An history of apparitions, oracles, prophecies, and predictions with dreams, visions, and revelations and the cunning delusions of the devil, to strengthen the idolatry of the gentiles, and the worshipping of saints departed : with the doctrine of purgatory, a work very seasonable, for discovering the impostures and religious cheats of these times / collected out of sundry authours of great credit, and delivered into English from their several originals by T.B. ; whereunto is annexed, a learned treatise, confuting the opinions of the Sadduces and Epicures, (denying the appearing of angels and devils to men) with the arguments of those that deny that angels and devils can assume bodily shapes ; written in French, and now rendred into English ; with a table to the whole work.

THE VVonderfull History OF SPECTRALS; AND The several Devices and Delusions of Devils and Evil Spirits. The Second Book.

Of Oracles, Prophecies, and Predictions of Devils.

[ 1] TElephus, the King of the Mysons, who did prohibit and in∣terdict the Grecians from descending or going into the lower Countreys, when he obstinately pursued Ulysses amongst the Vines; but being hindred, he fell upon the trunk or stump of a Vine; Achilles was a great way off, who shot a Dart into the King's left thigh; but Peace being made, and the Greeks returning to their own Country, Telephus was a long time afflicted with the pain of the wound; and when he could not be cured by any means, when he was in great extremity, he was ad∣monished by Apollo's Oracle, That he should make use of Achilles and Aesculapius his sons; so he instantaneously sailed to Argos, lest he should be denyed of the remedy that was promised him by the

Oracle; Achilles with Machaon and Podalyrius took care of his wound, and in a short space, that which the Oracle did predict came to passe.

[ 2] CRoesu••, the King of the Lydians, when he had parted with o••e¦son, as Atium, he had another son that was dumb, and for the cure of it, he left nothing undone, no stone was unturned; and then he sent to enquire of the Oracle at Delphos, to whom Pythia an∣swered:

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Thy speechless son, great King, Croesus high race, Wish not his words to hear, thy long'd-for Grace; One day thy boon shall thee distresse, when thou Shalt have with force what thou requestest now.

The event did give credit to the Oracle; for the Gardi being ta∣ken by Cyrus, when a certain Souldier rushed upon the King, his dumb son cryed out with a loud voice, when before he never spoke word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, O thou man, kill not Croesus; so that Croesus by his own fault lost his Kingdom, who by the words of his son, saved his life. Herodotus lib. 1.

[ 3] THe Minyae relate or tell the story about Hesiod's bones, after this manner; The Plague raging upon Man and Beast, they sent some to consult with the Oracle, who received this answer, That to cease the Plague, there was onely this one remedy; for if they did but carry Hesiod's bones out of the Naupactian field, into Orchomenium, otherwise their malady could not be cured: And again they asked of the Oracle, In what part of the Naupactian field that should find them? Pythia gave answer, That a Crow would shew them the place. And when they returned back into their Country, and those that were sent enquiring for it not far from the way side, saw a Crow sitting on a stone, and there they digg'd, and found Hesiod's bones in the concave of the Monument, with this inscription, Pausanias in Boeticis.

[ 4] ATheniensis, the son of Catatreus the Cretian's King, when he asked counsel of the Oracle, had this answer given, That the fates had decreed, that his Father should be slain by him; and desiring to shun that fate, of his own accord, together with many other Volunteers, went away into the mouth of Rhodes, which is called Camiros Catatreus, by the instigation of his onely son, took his journey into Rhodes, desirous of bringing his son into Creet; It was night time ere he came into the Island, and there was a fight

and a contention rise between his Companions and the Inhabitants of the Iland, Althemenes coming with his help, unwi••tingly he slew his father with a Dart; for which cause Althemenes being struck with great sorrow, and not being able to bear the Atlantean bur∣den of that grief, he did forsake the company of men, and wandred alone thorow desarts and uncouth paths, and he being spent with grief, dyed. Diodorus, lib. 5. cap. 13.

[ 5] AMphio••'s house being wholly consumed with the Plague, Laius succeeded in the Thebane Kingdom; he taking to Wife Jocasta, Creon's daughter: and when he wanted children a long while, con∣sulting the Oracle, Whether or no he were to have any children? received this answer, It was not good for him to have children, be∣cause if he had, there would proceed from him a son that should kill his father, and by such an unlucky fortune should contami∣nate his house; therefore Laius commanded the Infant that was born, that he should be thrown away, his feet being manacled in iron chains, from whence he was sirnamed Oedipus, from the swell∣ing of the wound: The houshold servants when they did not cast forth the Child which they had given to them, they did delive∣red it to a certain woman servant, whose name was Polybia; and when he came to man's estate, Laius appointed and gave order, that they should consult the Oracle about the Infant that was expo∣sed and sent abroad. Also Oedipus being certified by whom he was so exposed; and going to Pythia, to get intelligence who were his Parents; so when he met with his Father at Phocidis, though they did not know one another, Laius did very imperiously command Oedipus to give him the way. Oedipus moved with an∣ger, slew Laius, not knowing he was his Father. Diodorus, lib. 4. cap. 6.

[ 6] PArysadas, the King of the Bosphorean Cymmerians, had three sons, Eumelus, Satyrus, and Prytamis, who when their father was dec••ased, strove and contended for the Kingdom; Eumelus by the help of Ariapharnis the King of the Thracians, slew Prytamis; Sa∣tyrus oppugning the Palace, received a wound in one of the muscles of his arm, and so perished by it; therefore Eumelus being posses∣sed of, and invested in the Kingdom for five years space, by a strange accident was slain; for when he returned home to his house out of Scythia, he hastened to a certain sacrifice, where there was a Cha∣riot running to the Court, and it was carried upon four wheels, in which there was a Tent or a Pavilion, the horses were affrighted, and so carried him away; When the Chariot-driver could not hold the reins, the King fearing lest he should be cast into ditches, endeavoured to leap out of the Chariot, and his sword being in∣volved and sticking in one of the wheels, he was cut with it, falling cross upon it, and so was slain instantly. It is also reported, that Saty••us was warned of the Oracle, that he should have a care of a Mouse, therefore he suffered none of his Subjects to take that

name, and ••••d much in fear of houshold-mice, and field-mice, and gave warning that the boyes should kill the Mice, and stop the holes that they might not enter into the Rooms: At last he ended his life, being wounded in a muscle of his arm. Eumelus asking counsel of the Oracle, received answer, That he should have a care of those things that he had carried to his house; therefore he would not rashly enter into his house, unless first his young men had viewed the top and bottom of it; but when he was slain by rea∣son of the Chariot wheel, because of the Tent that was carried in the Chariot, they all thought that the Oracle was fulfilled. Diodo∣rus Siculus, lib. viges.

[ 7] CTrus the King of the Persians marching to Istrum against the Massagetes and Essedonas, he consulted Orpheus's head in Lesbo; and asking the Oracle, of the event of the Wars; had this answer, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. Similem exitum, ut ego, habebis, Thou shalt dye the same death that I dyed of; the event gave credit to the Oracle: for Cyrus was slain by Tomyris the Queen, who cut off his head, as Or∣pheus's was by the Thracian Menadians. Philostratus testis.

[ 8] POlycrates the Samian Tyrant, after he had taken the Rhene Iland, and consecrated it to Apollo, there was set up gallant Playes at Delphos; and also sent to consult Apollo's Oracle, Whether he should call those Playes Delion, or Pythian? The Oracle answer∣ed, They shall be both Pythion and Delian Playes to thee; inti∣mating, That he should soon dye; and therefore it was made a Proverb.

[ 9] THere was a great slaughter revealed unto Julius Caesar, by ma∣ny evident and wonderful Prodigies; for a few moneths be∣fore that time, when the Husbandman by the Julian were brought into the Capuan Colony to cast down the old Monuments, to build new Villages; and they did it more accurately, in that some Antiquarians that searched, found some brazen Tables in a Monument, which did give notice to them, that Capys, the builder of Capua, was buried there; and there was found there that bra∣zen plate, in which was written in Greek this sentence; When the bones of Capys shall be discovered, then shall it come to passe, that one of Julian-blood shall be slain by the hands of his Kinsmen. And pre∣sently after Italy was punished with great slaughter. And lest that any should think this thing fabulous and commentitious, the Author of it is Cornelius Balbus, one of Caesar's Favourites. Suetonius.

[ 10] TItus the Emperour had this of the Oracle, He should dye in the same manner that Ulysses perished and dyed, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the Sea; Ulysses was slain by his son Telegonus, by a Wray-spear, that is, by a weapon of that fishe's bones, instead of an Arrow; And so Titus was kill'd by his brother Domitian with the poyson of a Sea-Hare. Coelius, lib. 26. cap. 30.

[ 11]

JUstinianus, the Roman Emperour, about the year of our Lord, 533, sent one Mundus, a Captain, into Dalmatia, against the Ostrogoths, who inhabited Salonas; And when he went out with his son Mauritius to behold the Camp, he was slain by the Goths; and so fulfilled the Oracle, and freed many from their fear. But there were some who said, That there were some Prophetical Verses pronounced by one of the Sybills, whose opinion was, that Mundus was to perish with his issue, where at length Africk was to be ta∣ken by the Romans; But then Justinian did restore Africk to the tame Vandals: This Prophecie of Sybill did much perplex and af∣fright many men, who did expect, that there would a suddain de∣struction come upon the whole World: But the event, death, and end of this Captain Mundus and his son, did shew, that such like Prophecies were obscure and ambiguous, and how fallacious the Artificers of Magick were. Aventinus, lib. 3. Annal. Bojorum: et Johan Magnus, lib. 10. cap. 14.

[ 12] MAnuel Comnenus hoping that the thred of his life should be extended, did put himself into a Monasticall habit, so that he ended both his life and his reign together; who had reigned eight and thirty years, excepting three moneths; to which continuance of the Empire, that old Oracle seemed to allude,

—Tui prehendet, — te Postrema nominis. viz. The last part or syllable of thy name will put Finis to thy life.

For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the last syllable of the name of Manuel, with the Greeks, doth comprehend or compleat that number. Nicetas, lib. 7.

[ 13] XErxes beginning War with the Grecians, when he was van∣quished and overcome at Salamina, he constituted Mardo∣nius, that he should prosecute the Warr in his name; But when he little availed and prospered at the Plateas, when he fought and flew, his fame began to be mute; Mardonius left a great Trea∣sure in the Tent which he had buried in the ground: Polycrates the Theban, enticed with hope of it, did buy the field▪ But when he had a long time made scrutiny and search for the Treasure, and yet did not find it, he consulted Apollo's Oracle at Delphos, by what means he might find the Treasure? Apollo answered him in these words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Turn every stone; And when he did so, it is said, that he found great store of gold. Erasmus in Chiliadibus.

[ 14]

AFter that twelve Kings had created Setho to be King of Aegypt, and making a strict covenant between themselves that they should not entrench one upon another, and so by a sure con∣spiration did rule Aegypt: but in the mean while, it was known by the Oracle, that he that should sacrifice or offer in an Iron vessell should only obtain the Egyptian Empire. Not very long after, it came to passe that when by chance, when all the Kings stood in Vulcans Temple in the manner of sacrificers, the chief Priest of the Temple, numbring each of them, except Psammetichus who stood in the last place, took the Phiall, and offered; and he being compel∣led by necessity, took off his Helmet, and sacrificed therewith, then he bore his Censer as the rest of the Kings did: the thing being min∣ded, and observed, incontinently they that stood by, remembred the Oracle, and consulting together, they judged Psammetichus to be worthy of death. But by chance it happened to be known. The greatest part of the Kingdome being shaken off, the other Kings did relegate and dismisse by their Law, another part of them into the fenny part of Aegypt, and that the rest should abstain from that: Psammetichus did take very ill that ignominy, and underhand took private counsell how he should revenge that contumely: therefore in the interim it was told by the Oracle out of Latone, which was in the Buti City, accounted the truest of all those that the Aegypti∣ans had, that he should use the help and aid of the brazen men that should issue out of the Sea, and that they should vindicate Psammetichus, and inthrone him in great dignity. Not much time was spent ere that the Jonians mixt with the Carian viewing all the Sea-cost thereabouts, that they might rob thereabouts, and being driven by Storms and Tempests, did voluntarily steer their course into Aegypt: therefore one of the inhabitants seeing them land, and come on shore, affrighted at the uncouthnesse and strangenesse of the thing, being full of fear, related it to Psammetichus that the brazen men were come. For the Aegyptians, untill that time, had never seen an harnessed Souldier, then he perceived that the fatall time was come; and quickly he entered in league with the Jonians, and with their companions, and got them on his side, for the ap∣pointed war with many promises; and Psammetichus aided with these helps, quickly destroyed the Kings by whom he was relegated and dismissed, and all the Countrey was yielded to him. Sabellicus lib. 4. Ennead. 2. ex Herodoti, lib. 2.

[ 15] MAnuel Comnenus Emperour, having a Son born, that he might make his birth-day more famous, did entertain his noblest Citizens (as the custome was) with a sumptuous feast, carrying boughs in their hands, and called his Son Alexius, not onely that he might honour him with his Grandfathers name, but for the Ora∣cles sake, who by ambages and doubtfull speeches gave answer that so long the stock of the Comnenian family should endure as the name did comprehend the letters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, per A. Alexius; per J. Johan∣nes;

per M. and A. Manuel, and his son Alexius, not obscurely did signify. Nicetas lib. 5.

[ 16] THe Countrey of Baeotia being spoiled and devastated by the su∣ry, violence, and war of the Thracians, they who over-lived the slaughter, went into the innermost concavest den where the Oracle was, That there they should take up their seats, where they should see the white Crows. By and by in Thessaly near the Pagaeatican pro∣montory, when they were objected there to their sights, there were discovered to be white Crowes, which being wet in Wine, the boyes sent out de-albifyed and anointed with brine or plaister. Coelius, lib. 57. cap. 11.

[ 17] WHen the Teu••ri-Cretensians sought themselves out new habi∣tations, and asking advice of the Oracle, received this an∣swer, That they should there fix their station, and inhabit where 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hoc est, terrae ••ilii eos adorirentur, where the sons of the Earth should set upon them. They wandring about Mysta and Cili••ia, at last came into Troy, where they fell asleep; then a great company of domesticall mice did eat and gnaw the strings of their Bowes and Shields, so that when they awaked and rose up, they could make no more use of their Bowes, therefore they thought that the Mice were the Enemies that were foretold to them by the Oracle; and sate down and lived in that place, and builded the Town Sminthe, because the Cretans call mice 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Eustachius, Iliad.

[ 18] THe Phrygians being carried by Aeneas their Captain into the Laurell field, were not willing to go any further, but listned to the Oracle, that it might shew them some future events, and contingencies, the Oracle told them, That there they were to have their permanent dwellings, where for hunger they should be driven to eat their Tables: Which not very long after their repulse hap∣ned, and then they remembred, and made themselves bread-tren∣chers, which was for their meat, that for want of it they eat; and then there was a cry from one to another, that now they were de∣stroyed, and dead men because of their errour, for there should they have their Mansions and dwellings, where they should eat such kind of Tables for want of meat, which words were received with favour and consent by all them that stood about. It is not very evi∣dent where they rejected that answer of the Trojan: some think at Dodonaeum, others in the Tent Cottage of Ida in Erythris, which Sybill did inhabit, a Maid-prophetesse and dweller there. It is also said that the Trojans were commanded to sail to the Western Countries untill they were driven into that place where they should be forced to eat their Tables for want of bread. And when that happened they knew that time was come that they should end their wandring, and that they were arrived at the fatall land. Sabellicus, Lib. 7. Aeneid. 1.

[ 19]

THe Lacedemonians were led into the Tarentine Colony by their Captain Phalanthus, a Spartane; the Oracle at Delphos predict∣ed, that when he did observe rain under Aethra, then he should be Master or overcomer of the field and City. But when he himself by the clew of his own reason, could not trace out the meaning of the Oracle, neither knew what it meant, nor consulted any interpreter, he made ready his Navy to go into Italy; and there when he had overcome the barbarous Nations, and neither could compasse field nor City when it came into his mind, that it was utterly unpossi∣ble that that which the Oracle said should be, and began to suspect it, whether it was the voice of God or no, because it could never come to passe that it should rain, when it is a pure Crystalline se∣rene Heaven, which the Greeks call Aethra; His Wife very lo∣vingly did comfort him by all means, who did so despond and de∣spair, and sometimes leaning his head upon her knees, and killing flies, her tears for sorrow of heart, and the hard fortune of her hus∣band, trickled down, that her hope was so frustrated. Wherefore opening the sluces and floud-gates of her eyes, she did bedew and wet her Husbands head; then were the knots of the Oracle unloo∣sed, for the name of his Wife was Aethra. Therefore in that very night which followed that day, he took the City, and a rich Sea-Town of the Tarentines. Pausanias in Phocicis.

[ 20] COdrus, an Athenian King, sprung out of Thrace, when the whole Attick Region was destroyed with the Peloponnesian Warr; he advising with the Oracle, had this answer, That they should be Victors, whose Captain perished by a warlike hand; therefore putting off his Kingly regal habit, he was like to a common Souldier, and offered himself to the force of his enemy; and one of the adverse Souldiers struck him with his weapon, and so he vo∣luntarily run upon his own death; and was willing rather to perish himself, then that the Athenians should perish. Cicero in fine lib. 1. Tusc. quaest. et lib. 5. de finibus.

[ 21] WHen Xerxes made War with the Grecians, the Lacedemonians enquiring of the Oracle about the event of the Warr, they received this answer from Pythia, That the Athenians were to be overcome by the Persians, but that the Spartan King was to be kill'd in the field. Mardonius saith, the Athenians being relinquished and left, three hundred of the Lacedemonians were slain with their King Leonidas. Herodot. lib. 8.

[ 22] THe Romans making Warr against Pyrrhus the Epirotes King, Paulus Aemilius received this answer from the Oracle, That he should be the Victor, if he should build an Altar in that place where he saw a man swallowed up in his running. A few dayes after he saw Valerius Torquatus swallowed up in the ground; and therefore he built an Altar there, and got the Victory, and sent

an hundred and sixty Elephants to Rome, carrying Towers on their backs. Plutarchus in Parallelis.

[ 23] IN the Cimbrick Warr Batabaces came to Pessinunte, being Priest to the Mother of great Idaea, he brought the Goddess out of the Temple, to declare Victory to the Romans, and of the great glory and credit of the Warr which was to come: And when the Se∣nate was agreed on it, and for Victory sake had determined to go to the Temple of the Goddess of Victory; and when he was come∣ing ••or••h to make his Oration to the People, that he might declare these things to them, A. Pompeius, the Tribune of the people, did hinder Batabaces, calling him a deluder, a deceiver, and pluckt him out of his Pulpit with great indignity, when the thing it self spoke for it, and commended his words; and when Pompeius returned home with whispering and muttering speeches, such a Feaver bore him company, (as every one knew) that he dyed within seven dayes after. Plutarchus in Marii vita.

[ 24] WHen the Vejentes in a sharp and long Warr were driven within the City Walls by the Romans, and yet the City could not be taken; and the delay did seem no lesse burdensome and intolerable to the besiegers, then to the besieged, the immor∣tal gods by a wonderful miracle did make way for them, that they might accomplish their desired Victory; on a suddain the Albane Lake or Gulph not being at all encreased by any showers from Heaven, neither had it any addition from any inundation from earth, did overflow its banks; and for inquisition sake to know the reason of it, Ambassadours were sent to Apollo's Oracle at Delphos, to know the reason of it; They received this answer, That the water of that Lake should be diffused thorough the fields; for so even should the Vejos be over-run, and brought into subjection by the Romans: And before the Legates might proclaim or declare, a Southsayer of the Vejentians was taken by a Roman Souldier, (for they wanted Interpreters of their own) and he was brought into the Tents, and did prophesie and predict: Therefore the Senate being warned by a double admonition and prediction, almost at the same time did obey the Oracle, and was possessed of the City. Valerius Maximus, lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 25] WHen the Dorienses did often attempt to take Elea against Augea's posterity, whose King was then Eleus, they were commanded by the Oracle, that when they sailed back again, they should make Trioculus Captain; And by chance Oxylus met him sprung out of, and begotten of Aemon of Thoas his son, being a ba∣nished man in Aetholia, playing in the Sun, unwittingly he kill'd a man; And when he had blinded a Mule of one of his eyes, Ore∣spontes ingeniously conjectured, that the Oracle belonged to Oxylus, therefore the Captain being elected, they passed to Peloponnesus in a ship; for he conceived, that by a Foot-Army they could not at∣tempt

to break thorough the straits; so the Dorienses obeyed, and they presently got Elea. Pausanias, lib. 5.

[ 26] THe Lacedemonians were alwayes overcome in Warr by the Te∣geans: they asked advice of the Oracle, How, and by what means they might so please their gods, that they might overcome the Tegeans? Pythia answered, That Orestes the son of Ag••me••non, his bones were to be brought to Lacedemon; and they doubting and being uncertain of the place in which they were hid; The Oracle answered,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

To this purpose:

There's an Arcadian liveth in a Cot, Where wind is by two hulls together got, Where type on th' antitype, one dint is set Upon another, where lye bury'd yet The spoyles of Agamemnon: if that ground And Cot thou purchase, there they may be found.

When no man could understand the Oracle, Liches, one of the be∣nefactors of the Spartanes, came to Tegea, and sitting down in a Bra∣zier's Shop, wondred at his works. To whom the Smith said, Why dost thou wonder, O thou stranger, (saith he) at these? thou wouldst much more wonder, if thou shouldst see a Sepulchre which I have found, by digging a Well under ground, in which I saw bones seven cubits long, which I again buried in the earth. Then Liches instantly call'd to mind the Oracle within himself, and con∣ceived, that those two winds which the Oracle had spoken of, were the bellows of the Smith; and that the anvil was an antitype: for he was to suffer in rowing back; and that the hammer was a sign or emblem which struck the Anvil, of evil, first pas∣sive, because it suffers from the hammer; afterwards also active, because it was invented for mens destruction. And Liches rumi∣nating with himself, did communicate this thing to the Lacedemo∣nians, and feigning an escape, returned to the Tegeans; and he bought the skeleton, of the Smith, and privily carried the bones to Lacedemon: And then it came to passe, that the Lacedemonians over∣came the Spartanes in Warr, almost at that very same time in which Cyrus took the Kingdom from Croesus. Herodotus, lib. 1.

