A mirrour or looking-glasse both for saints and sinners held forth in about two thousand examples wherein is presented as Gods wonderful mercies to the one, so his severe judgments against the other collected out of the most classique authors both ancient and modern with some late examples observed by my self : whereunto are added the wonders of nature and the rare ... / by Sa. Clark ...

CHAP. XXVII. Examples of Gods judgements upon Hereticks, and Schismaticks.

IT is just with God, that they which will not have truth their King, and willingly obey it, should have falsehood their Tyrant, to whom their judge∣ments should be captivated, and enslaved: hence i•• is, that as errors in practice are like a fretting Leprosie, of a contagious, and spreading nature, so errors in judgements are very diffusive also: A little Leaven lea∣veneth the whole lump, 1 Cor. 5. 6. and hereticks false doctrines f••et like a Gangrene, 2 Tim. 2. 17. for no opinion is so monstrous, but if it have a mother, it will get a nurse: wofull experience in these times, where∣in the golden reines of Government are wanting, doth clearly evince the truth hereof. But yet the Lord doth seldome suffer the Authors, and chiefe fomentors of Heresies, and Schismes even in this world to go unpunished, as will fully appear in these ensuing examples.

An heretick is one that erres in a necessary doctrine of faith, and being sufficiently admonished, wilfully persists therein, Tit. 3. 10.

Called Foxes, Cant. 2. 15. Dogs, Phil. 3. 12. men of corrupt mindes, 1 Tim. 6. 5. Reprobate concerning the

faith, 2 Tim. 3. 8. teachers for lucre sake, Tit. 3. 11. Seducing spirits, 1 Tim. 4. 1. men of seared consciences, 1 Tim. 4. 2. Deceitfull workers, Phil. 3. 2. 2 Cor. 11. 13. Teachers of perverse things, Act. 20. 30. enemies to the Crosse of Christ, Phil. 3. 18.

Heresie is called Leaven, Luk. 12. 1. Wood, hay, stub∣ble, 1 Cor. 3. 12. Windy Doctrine, Eph. 4. 4. Damnable Doctrine, 2 Pet. 2. 1. Mystery of iniquity, 2 Thes. 2. 7. Contrary to sound Doctrine, 1 Tim. 1. 10. Doctrine of devils, 1 Tim. 4. 1. Doctrine of men, Col. 2. 22. Dissent∣ing from wholesome Doctrine, 1 Tim. 6. 3. Perverse dis∣putings, 1 Tim. 6. 5. a word that eats like a Gangrene, 2 Tim. 2. 17. Erring from the truth, 2 Tim. 2. 8. Strange Doctrine, Heb. 13. 9. Root of bitternesse, Heb. 12. 15. which should not be taught, Tit. 1. 11. Doctrine of Balaam, and Nicholaitans, Rev. 2. 14, 15. a work of the flesh, Gal. 5 20.

Scriptural examples, Ahab, and Zedekiah, Jer. 29. 21. Shemaiah, Jer. 29. 24, 31, 32. Hananiah, Jer. 28. 13, 27. Zedekiah, 1 Kings 22. 11, 24, 25. Shemaiah, Ne∣hem. 6. 10. Scribes and Pharisees, Mat. 15. 3. & 16. 6, 12▪ Sadduces, Mat. 22. 23. & 16. 12. Herod, Mark 8. 15. Hymeneus, and Alexander, 1 Tim. 1. 20. Philetus, 2 Tim. 2. 17. Phygellus and Hermogenes, 2 Tim. 1. 15. Balaam, Revel. 2. 14. Barjesus, Acts 13. 6, 8. Herodians, Mark 3. 6. & 12. 13. Noadiah, Nehem. 6. 14. Jezabel, Rev. 2. 20.

The Arian Heresie having overspread the City of [ 1] Antiochia, whereupon arose a great Schisme, and con∣tention amongst the inhabitants, the Lord sent a ter∣rible Earth-quake, which overthrew a great part of the City, and with the Earth-quake fire also brake forth of the ground, which consumed all the residue: by both which, multitudes of persons perished. Evag.

Arrius himselfe the father of that Heresie, as he [ 2]

was easing nature in a secret place, his bowels gushed our, and so he died miserably. Theod.

Saint Augustine being to dispute with Pascentius the [ 3] Ari••••, Pascen••ius requested that what passed betwixt them might not be set down in writing, and after∣wards made his b••••gs, that he had w••••sted Augustine in the di••p••••e, which report was believed of all that des••••ed ••t Aug. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2 Ep. 17••.

Sim••n Magus, after that he was so sharply reproved [ 4] by ••eter w••nt t•• Rome, and taught many abominable heresies, affirming himself to be the true God: That the w••rl•• was created by Angels, that Christ was neither come, no•• did suffer•• he denied the resurrection of the body, brought in the promiscuous use of wo∣men: used the company of one H••l••na, an harlot, whom he affirmed to be the Holy Ghost and that he begat Angels of her: he attempted to shew his pow∣er to the people by flying in the aire, but falling down, he brake his thigh, and died miserably. Jacks. Ch••o•• p. 186.

