and countenances, and their wits are there stained and embrued with so per∣nitious liquor, that (except Gods good grace) they will ever savour of it: the holy and sacred Scripture ordained to a holy and sacred use, is often∣times by these filthy swine prophaned, to please and to delight their audi∣ence: in few words, there is nothing else to be found among them, but nou∣rishment to our sences of foolish and vaine delights. For this cause many of the sager Romanes, as Nasica and divers other Censors, hindred the buil∣ding of the Theatres in Rome, for an opinion they had, that their sports and * 1.416 pastimes which were exercised therein, served to no other purpose but to make the people idle, effeminate, and voluptuous: and besides, the masters, guiders, and actors of Playes were alwayes debarred as men infamous, from bearing any publike Office or dignity in the Common-wealth.

Tiberius Caesar himselfe, though of most corrupt and rotten manners and * 1.417 conversation, yet in open Senate complained and found fault with the im∣modesty of Stage-players, and banished them at that same time out of Ita∣lie. When Domitian was Censor, he put out of the Senate a Citizen of Rome, because he was too much addicted to the imitation of the fashions of * 1.418 Players and Dancers. And Plutarch saith, that we ought to shun all such spectacles.

If then such pastimes were by the judgements of the Romanes noted with infamy, shall we have their equals in follies in better account? Basil calleth such sports and pastimes, the work-house, forge, and common shop of all * 1.419 wickednesse: and therefore Chrysostome prayeth and admonisheth the faith∣full of his time to abstaine from frequenting such places. S. Augustine also for biddeth to bestow our money upon tumblers, juglers, and players, and * 1.420 such like. Beside, by the Constantinopolitan Councell under Iustinian, it was inhibited to be once present at such sports, under the paine of excom∣munication: and that the ancient Christians did by common consent not only condemne, but also utterly abstaine from such pastimes, it may ap∣peare by the testimony of Tertullian writing to the Gentiles to this effect: We renounce and send back (faith he) sports and playes unto you, as to the head and fountaine from whence they were first derived: we make no reckoning of th••se * 1.421 things which we know were drawne from superstition: we love not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be h••ld the folly of turning with Chariots, nor the unchastity of the Theatre, nor the cruelty of sword playing, nor the vanity of leaping, ••r••stling and dancing: but take plea∣sure in exercises of better report, and lesse h••r••.

Moreover, how odious and irksome in the sight of the Lord such specta∣cles are, and what power and sway the devill beareth therein, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God upon a Christian woman (reported by, Tertullian) may sufficiently instruct us. There was a woman (saith he) that went to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to see * 1.422 a play, and returned home possessed with an uncleane spirit: who being re∣buked in a conjuration for daring to assault one of the ••aith, that professed

Christ; answered, that he had done well, because he found her upon his owne ground.

The same author reporteth another example as strange, of a woman also that went to see a Tragedie acted, to whom the night following appeared in a dreame the picture of a sheete (a presage of death) casting in her teeth that which she had done; and five daies after, death himselfe seised upon her.

As touching wanton songs, and unchaste and ribald bookes (that I may be (briefe) I will content my selfe only with that which is alleadged by Lo∣dovicus Vives * 1.423 concerning that matter. The Magistrate (saith he) ought to ba∣nish out of his dominion all unhonest Songs and Poems, and not to suffer novelties to be published day by day in rimes and ballads, as they are: as if a man should heare in a City nothing but foolish and scurrilous Ditties, such as would make even the ••onger sort that are well brought up to blash, and stir up the indignation of men of honour and gravity: this ought Magistrates to prevent, and to discharge the peo∣ple from reading Amadis, Tristram, Launcelot due Lake, Melusine, Poggius scurrillities, and Boccace novelties; with a thousand more such like toyes: and thus much out of Vives.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Theeves and Robbers.

IT followes that we speake in the next place of such as by their greedy covetousnesse and unquenchable desire of lucre, transgresse the fourth commandement of the second Table; to wit, Thou shalt not steale: wherein not only simply theft, but also Sacriledge is condemn∣ed: and first of Sacriledge.

Into this sin fell wretched Aehan in the time of Io∣shua, * 1.424 when in the sack of Jericho he seeing a Babylo∣nish garment, with certaine gold and silver, covered it and stole it away, and hid it in his Tent, contrary to the commandement of the Lord: for which cause the Lord was offended with his whole people, as if they all had been accessary to the crime, and en••eebled them so before their enemies, that they were beaten downe at Hay, and shamefully put to flight: neither was his anger appeased, untill that the offendant being divinely and miraculously descryed, was stoned to death and burnt with his children and all his sub∣stance.

But to come unto prophane stories, let us begin with Heliodorus, Treasu∣rer * 1.425 of Seleuchus King of Asia; who by the Kings commandement and sug∣gestion of one Simon Governour of the Temple, came to take away the gold and silver which was kept in the Treasury of the Temple, and to transport it unto the Kings Treasury; whereat the whole City of Jerusalem put on sackeloth, and poured out prayers unto the Lord: so that when Heliodorus was present in the Temple with his soldiers ready to seise upon the treasure, the Lord of all spirits and power shewed so great a vision, that he fell sud∣denly into extreame feare and trembling: for there appeared unto him an horse with a terrible man sitting upon him, most richly barbed, which came

fiercely and smote at him with his forefeet: moreover, there appeared two yong men, notable in strength, excellent in beauty, and comely in apparell, which stood by him on either side, and scourged him with many stripes: so that Heliodorus that came in with so great a company of souldiers and at∣tendants, was strucken dumbe, and carried out in a litter upon mens shoul∣ders; for his strength was so abated, that he could not help himselfe, but lay destitute of all hope of recovery, so heavy was the hand of God upon him, untill by the prayers of Onias the high Priest he was restored; then loe he confessed, that he which dwelt in heaven had his eye on that place, and defended it from all those that came to hurt and spoile it.

Another of this crue was in Crassus the Romane; who entering Jerusa∣lem, * 1.426 robbed the Temple of two thousand talents of silver and gold, beside the rich ornaments, which amounted in worth to eight thousand Talents, and a beame of beaten gold containing three hundred pound in weight: for which sacriledge, the vengeance of God so pursued him, that within a while * 1.427 after he was overcome by the Parthians, and together with his son slain, his evill gotten goods being dispersed, and the skull of his head being made a ladle to melt gold in, that it might be glutted with that being dead, which alive it could be never satisfied with.

Herod following the steps of Hircanus his predecessor, that tooke out of * 1.428 the sepulchre of King David three thousand talents of money, thinking to finde the like treasure, broke up the sepulchre in the night, and found no money, but rich ornaments of gold, which he tooke away with him; how∣beit to his cost: for two of his servants perished in the vault, by a divine fire, as it is reported, and he himselfe had small successe in his worldly af∣faires ever after.

Iulian the Apostata robbed the Church of the revenues thereof, and took away all benevolences and contributions to schooles of learning, to the end the children might not be instructed in the liberall Arts, nor in any other good literature. He exaggerated also his sacriledge with scornfull jeasts; saying, That he did further their salvation by making them poore; seeing it was written in their owne Bibles, Blessed are the poore, for theirs is the king∣dome of heaven: but how this sacrilegious theefe was punished, is already declared in the former booke.

Leo Groponymus took out of the Temple of Constantinople an excellent * 1.429 crowne of gold beset with precious stones; which Mauritius had dedicated to the Lord; but as soon as he had set it on his head, a cruell fever seised upon him, that he dyed very shortly.

The punishment of the sacriledge of Queen Vrraca in Spaine was most wonderfull and speedy▪ for when in her war against her son Alphonsus shee * 1.430 wanted money, she robbed the Church dedicated to S. Isidore, and tooke with her owne hands the treasures up, which her souldiers refused to do: but ere she departed out of the Church vengeance overtooke her, and strooke her dead in the place.

Moreover, the Lord so hateth this irreligious sin, that he permitteth the devill to exercise his cruelty upon the spoilers of prophane and Idolatrous temples, as he did upon Dyonisius the Tyran of Syracusa; who after many robberies of holy things, and spoiling the Churches, dyed suddenly with extreame joy, as authors report. He spoiled the Temple of Proserpina at Locris, and shaved off the golden beard of Aesculapius at Epidamnum; say∣ing,

It was an unseemly thing for Apollo to be beardlesse and his son bearded: he deprived Iupiter Olympus of his golden ra••ment, and gave him a woollen coat instead thereof; saying it was too heavy for him in the Summer, and too cold in winter, and this was more convenient for both seasons. The pre∣text of all his sacriledge was this, That seeing the gods were good, why should not he be partaker of their goodnesse.

Such another was Cambyses King of Persia, who sent fifty thousand men * 1.431 to rob and destroy the temple of Iupiter Ammon; but in their journey so mighty a tempest arose, that they were overwhelmed with the sand, not one of them remaining to carry newes of their successe.

Brennus was constrained to slay himselfe, for enterprising to rob the Tem∣ple * 1.432 of Apollo at Delphos: Philomelus, Onomarchus, and Phayllus, went about the same practise, and indeed robbed the Temple of all the treasures there∣in; but one of them was burned, another drowned, and the third broke his neck: to conclude, the Athenians put to death a yong childe, for taking but a golden plate out of Diana's Temple; but first they offered him other jewels and trinkets, which when he despised in respect of the plate, they ri∣gorously punished him as guilty of sacriledge.

Cardinall Wolsey being determined to erect two new Colledges, one at * 1.433 Oxford, and the other at Ipswich, obtained licence and authority of Pope Clement the seventh, to suppresse about the number of forty monasteries, to furnish and set forward the building of his said Colledge: which irreligi∣ous sacriledge (I call it sacriledge both because he was perswaded in con∣science that those goods belonged to the Church, and so to him it was sa∣criledge: as also for that he did it in pride of his heart) was furthered by five persons, who were the chiefe instruments of the dissolution of Daintry Monastery, because the Prior and Covent would not grant them certaine lands in farme at their owne price. But what punishment ensued upon them at Gods hand the world was witnesse of: for of these five persons, two fell at discord amongst themselves, and the one slew the other, for the which the survivor was hanged; the third drowned himselfe in a well; the fourth, being then worth two hundred pounds, within three yeares became so poore that he begged untill his dying day; and the fifth (called Doctor Allen) was cruelly maimed in Ireland▪ The Cardinall himselfe falling into the Kings displeasure, was deposed from his bishoprick, and dyed miserably: the Colledges which he meant to have made so glorious a building, came never to any good effect, the one at Ipswich being cleane defaced, the other at Oxford unfinished.

And thus much of sacriledge: Now let us come and see the punishment of simple theft, the principall cause whereof is covetousnesse; which is so unruly an evill, and so deep rooted in the heart of man, that ever yet it hath used to encroach upon the goods of others, and to keep possession of that which was none of its owne; breaking all the bonds of humanity, equity, and right, without being contained in any measure or meane; whereof wee have a most notable example in the old world before the flood, which (by Moses report) overflowed with iniquity and extortion, the mighty ones op∣pressed the weak, the greater trode under foot the lesse, and the rich devour∣ed the poore. When the Lord saw the generall deluge of sin and disorder thus universally spread (which indeed was a signe of great defection and contempt of him) he like a just judge that could not endure these monstrous

iniquities, sent a deluge of waters amongst them, by opening the windowes of heaven, and breaking up the fountaines of the great deepes, and giving passage to the waters both by heaven and earth, so that it raigned forty daies, and forty nights without ceasing, and the waters prevailed upon the earth, and overcovered the high mountaines by fifteen cubites, the earth being re∣duced into the same estate which it had in the beginning before the waters were tooke away from the face thereof: verily it was a most hideous and sad spectacle, to see first the vallies, then the hils, and last the highest moun∣taines so overflowne with water, that no shew or appearance of them might be perceived; it was a dreadfull sight to behold whole houses, tossed to and fro up and downe in the waves, and at last to be shivered in pieces: there was not a City nor village that perished not in the deep, not a tree nor tow∣er so high that could overpeere the waters: as they increased more and more in abundance, so feare, horrour, and despaire of safety encreased in the heart of every living soule. And on this fashion did God punish those wicked re∣bels, not at one blow, but by little and little increasing their paine, that as they had a long time abused his patience, and made no reckoning of amend∣ment, so the punishment of their sin might be long and tedious. Now in this extremity one could not help another, nor one envy another, but all were concluded under the same destruction, all surprised, assieged, and envi∣roned alike, as well he that roved in the fields, as he that stayed in the houses, he that climbed up into the mountaines, as he that abode in the vallies, the mercilesse waters spared none: it was to no purpose that some ascended their high houses, some climbed upon trees, and some scaled the rockes, nei∣ther one nor other found any refuge or safety in any place, the rich were not saved by their riches, nor the strong by the pith of their strength, but all pe∣rished and were drowned together, except Noah and his family: which pu∣nishment was correspondent unto the worlds iniquity, for as the earth was corrupted and polluted with abundance of sin, so God sent abundance of wa∣ter to purge and cleanse away the filthinesse thereof, as at the latter day hee will send fire to purifie and refine heaven and earth from their dregs, and re∣store them to their first and purest estate. And thus God revenged the ex∣tortion and cruelty of that age.

But yet for all this, those sins were not then so defaced and rooted up, but that they be burnished againe and growne in time to as big a bulke: for even at this day the greatest part of the world is given to practise fraud and deceit, and by unlawfull meanes to incroach upon others goods: which subtilties though they desire never so to disguise and cloke, yet will they ever be condemned and reputed kindes of theft before God: now as some are of greater power & authority than others in the world, so answerable to themselves is the quality of their sins, and by consequence the punishment: the greater of power, the greater theeves, and the greater judgment; for if a poore man that through poverty and necessity cutteth a purse or stealeth any other trifle, be culpable, how much more culpable shall he that is rich be, that usurpeth the goods of his neighbour?

Draco the lawgiver of Athens, appointed death to be the punishment of sheft: Solon mitigated that rigour, and punished it with double restitution: The Locrians put out his eyes that had stolne ought from his neighbour: The Hetrurians stoned them to death: The Scythians abhorred them more than all creatures, because they had a community of all things except their

cups the Vatoeiane used such severity towards this kinde of men, that as 〈…〉〈…〉 taken a handfull of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he was sure to die for it.

〈…〉〈…〉 being Censor, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 demeed his owne son Buteo to death, being apprehended for theft. Tiberius the Emperour punished a souldier after the time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for stealing i•• ••eaco••ke in summe, there was no Commonwealth 〈…〉〈…〉 was not highly detested, and sharply 〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈…〉〈…〉 where it w••s permitted and tollerated, 〈…〉〈…〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉.

〈…〉〈…〉 yet as 〈…〉〈…〉 a just dead of Tamberlaine that * 1.434 mighty 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Conquerour of Asia, when a poore woman complained 〈…〉〈…〉 of his souldiers, that had taken from her a little milke and a 〈…〉〈…〉 the caused the souldiers belly to be ripped to see that her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had falsely accused him on no, and finding the milke in his stomacke; adjudged him worthy of that punishment, for stealing from poore •••• woman.

When Theophilus raigned Emperour in the East there was a certaine * 1.435 souldier possessed of a very gallant and brave horse which his Captaine by all mea••es possible sought to get from him▪ but he would not in any case 〈…〉〈…〉 he put him forth of pay, and tooke his horse, from him by force, and sent him for a present to the Emperour Theophilus: now it chanced that this poore souldier was slaine in the battell for want of his horse, and his wife and children lest destitute of succour, insomuch that through necessity she was constrained to flie to Constant inople, and to com∣plaine to the Emperour of the injury done unto her husband; with this re∣solution entring the City, she met the Emperour riding upon her hus∣bands horse, and catching the horse bridle, challenged him not on••y for stea∣ling the horse, but also being the cause of her husbands death. The Empe∣rour wondring at the woman boldnesse, examined her more narrowly▪ and found out the whole practise of that wicked Captaine whom he banished presently, his Empire, and bestowed his possession in recommence upon the distressed widdow.

Ibicus the Poet being set upon by Theeves, when he saw that they would not only spoile him of his money but of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he also cryed for help and revenge to the cranes that flew over his head a while after •••• these murder∣ing 〈…〉〈…〉 together in the market Place, the same cranes appearing unto 〈…〉〈…〉 they whispered one another in the care, and said, ••onder 〈…〉〈…〉 which though secretly spoken, yet was over∣he••rd 〈…〉〈…〉 they being examined and found guilty, were put to death for their 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The like story Martin Luther reporteth touching a traveller; * 1.436 only 〈…〉〈…〉 in this that as Cranes detected the former: so Crowes laid open the latter.

In the yeare 138••▪ when as all Saxony was so infested with Theeyes that * 1.437 no man could travell safely in the countrey the Princes calling a Councell, for downe this order. That not only the Theeves themselves should be se∣verely punished▪ but all that did protect, or harbour any of them; which 〈…〉〈…〉 as Theodoricke Country of We••ingr••de impugned, the body of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Councell sent for him, and adjudged him to a most cruell and shamefull 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

In the yeare 1410▪ Henry Duke of Luneburg a most just and severe * 1.438 Prince, went about to purge his Countrey from all thefts and robberies▪

insomuch that the least offence committed in that kinde he suffered not to go unpunished: now it hapned as the Duke went towards Lun••burge, he sene before him one of his chiefest officers to provide necessaries against his comming: who riding without a cloak, the weather being cold, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a ploughman to lend him his cloak till his returne: which when the clowne refused to do, he took it without leave, but it cost him his life for ••••, for the ploughman awaited the Dukes comming and directed his complaint un∣to him on this manner: What availeth i•• (O•• most noble Prince•• to seek to suppres the courage of thieves and spoilers, when as thy chiefest officers dare commit such things uncontrolled, a•• the Lieutenant of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but now taken from me my cloak? The Duke hearing this complaint, and conside∣ring the cause, dissembled his counsell 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his returne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from Lune∣burge unto the same place, where calling for his Lieutenant, and rating him for his injury, he commanded him to be hunged upon a tree. A won∣derfull severity in justice, and worthy to be commended: for what hope is it to root out small and pity thieves, if we suffer grand thieves to go un∣corrected?

There is another kinde of these practised of them that be in authority, who under the title of confiscation assume unto themselves stollen goods, and so much the re••dilier, by now much the value of the things amounteth to more worth: an action altogether unjust, and contrary to both divine and humane lawes, which ordain to restore unto every man his owne: and truly he that in stead of restitution withholdeth the goods of his neigh∣bour in this manner, differeth no more from a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than that the one stealeth boldly without fear, the other ••n••orously and with great danger: and what greater corruption of justice can there be than this? For who would follow the Law upon a thiefe, when he knoweth he shall rather run into further charge, than recover any of his old losse? Beside this, it hap∣neth that poor small theeves are often drawne to the whip, or driven to banishment, of sent to the gallowes, when rich grand theeves lie at their case, and escape uncontrolled, albeit the quality of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be far un∣equall: according to the Poet:

The simple dove by law is censured, * 1.439 When ravenou•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 escape unpunished.

The world was ever yet full of such ravenou•• Ra••ens; so nimble in pilling others goods, and so greedy of their owne gain, that the poor people in stead of being maintained and preserved in the peaceable enjoy∣ing of their portions, are gnawne to the very bone•• amongst them: for which cause Homer in the person of Agamemnon calleth them devourers of men. Likewise also the Prophet David in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Psalme calleth them Eaters of his people: and yet want they not flatterers and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 friends (canker wormes of a Common-wealth) that urge them forwards, and devise daily new kinde of exactions, like horse-lead••es to suckt out the very bloud of mens purses: shewing so much the more wit and deceit therein, by how much the more they hope to gain a great part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of unto their selves: being like hunger-starved Harpeis, that will never be forti∣fied, but still match and catch all that commeth near their 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and these are they that do good to no man, but hurt to all; of whom the Mer∣chant findeth himselfe agrieved, the Artificer trodden under foot, the poor labourer oppressed, and generally all men endammaged.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of the excessive burdenings of the Comminalty.

AS it is a just and approved thing before God, to do ho∣nour and reverence to Kings and Princes, and to be subject under them in all obedience; so it is a reason∣able and allowable duty to pay such tributes and sub∣sidies (whereby their great charges and honourable estate may be maintained) as by right or equity are due unto them: and this is also commanded by our Saviour Christ in expresse words, when he saith, Give unto Caesar that which is Caesars. And by the Apostle Paul more expresly, Pay tributes, render unto * 1.440 all men their due: tribute to whom tribute belongeth, and custom to whom custom: Marke how he saith, Give unto all men their due: and therein observe, that Kings and Princes ought of their good and just disposition to be content with their due, and not seek to load and overcharge their subjects with un∣necessary exactions, but to desire to see them rather rich and wealthy, than poor and needy; for thereby commeth no profit unto themselves. Fur∣ther it is most unlawfull for them to exact that above measure upon their Commons, which being in mediocrity is not condemned: I say it is un∣lawfull both by the law of God and man (the Law of God and man is tearmed all that which both God and man allow and agree upon, and which a man with a safe conscience may put in practise:) for the former we can have no other schoolmaster nor instruction, save the holy Scripture, where∣in God hath manifested his will unto us concerning this very matter; as in Deuteronomy the eighteenth, speaking of the office and duty of a King, he forbiddeth them to be hoorders up of gold and siluer, and espousers of many wives, and lovers of pride: signifying thereby, that they ought to contain themselves within the bounds of modesty and temperance, and not give the raines to their owne affections, nor heape up great treasures to their peoples detriment, nor to delight in war, nor to be too much subject to their owne pleasures: all which things are meanes of unmeasurable ex∣pence: so that if it be not allowable to muster together multitudes of goods, for the danger and mischief that ensueth thereof, as it appeareth out of this place; then surely it is much lesse lawfull to levy excessive taxes of the people; for the one of these cannot be without the other: and thus for the Law of God it is clear, that by it authority is not committed unto them, to surcharge, and as it were trample downe their poor subjects, by unmeasurable and unsupportable impositions.

As for that which the Prophet Samuel in the Name of God giveth no∣tice to the Israelites of, touching the right of a King; wherein he seemeth to allow him the disposition of the goods and persons of his subjects: I an∣swer first, That God being an immoveable Truth, cannot contradict him∣selfe by commanding and forbidding the same thing; and secondly, that the word of the Text in the Originall signifieth nothing else but a custome or fashion, as it appeareth by the 1 Sam. 11. 13. besides, the speech that the Prophet useth, importeth not a commandment, but an advertisement

of the subjection, whereunto the people were about to thrust themselves, by desiring a King after the manner of other Nations, whose customes amongst them was to exercise authority and dominion as well over their goods as their persons: for which cause God would have them forewarned, that they might know how vile a yoak they put their owneneckes under, and what grievous and troublesome servitude they undertook, from the which they could no wayes be delivered, no though they de••••••ed it with teares.

Furthermore, that a King in Israel had no power (in right and eq••ity) to take away the possessions of any of his subjects, and appropriate it to him∣selfe, it appeareth by Naboaths refusall no King Achab, to give him his * 1.441 vineyard, though he requested it (as it may seem) upon very reasonable conditions, either for his money, or for exchange, so that a man would thinke he ought not to have denied him: howbeit his desire being thus crossed, he could not mend himselfe by his authority, but fell to vexe and grieve himselfe, and to champe upon his owne bit, untill by the wicked and detestable complot of Iezable, poor Naboath was falsely accused, un∣justly condemned, and cruelly murdered; and then he put in possession of his vineyard: which murder (doubtlesse) she would never have attempted, nor yet Naboath ever have refused to yeeld his vineyard, if by any pretence of Law they could have laid claim unto it: but Naboath knowing that it * 1.442 was contrary to Gods Ordinance, for him to part with his patrimony (which he ought most carefully to preserve) would not consent to sell over his vineyard, neither for love nor money, nor other recompence: and herein he did but his duty, approved by the holy Scripture. Now how odious a thing before God the oppression of poor people is, it is mani∣fest by his owne words in the Prophesie of Ezechiel, where he saith, Let it suffice, O Princes of Israel, learn off cruelty and oppression, and execute judge∣ment * 1.443 and justice: take away your exactions from my people, and cease to thrust them from their goods and heritages. Now concerning the law of man, which all men agree unto, because it is grounded upon reason and equity, we finde no permission given to Kings to use the goods of other men at their plea∣sures; for that was far from equity: neither was there any such liberty bestowed upon them, by those that first in the beginning exalted them to that degree of dignity: but rather (as divers worthy Authours avouch) their owne vertues and good behaviour which woon them credit amongst the better sort, installed them first unto that honour. And truely there is * 1.444 nothing more rightfull and justin mans society, than that every one should possesse and enjoy that which is his owne in peace and quietnesse, without disturbance or violence; in which respect also, rules of justice are esta∣blished, called lawes, which no good Kings will ever seek to stand against. They are indeed Lords of the earth, a•• some say, and truly; but so, that their Lordships stretch no further than right, and passe not the rule of equity: and notwithstanding, the propriety of goods and possessions re∣maineth untouched. To Kings (saith So••••ca) pertaineth the soveraignty over all things, but to private men the propriety. * 1.445

Tiberius Caesar being solicited by the Governours of the Provinces, to lay heavier tributes, and levy larger subsidies from his people, made (though a Painim) this notable answer, That a good shepherd ought to shear his sheep, not to flea them. Saint Lewis, that good King, amongst all

his other wife and vertuous exhortations which he gave to his son before his death, this was none of the least nor last; That he should never crave any taxe or subsidie of his subjects, but upon urgent necessity, and very just * 1.446 cause; and that if he did otherwise, he should not be reputed for a King, but for a tyran.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of those that have used too much cruelty to wards their subjects in Taxes and Exactions.

IT is clear then by these foresaid assumptions, that a King may not impose upon his Subjects unmeasurable taxes and subsidies, least he make himselfe guilty of extortion, the root and fountain many times of many great mischiefes and inconveniences, and in very deed from whence oftner changes, seditions, and ruines of Common-wealths have proceeded, than from any other cause beside.