[ 27]

IN the reign of Tiberius the Emperour, there was an Oracle given out at Rome, in these words;

Bis ter trecentis circumvolventibus annis, Seditio perdet Romanos.

Ere thrice three hundred Snakes incircled bee, Rome by Sedition ruin'd you shall see.

Which they did think came to passe in Nero's time, which fell out near that time; the people repeated these words, when part of the City was wickedly burnt by Nero; Nero to pacifie the people, said, That there was never such words spoken: Which done, the people sung this Sybills verse,

Ultimus Aeneadum matrem necat Induperator.

The last of the Aenea's Family shall kill his Mother, he being Em∣perour. Which happened; and whether it was an Oracle from God, or from a prophetick spirit that was amongst the people, or by a guesse that they had from the state that things was then in, I know not; for Nero was the last of the Julian-Family, which sprung from Aeneas which ruled. Xiphilinus, in Nerone.

[ 28] A Little before the coming of the Spaniards into America; the King of the Island which, after the name of the Finders, they called Hispaniolam; he consulted the Idol of Zemus, and religiously underwent a Fast for five dayes together, also much whipping, that he might know what would become of his Kingdom. The Devill answered, That there were bearded, which should be armed men, that should take away the Kingdom by force, and that by one fatal blow, they by their swords should anatomize many bodies, and that they should oppresse the Inhabitants by cruel servitude. The King hearing the words of the Oracle; and that he might appease the wrath of the gods, he epitomized and comprehended in a verse which they call Arentum, which he would have to be sung at their Festivals, with solemn ceremonies; therefore many of the Inhabi∣tants when they saw the Spaniards-first come into the Island, they consulted how they might escape, remembring the Oracle. Petrus Cieza, tom. 2. rerum Indicarum. cap. 33.

[ 29] SArdanapalus, an Assyrian King, was besieged by Arbaces a Mede: ••n the City of Ninus, there was an Oracle given to his Ance∣stors, That Ninus could never be taken, unless the Enemy should make a River to the City, which he verily believed could never be taken; and therefore he thought he could bear out the siege, and also expected aid to come to him. When he had held out the siege for the space of two years, by lethargiz'd and idle besiedged persons the River by continual showers did flow to a very great heighth; and when it had deluged a good part of the City, and had cast and

thrown down the Walls for the length of twenty furlongs; The King thinking the time of the Oracle was come to passe, despaired of remedy; and lest that he should be taken of the enemies, he burnt the Palace: Arbaces creeping thorough the ruines of the walls, was made King. Diodorus, lib. 2. cap. 7.

[ 30] THere was an Oracle given to the Poet Hesiod, that he should have a care of the Temple of Naemean Jupiter; when there∣fore he took his flight from Nemean at Peloponnesus, by chance he came into Oeneon of Locris, where there was a Temple of Jupiter Naemean; and being in that place, unawares he was slain by Am∣phiphane and Ganetor, the sons of Physigeus, because they believed their Sister was deflowred by him, and that Stesichorus was sprung from him by that illegitimate means. Thucyd. apud Gyrald. Dial. 2. hist. P••ët.

[ 31] EPaminondas the Thebane received this from Apollo's Oracle at Delphos, That he was to have a care of Pelagus, which he thought was to be understood of the Sea; wherefore it was his grea∣test care, lest he should be carried or transported any where by Galleys, or by any other vessel: But the Devil had forewarned him, not that he should avoid the Sea, but a Grove that he was to eschew at Mantinea, whose name was Pelagus, where he dyed. Pa••∣sanias in Arcadicis & Suidas.

[ 32] THere was an Oracle also given to Cambyses, a Persian King, out of the City of Latona of Butus, that he was to yield himself to the fates in the way to Ecbatanis; he understood it of Ecbatana of Meda; but when he was in Syria, after the death of Apis the Egyp∣tian god, he got upon his horse, his sword was naked, wounded the King in the thigh, tormented with fear and grief; and he asked What was the name of the next Town? and when he knew that it was Ecbatana, he did acknowledge his errour, and dyed despairing. Herodotus lib. 3.

[ 33] PYthia did prophesie and predict the death of Philip King of Ma∣cedonia, in this manner:

—Taurus adest, & finis adest, feriet{que} minister▪ Et Graecis pariter, O utinam fierem Jovis ales in aethere juxta Thermodoontis aquas, procul ut bella horrida ab alto▪ Despicerem; victus flet at hic qui vicit obivit.

A Bull being present, thy end's not absent far, The servant o're the Greeks shall domineer; O that I were Jove's Bird eagling on high, Towring alwayes near to the azure sky,

O're Thermodonian waters for to see Such crimson and such scarlet Tragedie, Where conquer'd shall bewail with weeping eye, The Conquerour conquer'd, by the fates shall dye.

This doubtfull speech King Phillip interpreted on his side, and thought that it was predicted by the Oracle as though Perses were to be sacrificed in the manner of a sacrifice. But the meaning was far otherwise which signifyed quite contrary, to wit, Phillip being amongst a great company of men amongst the sacrifices where there ought to be a crowned Bull sacrificed, and therefore he was very glad, and sacrificed joyfully, supposing afterwards to have his tutelar Gods to help him to bring Asia under the dominion of Macedonia, and when he offered great oblations in honour of the Gods, and his daughter Cleopatra, which came of his Wife Olym∣pias, was espoused to Alexander the King of the Epirots his Brother, he commanded that the Marriage should be celebrated in Aegis the City of Macedonia, and many out of all the parts of Greece flock∣ed to that jolly wedding, and magnificent consorts of Musick, and contention in it, and also a great feast made to receive the friends and guests, he in the midst of the ceremonies invested in a white garment, was slain by Pausaunias one of the guard, at the Thermodo∣nian River near Chaeronea, where a little while before he had got a famous victory of the Grecians: for Pausaunias took hainously that he was complained of for ravishing of Attalas the Neece of Olympias and was of••en derided of the King for it. Diodorus lib. 16. & Pausau∣nias in Arcad.

[ 34] THe same King when he had consulted the Delphick Oracle what he might do that he might come and attain to a full and perfect age; Pythia commanded him that he should avoid Quadrigas, which he understood, was meant a Cart drawn with four horses; which hearing, he gave order that all Carts through∣out his whole Kingdome should be removed, and would not go in∣to Boetia, which was called Quadrigas. At the last he was slain by Pausaunias, who carried a Cart and four Horses engraven in the hilt of his Sword. Valerius Maximus, libro primo. Cicero de fato. Plutarch, in Alexandro. Others say, that when he encircled and rid about the Thebane Marsh, which was called Currus, he was slain.

[ 35] AESchylus the tragick Athenian Poet, was told by the Oracle that he should dye by a blow; therefore being a banished man in Sicilia, he did eschew roofs lest he should be oppress'd by their ruine, or knock't on the head by their fall: but it hapned that sitting on a stone in the Country, with his head uncovered, and an Eagle flying on high called Morphos, (whose sole property it is to break the Sea shell-fish) and being hallucinated and deceaved by the whitenesse of his bald pate, thinking it to be a chalky stone, let the

shell-fish fall upon it, to have the shell-fish broken, and so Aeschylus perished by that fall and stroak. Idem. lib. 9. cap. 12.

[ 36] DAphidas the Sophister, when he Ironically had consulted the Delphick Oracle, whether he might have an Horse upon which he might be carried; The Oracle answered that there might be found one, but that he should be so troubled and vexed by it, that he should dye. A while after he went to Attalus the King, whom he had formerly offended, and was apprehended, and so pre∣cipitated, and cast down from a stone, was called Equus. Cicero de fato. Et Valer. Max. lib. 1. de Miraculis.

[ 37] WHen Dionysius the Seniour, Tyrant of Syracusa, acted a Tragedy to the A••henians in their Bachanalian feasts, and when he by all their suffrages and voices was declared Victor, one of the Queristers or chanters of the Musicall company, thinking that he should have some great reward if he were the first Messen∣ger that should relate the Victory, sailed in all haste to Corinth. And there found a Ship that was to go to Sicily, and boarding on it with prosperous winds and gales sailing to his desired Haven, and arriving at Syracusa, and then incontinently related the Victory to the Tyrant, and was gratified with great rewards. Dionysius was exceeding glad of the news, and offered gratulatory sacrifices to his Gods, and celebrated great feasts, banquettings, and Bacchana∣lians; and when he had invited his friends and familiars indulging and overcharging himself with too much wine, fell into a grievous sicknesse by reason of his too much gulphing of Wine. But when he was told by his Gods that he was to dye, when he had overcome his betters. He taking the Oracle in this sense, to wit, as having reference to the Carthagenians, that they were better, stronger, and more warlike men then he. Wherefore having many conflicts, bickerings, & skirmishes with them, if the victory seemed to hang in equilibrio, i.e. eeven ballance, or rather his side was likely to have the Praestat, he was wont to make the two Wings of his army to fly away and to be ore-come of their own accord, least he should seem to overcome his betters, but yet for all this Matchevilian Policy, he could not escape the sentence which the fates had determined against him. But being an indifferent good Poet, was adjudged by the A••henian suffrages to overcome better Poets; therefore the truth of the Oracle being in some measure accomplished, and ful∣filled, the term and date of his life ended. Diodorus, lib. 15.

[ 38] ALexander the Epirot's King, being called into Italy by the Tarentines, and by the lots of the Dodonean Oracle, he was warned to have a care of Atherusia, and the City of Pandosia; for there he was to yield himself to the fates, for this cause he sent betime into Italy, that he might keep a distance from Pandosia a City of Epirus, and Acheron its River, which the Thesprotian bosome

received, it flowing out of Molossis, standing hellish black jet-like pools and bayes. But no humane providence or foresight could eschew fatal necessity, which for the most part rushes soonest into that which is aimed most to avoid. Oftentimes Alexander had overcome the Brutians and Lucans in battell, and had taken many of their Cities. In the mean time, he had fortified and strength∣ened three Monuments not far from the Pandosian City, which did grieve and molest the borders of the Lucans and Brutians, and did grievously oppresse the Countrey thereabouts. But continuall showers did so deluge and overflow the fields that lay between, and so the army being parted into three, could not get help from any other. Alexander, not being able to get supplies, made two Bulworks or Castles of defence, therefore they environed with their siege, the Captain parting with, and losing a great part of his ri∣ches and provision: There were of the Lucans exuls and banished men about Alexander 200; by this means, they with their party promised that they would bring the King into their power, either alive or dead. Therefore the King daring to adventure, broke through the midst of his enemies with his out-spread waving hands and arms, and killed the Captain of the Lucans, fighting with him hand to hand, and gathering together his army into one, he with a full body came to the River, the strength of whose Tide a little be∣fore had broke down the bridge, and when he consulted of an escape over it, being not fathomed by him, and his Army being tyred out, and by chance one blab'd forth the name of the River, which was much hated by the King, and so exclaimed and cryed out, Art thou called Acheron, which being known, he made a great haesitati∣on whether or no he should passe over the River: and when he so delayed, one Sotinus a servant, gave warning that the Lucans did seek places to lye in wait for them, and when the King thought that they were ready to rush upon him, with his naked Sword, he leapt into the River. A Horse on the overthwart bank stood to re∣ceive him; which when one of the Lucans had wounded him with casting a Dart, and the streaming Tides carryed him down (his Spear sticking fast) towards the enemies Camp dead, and they tea∣ring it to pieces, and cutting it in the midst, one part they sent away, the o••her was kept for to be mocked, which they a long while battered with stones and darts, and at the last they delivered it to a Woman, that she might keep it to be a ransome to redeem her Husband and children which were captives on the adverse party, and they sent away the bones of the burned body to their enemies at Metapontus, from whence they were further sent to Cle∣opaetra, and to her sister Olympias, the Mother of Great Alexander. Strabo▪ lib. 6. Valerius Maximus, lib. 1.

[ 39]

THere was an old Oracle came from the Altar of Jupiter Am∣mon, concerning the death of Annibal the famous Carthagenian Captain. Lybyssa corpus teget tuum. Lybyssa shall be thy grave. Anniball did suspect Africa, and that his buriall should be in Car∣thage, and thought he should end his life there, for there is a fabu∣lous place of Bythinia: beside the Sea not far off, there is a little Village called Lybyssa, and by chance Annibal was banished there; and because he alwayes suspected the mollities, and tendernesse of the King of Prussia, and abhorred the Romans, there∣fore he opened seaven subterraneal holes or passages before his house, or out of his Tent, and divers foramina or oilet holes made, in which there was many secret conspirators, privately combine∣ing together. And when he received that commandement of T. Quintius Flaminius the Roman Ambassadour which he had desired and obtained of the King, he attempted a flight through the private holes; but when he fell into the Kingdomes snares, he determined to kill himself. Some report him to wrap his neck in his Cloak, and commanded his servant that he should infix his knee in his posteri∣ours, and twine and twist him hard, untill he should dye. Livi∣us lib. 8. Decad. 4. and had poison given him, which he had power to mix and mingle himself, and taking the cup himself, said, We free at last the Roman people by this dayes work, when he believed that it was expected there should be a long and a tedious death of that hated old man, and by this means they say Anniball perished. Plutarchus in Flaminio. Pausaunias vero in Arcadicis; that when he got upon a horse, he of his own accord, wounded his hand, and had not rid far when a Feaver got hold of him by reason of the inflam∣mation of his wound, and that he dyed within three dayes. And so the fatall name of the man whom the Nicomedienses called Lybys∣sam, fulfilled the Oracle.

[ 40] APpius Claudius in a Civil war, in which Cn. Pompeius falling out with Caesar, breaking the league, bringing both detriment to himself and to the Common-wealth, desirous to find out the spring and root of that great sedition (for he excelled in strength the Achai∣an Empire) he compelled the chief Governour of the Delphick Tri∣pos, to descend into the inmost concave that they might know cer∣tain things; consulting with the Oracles, they were almost choaked such a damp and stinking vapour of that divine, or rather diabo∣lical spirit was drawn in by them. Therefore an inspired Virgin by the instinct of the Deity, and with a horrid voice, sung with such quavering sounds of words, uttered the destiny, or Oracle. For it is nothing (saith she) to thee; in this Romane war, thou shalt get the Valley of Euboea: but he thinking to be admonished by Apol∣lo's Oracles, lest there should arise any contention or difference about it, departed into that Region and Countrey which is between Rhamminta, that noble and renouned part of Micka and Caristum, bordering upon the Chalcidick Sea, lying between, got the name of

Euboea, where he was spent and consumed of a disease, before the Pharsalian combat and fight, and he possessed that burying place which was foretold him by the Devill. Valerius Max. lib. 1. cap. 8.

[ 41] THe Antianaean Oracles gave an Item unto C. Caligula that he should have a care of Cassius, therefore he gave order that Cassius Longinus the Pro-consull of Asia being a Lawyer, to be put to death; but before he had satisfied his tyrannicall desires, he was slain by Cassius Chaerea, not being able to eschew his fate. Rutilius, in vita Cassii.

[ 42] MIchael Comnenus Palaeologus Emperour, grieved with a pain at his heart, and being much troubled and perplexed with the fear of death, he asked those that stood about him, what was the name of that place. When he had heard the name of Pachonii and Allages, with a great sigh, he said, that there was he to finish his life, and that his death was decreed by the fates, and therefore bitterly accused himself, that before that time he had not blinded and pluck't out the eyes of that honest man Pachonius, for that an Oracle was publickly reported to be given out concerning the Em∣perour, that being deceased Pachonius should succeed him in the Kingdome, and being deceived and blinded with the love of ruling he had not hastned to make Pachonius unserviceable for the Empire. Gregoras lib. 5.

[ 43] THere was a famous City in Olympos, whose name was Libethra, which Mountain stretched it self forth into Macedonia, not far from which City there is Orpheus's Tomb and Monument, and there was formerly an Oracle had from liberi patres, to the Libethrians out of Thrace, that their City should be raced out, and destroyed by a swine, when the Sun first should see Orpheus's bones. And therefore they being so well versed and accustomed to the Oracle, that they never mistrusted any thing, neither did they be∣lieve that there was any wild beast endued with such strength that could deface such a City, which relyed no lesse upon their own con∣fidence then it's great strength. But when it pleased the Gods that these things should come to passe, a certain shepheard at noon-tide being weary, laid down beside Orpheus his Tomb. And by chance falling asleep, in his dream began to chant and to sing Orpheus Ver∣ses in a sweet and delectable tone, and by that sweet chanting, those shepheards that were hard by, and those Plowmen that were plowing not far off being much taken with it, left their work, and ran to hear the sweet song of the sleeping shepheard, and there when they joggled and justled one another nearer and nearer to the shepheard, they threw down the Pillar, and that being cast down the Urne was broken up, which done, the Sun saw Orpheus's bones: Therefore in the following night, a great deal of rain came, and the River sides (being one of Olympus streams) cast down the walls

of the Libethrians, and o'returned the holy Temples and buildings, and destroyed all the men and beasts which were within the wals. Pausaunias in Baeoticis.

[ 44] THe Siph••ian Ilanders, by reason of their silver and gold-Mines, are very rich, heaping up great Treasures, and yearly did send their tenths to Apollo at Delphos; they inquired of the Oracle, Whether they were to possess their present enjoyments long, or no? Pythia answered;

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When you a Market-House, and Council-Hall Erect all white, beware, a cunning blade With woodden Troops, and with red Ensigns shall Thy Coasts and Thee with cruelty invade.

The Event confirmed the Oracle; for the Siphnians at that time had a Market-place and a Councel-house built of white Parian Marble; when the Samians instantly came themselves to Siphnum, and sending a Ship with their Ambassadours to the City, which was (as all ancient ships used to be) painted red; the Messengers did require ten talents; the Siphnians refused: The Samians pos∣sessed themselves of their fields, and slew many of their City, and took many prisoners, which the Siphnians redeemed for a hun∣dred Talents; Then at last (although it was very late) they un∣derstood the Oracle, of a woodden Army, and a red Ship of Le∣gates and Ambassadors, Herodotus, lib. 3.

[ 45] THere was an ancient Oracle given to the Messanensians in Sicily, Carthaginenses urbis suae lixas futuros; Which they un∣derstood in this sense, that the Carthagenians were to be slaves of the City Messana, and to be serviceable to them, and by this hope were puffed up with pride; therefore they attempted to oppose themselves against Hamilcar the Carthaginian Captain; but their City being taken, at the last they understood the equivocall sense of the Oracle; for Hamilcar did command the Carthaginian Soul∣diers, like servants, that they should demolish and pull down all their houses, and that they should leave nothing unruinated and not pull'd down, and to burn all, and to spatter the ruines all about; neither was there any delay for his commands, they did ruinate the walls, and o'return the buildings with such violence, that the multitude hasting, and being urgent, in a short time they had finished the work, all the Monuments were presently abolished; and the manner of the place was utterly blotted out, and the ground, where the City formerly stood, did appear so overthrown,

and trampled, that scarce any tokens of habitation could be any where discerned, &c. Diodorus, lib. 14.

[ 46] THe Phocenses being miserably vexed with War by the Thessa∣lians, sent to consult the Oracle at Delphos, concerning their affairs: and their Ambassadours, received this answer;

Mortalem at{que}. Deum jubeo decernere ferro: Victor uter{que}, aliud sed enim mortalis habeto.

The god and man I do command to try It out by sword, who shall have victory: They both are conquerors, I do confesse, But yet the mor••al shall the god possesse.

The Phocenses being pusled with this dubious Oracle, and not at all understanding the meaning of it, sent out three hundred Scouts, who were all slain even to the last man, with their Captain Gelo. This slaughter struck the Camp with a very great terrour. And at last they were come to that height of desperation, that they brought together their Wives, Children, all their goods, and whatsoever they could wrap or wring, as gold, silver, and rich clothes, and amongst the rest, the Ensigns of their gods, and build∣ing about them, a very great Pile, they left onely thirty men to look to them, with strict charge, that when they were in fight with their enemies, if they saw any thing go cross or against them, they should first slay their wives and children, and then cast all the goods upon the Pile, and then put fire to it; and lastly, that they should either kill one another, or run desperately upon their ene∣mies weapons; from which amongst the Greeks all cruel and im∣mane Councels and Designs were called Phocica, or Phocensian. Things being thus ordered by the advice and counsel of Tellias, an Elian Prophet, they draw out against the enemy, and being reso∣lute, rush most desperately in amongst them, and being acted with utter desperation, plyed their hands so furiously, that they ob∣tained the most absolute and signal victory that ever any Age could boast of. Then was the Oracle plain and obvious to every ordi∣nary understanding. For according to their custome in War, the Generals on both sides gave to their Souldiers tesserae, or marks to be known by from the enemy, as we do our Watch-word. And these happened then to fall pat with the answer of Apollo: The Thessalians giving Etonia Minerva; and the Phocenses the Founder of their Country, Phocus.

[ 47] THe Lacedemonians having received the most healthfull and good Laws of Lycurgus, after his death being (as we say) prick'd with provender, and not content longer to enjoy their ease and quiet, puft with the conceit of being more noble then the

Arcadians, they consult Pythia, whether they might not attain the possession of that whole Kingdom to themselves entirely? To whom she returned this answer;

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Wouldst thou Arcadia have? a pretious boon, Yet I will grant many fruit-eaters soon Arcadia enter shall, these it impair; And this I grant thee, Thou shalt there a fair And plenteous harvest reap their Land about All rich, with fetters thou shalt measure out.

When the Lacedemonians had received this answer, they declined their assault of the rest of Arcadia, and onely set upon the Tegeates, taking fetters along with them, to wit, that having an Oracle to that purpose, they might bring the Tegeates into captivity; and so make use of their fetters. But having fought them, they them∣selves were vanquished, and those that came alive into the enemies hand, were fettered with those very ropes they had brought, and put to mow and till the Tagean Land, being restrained within the length of their fetters. Those very fetters remained in the Tem∣ple of Minerva Alea at Tegea, within the memory of man, being hung up as a Trophie for that victory. Herodotus, lib. 1.