Manas, or Manicheus, the Heretick, denied the [ 5] Old Testament, called himselfe the holy Spirit, and professed that he had power to work miracles: where∣upon he was sent for by the King of Persia, to cure his sonne who lay sick of a dangerous disease: but his impostures sai••ing, and the childe dying under his hand, the King caused him to be slaine, and his skin taken off, and to be stuffed full of chaffe, and set up before the g••t•• of the City. Simps.

Nestorius the ••eretick who spake against the union [ 6] of the Divine and humane nature of Christ, making, as it were▪ two Christs, had his blasphemous tongue ••orted in his mouth▪ and consumed with wormes, and at length the earth opened her mouth, and swal∣lowed him up. Evag. Niceph.

The Emperour Valence, who was an Arian Heretick, [ 7] was overtaken by the Goths in a Village, which they set on fire, where in he was burnt to death, leaving no successor, and his name became a curse, and execration to all ages. Sozom.

Under the reign of Adrian the Emperour there was [ 8] one called Benchochab, who professed himselfe to be the Messias, that descended from Heaven in the like∣nesse of a starre to redeem the Jews, whereby he drew a multitude of disciples after him: but shortly after himselfe and all his followers were slaine, which occa∣sioned the Jews to call him Bencozba, the sonne of a lie. Eus.

Gerinthus the heretick, being in a Bath at Ephesus, [ 9] the Apostle John seeing him, said to those that were with him, Let us depart, lest the house wherein the Lords enemy is, should fall upon our heads: and accordingly when he was gone, it fell upon Cerinthus, and his asso∣ciats, and killed them. Eus.

Montanus who denied the Divinity of Christ, and [ 10] called himselfe the Comforter, or holy Spirit, that was to come into the world: And his two wives, Priscilla and Maxilla, he named his Prophetesses: but short∣ly after God gave him over to despaire, that he hang∣ed himselfe. Magdebur. Niceph.

Heraclius the Emperour infected with the Heresie [ 11] of the Monothelites, having raised a great Army a∣gainst his enemies, fifty two thousand of them died in one night, whereupon he presently fell sick, and di∣ed. Simps.

Constance the Emperour a Monothelite, was slaine [ 12] by one of his own servants, as he was washing of him∣selfe in a Bath. Simps.

Constantius the Emperour, a great favourer, and [ 13] supporter of the Arian Heresie, died suddenly of an Apoplexie. Socr.

Cyril hath of his own knowledge recorded a won∣derful [ 14] judgement of God upon an Heretick in his time. There was (saith he) presently after the death of Saint Hierom, a bold and blasphemous Heretick, called Sabinianus, who denied the distinction of persons in the Trinity, affirming the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, to be but one indistinct person, and to gaine credit to his heresie, he wrote a book to confirme his opinions, which he published in the name of Saint Hierome; whereupon Silvanus Bishop of Nazareth sharply re∣proved him for depraving so worthy a man now dead, and to detect his falsehood, agreed with Sabinianus, that if Hierome did not the next day by some miracle declare his falsehood, he would willingly die: but if he did, the other should die: this being agreed upon, the day following they went to the Temple at Hieru∣salem, multitudes of people following them to see the issue, and the day was now past, and no miracle ap∣peared, so that Silvanus was required to yield his neck to the headsman, which he willingly, and confidently did: but when he was ready to receive the blow, something appeared like Saint Hierome, and staid the blow, and then vanishing, presently the head of Sa∣binianus fell off, and his carcase tumbled upon the ground.

Grimoald King of Lombardy, an Arian Heretick, be∣ing [ 15] let blood for some distempers, eleven dayes after as he was drawing a bowe, the veine opening a new, he bled to death.

Nestorius the Heretick being made Bishop of Con∣stance [ 16] by Theodosius, bespake him thus in a Sermon: O Caesar, purge me the Land of Hereticks, (meaning the Orthodox Christians,) and I shall give thee Hea∣ven: Help thou me to root out them, and I shall help thee to overcome thine enemies: For which cause he

was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or fling-fire: in French Boutefeux. Hist. Trip.

About ••he yeere 1629. there lived at Cubbington in [ 17] Warwick-shire, a Gentleman called Master Griswould, of a competent estate, and a zealous prosessor of Re∣ligion, familiarly acquainted with most of the godly Ministers and Christians thereabouts, and well esteem∣ed of by them: till one Canne (lately of Amsterdam) falling into his acquaintance began to seduce him from his former opinions, and practice, causing him to scruple, first, joyning with our Congregations in Prayers, and the Sacrament: Secondly, to question whether he might lawfully hear a conformable Mini∣ster, though able, and godly? from thence he fell to separation: and after a while, he first questioned, and after concluded, that there was no true Church in the world, to which he might adjoyne himselfe, and therefore kept himselfe to duties with his own family, and rejected all others, yet staid he not long here, but after a while, excluding his servants, he kept himselfe in his chamber with his children only: Then he con∣ceited that all civil society with others defiled him: and thereupon locking his chamber-door continually, he caused his servants to reach in at the window food for himselfe, and children: He cut out all the contents of the Chapters, through the whole Bible: expected Enthusiasmes, and revelations, often in the day lying along on the floore, and causing his children to do the like with their heads in a ring: and when his ancient friends, Ministers, and others hearing of it, came to speake with him (amongst whom my selfe was one) knocking at his chamber-door, importuning, intreat∣ing, and threatening to break open the doore, yet could they by no meanes prevaile either to have a word from him, or the door opened: at length one of