What hapned to Roboam King of Israel, for shewing himselfe too rigo∣rous on this behalfe to his subjects, but the defection of the greater part of his Kingdom from him; for being come to the Crowne after the death of his father Solomon, when the people came and made a supplication to him, to be eased from his fathers burdens, he (despising the counsell of his sage * 1.447 and antient. Counsellours, and following the giddy advice of his young companions) gave them a most sharpe and sowre reply; saying, That if his father had laid an heavy yoak upon them, he would encrease it; and if he had chastised them with rods, he would correct them with scourges; which when they of Israel heard, they revolted from him (all save the two Tribes of Iuda and Benjamin) and stoned to death his Collectours, and chose them another King to rule over them. Thus Roboam was deprived of∣ten parts of his Kingdom thorow his owne unadvised tyranny, and fled all amazed unto Jerusalem, where he lived all his dayes without recovery of the same.

Achaeus King of Lydia was hanged up against a hill, and his head throwne into a River running by, because of the great subsidies which he exacted of his people.

Dionysius, the first of that name, a notorious and renowned Tyran, not * 1.448 onely in regard of his exceeding cruelty, but also of his unjust rackings and exactions, was so violent in that practise of doing wrong, that alboit he well knew the griefes and vexations of the people, that ceased not to complain and lament their case continually, yet he diminished not their burdens, but multiplied them more and more, and sucked and gnew out all that ever he could, untill he left them naked, empty, and despoiled: To * 1.449 conclude, this grand theefe, that durst not trust his wife nor owne daugh∣ters, after he had been discomfited by the Carthaginians, was slain by his servants.

Of the Roman Emperours that most vexed the Commonalty with tri∣bures

and taxes, these three were chief, Caligula, Nero, and Caracalla; of whom this latter did most pill and pull the people, and would often say, That the gold and silver of the Kingdom pertained in right to none but * 1.450 him. Being reproved of his mother at a time, for his immoderate and ex∣cessive expences; saying, That there was almost not so much more trea∣sure left as he had already spent; he made her this answer, That she should take no care for that; for as long as his hand was able to wield his sword (which he held naked before her) he would not want money. This is the sword which many now adayes (after the example of Caracalla) have taken up, to cut out (by force and violence) a way to their owne wils, and to cut the throat of equity and justice, and to compell the poor people to forgo their goods, and surrender them into their hands: Now how odious and hatefull these three were made unto the people by their owne wicked de∣meanours, their miserable ends do sufficiently testify; which wee have al∣ready before ment ioned, and mean afterward more at large to speak of.

The Emperour Constance, son to Constantine, whose father was Heraclius, comming at a time out of Greece into Rome, abode there but five dayes; but * 1.451 in that short space committed so much outrage in ransacking the Temples and other publike places, and carrying away so many rich ornaments and pictures (whereof those places then abounded) that in mans remembrance no forreigne barbarous enemy, having taken the City by force of war, ever went away with the like spoil: besides, he did so oppresse the Allies and Tributaries of the Empire (and chiefly the Sicilians) with taxes and im∣posts, that many of them were constrained to sell their children for mo∣ney to satisfie his extortion: and by this meanes he scraped together an in∣finite masse of rapines and evill gotten goods; but enjoyed the sweet of them not very long; for very soon after he was murdered by his owne men of wat, in his returne out of Sicily and all that spoil which he had un∣justly surprised, was suddenly taken and transported into Africa by the Sarasens, that then inhabited the City Panorme.

Lewis the eleventh, King of France, after he had overcharged his sub∣jects with too grievous burdens of payments and taxes, fell into such a ti∣morous conceit and fear of death, as never any man did the like; he at∣tempted all meanes of avoiding or delaying the same; as first, during his sicknesse, he gave his Physitian monethly ten thousand crownes, by that meanes to creep into his favour: wherein he, being in all other things a very niggard and pinch-penny, shewed himself on the other side more than prodigall: next he sent into Calabria for an Hermit, reported to be an holy and devout man, to whom at his arrivall, he performed so much duty and reverence, as was wonderfull and unseemly: for he threw himselfe on his knees, and besought him to prolong his decaying life, as if he had been a God, and not a man: but all that he could do was to no purpose; no nor the reliques which Pope Sextus sent him to busie himselfe withall, nor the holy viall of the Rheimes which was brought him, could prorogue this life of his, nor priviledge him from dying a discontent and unwilling death: he suspected the most part of his nearest attendants, and would not suffer them to approach unto him in his sicknesse: after he had thus prolonged the time in hope, and yet still languished in extream distresse of his dis∣ease, it was at length told him in all speed, that he should not set his minde any longer upon those vain hopes, nor upon that holy man, for his time

was come, and he must needs die. And thus he that during his Raigne shewed himselfe rough and cruell to his subjects, by too many and heavy impositions, was himselfe in his latter end thus roughly and hardly dealt withall.

Christierne the eleventh, King of Denmarke, Norway; and Suecia, after the death of King Iohn his father, reigned, the year of our Lord 1514. and was too intolerable in imposing burdens and taxes upon his subjects; for which cause the Suecians revolted from his government: whom though after many battels and sieges he conquered, and placed amongst them his garisons to keep them in awe, yet ceased they not to rebell against him, and that by the instigation of a mean Gentleman, who very quickly got fo••ting into the Kingdom, and possessed himselfe of the Crowne and government. Now Christierne having lost this Province, and being also in disdain and hatred of his owne Countrey, and fearing least this inward heat of spight should grow to some flame of danger to his life, seeing that the inhabi∣tants of Lubecke conspiring with his uncle Fredericke, began to take armes against him, he fled away, with his wife (sister to the Emperour Charles the fifth) and his young children, to Zealand, a Province of the Empe∣rours, after he had reigned nine yeares: after which the Estates of the Realme (aided by them of Lubecke) assembling together, exalted his uncle Fredericke, Prince of Holsatia (though old and antient) to the Crowne; and publishing certain writings, addressed them to the Emperour and the Princes of his Empire, to render a reason of their proceeding, and to make knowne unto them upon how good considerations they had deposed and banished Christierne, for the tyranny which hee exercised among them. Ten yeares after this he got together a new Army by sea, in hope to recover his losses, but contrary to his hope he was taken prisoner, and in captivity miserably ended his dayes.

Henry King of Suecia was chased from his Scepter for enterprising to * 1.452 burden his Commons with new contributions: those that were devisers of new Taxes and Tributes, for the most part ever lost their lives in their la∣bours: for proof whereof, let the example of Parchenus or Porchetes serve; who for giving counsell to King Theodebert touching the raising of new sub∣sidies, was stoned to death by the multitude, in the City Trieves.

Likewise was George Presquon cruelly put to death by the people, for perswading and setting forward Henry of Suecia, to the vexation and ex∣action of his subjects.

CHAP. XL. More examples of the same subject.

AIstulphus the nineteenth King of Lumbardy, was not onely a most cruell Tyran, but also a grievous op∣pressour * 1.453 of his subjects with taxes and exactions; for he imposed this upon every one of them, to pay year∣ly * 1.454 a Noble for their heads: against this man Pope Stephen provoked King Pepin of France, who com∣ming with an Army drove the Tyran into Tycinum, and constrained him to yeeld to partiall conditions of peace. Howbeit Pepin was no sooner gone, but he returned to his old byas; wherefore the second time he came and drove him to as great extreamity; insomuch as another peace was concluded: after the accomplishment whereof, perverse Aistulph still vexing his subjects, was plagued by God with an Apoplexy, and so died.

Iustinian the Emperour, as he was profuse and excessive in spending, so was he immoderate and insatiable in gathering together riches, for he exer∣cised * 1.455 his wit in devising new tributes and payments, and rejoyced his heart in nothing more; for which causes there arose a grievous sedition at Con∣stantinople against him; wherein not onely the excellent and famous mo∣numents of the Empire were burned, but also forty thousand men slain; and this was no small punishment for his oppression.

At Paris there is to be seene in the corne market, a certaine monument hard at the mouth of the common sinke, which conveyeth away all the filth * 1.456 out of the City; the occasion whereof is reported to be this: A certaine courtier seeing the king sad and melancholly for want of treasure, counsel∣led him to exact of every countriman that brought ware into the city but one penny, and that but for two yeares together: which when the King put in practise, and found the exceeding commodity thereof, he not onely continued that tax, but also invented divers others, to the great dammage of the common-wealth, and enriching of his owne treasurie. Wherefore he that put it first into his head, when hee saw that he had not so much au∣thority in dissuading, as he had in persuading it, to take punishment of himselfe for that inconsiderate deed; and to warne others from attempting the like, he commanded by his testament, that his body should be buried in that common sinke, to be an example of exaction and the filthinesse thereof.

Barnabe, Vicount of Milan, by the report of Paulus Iovius, was an uncon∣scionable oppressor of his subjects and tenants: for he did not onely extort * 1.457 of them continuall imposts and payments, but enjoyned them to keepe eve∣ry one a dogge: which if they came to any mishap, or were either too fat or too leane, the keeper was sure to be beaten, or at least some fine to be set on his head. This Tyran was taken by Iohn Galeacius, and after seven moneths imprisonment poysoned to death.

Archigallo, brother to Gorbonianus in nature, though unlike in conditi∣ons * 1.458 (for he was a good Prince, whereas this was a tyran) was crowned King of Britaine in the yeare of the world 3671: we may well place him in the

ranke, of oppressours; for he deposed the Noblemen, and exalted the ignoble, he extorted from men their goods, to enrich his treasure; for which cause the Estates of the Realme deprived him of his royall Dignity, and placed his younger brother Elydurus in his room, after he had raigned five yeares.

Hardiknitus King of Denmarke, after the death of Harold was ordained * 1.459 King of England, in the year of our Lord 1041. This King as he was somewhat cruell (for he caused the body of Harold to be taken up out of the Sepulclire, and smiting off his head, to be cast out into the River Thames, because he had injured his mother Emma when he was alive;) so he was burdensom to his Subjects in tributes and exaction: for which cause grow∣ing into hatred with God and his Subjects, he was strucken with sudden death, not without suspition of poysoning, after he had raigned three yeares.

William Rufus, second son of William the Conquerour, succeeded his fa∣ther, as in the Kingdom of England, so in disposition of nature: for they * 1.460 were both cruell, inconstant, and covetous, aud burdened their people with unreasonable taxes; insomuch, that what by the murraine of men by postilence, and oppressions of them by exactions, the tillage of the earth was put off for one year, being the year 1099, whereby ensued great scar∣city the year following throughout all the Land: but for the oppression William was justly punished by sudden death, when being at his disport of hunting he was wounded with an arrow glauncing from the bow of Tyrill a French Knight, and so his tyranny and life ended together.

And here is further to be noted, that the place where this King was slain, was called New Forest; in which same place Richard, the Cousin ger∣mane of King William, son to Duke Robert his brother, was likewise slain. This New Forest was made by William the Conquerour their father, who plucked downe and depopulated divers Townes and Churches the compasse of 30. miles about, to make this a Forest for wilde Beasts: a most beastly sin, yea a bloudy crying sin, too too much practised in these dayes, and that by great persons, that make no conscience to turne Townes into pastures, and men into sheep: but let all them behold the just vengeance of God upon this Kings posterity: for when then either cannot or will not revenge, then God revengeth either in them or their posterity.

In the year 1548. the Commons of Guyenne, Santonge, and Augoule∣mois fell into a great Rebellion, by reason of the extortions of the Custo∣mers * 1.461 and Farmours of Salt: the Rebels in a few weekes grew to the num∣ber of fourty thousand men, armed with clubs and staves; who joyning with the Islanders, by a generall consent ran upon the Officers of the Cu∣stome, and with extreme sury put to sword all that they could take, not∣withstanding the King of Navarre sought by all meanes to appease them. About the same time the Commons of Gascoigne rose in divers places, upon the same causes, and notwithstanding all that the Lord of Monneins, the Kings Lieutenant, and all other Officers could do, they made a great spoil of many honourable Houses, and massacre of much people: inso∣much, that the Lord of Moneins himselfe was slain by them, whilest he was making an Oration to them to pacifie their rage: but at length these Rebels were suppressed by Francis of Lorraine, Earle of Aumale, and Anne of Mommorancye, high Constable of France, and the chief King∣leaders

and Captaines of them executed according to their deserts. La Vergne was drawne in pieces by four horses: L'Estonnac, and the two bro∣thers of Saulx, had their heads cut off: Tallemoigne and Galefer••, the two Colonels of the Commons, were broken upon the Wheele, being first crowned with a crowne of burning iron, as a punishment of the Sove∣raignty which they had usurped. Thus the Lord punished both the one and the other, and the one by the other; the exactors for their oppression, and the tumultuous Commons for their Rebellion.

Neither doth the Lord thus punish oppressours themselves, but also they that either countenance, or having authority, do not punish the same; as * 1.462 it appeareth by this example following. In the year of our Lord 475. there lived one Corrannus a King of Scots; who though he governed the people in peace and quietnesse a long space, and was indeed a good Prince, yet because his Chancellour Tomset used extortion and exaction amongst his Subjects, and he being advertised thereof, did not punish him, he was slain traiterously by his owne Subjects.

It is not unworthy to be noted, how Edward the Third, King of Eng∣land, prospered a long while in the warres against France, and got many worthy and wonderfull victories: but when Prince Edward, son unto the aforesaid Edward, after conditions of peace concluded, began to set taxes and impositions upon the Country of Aquitain, then did King Edwards part begin to incline, and the successe of war, which the space of fourty yeares never forsook him, now frowned upon him; so that he quickly lost all those lands which by composition of peace were granted unto him.

CHAP. XLI. Of such as by force of armes have either taken away, or would have taken away, the goods and lands of other men.

NOw if they that oppresse their Subjects, and devour them in this manner be found guilty, then must they * 1.463 needs be much more, that are carried with the wings of their owne hungry ambitious desire to invade their lands and Seigniories, attended on with an infinite re∣tinue of pillages, sackings, ruines of Cities and peo∣ple; which are alwayes necessary companions of furi∣ous unmercifull war. There are no flouds so broad, nor mountaines so steep, nor rokces so rough and dangerous, nor sea so long and furious, that can restrain the rash and headstrong desire of such greedy minded Sacres: so that if their body might be proportioned to the square and greatnesse of their mindes, with the one hand they would reach the East, and with the other hand the West (as it is said of Alexander:) howbeit hereof they boast and glory no lesse than they that took delight to be sirnamed City-spoilers: others burners of Cities; some conquerours, and many Eagles and Faulcons, seeking as it were fame by infamy; and by vice, eternity. But to these men it often commeth to passe, that even then when they thinke to advance their Dominion, and to stretch their bounds and frontiers fur∣thest,

they are driven to recoil, for fear of being dispossessed themselves of their owne lands and inheritances: and even as they dealt, with others ri∣gorously and by strength of weapons, so shall they be themselves rehandled and dealt withall after the same measure; according to the Word of the Prophet denounced against such as they: Cursed be th•••• that spoilest and dealest unfaithfully; when thou hast made an end of spoiling others, th•••• th•• selfe shalt be spoiled; and when thou hast done dealing traiterously, then treason shall begin to be practised against thee. And this curse most commonly never faileth to seise upon these great Theeves and Robbers, or at least upon their children and successours; as by particular examples we shall see, after we have first spoken of Adonias, who not content with his owne estate of being a Kings son, which God had allotted him, went about to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the * 1.464 Crowne and Kingdome from his brother Solomon, to whom by right it ap∣pertained * 1.465 (for God had manifested the same by the mouth of his father David) but both he and his assistants, for their overbold and rash enter∣prise, were iustly by Solomon punished with death.

Crassus King of Lydia was the first that made war against Ephesus, and * 1.466 that subdued the Greekes of Asia: to wit, the Phrygians, Mysians. Cha∣lybeans, Paphlagonians, Thracians, Bythinians, Ionians, Dorians, Aeoli∣ans, and Pamphilians, and made them all tributeries unto him: by meanes whereof he being growne exceeding rich and puissant, by the detriment and undoing of so many people, vanted and gloried in his greatnesse and power, and even then thought himselfe the happiest man in the world, when most misery and adversity, grief and distresse of his estate and wholehouse, approuched nearest: for first and formost one of his sonnes that was dear unto him, was by oversight slain at the chase of a wilde Bore: next him∣selfe having commenced war with Cyrus, was overcome in battell, and be∣sieged in Sardis the chief City of his Kingdom, and at last taken and car∣ried captive to Cyrus, despoiled of all his late glory and dominion. And thus Crassus (as saith Plutarch after Herodotus) bore the punishment of the offence of his great Grandfather Gigas: who being but one of King Ca••∣daules attendants, slew his master, and usurped the Crowne at the pro∣vokement of the Queen his mistresse, whom he also took to be his wife: And thus this Kingdom decayed by the same meanes by which it first en∣creased.

Polycrat••s the Tyran was one that by violence and tyrannous meanes grew from a base condition to an high estate: for being but one of the * 1.467 vulgar sort in the City Samos, he with the assistance of fifteen armed men seised upon the whole City, and made himselfe Lord of it: which dividing into three parts, he bestowed two of them upon his two brethren, but not for perpetuity; for ere long the third part of his usurpation cost the elder of them the best part of his life, and the younger his liberty, for he chased him away, that he might be sole possessour of the whole Island. After this, he invaded many other Islands, besides many Cities in the same Land: he raised the Lacedemonians from the fiege of Samos, which they had begirt: and when he saw that all things fell out so well to his owne wish, that no∣thing could be more, fearing so great prosperity could not but carry in the ••ail some terrible sting of adversity and mischance, attempted by volun∣tary losse of something of value to prevent the mischief which he feared to ensue: and this by the advice of his dear friend and allie (the

King of Aegypt) therefore he threw a ring which he had of great price in∣to the sea, to the end to delude Fortune (as he thought) thereby: ••ut the ring was after found in a fishes belly, and offered as a present unto him: and this was an evident presage of some inevitable this for tune that waited for him: neither did it prove vain and frivolous; for he was hanged upon a gibbet of Sardis, by the commandment of Orates the Governour of the City; who under pretence of friendship, and colour of rendring his trea∣sure into his hands, and bestowing upon him a great part thereof, promi∣sing also to passe the rest of his dayes under his wing, for fear of the rage of Cambyses, drew him to come privately to speak with him, and so easily wrought his will upon him.

Aristodemus got into his hands the government of C••ma, after he had made away the principall of the City: and to keep it the better being ob∣t••ined, * 1.468 he first worme the vulgars hearts by presents, then banished out of the City their children whom he had put to death, and entertained the rest of the youth with such variety of pleasures and delights, that by those de∣vices he kept himselfe in his tyrannous estate many yeares: but as soon as the children of those slain Citizens were growne to ripe yeares of strength and discretion, being desirous to revenge their fathers deaths, they set upon him in the night, so at unawares, that they put him and all his family to the slaughter.

Timophanes usurped a principality, power, and rule in Corinth a free City, and became so odious thereby to the whole people, yea and to his * 1.469 owne brother Tymoleon also, that laying aside all respect of nature, he slew him with his owne hands, preferring the liberty of his Countrey before any unity or bond of bloud. When the Cities of Greece (saith Orosius) would needs through too greedy a desire and ambition of reigne▪ get every * 1.470 one the mastery and soveraignty of the rest, they all together made ship∣wracke of their owne liberties by encroaching upon others: as for in∣stance, the Lacedemonians, how hurtfull and incommodious the desire of bringing their neighbour adjoyning Cities under their dominion was unto them, the sundry discomfitures and distresses within the time of that war, undertaken upon that onely cause, befell them, bear sufficient record. * 1.471

Servius Tullus, the son to a bondman, addicted himselfe so much to the * 1.472 exploits of war, that by prowesse he got so great credit and reputation among the Romans, that he was thought ••it to be son in law of King Tar∣quinius, by marrying one of his daughters; after whose death he usurped the Crowne, under colour of the Protectorship of the Kings ••oo young sonnes; who when they came to age and bignesse, married the daughters of their brother in law Tullus; by whose exhortation and continuall pro∣vokement the elder of them, which was called Tarquinius, conspired against his father in law, and practised to make himselfe King, and to recover his rightfull inheritance, and that by this meanes: he watched his opportu∣nity when the greatest part of the people were out of the City about ga∣thering their fruit in the fields, and then placing his companions in readi∣nesse, to serve his turne if need should be, he marched to the palace in the royall robes, garded with a company of his comederates; and having called a Senate, as he began to complain him of the treachery and impudency of Tullus, behold, Tullus himselfe came in and would have run violently upon him; but Tarquinius catching him about the middle, threw him headlong

downe the staires, and presently sent certaine of his guard to make an end of the murder which he had begun. But herein the cruelty of Tullia was most monstrous; that not onely first moved her husband to this bloudy practice, but also made her coach to be driven over the body of her father, which lay bleeding in the midst of the street, scarce dead.

Manlius, after hee had maintained the fortresse of Rome against the * 1.473 Gaules, glorying in that action, and envying the good hap and prosperity of Camillus, went about to make himselfe King, under pretence of restoring the people to their antient entire libertie: but his practise being discove∣red, hee was accused, found guilty, and by the consent of the multitude adjudged to be throwne headlong downe from the top of the same fortresse, to the end that the same place which gave him great glorie, might be a wit∣nesse and a memoriall of his shame and last confusion: for all his valiant deeds before done were not of so much force with the people, to excuse his fault or save his life, as this one crime was of weight to bring him to his death.

In former times there lived in Carthage one Hanno, who because he had * 1.474 more riches than all the Common-wealth beside, began to aspire to the do∣mination of the Citie: which the better to accomplish, hee devised to make shew of marrying his onely daughter, to the end that at the marriage feast hee might poison the chiefest men of credit and power of the City whom he knew could or would not any wayes withstand or countermand his purpose: but when this devise tooke no effect, by reason of the discove∣ry thereof by certaine of his servants, hee sought another meanes to effect his will: Hee got together a huge number of bondslaves and servants, which should at a sudden put him in possession of the city but being prevented herein also by the Citizens, he seised upon a castle with a thousand men of base regard, even servants for the most part; whither thinking to draw the Africans and King of the Moores to his succour, he was taken and first whipped, next had his eyes thrust out, and then his armes and legs broken in pieces, and so was executed to death before all the people: his carkasse be∣ing thus mangled with blowes, was hanged upon a gallowes, and all his kin∣dred and children put to death, that there might not one remaine of his straine, either to enterprise the like deed, or to revenge his death.

That great and fearefull warrior Iulius Caesar, one of the most hardie and valiant pieces of flesh that ever was, after hee had performed so many nota∣ble exploits, overcome all his enemies, and brought all high and haughtie purposes to their desired effect, being prickt forward with the spurre of ambition and a high minde, through the meanes and assistance of the migh∣ty forces of the common-wealth, which (contrary to the constitution of the Senat) were left in his hands, hee set footing into the State, and ma∣king himselfe master and Lord of the whole Romane Empire, usurped a * 1.475 soveraigntie over them: but as he attained to his dignitie by force and vio∣lence, so he enjoyed it not long, neither gained any great benefit by it, ex∣cept the losse of his life may be counted a benefit, which shortly after in the open Senat was bereft him: for the conspirers thereof, as soone as hee was set downe in his seat, compassing him about, so vehemently overchar∣ged him on all sides, that notwithstanding all the resistance hee could make for his defence, tossing amongst them, and shifting himselfe up and downe, he was overthrowne on the earth, and abode for dead, through the number

of blowes that were given him, even three and twenty wounds.

The Monarchie of Assyria was at one instant extinguished in Sardana pa∣lus; and of Babylon in Balthasar, Arbaces being the worker of the first, and Darius King of Persia, of the later; both of them receiving the wa∣ges, not of their wickednesse, but also of their predecessors, and great grandfathers cruelty and oppressions, by whom many people and nations had been destroyed.

Moreover, as the Babylonian Empire was overthrowne by Darius of Persia, so was his Persian Kingdome (in Darius the last King of that countrey his time, this mans successor) overturned by Alexander. Again, the great dominion of Alexander (who survived not long after) was not continued to any of his by inheritance, but divided like a prey amongst his greatest captaines, and from them the most part of it in short time de∣scended to the Romanes; who spreading their wings, and stretching their greedie tallons farre and neere, for a while ravened and preyed over all the world, and enriched and bedecked themselves with the spoyles of many nations; and therefore it was necessary that they also should be made a prey, and that the farre fetcht Goths and Vandales should come upon them, as upon the bodie of a great Whale that suffers shipwreck upon the sea shore: since which time the Romane Empire went to decay, and grew eve∣ry day weaker than other; yea, and many Princes setting themselves against and above it, have robbed it of the realmes and provinces which it robbed others of before. And thus wee may see how all things run as it were in a circle, and how great the uncertainetie of this world is, seeing that the mightiest are subject to so many and great changes: for if there be any thing under the Sun that may carry any shew of stability or continuance, surely it is a Monarchie or Common-wealth, grounded upon the unitie and consent of all people, maintained by the authoritie of the greatest and most mightie, and underpropped with the shores of much strength and wealth, as the Romane Empire was; and yet for all that, there was never any, though never so well reared and furnished, and deepe rooted, which at the length hath not bin demolished, ransacked, and pulled up by some no∣table and strange calamitie. And this is that which the spirit of God would give us to knowe, by the vision of that great image, represented to Nabuchadnezzar in a dreame, according to Daniels interpretation thereof; to wit, that the foure great and puissant Monarchies of the world should at last be ruined and dispersed, like the chaffe before the winde, till they were consumed and brought to nothing, albeit they were glorious and excellent as gold and silver, or strong and mightie as brasse and iron.