[ 48] CLeomenes, King of the Spartans, consulting the Oracle at Del∣phos, had this answer, Eum Argos esse capturum; which runs either thus, That he should take Argos; or, That Argos should take him; or he the Argians: Which Oracle understanding in the more favourable sense, he was very confident of taking the City Argos: but when he had surrounded some Troop•• of the Argi in a Grove, and there burnt them, asking who was the Deity of that place? and being told it was A••gus, he complained, the Oracle had deluded him; and then quitted all hope of conquering Argos. Herodotus, lib. 6.

[ 49] PHilomelus the Phocensian, having taken the Delphick Oracle, began to compell Pythia to tell him something of the future event of the affairs of his Country; At whose imperious carriage the woman being much moved, said unto him, Sir, you may do what you please. At which words Philomelus very much rejoyced, ta∣king them as a most apt answer to his demands, and the prediction of his future successe; and presently hereupon gave out in writing, That the Gods had licensed him to do what he pleased; and after

the custome calling together the people, in a speech he made to them, expounded the Oracle, exhorting them to be of good cou∣rage for the future; and after this wholly bent his resolution and endeavours for military designs. There happened also a Prodigy in the Temple of Apollo, in this manner; An Eagle hovering over the roof, cast her self down to the very ground, and followed some Doves that were carried into the Temple, preying upon them at the very Altar; which those that pretended skill in matters of that nature, expounded, an undoubted token of the good successe of Phi∣lomelus and the Phocensians in the Delphic Warr; which lasted nine years dubious, but at last terminated with the destruction of the Phocenses. Diodor. lib. 16.

[ 50] CRoesus demanding of the Oracle at Delphos, Whether he should reign long, or no? received this answer from Pythia;

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Whenso'ere a mungril Mule shall have the Crown, Wanton well fed, shall frisk it up and down With's tender hoofs; then fly and make no stay To ask what is the news; away, away.

Craesus concluding with himself that there would never any Mule reign over the Medes instead of a Man, thence infer'd that his rule should be perpetuall: not understanding that by a Mule, was un∣derstood Cyrus; because he was descended of two severall Nations: his Mother Mandane being of a better extract then his father Cam∣byses. For she was a Mede, and Astyages the King his daughter; and he but a Persian when they were subject to the Medes. Herodotus lib. 1.

[ 51] ARcesilaus being driven from his Kingdome with his Mother Pheretima, being at Samos; sollicited all persons he could meet with in hope to regain his Country; and having got together a very considerable army; he sent to Delphos to consult the Oracle there about his return into his own Kingdome: to whom Pythia re∣turned this answer. During the time of four Battus's, and as many Arcesilaus's, to wit, eight Generations of men Apollo, hath granted thee to reign; and further dehorts thee to endeavour. And like∣wise perswades thee when thou art in thy own seat, to remain in peace; But if thou findest a furnace full of Pitchers or pots, be sure thou boil them not, but fling them out; and if thou dost fire the Furnace, take heed of entring a place that is compassed with water, for if thou dost, thou shalt perish, and the Bull do what he can. Arcesilaus taking those forces he had gathered in Samos, re∣turned to Cyrene, and having recovered his Kingdome, and some∣what

setled his affairs, not minding the Oracle, he called his ad∣versaries to Judgment, and those that he could lay hold on, he sent to Cyprus to be executed; whom the Cnidians when they were brought into their Countrey rescued, and sent them to Thera. Some that had privately conveyed themselves into a strong Tower-buil∣ding combustible matter round, he burnt the Tower and all. When he had done, he began to remember this was that the Ora∣cle had forbidden him, and went out of the City Cyrene fearing the death predicted, for he conceived Cyrene to be that circumflu∣ous place he was warned to avoid; and betook himself to the King of Barcaeans called Alazeris whose Neece he had married, where some as well Barcaeans as Cyrenean Exuls espying him walking in the forum set upon him, and divided both his and his Cosen Ala∣zeris heads from their bodies. Herodotus lib. 4.

[ 52] NEro Caesar being warned by some Mathematicians that the ru∣ine of his Empire was portended by the Stars, but some of them differ'd in opinion in one thing, and some in another, at last being sick, he sent to Delphos to be resolved what should be the fate of his state; and received in answer this, That he should beware of the 73. year. Which when he heard, being an inconsiderate man, and scarce above thirty; he so wholly gave himself up to se∣curity, that he feared nothing, concluding that the Oracle had promised him a peaceable reign during his whole life, and that he could not dye before the appointed year set down by the Oracle, in∣somuch that he arived to that height of insolence, vaine conceit, that having lost some precious jewells in a tempest; he was confident the fishes would export them to land for him, as they were in duty bound, in his conceit: With these fond extravagancies was he ele∣vated, even till on a sudden he was left destitute by all his friends and subjects, and forced to a most ignominous end, so well did Apollo's Counsell steed him. But least this father of lies should seem to deliver any untruth, the night before his death he made Nero hear a voice, cursing the name of Nero, and extolling that of Galba, that so he might understand it was by the will and instituti∣on of the Oracle that he fell; for Galba succeeded him for the space of seventy three years. Petrarcha ex Suetonio.

[ 53] Xerxes the Son of Darius, having dig'd up an old Monument of Belus, found an Urne of Glasse, in which a dead Corps lay in Oyl, but the Urne was not full, but empty a hands breadth from the hips of the body, near which there stood a little Pillar or column, on which was contained written, that it should go ill with him that opened the Sepulchre, and did not fill the Urne: which when Xerxes had read, he was taken with much dread and horrour, and commands presently Oyl to be powred into it, with which it was not full, he therefore commands again more Oyl to be bestowed upon it, and found that the Urne was nothing fuller, than before; yet he continues seeking to fill it, till he found that all

his labour was in vain, and then the Monument being shut, he de∣parts in great grief and sorrow, he had fifty myriads of men in an army designed against the Greeks, but returning▪ he miserably en∣ded his life, being kill'd by night in the streets by the hands of his own son. Aelianus ex Herodoti, lib. 3.

[ 54] SYlvester the second, formerly called Gilbertus, a French-man (as ••hey say) by evill arts obtained the Popedome. When he was a young man, he was a Monk in a Monastery of Florence scituated in the Aurelian Diocesse, but leaving the Monastery, the Devill followed him, to whom he wholly surrendred himself; he came to Hispalis a City of Spain to study, being very desirous of learning; in which he was so great a proficient, that in a short time, of a Scholler he became chief Master. Martinius testifies that Robert, King of France, and Lotharius, a man famous by Nobility and learn∣ing who was afterwards created Arch-Bishop of Senosenses were his Schollers; Gilbertus therefore, provoked by ambition and diaboli∣call desire of governing, first by largenesse and gifts, he obtained the Arch-Bishoprick of Rhemes, then of Ravenna, and lastly the Popedome it self, the Devill helping his endeavours herein, but upon this condition; That after his death he should be wholly his, by whose assistance he had got so great dignity; he moved the De∣vill to tell him how long he should continue Pope; the Enemy of mankind answering (as he is wont) ambiguously, If thou shalt not come near Jerusalem, thou shalt live long. When therefore in the fourth year and first Moneth of his Popedome the tenth day, he had sacrificed in the great Church of the Holy Crosse at Rome, he knew that by his fate he was to dye forthwith: he therefore repented and acknowledged his wickednesse before the people, and renouncing all ambition and diabolicall fraud, he exhorted all to a good and pious life.

[ 55] WHen the Boetians wasted the Sea-coasts of Attica, and the Athenians were about their expedition against Aegrina, there comes an Oracle from Delphos that the Aeginetians could not be hurt for thirty years; in the thirtieth year when the Aeginetians had dedicated a Temple to Aeacus that things might succeed with them, they began their war with them; but as they made violent war against them, so they received many losses and brought great detriment to themselves, and at the last were in great extremity when the Athenians heard of this Oracle, they likewise dedicated a Temple to Aeacus, which is now to be seen in their Market-place, but they thought they were not to forbear war for thirty years, which time they heard to be fatall, but that if they forbore war they should receive many wrongs from the Aeginetians. Herodotus lib. 5.

[ 56]

THe Wisedome of the Persian Magies and their skill in divina∣tion is kept in memory by many Monuments, who as they fore old many things, so they predicted by many secret signes the cruelty that Art••xerxes Ochus afterwards exercised against those he sub••ued, and the miserable slaughter that ensued, for when Ochus subdued the Government of the Persians, one of them advised a cer∣tain Magitian, one of the Eunuchs to observe (the Table being co∣vered) u••on what mea•• (amongst all that the Table was furnished with) the King should first lay his hands, who intentively mark∣ing Ochus with both his hands stretched out, with his right hand he hastily took to him a knife, and with the other the biggest loaf upon the Table, which with flesh upon the board he carved, and ate heartily and chearfully, these two Prophets hereupon conclu∣ded, that there would ensue during his reign, fruits of the Earth in great plenty, and a seasonable time to gather them, but frequent slaughters. Elianus lib. 2. et Diodor. lib. 17. Bibliothecae.

[ 57] AMongst the Pedasensians which live above Halicarnassus, it is reported that as often as any adverse fortune is ready to seize upon the Amphiensians (who live near that City) a huge beard sud∣denly groweth upon the chin of their chief Priest of Minerva the Goddesse, which happened twice amongst them. Herodo∣tus, lib. 8.

[ 58] BEleses a Chaldean, exhorted Arbares General of the Medes, to invade the Kingdome of the Babilonians, promising to him cer∣tain victory, which after two years, and much losse by slaughter given and received on both sides, undermining the City of Ninus King of Sardinapalus, he desperately burned the Kings Pallace, and obtained it. Diodorus, lib. 2. cap. 7.

[ 59] THales the Milesian, perceiving that the next year would be a very plentiful season for oyl, (by the rising of the seven Stars,) bargained afore-hand with his customers for all that years oyls at a greater rate, than otherwise, by reason of the great plenty, he could have sold them for. And likewise foreseeing the next year there would be a great scarcity, he aforehand bought up ma∣ny mens oyls at a cheap rate; and the year following sold them very dear, and thereby became rich. Fulgos. lib. 8. cap. 11. and others. Pliny ascribes this piece of Policy to Democritus, and sayes, That Sextius a Roman used the very same cunning at Athens. This man commanded his body, when he was dead, should be buried in a very obscure place of the Milesian fields, foreseeing that there should be a forum or common Mart erected there by the Romans. Plutarchus in Solone.

[ 60]

AT Mnesarchis the common Cryer Boetus was told by the Chaldaeans, that his son should be victor in Contentions. Wherefore he would have had his son become a Fencer. But afterwards he set to write Tragedies, and therein was indeed the victor of all others. Gellius, lib. 15. cap. 20. who relates it out of Theopompus.

[ 61] THe Birth-day of the Emperour Augustus fortuned to fall on that very time that Cataline's Cause of his Conjuration was a pleading in Court. And his Father Octavius staying a little lon∣ger than ordinary, excused himself, for that his Wife was newly brought to bed. P. Nigidius, then present, looking his birth-hour, is said to affirm, That then was born the Lord of the whole World. He being at Apollonia, went with Agrippa to Theogenes his Chamber; But when Theogenes had predicted most high things, as he thought, of Agrippa's birth-day, betwixt fear and shame, lest his destiny should prove inferiour, could hardly be perswaded to tell his Na∣tivity. And when he declared it, Theogenes is said to have danced about with joy, and to have worshipped him; which somewhat animated Augustus; so that he afterwards published his destiny, and stamped a Coyn, with the sign of Capricorn, in which he was born. Sabellicus, lib. 8. Ennead. 6. ex Suetonio.

[ 62] WHen Livia bore Tiberius, Scribonius the Mathematitian promised great matters; yea, and that he should reign one time or other; but without a regal diadem: For then you must understand, the power of Caesars was altogether unknown and unheard of amongst them. Suetonius.

[ 63] TIberius Caesar, that he might learn the Art of the Chaldeans had a teacher, one Thrasyllus. As often as he consulted about these kind of matters, he went into a private and out-house, suffering no one to be privy to his business, but one free-man onely. He was altogether unlearned, but of a robustious strong body, and had gone before him through roughs and craggs (for the house stood upon a rock); and this Thrasyllus his Art, Tiberius was resolved to try. For as he returned, if he suspected him of any fraud, he had resolved to precipitate him down a rock in his return, that there might no one remain privy to this his levity. After he had most exquisitely told Tiberius how he should be Emperour, and many other future events, he askt him, If he could calculate his own birth-day? He answered, Yes; and looking into his destiny, the more he look'd, the more he quak'd and trembled, and at last cryed out, That some eminent and imminent danger attended him. When Caesar saw this, he ran to him, embraced him, and told him what his danger was; promisi••g him, for that he knew it, he should be safe of it. On a time Tiberius as he was walking on the Sea shore with

him in much perplexity of mind, Thrasyllus advised him to be of good comfort, and hope better things; but when he grew so de∣jected, that he was almost ready to cast himself into the Sea, being in great fear of his father in law Augustus, Thrasyllus espying a Ship come sailing towards them, affirmed to him very confidently, That that very Ship brought him good tydings. The ship being put into the Haven, he received Letters from Augustus and Livia, whereby he was recalled to Rome, according to his hearts desire. Dion in Augusto.

[ 64] CLaudius the Emperour, a little before his death creating Con∣suls, predicted to them the moneth wherein he should dye; and having assured them of the very utmost limit of his time, in his last counsel he did obtest, that his sons should live brotherly and lovingly, commending them to the Senate, and professed it again and again to them that were present, (and who were very sorry, de∣siring the contrary) that he should dye as he had told them. Sue∣tonius.

[ 65] NEro being born early in the morning before Sun-rising, a cer∣tain Astrologer looking into the course of the Stars, said, That he should reign at Rome, but should kill his own Mother, which when Agrippina his Mother heard, she said, Let him kill me, so he may be Emperour. The event declares, that the Astrologer predicted truth. Xiphilinus in Nerone.

[ 66] AScletarion, a Mathematician, being brought to Domitian the Emperour, because he was so bold as to predict somewhat concerning his end; when he did not deny but he had reported those things which by his Art he foresaw: Domitius growing very angry, commanded him to tell him what his own end should be; and he told him, To be torn to pieces by dogs, and that very short∣ly. Whereupon he presently commanded him to execution, and that body his should be burnt to ashes, and that the ashes should be buried, to try the truth, or rather to disprove the falshood of his as∣sertions. But Fate would not be altered; for when the pile and all was prepared, an exceeding showr of rain came so violently, that all the executioners and company left the dead body by the pile; and, that while, the dogs came and tore it. Whilest he was at Supper, Latinus his Jester telling him this amongst the rest, of that dayes fables and conceits; he was so enra∣ged, as if from this time he had been past hope of life, and lay obnoxious to all the strokes of malevolent fortune. Sabellicus ex Suetonio.

[ 67]

DOmitian the Emperour, superstitiously given to Mathemati∣cal Predictions, and thereby being informed of the time of his death the day before he was killed, having fruit brought him as a Present, he commanded them to be set by, and kept till the next day; and saith, If I may, I will make use of them. And then then turning to them who were next to him, he saith; The Moon to¦morrow being in Aquarius will look red and bloody, which de∣monstrates some horrid wickedness, as all men throughout the World expect. He being advised by Mathematicians, to take heed of the fifth hour of that day, was solicitous to take their Judgment, What great mischance would come by reason thereof, who said, That it portended great mutation in the World. He therefore when that day came, sitting idly, and scratching a little Wart on his forehead, he broke it, so that some blood ran down his face; which seeing, he said, God grant I have no greater hurt then this. And enquiring what a clock it was? it was answered purposely, That it was the sixth hour; though it was the fifth hour, which he so much feared; whereupon thinking all danger past, he joyfully ri∣seth, intending to refresh his body: but instantly his Chamberlain Parthenius came to him, telling, he was to speak with one in his bed-Chamber upon an important business; whither coming, he received from him and his confederates seven wounds, whereof he dyed, in the fourty sixth year of his age, and fifteenth year of his reign. Sabellicus, lib. 4. Ennead. 7.

[ 68] HAdrian the Emperour was not onely excellent in other Arts, but also in Astronomy, which Marius Max. doth so far de∣clare, that he knew all things concerning himself; insomuch, that he foreshewed his Acts which he should perform every day, even to the last hour of his life. It is manifest, that he told Verus, whom he adopted, That the Fates shew to terrene creatures what shall be done, beyond which nothing can proceed here: He wrote to that very year, yea and the moneth of that year in which he departed, and shewed, that he could not out-live that moneth. Fulgosus, lib. 8. cap. 11.

[ 69] SEptimus Severus Pertinax is said to have been a most skilfull Ma∣thematician: When his wife Martia, the Mother of Bassia∣nus was dead, he calculated the Nativities of all about him, and finding that Julia, though not nobly descended, yet by the Planet under which she was born, it was signified, that she should be Em∣presse, he took her to wife, who was the Mother of Greta Valetera∣nus. The same man travailing towards Brittanie, told, That he should not thence return, and that in the roof of the Palace, in which he used to sit in Judgment; he left his predictions in wri∣ting, so that all men might see them wholly, except that part of them which treated of the hour of his birth. Xiphilinus Dionis Niraei abbreviator, in Severo.

[ 70]

A Certain Aegyptian from the Mendosian coast, comming to Con∣stantinople, went into an Inne, the hostesse whereof was a skil∣full Midwife, who assoon as she had drawn some Wine for her guest, tells him with an extended loud voice, that a friend of hers now in labour of her third child was in great danger unlesse she had speedy help, whereupon she suddenly left the Aegyptian, went and helped the woman from the misery of her travell or labour, and returns to her guest, who being angry for her absence, she relateth the cause of her stay. He exactly observed the time and hour of the day; Go, said the Midwife, and tell the Woman in childbed that she hath brought forth one that shall be able to do more then the Emperour; which said, she carouseth a whole bowl of Wine, and told what the Infant's name should be, and accordingly after∣wards he was named Ablabius: who had such excesse of fortune, that in the time of Constantine the Great, he was made Praetor, by which office he could do more then the Emperour. Eunapius, in vi∣ta Aedosii.

[ 71] TWo Jews, Astrologers and Magitians, promised Zira Prince of the Arabians, Empire and long life, if he would demolish the Christian Temples and Images of Saints, which he put in execution: but before a whole year came about, he died, and his Son intended to punish the Impostors, but they fly into Isauria (where Leo, who after Theodosius the third Emperour was cast down, was called Isaurus) they find a boy of mean birth, but endewed with a most excellent and towardly wit and genius; they tell him that he should be Emperour, and that so confidently, that they swore by many Oaths, that the event should answer their predicti∣ons, if he would but do what they desired; and he promised to do what ever they prescribed. Afterwards Leo obtains the Empire; in the ninth year after, they require the performance of his promise and seek nothing but that he will abolish the pictures of Christ and his Mother. The Emperour in observance of his promise puts down all Images, and heavily punished all that worshipped or kept them. Cuspinianus Zonara.

[ 72] SImon Prince of the Bulgarians, led his Army against the Crabats, and fighting them in narrow places betwixt Mountains, lost all his Army, a certain man named John, a Magitian and Astrono∣mer comes to Lucapenus the Roman Emperour, and adviseth him that he should send some body who might cut off the head or top of a Pillar which was placed over the Arch made in the remembrance of the Victory of Xerolophus, and over against the Sun-setting, pro∣mising that thereupon Simeon, (to whom it was fatall) should pre∣sently perish, and in the same hour the head of the statue was cut off (as it was afterwards found by diligent inquisition made) that Simeon died by the grief or sicknesse of his heart. Cedrenus.

[ 73]

Guido Maltraversus, Earl of Patavia, and Knight of Lucius, had a Son called Nicholas by Constantia the daughter of Obicius Marciones an Estensian, whom Jambonus Andreas, as well a Magiti∣an as an Astrologian, did predict a pernicious Citizen to his coun∣trey, and moved his Father if possibly he could to dis-inherit him. Guido dyes, whereby Nicholas becomes powerfull in Riches and credit, conspires with Canes Scaligerus, the destruction of his Coun∣trey: whereupon is raised a most bloudy war, in which as it is re∣ported, an hundred thousand men and upwards were slain. So the event proved the prophecy of Jambonus true. Bernhardus Scardoneus Blandus, lib. 8. Decad. 2.

[ 74] THe French men having to their Generall Guido Appius, and fighting against Martinus, besieged the Town of Livius, at that time when the Sicilians celebrated the French Vespers. Guido Bonatus, Prince of the Forolivensian Astronomers, and without doubt a Magitian also, foretold the Earl of Mount-ferrat, that the day before the Calends of May, he should make a sally contrary to the expectation of all men, whereby he should obtain most assuredly victory over his enemies, but that he should receive a wound in his hip; and being a skillfull Physitian and Surgion, he took with him Ovalls, Glisters, and necessary things with him to bind up his wound, when he sallied out against the Enemy; nor was the event contrary to this presage, for the French were overthrown. Platina in Martino. 4. Blandus lib. 8. Decad. 2.

[ 75] ANtiochus Tibertus excellent in Chiromancy, P••romancy, and Physiognomy at Cresena, foretold to Guidon a servant, whose sirname was Guerra, that upon suspition of infidelity, he should be killed by his intimate friend; To Pandulph the Tyrant he also told that he should be banished to Malatesta in Armenia, should in ex∣tream poverty dye a banished man; and not long after Pandulphus killed Guidon, for that he was jealous of his fidelity; and commits Antiochus himself to Prison, that he might try the event of his pre∣sages. Antiochus so far prevailed with the daughter of the Jaylour that he obtained of her a rope, by which he was let down out of the Prison into a Ditch, but being by the noise of his shackles disco∣vered, he was taken as he was flying away, and brought back hea∣vily beaten for his escape, and he and the maid both secured. At length Pandulphus, a banished man, poor and forsaken of all men, died in a poor Inne. So many things were portended to befall Ti∣berius himself, which notwithstanding his warning, he could by no means avoid. Jovius, in Elogiis.