his children sickened, and died, yet he concealing it, privately carried it into the next roome, and locked it up, till the corpse putrefying almost choaked him: whereupon he caused his servant to bring him some Mosse, (still concealing the occasion) wherewith he stopped the cranies in his wall to keep out the stench: But his course of life being much talked of abroad, a neighbour Justice of Peace, pittying his condition, sent some with command to break open his chamber∣doore, which being done, they found him, and his children (like Nebuchadnezzar) much deformed with their haire, and nailes grown very long, their clothes almost rotten upon their backes for the want of shift, and all their healths very much impaired with that course of life: yet neither would he, nor any of his children (being so tutored by him) speak to any one, though never so much pressed thereunto. But it plea∣sed God at length that his children being taken from him, and sent to some friends, recovered both their tongues, and health. Himself upon the breaking open of this door presently took his bed, refusing to speak to, or converse with any: and though by godly Mini∣sters and others which came to him, he was laboured with to take notice of the dangerous temptation under which he lay, intreated, counselled, threatened, and prayed with, and for him, yet still turning his face to the wall, he would neither heare nor answer them one word; In which obstinate condition he re∣mained till his death, which was not long after.

David George, alins Haàs Van Burcht, borne in [ 18] Delft in the Low-countreys: a man altogether unlearn∣ed, being a painter of glasses: yet subtile of understand∣ing, and eloquent withal, after he began to disperse his erroneous tenets, was sought after by the Magi∣strates of that place, whereupon he fled with his

family to Basil in Suitzerland, where in private he taught, and advanced his damnable Heresies, con∣firming his absent disciples by letters, and books which he caused to be printed in the Castle of Beningen. He died in the said town of Basil, Anno 1556. for griefe that one of his followers was revolted: Before his death, whereas his disciples thought him to be god, seeing him draw towards death, he resolutely said un∣to them, Be not amased, I go to begin to shew my power: Christ my predecessour to shew his power rose again the third day: but I to shew my greater glory will rise again at the end of three years: Afterwards the Magistrate be∣ing throughly informed of his life, and doctrine, cau∣sed his processe to be drawn, and by a sentence, his bo∣dy was taken out of the ground, and justice done as if he had been alive, his goods confiscated, and his books burnt. Belg. Com. Wealth. p. 65. 66.

At Boston in New England the seventeenth of Octob. [ 19] 1637. the wife of Master William Dier (which woman held many monstrous, and Heretical opinions) was brought to bed of a Monster, which had no head, the face stood low upon the breast, the eares like an Apes, grew upon the shoulders, the eyes stood far out, and so did the mouth: the nose was hooking upward: the breast, and back full of short prickles like a Thornback: the Navel, belly, and distinction of the sexe were where the hips should have been, and those back-parts were on the same side with the face, the armes, hands, thighes, and leggs were as o∣ther childrens: but instead of toes it had on each foot three clawes, with Tallons like a Fowle: upon the back above the belly, it had two great holes like mouths, and in each of them stood out two peeces of flesh: it had no forehead, but in the place above the eyes it had four hornes, two of above an

inch long, hard, and sharpe, and the othee two some∣what lesse: It was of the female Sexe; both the father and mother of it were great Familists: The midwife (one Hawkins wife of St. Ives) was notorious for fa∣miliarity with the devil▪ and a prime Familist: Most of the women who were present at this womans travel, were suddenly taken with such a violent vomiting, and purging, without eating, or drinking any thing, that they were forced to go home: others had their children so taken with Convulsions (which they nei∣ther had before, nor after) that they were sent for home, so that none were left at the time of the birth of it, but the Midwife, and two other, one of which was fallen asleep: and at such time as the child died (which was about two houres before the birth of it) the bed wherein the mother lay, shook so violently, as that all that were in the roome perceived it: the afterbirth had prickles on the inside like those on the childes breast. See Mr. Wells short story, &c, p. 44.

Also about the same time, and in the same place one [ 20] Mistris Hutchinson, who held about thirty monstrous, and Heretical opinions, whereof you have a Catalogue set down by the same Author, Pag. 59. &c. growing big with childe, and towards the time of her labour, at last brought forth thirty monstrous births, or there∣abouts at once: some of them bigger, and some lesser: some of one shape, and some of another: few of any perfect shape, none of all of them of humane shape: This Mistris Hutchinson was first banished by the Ma∣gistrates of New-England into Read-Island for her He∣resies: but not staying long there, she removed with all her family, her daughter, and her children into the Dutch Plantation to a place called Helgate: where the Indians set upon them, and slew her with all her family, her daughter, and her daughters husband,

with all their children, save onely one that escaped: which is the more remarkable, because it was never heard that the Indians either before, or since did com∣mit the like outrage upon any others.