How much more foolish and evill advised are they then, that for a cer∣taine apparant splendour and shew of worldly honour (which is as fraile as any rose, as variable as the winde, as light and vaine as a shadow or smoke, as unassured as a rotten planke) have the eyes of their minde so dazeled, and their wits so bewitched, and all their affections so transported, as to mingle heaven and earth together, to dash the East against the West, to stirre up discord and dissention betwixt man and man, and to shed so many thousand mens bloud, and all for a paltrie desire of reigne, though to their owne finall ruine and destruction.

And thus it came to passe in the time of the emperor Otho to a Duke of * 1.476 Venice, called Peter Caudian, who (not content with his Dukedome)

went about to usurpe a tyrannicall rule over the whole Seigniorie, and that by pride and threats, desiring rather to make himselfe terrible to the people by those bad meanes, than amiable and beloved by any meanes whatsoever; and thus daily hee grew as in age so in insolencie: he placed a garrison of men about his palace, and so fortifying himselfe, presently he shewed him∣selfe in his colours, namely a cruell Tyran: which when the multitude perceived, and remembred withall their libertie, which they were like to lose, they tooke up armes forthwith, in purpose to beat downe his haugh∣tie minde: therefore they first set on fire his house, and caused him to forsake his fortresse, and to betake himselfe to his shifts: but when by reason of the stopping of the passages he could not escape, they tooke him and his young sonne also which was with him, and put them to a most cruell and sudden death, and cast their carkasses to be devoured of dogs.

In the Empire of Maximilian, Lewis Sforce, a Prince of an inconstant * 1.477 and turbulent spirit, ambitious, and one that made no account of his promises nor faith, tooke upon him the governement of Milan, after the death of his brother Galeaz, Duke of Milan, who was traiterously slaine: in which action the first wrong which hee did was to his brothers widow, whom hee deposed; the second to his young nephew, his brother Galeaz son, whom he so brought up as if he never meant he should come to honour or goodnesse; for he suffered him not to be trained up either in learning or armes, but let him runne into all possible occasions that might corrupt and spoyle his tender age. Thus hee enjoyed the principalitie thirteene yeares, all the while under his nephewes reigne; to whom when Alphonsus King of Naples had given in mariage one of his daughters, and perceived what small reckoning his uncle made of restoring him his Dukedome; after he had often and instantly intreated him without prevailing, at length he fell to threaten him with warre: he fearing to have the worse, and to lose so great a dignitie, wrought so by his owne shifts and devices, together with the helping hand of Pope Alexander, that hee put in the head of Charles the eighth of France to go and conquer Naples, for the hatred which his heart possessed against Alphonsus; supposing by this meanes the better to accomplish his affaires to his owne desire. The King of France * 1.478 was no sooner entred Italie, but Lewis Sforce ministred an Italian posset to his young nephew Iohn Galeaz, that hee immediatly died upon it, and then he proclamed himselfe Prince of the Duchie, by the aid of the principall of the Councell, whom he had woon to referre that honour unto him, by deposing the young sonne of Iohn Galeaz, beeing then but five yeares old: but he declared presently his inconstant and perfidious nature, in breaking promise with the King of France, whome he had induced with so many faire speeches to undertake that voyage, and entering a new league with the Venetians both against him and the Pope, although ere long he served them with the same measure: but Lewis the twelfth, succeeding in the Crowne of France, could not brooke this injurie done to his predecessor, but preten∣ding a title to the Duchie of Milan, he dispatched an armie thitherward, that bestirred it selfe so well, that in short space they brought under their subjection all the Cities and Townes neere adjoyning: which the citizens perceiving, began to rebell against their Duke, and killed his Treasurer: whereupon he (being not able to make his part good with the French a∣broad, nor daring to put any confidence in his owne at home) left his castle

to the charge and custodie of a captaine, and fled himselfe with his children to Almaine, towards the Emperour Maximilians court, hoping to finde succour at his hand, as indeed he did: for he returned to Milan with five hundred Burgundians, and eight thousand Switzers, and was received a∣gaine into the Citie. Being thus refortified with these and other more troupes that came unto him, he encamped before Navarre, and by compo∣sition got the City into his hands from the Frenchmen. The French King in the meane while sent a new supplie of men into the Duchie, amongst whom were many Switzers, who so dealt with their countrimen that were on the Dukes side, that they brought them also to favour the King of France, and to forsake the Duke: which when he understood, hee presently departed the citie, and posting to the campe, hardened his souldiers, desi∣ring them to play the men, and not to shrinke, for he meant to give battell without delay: but the captains made answer, that they might not fight a∣gainst their owne nation, without especiall leave from their Lords. Now in the meane while, whilest these things were in doing, they tooke order, that the Frenchmen should approach to Navarre, and intercept all the pas∣sages, that the Duke might not escape: He therefore laid aside his horse, and marched on foot in the squadron of Switzers, now joyned to the French, in attire and armour like a Switzer, thinking by this tricke to save his life: but all his counterfeiting could not save him from being taken, and from lying ten yeares prisoner in the Tower of Loches, where he also died: and so all his high and ambitious thoughts (which scarcely Italie could con∣taine) were pend up in a strait and narrow roome. * 1.479

With the like turbulent and furious spirit of ambition have many Ro∣man Bishops been inspired, who what by their jugling trickes, cousenages, and subtill devises, and what by force, have prospered so well, that of sim∣ple Bishops (which they were wont to be) they are growne temporall Lords, and as it were Monarchs; having in their possessions lands, cities, castles, fortresses, havens, garrisons, and guards, after the manner of Kings; nay they have exalted themselves above Kings (so intollerable is * 1.480 their impudence) and made them subject to their wils; and yet they call themselves the Apostles pedigree, whom Christ forbad all such dominati∣on. But what of that? It pertaineth not to them to succeed in vertue, but in authoritie the Apostles: for if that charge had concerned them, then Pope Lucius the second would never have beene so shamelesse, as to request * 1.481 in right of his Popeship the soveraigntie over Rome as hee did: neither when it was denyed him, to have gone about to usurpe it by force, and to bring his minde about to have layed siege to the Senat house with armed men, to the end that either by banishing or murdering the Senatours then assembled together, he might invest himselfe with the Kingly dignitie: but what got he by it? Marry this, the people being in an uprore in the Citie, upon the sight of this holy fathers proud attempt, tooke themselves to armes, and ran with such violence upon master Pope, that they forthwith stoned his Holinesse to death; but not like Stephen the Martyr for the pro∣fession of Christ Iesus, but like a vile and seditious theefe for seeking the Common-wealths overthrow.

Pope Adrian the fourteenth, a monkes sonne, succeeding Lucius both in the Papacie, and also in ambition, tooke in hand his omitted enterprises; * 1.482 for he excommunicated the Romanes, untill they had banished Arnold a

Bishop, that gave them counsell to retaine the power of electing their ma∣gistrate, and governing their citie in their hands (a thing repugnant to his intent) and after hee had degraded the Consuls, to make his part the stron∣ger, he caused the Emperour Fredericke to come with an armie to the citie; whom notwithstanding hee handled but basely for his paines: for hee did not onely checke him openly for standing on his feet, and holding the stir∣rop of his horse with his left hand, but also denied him the crowne of the Empire, except hee would restore to him Poville, which (he said) pertai∣ned unto him: how beit he got the Crowne notwithstanding, and before his returne from Rome into Germanie, more than a thousand citizens that would not yeeld nor subscribe unto the Popes will, were slaine. After Fre∣derickes departure, the Pope seeing himselfe destitute of his further aid, first excommunicated the King of Sicilie, that in right of inheritance possessed the foresaid Poville: but when this served him to small purpose, he practi∣sed with Emanuel the Emperour of Greece to set upon him; which thing turned to his finall confusion. After this (through his intollerable pride) hee fell out with Fredericke the Emperour, and to revenge himselfe upon him, discharged his subjects from their fealtie to him, and him from his authoritie over them. Now marke his end: As he walked one day to∣wards Aviane, a flie got in at his mouth and downe his throat so farre, that it stopped the conduit of his breath, so that for all that his physitions could do, hee was choked therewith. And thus he that sought by all the meanes he could to make himselfe greater than he ought to be, and to get the masterie of every thing at his owne will and pleasure, and to take away other mens rights by force, was cut short and rebated by a small and base creature, and constrained to leave this life, which he was most unworthy of.

Hither may be referred that which befell the Emperour Albert, Duke of Austria, and one of his lievtenants in Switzerland, for going about to u∣surpe and appropriat certaine lands and dominions to him, which belonged not unto him. This Emperour had many children whom he desired to leave rich and mighty, and therefore by all meanes possible he endeavoured to augment his living, even by getting from other men whatsoever he could; and amongst all the rest, this was one especiall practise, wherein he laboured tooth and nayle to alienate from the Empire the land of the Switzers, and to leave it for an everlasting inheritance to his heires: which although the Switzers would in no case condiscend nor agree unto, but contrariwise sued earnestly unto his Majesty for the maintenance of their antient liberties and priviledges which were confirmed unto them by the former Emperors, and that they might not be distracted from the Empire; yet notwithstan∣ding were constrained to undergo for a season the yoke of most grievous ty∣ranny and servitude imposed by force upon them: and thus the poore com∣munaltie indured many mischiefes, and many grievous and cruell extorti∣ons and indignities at the hands of the Emperours officers, whilest they lived in this wretched and miserable estate.

Amongst the rest there was one called Grislier that began to erect a strong fort of defence upon a little hill neere unto Altorfe, to keepe the countrey in greater awe and subjection; and desiring to descrie his friends from his foes, he invented this devise: He put a hat upon the end of a long pole, and placed it in the field before Altorfe, where were great multitudes of people, with this commandement, That everie one that came by should do

but dieth ere he awaketh; so mony taken in usurie, delighteth and conten∣teth at the first, but it infecteth all his possessions, and sucketh out the mar∣row of them ere it be long: Seeing then it is abhominable both by the law of God and nature, let us shun it as a toad, and flie from it as a cockatrice: But when these persuasions will not serve, let them turne their eyes to these examples following, wherein they shall see the manifest indignation of God upon it.

In the Bishopricke of Collen a notable famous Usurer lying upon his death-bed ready to die, moved up and downe his chaps and his lips, as if he * 1.483 had bin eating something in his mouth; and beeing demanded what hee eat, hee answered, his money, and that the divell thrust it in his mouth perforce, so that hee could neither will nor chuse but devour it: in which miserable temptation he died without any shew of repentance.

The same author telleth of another Usurer, that a little before his death called for his bags of gold and silver, and offered them all to his soule, upon condition it would not forsake him: But if he would have given all the world, it could not ransome him from death: wherefore when he saw there was no remedie but hee must needs die, hee commended his soule to the Divell, to be carried into everlasting torments: which words when hee had uttered hee gave up the ghost.

Another Usurer being ready to die, made this his last Will and Testa∣ment: My soule (quoth he) I bequeath to the divell who is owner of it, my wife likewise to the divell who induced me to this ungodly trade of life, and * 1.484 my deacon to the divell for soothing me up, and not reproving me for my faults; and in this desperate persuasion he died incontinently.

Usury consisteth not only in lending and borowing, but buying and selling also, and all unjust and crafty bargaining, yea and it is a kinde of usurie to detain through too much covetousnesse those commodities from the people which concerne the publike good, and to hoord them up for their private gain, til some scarcitie orwant arise; and this also hath evermore beene most sharpely punished, as by these examples may appeare. About the yeare 1543. at what time a great famine and dearth of bread afflicted the world, there was in Saxonie a countrey peasant, that having carried his corne to the market, and sold it cheaper than he looked for, as he returned homewards he fell into most heavy dumpes and dolours of minde with griefe that the price of graine was abated: and when his servants sang merrily for joy of that blessed cheapnesse, he rebuked them most sharpely and cruelly, yea and was so much the more tormented and troubled in minde, by how much he more he saw any poore soule thankfull unto God for it: but marke how God gave him over to a reprobate and desperate sence: Whilest his servants rode before, hee hung himselfe at the cart taile, being past recoverie of life ere any man looked backe or perceived him. A notable example for our En∣glish cormorants, who joyne barne to barne, and heape to heape, and will not sell nor give a handful of their superfluitie to the poore, when it beareth a low price, but preserve it till scarcity and want come, and then they sell it at their owne rate; let them feare by this, lest the Lord deale so or worse with them.

Another covetous wretch, when he could not sel his cornesodear as hee de∣sired, said the mise should eat it rather than he would lessen one jot of the price thereof: Which words were no sooner spoken, but vengeance tooke

them: for all the mise in the countrey flocked to his barnes and fieldes, so that they left him neither standing nor lying corne, but devoured all. This story was written to Martin Luther: upon occasion whereof he inveying mightily against this cruell usurie of husbandmen, told of three misers * 1.485 that in one yeare hung themselves, because graine bore a lower price than they looked for: adding moreover, that all such cruell and muddy extorti∣oners deserved no better a doome, for their unimercifull oppressi∣on.

Another rich farmer, whose barnes were full of graine, and his stacks * 1.486 untouched, was so covetous withall, that in hope of some dearth and deere∣nesse of corne, he would not diminish one heape, but hoorded up dayly more and more, and wished for a scarcity upon the earth, to the end hee might enrich his coffers by other mens necessities. This cruell churle re∣joyced so much in his aboundance, that everie day he would go into his barnes, and feed his eyes with his superfluitie: Now it fell out as the Lord would, that having supped and drunke very largely, upon a night as hee went, according to his custome, to view his riches, with a candle in his hand, behold the wine, or rather the justice of God, overcame his sences, so that he fell downe suddenly into the mow, and by his fall set on fire the corne, being dry and easie to be incensed, in such sort that in a moment all that which he had scraped together and preserved so charily, and delighted in so unreasonably, was consumed and brought to ashes, and scarce he him∣selfe escaped with his life.

Another in Misnia, in the yeare 1559, having great store of corne hoor∣dedup, * 1.487 refused to succor the necessitie of his poore & halfe famished neigh∣bours: for which cause the Lord punished him with a strange and unusuall judgement, for the corne which he so much cherished, assumed life, and be∣came feathered fowles, flying out of his barnes in such abundance, that the world was astonished thereat, and his barnes left emptie of all provision, in most wonderfull and miraculous manner.

No lesse strange was that which happened in a towne of France called * 1.488 Stenchansen, to the Governour of the towne, who being requested by one of his poore subjects to sell him some corne for his money, when there was * 1.489 none to be gotten elsewhere; answered, hee could spare none, by reason he had scarce enough for his owne hogs: which hoggish disposition the Lord requited in it owne kinde; for his wife at the next litter brought forth seven pigs at one birth to increase the number of his hogs: that as he had prefer∣red filthie and ougly creatures before his poore brethren, in whom the i∣mage of God in some sort shined forth, so he might have of his owne get∣ting more of that kinde to make much of, since hee loved them so well.

Equall to all the former both in cruelty touching the person, and mira∣cle * 1.490 touching the judgement, was that which is reported by the same au∣thour, to have happened to a rich couetous woman in Marchia, who in an extreame dearth of victuals, denyed not onely to relieve a poore man whose children were ready to starve with famine, but also to sell him but one bu∣shell of corne, when he wanted but a penny of her price: for the poore wretch making great shift to borrow that penny, returned to her againe, and desired her he might have the corn: but as he payed her the mony, the penny fell upon the ground by the providence of God, which as she stretched out

obeisance, and vaile bonnet to the hat, and in every respect shew themselves as dutifull unto it, as to his owne person, imagining that his greatest ene∣mies could not endure nor finde in their hearts to do it, and therefore upon this occasion he might apprehend them, and discover all their close practi∣ses, and conspiracies, which they might brew against him: now there was one, a stout hearted man, that passing everie day up and downe that wayes, could in no wise be brought to reverence the dignitie of the worthy hat, (so unreasonable a thing it seemed in his eyes) whereupon being taken, the tyran commanded him (for punishment of his open contempt) to shoot at an apple laid upon the crowne of the head of his dearest childe, and if he mist the apple, to be put to death: the poore man after many ex∣cuses, and allegations, and entreaties that he might not hazard his childes life in that sort, was notwithstanding enforced to shoot, and shooting, God so directed his shaft, that the apple was hit, and the childe untoucht; and yet for all this, he adjudged him to perpetuall prison: out of which he mi∣raculously escaping, watched the tyrans approach in so fit a place, that with the shaft that should have beene the death of his sonne, he strooke him to the heart; whose unluckie end, was a luckie beginning of the Switzers de∣liverance from the bondage of tyrans, and of the recovery of their antient freedome, which ever after they wisely and constantly maintained. * 1.491

The Emperour Albert, purposing to be revenged upon them for his in∣jury, as also for slaying many more of his men, and breaking downe his castles of defence which he had caused to be builded in their countrey, de∣termined to mak war upon them; but he was slaine ere he could bring it hat determination to effect by one of his owne nephews, from whom (being his overseer and gardant for bringing up) he withheld his patrimonie a∣gainst all equity; neither by prayers or entreatie could be perswaded to re∣store it. These things (according to Nic. Gils report in his first volume of the Chronicles of France) happened about the reigne of Saint Lewis.

Hither may be referred the history of Richard the first, King of En∣gland, called Richard Coeur de Lyon: though not so much a fruite of ambi∣tion * 1.492 in him, as of filthie covetousnesse. This King, when as Widomarus Lord of Linionice in little Britaine having found a great substance of trea∣sure in the ground, sent him a great part thereof, as chiefe Lord and Prince of the countrey, refused it; saying, That he would either have all or none; but the finder would not condiscend to that: whereupon the King layed siege to a castle of his called Galuz, thinking the treasure to lye there: but as he with the Duke of Brabant went about viewing the Castle, a souldier within stroke him with an arrow in the arme, the yron whereof festering in the wound, caused that the King within nine daies after died: And so because he was not content with the halfe of the treasure that another man found, lost all his owne treasure that he had, together with his life the chiefest trea∣sure of all.

CHAP. XLII. Of Vsurers, and their theft.

IF open larcenies and violent robberies and extortions are forbidden by the law of God, as we have seene they are, then it is no doubt but that all deceit and un∣just dealings and bargains used to the dammage of o∣thers are also condemned by the same law; and namely Usurie, when a man exacteth such unmeasurable gaine for either his mony or other thing which hee lendeth, that the poore borrower is so greatly indam∣maged, that in stead of benefitting and providing for his affaires, which he aimed at, he hitteth his further losse and finall overthrow. This sinne is ex∣pressely prohibited in Leviticus, 25, Deuteronomy 23, and Psalme, 15; where the committants thereof are held guilty before Gods judgement Seat, of iniquitie and injustice: and against them it is that the prophet * 1.493 Ezechiel denounceth this threatening: That he which oppresseth or vexeth the poore and afflicted, he which robbeth or giveth to usurie, and receiveth the en∣crease into their bags, shall die the death, and his bloud shall bee upon his * 1.494 pate.

Neither truely doth the justice of God sleepe in this respect, but taketh vengeance upon all such, and punisheth them after one sort or other, either in body or goods, as it pleaseth him: I my selfe knew a grand usurer in the countrey of Vallay that having scraped together great masses of gold and silver by these unlawfull meanes, was in one night robbed of fifteene hun∣dred crownes by theeves that broke into his house. I remember also ano∣ther usurer dwelling in a town called Argental, nigh unto Anovay under the jurisdiction of Tholosse in high Vivaria, who being in hay time in a mea∣dowe, was stung in the foot by a serpent, or some other venomous beast, that he died thereof: an answerable punishment for his often stinging and biting many poore people with his cruell and unmercifull usurie.

Nay it is so contrarie to equitie and reason, that all nations led by the instinct of nature, have alwayes abhorred and condemned it; insomuch that the conditions of theeves hath bin more easie and tollerable than usu∣rers; for theft was wont to be punished but with double restitution, but usurie with quadruple: and to speake truely, these rich and gallant usurers do more rob the common people and purloine from them, than all the publike theeves that are made publike examples of justice in the world. It is to be wished that some would examine usurers bookes, and make a * 1.495 bond-fire of their obligations, as that Lacedemonian did when Agesilaus re∣ported that hee never saw a ••leerer fire: or that some Lucullus would deli∣ver Europe from that contagion, as the Romane did Asia in his time. Li∣curgus * 1.496 banished this canker worme out of his Sparta: Amasis punished it severely in his Aegypt: Cato exiled it out of Sicilie; and Solo condemned it in Athens; how much more should it he held in detestation among Christians? S. Chrysostome compareth it fitly to the biting of an aspe; * 1.497 as he that is stung with an aspe, falleth asleepe as it were with delectation,

her hand to reach, it miraculously turned into a serpent, and bit her so fast, that by no meanes it could be loosened from her arme, untill it had brought her to a woefull and miserable end.

Sergius Galba, before hee came to be Emperor (being President of Africa under Claudius, when as through penurie of victuals, corne, and other food * 1.498 was very sparingly shared out and divided amongst the armie) punished a certaine souldier that sould a bushell of wheat to one of his fellows for an hundred pence, in ••ope to obtaine a new share himselfe, in this manner, he cōmanded the Quaestor or Treasurer to give him no more sustenance, since hee preferred lucre before the necessity of his owne body and his friends welfare; neither suffered he any man else to sell him any; so that hee peri∣shed with famine, and became a miserable example to all the army, of the fruits of that foule droupsie covetousnesse.

And thus wee see how the Lord rained downe vengeance upon all cove∣tous Usurers and oppressors, plaguing some on this fashion, and some on that; and never passing any, but either in this life some notable judgement overtakes them, either in themselves or their off-springs (for it is notori∣ously knowne that usurers children, though left rich, yet the first or second generation became alwayes beggers) or in the life to come they are thrown into the pit of perdition, from whence there is no redemption nor deli∣verance.

CHAP. XLIII. Of Dicers and Card-players, and their theft.

IF any recreation be allowed us, as no doubt there is, yet sure∣ly it is not such as whereby we should worke the damage and hurt of one another, as when by gaming we draw away ano∣ther mans mony with his great losse, and this is one kinde of theft, to usurpe any mans goods by unlawfull meanes: wherefore no such sports ought to finde any place amongst Christians, especially those wherein any kinde of lot or hazard is used, by the which the good blessings of God are, contrary to their true and naturall use, expo∣sed to chance and fortune, as they tearme it: for which cause Saint Augus∣tine is of this opinion concerning them: That the gaine which ariseth to any party in play, should be bestowedupon the poor, to the end that both the * 1.499 gamesters, as well the winner as the loser might be equally punished, the one by not carrying the stake being won, the other by being frustrated of all his hope of winning. Players at dice, both by the Elibertine & Constantino∣politan Councell under Iustinian, were punished with excommunication: and by a new constitution of the said Emperour it was enacted, That no man should use Dice-play either in private or publique, no nor approve * 1.500 the same by their presence, under paine of punishment: and Bishops were there appointed to be overseers in this behalfe, to espie if any default was * 1.501 made.

a 1.502 Horace an heathen Poet avouched the unlawfulnesse of this thing even in his time, when he saith that Dice-playing was forbidden by their law. Lewis the eighth, King of France, renouned for his good conditions and rare ver∣tues;

amongst all the excellent laws which he made, this was one, That all sports should be banished the Common-wealth, except shooting (whether with long bow or Crosse bow) and that no Cards nor Dice should be either made or sold by any; to the end that all occasion of gaming might bee taken away. Surely it would be very profitable and expedient for the Weale-pub∣lique, that this Ordinance might stand in use at this day, and that all Mer∣chants and Mercers whatsoever, especially those that follow the reformati∣on of Religion, might forbeare the sale of all such paltry Wares: for the fault in selling such trash is no lesse than the abuse of them in playing at them, for so much as they upon greedinesse of so small a gaine, put as it were a sword into a mad mans hand, by ministring to them the instruments not onely of their sports, but also of those mischiefes that ensue the same. There a man may heare curses as rife as words, bannings, swearings, and blasphemies, banded up and downe; there men fret themselves to death, and consume whole nights in darke and divelish pastimes; some lose their horses, others their cloakes, a third sort all that ever they are worth, to the undoing of their houses, wives, and children; and some again from brau∣lings fall to buffetings, from buffets to bloudshedding, from bloudshedding to hanging: and these are the fruits of those gallant sports.

But this you shall see more plainely by a few particular examples. In a * 1.503 towne of Campania a certaine Iew playing at dice with a Christian, lost a great summe of money unto him; with which great losse being enraged, and almost beside himselfe, as commonly men in that case are affected, hee belched out most bitter curses against Christ Iesus, and his mother the blessed Virgin, in the midst whereof the Lord deprived him of his life and sense; and strooke him dead in the place: as for his companion the Christi∣an, indeed he escaped sudden death, howbeit he was robbed of his wit and understanding, and survived not verie long after: to teach us not onely * 1.504 what a grievous sinne it is to blaspheme God, and to accompanie such wret∣ches, and not to shun, or at least reprove their outrage; but also what mon∣strous effects proceed from such kinde of ungodly sports, and how grie∣vously the Lord punisheth them, first by giving them over to blasphemy, secondly to death, and thirdly and lastly to eternall and irrevocable damna∣tion: Let our English gamesters consider this example, and if it will not terrifie them from their sports, then let them looke to this that followeth, which if their hearts be not as hard as adamant, will mollifie and perswade them.