[ 76] PEtrus Leonius of Spoleto, a famous Physician who first opened a dore to the learned Art of Physick publishing Galen's most studious labours therein, he was a most dexterous Astronomer and Magitian, and therefore knowing that his sudden death was por∣tended

to him by the danger of water to avoid frequent Navigati∣ons, he departed from Petavius and the Venetians to Umbra and Spoleto; Shortly after being invited to the company of Lawrence a Physitian, he by the fallacious Art of Astronomy predicted to him recovery of his health and present deliverance from a sicknesse, under which he grievously laboured, which made him neglect all means to obtain his former health by rejecting Lazarus Placentinus an illustrious Physitian, who sent to him by Lewis Sfortia, brought Physick to him, when it was too late by reason of his neglect. Wherefore Antiochus blamed and hated of all men after the death of Lawrence, whether by his own desperate action, or by the vio∣lence of Peter the Son of this Lawrence it is uncertain, he was pre∣cipitately drowned in a stinking ditch belonging to a Town near adjacent. Jov. in Elogiis.

[ 77] BArtholomaeus Cocles, a Bononian. Scholler to Antiochus, and a most exquisite Palmist and Physiognomist, warn'd Goricus the Astrologer, that he should beware, lest he suffered most violent tortures when he was at Leucas. But he not minding his advice in his Ephemerides that a little after he made, predicted, that Joannes Bentovolus should be thrust both out of his Country and Go∣vernment, for which the Tyrant caus'd him to be five times tossed in a cord; And so he received the reward of his Art. This same Cocles told one Coponus, that he would very shortly commit a most horrid murder; and also told Hermes the King's son, That he should be banished and kill'd in fight. Hermes therefore commands Coponus to kill Cocles his evil Prophet. Cocles foresaw his danger of death by his art, and therefore wore a private helmet to defend himself, and alwayes carried a great two-handed sword. But Co∣ponus in the habit of a Porter (whilest he was earnest in unlocking his door, which Coponus had before prevented, by putting a little wire into the lock, that he might have the better opportunity for his design) beat out his brains with an Ax: and being questioned for it, alledged no other thing for the fact, but that he was incited thereto by Cocles his own self, telling him that he must be a mur∣therer, and nothing else. Jovius in Elogiis.

[ 78] A Certain Astrologer in the Court of Frederick the second, Em∣perour, much reverenced Rodolphus the Haspurgensian Earl with exceeding observance, though he had but a mean estate, and valued not at all men far more potent; and being demanded a reason thereof by the Emperour; he answered, I know that Ro∣dolphus shall be Emperour, and when thy Issue shall decline, his renown shall be spread abroad far and near, though he be esteemed by few at this time: Neither did his presage want a true event, for in the year of our Lord, 1273. in the Calends of October, he was chosen King of the Romans by the Princes of Germany at Franckford, when he besieged the Pallace. Cuspianus, in Caesaribus.

[ 79]

WHen the Mathematicians looked into the Geniture of the Great Sfortia, and observed the excellent positure of the Stars, and their admirable sites and aspects they predicted to him, High Empire, immortal glory, and a happy off-spring: but at length they added, That he should not attain old age, but should perish by an untimely death. Jovius, in ejus vita.

[ 80] BRaccius, the excellent Montenensian Duke, seeing the body of his Enemy, Sfortia the Great, drowned in the River of Piscaria, fell a praising the dead man with most exquisite Encomiums, which of right belonged to him: but he not being freed from so great danger of a present battle, shewed to his Souldiers a more cheerful countenance; because he, being conscious of a fatal se∣cret, had learned from Astrologers, that Sfortias indeed was to go before, as taken with a violent death, but a little after himself al∣so, as it were with the like lot, should undergo the same fortune of departure: He scarce lived over the fifth moneth, when as for thirteen moneths space, making assault at Aquila; and it being in vain besieged, at length in a memorable battel, being overcome and slain by the sword of the Sfortian Souldier, he fullfilled both the truth of the Stars, and many prophets. Jovius, in the life of Sfortias.

[ 81] UNto Uladislaus Jagellon, King of the Polanders, Sophia his wife brought forth sons, Uladislaus and Andrew Casimir; There was at Cracovia, Henry a Bohemian, a famous Astrologer, and studious of Magick; this man foretold, That an Infant new born, should be long-lived, but unfortunate; and that he reigning, Poland should be afflicted with great evils and calamities: but his brother Ula∣dislaus was to be most famous, and most victorious: and unlesse Nature's destinies should envy a longer life to him, he should com∣mand many Nations. Both which things the issue afterwards pro∣ved; For Uladislaus, who was chosen King of Poland, and King of Hungary, being slain at Varna by the Turks, in the 20th year of his age, gave not satisfaction to this famous hope. But Casimir, who succeeded his brother in the Kingdom of Poland, reigned 45 years, lived 64, was bent rather on the Lituanian huntings, than on the Common-wealth. Cromér. book 19. & 29.

[ 82] BAsil, a Mathematician, but most certain soothsayer, a certain Greek, foretold the murder of Alexander of Medicis, Duke of the Florentines, to be committed by Laurence Medices, his near kinsman; he not onely shewed him the murder, but also the cer∣tain smiter, who should be intimate with him, of a slender form, of a boxy-coloured countenance, and of a doubtfull silence, almost not keeping company at all with others in the Court. Also unto Cosmus of Medices they promised for certain, forasmuch as in the very marking the hour of his birth, he had a happy Star of Capri∣corn,

as once Augustus, enlightned with a wonderfull aspect of Stars agreeing together, it should come to passe, that he should increase in a wealthy inheritance. Alexander indeed hearing it, and Cosmus smiling, when as a great number of his kindred was to be consumed by death, before any, even a small inheritance, could come unto him. Jovius.

[ 83] JOhn Liechtenberg, in the yearly predictions of his Ephemeris, as I may so say, admonished the Prince of Bavaria, in a serious man∣ner, both by writing and painting, that a Lyon should seek hiding places for fear of an Eagle. He despised it; but not long after he was assaulted with a grievous Warr by Maximilian the Emperour. Agricola in Germane Proverbs.

[ 84] PAul Farnese the 3d, chief Bishop, seeing he was most skillfull in Astrology and Magick, writeth to his son, Peter Aloyse, who had by force entred on the tyrannical Government of Placentia and Parma, that he should beware of the tenth day of September, of the year 1547, as unlucky to him. The father indeed could warn, but the son could not avoid the danger; but by Conspirators, Augustine Landus, and James Scott, Earls of Placentia, in his own Castle, under pretence of talk, he was slain; and being a long time hung up by the privy parts, he was exposed to be cruelly torn in pieces by the people. Sleidan. 19 book of Commentaries.

[ 85] THere was a Town of the Xanthians, that had a bridge laid over the small River Lycus, in which were said to have been brazen Tables, wherein letters were ingraven. The Empire of the Per∣sians was sometime to be overthrown by the Graecians. The tables with the bridge being shaken down, a little before that it was fought at Granicum by Alexander the Great, they had fallen into the channel of the River: Alexander being much moved at the report of the tables, when as for some time he had stood doubtful, into which part he might chiefly bend the course of victory, tur∣ning to the right hand, he subdued with wonderfull speed all the Sea-coast from Lydia even into Phaenicia. Sabellicus book 4. Ennead. 4. out of Plutarchs Alexander.

[ 86] IN the second Carthagenian war, besides many things seen and heard, which were accounted instead of wonders; a verse or song of Martius being curious, and sounded at the same time, brought the greatest care to the City. That being by a most true event proved, gave no doubtfull credit of the things that were to be. He had written, who ever that Martius was; O thou Trojan born, flee thou Cannae the River of Romana, neither let strangers constrain thee to joyn in battell in the field of Diomedes: but neither shalt thou believe me, untill thou shalt fill up the field with bloud and the River shall bring down many thousands of thine slain out of a fruitfull land, into the great Sea for fishes and birds and wild

beasts which inhabit the Earth, unto these let thy flesh be for meat. Because these things were in great part represented before the eyes of men (for the common sort were acquainted both with the fields of Diomedes, and when they had fought at Canna) there was the greater care of procureing another Verse; which was written in these words: Ye Romane enemies, if ye will drive away the impo∣stume, which commeth from far Nations, I Judge, playes are to be vowed to Apollo, the which let them be faithfully done every year to Apollo, when the people shall give a part in publique, let private persons prepare to use them for them and theirs. Over these sports the Praetor or Major shall be chief, he who shall admi∣nister the greatest right to the people and the multitude. And let the ten chief men, or Decemviri after the custome of the Greeks perform holy things by sacrifice. These things if ye shall rightly do, ye shall alwayes rejoyce, and your affairs shall wax better, for that God shall put out the stubborn enemy, which feedeth pleasant∣ly on your fields. This verse being openly interpreted, sports were vowed to Apollo, and solemnized in a Circle. Sabellic. book 4. En∣nead. 5.

[ 87] PRocopius the Tyrant being slain by Valens the Emperour, the Walls of Chalcedon (because the Citizens of that City had fa∣voured Procopius his party) were made equal with the ground. The which while it was done, they found a table of stone in their foun∣dations, on which these words were written:

When Nymphs shall nigh the holy City dance, And wayes adorn'd with garlands; and by chance, After the wretched walls for placing baths Shall be converted, burning in maddish wrathes, A thousand shapes of men for greedy prey From divers Nations thou shalt see (I say) With forces strong, alas, to go beyond The Istrian and Cimmerian Sea-ey bond, Then Scythick people, then the Maesian Land Shall be destroy'd with slaughter's bitter hand. When at the length unto the Men of Thrace The covetous lust of gain leading a Trace; The cruel barbarism shall make a breach, It shall be quenched by lot's partial reach.

This Prophecy was not then understood, but was afterward fulfill∣ed, when Valens had built a conveyance for water, and had brought abundance of waters to the City. For, the walls being overthrown, he made use of the stones for the conveyance of the water, which he called Valense by his own name, that he might gratifie the Townesmen, and the baths might be holpen by this bringing of water, although some called them Constantius his baths. At length, Clearch, Governour of the City, in a place whose name

is Taurus, afterward called, The street of Theodosius, built Nym∣phaeam, or a washing-place, that he might shew the grace and pleasantnesse of the water brought in. By these buildings, the stony tabl••s signified the coming even now, of the Barbarians, who in Thrace it self, after destructions or robbings of the people made, were all slain. Cuspinian, in Valens.

[ 88] IN the sixth year of Justine the Great: the City Edessa was mi∣serably defiled with uncleannesse; and of the River Scirtus, and in the bank of the River a Table of stone found, written on, in Hie∣roglyphical or mystical Aegyptian letters to this purpose:

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

That is,

The River Scirtus shall dance or leap for the mischief of the Citizens. Cedrenus.

[ 89] UNto Alexander the Great going out of India to Babylon, Near∣chus Admiral of the Navy, who had returned from the Ocean, being carried into Euphrates, sheweth him, that certain Chaldeans had gathered themselves together, who warned him, that he should abstain from Babylon. He being nothing moved, went for∣ward notwithstanding, where he perished. Plutarch, in Alexan∣der.

[ 90] WHen L. Vitellius for the favour of Herod the Tetrarch, would lead an Army against the Arabians, they report, Aretas, King of the Arabians, (news being received of the dispatch of Vitellius,) to have gathered by sooth-sayings, that it was im∣possible for that Army to have come to the rock. For one of the Captains was first to dye, either he which may prepare the War, or he by whose command it may be provided, or him against whom it is to be moved. Neither was the divination vain. For when Vitellius was as yet at Jerusalem, a message being brought con∣cerning Tiberius Caesar his death, he made the Expedition void. Josephus, book 18. chap. 7.

[ 91] APollonius an Aegyptian, foretold the death of Caius Caligula, Emperour of the Romans, who for that cause being sent to Rome, was brought to Cuius that day, in which he was to dye the death. Xiphiline, the abbreviatour of Dio, in Caligula.

[ 92] APollonius the Tyanean, the son of Jupiter, foretold, That Cilix, a certain man beyond measure lascivious, should be killed on the third day; and that so fell out. Philostratus, in his life.

[ 93]

LArginus Proclus foretold openly in Germany, That Domitian, Em∣perour of the Romans, was to dye the death; on which day he departed out of life. And when for this cause, by him who was chief over the Province, he was sent to Rome, he then also affirmed it should be so. Therefore he was condemned for a capital matter. But Domitian nevertheless could not escape the danger of life, be∣cause on the same day he was killed. Xiphiline.

[ 94] JUlian, Emperour, moving against Constance, pierced Illyricum, daily espying the intrails of beasts and birds, that he might con∣template of the issue. At which time a certain Souldier lifting up the intrails with his hand, being fallen flat on the ground, he cryed out, many hearing him, The Trojane was fallen, Constance should dye with the Mopsocrenians in Cilicia. The which, he saith, should be by and by verified from Ambassadours. Cuspinian.

[ 95] ALexander Severus, Emperour, when as he spake unto his Army in France, desiring to begin his speech from a lucky word, for∣tune brought a contrary one, the which was received as an evil to∣ken; for he began, Heliogabalus the Emperour being slain, begin∣ing his speech from the Emperours death. But when from thence he went unto the Persian War, an outragious woman spake these words in the French tongue; Go thy way, neither promise victory to thy self, neither rely thy self on the faithfulnesse of thy Souldiers. That which was rightly told, the event taught, he himself not long after being killed by his Souldiers. Fulgosus, in book 1. chap. 3.

[ 96] A Certain woman meeting the two Maximines in the Julian Mar∣ket-place, (when they came against the Senate with an Army) with her hair spread abroad, and a black garment, calling on the Maximines with a great voyce, fell down dead before their feet. After a few dayes, the Army slew the Maxinines in the same place.

[ 97] WHen Dioclesian, as yet warring in lesser places, stayed at Tungrim in France, in a certain Tavern, and had familiar company with Druys a certain woman, and she blamed the niggardlinesse of the man, he is reported to have answered in jest, not in earnest, Then he would be liberal, when he should be Empe∣rour. To these words she saith, Do not jest, O Dioclesian, plainly thou shalt be Emperour, and also thou shalt kill a Boar. Which word indeed of the woman, he taking in the room of a-fore token, began diligently to follow wild Boars in hunting; not understanding, to wit, the riddle of the Prophecies, which the issue afterward de∣clared. For Numerian, Emperour, had been slain by the faction of Arrius [Aper] which signifies a Boar. Which thing being brought to light, the Souldiers chose Dioclesian the revenger, and with

one accord salute him Emperour. He therefore after an assembly had; whereby he might fulfill the saying of Druys, thrusts Aper thorow with his own hand; adding that of Maro —

Aeneae manu dextrâ cadis —

Thou fall'st (thou dost not stand) By great Aeneas his right hand. Cuspinian.

[ 98] ZEno Emperour of Constantinople, asked some secrets of Marian, a most wise Earl, Who should succeed him in the Empire? He answered, One of the Silentiaries shall take thy Empire and Wife; but me thou shalt unjustly kill. Both of these the end pro∣ved in its time.

[ 99] AGilulph, Duke of the City Taurina, when as he brought unto Authar King of the Longobards, his Bride Theodelinda, the daughter of the King of Boiaria, had a Sooth sayer with him, who by the stroak of a Thunder bolt foretold unto him, that a lit∣tle after, he should enjoy the Bride her self, and the Kingdom: and that thing the issue proved to be true. For Authar being killed in War, Agilulph succeeded him in his Kingdom and wedlock. Paul Deacon, of the deeds of the Longobards, chap. 14.

[ 100] ANtonine the son of Sosipater and Eustathius the Cappadocian, had a school at Canobicum the door of Nilus. He foretold to his Schollars, that after his death the Temples of Serapis (a god of the Egyptians) should be overthrown. The event confirmed the prophesie, under Theodosius the Emperour. Eunapius, in Aedesio.

[ 101] REmex a certain Rhodian, being estranged or angry in his mind, began to witness with a loud voyce, that before the thirtieth day there should be very great slaughters and robberies at Dyrrha∣chium in Greece, and fire and flight, but the Navy it self to return home. When Cn. Pompey, who being Pretor, was chief over the Navy, had heard that, and had told it unto three men, Cicero, Varro, and Cato, all being moved; also some of them are said to be ex∣ceedingly affrighted. But the space of a few dayes coming be∣tween, Labienus fleeing out of the battel in Thessaly brought news of the overthrow of the Legions, and that the Army of Pompey was scattered in a great battel; by and by the publique corn was snat∣ched out of the barns, and scattered abroad through the whole City; they that were there, having departed with a headlong flight, were both forsaken by the Rhodians, and being unwilling to follow, the ships were burnt.

[ 102]

PRocopius in his third book of the Vandall-war sheweth, that there was wont to be an old Proverb tossed up and down in Carthage by the children, that Gamma should sometimes persecute Beta, and again, Beta, Gamma. I think the childrens sport to have looked hi∣therto, that between neighbours there might oftentimes rise dis∣cord. But this childish saying was wrested unto the event of things, because Genserick King of the Vandalls had expelled Boniface. Afterwards Belisarius, Gilimer. The Proverb arose, not from what happened, but was a Riddle of the Carthagenian Children, as an Oracle of that which happened afterwards. Erasmus, in his adagies.

[ 103] THere stood Tombs in the Leuctrian field, of the daughters of Scedasus, which they call Leuctrides from the place. For by chance, when they were by force ravished by the Spartan-guests, they had been buried in that place. That so cruell and wicked act being committed, their father having wished for curses on the Spartans, when he could nor by request obtain revenge from Lacede∣mon, stabbed himself upon their Sepulchres. From thence the Prophesies and Oracles daily foretold the Spartans they should avoid and turn away the Leuctrian revenge by the gods. But that thing many did not so understand, but doubted of the place, because also a little Town placed on the shore of Laconia is named Leuctron. Besides there is a neighbouring place of that name in Megalopola of Arcadia. At length the Lacedemonians being in the Leuctrian field of Baeotia over come with a most cruell slaughter by the Thebanes, lost their rule. Plutarch in the life of Pelopidas.

[ 104] THere was with M. Anthony [the triumvir or] one of the three chief men of Rome, a certain Magitian of Aegypt, who had of∣ten moved Anthony that he might withdraw himself from Octavius Thy fortune (saith he) O Anthony, is of it self famous and large, but when it cleaves to Octavius, it is continually blunted. Thy daemon or spirit feareth his Genius or Angell: and when as it is of it self high and chearfull, yet at the approach of this, it is made low and fearfull. He the more easily gave him credit, because whether by lots, or pairs of Cocks and Hens, or Quails committed to hand; Anthony was alwaies inferiour to Octavius. He therefore being stirred with these things, going with Octavia, from whom he had already begotten a little daughter out of Italy, sailed unto Athens. Sabellicus in his ninth book, Ennead. 6.

[ 105] MOst antient Prophets had sung, It was wickednesse for Ro∣mane weapons to go beyond Ctesiphon a Town, and the Cap∣tains that dared to do it, were to receive punishment. They think M. Crassus purposing that thing, to have perished with his Army. M. Ulpius having attempted to go beyond Trajanum, recovered not Italy, and to have lost five Provinces on the other side Tygris present∣ly, and he had been better not to have undertaken the journey, he

wasted, and almost consumed his legions of Souldiers with long pains. And although the Conquerour drew out his bounds far∣ther, yet he profited not much; desiring to go beyond Ctesiphon, Tygris being overcome, Valerian was taken by Sapor King of the Persians. But Odenatus Palmyrene, a conquerour of Romane Maje∣sty, came beyond Tygrim, even to Ctesiphon. Carus, Emperour, led the Army of Probus, a large conquerour, from the Sarma••ian Warr into Persia, he wasted the Enemies Kingdom, he vanquished Se∣leucia compassed about with Euphrates, the which Aelius, the true Antonine, had in times past taken. And then he requiring or as∣saulting Ctesiphon, and willing to proceed farther, either a disease, or the stroak of a thunder-bolt in a troublesome and lightning hea∣ven took him away. Cuspinian.

[ 106] SYbill prophesied of the destruction of Antichrist:

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Again, he then an evill time shall see, When his own Net will his destruction bee.

Some understand by the snare or net, the place, wherein Antichrist is to be choaked. Theodore Bibliander, a most learned man, of the Art of Printing, whose matter is flax steeped and glewed together, to wit, paper, with this flax Antichrist shall be dispatched, be∣cause it is that in which the holy Gospel of Christ, and all the Prophets (being written together) are contained: by whose autho∣rity, as it were, by the breath of Christ's mouth, the three-headed Beast shall be brought to destruction.

[ 107] PSammeticus took away Tementes, King of Aegypt. The god Am∣mon had answered Tementes, asking counsel of the Oracle con∣cerning the Kingdom; That he should beware of the Cocks. Psam∣meticus using familiarly Pigritatus, a Carian, when he had known from him, that the first or chief Carians put Cocks on the top of their heads, he understood the mind of the Oracle, and hired a great multitude of Carians, and led them toward Memphis, and pitched his Camps beside the Temple of Isis, in the Pallace, which was distant from the City five furlongs: and a fight being begun, he got the victory. From these Carians, a certain part of Memphis was called Caro-memphites. Polynaeus, book 7. & Herodotus.

[ 108] SYbill foretold, That the warlike glory of the Macedonians got∣ten, Philip the son of Amyntas reigning, in the times of another Philip should go backward:

The glory of Macedon's people, of Arcadia's Kings, What Philip reigning, sometimes profits, sometimes losses brings.

For one, the greater of the two, his Captains shall impose On people strange and Cities, but (forsooth) by Western foes: The lesse shall tamed be in years to come, and by and by Illustrious honours he shall lose by Eastern destiny.

For the Romans, who are to the West, by the ayd of Attalus, and the Mysians, who lye toward the rising of the Sun, deprived Per∣seus the son of Philip, both of his Kingdom and life. Pausanias, in Achaick affairs.

[ 109] UNder Boleslaus the chaste Prince of the Polanders, in the Ter∣ritory of Cracovia, a certain Man-child having teeth, on the same day in which he was born, spake distinctly, and point by point, untill being a young beginner in Christian Religion, he lost both his teeth, and the use of speech. But another six moneths old in the City of Cracovia, spake, That the Tartarians should come; and he foretold, they should cut off the heads of the Polonians: and being asked, he answered, he knew that thing from God, and that evil hung over his own head also; which after the twelfth year came to passe.