A Popish▪ Priest, Parson of Crondal neere Canterbury, [ 21] at the coming in of Cardinal Poole, was absolved by him, & got a Copy of the Popes Bull of pardon brought into England by the said Poole; which the Sabbath following he read to his people, and withal told them, that having been with the Cardinal on the Thurs∣day before, he had made him as clean from his sinnes, as he was at the Font-stone, or the night wherein he was borne: whilest he was relating this in the Pulpit, he fell down stark dead, and never stirred more. Act. and Mon.

John Duns, called Scotus, borne in Emildon in Nor∣thumberland, [ 22] who being brought up in Merton Col∣ledge in Oxford, was wonderful well learned in Logick, and in that crabbed; and intricate Devinity of those dayes: yet as one still doubtful and unresolved, he did overcast the truth of Religion with mists of obscurity: but he died miserably, being taken with an Apoplexie, and over-hastily buried, he after a time revived, and making means in vaine by a lamentable noise to call for help, after he had a long time knock∣ed his head against the grave-stone, dashed out his braines, and so yielded up his vital breath: where∣upon were made these verses.

Quaecunque humani fuerant, jurisque sacrati, In dubium veniunt cuncta vocante Scoto. Quid? quod & in dubium illius sit vita vocata, Morte illum simili ludificaute stropha. Quum non ante virum vitâ jugulârit ademptâ, Quàm vivus tumulo conditus ille foret.

All learning taught in humane books, and couch'd in holy writ, Duns Scotus dark, and doubtful made by subtilty of wit. No marvel that to doubtful tearmes of life himself was brought, Whil'st with like wile, and subtile trick, death on his body wrought. When as her stroke to kill outright she would not him vouchsafe, Until that man (a pitious case) was buried quick in grave. Camb. Brit. p. 814.

Mahomet, by birth an Arabian, was one of the mon∣strousest [ 23] hereticks that ever lived. He came of a base stock, and being fatherlesse, one Abdemonoples bought him for his slave, and loved him for his parts, so that he made him ruler of his house; about which time one Serg••us a Monk (flying for his Heresie into Arabia) instructed him in the Heresie of Nestorius. A while after his Master died, and Mah••met married his wi∣dow, after whose death he grew famous for his wealth, and skill in Magick. Wherefore by the ad∣vice of Sergius he called himself the great prophet of God, and his fame encreasing, he devised a Law, and wrote it, which he called the Alcoran, wherein he borrowed something from almost all the Heresies which were before his time. With the Sabellians he de∣nied the Trinity. With the Manichees he affirmed that there were but two persons in the Deity. With Euno∣mius he denied the equality of the Father with the Son. With Macedonius he said that the Holy Ghost was a Creature: and held the community of women with the Nicolaitans: He borrowed of the Jews circumci∣sion, and of the Gentiles much superstition: And

somewhat he took from the Christian verity, besides many devilish phansies invented of his own braine: But when he had lived in wickednesse about fourty years, God cut him off by the falling sicknesse, which of a long time having been troubled with, he told his seduced disciples that at those times the Angel Gabriel appeared to him, whose brightnesse he could not behold.

A certain Jesuite in Lancashire as he was walking [ 24] by the way▪ lost his glove: and one that came after him finding it, followed him apace, with intention to restore it: but he fearing the worst, being inwardly pursued with a guilty conscience, ran away, and hasti∣ly leaping over an hedge, fell into a marle pit, which was on the other side, and in which he was drowned. Wards Ser.

Anno Christi 1591. there was one Edmund Coppinger, [ 25] and Henry Arthington, two gentlemen who associat∣ed themselves with William Hacket, sometimes a very lewd person, but now converted in outward shew, by whose hypocritical behaviour the aforesaid gentlemen were deluded to think that Hacket was anointed to be Judge of the world: wherefore coming one day to his lodging in London, Hacket told them that he had been anointed by the holy Ghost: Then Coppinger asked, what his pleasure was to command them? Go (saith he) and proclaime in the City, that Jesus Christ is come with his fan in his hand to judge the earth: and if they will not believe you, let them come, and kill me if they can. Coppinger answered, that it should be done: and so immediately he and Arthington ••an in∣to the streets▪ and proclaimed their message•• and when by reason of the confluence of people they could go no further, they gat up into two empty carts in Cheap∣side, crying, Repent, repent, for Jesus Christ is come to

judge the world. And so pulling a paper out of their bosoms, they read out of it many things, touching the calling and office of Hacket, as how he represented Christ, by partaking of his glorified body, &c. They also called themselves his Prophets, one of Justice, the other of Mercy. The City being amazed at this thing, took Hacket, carried him before a Justice, who after examination committed him, and at the Sessions being found guilty of sedition, and speaking traite∣rous words against the Queen he was condemned, and hanged on a Gibbet in Cheap-side, uttering horrible blas∣phemies against the Majesty of God: Coppinger died the next day in Bridewel, and Arthington was kept in prison upon the hope of repentance.