In the yeare 1533. neere to Belissana a citie in Helvetia, there were three * 1.505 prophane wretches that played at dice upon the Lords day without the wals of the citie, one of which called Vlrich Schraelerus having lost much mony, and offended God with many cursed speeches, at last presaging to himselfe good lucke, he burst forth into these tearmes, If fortune deceive me now, I will thrust my dagger into the verie body of God as farre as I can: now * 1.506 fortune failed him as before, wherefore forthwith he drew his dagger, and taking it by the point, threw it against heaven with all his strength: behold, the dagger vanished away, and five drops of bloud distilled upon the table before them, and without all delay the divell came in place, and carried a∣way the blasphemous wretch with such force and noyse, that the whole ci∣ty was amased and astonished thereat: the other two (halfe beside them∣selves with feare) strove to wipe away the drops of bloud out of the table,

but the more they wiped it, the more clearly it appeared; The rumor of this accident flew into the citie, and caused the people to flocke thicke and threefold unto the place, where they found the other two gamesters wash∣ing the boord; whom (by the decree of the Senate) they bound with chaines, and carried towards the prison; but as they passed with them through a gate of the citie, one of them was stroken suddenly dead in the midst of them, with such a number of lice and wormes creeping out of him, that it was both wonderfull and lothsome to behold: the third they themselves (without any further inquisition or triall) to avert the indig∣nation which seemed to hang over their heads, put incontinently to death; the table they tooke and preserved it for a monument, to witnesse unto po∣sterity, both how an accursed pastime dicing is, and also what great incon∣veniencies and mischiefes grow thereby.

But that we may see yet more the vanitie and mischievous working of this sport, I will report one storie more out of the same authour, though not equall to the former in strangenesse and height of sinne, yet as tragicall, and no lesse pitifull.

In the yeare 1550, there lived in Alsatia one Adam Steckman, one that * 1.507 got his living by tximming, pruning, and dressing vines; this man having received his wages, fell to dice, and lost all that he had gotten; insomuch that he had not wherewith to nourish his family, so that he fell into such a griefe of minde, and withall into such paines of the head, that he grew al∣most desperate withall: one day his wife being busie abroad, left the care of her children unto him; but he tooke such great care of them that he cut all their throats, even three of them, whereof one lay in the cradle, and lastly would have hanged himselfe, had not his wife come in the meane while, who beholding this pitifull tragedie, gave a great outcrie, and fell downe dead; whereupon the neighbours running in, were eye witnesses of this wofull spectacle: as for him, by law he was judged to a most severe and cruell pu∣nishment: and all these pitifull events arose from that cursed root of Dice∣play.

We ought therefore to learne by all these things that have beene already spoken, to abstaine not onely from this cursed pastime, but also from extor∣tion, robberies, deceit, guile, and other such naughty practices that tend to the hurt and detriment of one another; and in place thereof to procure the good and welfare of each one in all kindenesse and equity, following the A∣postles counsell, where he sayeth, Let them that stole steale no more, but ra∣ther * 1.508 travell by labouring with his hands in that which is good, that he may have wherewith to succor the necessitie of others. For it is not enough not to do evill to our neighbor, but we are tyed to do him good, or at least to endea∣vour to do it.

CHAP. XLIV. Of such as have beene notorious in all kinde of sinne.

BY these fore placed examples we have seene how heavie the judgements of God have beene upon those that through the * 1.509 untamednesse of their owne lusts and affections, would not submit themselves under the holy and mighty will of God, but have countermanded his commandements, and with∣stood his precepts, some after one sort, and some after ano∣ther: now because there have bin some so wicked and wretched, that being wholy corrupted and depraved, they have over flowed with all manner of sinne and iniquity, and as it were maugred God with the multitude and hai∣nousnesse of their offences; we must therefore spend sometime also in set∣ting forth their lives and ends, as of the most vile and monstrous kinde of people that ever were. In this ranke we may place the antient Inhabitants of the land of Canaan; an irreligious people, void of all feare and dread of God, and consequently given over to all abhominabl wickednesse, as to con∣jurings, witchcrafts, and unnameable adulteries: for which causes the Lord abhorring and hating them, did also bring them to a most strange destructi∣on; for first and formost Jericho (the frontier citie of their countrey) be∣ing assaulted by the Israelites, for hindering their progresse into the country; were all discomfited, not so much by Iosuah his sword, as by the huge stones which dropped from heaven upon their heads: and lest the night overtaking them should breake off the finall and full destruction of this cursed people, the day was miraculously prolonged, and the Sunne made to rest himselfe in the middest of heaven for the space of a whole day: and so these five Kings hiding themselves in a cave, were brought out, and their neckes made a foot∣stoole to the captains of Israell, and were hanged on five trees.

The tyran Pertander usurped the government over Corinth after hee had * 1.510 slaine the principall of the city: he put to death his owne wife, to the end to content and please his concubine; nay and was so execrable, as to lye with his owne mother: he banished his naturall sonne, and caused many children of his subjects to be gelded: finally fearing some miserable and monstrous end, and want of sepulchre, in conscience of his misdeeds, he gave in charge to two strong and hardy souldiers, that they should ga••d a certain appointed place, and not faile to kill the first that came in their way, and to bury his body being slaine: now the first that met them was himselfe, who offered himselfe unto them without speaking any word, and was soone dispatched and buried according to his commandement▪ but these two were encountered with foure other, whom he also had appointed to do the same to them which they had done to them.

In this ranke deservably we may place the second Dionysius his sonne, that * 1.511 for his cruelties and extortions was slaine by his owne subjects: who though at the first made shew of a better and milder nature than his father was of, yet after he was installed in his Kingdom, and growne strong, his wicked na∣ture shewd forth it selfe; for first he rid out of the way his owne brethren, then his neerest kindred, and lastly, all other that but any way displeased

him; using his sword not to the cutting downe of vice, as it ought, but to the cutting the throats of his innocent and guiltlesse subjects: with which tyrannie the people being incensed, began to mutinie, and from mutinies fell to open rebellion, persecuting him so, that he was compelled to flie and take harbour in Greece: where notwithstanding hee ceased not his ac∣customed manners, but continued still freshly, committing robberies, and doing all manner of injuries and outrages, in wronging men; and forcing both women and maids to his filthie lusts: untill hee was brought to so low and so base an ebbe of estate, that of a King being become a beggar and a vagabond, hee was glad to teach children at Corinth to get his poore li∣ving, and so died in miserie.

Clearchus, another tyran, after hee had put to death the most part of the * 1.512 Nobles, and chiefe men of account in the citie of Heraclea, usurped a ty∣rannous authoritie over the rest: amongst many of whose monstrous enor∣mities this was one, that hee constrained the widowes of those whom hee had slaine, against their wils to marry those of his followers whom hee al∣lotted them to; insomuch that many of them with griefe and anger slew themselves: now there were two men of stouter courage than the rest, who pittying the miserable condition of the whole citie, undertooke to deliver the same out of his cruell hands: comming therefore accompanied with fiftie other of the same minde and resolution, as though they would debate a privat quarrell before his presence, as soone as convenience served, they diverted their swords from themselves into the tyrans bosome, and hewed him in pieces in the very midst of his guard.

Agathocles, King, or rather tyran of Sicilie, from a porters sonne, grow∣ing * 1.513 to be a man of warre, tooke upon him the government of the countrey, and usurped the crowne, contrary to the consent of his people: hee was one given to all manner of filthie and uncleane pollutions, in whom trea∣cherie, crueltie, and generally all kinde of vice reigned, and therefore was worthily plagued by God; first by a murder of his youngest sonne, com∣mitted by his eldest sonnes son, that aspired unto the crowne, and thought that he might be an obstacle in his way for obtaining his purpose: and last∣ly, having sent his wife and children into Aegypt for safety, by his owne miserable and languishing death which shortly after ensued.

Romulus the first King of Rome was (as Florus testifieth) transported by * 1.514 a devill out of this earth into some habitation of his owne, for the mon∣strous superstitions, conjurings, thefts, ravishments, and murders, which during his pompe hee committed; and moreover (he saith) that Plutarch, * 1.515 the most credible and learned Writer amongst Historiographers, both Greek and Latin, that ever writ, avoucheth the same for true; That hee was carried away one day by a spirit in a mighty tempest of thunder and lightening, before the view of the whole multitude, to their great astonish∣ment, insomuch that they fled at the sight thereof.

What shall wee say of Silla, that monster in cruelty, that most odious and execrable Tyran that ever was, by whom all civile order and humane policie was utterly defaced, and all vice and confusion in stead thereof set up? did hee not procure the death of six thousand men at one clap, at the * 1.516 discomfiture of Marius? And having promised to save the lives of three thousand that appealed unto his mercy, did he not cause them to be assem∣bled within a Parke, and there to have their throats cut, whilest hee made

an oration to the Senate? It was hee that filled the channels of the streets of Rome, and other cities in Italie, with bloud and slaughters innumerable: and that neither spared Altar, Temple, or other priviledged place or house whatsoever, from the pollution and distainment of innocent bloud: hus∣bands were staine in their wives armes, infants in their mothers bosomes, and infinite multitudes of men murdered for their riches: for if any were either rich, or owners of faire houses, or pleasant gardens, they were sure to die: besides, if there were any private quarrell or grudge betwixt any citizen, and some of his crew, he suffered his side to revenge themselves af∣ter their owne lusts, so that for private mislike and enmity many hundreds lost their lives; he that saved an outlaw or proscribed person in his house, (of which there were too many of the best sort in his time) or gave him entertainment under his roofe, whether he were his brother, sonne, or pa∣rent whatsoever, was himselfe for recompence of his curtesie and humani∣tie, proscribed and sould, and condemned to death: and he that killed one of them that was proscribed, had for reward two talents (the wages of his murder) amounting in value to twelve hundred crownes, whether it was a bondslave that slew his master, or a sonne that murdered his father: com∣ming to Preneste, hee began to proceed in a kinde of justiciall forme a∣mongst the citizens, and as it were by law and equitie to practise wrong and injurie: but ere long, either being weary of such slow proceedings, or not at leisure to prosecure the same any further, he caused to meet together in one assemblie two thousand of them, whom hee committed all to the mas∣sacre without any manner of compassion: As hee was sitting one day in the middest of his pallace in Rome, a souldier to whom he had granted the proscription of his dead brother, as if he had beene alive (whom he him∣selfe before the civile warre had slaine) presented him in lieu of thanks for the great good turne the head of one Marcus Marius of the adverse faction, before the whole citie, with his hands all imbrued in bloud, which hee also washed in the holy water sta••ke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apolloes temple, being near unto that place; and all this being commended and countenanced by Silla: hee de∣creed a generall disanulment and abrogation of all titles and rights that were passed before his time, to the end to have the more liberty both to put to death whom he pleased, and to confiscate mens goods, and also to unpeo∣ple and repeople cities, sack, pulldowne, and build, and to depose & make Kings at his pleasure: the goods which he had thus seised, he shamed not to sell with his owne hands; sitting in his tribunall sear, giving oftentimes a faire woman a whole countrey, or the revenues of a citie for her beauty, and to Players, Jesters, Juglers, Minstr••••s, and other wicked effranchised slaves, great and unnecessary rewards: yea, and to divers married women also, whom (pleasing his eye) he deprived their husbands of perforce, and espoused them to himselfe, maugre their wils: being desirous to ally him∣selfe with Pompey, hee commanded him to cast off his lawfull wife, and ta∣king from Magnus G••abri•• his wife Aemilia, made him marry her, though already great with childe by her former husband; but she died in travell in his house. In seasts and banket••ings he was too immoderate, for it was his continuall and daily practise: the wine that hee dranke usually was fortie yeares old, and the company that hee delighted to keepe was compact of ministriss, tumblers, players, singers, and such like rascals, and with these he would spend whole dayes in drinking, carousing, dauncing, and all dis∣solutenesse.

Now this disinordinate life of his did so augment a disease which was growne in his body, to wit an imposthume; that in time it cor∣rupted his flesh, and turned it into lice; in such sort, that though hee had those that continually followed him to sweepe them off, and to louze him night and day, yet the encrease was still so plentifull, that all would not serve to cleare him for a moment: insomuch, that not his apparell, though never so new and changeable; nor his linnen, though never so fresh, nor his bath, nor his laver, no nor his meat and drinke could be kept unpolluted from the fluxe of this filthy vermine, it issued in such abundance: often∣times in a day hee would wash himselfe in a bath, but to no great purpose; for his shame increased the more. The day before he dyed he sent for one Granius, who attending his death, delayed to pay that which hee ought to the Common-wealth; and being come in his presence, hee commanded him to be strangled to death before his face: but with straining himselfe in crying after his execution, his imposthume burst, and vomited out such streames of bloud, that his strength failed him withall; and passing that night in great distresse, the next day made up his wicked and miserable end.

After that Caligula began to addict himselfe to impiety and contempt of * 1.517 God, presently being not curbed with any feare nor shame, he became most dissolute in all kinde of wickednesse; for at one time he caused to be slaine a great number of people for calling him young Augustus, as if it had beene an injury to his person to be so intituled: and to say briefly of all his mur∣ders, there were so many of his kindred, friends, senators, and citizens, made away by his meanes, that it would be too long and tedious here to recite: wherefore seeing that hee was generally hated of the people for his mis∣deeds, hee wished that they all had but one head, to the end (as it might seeme) that at one blow hee might dispatch them all. In sumptuousnesse and costlinesse of dishes and banquets, he neither found nor left his equall, * 1.518 for he would sup up most pretious stones melted by art, and swallow down treasures into his belly: his banquets were often served with golden loaves and golden meats: in giving rewards hee was sometime too too prodigall, for he would cast great summes of money amongst the people certain dayes together, untill his bags were drawne drie, and then new strange shifts must be practised to fill them up againe: his subjects he over charged with many new-found and unjust taxes, exacting of them a tribute even for their meat: if there were any money controversies to be decided, the fourth part of the same was his share, which way soever the matter enclined: the eight penny of every Porters gaine throughout the citie (which with travell they ear∣ned) hee tooke into his purse: yea, and that which is more filthy and dis∣honest, the very whores and common strumpets payed him a yearely re∣venue for their bauderies; which act, though most villanous and slandrous, yet is made a samplar to some of our holy Popes to imitate, and indeed hath of many beene put in practise: but to our purpose; whereas before his prodigality was so great as to scatter money like seed amidst the peo∣ple; now his niggardlinesse grew on the other side so miserable, that hee would have the people upon the first day of the yeare, every one to give him a new-yeares-gift, he himselfe standing at the doore of his house like a beggar, receiving the peoples almes. Moreover, of all that ever gave their lusts the bridle to abuse other mens wives, hee was most impudent and no∣torious;

for divers times he used to feast many faire Ladies and their hus∣bands, and after his good cheare ended, to overview them severally a part, as Merchants doe their wares; and to take her that pleased his fancie best into some secret place, to abuse at his pleasure: neither after the deed done to be ashamed to glory and vaunt himselfe in his wicked and filthy act. He committed incest with his owne sisters, forcing them to his lust, and by one of them had a daughter borne, whom (saith Eutropius) his abhominable concupiscence abused also in most filthy and preposterous manner: At length many conspired his destruction, but especially one of the Tribunes, which office we may after the custome of our French nation rightly terme the Marshalship, and the officer one of our foure Marshals, as Budeus saith) who shewed himselfe more eagerly affected in the cause than the rest, pur∣sued this enterprise in more speedy and desperate manner: for as the Ty∣rant returned from the Theater by a by-way to his Pallace (the third day of the feast, which he celebrated in honour of Iulius Caesar) the Tribune pre∣sented himselfe, as if in regard of his office, to import some matter of im∣portance unto him: and having received a currish word or two at his hands (as his custome was) he gave him such a stroke betweene the head and the shoulders, that what with it and the blowes of his complices, that go∣ing for the same intent, rushed upon him, he was ••laine amongst them, no man stirring a foot to deliver him out of their hands, though many looked on, and might have aided him if they would: he was no sooner slaine, but his wife incontinently was sent after, and his daughter also that was crushed to death against a wall; and thus came his wretched selfe, with his filthie progenie, to a wretched and miserable end.

Nero shewed himselfe not onely an enemy to God in persecuting his Church, but also a perverter and disturber of humane nature, in embruing * 1.519 his hands in the bloud of his owne mother and grandmother, whom he cau∣sed to be put to death, and in killing his owne wife and sister, and infinite numbers of all kinde of people: beside, in adulteries he was so monstrous, that it is better to conceale them from modest eares, than to stirre up the puddle of so stinking and noysome a dunghill: for which his villanies the Senate condemned him to a shamefull and most ignominious death, and his armies and forces forsooke him: which when hee understood, he betooke him to flight, and hid himselfe in an out way amongst thornes and bushes, which with great paine having past through, being weary of his life, hee threw himselfe downe into a pit foure foot deepe; and when he could get none of his men to lay their hands upon him, he desperately and miserably slew himselfe.

Vitellius, for the murders and other outragious misdeeds which he com∣mitted, * 1.520 was taken in his shirt, and drawne through the streets with a halter about his necke, and his hands bound behinde him, and the point of a dag∣ger under his chin; the people casting durt and dung upon him in detesta∣tion, and calling him make-bate and seditious villain, with other opprobri∣ous reproches: and at last being massacred with many blowes, was drawne with a hooke into Tyber, like a carrion.

Domitian was a cruell enemy of the Christians▪ hee rejected his owne * 1.521 wife to take a new, and being covertly reproved by Helvidius for the same, in a Play of the divorce of Paris and Enon, which he presented unto him, he put him to death for his labour. Many worthy Senatours and chiefe men,

and such as had borne the office of the Consull, without just cause given of reprehension, were murdered by him: hee spared not his owne bloud and nearest allies, no nor his owne brother Titus, but what with poyson and sword, destroyed them all to confusion. But in the end, when hee saw that the world hated him for his outragious cruelties, he consulted with the A∣strologians and Conjurers, what death did waite for him; one of the which amongst the rest told him that hee should be slaine, and that very shortly: wherewithall being sore troubled, hee first caused him that had prognosti∣cated this evill unto him, to be slaine: then he compassed himselfe with a strong guard, and to the end to see them that should come neare, hee made his gallery walls where hee walked, of such a kinde of glistring and shining stone, that he might see in them all about him, both behinde and before. When the day and houre which was fore-calculated for his death was come, one of the Conspirators came in with his left arme in a scarfe, as if he had beene sore hurt; feigning that he would bewray the whole treason which hee so much feared; and being entred his Chamber, he presented him with a long discourse in writing, touching the matter and manner of the Conspiracie: and when in reading the same, he saw him most astoni∣shed; then he tooke occasion to strike him suddenly into the belly with his dagger, his owne servants making up the murther, when they saw him goe about to resist. And thus by all his wisedome and providence he could not rid himselfe from being surprised, nor hinder the execution of Gods just fore-appointed judgement. And these were the ends of those wicked Em∣perours, who in regard of their vile lives, were rather monsters than men; and not onely they whom we have named, but many moe also, as Antonius, Caracalla, Heliogabalus, and other like may bee worthily placed in this ranke.

But of all, Heliogabalus is most famous: of whom is recorded in histo∣ries, that hee was so prodigious in all gluttonie, filthinesse, and ribauldrie, that the like I thinke was never heard of, except those monsters that went before; and yet I suppose he surpassed them too. Such was the exceeding and luxurious pompe of this beast-like Emperour, that in his lampes hee used baulme, and filled his fish-ponds with rose-water: the garments which he wore were all of the finest gold and most costly silkes: his shooes gliste∣red with precious stones, curiously engraven: he was never two dayes ser∣ved with one kinde of meat, nor wore one garment twice; and so likewise for his fleshly wickednesse, he varyed it every time: Some dayes hee was served at meales with the braines of Ostriches, and a strange fowle called a Phylocapterie, another day with the tongues of Popingayes, and other sweet singing birds, being nigh to the sea; hee never used fish in places farre distant from the sea: all his house was served with most delicate fish: at one supper his table was furnished with seven thousand fishes, and five thousand fowles: At his remoovals in his progresse, there followed him commonly six hundred chariots: he used to sacrifice with young children, and preferred to the best advancements in the Common-wealth most light persons; as Bawdes, Minstrels, Players, and such like: in one word, hee was an enemy to all honesty and good order. And when he was fore-told by his Sorcerers and Astronomers, that he should die a violent death, he pro∣vided ropes of silke to hang himselfe, swords of gold to kill himselfe, and strong poysons in Jacinths and Emerauds to poyson himselfe, if needs hee

should thereto be forced: Moreover, hee made an high tower, having the boorded floore covered with gold plate, and broidered with pretious stones, from the which tower he might throw himselfe downe, if hee were pursued of his enemies. But notwithstanding all this provision, (Gods vengeance not permitting him to die as hee would) hee was slaine of the souldiers, drawne through the citie, and cast into Tiber, after hee had raigned two yeares and eight moneths.

Tigellinus, one of the Captaines of Neroes guard, and a chiefe procurer and setter forward of his tyranny, was the cause of the death of many great personages in Rome: and being enriched by their spoyle and other such like robberies, after the death of Nero (whom in his extremity hee for∣sooke) plunged himselfe, and wallowed in all manner of licentious and dis∣ordinate delights. Now though hee was worthy of a thousand deaths for his cruelties towards many good citizens, yet by the meanes of one Iunius, the Emperour Galba his chiefe minion, whose favour hee had by great summes of money bought and obtained (for hee gave unto his daughter at one time five and twenty thousand crownes, and to himselfe at another time a carknet worth fifteen thousand crownes for a present) he was spared and kept in safety: but as soon as Otho was installed in the Empire, his downfall and destruction began presently to follow: for Otho, to the end to gratifie the Romans, sent to apprehend him, who was then in his houses of pleasure in the field, banquetting and sporting with his harlots, and using all manner of riot, albeit by reason of a deadly disease which was upon him, hee was even at deaths doore. When hee saw himselfe thus taken, and that no meanes of escape was left, (no not by the vessels which he had prepared at the sea shore for purpose, if need were, to convey him away) and that hee which had commission to take him, would give him no advantage of esca∣ping, though he offered him great rewards for the same, he entreated onely leisure to shave his beard before he went; which being granted, he tooke a rasor, and in stead of shaving, cut his owne throat.

CHAP. XLV. More examples of the same argument.

HIeronymus, a true Tyran of Sicily, enured and fashioned * 1.522 to all pride, and of most corrupt and rotten manners, began right after the death of his father Hiero, (that left him a peaceable and quiet Kingdom) to shew ••orth his arrogance; for he quickly made himselfe fearfull to his Subjects, both by his stately and proud manner of speech, as also by the hardnesse of accesse unto him, together with a kinde of disdainfull contempt of all men: but most of all did the inward pride of his heart appeare when hee had gotten a guard about his body; for then he ceased not to bait, bite, and devoure, and to exercise all kinde of cruelty against every man, and all kind of ryot and excesse of filthinesse against himselfe: so that he became so odi∣ous and contemptible to his subjects, that they conspired against him, to

deprive him both of his life and kingdome: which conspiracy though it came to light, yet for all that wanted not his due effect: for after hee had (through listning to false reports) put to death unjustly his truest and dea∣rest friends, and those that would indeed have helped him in his necessity, both with good advice and other succour, he was surprised as he walked in a narrow and strait way, and there cruelly murthered. Now there was one Andronodorus his brother in law, that aspired to the crowne, had cor∣rupted his manners, and thrust him forward to all these misdemeanours, to the end by those practises he might make him odious to his people, that by that meanes he might obtaine his owne purpose, as indeed he did: for after his death he seised upon the Scepter, though with no long enjoyance; for through the troubles and commotions which were raised in the countrey by his meanes, both hee, his wife, and whole race, together with the whole progenie of Hieronymus, whether innocent or guilty, were all utterly roo∣ted out and defaced.

Andronicus was one of the most wickedest men that lived on the earth in his time; for he excelled in all kinde of evill: in ambition, boldnesse in doing mischiefe, cruelty, whoredome, adulterie, and incest also to make up the whole number: besides, he was so treacherous and disloyall, that hee traiterously slew the sonne and heire of the Emperour Emanuel, shutting him in a sacke, and so throwing him into the sea; after which, by violence he tooke possession of the Empire of Constantinople, and like a strong theefe seised upon that which was none of his owne; but as soone as he had gotten his desire, then began his lusts to rage and rave, then he fell to whore∣ing and forcing women and maids to his lust, whom after he had once rob∣bed of their chastities, he gave over to his bands and ruffians to abuse; and that which is more than all this, he ravished one of his owne sisters, and committed incest with her: moreover, to maintaine and uphold his tyran∣nous estate, he slew most of the nobility, and all else that bore any shew of honesty or credit with them, and lived altogether by wrongs and extorti∣ons: wherefore his subjects (provoked with these multitudes of evils which reigned in him, and not able to endure any longer his vile outrages and indignities) rebelled against him and besieged him, got him into their mercilesse hands, and handled him on this fashion following: first they de∣graded him and spoyled him of his imperiall ornaments, then they pulled out one of his eyes, and set him upon an asse backward, with the tayle in his hand in stead of a Scepter, and a rope about his necke in stead of a crowne; and in this order and attyre they led him through all Constanti∣nople, the people shouting and reviling him on all sides, some throwing durt, others spittle, divers dung, and the women their pispots at his head: after all which banquetting dishes, he was transported to the gallowes, and there hanged, to make an end of all.

Charles King of Navarre, whose mother Iean was daughter to Lewis Lut∣ton * 1.523 King of France, was another that oppressed his subjects with cruelty and rough dealing: for he imposed upon them grievous taxes and tributes, and when many of the chiefest of his Common-Wealth came to make knowne unto him the poverty of his people, and that they were not able to endure any more such burthens, he caused them all to be put to death for their boldnesse: he was the kindler of many great mischiefes in France, and of the fire wherewith divers places of strength, and castles of defence were

burned to ashes: he counselled the Count of Foix his sonne to poyson his father, and not onely so, but gave him also the poyson with his owne hands, wherewith to do the deed: Moreover, above all this, lechery and Adultery * 1.524 swayed his powers, even in his old age; for at threescore yeares of age, he had a whore in a corner, whose company he dayly hanted; and so much, that she at length gave him his deaths wound; for returning from her company one day (as his use was) and entring into his chamber, he went to bed all quaking and halfe frozen with cold, neither could he by any meanes recover his heat, untill by art they sought to supply nature, and blew upon him with brasen bellowes Aquavitae and hot blasts of ayre; but withall, the fire unregarded flew betwixt the sheets, and inflamed the drie linnen together with the Aquavitae, so suddenly, that ere any help could be made, his late quivering bones were now halfe burned to death. It is true that he lived fifteene daies after this, but in so great griefe and torment, without sence of any helpe or assuagement by Physicke or Surgery, that at the end there∣of he died miserably: and so, as during his life his affection over burnt in lust, and his minde was alwayes hot, upon mischiefe and covetousnesse, so his dayes were finished with heat and cruell burning.