[ 110] HAl•• Abenragell, makes mention, That in the King's Pallace he saw an Infant bor••, which, scarce as yet twenty four hours were finished, began to speak, and make signs with the hand. At which thing the King being exceedingly astonished, a greater mi∣racle happened: For he saith, The King standing by, and my self also with many others, the Infant cryed out, saying, I am unhap∣pily born to disclose the losse of the Kingdom, and the destruction and desolation of the Nation. Which words being pronounced, he fell down dead. Coelius, book 29. chap. 14.

[ 111] PHerecides the son of Bades, a Syrian, a heater of Pittacus, walking on the Samian shore, when he had seen a certain Ship running with full sayls, he foretold, That a little after, it should be sunk; and it happened, he beholding it. Laertius and Apollonius in their History of wonderful things. Also Apollonius the Tyanean, having gotten a Vessel fit enough to sail in, when he had reached Leucas, about to go to Achaia, Let us go down, saith he, out of this Ship. But she, although then quiet, a little after was overwhelmed. Phi∣lostratus. Mithridates besieging Cyzicum, Aristagoras said, he had received from Minerva, that he being a pleasant singer, would bring the Trumpeter into the Lybick Sea, therefore he bade the Citizens to be of good courage. And straightway the South-wind blowing more strongly, Mithridates his Navy was troubled, and their warlike Engines for the most part cast asunder. Coelius, book 20. chap. 24.

[ 112]

THey tell, that Pherecydes sometimes thirsting in the Island Scy∣rus, desired water from one of his Schollars; the which when he had drank, he pronounced, That after three dayes there was to be an Earthquake in that Island; which saying, as the end pro∣ved it true, he brought back great glory. Apollonius, History of Won∣ders.

[ 113] GLaucus the son of Epicydides, a Spartan, when as he had recei∣ved a great sum of money from Milesius, a guest, under the name of a depositum or pledge, and after his death, his sons had re∣quired the money. Glaucus after four moneths avouched, that he would give an answer. In the mean time he enquired of the Oracle at Delphos, Whether by denying (through a suborned oath) the money laid up with him, he should make a gain? Pythia an∣swered;

It may indeed, for bold-fac'd Glaucus, turn to present gain, Thus by an oath to conquer, and by robbery to detain The moneys. Afterward 'tis death to swear, but he the man That consciously regards an oath, sustaineth with his hand. But of the oath the Lad is alway mindful, neither hee With hands nor feet as swift doth make approach, but if of thee He taketh hold, will all thy house and progeny destroy, But th'after stock of swearer just, shall better things enjoy.

Glaucus being affrighted with that answer, prayed for pardon or leave. But Pythia affirmed, the same is to tempt God, and to do it. Glaucus indeed being returned home, restored the money to the young men of Milesim, but not long after, his whole house and off∣spring was wholly put out. Herodotus, book 6.

[ 114] ALphonsus, King of Arragon and Sicily, besieged Neapolis; a certain man came to him of a reverend countenance, and foretold, that he should conquer the City about the Calends of June; but not much after, a doubtfull battle was to be, in which the Captain should be taken, perswading him, that he would not commit himself to so great danger. The former part of the Pro∣phecie was true; For on the 4th of Nones of June, he reduced the City into his power. A little after being about to fight in battle against Anthony at Caudola, in the Campanian field, his friends dis∣swading him, and objecting unto him the Prophesie; he answer∣ed; Death indeed will not affrighten a valiant man, much lesse doubtfull Oracles. A battel being made, he was overcome and taken at Caudola, Aen. Sylv. book 2. Com. on Panormitan's Alphon∣sus.

[ 115]

AGathius in his second book of the Gothish War, saith, that, the Germanes to have used sometime women for Prophetesses; like∣wise with a most true event: Plutarch in Caesar calls them holy wo∣men; and they guessed at things to come, by the whirlpools, and noyse of Rivers. Coelius, book 18. chap. 20.

[ 116] ABaris the son of Seuthias a divine of the Hyperboreans, or those above the North-wind, wrote Oracles in the Countries which he wandred thorow, which are at this day extant. He also foretold earth-quakes, Plagues, and the like, and heavenly things. They say when he had come to Sparta, that he warned the Laconi∣ans of turning away evills by holy things, which things being fini∣shed, no Plague afterward was at Lacedemon. Apollonius in Hist. of Wonders.

[ 117] AeDesius the son of Chrysanthius a Philosopher of Sardis had a body so nimble, that it exceeded the belief of all and was plainly carried up on high. There was such a nearnesse to him with a god. that there was no need of a Crown of bayes to be placed on his head, but true Oracles, and framed to the proper likenesse of a spi∣rit blown up by a power. He onely beholding the Sun, would powre forth speech, although he neither knew the Law or or∣der of Verses, nor yet well knew the Rules of Grammar. Euna∣pius.

[ 158] THere is at Sparta, before the Altar of Augustus, in the Market place a brazen portrayture of Agias. They say this Agias to have divined unto Lysander that he should conquer the na∣vy of the Athenians at the River Aegos, besides 10. Gallies with Oares, which by flight betook themselves into Cyprus. Pausan. in La••on.

[ 119] PHilumena a soothsaying maid, whose familiarity Apelles the he∣retick, or as some will, Severus used. To this maid the Devill by an Apparition, in the habit of a boy answered; sometimes say∣ing, he was Christ, sometimes Paul. He also wrought miracles, amongst which that is a chief, that he cast a great loaf of bread in∣to a glasse-viall of a most narrow mouth: and lifted him up with the tops of his fingers unhurt, and with that bread alone, as with meat given her from God, he said she should be contented. Augu∣stine is witnesse.

[ 120] THe same blessed Augustine in his first book against the Aca∣demicks, delivereth that there was a man at Carthage; by name Albigerius, of a reproachfull life▪ who had known all se∣crets, so that when he was asked a question by a Scholler of Ro∣mantian, unto whom Augustine writeth for trialls sake, what thing he though of? He answered, a Verse of Virgil. when he was again

asked by the same Scholler what Verse? he repeated that. Cardane of diversenesse of things, Book 8. ch. 43.

[ 121] ISaac Angell, Emperour of the Greeks, going to Radaestum, a Sea-City, came to Basilacius, a man of an unaccustomed life, and who had obtained that opinion amongst all, as that he could foresee and foretell things to come. He uttered words confused, disagree∣ing among themselves, and doubtfull. The paps of women com∣ming to him being searched, and their Ankles handled, he drew out dark Oracles or speeches, and to many questions he answered nothing, and finished his divinations with runnings to and fro, and mad gestures. There stood little old women by him, his kins-wo∣men, who explained to those that asked Counsell, what those be∣haviours of Basilacius might foreshew of things to come, and inter∣preted his silence as a wise speech. He answered nothing to the Emperours saluting him, neither gave he thanks by a silent nod of his head, but leaping hither and thither like a mad man, cursed those that came to him. Constantine of Mesopotamia, especially who was then most familiar with Isaac. At length with a walking staffe which he carried in his hands, the eyes of the Emperours Image, which was painted in the wall of his privy Chamber of speaking, being scraped out, he also endeavoured to take the cap off from his head. The Emperour despising him as a doting or ra∣ving person returned. But not long after, he was by his brother Alexius deprived of both eyes and Empire, and the opinion of Basi∣lacius was confirmed, the which had been at the first uncer∣tain and doubtfull in many things. Nicet. book 3.

[ 122] HEctor Boethius in the Scottish affairs saith, it was a common re∣port, that Merline was begotten by the copulation of a spirit called Incubus, and a British woman of a Noble bloud, of whom Vincent. in 21. book History 30. thus telleth. King Vortiger, coun∣sell being taken what he ought to do for defence of himself, com∣manded cunning workmen to be called unto him, who should build a most strong Tower. But when as the Earth swallowed up their works, they perswaded the King, that he should search out a man without a father, with whose bloud the stones and morter might be sprinkled, as if by that means the morter would be made firm. Therefore the young man Merline by name, was found, who with his Mother is brought before the King, who confesseth he was conceived by a spirit in Mans shape. This Merline reveal∣ed many dark things, and foretold things to come. For he opened that under the foundation there was a lake, under the Lake two Dragons lay hid, whereof one being red, did signify the people of the Brittains, but the other being white, of the Saxons: and he also prophesied, that Aurelius Ambrose, Hengist being overcome, and Vortiger burnt, should reign. Vier. b. ••. ch. 46. of the Delu∣sions of Devills.

[ 123]

Coelius writeth, there was in his Countrey a poor desolate wo∣man in a low or obscure place named Jacoba, out of whose belly he himself (and indeed an innumerable company of others, not onely at Rodigium, but also almost all Italy) heard the voice of an unclean spirit, very small in deed, but yet, when he would, di∣stinct, and altogether to be understood; when as the mind of the great ones that was greedy of that which was to come, desired of∣tentimes this belly-speaking woman to be sent for, and stripped of all her cloathing, lest any thing of secret deceit should lye hid. The name of the Devill was Cincinnatulus. He much delighting in this name, a little after answered to one calling for him. If thou shalt demand of things past and present, what things might be most hidden, he gave oftentimes wonderfull answers. If of things to come, alwaies most false. But also his ignorance he sometimes more truly discovered by an uncertain muttering or humming. Coelius Book 8. ch. 10. of old readings.

[ 124] ADrian Turneb, the Kings professour of the Greek tongue, testi∣fied that he saw Peter Brabantius a crafty man, very like to Eu∣riclus Aristophanes: who as often as he would, so often he spoke from the nethermost part of his body with unmoved lips: and by this imposture or cousenage of the Devill, he blinded the eyes of many in many places. For when he would be love-sick, for a certain beautifull maid of Paris, nor could perswade her mother, that he might espouse her to himself; at length when they willingly and on both sides talk together of this matter, he uttereth a voice out of his body, in which the dead husband of the poor woman seemed to complain of the greatnesse of the punishments, which he should endure in Purgatory for the mistrustfullnesse of his Wife, because she denyed her daughter so often desired by Brabantius a most ex∣cellent man, with which complaints she being affrighted, and pit∣tying her Husband, assented to the request of the Knave: who not∣withstanding, it sufficiently appeared, sought not so much after the daughter, as a dowry appointed her by her Father in his will. For six Moneths after, when as he had wasted the maids goods, the wife and Mother in Law being left, he fled away to Lugdunum. There he had understood, that a certain Merchant and very rich banker dyed. Who seeing he was accounted a most unjust man, for that he had scraped together all things by right and wrong in his life time, he commeth to his Son Cornutus, his onely heir, walk∣ing in a Porch behind the Church-yard, and intimates that he was sent thither that he might teach him what was needfull for him to do. But while he saith he was to think rather of his father's Soul and good name than of his death, while they speak, a voice resem∣bling his father, is unexpectedly heard: the which when Brabanti∣us gave out of his belly, he feigned himself neverthelesse to be in a wonderfull manner astonied. But his son was moved with this voice, into what condition his father had fallen by his injustice,

and with what torments of Purgatory, both for his own, and his sake he should be troubled, for that he had left him an heir of un∣just goods, and which could by no means be pardoned, unlesse by a just satisfaction made by his son, and due alms conferred on them who at that time chiefly wanted, and those were the Christians ta∣ken by the Turks. Therefore the man, who when he spake, he should believe, that this was sent by Godly men to Constantinople to redeem them, and that he was sent therefore to him from God for that thing's sake. Cornutus, no ill man, although these words heard of gifts, he regarded not, yet because that of money seemed a hard word, he answered he would take deliberation, and bad Brabantius return to the same place the next day. In the mean time being sorrowfull, he a little doubted of the place in which he had heard the voice, that it was shady and dark, and fit for mens lying in wait, and an Eccho. Wherefore the day after, when he brought him into another open plain place, and letted with no brambles or shades; where neverthelesse the same song was re∣peated while they spake, this also being added, that six thousand French Crowns being presently numbred to Brabantius, he should repay three Masses every day for his fathers salvation, otherwise there would be no redemption out of Hell. From whence his son being tyed in Conscience and Religion, although with grief, yet he committed so many to the faithfull dealing of Brabantius, all lawfull witnesse of the thing received and pay∣ed, being neglected. His father being freed from the fires and Vulcans stroaks, for the future was quiet, nor any more called upon his son. But wretched Cornutus, (Brabantius being let go) when as he was more merry then usuall, and his other Ta∣blers could not sufficiently admire it; straightway as soon as he declareth the cause to those enquiring it, he was pre∣sently so laughed at by all, that for grief, after some dayes he dyed, and followed his father to enquire the truth of the thing from him. Vierus, Book 2. chap. 12. Of the Delusions of Devills.

[ 125] AMphiaraus son of Oicleus, a Soothsayer and Prophet, whom when Adrastus, King of the Greeks called Argivi, would lead unto War against the Thebanes, he refused, and that he might not be compelled, hid himself, because he foresaw that he should there perish; yet by the deceit of his wife Eriphile, (whom he had corrupted with a Jewell) he was betrayed, and being against his will drawn to War in Baeotia, in that place, which afterwards was called Harma: he was by the gaping of the earth, with his Chariot and Horses, swallowed up. Statius in Thebaides.

[ 126]

ACtius Navius, a Lad, and that thou mayest laugh the more, a Shepherd, Priscus Tarquinius reigning, taking on himself, the use of a Sooth-sayer's crooked staffe, becoming indeed suddenly an Augur, from the Swine-herd, through the report of the thing di∣vulged, he was called forth to the King. Whom the King behold∣ing, and perchance scorning both his age and habit, tryed in this manner: Whether (saith he) that which is now in my minde, may be done, or may not, I ask? Navius when he had finished his divination, answered, It might be done. But the King thinking to mock him; But (saith he) I did meditate, that I might cut this whetstone with a razor. He with wonderful constancy replyed; Thou mayst therefore; And the razour being snatched up, in the sight of the King standing amazed, and the people, he cut the whet∣stone. From thence divination was sacred to the Romans.

[ 127] WHen L. Sylla was at Nola, that he might encounter with Marius the Elder, his mind being very much troubled, because he thought it a very hard thing; Posthumius the Sooth∣sayer, who did do a divine thing, he being present, both his hands being stretched out to Sylla, said, That he should command him to be bound, and after that to be slain; else the victory of that battle would remain in his power, and he should get a happy successe, be∣cause he had been bidden then by an Augural knowledge to fore∣see it. For the day after, Sylla entring into the City of Rome, drave out Marius from thence, and fulfilled his mind, as he had wished. Fulgosus, in book 8. chap. 11. out of Plutarch in Sylla.

[ 128] SPurina had foretold to C. Julius Caesar, That he should beware of the 30 next dayes, as fatal, whose last was the Ides of March. And when by chance both had come in the morning into the house of Calvus Domitius to the office, Caesar saith to Spurina, What knowest thou that the Ides of March are now come? And he, What knowest thou, that those are not yet past? The one had cast off fear, as though the time mistrusted was finished; the other thought, that indeed the utmost part of it was not void of danger: Would God the divination had rather deceived the Soothsayer, than security the Father of his Country. V••lerius, book 8. & Suetonius.

[ 129] AGrippa, the Nephew of Great Herod, of the son of Aristobulus, being cast into bonds by Tiberius, Emperour, because he seemed to favour Caius, stood before the Pallace, among certain others a like bound, leaning for grief on a certain Tree; on which when as an Owl had sate, one of those that were bound, by Nation a German, beholding the Bird, enquired of the Souldier, Who that Man in purple was? And having known that it was Agrippa, a most noble man of the Jews, he asked the Souldier, that he might have leave to come nearer unto him; for he desired to know some things con∣cerning his Country. Which being obtained by request, and an

interpreter taken, he saith, O young man, so sudden and unex∣pected change of fortune indeed makes thee sad, neither wilt thou easily believe thy escape to be nigh at hand, divine providence so ordering thy affairs; But I call thy Country-gods to record, that I go not about to flatter thee, nor to feed thee with vain com∣fort. It cannot be, but that the course of things being changed, thou shalt escape forthwith out of these bonds, and come both un∣to the largest dignity and power, even to the envy of those unto whom thou hast seemed miserable. Thou art to have also a happy departure of life, children being left in the succeeding of wealth. But remember, when thou shalt again see this Bird, that the fifth day from it shall be destinous unto thee. These are the things which the heavenly ones shew to thee, by sending this Bird; Therefore I intreat thee, that as soon as thou shalt perceive that happinesse to be shown thee, do thy endeavour, that we also may be taken out of these adversities. He was a true Prophet. For six moneths after, Tiberius dyed. Caius succeeded in the Empire, who made Agrippa King. Josephus, book 18. chap. 8.

[ 130] THe Spaniards call a people Adelittans, and Almagonens, who from the flying of Birds, from the voyce, from the meeting of wild beasts, and of very many other things do divine, what good or evil thing is to happen; lastly, they have books most dili∣gently written with all prognosticall divinations. Of these some are Dukes, and as it were Masters, others Earls and Schollars. There is also another cunning of these, to search out the passage, not onely of horses, and beasts, but also of men, by a cloathed or covered, by a naked, by a hard ground, by small stones, by great stones, as that the number of those who passed by, doth not at any time almost deceive them; who by a fit word may be called Sear∣chers. These shewed forth a notable example of their Art in the Warr which Ferdinand waged against the Moors. For when as a hundred Saracen's horsemen had avowed to their King, never to re∣turn, unless they had shewn forth some famous act against the Christians; and had privily come through wayes unpassible, and to fall upon the Christians garrison: The Searchers somewhat per∣ceiving their way and number, made the Watch acquainted of their lying in wait; and they having followed the horsemen, they constrained them, being shut in on both sides to yield themselves in the channel of a brook, being tyed together in a long rank with one rope. Laurent. Valla, book 1. of Histories.

[ 131] ALexander, Emperour, in the year of the Lord, 904, as Sige∣bert writeth, was idle, being given to riot and Magick; He having demanded of his Juglers, Whether he was to live long? he received an answer, If he had taken away from the brazen Boar in the Theatre, his teeth and privy members. By which say∣ing they did signifie, that he was given to gluttony and lusts, from the which, if he did not abstain, he would hasten his death: that

which fell out. For after bathing, yielding himself to banquets and sports, a vein being broken, he dyed with an issue of bloud. Zonaras & Cedrenus.

[ 132] SImeon, Duke of Bulgarians, had brought War on the Crobatians: it is told to Lacapenus, a Roman Emperour; there was an Image placed in the top of Xerolophus his vault, toward the West, that was turned into the shape of Simeon; the head of which Image, if it be cut off, the death of Simeon should not be far off. That being done, the same hour it was told the Emperour, he to have dyed of a pain of the stomach. Zonaras.

[ 133] IN the Gades there is an old stone in the brink of the Sea, most excellently graven upon the passage with Saracens work, down∣ward broad and squared; upward narrowed, and of so great an heighth, as a Crow is wont to fly on high; upon which is the Image of a man lifted up of Copper, raised up on his feet, having his face toward the South, and a great Club holding in his right hand. Which club, as the Saracens deliver, shall fall out of his hand, in the year in which a King to be in France, shall be bo••n, who in the last times shall subject all Spain unto Christian Lawes. And straightway as soon as the Saracens shall see the Club fallen, they shall all flee from their treasures laid in the earth. The Sa∣racens deliver, That Mahomet, while he was yet alive, built that Idol, and engaged a certain Legion of devils thither by the Art of Magick, the which holds it so strongly, that it could never be bro∣ken by any, neither doth it suffer Christians to come to it without danger, but onely Mahometans, and that Birds sitting on it, it sud∣denly killeth them. Turpine of Rhemes, with Eufordiensis, chap. 68.

[ 134] AMong the Biarmians, Laplanders, Bothnians, Finlanders, Nor∣thern people, there is this often kind of magicall divining: The Magitian goeth into a closet, content with one companion and his wife; he smiteth a brazen Frog or Serpent with an hammer, upon an anvil, with certain stroaks, and turns up and down hither and thither, with a muttering of verses; and straightway falling, is snatched into a trance, and layeth along for a short time as dead. In the mean time he is most diligently kept by his foresaid com∣panion, lest a fly, gnat, or any other living creature should touch him. Being returned to himself, he sheweth a ring or little knife, in token of his dispatched embassage, and declareth unto his hires by certain signs what is done. Olaus, book 5. chap. 17.

[ 135] JAnnes, the Master of Theophilus the Emperour, was wont to fore∣tell things to come, by the prophesie and juglings of a bason. When as sometime the Barbarians making use of three Leaders, did annoy the Roman power, the Emperour bade him hope well. Between brazen Images, which were in Euripus of the Circle, a cer∣tain Image with three heads was reported to stand; Therefore Jan∣nes

commanded three brazen hammers to be framed, and them to be delivered to men of strong hands, who at an appointed hour of the night, came with him unto that Image, and when he had com∣manded them, they should valiantly smite the heads, while they, as it were, with one stroke and force should cast down on the earth those heads. A great part of the night being now finished, Jannes came with those men unto the Image, and repeating a magick verse, taketh away the strength that was in the Image, he bade the men with all their force to smite the heads of the Image. By two of their most strong stroaks, two heads of the Image shook off; the third striking something more slackly, he bended indeed, yet pluck∣ed not away the head wholly from the body. After the same man∣ner was it done with the Captains of that Nation: For an inbred sedition arising, two of the Captains were slain, the third received a wound, but not deadly. The Barbarians therefore being deprived of their strength, returned home. Cedrene.

[ 136] APollonius Tyaneus, when he disputed in Ephesus, being almost se∣parated from his soul, and with inbent eyes, as if he had been in the present thing, said often, Smite the sinner Stephen, smite him: And at last added, The Tyrant is dead; who was heard with the great admiration of all that were present: afterward they re∣ceived that on the same day, and the very moment of hour, Domi∣tian the Emperour was slain at Rome, by a man whose name was Stephen, as Apollonius had then declared. Fulgosus, book 1. chap. 9. & Xiphiline in Domitian.