Some Donatists which cast the holy elements of [ 26] the Lords Supper to dogs, were themselves devoured by dogs. Simpson.

Arminius, who craftily revived the heresie of Pela∣gius, [ 27] and sowed the seeds of his errors in Leiden, and many other places in Holland, to the great disturb∣ance of the peace of Gods Church, fell sick, being grievously tormented with a cough, gout, ague, and incessant paine in his belly: with a great binding, and stopping under the heart, which caused him to draw his breath with much difficulty: he slept also very unquietly, and could not digest his meat, his ra∣dical moisture dried up: and he had a vehement paine in his bowels, with an obstruction in his Optick sinews, which made him blinde of his left eye, and his right shoulder was much swolne, whereby he lost the use of his right arme; and thus languishing in much misery, he ended his dayes, October 19. 1609. Hist. of the Netherl.

Olympius an Arian Bishop, as he was bathing him∣selfe [ 28] at Carthage, and bl••spheming the blessed Trinity,

was suddenly smit from Heaven, with three fiery darts, and so burned to death. Hist. of the Netherl. Pau. Diaco.

In the year 1327. there was one Adam Duff, an Irish [ 29] man, burnt at Dublin, for denying the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, and saying that there could not be three persons, and but one God: and for affirming the Virgin Mary to be an Harlot: for denying the resurrection of the dead, and avouching that the Sacred Scriptures were but fables. Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 181.

Policarp at a certaine time meeting Marcion the He∣retick, [ 30] Marcion said unto him, Doest thou not know me? Yea, said Policarp, I know thee for the first-begotten of Satan. See his Life in my first Part.

Donatus the father of the Donatists, about the year [ 31] 331. taking offence at the choice of Caecilianus to the Bishoprick of Carthage, made a schisme in the Church, and fell from one error to another, till at last some of his disciples which were called Circumcellions grew to that height of madnesse, that running up and down, when they met with any passengers by the way, they would force them to kill them; others of them by leaping from rocks, and high places would break their own necks, or burne themselves in the fire, that so they might die Martyrs. August.

A certaine Anabaptist in the field of Sancto Galli, [ 32] by the instigation of the Devil, having his sword un∣der his cloake, called his brother (nothing aware of his bloody intent) before his father, mother, sisters, and the whole family, commanding him to kneele down before them, and suddenly whips out his sword, and cuts off his head, throwing it at the feet of his pa∣rents▪ whereat they were so affrighted, that they died mad, the murtherer himselfe defended the fact, say∣ing, Voluntas D••i impleta est: The will of the Lord is fulfilled. Gastius.

John Matthias, one of the Prophets of the Anabap∣tists [ 33] in Germany, being vexed with a disgracefull scoffe, which was given him by a blacksmith, procured him to be condemned to death by some of his own rabble, and himselfe would needs be the executioner, wound∣ing him first with an Halberd, and that wound not proving mortal, he after shot him through with a Pi∣stoll: Then shedding some Crocodile-teares, he par∣doned him for his rash▪ speech, saying, That God was reconciled to him, and that he had a revelation from Hea∣ven, that the man should not die of his wounds; yet he proved a false Prophet, the man dying within a few dayes after. Hist. of the Anabap.

John of Leiden, a Taylor, whom the Anabaptists in [ 34] Germany chose for their King, presently after his Coronation, made a great feast, inviting at least foure thousand men and women to it, and between the first, and second course, he accuseth a man of high Treason, and cuts off his head with his own hands, and returnes merry to supper, and after supper with the same bloody hands, he administers the Lords Sup∣per. Not long after (though there was a great fa∣mine in the City of Munster, where they were, yet) he, and his Courtiers abated nothing of their full dishes: But one of his fifteen wives (for so many he had) somewhat more consciencious then the rest, said, That she thought God was not well pleased with their feasting, and rioting, when the other people pined with hunger, and so were famished to death in the streets: This mock-King, being told of this speech of hers, brought her into the market-place with other of his wives, and making her kneel down, cut off her head, commanding his other wives to sing, and give praise for it to their heavenly Father. Hist. Anabap. With∣in the space of two years, wherein this Sect of the

Anabaptists by their fanaticall opinions, and practices disturbed the peace of Germany, and much hindred the Reformation of Religion begun by Luther and others, it pleased God by eminent, & visible judgments to punish the prime actors & fomentors of the same: For Thomas Muncer was put to the rack by George Duke of Saxo∣ny, where he roared most fearfully, and in the end had his head cut off, and put upon an high pole in the fields. Three hundred Anabaptists that fell upon a Monastery in Friesland, and rifled it, were most of them, either killed by the ruines of the Monastery, or put to death by the hangman. John of Leiden, and their Consul Bernard Knipperdoling, were tied to a stake, and together with their great Prophet had their flesh torne off with hot pinchers, and in the end being slaine, had their bodies put into iron Cages, and hanged on the steeple of Saint Lambert. Sleid. Com. Lib. 10.