Lugtake, King of Scots, succeeding his father Galdus in the Kingdome, * 1.525 was so odious and mischievous a Tyran, that every man hated him no lesse for his vices, than they loved his father for his vertues: he slew many rich and noble-men for no other cause, but to enrich his treasury with their goods: he committed the government of the Realme to most unjust and covetous persons, and with their company was most delighted: he shamed not to defloure his owne aunts, sisters, and daughters, and to scorne his wise and grave counsellors, calling them old doting fooles: all which mon∣strous villanies (with a thousand more) so incensed his Nobles against him, that they slew him after he had raigned three yeares: but as the Proverbe goeth, Seldome commeth a better; another or worse Tyran succeeded in his kingdome; namely Mogallus, cousin germane to Lugtake, a man notori∣ously infected with all manner of vices: for albeit in the beginning of his reigne hee gave himselfe to follow the wisedome and manners of his unkle Galdus; yet in his age his corrupt nature burst forth abundantly, but chiefly in avarice, lechery, and cruelty: this was he that licensed theeves and rob∣bers to take the goods of their neighbours without punishment, and that first ordained the goods of condemned persons to be confiscate to the kings use, without respect either of wives, children, or creditors; for which crimes he was also slaine by his nobles.

Besides these, there was another king of the Scots, called Atherto, in the * 1.526 yeare of our Lord 240. who shewed himselfe also in like manner a most abhominable wretch: for he so wallowed in all manner of uncleane and effeminate lusts, that he was not ashamed to goe in the sight of the people playing upon a flute, rejoycing more to be accounted a good Fidler, than a good Prince; from which vices he fell at last to the deflouring and ravish∣ing of maids and women, insomuch as the daughters of his nobles could not be safe from his insatiable and intollerable lust: wherefore being pur∣sued by them, when hee saw no meanes to escape, hee desperately slew himselfe.

The great outrages which the Spaniards have committed in the West Indies, are apparant testimonies of their impiety, injustice, cruelty, insa∣tiable

covetousnesse, and luxury; and the judgement wherewith God hath hunted them up and downe both by sea and land, (as late and fresh histories doe testifie) are manifest witnesses of his heavy anger and displeasure against them: amongst all which, I will here insert none but that which is most notorious and worthy memory, as the wretched accident of Pamphilius No∣vares, and his company: This man with six hundred Spaniards making for the coast of Florida, to seeke the gold of the river of Palme-trees, were so * 1.527 turmoyled with vehement windes and tempests, that they could not keepe their vessels from dashing against the shore, so that their ships did all split in sunder, and they for the most part were drowned, save a few that escaped to land, yet escaped not danger; for they ranne roving up and downe this savage countrey so long, till they fell into such extreame poverty and fa∣mine, that for want of victuals twelve of them devoured one another; and of the whole six hundred that went forth, there never yet returned above ten, all the rest being either drowned or pined to death.

Francis Pizarre, a man of base parentage, for in his youth he was but a * 1.528 hogheard, and of worse qualities and education, for he knew not so much as the first elements of learning, giving himselfe to the West Indian wars, grew to some credit in bearing office, but withall shewed himselfe very disloyall, treacherous, and bloudy-minded, in committing many odious and monstrous cruelties: entring Peru with an army of souldiers, to the end, to conquer new lands and dominions, and to glut his unsatiable covetous∣nesse with a new surfet of riches (after the true Spanish custome) he com∣mitted many bloudy and trayterous acts, and exercised more than barba∣rous cruelty: for first under pretence of friendship feyning to parle with Artabaliba, King of Cusco; the poore King comming with five and twen∣ty thousand of unarmed men, in ostentation of his greatnesse, not in pur∣pose to resist, he welcommed him and his men so nimbly with swords and curtleaxes, that they had all soon their throats cut by a most horrible slaugh∣ter, and the King himselfe was taken and put in chaines: yea, and the Citie after this massacre of men abroad, felt soone the insolencies of these brave warriours within: in fine, though Pizarre promised Artabaliba to save his life, in regard of a ransome, amounting to more than two millions of gold; yet after the receit thereof he traiterously caused him to be hanged, contra∣ry to both his oath, and all equity and reason: but this cruell perfidie of his went not long without punishment; for both hee and all the rest that were any wayes accessarie, or consenting to the death of this King, came to a wretched end: but especially his foure brethren, Ferdinand, Gonsal, Iohn Martin of Alcantara, and Diego of Almagro; who as they were principall in the action, so were they in the punishment: the first that was punished was Iohn Pizarre, who with many other Spaniards was surprised in the Ci∣ty of Cusco, and slaine by the men of warre of Mangefrem and Artabaliba: next after that there arose such a division and heart-burning betwixt the Pizarres and Almagro, and their partakers, that after they had robbed and wasted and shared out the great and rich Countrey of Peru, they slew one another by mutuall strokes: and albeit that there was by common consent an agreement accorded betwixt them, for the preserving of their unity and friendship; yet Francis Pizarre, envying that Almagro should bee Gover∣nour of Cusco, and he not, interrupted all their agreements, by starting from his promises; and re-kindled the halfe-quenched fire of warre by his

owne ambition: for hee presently defied Amagro, and sent his brother Ferdinand before to bid him battaile; who so well behaved himselfe, that hee tooke Almagro prisoner, and delivered him bound to his brother Francis, who caused him to bee strangled in prison secretly, and after to be beheaded in publique. Now Ferdinand being sent by his brother to∣wards Spaine, with a great masse of gold to cleare himselfe of the death of Almagro, could not so well justifie the fact, as that all his treasure could save him from the prison; and what became of him afterwards, knowne it is to God, but not to the world. A while after, the fellowes and friends of Almagro, whose goods the Pizarrists hath seised upon, tooke counsell with Don Diego Almagro his sonne, to revenge the death of his father; therefore being in number but twelve, with unsheathed swords, they de∣sperately burst into Francis Pizarres house, (then Marquesse and Gover∣nour of Peru) and at the first brunt slew a Captaine that guarded the ente∣rance of the Hall, and next him Martin of Alcahtara, and other more, that kept the entrance of the Chamber, so that hee fell dead even at his bro∣ther the Marquesses feet: who albeit his men were all slaine before his eyes, and himselfe left alone amiddest his enemies, yet gave not over to de∣fend himselfe stoutly and manfully, untill all of them setting upon him at once, hee was stabbed into the throat, and so fell dead upon the ground; and thus finished hee and his complices their wretched dayes, answerable to their cruell deserts: but their murderers (though they deserved to bee thus dealt withall) yet for dealing in this sort without authority, were not faultlesse, but received the due wages of their furious madnesse: for Don Diego himselfe, after he had beene a while Governour of Peru, had his ar∣my overcome and discomfited by the Emperours forces, and was betrayed into their hands by his owne Lieutenant of Cusco, where he thought to have saved himself, and right soone lost his head, with the greatest Captains and favourites that hee had, who were also quartered. Now of the five brethren wee have heard foure of their destructions, onely one remaineth (namely Gonzalle Pizarre) to bee spoken of; who being sent for by the Conquerours to be their Chieftaine and Protector against the Viceroy, that went about to make them observe the Emperours lawes and decrees, touching the liberty of the Indian Nation, was betrayed and forsaken by the same men that sent for him, and so fell into his enemies hands, that cut off his head: The Generall of his army, a covetous and cruell man, that in short space made away above three hundred Spaniards, and all as it were with his own hand; was drawn up and downe at a horse tayle the space of halfe a quarter of an houre, and then hanged upon the gallowes, & quartered in foure parts. The Monke of Vauvard, called Vincent, who with his crosse and porteise had encouraged Pizarre and his army against Artabaliba, and was for that cause created Bishop of Peru, when Diego came to the go∣vernement, fled into the Island Puna to escape his wrath; but in seeking to avoyde him, he fell into as great a snare; for the Islanders assaulted him one night, and knockt him to death with staves and clubs, together with forty Spaniards of his fellowship, that accompanied him in his flight, and started not from him in his death. And thus the good and holy Monke, for medling with, and setting forward the murder of so many poore peo∣ple, was for his paines and good deeds justly rewarded by the Indians of that Island.

Moreover, after and beside all these troubles, seditions, and civil warres of Peru, all they that returned from Spaine, suffered shipwracke for the most part: for their fleet had scarce attained the midst of their course, when there arose so terrible a tempest, that of eighteen ships, thirteen so perished, that they were never heard of after; and of the five which re∣mained, two were tumbled backe to the coast of Saint Dominick, all be∣rent and shivered in pieces; other three were driven to Spaine, whereof one hitting against the bay of Portugall, lost many of her men: The Ad∣mirall her selfe of this fleet perished near unto Saint Lucar de Baramede, with two hundred persons that were within her, and but one onely of them all got safe into the haven of Calix, without dammage. Here we may see how mightily the hand of God was stretched forth to the revenge of those wicked deeds and villanies which were committed by the Spaniards in those quarters.

Peter Loys, bastard son to Pope Paul the third, was one that practised many horrible villanies, robberies, murthers, adulteries, incest, and Sodomitries; * 1.529 thinking that because his father was Pope, therefore no wickednesse was unlawfull for him to commit. He was by the report of all men, one of the most notorious, vilest, and filthiest villaines that ever the world saw: he forced the Bishop of Faence to his unnaturall lust, so that the poor Bi∣shop, with meer anger and grief that he should be so abused, died immedi∣ately. Being made Duke of Plaisence and Parma, he exercised most cruell tyranny towards many of his subjects; insomuch, that divers Gentlemen that could not brook nor endure his injuries, conceived an inward hate against him, and conspired his death: and for to put in practise the same, they hired certain Ruffians and Roysters to watch the opportunity of slay∣ing him; yea, and they themselves oftentimes went apart with these Roy∣sters, keeping themselves upon their guards, as if some private and parti∣cular quarrels had been in hand. One day as the Duke went in his horse∣litter out of his Castle, with a great retinue, to see certain Fortifications which he had prepared, being advertised by his father the Pope (by the helpe of Magicke which he practised) to look diligently to himselfe the tenth day of September: in which notwithstanding he was slain; for as he returned into his Castle, the Conspiratours, to the number of thirty six, marched before him, as it were to do him honour, but indeed to do him villany: for as soon as he was entred the Castle, they drew up the draw∣bridge for fear of his retinue that were without, and comming to him with their naked swords, cast in his teeth his tyranny, and so slew him in his lit∣ter, together with a Priest, the master of his horse, and five Almaignes that were of his Guard: his dead body they hung by a chain over the wals, and shaking it to and fro to the view of the people, threw it downe headlong at last into the ditch; where the multitude to shew their hates, wounded it with daggers, and trampled it under their feet: and so whom they durst not touch in his life, being dead they thus abused: and this befell upon the tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord 1547.

Some of the Bishops of Rome for their rare and notable vertues, and the glory of their brave deeds, may be honoured with this dignity, to be placed in this worthy ranke; for their good conditions and behaviours were such, that no tyran, butcher, thief, robber, ruffian, nor any other, ever ex∣celled them in cruelty, robbery, adultery, and such like wickednesse, or

deserved more the credit and reputation of this place than they. And here∣of we have a manifest example in Iohn the thirteenth, who pulling out the eyes of some of his Cardinals, cutting out the tongues of others, hewing off the hands, noses, and privy members of others, shewed himselfe a paterne of such cruelty, as the world never saw the like: he was accused before the Emperour Otho, in a Synod, first for incest with two of his own sisters: secondly, for calling the devill to helpe him at dice: thirdly, for promoting young infants to Bishoprickes, bribed thereto by certain pieces of Gold; fourthly, for the ravishing of maids and wives, and lying with his fathers concubine: yea, and lastly, for lyingwth his own mother, and many other such monstrous villanies: for which cause he was deposed from the Papacy, though re-installed again by the suit and cunning practise of his Whores; by whom as he recovered his triple Crown, so he lost shortly after his vicious life, by the meanes of a married whore that betrayed him.

Pope Hildebrand, sirnamed Gregory the seventh, was adorned with all * 1.530 these good qualities, namely to be bloudy minded, a poysoner, a murthe∣rer, a conjurer, also a consulter with spirits, and in a word, nothing but a lumpe and masse of wickednesse: he was the stirrer up of many battels against the Emperour Henry the fourth, and a provoken of his own son to depose and poyson his father, as he did: but this wicked (I would say holy) Pope, was at last banished his Cathedral City, to Salernum, where he end∣ed his dayes in misery.

Pope Clement the sixth, of name contrary to his nature, for his incle∣mency, cruelty and pride towards the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria, was in∣tolerable; he procured many horrible warres against the Empire, and caused the destruction of twenty thousand Frenchmen by the King of Eng∣land, yea and poysoned the good Emperour also, so well he wished to him: Howbeit ere long himselfe was stifled to death, and that suddenly▪ not by any practise of man, as it was thought, but by the especiall hand of God, in recompence of all his notable acts.

Iohn the four and twentieth was deposed by the Councell of Constance, for these crimes following; heresie, Simony, manslaughter, poysonings, * 1.531 cousenings, adultery, and sodomitry, and was cast into prison; where re∣maining three yeares, he falsely made shew of amendment of his wicked life, and therefore was graced with a Cardinals hat, but it was not that which he expected; for which cause with despight and grief he died.

It would be too long to run over the discourse of every particular Pope of like conditions, and therefore we will content our selves in brief with the legend of Pope Alexander the sixth, reported by by two authours of credit and renown, and unsuspected; to wit, Guicciardine a Florentine * 1.532 Gentleman, and Bembus a Venetian Cardinal: This man (saith Guicciar∣dine) attained to the Papacy not by worthinesse of vertues, but by heavi∣nesse of bribes, and multitude of fair promises made to the Cardinals for his election, promising large recompence to them that stood on his side; whereupon many that knew his course of life were filled with astonish∣ment, amongst whom was the King of Naples, who hearing of this electi∣on, complained to his Queen with teares, that there was such a Pope crea∣ted that would be a plague to Italy and all Christendom: beside, the great vices which swayed in him, of which the same Authour speaking, maketh this Catalogue and pedegree in his own Language, which followeth: Co∣stum

(dit il) escensimi non sincerita, non verita, non fede, non religione; avari∣tia insatiabile, ambitione immoderata, crudelta pinque barbara, ••o ardentissima cupidi•••• di escalt are in qualunque mode, i figli voli, i qualierano molti: (that is * 1.533 to say) He was endued with most filthy conditions, and that neither since∣rity, truth, faith, nor religion, was in him, but in stead of them, covetous∣nesse unquenchable, ambition unmeasurable, more than barbarous cruelty, and a burning desire of promoting his own children (for he had many) by what meanes soever. He perswaded King Charles the eighth of France to undertake war against Naples, and after he had brought him to it, present∣ly he forsook him, and entred a new league with the Venetians, and the other Princes of Italy, to drive him home again. This was he (saith Car∣dinal * 1.534 Bembus) that set Benefices and Promotions to sale, that he which would give most might have most; and that poysoned Iohn Michel the Cardinal of Venice at Rome, for his gold and treasure which he abounded with: whose insatiable covetousnesse provoked him to the committall of all mischief, to the end he might maintain the forces of his son, who went about to bring the whole lands & dominions of all Italy, into his possession•• in adulteries he was most filthy and abominable, in tyranny most cruell, and in Magick most cunning, and therefore most execrable: supping one night with Cardinal Adrian, his very familiar friend, in his garden, having fore∣appointed his destruction that night by poyson; through the negligence and oversight of his butler, to whom he had given the exploit in charge, that was deceived by mistaking the bottles, he dranke himselfe the medi∣cine which he had prepared for his good friend the Cardinal: and so he died (saith Bembus) not without an evident marke of Gods heavy wrath, in that he which had slain so many Princes and rich men to enjoy their trea∣sures, and went now about to murder his host which entertained him with friendship & good chear into his house, was caught in the same snare which he had laid, and destroyed by the same meanes himselfe, which he had de∣stinated for another: being thus dead, the whole City of Rome (saith Guic∣ciardine) ran out with greedinesse and joy to behold his carkasse, not being able to satisfie their eyes with beholding the dead Serpent, whose venome of ambition, treachery, cruelty, adultery, and avarice, had impoysoned the whole world. Some say, that as he purposed to poyson certain Cardi∣nals, he poysoned his own father, that being in their company, chanced to get a share of his drugs: and that he was so abominable to abuse his own sister Lucrece in the way of filthinesse. When Zemes the brother of Bajazet the Emperour of the Turkes came and surrendred himselfe into his hands, and was admitted into his protection, he being hired with two hundred duckets by Bajazet, gave poyson to his new Client, even to him to whom hee had before sworne and vowed his friendship: besides, that hee might maintain his tyranny, he demanded and obtained aid of the Turke against the King of France, which was a most unchristian and antichri∣stian part: hee caused the tongue and two hands of Anthony Manci∣vellus (a very learned and wise man) to be cut off, for an excellent Oration which he made in reproof of his wicked demeanours and dishonest life. It is written moreover by some, that he was so affectionated to the service of his good lord and master the devil, that he never attempted any thing without his counsell and advice; who also presented himselfe unto him at his death in the habit of a post, according to the agreement which was be∣twixt

them: and although this wretched Antichrist strove against him for life, alledging that his terme was not yet finished; yet he was enforced to dislodge, and depart into his proper place, where with horrible cries and hideous fearfull groanes he died.

Thus we see how miserably such wretched and infamous miscreants, and such pernitious and cruell tyrants have ended their wicked lives, their force and power being execrable and odious, and therefore (as saith Seneca) not * 1.535 able to continue any long time, for that government cannot be firme and stable, where there is no shame nor fear to do evill, nor where equity, ju∣stice, faith, and piety, with other vertues, are contemned and trodden un∣der foot: for when cruelty once beginneth to be predominate, it is so in∣satiable, that it never ceaseth, but groweth every day from worse to worse, by striving to maintain and defend old faults by new, untill the fear and terrour of the poor afflicted and oppressed people, with a continuall source and enterchange of evils which surcharge them, converteth it selfe from sorced patience, to willing fury, and breaketh forth to do vengeance upon the tyrants heads with all violence; whence ariseth that saying of the Sa∣tyricall Poet to the same sence; where he saith,

Few Tyrans dye the death that nature sends, * 1.536 But most are brought by slaughter to their ends.

CHAP. XLVI. Of Calumniation and false witnesse bearing.

WE have seen heretofore what punishments the Lord hath laid upon those that either vex their neigbours in their persons, as in the breakers of the fifth, sixth, and se∣venth Commandments; or dammage them in their goods, as in the eighth: now let us look unto those that seek to spoil them of their good names, and rob them of their credit by slanderous reproaches, and false and forged calumniatious, and by that meanes go against the ninth Command∣ment, which saith, Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy neighbour: In which words is condemned generally all slanders, all false reports, all defa∣mations, and all evill speeches else whatsoever, whereby the good name and credit of a man is blemished, stained, or impoverished; and this sin was not onely inhibited by the divine Law of the Almighty, but also by the lawes of Nature and Nations: for there is no Countrey and People so barbarous, with whom these pernitious kinde of Creatures are not held in detestation: of tame beasts (saith Diogenes) a flatterer is worst, and of wilde beasts a backbiter or a slanderer: and not without great reason, for as there is no disease so dangerous as that which is secret, so there is no enemy so pernitious as he which under the colour of friendship biteth and slandereth us behinde our backs: but let us see what judgement the Lord hath shewn upon them, to the end the odiousnesse of this vice may more clearly appear.

And first to begin with Doeg the Edomite, who falsly accused Achimelech the High-Priest unto Saul, for giving succour unto David in his necessity and flight: for though he told nothing but that which was true, yet of that * 1.537 truth some he maliciously perverted, and some he kept backe: and false∣hood consisteth not onely in plain lying, but also in concealing and mis∣using the truth: for Achimelech indeed asked counsell of the Lord for Da∣vid, and ministred unto him the Shew-bread and the sword of Goliah, but not with any intent of malice against King Saul for he supposed, and David also made him beleeve, that he went about the Kings businesse, and that he was in great favour with the King: which last clause the wicked accuser left out, and by that meanes not onely provoked the wrath of Saul, against the High-Priest, but also when all other refused, became himselfe executi∣oner of his wrath, and murdered Achimelech, with all the nation of the Priests, and smote Nob the City of the Priests with the edge of the sword, both man, and woman, childe, and suckling, oxe and asse, not leaving any alive (so beastly was his cruelty) save Abiathar onely, one of the sons of Achimelech, that fled to David, and brought him tidings of this bloudy massacre. But did this 〈…〉〈…〉 Spirit of God in the 52. Psalme proclaimeth his judgement: Why boastest thou in * 1.538 thy wickednesse thou Tyran? Thy 〈…〉〈…〉, and is like a sharpe rasor that cutteth deceitfully, &c. but God shall destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee and plucke thee out of thy tabernacle, and root thee out of the Land of the living.

Next to this man we may justly place Achab the King of Israel, and Iesa∣bel * 1.539 his wife, who to the end to get possession of Naboths vineyard (which being his inheritance he would not part from) suborned by his wives per∣nitious counsell false accusers, wicked men, to witnesse against Naboth, that he had blasphemed God and the King, and by that meanes caused him to be stoned to death: but marke the judgement of God denounced against them both by the mouth of Elias, for this wicked fact: Hast thou killed (saith he) and taken possession? Thus saith the Lord, In the place where the dogs licked the bloud of Naboth, shall dogs even licke thy bloud also: and as for Jesabel, dogs shall eat her by the wall of Iesrael: thy house shall be like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nabat: I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, &c. Neither was this onely denounced, but executed also; as we may reade, 1 Kin. 22. 38. & 2 Kin. 9. 36, 37, &c. & 2 Kin. 10. 7, &c.

Amaziah the Priest of Bethel under Ieroboam the wicked King of Isra∣el, * 1.540 perceiving how the Prophet Amos prophesied against the Idolatry of that place, and of the King, he falsly accused him to Ieroboam, to have con∣spired against him; also he exhorted him to flie from Bethel, because it was the Kings Chappell, and flie into Judah, and prophesie there; but what said the Lord unto him by the Prophet? Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line, and thou shalt die in a polluted land: Loe there was the pu∣nishment of his false accusation.

How notable was the judgement that the Lord manifested upon Hamon * 1.541 the Syrian for his false accusing of the Jewes, to be disturbers of the Com∣mon-wealth, and breakers of the lawes of King Ahasuerosh? Did not the Lord turne his mischief upon his own head? The same day that was ap∣pointed for their destruction, the Lord turned it to the destruction of their

enemies, and the same gallowes which he prepared for Mordecai was he himselfe hanged upon.

The men that falsly accused Daniel to King Darius, for breaking the * 1.542 Kings edict, which was, that none should make any request unto any for thirty dayes space, save onely to the King himselfe, fared no better: for when as they found Daniel praying unto God, they presently accused him unto the King; urging him with the stability which ought to be in the De∣crees of the Kings of Media and Persia, that ought not to be altered; in such sort, that King Darius (though against his will) commanded Daniel to be throwne amongst the Lions, to be devoured of them; but when he saw how miraculously the Lord preserved him from the teeth of the Lions, and thereby perceived his innocency, he caused his envious accusers to be thrown into the Lions den, with their wives and children, who were de∣voured by the Lions ere they could fall to the ground.

Notorious is the example of the two Judges that accused Susanna, both how she was delivered, and they punished.

But let us come to prophane ••istories: Apelles that famous Painter of Ephesus, felt the sting and ••••tternesse o•• this venomous vi••er, for he was falsly accused by Antiphilus another Painter, an envier of his art and ex∣cellent workemanship, to have conspired with Theodota against King Ptolo∣mie, and to have been the cause of the defection of Pelusium from him: which accusation he laid against him, to the end that seeing he could not * 1.543 attain to that excellency of art which he had, he might by this false pre∣tence worke his disgrace and overthrow; as indeed he had effected, had not great persuasions been used, and manifest proofes alledged of Apelles inno∣cency and integrity: wherefore Ptolomie having made triall of the cause, and found out the false and wrongfull practise, he most justly rewarded Apelles with an hundred talents, and Antiphilus the accuser with perpetu∣all servitude: upon which occasion Apelles in remembrance of that dan∣ger painted out Calumniation on this manner; a Woman gayly attired, and dressed with an angry and furious countenance, holding in her left hand a torch, and with her right a young man by the hair of the head, before whom marched an evill favoured sluttish usher, quicke-sighted, and pale∣faced, called Envy, at her right hand sat a fellow with long eares like King Midas to receive tales, and behinde her two waiting maids, Ignorance and Suspition. And thus the witty Painter, to delude his own evill hap, ex∣pressed * 1.544 the lively Image and nature of that detracting sin.

This tricke used Maximinus the Tyran to deface the Doctrine and Reli∣gion of Christ in his time; for when he saw that violence and torments * 1.545 prevailed not, but that like the Palme, the more it was trodden and op∣pressed, * 1.546 the more it grew, he used this subtilty and craft to undermine it: he published divers bookes full of Blasphemy, of a conference betwixt Christ and Pilate, and caused them to be taught to children in stead of their first elements, that they might no sooner speak than hate and blaspheme Christ: Moreover, he constrained certain wicked lewd women to avouch that they were Christians, and that vile filthinesse was dayly committed by them in their assemblies; which also he published far and near in wri∣ting: howbeit, for all this the Lords truth quailed not, but swum as it were against the stream, and encreased in despight of Envy: and for these false accusers, they were punished one after another with notable judge∣ments;

for one that was a chiefe doer therein became his owne murderer, and Maximinus himselfe was consumed with wormes and rottennesse, as hath beene shewed in the former Booke.