[ 137] STephen the Hagio-Christophorite, (it is the name of an office) but for his wickednesse otherwise called Antichristophorite, after that he knew from the Devil, by Sethus a Magitian, destruction to hang over the head of Andronicus Comnenus, by him whose name had its beginning, [J. S.] he appointed Isaac Angell, whom Andro∣nicus despised as a low-spirited man, to be laid hold of, and first to commit him to custody, and then by the Judgment of Andronicus the Tyrant, to kill him. Therefore entring into the Chamber of Isaac in the evening, he commanded Isaac to come down, and to follow him. But he delaying, he brought force. Isaac defending himself, kills Stephen, and going into the Temple with his sword drawn, he goeth up into that Seat where Manslayers, explaining their wicked deed, desire pardon from those that go in and out. But a multitude of the City in great number, presently flow together unto the Temple. The Uncle of Isaac helpeth him in the same, Ducas, John, and his son Isaac. Moreover, others intreat the min∣gled multitude which had ran together into the Temple, and after∣wards did run to it, that it would stay with them, and help accord∣ing to its power, those that were placed in the greatest danger. Thus therefore Isaac finished the whole night, that he might not think of the Kingdom, but might pray against destruction. But by earnest supplication he obtained this, that a certain man of that

company shut the doors of the Temple, and lights being brought in, he instantly perswaded them by his example, that they would not depart home. When it was day, all the Inhabitants of the City of Constantinople were present, they all prayed God, that, An∣dronicus being driven away, Isaac might enjoy the Empire. An∣dronicus, who was then absent from the City, the murder of Stephen being known, did nothing else, but admonish the Citizens in a short writing, that they should cease to attempt new matters. Whereof this was the beginning, He that hath punishment, is taken away. But in the morning, many running together, Isaac is saluted Emperour of the Romans, when as one of the Church-war∣dens had put the Crown of Constantine the Great, which hanged over the Communion Table drawn down from the stairs, on his head, he was consecrated. Now when as the Emperours horses adorned with Golden trappings, were brought by the Crossing of the Cionians, one being by a Horse••rider pulled away by force, is taken, and is brought unto Isaac. He, that horse being Mounted on, departing from the great Temple, Andronicus giving counsell to himself for flight, entreth the Pallace, and the saluted Empe∣rour is confirmed. Nicetas.

[ 138] WIlliam Earl of Holland, King of the Romans, Frisia being sub∣dued, when as nigh to a certain City he had found a Sepul∣cher adorned with wonderfull work, and did ask, Whose it was? The Citizens answer: None hitherto was buried there; but by some hidden destiny it is reserved for a certain King of the Romans. When therefore the Conquerour did ride with a few men, seeking a place to turn aside in, that he might bring back his army the more safely, he fell in the Ice. The Frisians who lay hid, break out and before the King could be holpen, being partly cut, partly choa∣ked in his helmet, he perished. The Frisians thei•• neighbours be∣ing called together, drive out the Hollanders, and slay them in the year of the Lord 1255. Thus by those of the same Town, accor∣ding to the Prophecy, the King is laid in that Tomb, in the ninth year of his reign. But his son Florentius, the fifth of that name, after twenty seven years brought his Fathers bones out of Frisia into Zeland, Medioburg; and laid them in a Monastery of Nunnes of the Praemonstratian Order, founded by his daughter Richard••, and increased by subsidies, in the year of Christ, 1282. Cuspi∣nian.

[ 139] IN Northern Gothia two Tombs are seen, being huge Stones in the place of way-marks or Crosses, having the bodyes of two brethren laid in them, unto whom it had been foretold by a soothsayer, in their first youth it should come to passe that they should dye by mutuall wounds given. To decline the destiny, they undertook a travell unto the farthest, and most contrary parts of the World. In their utmost old age, at length returning into their countrey, when as any one hoped his brother to have long

since died, not far from the Town Jonacum, they met one another unknown, and Salutation being on both sides given and received, they rested under the next pine-tree. By and by their Dogs wrang∣ling, they also brake forth, first to quarrellings, then to mutuall wounds, and drawing out their Soul, and acknowledging them∣selves to be brethren, they dyed in mutuall embraces. Olaus, in his first book of Northern Customes. ch. 37.

[ 140] SIgthune King of Swethland, while he offered sacrifices to his gods at Upsala the Mother-City, an answer being received by the sa∣crificers, he learned that by a fatall necessity, the highest destructi∣on and death did hang over his head from the mettall of Gold, and therefore he was chiefly to take heed of it: by iron, or Steel, and other mettals he could never be forced or killed. Wherefore see∣ing he thought himself invincible, he attempted dangers of Wars. He had a most beautifull daughter, Gro; This, Schi••ld King of the Danes required to be a Wife to his Son Gram. But her father had already betrothed her unto a most Noble Champion, the brother of Sumblus King of the Finlanders. Therefore Gram thinking him∣self to be despised by Sigthune, being cloathed about with skins of wild beasts, with great hazzard he came to the Pallace of Sigthune, observing a time untill the maid going forth, he might allure her unto a mutuall love, and being allured, and of her own accord wil∣ling, he might bring her away. Yet first, Bessus his companion, through the greatest force of wit, brought on the mind of the Vir∣gin unto the love of his King. Therefore the maid nothing relent∣ing, being brought into his Denmark, he loved with a great love, and begat of her Guthorme, afterwards King of Denmark, and a daughter, wife of Sibdager King of Norway. Sigthune the Father of the maid, suddenly taken away, follows the Danes with war, to revenge the wrong by weapons. Gram, carrying a club in a Gi∣ant-like manner, the which Gold being powred on it, he had made the weightier, slew Sigthune his father in law, too venterously ap∣proaching with his head, leaving by that deed, not an unprofi∣table instruction to the Kings of the Swedes, that they believe Gold is more to be feared then Iron. John Magnus, Book 2. Chap∣ter 6.

[ 141] IN the bed of Sempronius Gratchus, two Snakes were found, they afforded a sad token. For it was shewn by the Soothsayer, if he had sent away the male, his Wife must dye in a short time; but if the Female, himself. The which when Sempronius had heard; loving Cornelia his Wife very much, he sent forth the Female. He kept his Wife; and himself a little after departed out of life. Polydore Virgil, Book 3. Of Won∣ders.

[ 142]

M. Marcellus being inflamed with the glory of the Syracusans being taken, and Hanniball; they being forced, first to flee from him before the walls of Nol••, endeavoured with the greatest diligence, that he might either strike down the Army of the Car∣thagenians in Italy, or might drive them out of Italy, and by solemn sacrifice he searched out the pleasures of the gods. Which first sacrifice fell down before the little hearth, his liver was found without a head, the next had a double head of the liver. Which things being looked into, the soothsayer answered, the entrails plea∣sed him not, because the first appeared maimed or mangled, the second too joyfull. So M. Marcellus, that he might not attempt any thing rashly, the night following, daring to go forth with a few, for seeing or viewing sake, being inclosed with a multitude of his enemies in Brutia, he equally brought a great grief, and dammage to his Country by death. Valerius, ••ock 1. chap. 6. & Plutarch. in Marcellus.

[ 143] ANiharis King of the Longobards, brother of Garibald, King of the Bavarians, ••oo•• Theodelinda his bride in the Veronian field. Not far from thence, a tree being struck from Heaven, Agigulph Duke of the Taurinians, a soothsayer being asked Coun••ell of, re∣ceived an answer. Theodelinda the Virgin to marry Antharis; but a little after, to be a Widow, for Agilulph. The issue confirmed the promise of the Sooth-saying. For Antharis, when he had fairly reigned six years, was taken away by poyson at Tiotnam. The Longo∣bards gave power to Theodelinda his Wife, for her mildnesse, and too much courtesy, that it should be lawfull for her to take that Husband whom she desired, and they promised they would have him for their King. But she chose Agilulph. The Marriage was so∣lemnized at Mediolum, where by the agreement of all, he is de∣clared King of the Longobards or Lombards. Bonfine, Book 8. Of the first Decade.

[ 144] BAtabaces in the Cimbrian War, a Priest of the great Mother ••dea, came to Pessinunt. This man brought word that the god∣desse had shewn him in his passage, that a victory and great glory of war was to come to the people of Rome; When there was an approvement of the Senate, and it had decreed a Temple to the god∣desse for Victories-sake: A. Pompey Tribune of the common people forbade him going into the assembly, that he might utter these things to the people, calling him jugler, and with disgrace drave the man out of the place of their Common-pleas. Which thing most of all commended his sayings. For assoon as the assembly be∣ing dismissed, Pompey returned to his house, so great a force of a Feaver possessed him, that it was manifest to all, and much spread abroad, that he died within the seventh day. Plutarch. in the life of Marius.

[ 145]

L. Sylla being returned out of Asia against Cinna and Marius, he tells that in Silvina of Pontium, Servus a mad man to have spo∣ken to him, who said he shewed to him from Bellona, that he should have the Palme or conquering Crown, and Victory of the War. The which unlesse he should perfect, the Capitoll was to be burnt: and that happened on the same day, which he had fore∣told, which was the day before the Nones of the fifth Moneth, which now we call July. Plutarch in Sylla.

[ 146] CReophilus in the bounds of the Ephesians, saith, those that built Ephesus, when they were greatly in doubt of the place at length they sent unto the Oracle, those which should ask, where the City was to be placed. But the Devil answered, Where a fish had evidently shewn, and a wild Boar had taught. But there is a report, that where the Fountain now called Hypelaeus, is, and the holy Haven, certain fishermen provided a dinner. Then a certain one of the Fishes leaped out together with the dead coals, and fell down into a bundle of Chaff; a green turf is presently inflamed, in which a wild boar by chance lay hid, who being much affright∣ned with fire, ran through a good part of a Mountain, even thither where Trachea is now called, and fell down, being woun∣ded with a dart, where now the Temple of Pallas is erected. Then the Ephesians possessing the Island, when they had inhabited it twen∣ty and one years, in the twenty and second they built Trachea, and afterward Corissum, and there raised up the Temple of Diana in the market-place, and of Pythius Apollo, in the haven. Athenaeus, Book 8. chap. 11.

[ 147] THere was among the Locrians a wooden Dog, having such a History. For a lot was rendred unto a certain Locrian, there he should build a City, where a wooden Dog had fastned a biting on him. For which cause when he had sailed unto the other shore of the Sea, he trod upon a (kunosbaton) that is, a Dog, bush or bramble, a kind of thorn, from thence when he thought the Oracle to have an end, he built the Cities, which the Locrians call or esteem Ozolae. Coelius, Book 17. chap. 28. out of Athenaeus Book 2. chap. 33.

[ 148] LEonides in his fourth book of the people of Attica, saith, when Thymaetes the younger brother, who was a bastard, had be∣headed Aphidantes, King of the Athenians, he himself reigned at Athens. Whereby it was brought about, that Melanthus the Messenian a banished man from his Country, received an Oracle, where he was to dwell, to whom it was answered, where it should be received for gifts from guests, setting feet and heads before him in a supper, the which afterwards happened in Eleusina. For when as they had a certain solemn feast according to their countrey man∣ner, and had spent all the flesh, and the feet onely, and heads had

remained, these very things they brought to Melanthus. Athenaeus, Book 3. chap. 9.

[ 149] BYzantium, before called Lygos, was built by the Lacedemonians. Pausanias being Captain in the most narrow Sea of Europe and Asia, unto whom it was said by the Oracle of Apollo Pythius, that they should place it against blind seats, that is the Megarians; who built Chalcedon in a barren soyl of the Countrey, a wealthy bank being let passe. Strabo, book 7. This City, Constantine the Great, who passed over the seat of the Empire, from the City of Rome into the East, to restrain the inroads of the Parthians, com∣passed with new walls, being warned from God, and adorned it with most high Towers, and stately buildings, that it might be thought rather the habitation of gods than of Emperours. This City, when the Emperour would name Nea, the common people from the builder called Constantinople. Cuspinian.

[ 150] THere is a report, that a Wonderfull meeting of a Sow that had piggs, made a divination to the Trojanes of building a City, who, Aeneas being Captain, had come into Italy. They say she was great with young, and to have come to the Altars, being strucken with the hands of the sacrificers; thence, to have sit down on a little Tomb, four and twenty furlongs from the Sea, in a place surely hideous, and very difficult. Aeneas mindfull of the Oracle, followed the Sow aloof off, with a few that were by chance present, lest being nigh the trace, she should turn from the destinous way. But then contemplating the nature of the place, when as he perceived nothing in it which might invite him to the tillage of it, being doubtfull in his counsell, he was vexed, neither could he bring it into his mind, that such unfit seats were shewn him by destiny. And he was now late busied in advising of that one thing, whether he ought to be there, or should go as yet farther. When as from the next place a voice without an Authour, was given, which commanded the Trojans to remain there. Onely they should go forward to build, other things they should leave to the destinies. Others are Authours, that the shape of houshold gods was here in a dream set before the eyes of Aeneas, by which he was commanded to fortify the place. But whatever kind of Oracle that was, it is a certain report, that the Sow being the day after found with a numerous company of young, which she had brought forth in the night, to have confirmed the truth of the Oracle. The Tomb therefore was fenced with work done in haste, in which afterward Ascanius, who succeeded his Father Aeneas, built the City Alba, that is, white, so called from the colour of a Sow. Sabellicus, Book 7. Of the first Ennead.

[ 151]

TArquinius Superbus, or the proud King of the Romans, began to found the Temple of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, vowed by his grandfather in the Sabine Warr, in the high and rocky part of the Tarpeian hill, the roughnesse of the place being first corrected. But when he had determined to consecrate the floor, according to the custome, and the compass of this space had embraced certain Chappels of most ancient work; which because they were to be unhallowed, that the workmen, all fear of Religion being taken away, might demolish, they say, that then there were mockings of evil Daemons, or devils, that other power had yielded up their divination to Jupiter, and the Goddesses, onely Terminus (some add also Juventa) could not be moved from their seat: And that thing being taken for a token of a stable, and remaining Empire; A chap∣pel to have afterwards remained unmoved in the middle part of the Temple. There is also a certain greater wonder offered to the workmen. A man's head was found with a fresh gore, by those who wrought in the lowest part. Tarquine (for none thought not that to be wonderful) asketh counsel of houshold-prophets. These referring all the praise of that kind of learning unto the Hetruscians, brought tydings to the King, that he should send into Hetruria to enquire. The Hetruscian Prophet answered, It would be, that the Tower of the Empire, and the head of affairs should be there, where that wonder had appeared; and now from thence, the place began, from Tarpeium, to be called the Capitol. Sabellicus, book 5. Ennead. 2.

[ 152] ALexander the Great, moving his Camps from Troas, came to the Temple of Minerva. There is a Priest, Alexander by name, when he had seen before the house of Ariobarzan, who was Presi∣dent of Phrygia, an Image struck down on the ground, and other strange sights of no small moment, he came to the King, and in a great horse-exercise, confirmed, That he should be a Conquerour; especially if he did joyn his companies in battel about Phrygia. He added thereto also, That he should kill the Captain of his enemies with his own hands: But all those things were shewn to him by the gods themselves, and chiefly from Minerva, which was to be an help to him for the performing things prosperously. Alexander received the foretelling of this Priest with a joyfull mind; and presently honoured Minerva with most large sacrifice, and dedi∣cated his bucklet unto her, and by and by brought out another that was most firm for him: With which he being armed, entred the first fight, where he carried away a famous victory. Diodore, book 17.

[ 153]

WHen the Grecians had gathered Ships together in Aulis, a Haven of Eubaea, to go to Troy, and an Altar being built, they sacrificed under a Plain Tree; a Serpent of a wonderful big∣nesse creeping under the Altar, went up into the top of the Plain-Tree, and inclosing a Sparrow's nest hanging on an outmost bough, he devoured eight young ones, and the mother her self taken by the wing, and presently himself stiffned into a stone. Calchas, a Pro∣phet, interpreted the divination. The Greeks should besiege Troy nine years in vain, at length in the tenth year to take and overthrow it, the glory of such a deed to remain for ever. Ulysses in Homer. Iliad. 2. repeats the History.

[ 154] ALexander the Great, assaulting Gaza; a Crow flying over, a certain turf or lump of earth being let down from on high, smote the shoulder of Alexander, and then sitting on a Towr besmeared with slime, she being infolded by the tough matter, was taken by the wings. Plutarch saith, she sate in an Engine, and there, being ensnared in a knot of ropes, to have stuck fast. Aristander the deviner beholding that thing, said it would be, that the City would be in a short time taken, but it is a danger, lest some wound the King would receive that day. And both indeed happened. Sa∣bellicus, book 4. Ennead. 4.

[ 155] COelius Pontius, when a Pye had sate on his head, declaring the law, and the Soothsayers had answered, the Bird being let go, there would be a victory of the enemies; but she being killed, of the Commonwealth; yet he who had oppressed it, should dye: he presently killed that bird. From which it fell out, that Coelius himself, with fourty others, was slain. Volatteran. book 14. chap. 2. Anthro pol.

[ 156] ALexander the Great, an Expedition into Asia being underta∣ken, after he moved to the Warr, both other wonders of the gods were shewn, and also a sign of Orpheus at the hill Libe∣thrum, there was a Cyprus Tree, which issued forth about that season with a plentiful sweat. All being affrighted with that won∣drous sign, Aristander bade him be of good courage, he should car∣ry on thing never to be blotted out, and famous, which should afford much sweat and pains to Poets and Musitians, singing them forth. Plutarch, in Alexander. The same Alexander besieged Tyre now the seventh moneth, and while he refresheth almost the whole Army from their former labours, but brings a few to the walls, that his enemies might not have respite, Aristander the divi∣ner, sacrifices being slain, when he lookt into the intrails, he con∣fidently affirmed by the Crow, That that City was without doubt to be vanquished. Which receiving his saying with a mock and laughter, because it was the last day; the King seeing him trou∣bled,

and favouring alwayes his Prophesies, forbade hereafter, that to be numbred the thirtieth day, but the twenty eighth of the moneth; and a sign of the Trumpet being given, he set upon the wall more sharply, than from the beginning he had begun to do. When the City was not sloathfully assaulted, neither those that were in the Camps were at rest, but ran together to bring help, the Tyrians were broken, and Alexander took the City that day. Plu∣tarch, in Alexander.

[ 157] THe Syracusans being besieged by Nicias, went up to the Tem∣ple of Hercules, because they had not a long time performed solemn rites to Hercules, and they offered sacrifice. The Priests being Soothsayers, declared unto the Syracusans joyfull intrails and victory, if they did not begin the conflict, but beat back their force. For Hercules in defending himself being first forced, over∣came all. And so going forward, they made a very great and sharp Sea-battel in the very Harbour, and overcame the Athenians. Plu∣tarch in Nicias.

[ 158] L. Sylla, when he was sent with an Army to the Sociall War, at Laverna, a tempest lighted into a great bosome of earth, and out of it a great fire brake, and lifted up a light flame to Heaven. But the fortune-tellers told, That an excellent man, and excelling in beauty, and famous, was to let loose the City unto present storms, when he had taken the highest command. Sylla saith, this man to be himself: For a shining hair of a golden colour is peculiar to his face. But he would not blush if he take virtue or valour to him∣self, so great and famous deeds being done. Plutarch in Sylla. In the same Warr, when he sacrificed before the Pretor's house, he sud∣denly beheld a Snake sliding down from one part of the Altar, which being seen, he forthwith by the encouragement of Posthumius a Soothsayer, drew forth his Army for the Voyage, and took the most strong Camps of the Samnites. Which Victory laid the steps and foundation of his future and most large power. Valer. Max. book 1. chap. 6.

[ 159] P. Scipio Africanus, when he had found that Army which laid Carthage equall with the ground corrupted, he amended it. But they report, the hilt of his sword springing with much blood, to have foreshewn the end of the War: the which, when it was oftentimes wiped off, a little after it was more bloudy: For that monstrous thing, said the Soothsay••rs, doth signifie a great slaugh∣ter of the enemies. Suidas.

[ 160] THey report, That sometime the head of a ramm with one one∣ly horn was brought unto Pericles out of the field; and Lampo the Prophet, as soon as he saw the strong horn, and firm, sprung out of the middle of his forehead, to have said, The power of two

factions that were in the City, of Thucydides and Pericles, were to be brought unto one, with whom this wonder had happened. But Anaxagoras, when he had dissected the bone of the head, to have shewn, that the brain filled not up its seat, but in manner of an egg, the sharp part to have rolled out of the whole shell, in that place, from whence the root of the horn drew its beginning. And indeed they who were present, had, at the present, Anaxagoras in admiration: a short time after, Lampo, when as the wealth or ayds of Thucydides being broken, the whole Common-wealth had fallen back into the hand of Pericles. But both of them might con∣conjecture rightly, as well the Naturalist, as the Prophet. The one, who well followed after the cause; the other, the issue; for it belonged unto his office to consider whence it had proceeded, and how it had sprung forth; to this man, to foreshew, what there was at the time of its nativity, and what it should betoken. Plutarch in Pericles.

[ 161] BEfore the time that Alexander the Great set upon the Persians, they say Darius (when he first began to reign) commanded the Persian sheath or scabberds for their darts to be made after that fashion which the Greeks at that time used, and then many of the Chaldean Prophets foretelling, That the Empire of the Persians should be translated to them, of whom he was King, he imitated the fa∣shion of their sheaths for darts. It happened accordingly; for Darius being overcome and taken by Alexander, the Empire of the Persians was translated to the Greeks. Sabellicus, lib. 4. Ennead. 4.

[ 162] THe Buckler of Maximinus the Father being set on fire by the Sun, and his Spear being struck by a Thunder-bolt, was clo∣ven through the Iron and all, from the very top to the bottom there∣of; from which the Soothsayers gathered, That there would arise out of that Nation, Emperours of the same name, who would con∣tinue but for a short time: Which came to pass; for the Father and Son, called by the name of Maximinus, in a short space after ruled the Empire together. Sabellicus, lib. 1. cap. 4.

[ 163] DIon prepared a Navy of Ships in Zazinth against Dionysius; Miltas, a Thessalian Prophet, observing a Martinel or Mar∣tin, which flying amongst the ships, lighted upon the very top of the stern of the ship wherein Dion was: thereby was caused to fear, (as he privately told his friends) that the magnificent things which he was about to perform when they had flourished a small time, would decay and come to nothing. Plutarch. in Dion.

[ 164] DIonysius Syracusanus was put away by the Tyrant Dion, at which time an Eagle snatched from one of his guard a Lance, where∣with sublimely mounting, at length she let it down into the deep; whereupon the Prophet said, That the Eagle was the minister of

Jove, and that the Lance was the Ensign of principality; and there∣fore he concluded, That the Prince of the gods would work the subversion of the Tyrant. Plutarch, in Dion & Theopomp.