There was in the yeare 1647. one Quarterman, who [ 35] had sometimes lived in Oxford, and been a zealous pro∣fessor of Religion, and one that had suffered under the Tyranny of the Bishops. At the beginning of the difference between the King, and Parliament, he was chosen Marshal of the City of London, and continued some yeares in that imployment: afterwards he turn∣ed a violent Sectarie, and being discarded by the City, he went to the Army, where he found countenance and imployment: But withall he sucked in errors so fast▪ that in Southwark, before a godly Minister, he said, That there was no more holinesse in the Scriptures, then in a dogs taile: which afterwards he againe affirm∣ed before the said Minister, and many of his Congre∣gation; whereupon the Minister went forth, fearing (as he professed) lest the house should fall upon his head, wherein such a blasphemous wretch was: and within few dayes after, it pleased God to strike the

said Quarterman with a violent disease, viz. upon February the eleventh, where of he presently died, and was buried, February the sixteenth. 1647.

In the same year there were in York-shire, certaine [ 36] seduced Sectaries, who pretended that they had a re∣velation to sacrifice unto God certaine creatures, and amongst the rest their aged mother, whom according∣ly they slew, perswading her that she should rise a∣gaine the third day, for which they were apprehended, and afterwards hanged at York.

Anno Christi. 1648. there lived in Southwark one [ 37] Gunne a Sectarian Preacher, who lived in adultery with another mans wife for about the space of nine yeares, and afterwards solicited, and lay with one Greens widow; whereupon it pleased God to strike him with such horror of conscience, that he ran mad, and continued raving, and raging in a fearfull manner, till at the length, having an opportunity he murthered himselfe: and the woman with whom he lay, being examined about it, acknowledged the fact, saying, That she did it, to cure her brother of his burnings.

Bolton, one that by Separation made the first schisme [ 38] here in England, first through the stirring of his consci∣ence, made a publick Recantation of his errors at Pauls Crosse, and yet afterward was so dogged with a desperate remorse, that he rested not, till that by hanging himselfe he had ended his miserable life. Ro∣bins. Justif. See more of these in Mr. Baylies disswasive. page 13, &c.

Anno Christi 1647. there was at Newbery some [ 39] she Anabaptists, that took upon them to have revela∣tions, and therein to see, and know such glorious things, as could not be imagined: and one of them had such strange gestures, and fits, as the like was seldome seen. This woman gave forth, that she had a reve∣lation

that such a night she should be taken up into heaven, against which time many of them assembled together, took their solemne leaves of her with tears, and the time being come, out they go to see her a∣scension. The night was a Moonshiny night, and as they expected when an Angel should come to fetch her up in a Chariot, a cloud comes and covers the face of the Moone, whereupon they all cry out, Behold he comes in the clouds: but presently the cloud vanisheth: where∣upon their hopes being frustrate; they still expect his coming: And after a while comes a flock of wilde geese a good way off, whereupon again they cry out, He comes, he comes: But when the wilde geese were gone, at length they were faine to returne to their homes as wise as they came, having made themselves a ridiculous spectacle unto many.

In May last 1653 in Kendal in Westmoreland, there was [ 40] one Iohn Gilpin, who was very desirous to associate him∣self with the Quakers at their meetings, & speaking with one of them about it, he much encouraged him to hold on his purpose, and accordingly he went to them when one Ch. Atkinson was Speaker, whose drift was to deny all Ministerial Teaching, and Ordinances, together with all Notional knowledge gained by the use of such means, and to become as if they hade never learned any thing, & now to be taught of God within themselves: by wait∣ing upon an inward light, which (as he said) lies low hidden under the earth, viz. The old man which is of the earth earthy.

Gilpin was immediately so taken with this new do∣ctrine: that he resolved to close with them: was a∣fraid to read any good books, to heare any preaching Minister, or to call to remembrance any thing which he had formerly learned concerning God, Christ, his own estate, or any other subject contained in the Scrip∣tures;

for they told him that all such knowledge was but Notional, carnal, and hanging upon the Tree of Knowledge: adding, Cursed is every one that hangs on this Tree.

One of them told him that Christ was as man, had his failings distrusted God, &c.

At his next meeting the Speaker urged him to take up the crosse daily, saying. Carry the crosse all day, and it will keep thee at night: He urged him to hearken to a voice within him: Spake much of a light within them, which Gilpin not yet finding, was much troubled, desiring that he might fall into quaking, thinking that thereby he should attaine to the immediate discoveries of God to him. And accordingly shortly after as he was walking in his chamber, he began to quake so ex∣treamly that he could not stand, but fell upon his bed, where he houled, and cried in a terrible, and hideous manner, (as others of them used to do) yet was he not affraid but looked upon it as the pangs of the New∣birth. After halfe an houre by degrees he ceased from houling, and rejoyced that now he could witnesse a∣gainst the Ministers of England, as false prophets, and Priests of Baa••. All the night after he was much trou∣bled with dreames about his sinnes: and when he a∣waked, as he thought thereon, he perceived something lighting on his neck, and giving him a great stroak, which caused much paine, and so a second, third, and fourth, each losse then other, descending till it came to the middle of his back, and then he discerned some∣thing to enter into his body, which Satan suggested to be the Spirit of God like a dove: and he thought he heard a voice within him saying, It is day: Adding twice: As sure as it's light, so surely shall Christ give thee light.