It was a law among the Romans, that if any man had enforced an accu∣sation * 1.547 against another, either wrongfully, unlawfully, or without probabi∣lity, both his legs should be broken, in recompence of his malice: which custome, as it was laudable and necessary, so was it put in execution at di∣vers times, as namely under the Emperour Commodus, when a prophane * 1.548 wretch accused Apollonius (a godly and profest Christian, and afterward a constant martyr of Christ Jesus) before the Judges, of certaine grievous crimes, which when he could by no colour or likelyhood of truth convince and prove, they adjudged him to that ignominious punishment to have his legs broken, because he had accused and defamed a man without cause.

Eustathius Bishop of Antioch, a man famous for eloquence in speech, * 1.549 and uprightnesse of life, when as hee impugned the heresie of the Arrians, was circumvented by them, and deposed from his Bishopricke by this meanes: they suborned a naughty strumpet to come in with a childe in her armes, and in an open Synod of two hundred and fifty Bishops to accuse him of adultery, and to sweare that hee had got that childe of her body: which though he denied constantly, and no just proofe could be brought a∣gainst him, yet the impudent strumpets oath tooke such place, that by the Emperours censure hee was banished from his Bishopricke; howbeit ere long his innocency was knowne, for the said strumpet being deservedly touched with the finger of Gods justice in extreame sicknesse, confessed the whole practise, how she was suborned by certaine Bishops to slander this holy man, and that yet she was not altogether a lyar, for one Eustathius a handy-crafts man got the childe, as shee had sworne, and not Eustathius the Bishop.

The like slander the same hereticks devised against Athanasius in a Sy∣nod * 1.550 convocated by Constantine the Emperour, at Tyrus; for they suborned a certaine lewd woman to exclaime upon the holy man in the open assem∣bly, for ravishing of her that last night against her will: which slander he shifted off by this devise, he sent Timotheus the Presbyter of Alexandria in∣to the Synod in his place, who comming to the woman, asked her before them all, whether she durst say that he had ravished her; to whom she re∣plyed, yea, I sweare and vow that thou hast done it (for shee supposed it to have beene Athanasius, whom shee never saw) whereat the whole Synod perceived the cavill of the lying Arrians, and quitted the innocency of that good man. Howbeit these malicious hereticks seeing this practise not to succeed, invented another worse then the former; for they accused him to have slaine one Arsenius, whom they themselves kept secret; and that hee carried one of his hands about him, wherewith he wrought miracles by en∣chantment: but Arsenius, touched by the spirit of God, stole away from them, and came to Athanasius, to the end he should receive no damage by his absence, whom he brought in to the Judges, and shewed them both his hands, confounded his accusers with shame of their malice, insomuch as they ranne away for feare, and satisfied the Judges both of his integrity, and their envious calumniation: the chiefe Broker of all this mischiefe was Stephanus Bishop of Antioch, but he was degraded from his Bishop∣ricke, and Leontius elected in his roome.

In our English Chronicles we have recorded a notable history to the like effect of King Canutus the Dane, who after much trouble, being established in the Kingdome of England, caused a Parliament to bee held at London; where (amongst other things there debated) it was propounded to the Bi∣shops, Barons, and Lords of that Assembly, Whether in the composition made betwixt Edmond and Canutus any speciall remembrance was made for the children or brethren of Edmond, touching any partition of any part of the land? which the English Lords, flattering the king, though falsly and against the truth, yea and against their owne consciences, denied to be; and not onely so, but for the Kings pleasure confirmed their false words with a more false oath, that to the uttermost of their powers they would put off the bloud of Edmond from all right and interest: by reason of which oath and promise they thought to have purchased with the King great favour; but by the just retribution of God it chanced farre otherwise: for many of them, or the most part, especially such as Canutus perceived to have sworne fealtie before time to Edmond and his heires, he mistrusted and disdained ever after: insomuch, that some he exiled, many he beheaded, and divers by Gods just judgement died suddenly.

In the Scottish Chronicles we read how Hamilton the Scot was brought unto his death by the false accusation of a false Frier called Campbel: who being in the fire ready to be executed, cited and summoned the said Frier to appeare before the high God, as generall Judge of all men, to answer to the innocency of his death, and whether his accusation were just or not, betwixt that and a certaine day of the next moneth, which he there named. Now see the heart and hand of God against a false witnesse, ere that day came the Fri∣er died without any remorse of conscience; and no doubt he gave a sharpe account to Almighty God of his malicious and unjust accusation.

In the yeare of our Lord 1105, Henry Archbishop of Mentz, being complained of to the Pope, sent a learned man, a speciall friend of his, to excuse him, named Arnold; one for whom he had much done, and promo∣ted to great livings and promotions: but this honest man in stead of an ex∣cuser became an accuser; for hee bribed the two chiefest Cardinals with gold, and obtained of the Pope those two to be sent Inquisitors about the Archbishops case: The which comming into Germany, summoned the said Henry, and without either law or justice, deposed him from his Arch∣bishoprick, and substituted in his place Arnold, upon hope of his Ecclesi∣asticall gold: Whereupon that vertuous and honourable Henry is repor∣ted to have spoken thus unto those perverse Judges: If I should appeale to * 1.551 the Apostolike Sea, for this your unjust processe had against me, perhaps I should but lose my labour, and gaine nothing but toyle of body, losse of goods, affliction of minde, and care of heart: Wherefore I doe appeale to the Lord Jesus Christ, as to the most highest and just Judge, and cite you before his judgement seat, there to answer for this wrong done unto me; for neither justly, nor godly, but corruptly, and unjustly, have you judged my cause. Whereunto they scoffingly said, Goe you first, and we will fol∣low. Not long after, the said Henry dyed: whereof the two Cardinals ha∣ving intelligence, said one to the other jestingly, Behold he is gone before, and wee must follow according to our promise. And verily they spoke truer than they were aware; for within a while after they both dyed in one day: the one sitting upon a jakes to ease himselfe, voyded out all his en∣trailes

into the draught, and miserably ended his life: the other gnawing off the fingers of his hands, and spitting them out of his mouth, (all deformed in devouring of himselfe) died. And in like wise not long after the said Ar∣nold was slaine in a sedition, and his body for certaine dayes lying stinking above the ground unburied, was open to the spoyle of every raskall and har∣lot. And this was the horrible end of this false accuser, and those corrup∣ted Judges.

Thus were two Cardinals punished for this sinne: and that we may see that the holy father the Pope is no better than his Cardinals, and that God spareth not him no more than he did them; let us heare how the Lord pu∣nished one of that ranke for this crime.

It is not unknowne, that Pope Innocent the fourth condemned the Em∣perour Fredericke at the Councell at Lyons, his cause being unheard, and before hee could come to answer for himselfe: For when the Emperour, being summoned to appeare at the Councell, made all haste hee could thi∣therward, and desired to have the day of hearing his cause prorogued, till that he might conveniently travell thither; the Pope refused, and contra∣ry to Gods law, to Christian Doctrine, to the prescript of the law of na∣ture and reason, and to all humanity, without probation of any crime, or pleading any cause, or hearing what might be answered, taking upon him to be both Adversary and Judge, condemned the Emperour being absent. What more wicked sentence was ever pronounced? What more cruell fact (considering the person) might be committed?

But marke what vengeance God tooke upon this wicked Judge. The writers of the Annals record, that when Fredericke the Emperour, and Con∣rade his sonne were both dead, the Pope gaping for the inheritance of Na∣ples and Sicilie, and thinking by force to have subdued the same, came to Naples with a great hoast of men: where was heard in his court manifest∣ly pronounced this voyce; Veni miser ad judicium Dei, Thou wretch come to receive thy judgement of God. And the next day the Pope was found in his bed dead, all black and blew, as though he had beene beaten with bats. And this was the judgement of God which he came unto.

To this Pope and these Cardinals let us adde an Archbishop, and that * 1.552 of Canterbury; to wit, Thomas Arundel, upon whom the justice of God ap∣peared no lesse manifestly than on the former: For after hee had unjustly given sentence against the Lord Cobham, he died himselfe before him; be∣ing so striken in his tongue, that he could neither swallow nor speake for a certaine space before the time of his death.

Hither might be adjoyned the vengeance of God upon Justice Morgan, who condemned to death the innocent Lady Iane; but presently after fell madde, and so dyed, having nothing in his mouth but Lady Iane, Lady Iane.

In the reigne of King Henry the eighth, one Richard Long, a man of armes in Calice, bore false witnesse against master Smith, the Curate of our La∣dy Parish in Calice, for eating flesh in Lent, which hee never did: but hee escaped not vengeance; for shortly after he desperately drowned him∣selfe. A terrible example unto all such as are ready to forsweare them∣selves on a Booke upon malice, or some other cause: a thing in these dayes over rise every where, and almost of most men little or nothing regarded.

About the same time one Gregory Bradway committed the same crime

of false accusation against one Broke, whom being driven thereunto by feare and constraint, he accused to have robbed the Custome-house, wherein hee was a Clerke, of foure groats every day; and to this accusation he subscri∣bed his hand: but for the same presently felt upon him the heavy hand of God; for being grieved in his consciene for his deed, hee first with a knife enterprised to cut his owne thro••t; but being not altogether dis∣patched therewith, the Gaoler comming up and preventing his purpose, hee fell forthwith into a furious frenzie; and in that case lived long time after.

Hitherto we may adde the example of one William Feming, who accused an * 1.553 honest man called Iohn Cooper, of speaking trayterous words against Queene Mary, and all because he would not sell him two goodly bullockes which he much desired: for which cause the poore man being arraigned at Berry in Suffolke, was condemned to death by reason of two false witnesses which the said Feming had suborned for that purpose, whose names were White and Greenwood; so this poore man was hanged, drawne, and quartered, and his goods taken from his poore wife and nine children, which are left de∣stitute of all helpe: but as for his false accusers, one of them died most miserably; for in harvest time being well and lusty, of a sudden his bowels fell out of his body, and so he perished: the other two what ends they came unto, it is not reported; but sure the Lord hath reserved a sufficient pu∣nishment for all such as they are.

Many more be the examples of this sinne, and judgements upon it; as * 1.554 the Pillories at Westminster, and daily experience beareth witnesse; but these that we have alledged shall suffice for this purpose: because this sinne is cousin Germane unto perjury, of which you may read more at large in the former booke. It should now follow by course of order, if wee would not pretermit any thing of the law of God, to speak of such as have offended against the tenth Commandement, and what punishment hath ensued the same: but forsomuch as all such offences for the most part are included under the former, of which wee have already spoken; and that there is no adultery, nor fornication, nor theft, nor unjust warre, but it is annexed to, and proceedeth from the affection and the resolution of an evill and disor∣dinate concupiscence, as the effect from the cause: therefore it is not ne∣cessary to make any particular recitall of them, more than may well bee collected out of the former examples added hereunto; that in evill concu∣piscence and affection of doing evill, which commeth not to act, (though it be in the sight of God condemned to everlasting torments) yet it doth not so much incurre and provoke his indignation, that a man should for that one∣ly cause be brought to apparent destruction, and be made an example to others, to whom the sinne is altogether darke and unknowne: therefore we will proceed in our purpose without intermeddling in speciall with this last Commandement.

CHAP. XLVII. That Kings and Princes ought to looke to the execution of Iustice, for the punishment of naughty and corrupt manners.

NO man ought to be ignorant of this, that it is the duty of a Prince, not onely to hinder the course of sin from bursting into action, but also to punish the doers of the Jame; making both civill justice to be administred up∣rightly, and the law of God to be regarded and observed inviolably: for to this end are they ordained of God, that by their meanes every one might live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godlinesse and honesty: to the which end the mainte∣nance and administration of justice being most necessary, they ought not so to discharge themselves of it, as to translate it upon their Officers and Judges, but also to looke to the execution thereof themselves, as it is most needfull: for if law (which is the foundation of justice) be (as Plato saith) a speechlesse and dumbe Magistrate; who shall give voyce and vigor unto it, if not hee that is in supreame and soveraigne authority? For which cause the King is commanded in Deuteronomy, To have before him alwayes the * 1.555 Booke of the Law, to the end to doe justice and judgement to every one in the feare of God. And before the creation of the Kings in Israel, the chiefe Captaines and Soveraignes amongst them were renowned with no other title nor quality, than of Judges. In the time of Deborah the Prophetesse, though she was a woman, the weaker vessell; yet because she had the con∣ducting and governing of the people, they came unto her to seeke judge∣ment. It is said of Samuel, that he judged Israel so long, till being tyred with age, and not able to beare that burden any longer, hee appointed his sonnes for Judges in his stead: who when through covetousnesse they per∣verted * 1.556 justice, and did not execute judgement like their father Samuel, they gave occasion to the people to demaund a King, that they might be judged and governed after the manner of other Nations: which things sufficient∣ly declared, that in old time the principall charge of Kings was personally to administer justice and judgement, and not as now to transferre the care thereof to others.

The same we read of King David, of whom it is said, That during his reigne he executed justice and judgement, among his people: and in ano∣ther * 1.557 place, That men came unto him for judgement, and therefore he dis∣dained * 1.558 not to heare the complaint of the woman of Tekoah; shewing him∣selfe herein a good Prince, and as the Angel of God, to heare good and evill: for this cause Solomon desired not riches, nor long life of the Lord, but a wise * 1.559 and discreet heart to judge his people, and to discerne betwixt good and e∣vill: which request was so agreeable and acceptable to God, that hee gran∣ted * 1.560 it unto him; so that he obtained such an excellent measure of incompara∣ble wisedome, that he was commended and reputed more for it, than for all his great riches and precious treasure beside. There is mention made in the Book of the Kings of his judiciall throne wherein he used to sit and heare the causes of the people, and execute justice among them; and albeit he was the

most puissant and glorious King of the earth, yet notwithstanding hee scorned not to hear two harlots plead before him about the controversie of a dead infant.

Ioram King of Israel, son of Achab, though a man that walked not up∣rightly * 1.561 before God, but gave himselfe to worke abomination in his sight; yet he despised not the complaint of the poor affamished woman of Sa∣maria, when she demanded justice at his hands, although it was in the time of war when Lawes use to be silent, and in the besieging and famishment of the City; neither did he reject the Sunamites request, for the recovery of * 1.562 her house and lands, but caused them to be restored unto her. So that then it is manifest, that those Kings which in old time reigned over the People of God, albeit they had in every City Judges, yea and in Jerusalem also, as it appeareth in the nineteenth Chapter of the second Book of Chro∣nicles; yet they ceased not for all that to give ear to suits and complaints that were made unto them, and to decide controversies that came to their knowledge: and for this cause it is that Wisdom saith, That by her Kings * 1.563 reigne, and Princes decree justice: whereunto also belongeth that which is said in another place, That a King sitting in the Throne of judgement * 1.564 chaseth away all evill with his eyes.

Moreover, that this was the greatest part of the Office and duty of Kings in antient times to see the administration of justice, Homer the Poet may be a sufficient witnesse, when he saith of Agamemnon, That the Scepter and Law was committed to him by God, to do right to every man: an∣swerable to the which, Virgil (describing the Queen of Carthage) saith, She sat in judgement in the midst of her People: as if there was nothing more beseeming such a person than such an action. And therefore the Poets not without cause feigne Iupiter alwayes to have Themis (that is to say, Justice) at his elbow; signifying thereby, not that whatsoever Kings and Princes did was just and lawfull, be it never so vile in it own nature (as that wanton flatterer Anaxarchus said to Alexander) but that equity and justice should alwayes accompany them, and never depart from their sides. And hereupon it was that Eacus, Minos, and Radamanthus the first King of Graecia, were so renowned of old antiquity, because of their true and up∣right execution of Justice, and therefore were not honoured with any grea∣ter title than the name of Judges.

It is said of King Alexander, that although he was continually busied in * 1.565 affaires of war, and of giving battels, yet he would sit personally in judge∣ment to hear criminall causes and matters of importance pleaded; and that whilest the accuser laid open his accusation, he would stop one ear with his hand, to the end that the other might be kept pure and without prejudice, for the defence and answer of the accused. The Roman Empe∣rours * 1.566 also were very carefull and diligent in this behalfe: as first Iulius Cae∣sar, who is recorded to have taken great paines in giving audience to par∣ties, and in dealing justice betwixt them. In like manner Augustus Caesar is commended for his care and travell in this behalfe: for he would ordi∣narily sit in judgement upon causes and controversies of his subjects, and that with such great delight and pleasure, that oftentimes night was fain to interrupt his course, before his will was to relinquish it: yea, though he found himselfe evill at case, yet would he not omit to apply himselfe to the division of judgement, or else calling the parties before him to his bed.

The Emperour Claudius, though a man otherwise of a dull and grosse spirit, yet in this respect he discharged the duty of a good Prince, for that he would intermeddle with hearing his subjects causes, and do right unto them: he chanced once to make a very pretty and witty end of a suit be∣twixt a son and his mother, who denying and disclaiming him to be her son, was by the Emperour commanded to marry him; and so lest he should agree to that mischief, was constrained to acknowledge and avow him for her son: and to be short, it was very ordinary and usuall among the Em∣perours, to take knowledge of matters controverted, but especially of cri∣minall and capitall causes; by meanes whereof the Apostle Paul, desirous to shun the judgement and lyings in wait of his enemies the Jewes, ap∣pealed from them to Caesar; which he would never have done, if Caesar had not in some sort used to meddle with such affaires; and for further proof hereof, hither may be added the saying which is reported of Nero, in the beginning of his reigne, That when he should signe with his hand a sen∣tence of death against a condemned person, he wished that he could nei∣ther write nor reade, to the end to avoid that necessary action.

The bold answer of an old woman to the Emperour Adrian is very wor∣thy * 1.567 to be remembred; who appealing and complaining to the Emperour of some wrong, when he answered that he was not at leasure then to hear her suit, she told him boldly and plainly, That then he ought not to be at lea∣sure to be her Emperour: which speech went so near the quicke unto him, that ever after he shewed more facility and courtesie towards all men that had any thing to do with him. The Kings of France used also this custome of hearing and deciding their subjects matters, as we reade of Charlemaigne the King and Emperour, who commanded that he should be made ac∣quainted with all matters of importance, and their issues, throughout his Realme. King Lewis the first treading the steps of his father Charlemaigne, accustomed himselfe three dayes in a week to hear publiquely in his pal∣lace the complaints and grievances of his people, and to right their wrongs and injuries. King Lewis, sirnamed the Holy, a little before his death gave * 1.568 in charge to his son that should succeed him in the Crown, amongst other, this precept, To be carefull to bear a stroke in seeing the distribution of justice, and that it should not be perverted nor depraved.

CHAP. XLVIII. Of such Princes as have made no reckoning of punishing vice, nor regarded the estate of their People.

IT cannot chuse but be a great confusion in a Common∣wealth, when justice sleepeth, and when the shamelesse boldnesse of evill doers is not curbed in with any bridle, but runneth it own swinge; and therefore a Consull of Rome could say, That it was an evil thing to have a Prince, under whom licence and liberty is given to every man to do what him listeth: forsomuch then as this evill proceedeth from the carelesnesse and slothfulnesse of those that hold the sterne of government

in their hands, it cannot be but some evill must needs fall upon them for the same: the truth of this may appear in the person of Philip of Macedony (whom Demosthenes the Orator noteth for a treacherous and false dealing Prince:) after that he had subdued almost all Greece, not so much by open war, as by subtilty, craft, and surprise, and that being in the top of his glory, he celebrated at one time the marriage of his son Alexander, whom he had lately made King of Epire, and of one of his daughters, with great pompe and magnificence; as he was marching with all his train betwixt the two bridegroomes (his own son and his son in law) to see the sports and pastimes which were prepared for the solemnity of the marriage, be∣hold suddenly a young Macedonian Gentleman called Pausanias, ran at him, and slew him in the midst of the prease, for not regarding to do him justice, when he complained of an injury done unto him by one of the Peeres of the Realme.

Tatius, the fellow King of Rome with Romulus, for not doing justice in * 1.569 punishing certain of his friends and kinsfolkes that had robbed and mur∣dered certain Embassadours which came to Rome, and for making their impunity an example for other malefactors by deferring and protracting, and disappointing their punishment, was so watched by the kindred of the slain, that they slew him even as he was sacrificing to his gods, because they could not obtain justice at his hands.

What happened to the Romans for refusing to deliver an Embassadour, * 1.570 who (contrary to the law of Nations comming unto them) played the part of an enemy to his own Countrey, even well nigh the totall overthrow of them and their City: for having by this meanes brought upon themselves the calamity of war, they were at the first discomfited by the Gaules; who pursuing their victory, entred Rome, and slew all that came in their way, whether men or women, infants or aged persons, and after many dayes spent in the pillage and spoiling of the houses, at last set fire on all, and ut∣terly destroyed the whole City.

Childericke King of France is notified for an extreme dullard and block∣head, * 1.571 and such a one as had no care or regard unto his Realme, but that li∣ved idlely and slothfully, without intermedling with the affaires of the Common-wealth: for he laid all the charge and burden of them upon Pe∣pin his Lieutenant Generall, and therefore was by him justly deposed from his royall Dignity, and mewed up in a Cloyster of Religion to become a Monke, because he was unfit for any good purpose: and albeit that this sudden change and mutation was very strange, yet there ensued no trouble nor commotion in the Realme thereupon; so odious was he become to the whole land for his drousie and idle disposition. For the same cause did the Princes Electors depose Venceslaus the Emperour from the Empire, and established another in his room. * 1.572

King Richard of England, among other foul faults which he was guilty of, incurred greatest blame for this, because he suffered many theeves and robbers to rove up and down the Land unpunished: for which cause the Citizens of London commenced a high suit against him, and compelled him having reigned two and twenty yeares, to lay aside the Crown, and re∣signe it to another, in the presence of all the States, and died prisoner in the Tower.

Moreover, this is no small defect of justice, when men of authority do

not onely pardon capitall and detestable crimes, but also grace and favour the doers of them: and this neither ought nor can be done by a soveraigne Prince, without overpassing the bounds of his limited power, which can in no wayes dispence with the law of God, whereunto even Kings themselves * 1.573 are subject: for as touching the willing and considerate murderer, Thou shalt plucke him from my Altar (saith the Lord) that he may die, thy eye shall * 1.574 not spare him, to the end it may goe well with thee: which was put in practise in the death of Ioab, who was slaine in the Tabernacle of God, holding his * 1.575 hands upon the hornes of the Altar: for he is no lesse abhominable before God that justifieth the wicked, than he that condemneth the just: and here∣upon * 1.576 that holy King S. Lewis, when he had granted pardon to a malefactor, * 1.577 revoked it againe, after better consideration of the matter; saying, That he would give no pardon, except the case deserved pardon by the law, for it was a worke of charity and pitty to punish an offendor; and not to punish crimes was as much as to commit them.

In the yeare of our Lord 978, Egelrede the sonne of Edgare and Alphred, King of England, was a man of goodly outward shape and visage, but whol∣ly given to idlenesse, and abhorring all Princely exercises: besides, he was a lover of ryot and drunkennesse, and used extreame cruelty towards his sub∣jects, having his eares open to all unjust complaints; in feats of armes of all men most ignorant: so that his cruelty made him odious to his subjects, and his cowardise encouraged strange enemies to invade his kingdome; by meanes whereof England was sore afflicted with warre, famine and pesti∣lence. In his time (as a just plague for his negligence in Governement) decayed the noble Kingdome of England, and became tributary to the Danes: for ever when the Danes oppressed him with warre, he would hire them away with summes of money, without making any resistance against them: insomuch, that from ten thousand pounds by the yeare, the tribute arose in short space to fifty thousand: wherefore he devised a new tricke, and sought by treacherie to destroy them, sending secret Commissioners to the Magistrates throughout the Land, that upon a certaine day and houre assigned, the Danes should suddenly and joyntly bee murdered: Which massacre being performed, turned to be the cause of greater misery: for Swaine King of Denmarke hearing of the murder of his countrey-men, lan∣ded with a strange army in divers parts of this Realme, and so cruelly with∣out mercy and pitty spoyled the Countrey, and slew the people, that the Englishmen were brought to most extreame and unspeakable misery, and Egelrede the King driven to flie with his wife and children to Richard Duke of Normandie, leaving the whole Kingdome to bee possessed of Swaine.

Edward the second of that name may well be placed in this ranke: for * 1.578 though he was faire and well proportioned of body, yet he was crooked and evill favoured in conditions: for hee was so disposed to lightnesse and va∣nity, that he refused the company of his Lords and men of honour, and haunted amongst villaines and vile persons; he delighted in drinking and riot, and loved nothing lesse than to keep secret his owne counsailes, though never so important; so that he let the affaires of his Kingdome runne at six and at sevens: To these vices he added the familiarity of certaine evill dis∣posed fellowes, as Pierce de Gaueston, and Hugh the Spencers; whose wanton counfell he following, neglected to order his Common-wealth by sadnesse,

discretion, and justice: which thing caused first great variance betwixt him and his nobles, so that shortly he became to them most odious, and in the end was deprived of his kingdome: for the Scots that were so curbed in his fathers dayes, now playd rex through his negligence, and made many irruptions into his land, killing and discomfiting his men at three sundry battailes: besides, Charles of France did him much scath upon his lands in Gasconie and Guyan; and at last Isabell his owne wife, with the helpe of Sir Iohn of Henault and his Henowaies (to whom the nobles and commons gave their assistance) tooke him and deprived him of his crowne, installed his young sonne Edward in his place, keeping him in prison at Bartcley, where not long after he was murdered by Sir Roger Mortimer.

CHAP. XLIX. How rare and geason good Princes have beene at all times.