[ 164] WHen Croesus, King of the Lydians, fought against Cyrus King of the Persians with equal success, and staying at Sardis; upon a suddain all the Suburbs were filled with Snakes, which the horses while they were going to grass, devoured; they whom Telmisses consulted about what happened, said, That there would come a forreign Army which would overcome the Natives; for, say they, a Snake is a child of the earth, and a Native; but a horse is an enemy, and stranger. In the mean time, Croesus was ta∣ken of Cyrus, and stript of his Kingdom. Herodotus, lib, 1.

[ 165] WHen Dion was about to raise Warr from the Iland Zazinth, against the Tyrant Dionysius, at the solemn vows and sacri∣fices, the Moon was eclipsed; moreover, ecliptick circuits, and the shadow which m••eteth the Moon, was no strange thing to Dio, who thought the Earth the object of the Sun: but because he desi∣red to elevate the minds of his astonished Souldiers, he called for M••ltas the Thessalian Prophet, who when they were all called to∣gether, made a learned Oration, wherein he advised them to be of good courage, and assure themselves of great success; for that god had declared himself defective by the eclipse, by reason of the pre∣sence of their illustrious Leader; and that there was nothing more illustrious then Dionysius the Tyrant, by the glorious splendour of whom, they should overcome the Sicilians as soon as they should there arrive. Theopompo Plutarch. in Dio.

[ 166] THe Sacrifices offered by Dionysius the younger to the gods, por∣tended great prodigies, at that time when he most tyrannical∣ly put away Dion, the Sea was so high by a tide, that it over∣flowed the Castle; yet within four and twenty hours the water was so sweet, that it was potable, and that many who tasted there∣of, declared the same: Which thing Plinius remembers, in his book 2. cap. 100. Swine brought forth piggs that had all their parts, but that they wanted ears; the Prophets expounded that, to portend defection and rebellion, and that the Citizens should be no longer obedient to the Tyrant; and that the sweetness of the wa∣ter signified a vicissitude to the Syracusians, by alteration of their sad and heavy times, into better and more comfortable. Theopompus and Plutar. in Dion.

[ 167] ACtius in Bruto writeth, Tarquinius Superbus had a dream to this purpose, That a Shepherd came to him and brought him two Rams, and that he immolated one of them, and that he saw a survivour, who rushing upon him with crooked horns, he was with a suddain impetuous force cast prostrate upon the ground upon his back, and casting his eyes towards Heaven, he perceived the Sun

to passe through a new orbe and unaccustomed way; which when he had related to Interpreters, they advised the King to take heed, lest he whom he accounted rude, a beast and monster, being armed with wisdom, should drive him out of his Kingdom; and that what was shewed him by the Sun, portended a change to the peo∣ple: which happened accordingly; for Brutus, whose brother the King had oppressed, and whose wit he but sported and mocked at, drove away the King, and Kingly Title; and the Roman State was so altered, that instead of one perpetual King, it begun to have yearly two Magistrates. Petrarcha de Somniis, ex Ciceronis, lib. 1. de Natura Deorum, Accii Bruto.

[ 168] HIppocrates, the most valiant Duke of Athens, being alone, chanced to see at Olympia, a sight portending strange things; for when he had immolated the host, the pots (as they were order∣ed) were full of flesh and water, and without any fire put to them, grew so hot, that the water boyled over: which portent, Chilon the Lacedemonian, who by chance came thither, beholding, first per∣swaded him, that he should not bring his Wife thither, being fruit∣full. Secondly, if he had a Wife, that he should put her away; and if she had born him ever a son, he should resign him: but Hippocrates not observing the counsel of Chilon, but promoting his son Pisistratus, he invaded the Tyrant at Athens. Herodot. l. 1. Sabel. l. 6. Ennead. 2.

[ 169] AT Thebes in Boetia, in the Temple of the Law-giving Ceres the time when by the conduct of Epiminundas, the people of Leuctrica overcame the Spartanes, the Spiders had woven white webs about the Valleys, the Macedonians now by the conduct of Alexander the Great, invading the Coasts, there presently appeared sights portending ruine and destruction to the City, all things were filled with black workmanship. Pausanias in Boeoticis. This sign was three moneths before Alexander came to Thebes, about that time, the Statues which stood in the Common Hall, were seen to send out of the huge gravings abundance of sweat, besides these things, it was testified to the Magistrates, That the Pond or standing Lake which was at Onchestus, sent forth a noyse like to the Lowing of Cattle, and that there was in Dirces a certain horrid bloody shape, which swimmed upon the water, and there were not want∣ing some of Delphos, who said, That the top of the house which the Thebans built, appeared to the Phocensian people to be full of blood; the Prophets said, That the Web did portend the gods migration from the City; the shape of the Heavenly bow, perturbation, and various sorts of molestations; the sweat sent from the Statues, ex∣tream losses; and moreover, the blood which was seen to appear in many places, shewed, that bloody slaughter would ensue at Thebes. Diodor. lib. 17.

[ 170]

AT Saguntum, before it had suffered the misery which Hanni∣bal afterwards inflicted upon it; amongst many and daily monstrous sights which were seen, A child which was almost born out of his Mothers belly, returned back to the Mothers womb again: Which Prodigie, the prophets said, did foreshew a de∣structive Warr, imminent and fatal destruction; so that it was utterly overthrown by slaughter. Alex. lib. 2. cap. 31.

[ 171] ARchilaus, Tetrarch of Judea and Idumea, was sent for, being accused of Tyranny by Caesar, to Rome; who after hearing the accusations of his enemies, and his own defence, banished him to Vienna in France, and taking all his substance from him be∣fore he exiled him, in the tenth year of his Government; before he was sent for to Rome, he told to his friends this Dream; He saw ten ripe ears of corn full of wheat taken away by Oxen; and con∣sidering that his dream was worthy to be taken notice of, he con∣sulted with interpreters of dreams concerning it; who disagreeing concerning the meaning thereof, Simon, one of the Essaei, to wit, one that abstained from flesh, wine, and women, as all the Jews of that Order did, (making an apologie) said, That this vision did portend change to Archilaus, and that to the worse; for that Oxen did signifie misery, because this kind of creature is under con∣tinual labours; and furthermore, it foreshewed mutation of things, because the ground being turn'd by the labour, retains neither the same place nor form; but those ten ears of corn, shew the number of ten years, for that they go about by annual turnings, and that immediately there would ensue an end of the domination or rule of Archilaus: so did this Jew interpret the dream. Five dayes af∣ter this vision, Caesar sends a procurator to Judaea to summon Ar∣chilaus before him, Joseph. l. 17. c. ult.

[ 172] AT the Palatine house of Mediolanum, seven dayes before the Lievtenant Governour Barnabas was taken by his Cosen Galea∣cius, there was such vehement lightning, that the hangings of his Inner Chamber were burnt with a Thunder-bolt, and his Ensign being a marble Viper, was shattered in pieces. A Prophet then, a domestick, whose sirname was Medicina, in the nones of May, ob∣served the unhappy conjunction of three Stars, (he had formerly predicted much) and then he endeavoured to retain him whom he saw running precipitately towards his destruction, which was thereby threatned; but such was the hidden power of his fate, that he went on his way, being wretchedly infatuated. Jovius in Barnaba.

[ 173] ZEnon the Emperour hearing of the discomfiture of his Army, lees into a little Castle sited upon an hill, which the people called Constantinople; which considering immediately after his coming thither, he with sighing said to his company; Poor man,

Is it the sport of the gods, who have thus deluded me? for the Pro∣phets did confidently affirm, That it behoved me to be at Constan∣tinople in the moneth of July; whereupon I thought I should have been in the City, but (poor wretch as I am) I am onely in this lit∣tle Hill, which beareth the like appellation.

[ 174] A Certain man called Harold, who bragged that he had a familiar spirit; told Frederick the second that he should die in the Florentine field; Therefore, in that his last journey from Thuscia to Apulia, he used all possible care to avoid it; but fal∣ling into a grievous Feaver, he was forc't to lye at the Castle of Apulia, six miles distant from Luceria (which they call Florentinum) assoon as he remembred the prediction of Hariolus, and the name of Florentinum, he perceived that the end of his life was at hand. Collenutius, l. 4. Historiae regni Neopolitani.

[ 175] CErtain Writers affirm Ezelinus a Roman, and Albericus bre∣thren, bloudy and fierce men to have been the sons of Adeb∣heida, a Lady of the Noble bloud of the Tuscans, of so high a wit and discretion, that (beyond belief) as well by observing the Hea∣vens and Stars as Magicall Art, she foresaw things to come. Many Predictions which accordingly fell out, were demonstrated to her Husband and Children, and especially this one; That on the day of her death, she pronounced three Verses in manner of an Oracle in which she cha••ted forth the might, and progresse, and the very place of the death of her sonnes, and it appeared by the events no∣thing of the Prophesy but came to passe. Now I shall say nothing of Albericus, whereas Ezelinus was admonished to take heed of Cas∣sanum, being ignorant thereof by reason of the obscurenesse of the place, he ever most studiously avoided the Castle Cassanum, bor∣dering upon the Paduans and Hetruscians, supposing it the fatall place; at length after he attained the age of seventy years, whilst with all his might he warred against Mediolanum, his terrible and insolent spirit making him hated by almost all the Longobards, he was by them circumvented, for having passed the bridge, and fin∣ding himself in extream streights, and inquiring the name of the place, assoon as he heard Cassanum named, and remembring the confusion threatned by it, clapping his spurs to his Horse, he ran headlong into the River before him, murmuring to himself, O ine∣vitable fate, O my Mothers presages, O how was Cassanum hid from me! And before he could well swim over the River, he was fallen upon by an innumerable Army, who had possessed themselves of the brink and banksides of the River. Petrarcha.

[ 176] MAchabaeus King of the Scots, fearing Magduffus, being admoni∣shed by Soothsayers, was told by a woman a Fortune-teller, that he should not fall by the hands of any man that was born of a woman, and that he could not be overcome before the wood Bernen were carried to the Castle Donusinna, which was a great way di∣stant.

Therefore he falsly thought himself invincible, and free from all stratagems and deceits of his enemies, having cut down the wood Birnen, and carried every stick to the Castle, wherewith he compassed the Castle the day before he was overcome: to be short, he was slain by Magduffus, who was not born, but cut out of his Mothers belly. Cardanus de rerum varietate. Lib. 16. cap. 93.

[ 177] ANtonius of Leva animated Charls the fift, Emperour, to war up∣on on France, and undertook to be Generall of the Army, al∣though he had been informed by the Oracles, that he should be afflicted with cruell sicknesse, dye in France, and rest at the Church of St. Dionsiyus, which he interpreted should come to passe by his extending his Victory to Paris it self; but it fell out far other∣wise. For the Caesarian Army which he led, was wasted with a Flux, and he, spent by watchings and griefs, died near the City Narbo in France, and was buried at Saint Dionysius. Sabellici supplementum, 20.

[ 178] AMilcarus, Duke of the Carthagenians, besieging the Syracusians against Agathocles, was told by a Sooth-sayer (who gathered this conjecture by the observation of the entrals of beasts) that the next night after he should sup with the Syracusians, who when he conceived he should have obtained Victory over them, by a sally which they suddenly made out of the City, took him Prisoner, and carried him to sup with the Syracusians, contrary to his will, where by cruell torments he died.

[ 179] THe Velitri consulting an Oracle there, where Caesar was born were answered long before from the top of the wall, which by its height threatned heaven, that one who should be born in that Town, should be a great commander in the World, in confidence: whereof the Citizens did immediately, and long afterwards, make war against the Romans; at last by what afterwards they saw, it appeared that by what was shewed, the might of Augustus Caesar was portended. Suetonius.

[ 180] HAdrianus Cornetanus Cardinal, not drawn thereto by malice but an ambitious desire of reigning, looked after the death of Leo the tenth: For he conceived an assured hope of obtaining the Papacy by the Oracle of a fortune-telling-woman, who telling to him, asking fortune of her, many things past of his publick and pri∣vate fortune, most exactly true: she also constantly affirmed that one Hadrian, an old man, of obscure birth, a great and studious Scholler, who by degrees obtained sacred honours by his own me∣rit, and not by the favour of great men, assoon as Leo departed this life, would succeed him in the Papacy: all these descriptions he conceived did congruously and apparantly belong to him. For he was born at a poor Village called Cornetus, in the coasts of Tus∣cany

descended of a poor family almost sordid, onely by the benefit of his learning, attaining the dignity of sacred orders. The Ora∣cle of the old Woman proved true, but Hadrianus the Cornetanian was deceived, for he did not succeed Leo; but one Hadrian, an old man, a Batavian, son to a poor labourer, being illustrious by his learning, after Leo, obtained the prodigious felicity of the Papacy. Jov. in Leonis vita, lib. 4.

[ 181] WHen Alexander the Great, determined to fight against the chief City of the Oxodracian Indians, a certain man called Demophon, being one of those that used to make ostentation of pre∣dictions, came to the King, and told him, that he had observed by Augury, that there was great danger portended to him by reason of a wound which he should receive in fighting against the Indians, and therefore he admonished Alexander to divert his intention from invading that City: who rebuked him for going about to apall the courage of valiant men, and providing all things necessary for his March, he leading a great Army, arrived at the City, and inten∣ding to storm it, he placed his Artillery against it, and making a breach in the wall, broke into the City, killed many, and pursued those that fled to the very Castle; and whilst the Army of the Macedonians were seeking to scale the Walls, He, without any cunctation, snatching a ladder, and artificially bearing his buck∣ler over his head, he falls a scaling the wall, and used so much celerity therein, that before the drowsy Barbarians could get to the wall to defend it, he got to the top thereof: the enemies durst not approach to grapple with him, but put him hard to it by Darts and Arrows which they threw and shot at him. The Macedonians with two ladders which they had reared to the Wall, did oft en∣deavour to scale the wall, and relieve Alexander, but were still re∣pulsed by the enemy. Wherefore he being destitute of any help, alone, and loaded with defensive and offensive Arms, leaped into the very Castle, and most valiantly defended himself against the Indians, who violently ran about him, but he seeing a tree near the Wall, stepped unto it, and leaning his back to it, made it so much his defence, that they could not come about him; and now laying about him at his enemies by dint of sword, though he shew∣ed great courage by his most valiant deeds, which, like a Royall King, to the astonishment of his enemies, he demonstrated, inso∣much that he seemed to desire nothing but a glorious death, recei∣ving many shots and blows upon his helmet and buckler, yet at length an Arrow which was shot at him, lighted a little under his pap or breast, and there sticking, he was constrained by vio∣lence of his pain to fall upon his knees; which an Indian who was enraged by a wound which he had received from him soon percei∣ving, furiously marched to him, and fell upon him, but was by one blow with his sword suddenly dispatched. The King then catching hold of a bough of the Tree within his reach, helped him∣self off his knees, and begun to provoke his enemies to fight; in

which interim Peusestes, one of the Squires of the Kings body, sca∣ling the Wall, was the first that came to the defence of his Prince, and after him many more, who put the Barbarians to flight, and delivered Alexander from further danger. Diodorus, lib. 17.

[ 182] A Certain servant, a Syrian, born in Apemea, whose name was Eunus, who delighted in Magicall enchantments, and circula∣tory legerdemains, served amongst the Eunensians in Sicilia. This fellow would take upon him that he could by instinct and revelati∣on from the Gods, who appeared to him in his sleep, tell things to come; shortly after, he bragged that he could foretell future events, not onely for that the gods appeared to him asleep, but also waking, and that they plainly told him of things to come: when as by many of his Prophesies, he was found a notorious liar, yet in the mean time some things came to passe according to his predicti∣ons, which was a reason that no man questioned him for his false Prophecies, but what he chanced truly to foretell, was so obser∣ved and applauded, that the people shortly had a high esteem of him; at last he devised to blow a flame of fire out of his mouth with a certain fanatick fury, he Prophesied like as it had been one of the Priests of Apollo, to which purpose he had a nut, or some∣thing of like nature bored through, in which he put fire, and com∣bustible matter to nourish it, and putting it into his mouth, and blowing, sometimes sent forth sparks, and sometimes flames, this fellow was used before any defection, to brag that the Syrian god∣desse did appear to him in his sleep, and tell him that he should obtain regall dignity; and he did not tell this onely to the ordinary sort of people, but likewise he daily related the same to Antigi∣nes the Eunensian his own Master: his relation raysing much laugh∣ter, and Antigines taking great delight in his prodigious lies, had him as a jester to wait upon him at his feasts, and would enquire of him concerning state-affairs, and what would become of all the company, and when he answered them all with great confidence, and promised that it would come to passe, that he should shew great lenity and clemency to his Lords, he raysed great laughter amongst them. The common people raysing a tumult, come to this Eunus, and asked him if the gods favoured their enterprise: he approving the thing, perswaded them to go on therein, and presently four hundred of his fellow servants, taking him for their Captain, brake into the City, and made such a horrible slaughter, that they spared not very sucking Infants, and this was the beginning of the servile Warre which made such hor∣rible destruction in Sicily, that Rutilius at length with much ado, made an end of it. Diodorus Siculus, lib. 34.

[ 183] WHen at the Thermopilae long Mountains passing through Graece to the Egaean Sea, three hundred Lacedemonians were to fight against Xerxes, Megistias Acarnas, a Propher of the

race of Melpodes, told that it was apparent, That death was immi∣nent over all their heads; though Leonides offered openly to dismiss him, that he should not undergo such hazard of his life, yet he would not depart, but also caused his onely son to go along with him, and be a Souldier; all the rest of his fellow-Souldiers which were dis∣charged of their service, went their wayes; the Thesbiensian and Theban Souldiers went on, and continuing with the Lacedemonians, they all perisht together. Herodotus, lib. 7.

[ 184] WHereas it was often given out as an Edict, That whoso∣ever either privately or publickly did predict or foretell the death of any man, should suffer death; at length Domitian the Emperour commanded Ascletario to be burnt, and Larginus Proclus to be hang'd, for that they foretold the day of his death: the one of these Fortune-tellers was sent by the Governour of the Province of Germany, to Rome, where he constantly affirmed what he had predicted concerning Domitian, and named a certain day, not long too, wherein the verity or vanity of his Art might be judged; therefore it pleased the Emperour to defer the execution of his sen••ence till that day; upon which, his prediction came to passe: wherefore by the favour of the noble Roman, he was freed. P. Aerodius Suetonio.

[ 185] GRillandus saith, That Perusinus was the greatest Magitian of all Italy, who singing Mass upon a certain day, and coming to that part of it at which he was to turn to the people and say, Orate pro me, &c. he said, Pray for the Castles of the Church, who are now expiring their lives: and at the same instant, the Souldiers of a Castle, twenty five miles distant from Perusium where he said Mass, were slain. The like story we read in Philip Comineus, of a certain Italian Archbishop of Vienna, who in the presence of King Lewis the 11th, celebrating Mass upon the day of the Epiphanie, at the Church of St. Martin at Turon, when he offered the Pax to the King to kiss, pronounced these words; Peace to thee, O King, thy enemy is dead. And it appeared, that Charls Duke of Burgundie dyed the same hour at Nanceum in Lotharingia. Cominaeus telleth many things of this Archbishop, which seem to be the certain ef∣fects of meer Witchcraft.

Of the Dreams, Visions, Revelations, and other such kind of Legerdemanes and mockeries of Evil Spirits.

[ 1] AGamemnon, leader of the Greeks against Troy, when he had taken Briseides from Achilles, Thetis interceding Jove for her son, that he would subject the Graecians to the Trojans, till they really perceived, and found by wofull revenge, what losse, trouble and vexation they had caused to Achilles, by their injurious dealing with him: Jupiter sends a dream to Aga∣memnon, wherein he commands him to draw out his Army, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for now he should take Troy. Jove can∣not lye, (that he full well knew) yet he well saw that he could not take the City that day: Jupiter plaid or sported with him by the abstruse meaning of the word; for the adverb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies in the Greek, not onely present, but instant; and hath that latitude, that it signifies past, and not much past; and to come, and not far off; Jupiter therefore meant by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the tenth year, which was then present, which was not long from the destruction of Troy. But Agamemnon interpreting, or construing his Dream to mean the pre∣sent day, he drew out his Army immediately, and received a great overthrow. Iliados. β.

[ 2] CYrus King of the Persians, leading an Army against the Mas∣sagetians, being at rest, dreamed, that he saw Darius the eldest son of Hystaspes, having two wings, with the one whereof he over∣shadowed Asia; and with the other, Europe. This Darius being twenty years of Age, at this time was left by his father at Aristimen∣tum in Persia; Cyrus awakened out of his dream, and suspended with this nocturnal vision; and casting many wayes what should be the meaning thereof; at last said, That thereby was revealed to him from the gods, that Hystaspes and his son Darius did lye in wait to surprise him and his Kingdom, he used therefore his utmost endeavours to return into his own Countrey, the Massegetians be∣ing conquered, and leaves his son in his place; but that Vision foretold, That Cyrus should be shortly overthrown, and that ere long Darius should obtain his Kingdom: which came to passe, af∣ter a short reign of Cambyses, which came betwixt this and Darius his Conquest. Sabellicus, lib. 6. Ennead. 2.

[ 3]

SOcrates foresaw in his dreams, that his Scholler Plato would be an excellent Orator and Philosopher; for the day before (he being brought to him by his father) Socrates in his dream saw a white Swan fly into his bosome, which by his musicall striking of his wings, filled the Ayr; which Dream, as soon as Plato was brought to him, he declared. Pausanias in Atticis.