Two or three dayes after he still waited for more

light, and walking into his Garden, he lay down with his face to the earth, at which time his right hand began extreamly to shake: and he was in a great rapture of joy, apprehending it to be a Figure of his spiritual Mar∣riage, and union with Christ: Then did the power within raise him, and set him on his feet, and af∣terwards laid him on his back, brought his sinnes into his remembrance: causing his hand at every sinne to strike the ground; and he heard a voice saying, Now is such a sinne mortified: then was he perswaded that all his sinnes were mortified at once: then rose he up, and it was said to him: Ask what thou wilt of the Father in my Name, and he will give it thee: then said Gilpin, What shall I ask? It was answered, Ask wis∣dome in the first place: then he desired that such things might be given him, as made for Gods glory and the good of others: It was answered, that his request was granted, and that he should be endowed with the gift of Prophecie, and singing praises to God.

Presently after he went to another of their meetings where Atkinson was again the Speaker, with which he was more affected then formerly; for that (as he conceited) he could inwardly witnesse to what he spake. Atkinson having done, one Iohn Audland spake, in the time of whose speaking Gilpin was by the devil within him drawn out of his chaire, and thrown upon the ground where he lay all night; all which time his body and members were all in motion, being turned from his back on his belly, and so back again several times, making crosses with his legs, and his hands mo∣ving on the ground as if he had been writing: and he heard (as he thought) a voice saying, that that wri∣ting with his hand on the ground signified the writing of the Law in his heart: then were his hands moved to his head, and he heard the voice saying, Christ in God, and

God in Christ, and Christ in thee. Which words he was compelled to sing forth in a strange manner, and with such a voice as was not his own, he sung also divers phrases of Scripture which were given in to him: then the devil raised him up, and bade him be humble, then brought him on his knees again, and he heard the voice saying, Stoop low, low: and when his face was almost at the ground, it said to him, Take up thy crosse, and fol∣low me. Then rising he was led out of the house by the devil at a back doore to the River, and back again, and then into the Town, where he was drawn down the street, to a doore that he knew not: whereupon two of them that followed him, said, Whither will you go? This is the Fidlers house. Gilpin answered: Be it whose house it will, Christ leads me hither, and hither I must go: then was his hand forced to knock at the doore, and a voice bade him say, Behold, Christ stands at the door, and knocks. The Fidler opening the doore, he went in, and taking down a Base-viol, he was forced to play on it, and to dance whereupon he questioned what power led him to such actions? and the voice pre∣sently answered him, This is not because I love Musick, for I hate it, but to signifie to thee what joy there is in heaven at thy conversion: as also, what spiritual Melody thou shalt have hereafter. Then was he led out of the house, and carried thorow the Town, being forced, as he went, to proclaime, I am the way, the truth, and the life: Then went he to his own house, and there by the devil was thrown down, and forced to make circles with his hands, the voice telling him, that he was now putting off the old man. His hand also was forced to take up a••stone which lay on the floore, which he thought to be like a mans heart, and the voice told him, that Christ had taken that stone out of his heart, and given him an heart of flesh: then holding it forth

to the spectatours, he was forced to say, Except you see signes, and wonders, you will not believe; And throw∣ing the stone amongst them, he said, Lo, here is my heart of stone. Then was he cast upon his back on the ground, and the voice said, Thou shalt have two Angels to keep thee: and immediately two swallows came down the Chimney, and sat on a shelfe neere him; whereupon he cried, My Angels, my Angels, and withal he held out his hand to them, expecting they should have come to him; but they flew up the chim∣ney again, though the doore, and windows were o∣pen. Then was he carried upon his hands, and knees out of the doores into the street, and when his wife would have stopped him, he said, he must not be stopped, he must forsake wife, children, and all to follow Christ. Thus went he up the street, thinking that he bore a crosse upon his neck, till some pulled him out of the mire, and dirt, and by force carried him into his house, whereupon pointing at one of them, he said, Christ points at thee, thou art a wicked woman, and hast hindred the work of the Lord. Then the voice asked him, Where is thy crosse? upon which he thought he saw a visible crosse hanging in a thread, which with his hand he put behinde his neck: Thus he continued till the evening, when many of the Quakers coming to him, said, Be lowly minded, and hearken to the voice within thee, and so they left him, his strength being almost quite spent with his restlessenesse.

His wife and family going to bed, he remained a∣lone, when he began to question, whether these strange actions were Divine, or Diabolical? whereupon he trembled, and his hand was forced to take up a knife, which lay by, and to point it to his throat, and the voice said to him, Open a hole there, and I will give thee eternal life: But he threw away the knife, and his

wife coming to him, at her perswasion he went to bed, and all the night after he assured himself that he was possessed by the devil, and in the morning he roared and cried out, Now the devil is gone out of me, at which instant he, and his family heard it thunder, though no others heard it.