IT appeareth by all these former histories, what a multi∣tude there hath beene of dissolute, proud, cruell, and vi∣cious Princes, and of tyrans and oppressors, so that the number of good & vertuous ones seemeth to have been but small in comparison of them: which is also intima∣ted by the tenor of the histories of the Kings of Juda & Israel, of whom (being in number forty) but ten onely were found that pleased God in their reignes, and they of Juda; and yet of them ten, one was corrupted in his old age, and fell away to vile iniquities: but of Israel there was not one that demeaned not himself evill in his estate, and dealt not unjustly and wickedly before the Lord. As for the first Emperors, what manner of men they were for the most part, we have already sufficiently declared: Wherefore it was not unfitly spoken of him, that jeasting-wise told the Emperor Claudius, That all the good Caesars might be engraven in one little ring, they were so few: so that then a King or Prince endued with vertue, bounty, and clemency, and that loveth his subjects, endeth strifes, and kindleth concord, is a speciall note of Gods fa∣vour, and a gift inestimable; and that people that hath such a Prince for their support and stay, are infinitely blessed; they lie as it were upon a sunnie banke, and ride in a most safe and quiet haven, whilest others are ex∣posed and laid open to the cruelty of time, and are tossed and turmoyled with the waves of calamitie and oppression; therefore this may be their song of mirth and rejoycing, whilest other nations sing nothing but wella∣daies:

A sad afflicted soule, all pale with griefe and wrong, Being eas'd from sence of dole, doth straitway change his song From moane to mirth, for why his thick and cloudy night, Is turn'd to purity of Titans glorious light. The raging storme is past, and feare of shipwracke gone, Their weary ships at last a calmie shore have won. The Pilot safely lies reposed under lee, Not fearing frowne of skies, or other miserie.

The strong and mighty blasts of furious winds are still, They doe no more cast downe huge Firre trees at their will: A pleasant gale succeeds of fruitfull Zephyrus, Which recreates the seeds of spring voluptuous. Pack hence you wicked ones, with all your equipage Of murdering champions, envenomed with rage: Your horse are tir'd with toyle, and all your strength's pluckt downe, Your swords have caught a foyle by lovely peaces crowne. O blessed glorious peace (that beautifiest each land, And mak'st all dangers cease, whereof in feare we stand) Distill thy favours pure (which are immortall things) On us that lie secure in shadow of thy wings. Even those thy holy traine, which still attendance yeeld, Let them wax young againe, and flourish in our field: Iustice and verity, which ballance right from wrong, Let them attend on thee with equity among. Then shall the Swaines rejoyce under a Fig-tree lien, And sing with cheerfull voice untill the Suns decline: And all the world shall ring with ecchoes of our praise, Which to the Lord our King we warble out alwayes. The simple harmlesse Lambe no greedy Wolfe shall feare, Nor Kid new wain'd from dam shall stand in awe of Beare: But Sheepe and Wolfe shall make like friends one flocke and fold, A fearelesse childe shall take the rule of Tigres old. You flockes of Sion hill which through so many feares Of warre and crosses, still have sowne your field with teares, Take comfort to your hope, strait comes the joyfull houre To reap a fruitfull crop for all your torments soure.

But alas it commeth to passe through the sinnes and wickednesse of men, that Realmes are oftentimes scarred with the alarmes and assaults of foes, and strangely afflicted with many evils, when as the State of governement * 1.579 is troubled and changed by the iniquities of the people.

CHAP. L. That the greatest and mightiest Cities are not exempt from punish∣ment of their iniquities.

WHereas great and populous Cities are as it were the eyes of the earth (as Athens and Sparta were said to be of Greece) there is no question but that they are so much the more blameable for glutting and overcharging themselves with sinnes, by how much the more they abound with all manner of temporall goods and commodities, and that at length they tumble into utter ruine and desolation; for instead of being a patterne and direction unto others, of wisedome and good governement, as they ought; they are for the

most part examples of folly and vanity: for where is more evils and disso∣lutenesse reigning, than in them? the principall cause whereof is that gree∣dy worme Avarice, which begetteth in all estates much fraud, cousening, and other naughty practises, with many such like children: for through it every man looketh to provide for his owne affaires, and to get any com∣moditie or ease whatsoever to himselfe, even with all his power; not caring who be damnified, so he be enriched: The plenty of riches which there a∣boundeth, instilleth pride and haughtinesse of minde into some, maketh o∣thers dissolute and effeminate, and besotteth others with carnall & unhonest pleasures; from which head spring rivers of evils, as envies, quarrels, dis∣sentions, debates, and murders; all which things happen to them, that be∣ing transported and distracted with the furious contrariety of their disordi∣nate affection, can finde no contentment nor agreement with themselves, but must needs burst out into some outward mischiefes; Hence is that wonderfull pompe and bravery, as well of apparell as other things: hence all gourmandise and drunkennesse are so common, yea and adulteries so much frequented; wherefore the anger of the Almighty must needs bee kindled, to consume them in their sinnes.

One of the notablest Cities of the world for greatnesse and antiquity was Ninive, the capitall and chiefe Citie of the Assyrian Empire: howbeit her greatnesse and power could not so protect her, but that after she had once beene spared by the meanes of the Prophet Ionas, who fore-told her of her destruction, being returned to her former vomit againe; to wit, of rob∣beries, extortions, wrongfull dealings, and adulteries, she was wholly and utterly subverted, God having delivered her for a prey into the hands of many of her enemies, that spoiled and pilled her to the quicke; and lastly, into the hands of the Medes, who brought her to a finall and unrecoverable desolation, as it was prophesied by the Prophet Nahum.

Babylon was wont to be the seat of that puissant Monarchie under Nabu∣chadnezzar, where flourished the famous Astrologers, and notable wise men of the world, where the spoyles and riches of many nations and coun∣tries were set up as Trophies, and kept as the remembrance of their victo∣ries; where also vices reigned, and all manner of excesse and villanie over∣flowed: for by the report of Q. Curtius, the Citie did so exceed in whoredome * 1.580 and adulteries, that fathers and mothers were not ashamed to be bawdes un∣to their daughters, no nor husbands to their wives; a thing most strange and odious: wherefore it could not chuse but in the end bee sacked, and * 1.581 quite destroyed with an extreame ruine and destruction, the signes and ap∣parance whereof yet are seen in the ruine of old wals and ancient buildings * 1.582 that there remaine.

Amongst sea-bordering Cities, and for renowne of merchandise, Tyre in former ages was most famous: for thither resorted the merchants of all Countries for traffique of Palestina, Syria, Aegypt, Persia, and Assyria; they of Tarshis brought thither Iron, Lead, Brasse, and Silver: the Syrians sold their Carbuncles, Purple, broidered worke, fine linnen, corall, and pearle: the Jewes, Hony, Oyle, Treacle, Cassia, and Calamus: the Ara∣bians traffiqued with Lambs, Muttons, and Goats: the Sabeans brought merchandise of all exquisite spices and Apothecary stuffe, with gold and precious stones; by meanes whereof it being growne exceeding wealthy, inriched by fraud and deceit, and being lifted up to the height of pride, and

plunged in the depth of pleasures, it was at length by the just judgement of God, so sacked and ruinated, that the very memory thereof at this day scarce remaineth.

The like judgement fell upon Sidon, and upon that rich and renowned * 1.583 Citie of Corinth, which through the commodiousnesse of the haven, was the most frequented place of the world, for the entercourse of Merchants out of Asia and Europe; for by reason of her pride and corruption of man∣ners, * 1.584 (but especially for her despising and abuse of the heavenly graces of Gods spirit) which were sowed and planted in her, she underwent this pu∣nishment, * 1.585 to be first finally destroyed, and brought into cinders by the Ro∣mans; and then after her re-edification, to be debased into so low and v••le an estate, that that which remaineth is no wise comparable to her former glory.

Againe, Athens the most flourishing and famous Citie of Greece for her faire buildings, large precincts, and multitude of inhabitants, but espe∣cially for her Philosophie, by meanes whereof recourse was made from all parts to her, as the fountaine and well-spring of Arts, and the Schoole and University of the whole world; whose policie and manner of governement was so much esteemed by the Romanes, that they drew from thence their lawes; but now she lies dead and buried in forgetfulnesse, not carrying any of her former proportion or apparance.

Carthage that noble Citie, mistresse of Africa, and paragon to Rome, may not brag of any better issue than her fellowes: for though she resisted and made her part good with Rome for many yeares, yet at length by means of her owne inward and civile jarres, she was utterly destroyed by them: for the inhabitants, not able to stand any longer in defence, were constrained to * 1.586 yeeld themselves to the mercy of their enemies: the women, to the number of five and twenty thousand marching first forth, and after them the men in number thirty thousand following; all which poore captives were sold for bond-slaves, a few onely of the principall excepted; and then fire was put to the Citie, which burnt seventeene dayes without ceasing, even till it was * 1.587 cleane consumed. It is true that it was re-edified after this, but which last∣ed not long, for it was againe brought to destruction; that at this day there remaineth nothing but old and rotten ruines. And thus fared many other Cities, of which may be verified that which was spoken of Troy, that fields and corne are where Cities were. * 1.588

Numantium in Spaine being besieged by the Romans, after it had borne the brunt of warre and sacking, a long while made many desperate sallies upon their enemies: and lastly, seeing themselves consumed with famine, rather than they would bow their necks to the yoke of servitude, barring their gates, set fire on all: and so burning themselves with their whole Ci∣ty, left the enemy nothing but ashes for his prey and triumph: as the Sa∣guntines not long before served Anniball. * 1.589

It is a marvellous and strange thing to consider, how that proud Citie hath lifted up her head above all others, and usurped a tyrannie over Nati∣ons, and which Lactantius, Ierome, and Augustine, three learned fathers, en∣tituled Babylon: how I say she hath beene humbled for all her pride, and * 1.590 impoverished for all her riches, and made a prey unto many Nations. It was sacked and ransacked twice by the Visigothes, taken once by the Heru∣lians, surprised by the Ostrogothes, destroyed and rooted up by the Van∣dales,

annoyed by the Lumbards, pilled and spoiled by the Graecians, and whipped and chastised by many others; and now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sodome and Gomor∣rah it is to expect no more punishment, but the last blow of the most migh∣tiest his indignation, to throw it headlong into everlasting and horrible de∣solation.

CHAP. LI. Of such punishments which are common to all men in regard of their iniquities.

THese and such like effects of Gods wrath ought to ad∣monish and instruct every man to looke unto himselfe for doing evill, and to abhorre and detest sinne, since it bringeth forth such soure and bitter fruits: for albeit the wayes of the wicked seeme in their owne eyes faire and good, yet it is certaine, that they are full of snares * 1.591 and thornes to entrap and pricke them to the quicke: for after that, being fed with the licorous and deceitfull sweetnesse of their owne lusts, they have sported themselves their fils in their pleasures and wicked affections, then in stead of delights and pastimes, they shall finde nothing but punishment and sadnesse; their laughter, joy, pompe, magni∣ficence, and glory, shall be turned into torments and dolors, weepings, op∣probries, ignominies, confusion, and miserie everlasting: for if God spa∣red not great Cities, Empires, Monarchies, and Kings, in their obstinate misdeeds, shall we thinke he will spare little Cities, Hamlets, and Villa∣ges, and men of base estate, when by their sinnes they provoke him to an∣ger? no, it cannot be; for God is alwayes of one and the same nature, al∣wayes like unto himselfe: A God executing justice and judgement upon the earth; a God that loveth not iniquity; •• with whom the wicked cannot dwell, nor * 1.592 the fooles stand before his presence. It is hee that huteth the workers of un∣righteousnesse, * 1.593 and that destroyeth the lyers, and abhorreth all deceitfull, disloyall, perjurous, and murdering persons: as with him there is no ex∣ception of persons, so none, of what estate or condition soever, bee they rich or poore, noble or ignoble, gentle, or carter-like, can exempt them∣selves from his wrath and indignation when it is kindled but a little, if they delight and continue in their sinnes: for as S. Paul saith, Tribulation and * 1.594 anguish upon the soule of every man that doth evill.

Now according to the variety and diversity of mens offences, the Lord in his most just and admirable judgement, useth diversity of punishments: sometimes correcting them one by one, particular; otherwhiles altogether in a heap: sometimes by stormes and tempests, both by sea and land; other times by lightning, haile, and deluge of waters▪ often by overflowing and breaking out of rivers, and of the sea also: and not seldome by remedilesse and sudden fires, heaven and earth, and all the elements being armed with an invincible force, to take vengeance upon such as are traytors and rebels against God •• sundry times hee scourgeth the world (as it well deserveth) with his usuall and accustomed plagues, namely of warre, and famine, and

pestilence, which are evident signes of his anger, according to the threats denounced in the law t••••••hing the same: and therefore if at any time hee deferre the punishment of the wicked, it is for no other end, but to expect the fulnesse of their sinne, and to make them more inexcusable, when con∣trary to his bountifulnesse and long suffering (which inviteth and calleth them to repentance) they harden themselves and grow more obstinate in their vices and rebellion, drawing upon their heads the whole heape of wrath, the more grievously to assaile them. And thus the vengeance of God marcheth but a soft pace (as saith Valerius Maximus) to the end to double and aggravate the punishment for the slacknesse thereof.

CHAP. LII. That the greatest punishments are reserved and layed up for the wicked in the world to come.

NOtwithstanding all which hath beene spoken, and how∣soever sinners are punished in this life, it is certaine, that the greatest and terriblest punishments are kept in store for them in another world: And albeit that during this transitory pilgrimage, they seeme to them∣selves oftentimes to live at their ease, and enjoy their pleasures and pastimes to their hearts contentment; yet doubtlesse it is so, that they are indeed in a continuall prison, and in a dungeon of darkenesse, bound and chained with fetters of their owne sinne, and very often turmoyled and but chered with their owne guilty conscience, overcharged with the multitude of offences, and fore-feeling the approach of hell: And in this case many languish away with feare, care, and terror, being toyled and tyred with uncessant and unsupportable disquietnesse, and tossed and distracted with despaire, untill by death they be brought unto their last irrevokable punishment; which punishment is not to endure for a time, and then to end, but is eternall and everlastingly inherent both in body and soule: I say in the body, after the resurrection of the dead; and in soule, after the departure out of this life till all eternity: for it is just and equall, that they which have offended and dishonoured God in their bodies in this life, should be punished also in their bodies in the world to come with endlesse torments: of which torments when mention is made in the holy Scripture, they are for our weake capacity sake called Gehenna, or a place of torment, utter darkenesse and hell fire, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, &c. againe, eternall fire, a poole and pit of fire and brim∣stone, which is prepared for the devill and his darlings: and how miserable their estate is that fall therein, our Saviour Christ giveth us to know in the person of the rich glutton, who having bathed himselfe in the pleasures and * 1.595 delights of this world, without once regarding or pittying the poore, was after cast into the torments of hell, and there burneth in quenchlesse flames, without any ceasing or allaying of his griefes: therefore whatsoever pu∣nishments the wicked suffer before they die, they are not quitted by them from this other, but must descend into the appointed place to receive the

surplus of their payments which is due unto them: For what were it for a notorious and cruell Tyran that had committed many foule and wicked deeds, or had most villanously murdered many good men, to have no other punishment but to be slaine, and to endure in the houre of death some ex∣traordinary paine; could such a punishment ballance with his so many and great offences? Whereas therefore many such wretches suffer punish∣ment in this world, we must thinke that this is but a taste and scantling of those torments and punishments which are prepared and made ready for them in the world to come. And therefore it often commeth to passe, that they passe out of this life most quietly, without the disturbance of any crosse or punishment; but it is that they might be more strangely tormen∣ted in another world. Some not considering this point, nor stretching the view of their understanding beyond the aspect of their carnall eyes, have fallen into this foolish opinion, to thinke that there is neither justice nor judgement in heaven, nor respect of equity with the Highest: when they see the wicked to flourish in prosperity, and the good and innocent to bee overwhelmed with adversity, yea and many holy men have fallen into this temptation, as Iob and David did, who when they considered the condition * 1.596 of the wicked and unjust, how they lived in this world at their hearts ease, compassed about with pleasures and delights, and waxing old in the same, were carried to their sepulchres in peace; they were somewhat troubled and perplexed within themselves, untill being instructed and resolved by the Word of God, they marked their finall end and issue, and the everlast∣ing perdition which was prepared for them, and by no means could be esca∣ped. And thus it commeth to passe (saith S. Augustine) that many sinnes * 1.597 are punished in this world, that the providence of God might be more ap∣parant; and many, yea most reserved to be punished in the world to come, that we might know that there is yet judgement behinde.

CHAP. LIII. How the afflictions of the godly, and the punishment of the wicked differ.

WHich seeing it is so, it is necessary that the wicked and per∣verse ones should feele the rigor of Gods wrath for the pre∣sumption and rebellion wherewith they daily provoke him against them; and although with those that feare God, and strive to keepe themselves from evill, and take paines to live peaceably and quietly, it oftentimes goeth worse here below than with others, being laid open to millions of injuries, reproches, and cruelties, and as it were sheepe appointed to the slaughter; whereof some are massacred, some hanged, some headed, some drowned, some bur∣ned, or put to some other cruell death; yet notwithstanding their estate and condition is farre happier than that of the wicked, for somuch as all their sufferings and adversities are blessed and sanctified unto them of God, who turneth them to their advantage, according to the saying of S. Paul, * 1.598

That all things worke for the good to them that feare God: for whatsoever tribulation befalleth them, they cannot be separated from the love of God, which he beareth unto them in his welbeloved son Christ Jesus: be it then that God visiteth them for their faults, (for there is none that is clear of sin) it is a fatherly chastisement to bring them to amendment: be it that hee exerciseth them by many afflictions, as hee did Iob, it is to prove their faith and patience, to the end they may be better purified like gold in the furnace, and serve for example to others. If it bee for the truth of the Gospell that they suffer, then they are blessed, because they are conformed to the image of the sonne of God, that they might also be partakers of his glory, for they that suffer with him, are assured to reign•• with him: hence it is, that in the midst of their torments and oppressions, in the midst of fires and fagots flaming about them, being comforted with the consolati∣ons of Gods spirit, through a sure hope of their happy repose and incor∣ruptible crowne which is prepared for them in the heavens, they rejoyce and are so chearefull: contrariwise the wicked, seeing themselves ensnared in the evils which their owne sinnes brought upon them, gnash their teeth, fret themselves, murmur against God, and blaspheme him, like wretches, to their endlesse perdition. There is therefore great difference betwixt the punishments of each of these, for the one tendeth to honour and life, the other to shame and confusion: and even as it is not the greatnesse of tor∣ments that maketh the martyr, but the goodnesse of the cause; so the in∣fliction of punishment unjustly, neither maketh the party afflicted guilty, nor any whit diminisheth his reputation: whereas the wicked that are justly tormented for their sinnes, are so marked with infamie and dishonour, that the staine thereof can never be wiped out.

Let every one therefore learne to keepe, himselfe from evill, and to containe himselfe in a kinde of modesty and integrity of life, seeing that by the plagues and scourges wherewith the world is ordinarily afflicted; Gods fierce wrath is clearely revealed from heaven upon all impiety and injustice of men, to consume all those that rebell against him. Thinke upon this you inhabitants of the earth, small and great, of what qualitie or condition soever you be.

If you be mighty, puissant, and fearefull, know that the Lord is greater than you, for he is almighty, all-terrible, and all-fearefull: in what place soever you are, he is alwayes above you, ready to hurle you down and over∣turne you, to breake, quash, and crush you in peeces as pots of earth: hee is armed with thunder, fire, and a bloudy sword, to destroy, consume, and cut you in pieces: heaven threatneth from above, and the earth which you trample on from below; shaking under your feet, and being ready to spue you out from her face, or swallow you up in her bowels: in briefe, all the elements and creatures of God looke askew at you in disdaine, and set themselves against you in hatred, if you feare not your Creator, your Lord and Master, of whom you have received your Scepters and Crownes, * 1.599 and who is able (when he please) to bring Princes to nothing, and make the Rulers of the earth a thing of nought. Forsake therefore, if you ten∣der the good, honour, and repose of your selves and yours, the evill and corrupt fashions of the world, and submit your selves in obedience under the Scepter of Gods Law and Gospell, fearing the just retribution of ven∣geance

upon all them that doe the contrary: for it is a horrible thing to fall into the hands of the Lord. And you which honour and reverence * 1.600 God already, be now more quickned and stirred up to his love and obedi∣ence, and to a more diligent practising of his will, and following his com∣mandements, to the end to glorifie him by your lives looking for the happie end of your hope reserved in the heavens for you by Christ J••sus our Lord, to whom 〈…〉〈…〉 everlasting,

Amen.

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Notes

• * 1.1

  Gen 9.
• * 1.2

  Num. 33. Deut. 7.
• * 1.3

  2 Sam. 15.
• * 1.4

  2 Sam. 16.
• * 1.5

  2 Sam. 18.
• * 1.6

  2 King. 19. 37.
• * 1.7

  Greg. of Tours fourth booke.
• * 1.8

  Philip Comine∣us in the reigne of Lewis the twelfth. cap. 63
• * 1.9

  Enguerr. de Monstr. vol. 2.
• * 1.10

  Alex. ab Alex. general. dier. Lib. 4. cap. 14.
• * 1.11

  Philip. Melanc lib 4. Chron.
• * 1.12

  In Collectan.
• * 1.13

  Manlius in collectan.
• * 1.14

  Fides sit apud authorem.
• * 1.15

  Thearr. hist,
• * 1.16

  Guiliel. Lugdi. Discipulus de ••emp.
• * 1.17

  George Lanter∣de disciplina liberorum.
• * 1.18

  Theat. hist.
• * 1.19

  Mandat. 3. Cursing. li. 1. cap. 33.
• * 1.20

  2 Kin. 2.
• * 1.21

  1 Sam. 1. 2.
• * 1.22

  Contempt of holy things. Lib. 1. cap. 34.
• * 1.23

  a Kin. 1. 16.
• * 1.24

  Lib. 2. cap. 10. de institut: Christ. ••ami.
• * 1.25

  Cyriac. Spang.
• * 1.26

  Iob. Fincelius, lib. de Myrac.
• * 1.27

  Rom. 13.
• * 1.28

  1 Pet. 2. Mat. 22. Exod. 22.
• * 1.29

  Num. 16.
• * 1.30

  2 Sam. 16.
• * 1.31

  Mandat. 3. Cursers, lib. 1. cap. 33.
• * 1.32

  1 King. 2.
• * 1.33

  2 Sam. 20.
• * 1.34

  Liv. lib. 5.
• * 1.35

  Liv. lib. 1.
• * 1.36

  Tit. Liv.
• * 1.37

  Thucyd, lib. 1••
• * 1.38

  Aelian. lib. 9.
• * 1.39

  Eras. in Apoph. lib. 6.
• * 1.40

  Albert. Crantz
• * 1.41

  Tit. Livius.
• * 1.42

  Cic. offic. lib. 3.
• * 1.43

  Albert. Crantz
• * 1.44

  Leunclanias Annales of Turky.
• * 1.45

  Camerarius Historicall me∣ditat. cap. 7.
• * 1.46

  Otto Frisin∣gensis de rebus Freder. pri••. lib. 1. cap. 47.
• * 1.47

  Bonfinus, lib. 3. Decad. 5.
• * 1.48

  Lanquet. Chro.
• * 1.49

  Lanquet.
• * 1.50

  Lanquet. Stow.
• * 1.51

  Lanquet.
• * 1.52

  Valerius Max∣imus.
• * 1.53

  Alex. ab Alex.
• * 1.54

  Valerius Max. lib. 2. cap. 2.
• * 1.55

  Lib. 2. cap. 2.
• * 1.56

  Phi. Agesilaus.
• * 1.57

  All this whole chapter, in re∣gard of mur∣ther, belon∣geth to the 6 commande∣ment.