Shortly after the devil came to him again, and told him, that it was Satan that had possessed, and seduced him hitherto, but now Christ was come, and had cast out Satan, and told him also that what he had done the day before was in obedience unto Satan, and that as he had served Satan the day before in his cloathes, so now this day he must undo all that he had done in his shirt in obedi∣ence to Christ: whereupon he rose out of his bed, went into the street in his shirt, but some stopped him: whereupon the devil within him told him, that he must be carried into the house by four women, or else that he should for ever stand there like a pillar of salt, as Lots wise did. Then foure women carried him into his bed; whereupon he told them, that the day before he had been doing the devils work, but now he must do Christs work, &c. Then he fell to acting in his shirt upon the bed, as he had done the day before upon the floor, playing top∣sey turvey from one bed to another: the devil bidding him not to fear, for (saith he) I will give thee strength: then it told him, that the day before the devil bade him bear his crosse, but now Christ bade him lay it aside, for Christ takes no pleasure in Crosses, nor will be worshipped as yesterday he had done: It said farther: Yesterday the devil made thee lie all day on the ground, but now I have provided a bed for thee: For my yoak is easie: He promised also to give him bread of life to eat, and water of life to drink, and that out of his belly should flow rivers of living water: Then were his teeth moved as if he was eating, and he thought that he felt in his belly

a flowing up, and down of waters: he was told also that yesterday the devils Angels waited on him, but now Christs Angels should guard him; hereupon he saw two Butterflies in the window, and his hand was forced to take one of them, and to put it into his mouth, which he swallowed down: then he was moved to take the other, and put it to his throat, and he was told that it should enter in there, for (saith the voice) nothing is impossible to him that beleeveth: then he was forced to make circles on the bed, whereupon he began to su∣pect that he was acted by Satan, and thereupon in great fear cried out, Lord, what wilt thou have me do? But the devil answered, It's too late to cry unto God, for sen∣tence is already passed against thee: Hereupon he lay down in despaire; but presently the devil told him the third time, that it was a while devil that had deluded him this second time; but that now Christ was come indeed, and would cast him out: and accordingly he thought the devil was ejected: But then all his members fell on working as if the pangs of death had been upon him: the voice teling him, that they were the pangs of the New∣birth, and that now Christ was new-borne in him: Thus he continued a whole day, and the devil told him that now he should work wonders, and cast out devils in Christs Name. Then came in two of the Quakers, to whom he said, I have two devils cast out of me, but now Christ is in me of a truth: Then said the devil to him, I was crown∣ed with a crown of thornes, but I will crown thee with a crown of glory, and bade him set his fist upon his head, which (saith he) to the standers by shall appear as a glo∣rious crown: when he did this, he asked them, what they saw? they answered nothing: whereupon the de∣vil told him, that they saw the crown on his head, but were so stricken with admiratien that they could not expresse what they saw: Then the devil bade him tell one of the

Quakers, that he had a devil in him, but he should east it out: and that he should quake, and tremble, which ac∣cordingly he did: then the devil bade him to speak to him to fall flat on the ground, which he did, and pre∣sently rose againe; whereupon Gilpin asked him, whether now the devil was gone out of him? to which he answered not, but the devil told him that he was now ejected, &c.

A while after he began again to question whether in all this he were not deluded by Satan, which made him fall into a great fear, and then the devil told him that all this while he had been serving him, and blaspheming God: and that now it was too late to repent: Hereupon he fell into despaire for a time, thinking that every thing which he either heard or saw was the devil that came to fetch him away: Sometimes he thought that he should be taken away in a flame of fire; other sometimes that the earth would open, and swallow him: Yet at last it pleased God (as it seemes) to give him repentance and peace in his conscience; whereupon he published a Narra∣tive, of these things to discover the danger of these ways, and to be for caution to others to take heed how they go out of Gods wayes, and forsake his Ordinances, least falling into the error of the wicked, they decline from their former stedfastnesse, and lest not re∣ceiving the love of the truth, that they might be saved, God give them over to strong delusions to believe a lie. This is attested under the hand of the Major of Kendal, the Minister, Schoolmaster, and some others.

As we may not tell a lie, so neither may we conceal [ 41] the truth, especially when the publishing of it may tend to the advancement of Gods glory. There was not many years since in the Parish of Kirkham in Lan∣cashire, one Mistris Houghton a Papist, who used to say, I pray God rather then I shall be around-head, or bear a round-head, I may bring forth a childe without an head:

Her mother also being a Papist, used to mock and scoffe at the round-heads, and in derision of Master Prin, cut off her cats eares, and called him Prin: but behold the just retribution of God! For not long after the said Mistris Houghton being brought to bed, was delivered of a child without an head, ugly and deformed. This was attested by Master Edward Fleetwood Minister, the mid∣wife, and others that saw the childe taken out of its grave.

A man that is an Heretick reject after the first, & se∣cond admonition: knowing that he that is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself, Tit. 3. 10. 11.