  1. King. 16.
• * 1.58

  King. 12. 22.
• * 1.59

  2 King. 14. 5.
• * 1.60

  2 King. 15.
• * 1.61

  Aelian. lib. 1.
• * 1.62

  Philip Melanst Cbro 1. lib. 3.
• * 1.63

  Chro. Sigebert.
• * 1.64

  Philip Melanct Chron.
• * 1.65

  Aventin. lib. 2.
• * 1.66

  Ingratitude punished.
• * 1.67

  Aventin. lib. 3.
• * 1.68

  Notable in∣gratitude punished.
• * 1.69

  Ritius lib. 1. de regib. Hispan.
• * 1.70

  Lanquet.
• * 1.71

  Stow.
• * 1.72

  Nich. Gil. vol. 1
• * 1.73

  The same au∣thor.
• * 1.74

  Vol 2. cap. 120.
• * 1.75

  Cap. 129.
• * 1.76

  Cap. 130. Nic. Gil. Vol. 2.
• * 1.77

  Froiss. v. 2. c. 97.
• * 1.78

  Cap. 92.
• * 1.79

  Cap. 180.
• * 1.80

  Nic. Gil. vol. 2.
• * 1.81

  Froiss vol. 1. cap. 182.
• * 1.82

  Sleid. lib. 4.
• * 1.83

  Stow Chron.
• * 1.84

  Stow Chron.
• * 1.85

  Exod. 21.
• * 1.86

  Gen. 9.
• * 1.87

  Exod. 21.
• * 1.88

  Deut. 21.
• * 1.89

  Num. 35.
• * 1.90

  Herod. lib. 1.
• * 1.91

  Gen. 4.
• * 1.92

  Iudg. 9.
• * 1.93

  2 Sam. 4.
• * 1.94

  Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3. & 4.
• * 1.95

  Treason; lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.96

  2. Sam. 20.
• * 1.97

  1. King. 2.
• * 1.98

  Herod. lib. 1.
• * 1.99

  Oros. lib. 2.
• * 1.100

  Herod. lib. 3.
• * 1.101

  Diodor. lib. 11.
• * 1.102

  Iustine.
• * 1.103

  Plutarch.
• * 1.104

  Salusti
• * 1.105

  Oras. Sabel. Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.106

  Plutarch.
• * 1.107

  ••lor. lib. 4.
• * 1.108

  Plutarch.
• * 1.109

  Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3. & 4. Plutarch.
• * 1.110

  Eutrop.
• * 1.111

  Procopius.
• * 1.112

  Iornand. Greg. de Tours.
• * 1.113

  Greg. of Tours, lib. 3. hist.
• * 1.114

  Referre this properly to lib. 2. cap. 11.
• * 1.115

  Niceph. l. 18. 58.
• * 1.116

  Munst. Cosmog. Mandat. 3. Cursing. l. 1. cyp. 30.
• * 1.117

  Munster cos∣mographle.
• * 1.118

  Mandat. 8. Avarice and unmercifulnes
• * 1.119

  Hieron. Marius.
• * 1.120

  Baleus.
• * 1.121

  Murdering Popes.
• * 1.122

  Euguerran de Monstr. Vol. 1.
• * 1.123

  Enguerran de Monstr. Vol. 1.
• * 1.124

  Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.125

  F••ois. lib. 1. hist.
• * 1.126

  Munst. Cosm. Phi. Melan. lib.
• * 1.127

  Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.128

  Chron. Pol. lib. 2. cap. 10.
• * 1.129

  Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.130

  Ioseph. antiq. Iudaic. li. 11. c. 7
• * 1.131

  Prophanation of holy things, Lib. 1. cap. 34.
• * 1.132

  Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.133

  Greg. of Tours, lib. 1. cap. 36.
• * 1.134

  This example belongeth also to the 11. chap
• * 1.135

  Casp. Hed. li. 6. cap. 17.
• * 1.136

  Martian. S••o••u••.
• * 1.137

  Hermanus con∣tract us.
• * 1.138

  Casp. Hed. li. ••. cap. 10.
• * 1.139

  Historie of France, Charles the ninth.
• * 1.140

  The same hi∣storie.
• * 1.141

  The same hi∣storie.
• * 1.142

  Sleid. lib. 17.
• * 1.143

  Lanquet. Chro.
• * 1.144

  Acts and Mo∣numents.
• * 1.145

  Ranulphus.
• * 1.146

  Gen. 4.
• * 1.147

  Gen.
• * 1.148

  Ex historia Iornlens.
• * 1.149

  Plutarch. So∣le••ria anim••.
• * 1.150

  The same.
• * 1.151

  Blondus.
• * 1.152

  Blondus.
• * 1.153

  Luther.
• * 1.154

  Plutarch.
• * 1.155

  Pasquier, Recerche••▪ lib. 5. c. 20.
• * 1.156

  Pasquier, Recerches, lib. 5. c. 20.
• * 1.157

  Acts 28. 4.
• * 1.158

  Ranzovius.
• * 1.159

  Phi. Lonicer. Theat. hist. Fides sit apud authorem. Though strange, yet not incredi∣ble, since God can as well turne Calves heads into mens, as a rod into a ser∣pent, or wa∣ter into blood.
• * 1.160

  Lonicer.
• * 1.161

  Aug. de civit. lib. 1. cap. 26.
• * 1.162

  1 Sam. 31. 4.
• * 1.163

  1 Sam. 22. 18, 19.
• * 1.164

  1 Sam. 28. 15.
• * 1.165

  1 King. 16. 10, 18, 19.
• * 1.166

  2 Sam. 17, 20.
• * 1.167

  2 Sam. 16. 21, 22.
• * 1.168

  2 Mac. 14. 37, 38.
• * 1.169

  Acts 1. Euseb.
• * 1.170

  Iosephus de bell. Iud. lib. 1. c. 12. 13.
• * 1.171

  Iosephus Fulgol. lib. 3. c. 2.
• * 1.172

  Fulgos. lib. 3. cap. 2.
• * 1.173

  Liv. lib. 26.
• * 1.174

  Fulgos. l. 3. c. 2.
• * 1.175

  Fulgos.
• * 1.176

  Fulgos.
• * 1.177

  Philip. Melan. Chron. 2.
• * 1.178

  Livit.
• * 1.179

  Euseb.
• * 1.180

  Ammianus Marcellinus.
• * 1.181

  Suet.
• * 1.182

  Exod. 21.
• * 1.183

  Diodor. Sic.
• * 1.184

  Greg. of Tours, lib 2.
• * 1.185

  Ioseph. antiq.
• * 1.186

  Corn. Tacit lib. 14.
• * 1.187

  Sueton. cap 33.
• * 1.188

  Munst. Cos∣mog. lib. 3.
• * 1.189

  Philip. Melan. Chron. lib. 5. •• Munst. Cos∣mog. lib. 4.
• * 1.190

  Casp. Hedian. lib. ••. cap. 29.
• * 1.191

  Theat. hist.
• * 1.192

  Mandat. 8. Calumniation lib. 2. cap.
• * 1.193

  Philip. Melan. Chron. lib. 4. No better fruit to be ex∣pected of any bastard imp.
• * 1.194

  Luther.
• * 1.195

  Casp. Hed. 4. part. Chron.
• * 1.196

  Psal. 106. 37, 38.
• * 1.197

  Verse 40.
• * 1.198

  Iob Fincelius, lib. 1. de Mi∣rac.
• * 1.199

  Theat. hist.
• * 1.200

  Zonor as com. 5.
• * 1.201

  Zonor as 3. Annl. Sex. Aur.
• * 1.202

  1 Sam. 22.
• * 1.203

  2 Sam. 21.
• * 1.204

  1 Kings 21.
• * 1.205

  2 Kings 9.
• * 1.206

  2 Chron. 21.
• * 1.207

  Iustin••.
• * 1.208

  Orose.
• * 1.209

  Cic, Off. 2.
• * 1.210

  Enguerran de Monstr. Vol. 1.
• * 1.211

  Paul. Iovius.
• * 1.212

  Sabell. Guicciar. li. 1. Philip. de Com. Bemb. Histor. Vent. lib. 2.
• * 1.213

  Herodot.
• * 1.214

  Exod. 22. 24.
• * 1.215

  Stow.
• * 1.216

  Aelianus.
• * 1.217

  Michael. Ric. lib. 1. de regi∣bus Franc. l. 2. c. 46.
• * 1.218

  Plut. in Dion.
• * 1.219

  Phil. Melanct. lib. 2.

  Valemar.
• * 1.220

  Sabel. l. 8. c. 3.
• * 1.221

  2 Sam. 18.
• * 1.222

  Herodian.
• * 1.223

  Treason, lib 2. cap 3
• * 1.224

  Iornand. Paul. demil.
• * 1.225

  Treason, lib. 2 cap. 3.
• * 1.226

  2 Kings 11.
• * 1.227

  Sabellic.
• * 1.228

  Aimon. Nic. Gil. vol. 1.
• * 1.229

  Malmesbur.
• * 1.230

  Acts and Mo∣numents.
• * 1.231

  Sabel. lib. 7. Decad. 1.
• * 1.232

  Herbutus. Hist. Polon. lib. 1. cap. 6.
• * 1.233

  Cic. Off. lib. 1.
• * 1.234

  2 Chron. 35.
• * 1.235

  Froiss. vol. 1. Nic. G••l. 2.
• * 1.236

  Froiss. vol. 1. cap▪ 130.
• * 1.237

  Theatr. Histor.
• * 1.238

  Lanq. Chron.
• * 1.239

  Seneca.
• * 1.240

  Flor.
• * 1.241

  Oros. l. 5. c. 24.
• * 1.242

  Corn. Tacit. Annal. l. 4.
• * 1.243

  Senec. l. 1. de benefic.
• * 1.244

  Aul. Gel. N••ct. A. tic. l. 5. c. 14.
• * 1.245

  Benzon. Milan. of the new world.
• * 1.246

  The same Authour.
• * 1.247

  Ioach. Curcu•• in his Annales of Silesia.
• * 1.248

  Lud, Vives.
• * 1.249

  Petr. pramonst.
• * 1.250

  Bal.
• * 1.251

  Go••.
• * 1.252

  Titus 1. vius.
• * 1.253

  Nic. Gil. vol. 1.
• * 1.254

  ••emb. lib. 3. bist. Venet.
• * 1.255

  Benzon. Milan. of the new-found Land.
• * 1.256

  The same Au∣thour.
• * 1.257

  Phil. Melanct. lib. 2.
• * 1.258

  Pausan. lib. 2.
• * 1.259

  Iohan. Magnus.
• * 1.260

  Plut. in vita Alexand. Sabel. lib. 5 c. 6.
• * 1.261

  Liv. l. b. 33
• * 1.262

  Chronica Hun∣••ariae.
• * 1.263

  Albert, Crantz. lib. 3.
• * 1.264

  Theat. hist.
• * 1.265

  Theat. hist.
• * 1.266

  Lanquet.
• * 1.267

  Lanq. ••••ron.
• * 1.268

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 historia Iornalo••••i.
• * 1.269

  Lanquet.
• * 1.270

  Paul. Iovius. Bembus.
• * 1.271

  Guicciardine.
• * 1.272

  1 Cor. 6. 18.
• * 1.273

  Sabell.
• * 1.274

  Plin. lib. 7.
• * 1.275

  Holinshed.
• * 1.276

  Mich. Rit. Neap.
• * 1.277

  Lib. de obedi.
• * 1.278

  Fulgos. lib. 6. cap. 12.
• * 1.279

  Benzo. Gomar••. Hist. Iud. lib. 2. cap. 57.
• * 1.280

  Stumpsius. lib. 10. bist. of Swisse.
• * 1.281

  Ephes. 5.
• * 1.282

  Dial. 3.
• * 1.283

  Lib. 7. cap. 17.
• * 1.284

  Deut. 23.
• * 1.285

  S••cr. l 5. c. 18. Ecclesiast. hist.
• * 1.286

  Lib. de pud.
• * 1.287

  Corn. Tacit.
• * 1.288

  Lib. 4.
• * 1.289

  Lib. 3.
• * 1.290

  Judg. 21.
• * 1.291

  Exod. 34. 16. Deut. 7. 3.
• * 1.292

  Judges 3.
• * 1.293

  1 Kings 11.
• * 1.294

  Joseph. antiq. lib. 17. cap. 15.
• * 1.295

  The same, l••b. 18. cap. 3.
• * 1.296

  Sleid. lib. 9.
• * 1.297

  Gen. 26.
• * 1.298

  Diedor.
• * 1.299

  Lib. 4. Annal.
• * 1.300

  Levit. 20. 10.
• * 1.301

  Deut. 22. 22.
• * 1.302

  Gen. 38.
• * 1.303

  Num. 5.
• * 1.304

  Rape, l. 2. c. 19.
• * 1.305

  One sin puni∣shed with ano∣ther.
• * 1.306

  2 Sam. 11.
• * 1.307

  2 Sam. 12. 2 Sam. 13.
• * 1.308

  2 Sam. 15.
• * 1.309

  Herod. l••. 2.
• * 1.310

  Thucyd.
• * 1.311

  Ant. Vols. up∣on Ovidi epist. of Hermione to Orestes.
• * 1.312

  Tit. Livius.
• * 1.313

  Rape, l. 2. c. 19.
• * 1.314

  Plutarch.
• * 1.315

  Li. 28.
• * 1.316

  Procop.
• * 1.317

  Rape, li. 2. cap. 19.
• * 1.318

  Mandat. 6. lib. 2. cap. 8.
• * 1.319

  Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.320

  Paulus Aemil. Nic. Gil.
• * 1.321

  Paulus Aemil.
• * 1.322

  Fulgos. li. 6. c. 1.
• * 1.323

  Froiss. vol. 1. cap. 22.
• * 1.324

  Frois. Vol. 3. cap. 45.
• * 1.325

  Rape, lib. 2. cap. 19.
• * 1.326

  Fulgos li. 6. c. 1.
• * 1.327

  Lanq. Chron.
• * 1.328

  Paul. Iovius, Tom. 2. lib. 38. Sleid. lib. 10.
• * 1.329

  Munst. Cosmog lib. 3.

  Casp. Hed. Mist. Ecclesiast.
• * 1.330

  Chron. Philip. Melanct lib. 3.
• * 1.331

  Casp. Hed. part. 4.
• * 1.332

  Theatr. histor.
• * 1.333

  Luther in E∣pist. consolat ad Lucum Cra∣nach.
• * 1.334

  Luther.
• * 1.335

  Luther. Mandat. 1. Atheisme, Lib. 1. cap. 25.
• * 1.336

  Lanquet. Chr.
• * 1.337

  The same.
• * 1.338

  Petrarch.
• * 1.339

  Iob Fincel. Lib. 2.
• * 1.340

  Holinshed.
• * 1.341

  Luth. prand. lib. 5. cap. 15.
• * 1.342

  Luth. prand. lib. 6. cap. 6.
• * 1.343

  Matt. 19.
• * 1.344

  Joseph. of the Jewish anti∣quity, lib. 18. cap. 7. 9.
• * 1.345

  Plutarch.
• * 1.346

  Philip. de com.
• * 1.347

  Bembus.
• * 1.348

  Phil. de Com.
• * 1.349

  Surs••vil.
• * 1.350

  Matth. 19.
• * 1.351

  Judges 15.
• * 1.352

  1 Sam. 25.
• * 1.353

  Frois. Vol. 1.
• * 1.354

  Guicciar. l. 4.
• * 1.355

  Gen. 35.
• * 1.356

  Gen. 49.
• * 1.357

  2 Sam. 13.
• * 1.358

  Rape. Lib. 2. cap. 21.
• * 1.359

  2 Sam. 16.
• * 1.360

  Suct. Lamprid.
• * 1.361

  Oros. l. 7. c. 4.
• * 1.362

  Plutarch.
• * 1.363

  Valerius.
• * 1.364

  Zodar. lib. 3.
• * 1.365

  Paul. Diac. l. 18
• * 1.366

  Agathias.
• * 1.367

  Herodot. lib. 9.
• * 1.368

  Varro.
• * 1.369

  Lib. 2. de Re∣rustica, cop. 7.
• * 1.370

  Frog. lib. 1.
• * 1.371

  Cic. lib. 5. Tusc. quest.
• * 1.372

  Lamprid.
• * 1.373

  Gen. 19.
• * 1.374

  Psal. 11. 6.
• * 1.375

  Levit. 20.
• * 1.376

  Nic. Gil. Vol. 1.
• * 1.377

  Levit. 18.
• * 1.378

  Exod. 22. Levit. 20. Deut. 27.
• * 1.379

  1 John 2.
• * 1.380

  Iames 1.
• * 1.381

  Gen. 29.
• * 1.382

  Sabel.
• * 1.383

  Sabel.
• * 1.384

  Suet.
• * 1.385

  Valer. li. 1. c. 5.
• * 1.386

  De civitat. Dei lib. 21. cap. 11.
• * 1.387

  Gen. 27. 45.
• * 1.388

  2 Sam. 20. 9.
• * 1.389

  1 Sam. 10.
• * 1.390

  Iust. Apolog. 2. Tertull.
• * 1.391

  Prov. 7. 13.
• * 1.392

  Ey••ch. 16. ••••.
• * 1.393

  Luke 21. 34.

  Rom. 13. 13.

  Ephes. 5.
• * 1.394

  Gen. 9.
• * 1.395

  Gen. 19.
• * 1.396

  Dan. 5.
• * 1.397

  Judith. 13.
• * 1.398

  Euseb.
• * 1.399

  Plutarch.
• * 1.400

  Incest, lib. 2. cap. 31.
• * 1.401

  Aug. tom. 10. Ver. 33.
• * 1.402

  Parricid. li. 2. cap. 11.
• * 1.403

  Flavius Vopis.
• * 1.404

  Martid. li. 11.
• * 1.405

  Platina.
• * 1.406

  Philip. Me∣lanct. lib. 4.
• * 1.407

  Aug. de Vi∣tand. Ebriet. Ser. 231.
• * 1.408

  Muraena.
• * 1.409

  Orig. lib. i. contr. Ce••s. Can. 5. & 52.
• * 1.410

  Ephes. 5. 4.
• * 1.411

  Judg. 1••.
• * 1.412

  Mark. 6.
• * 1.413

  Chron. Magde∣burg.
• * 1.414

  Lodovicus Vives.
• * 1.415

  Vol. 4 cap. 5••.
• * 1.416

  Tertul. Oros.
• * 1.417

  Tacit. lib. 4.
• * 1.418

  Fulgos. D••••••riositate.
• * 1.419

  Homil. 4.
• * 1.420

  Homil. 6. in 1. cap. Gen. Can. 51.
• * 1.421

  Apolog.
• * 1.422

  Tertull. de spect.
• * 1.423

  Lib. of instru∣ction of a Christian wo∣man.
• * 1.424

  Joshua 7.
• * 1.425

  Iosephus.
• * 1.426

  Iosephus. Zonar.
• * 1.427

  Camposul. lib. 1.
• * 1.428

  Iosephus l. 17. Zonar. Annal. 1
• * 1.429

  Lib. a. cap. 20. Zonar as.
• * 1.430

  Fulgos. l. 1. c. a.
• * 1.431

  Sabel. l. 1. c. 3. Herod. lib. 4.
• * 1.432

  Fulg. lib. 1. c. 2.
• * 1.433

  Stow. Chron.
• * 1.434

  Tbeatr. histor.
• * 1.435

  Zonar. Annal. 3
• * 1.436

  Luther.
• * 1.437

  Albert. Crantz. lib. 10. cap. 7.
• * 1.438

  Crantz. lib. 10. cap. 30.
• * 1.439

  Dat veniam cervis, vexat censura colum∣bas.
• * 1.440

  Mat. 22. 21. Rom. 1••. 7.
• * 1.441

  1 Kings 12.
• * 1.442

  Numb. 36. 9.
• * 1.443

  Chap. 45. 9.
• * 1.444

  Cic. lib. 3. de legibus. Aug. de Civit. Dei, lib. 4. ca. 6.
• * 1.445

  Lib. 7. c. 4. & 5. de beneficiis.
• * 1.446

  Nic. Gil.
• * 1.447

  1 Kings 12.
• * 1.448

  Plutarch. de Reg.
• * 1.449

  Frog. lib. 21.
• * 1.450

  Dion. & Xiph.
• * 1.451

  ••ulg. lib. 9. c. 4.
• * 1.452

  Nic. Gil. vol. 1
• * 1.453

  Platina invita Zacharia.
• * 1.454

  Phil. Melanct. lib. 1.
• * 1.455

  Zonar. lib. 3.
• * 1.456

  Eras. in lingua
• * 1.457

  Tom. 2. Vire∣rum illustrium.
• * 1.458

  Lanquet.
• * 1.459

  The same.
• * 1.460

  The same.
• * 1.461

  Annales of France, Henry 2.
• * 1.462

  Lanquet.
• * 1.463

  In this whole chapter note the nature of Ambition, and the frui•••• thereof.
• * 1.464

  1 Kings 12.
• * 1.465

  Treason, lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.466

  Herod.
• * 1.467

  Herod.
• * 1.468

  Dlonis. Halic. lib. 7.
• * 1.469

  Plutarch.
• * 1.470

  Lib. 3. cap. 12.
• * 1.471

  Oros. l. 3. c. 2.
• * 1.472

  Titus Livius.
• * 1.473

  Parricide, lib. 2. cap. 11.
• * 1.474

  Oros. lib. 4. cap. 6.
• * 1.475

  Plutarch. Suet. Eutrop.
• * 1.476

  Sabell.
• * 1.477

  Bembus, lib. 2. Of the Veneti∣an historie.
• * 1.478

  Guicciard. li. 1
• * 1.479

  Guicciard. lib. 4.
• * 1.480

  Marke 10. Luke 22.
• * 1.481

  Bal.
• * 1.482

  Sabel. Bal.
• * 1.483

  Discipul. de tempore.
• * 1.484

  Iohanaes An∣glut.
• * 1.485

  Luther.
• * 1.486

  D. Pomeranus.
• * 1.487

  Ioh. Fincel li. 2.
• * 1.488

  The same Au∣thor.
• * 1.489

  Fides fit apud authorem.
• * 1.490

  The same.
• * 1.491

  Nic. Gil. vol. 1.
• * 1.492

  Ex Bibliotbeca Cariensi, &c.
• * 1.493

  Levit. 25. 36 Deut. 23. 19. Psal. 15. 5.
• * 1.494

  Eze. 18. 12. 13
• * 1.495

  De officio prin∣cip. lib. 4. ca. 14
• * 1.496

  Alex. ab Alex. lib. 1 cap. 7.
• * 1.497

  Chrysost. in Mat. cap. 5.
• * 1.498

  Fulgos. lib. 2. cap. 2.
• * 1.499

  Epist. 54. ad Maced.
• * 1.500

  Can. 77. Can. 50.
• * 1.501

  Cod. li. 3. tit. 43
• a 1.502

  Od. 14. l. 2. Ludere doctior seu Graeco ju∣beas trocho, seu malis veti∣tal••gibus alea.
• * 1.503

  Discip••. de tem∣por. ser. 12.
• * 1.504

  Blasphemie, Lib. 1. cap. 31.
• * 1.505

  Iob. Fincell. Andreas Mus∣cabus in diabol. blasphemiae.
• * 1.506

  Mandat. 4. Breach of Sa∣both, li. 1. 6. 35. Mandat. 3. Blasphemie, lib. 1. cap. 31.
• * 1.507

  Iob Fincel. l. 2
• * 1.508

  Ephes. 4. 28.
• * 1.509

  These exam∣ples of this Chapter may be referred to all the com∣mandements for the most part.
• * 1.510

  Sabell.
• * 1.511

  Sabell.
• * 1.512

  Sabell.
• * 1.513

  Sabell.
• * 1.514

  Florus.
• * 1.515

  Plutarch.
• * 1.516

  Plutarch.
• * 1.517

  Dion.
• * 1.518

  Sueton.
• * 1.519

  Sueton.
• * 1.520

  Sueton.
• * 1.521

  Sueton.
• * 1.522

  Tit. Liv.
• * 1.523

  Frois. vol. 3. cap. 100.
• * 1.524

  Nich. Gilles.
• * 1.525

  Lanquet.
• * 1.526

  The fame.
• * 1.527

  Benzon. Mil.
• * 1.528

  Benzon.
• * 1.529

  Sleid. lib. 19. Ball.
• * 1.530

  Benno. Ball.
• * 1.531

  Benno. Ball.
• * 1.532

  Guicciard. l. 2. Bembus.
• * 1.533

  Guicciard. lib. 2.
• * 1.534

  Venetian. hist. lib. 6.
• * 1.535

  In his book of the clemencie of a Prince.
• * 1.536

  Ad generum Cereris sine cae∣de & sanguine pauc••, Descendunt re∣ges & s••cca morte tyranni.
• * 1.537

  1 Sam. 22. 9.
• * 1.538

  Psal. ••••. 1. 2. ••.
• * 1.539

  1 King. 21.
• * 1.540

  Amo•• 7. 17.
• * 1.541

  Ester 7. 10.
• * 1.542

  Dan. 6.
• * 1.543

  Theat. Hist.
• * 1.544

  Vide l. 1. c. 12. Example of Nero.
• * 1.545

  Euseb. l. 9. c. 6.
• * 1.546

  Nicep. l. 7. c. 27.
• * 1.547

  Eus. l. 5. cap. 21.
• * 1.548

  Nicep. l. 4. c. 26.
• * 1.549

  Nicep. l. 8. c. 46.
• * 1.550

  Philip Melanct. Chron. lib. 3. Nicep. l. 9. c. 23.
• * 1.551

  Acts and Mo∣numents.
• * 1.552

  Acts and Mo∣numents, pag. 700.
• * 1.553

  Acts and Mo∣numents.
• * 1.554

  Acts and Mo∣numents, pag. 2100.
• * 1.555

  Deut. 17. 18. 19.
• * 1.556

  Judg. 4. 1 Sam. 7. 8.
• * 1.557

  1 Chron. 18.
• * 1.558

  2 Sam. 15.
• * 1.559

  2 Sam. 14.
• * 1.560

  1 King 3.
• * 1.561

  2 King. 6.
• * 1.562

  2 King. 8.
• * 1.563

  Prov. 8. 15.
• * 1.564

  Proc. 20. 8.
• * 1.565

  Plutarch.
• * 1.566

  Sueton.
• * 1.567

  Fulgos. lib 6. cap. 2.
• * 1.568

  Alm••.
• * 1.569

  Plutarch.
• * 1.570

  Titus Livius. Plutarch.
• * 1.571

  Paulus Aemil.
• * 1.572

  Paulus Aemil.
• * 1.573

  Exod. 21.
• * 1.574

  Deut. 19.
• * 1.575

  1 King. 2.
• * 1.576

  Prov. 17.
• * 1.577

  Nich. Gilles.
• * 1.578

  Stow Chron. Phil. Com.
• * 1.579

  Esay 3.
• * 1.580

  Lib. 5. of the acts of Alex∣ander.
• * 1.581

  Oros. lib. 2.
• * 1.582

  Paul. Jovius, Com. 2. lib. 33.
• * 1.583

  Sabell.
• * 1.584

  Thucyd.
• * 1.585

  Contempt of the word. Lib. 1. cap. 34. Eutrop. Oros. lib. 9.
• * 1.586

  Oros. Eutrop.
• * 1.587

  Eutrop.
• * 1.588

  Nunc seges est ubi Tr••ia fuit.
• * 1.589

  Titue Livius.
• * 1.590

  Rome hee meaneth.
• * 1.591

  Prov. 22.
• * 1.592

  Jerem. 19.
• * 1.593

  Psal. 5.
• * 1.594

  Rom. 2. 9.
• * 1.595

  Luke 16.
• * 1.596

  Job. 12. & Psal. 73.
• * 1.597

  Epist. 54.
• * 1.598

  Rom. 8. 28.
• * 1.599

  Esay 40.
• * 1.600

  Heb. 10. 31.