[ 4] HIppocrates in his Epistle to Philopomenes, relates his Dream thus; That meditating solicitously of Democritus, (to whom being called to cure the Abderitani, he saith, that health would meet him in the morning). I saw, quoth he, Aesculapius, and as we were both before and even at the ports of the Abderitari, Aescula∣pius appeared not, as his pictures speak him, mild and gentle, but with squalid habit, and an horrid aspect; and there followed him Dragons, a fierce kind of creeping creatures, of huge length, hissing in desarts and lawnes; he had in his company likewise, men that followed him with boxes of medicaments handsomely closed up: immediately he reacheth forth his hand to salute me, which, God knowes, I most joyfully imbraced; I desired to wait upon him, and to serve him in his administring Physick; but he answered, for pre∣sent 'twas not needful; for this goddess of mortals and immor∣tals will conduct thee, being a stranger: Whereupon turning my self, I beheld a goodly fair Lady neatly and gloriously adorned, about whose eyes there appeared such a circle of shining splendour, that exceeded the glorious brightnesse of Stars. He thereupon de∣parted, but the Lady taking me kindly by the hand, leads me on a grave pace through the City; and when we approached near a house, wherein I thought I should have been entertained, she de∣parted like a ghost, saying, To morrow I shall find you with De∣mocritus. To whom as she was going away, I said, Dear Lady who are you? and how may I call you? Truth, sayes she, but she that thou seest coming towards thee, (and presently another Lady not uncomely appeared to me, of a more bold aspect, and more fierce) whose name she told me was Opinion, and that she lived with the Abderetani. When I therefore awaked from my Dream, I conceived the interpretation of it to be, That Democritus needs not a Physitian, God departing from administring of Physick, when there is no matter or sicknesse which requires it; but that Truth, which alwayes dwelleth with Democritus, saith he, is in health; and that Opinion which saith he is sick, remaineth amongst the mad Abderetani.

[ 5] ALexander was descended from Hercules by Carinus, and from Aeacus on his Mothers side by Neoptolemus, as it was verily thought. It is reported, that when Phillip King of Macedon first courted Olympiades, taken with her beauty, (by the help of her brother Arybba, whom Diodore in his sixteenth book calleth Arym∣ba) whose friendship he obtained, he stole her away from her Pa∣rents,

and married her, and that the night before they enjoyed nuptial rights, in a dream he thought he saw Jove touch his belly, being descended from Heaven in thunder; whereupon there was a huge fire which arose, and presently dispersed it self into flames all about. The same Philip, a short time after his marriage, drea∣med, That he sealed his Wives belly, and that the sculpture of the seal, as it seemed to him, was the Image of a Lyon; which vision he declaring to some that took upon them the interpretation of dreams, they advised him to set a strict Watch or Guard upon his Wife; but Telemesus said, She would bring a Lyon-like child, for that no vain thing is to be sealed; therefore the dream signified, that she would have a child of perfect animosity and courage. Plu∣tarchus, in Alexandro.

[ 6] SOphocles did often dream, that Hercules speaking to him by name, called him thief, because he had stoln a golden vessel out of his Temple. And that being detected and brought before the State, he confessed himself guilty of the theft whereof Hercules accused him; wherefore from that time ever after, the Temple was called by the name of Hercules his Temple. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 5.

[ 7] ANnaeus Seneca, a Senator of Rome, being commanded by Claudius, the Emperour, to undertake the Tutorship of Nero, as yet a child hopefull, by a towardly genius; the night after he received him, (as 'tis reported) he dreamed, that he had to his Scholler Caligula, whose famous cruelty had appeared to the World: Not long af∣ter the conditions and manners of Nero changing, or rather being detected, appearing, he proved himself to have a soul void of hu∣manity; insomuch, that it was admired, because he was so like Caligula, how it could otherwise come to pass, but by the transmi∣gration of Caligula, his soul out of Hell, into Nero. Petrarcha ex Suetonio & Dione.

[ 8] EUdemus a Cyprian, a familiar friend of Socrates, travelling into Macedonia, cometh to Pherae, a rich and famous City of Thes∣saly, but oppressed and brought somewhat low, by the inhumane tyranny of one Alexander, he was there taken with such heavy sickness, that Physitians despaired of his health; who thus afflict∣ed, dreams, that he saw a gallant young man, who coming to him, assured him of three things to come, That he, though now extream∣ly sick, should shortly recover his health; That the Tyrant of that City should dye within a few dayes; And that he within five years should go to his own Country. And the two first did manifestly come to passe accordingly; for he beyond all hopes recovered his health; the Tyrant was slain by his Wives brothers: the third was somewhat more obscure; for about the end of the fifth year, as he was going from Sicily, where he then lived, to Cyprus, he was taken out of this World by Wars at Syracusa: we find, that Inter∣preters of Dreams excuse the not coming of Eudemus home accord∣ing

to the dream, by saying, That by death his soul was delivered from the bonds of his body, and returned to her Countrey. Pe∣trarcha.

[ 9] ASpasia, the daughter of Hermotimus, after her Mother Phocensis dyed in labour, together with her child, being educated in pe∣nury, and want of a Parent, yet modestly and handsomely she of∣ten dreamed, that she saw one, who told her, that her fortune should be such, that she should be married to a gallant and honest Gentleman; it chanced to the Maid, that a swelling rose upon her very chin, most ugly to behold, which was a cause of much grief both to her father and her: whereupon her father brought her to a Physitian, who undertook to cure her, upon condition that he should give him three Staters, (which is worth seven shillings of our English coyn) for his pains; When the father said, 'Twas more then he had, the Physitian dismissed the young Maid uncured, who thereupon was most grievously tormented, so that she ate nothing; that night, an opportune sleep seizing upon her, she had a Vision, wherein she heard these words. Be of good courage, and trouble not your self with Physitians, but take a Rose of Venus, and beating it together into a salve, apply it to your swelling. Which when she awaked, she accordingly performed, and her swelling was clean taken away, and Aspasia so far transcended all the Ladies of her time, in glorious beauty, vertuous life, and incomparable carriage, that Cyrus King of the Persians, enamoured with her excellencies, first married her, and after his death Artaxerxes took her to Wife. You may read the Story elegantly set forth by Aelianus de varia histo∣ria, lib. 12. à principio.

[ 10] IN the time of Plinius, the Mother of a certain Souldier who served in the Praetory, dreamed, that she ought to send to her son the root of a wild Rose-Tree, or Sweet-brier, which she had seen and observed in a Grove the day before by reason of its beau∣ty, to drink in milk: This happened in Laretania, being the nearest part of Spain. And it came to passe, that this Souldier having been bitten with a mad-dog, whereby he grew so ill, that he began to fear the waters, and shew many symptoms of his infirmity; he received a Letter from his Mother, wherein she desired him to make use of the Medicine which was shewed her in his Vision; which he observing, and performing, became presently free from the misery he was in; and not onely he, but any that afterwards upon like occasion, made use of that medicine. Plinius, lib. 25. cap. 2.

[ 11] AESculapius of Athens prescribed by Oracle to Plutarch an Athe∣nian, and Domninus a Syrian, who bruised by I know not what chance, did spit blood, that they should be filled with Swines-flesh; but Plutarch, though by the Law of his Nation he was not forbidden Swines-flesh, and therefore might have made use there∣of

according to the prescription, utterly refused it, and awakened from sleep, stretching forth his arms in his bed, and beholding the Statue or Image of Aesculapius (for he lay in the porch or entry of the Temple) he said, Why didst thou prescribe this cure to an He∣brew or Jewish Lord? for neither hadst thou bid him to be filled with Swines flesh. Which words when this man had spoken, Aesculapius (a most sweet sound being uttered out of the Image) prescribed him another way of curing the disease. But Dom∣ninus, having followed the dream otherwise than the instru∣ctions of the Syrians, do lead unto, not the example of Plutarch, he both then and ever afterwards a••e that flesh: and it is re∣ported, if at any time it had ceased one day, the disease to have waxed worse, untill they were fullfilled. Suidas.

[ 12] A Certain Persian, Epixyes by name, a Noble Lord of the up∣per Phrygia, laid wait for Themistocles, going down unto the Sea by reason of businesse pertaining to Greece, after that he fled to Xerxes, Pisidians being long since provided, who in the Town, which they call [Leontocephalon] (that word signifieth the heads of Lyons) that they might kill him, walking in the night. To whom they say, the Mother Idea being set before him by a dream, to have said; O Themistocles, avoid thou the head of Lyons, least thou run into the Lyon. For this thing therefore I require from thee the hand-maid Mnesiptolema. From whence Themistocles be∣ing overwhelmed with fears, the goddesse, being worshipped, de∣clined the Kings way, and being gone past that place, he now sate down with others in the night. But when one of the beasts which carried his Tent, had slidden into the River, the servants of Themi∣stocles opened the arris hangings, being made wet, to dry them. In the mean time the Pisidians run to them with their Swords. But when they could not sufficiently see through those things that were dryed, unto the Moon; They thought they were the Tents of Themi∣stocles, and that they should find him resting within; when as now going nearer privily, they carried away the Arries, the servants be∣ing intentive, flew upon them, and quickly took them. So he ha∣ving rid himself of the danger, in reverence of the goddesse, which had been presented before him, he built the Temple of Dyndimena at Magnesia, of whom he made his daughter Mnesiptolema a Nun. Plutarch. in Themistocles.

[ 13] L. Lucullus going to Hellespont, built or fitted a Navy for the Mithridatick war. Being brought to Troas, he turned aside in the Idoll Temple of Venus. Being asleep in the night, he seemed to see the Goddesse standing by him; who said,

Why sleepest thou, couragious Lion here, When num'rous Dogfish is next present there.

He arising, his friends being called unto him, put forth the dream,

it being as yet night. Some of Troy were also present, who shew∣ed him, that there were five of the King's Gallies with Oars at the Haven of the Achaians, thirteen which bent their course into Lem∣nos. Therefore he presently lets loose, and obtained these; he kil∣led their Lievetenant or chief Commander. Isidore, &c. Plutarch in Lucullus.

[ 14] M. Arcorius, a Physitian of Augustus Caesar (when two Armies of the Romans had stood in the fields of Philippi, here the Army of Octavius and Anthony, there of Brutus and Cassius, and the next day they were to joyn battell) received a Dream from Mi∣nerva, that he should warn Octavius labouring with a grievous di∣sease, least by reason of health being against, he should not be pre∣sent in the next battell. The which when Caesar had heard, he com∣manded him to be brought in a horse-litter into the battell, in the which while (for the getting glory) he had watched and warded above his strength, he was freed of his disease, and was freed from the Souldiers of Brutus, thinking of his murther, and rob∣bing his Camps, and striking thorow the empty Horse-Litter with Arrowes and Darts. Cicero, Book 3. Of Divining, in Au∣gustus.

[ 15] SEleucus was the son of Antiochus, who was one of Alexanders Captains. He had Laodice for Wife; who, that night in which she conceived Seleucus, it seemed to her, being at rest, that she lay together with Apollo, from whom she had received a ring ingra∣ven with the shape of an Anchor, and that he was found in the bed, and to be kept with diligence. Laodice gave him unto Seleu∣cus (being well taught concerning his birth) going with Alexander into Asia. It is added, that Seleucus, and those begotten by him, had their thigh marked with a naturall Anchor.

[ 16] WHen the Romans being once shut up in difficult places by the Samnites, were greatly pressed upon; P. Decius, then Tribune of the Souldiers, he saw himself in his sleep, to lye be∣tween most thick wedges, dying with much glory. By which dream, the most valiant man, most thirsty after glory, yet not so much affrighted, as encouraged unto the desire of his promised end, began to decline no kind of danger: and being admonished by friends, that he should fight the more warily, he opened unto them his dream and purpose. Then notwithstanding being (be∣yond thought) unhurt he brought the army out safe from the jaws of their enemies. But after three years passed between, the late truth was brought to sleep. For in the Latine War, himself being Consull, sacrificed himself for the Common-wealth: and being brought into the middle of the enemies Armies, he dyed with such glory, that he stirred up his son unto the like desire of an here∣ditary death. These almost after this manner, are both written in the Annals of Rome, and related by Tully.

[ 17]

C. Gracchus saw the shape of his brother Tiberius (who was kil∣led in the sedition of the field Law) in his sleep, saying. He might delay as much as he would, yet he must perish with the same death, by which he had died. Which also happened. For when after most destructive Lawes published, he had possessed the Mount of Aventine with an armed multitude, by Lucius Opimius he was slain. Cicero in Book 1. Of Divination. Plutarch, in the life of the Gracchians.

[ 18] CAlpurnia the Wife of Julius Caesar; saw in her rest, that night which was the last he lived on the Earth, that he was slain with many wounds, laying in her bosome: and being exceedingly affrightned through the cruelty of the dream, ceased not to intreat him, that the next day he would abstain from the Court. But he not moved with a Womans dream, thought to do that, he earnest∣ly desired to go to the Senate, in which the hands of Parricides were brought on him; where, by Brutus and Cassius he was slain. Va∣lerius, Book 1. chap. 3.

[ 19] L. Cornelius Sylla, not onely foresaw his death, but also wrote somewhat of it: For in the twenty second Commentary of deeds done by him, two dayes before he deceased, he set to the last hand; and saith, the Chaldeans foretold him, That where he had famously lived, he was to depart in the flowr of happiness. He telleth also, That his son, who had dyed a little before Metella, was seen in a dream to stand by him in an unusual garment, and to have prayed his father, that he would lay aside cares, and would go forward with him to his Mother Metella, there with her to live in rest. Plutarch. in Sylla.

[ 20] A Beholder of Playes, who standing in the place of beholding, had mused in his sleep, that he was slain by a sword-player who seemed to be present; by and by he told the sitters by, that he had seen the Dream; so being killed by him with an Eel-spear, he taught by experience, the vain dream to be true, by a miserable issue. Alexander, book 3. chap. 26.

[ 21] GReat Sfortias, the day before he departed from Orthona against Braccius, who besieged the City Aquila, in the year 1425, dreamed about the morning, That being overwhelmed with a deep heap of waters, was conversant in the greatest danger of his life, and to have beheld a man in a Gyant-like shape very like to D. Chri∣stopher, of whom even with a great and often repeated voyce, he besought help in vain. But he being nothing warned by his dream, departing by Orthona, in the crosse passage of the small Ri∣ver Aternus, (which at this day hath its name from the Town Piscaria) while he brought help unto a Lad, his Armour-bearer being in jeopardy, his right hand being stretched forth, pitching in

the muddy Foord, his horse, although famous, failed in his hinder legs, and so his armour weighing him down, he was drowned. Jo∣vius, in his Life.

[ 22] MAlpaga, an Archer, was not an unacceptable servant unto Ga∣leatius Sfortias, Duke of Mediolum, among his household-ser∣vants. This man, the day before that Galeatius was killed, he saw in the night, at the time of rest, as if himself had been present at the thing, him being thrust thorow with wounds made, to be put together with his father in the same Coffin. That which after∣wards he waking beheld to be done, Galeatius being dead, while a proper coffin was made for him. Which sight, the same Mal∣paga, before the Duke was killed, being through fear astonished, had told unto his Earls. Fulgosus, B. 1. ch. 5. Of Examples.

[ 23] MArk-Anthony Taurell, Earl of Guastella, when he warred in the Kingdom of Neapolis, in that War which Ferdinand the Elder, King of Arragon, waged with Renatus King of Andegavia, in the standing Camps, which he had in the Country of the Bru∣tians; arising in the morning from his bed, he told those his Soul∣diers who had stood about him, that he saw in his sleep, that he was drowned in the water: and therefore decreed to abstain from swimming, to which he had accustomed himself. But when at noon-day after sleep, being cloathed with a Souldiers warlike gar∣ment naked from above, he had come to walk to the neighbouring Lake, and saw some of his Souldiers swimming, being unmind∣full of his night-dream, and perchance the destinies so drawing him, letting himself down with some others into the Lake to swim, according to the dream that he had seen, he was drowned, when as none of his Souldiers could bring him help. Fulgosus, book 1. chap. 5.

[ 24] HOrace Perusine, servant of the Feasts or Junkers unto Alexan∣der of Medices, Duke of the Florentines, a little before that he was killed by Lawrence of Medices, was vexed with a Feaver, from a vapour, as is meet to be believed, of black choler, he had a sight thrice in the night, in the which he beheld the Prince to be stabbed by Lawrence: Which images of things, drave the sick∣man, that he told it to Paschall the Prince's Physitian, to be related to the Prince. But Paschall, carefully doing duty, found the Prince in that mind, that he said it was a fable of a dreaming sick man; admiring, why the whole house had conspired together for hatred of Lawrence: The Supply of Sabellicus, book 22. out of Jovius.

[ 25] BAptista of Cardanum, studying at Papia, on a certain night, as soon as he arose, tryed to kindle a sparkle of fire. In the mean time he heareth this voyce, Go, my son, go to Rome. And he saw a great brightnesse, like a bundel of burning chaff. He being affrighted, his fire-light being laid aside, lay hid under the

bed, untill his chamber-fellows returned out of the University. When they returned, thinking him to be sick, they knock at the door, he openeth it. Straightway, to them enquiring the cause, he answereth, He thought his Mother to be dead, and told what he had seen and heard, and also wept. They turned the thing in∣to a jest; partly laughing at him, partly comforting him. The day following, when as yet he had not received a message concern∣ing his Mothers sicknesse, he was certified of her death, that she breathed out her soul in that very hour, wherein he had perceived these things. The Town of Cardanum is absent from Papia fourty two miles. Cardane, Of the variety of things, book 15. chap. 84. tells this of his Kinsman.

[ 26] ULysses after his return into his Countrey, being affrighted with often contrary dreams, called together most skillfull In∣terpreters, telling, that a certain Image was seen by him, of a very laudable beauty, between the countenance of a man and a god, suddenly to be sent forth out of the same place. The which, to him desiring to embrace with the greatest desire, and stretching forth his hand; it was answered unto him in a man's voyce, That such a conjoyning was wicked, because it was of the same bloud and birth: for thereby the one would destroy the others work. And then to him more eagerly, asking it, and desiring to learn perfectly the causes of that thing, a certain sign arising from a male, came between his sight, and that second power or jurisdiction of his cast upon him, to have disjoyned both. Which thing, all who were present, pronounced to be destructive with one mouth, warning him to take heed of the layings in wait of his son. So, Telemachus by his fathers will, is banished into the fields which were in Cepha∣lenia. He himself going apart into hidden and separated places, en∣deavoured to avoid the force of the Dreams. At the same time, Te∣legonus, whom being sprung from Ulysses, Circe had brought up at the Island Acaea, when he was of ripe years, going to search out his father, came to Ithaca, bearing in his hands a certin spear, whose top was armed with the bone of a Sea tortle, to wit, a to∣ken of honour of that Island, in which he had been brought up. Being instructed where his father Ulysses lived, by the keepers of the ground, being at his first passage more mistrusted, is forbidden, when as he more eagerly resisteth, he is on the contrary repulsed, he begins to cry out, It was an unworthy act that he should be for∣bidden from the embracement of his father. So Telegonus being thought to come to bring force on the King, he is more sharply re∣sisted, for it was not certainly known to any, that Ulysses had also another son. But the young man when he saw himself the more ex∣ceedingly, and by force, to be repulsed, being raised up through grief, killeth, or being greatly wounded, weakeneth many of the keepers. Which things after they were known to Ulysses, he think∣ing the young man to have been sent by Telemachus, going forth of doors, casts the Lance which he had wont to carry for his own de∣fence

against Telegonus. After that, the young man escaped this stroak, he sends a notable dart against his present father. When Ulysses fell down with the stroak, he gave thanks for his fortune, and confessed it was very well done by him, because being slain by the force of a strange man, he had freed Telemachus, a most dear son to him, from the wickednesse of parricide. And holding back the re∣sidue, he asketh the young man, who he was, and from what place risen, who durst kill Ulysses the son of Laertes, famous for counsel and war? Telegonus then knowing it was his father, tearing his head with both his hands, uttered a most lamentable weeping, being exceedingly tormented for the death brought by him on his father. Dictys, in book 6.

[ 27] PIndare, a Lyrick Poet, his age being now finished, seemed to see Persephone to stand by him in his sleep, and to complain, That she onely of all the gods was not adorned with his verses. But when he had come unto her, he should also make an hymn on her. Indeed, a little after, and even before the tenth day from that dream, he finished the duties of life. There was at Thebes a certain old woman, joyned to Pindare by kin, and very much exercised in sing∣ing forth many of his songs. Pindare shewing himself to her at the time of rest, sung a song on Persephone. She being presently awake∣ned, wrote down all things which she had heard Pindare singing, through a vision in her sleep. Truly in that song, amongst other sirnames of the hell-goddess, is Chrysenius, to wit▪ from the golden rains; which thing, it is sufficiently manifest, to have served for the snatching away of Proserpina. Pausanias, in his Boeoticks.

[ 28] UNto Phayll King of the Phocians, after the Temple of Delphos spoyled, he scarce as yet having come to his command, such a shew by a dream, was set before him. Among the things offered to Apollo, there was a very old image of brass, of a man, whose flesh being consumed, his bones alone were left. They of Delphos said, it was dedicated by Hippocrates the Physitian. Phayll seemed to see himself made like to this. And a few dayes after, pining away with leanness, he fulfilled the issue of the dream. Pausanias, in his Photicks.

[ 29] A Little before the destruction of Messena, in the twenty first year of the War, Aristodemus, King of the Messenians, seemed at the time of rest, to see, when as now arms being taken up, he was to go forth to battle, the intrails of sacrifices being placed on a table, his daughter (whom six years before being sacrificed for the safety of his Country, he had slain with his own hands) standing by him in a black or mourning garment, and her breast being na∣ked, shewing her wounds: and then the intrails being removed from the table, the weapons being withdrawn, her self to be en∣dowed with that golden crown and white garments. He therefore thought this dream to betoken death unto him, because the Messe∣nians

lift up the Nobles being crowned, and covered with a white garment. And without delay, when by the devoting of his daugh∣ter, he saw he could nothing profit his Country, at his daughter's Tomb he brought death on himself. Plutarch. in Cleomenes.

[ 30] ALexander King of Macedonia, first knew by a dream, that the right hand of Cassander would prove mortal to him, before that in the end he felt it. For he thought himself to be killed by him, when as he had never seen him. At then, sometime coming between, after that he had come into view, the image of his night-fear being disclosed, as soon as he knew it to be the son of Antipa∣ter, a Greek verse being added, which raiseth up the truth of the dreams, he beat back the suspition of poysoning now prepared against his head; whereby it is reported he was slain with the hand of Cassander. Valerius Maximus, book 1. chap. 7. Sabellicus, book 6. Ennead. 4.

[ 31] ALcibiades taking a sleep, thought himself in his sleep to be co∣vered with the cloak of his Concubine. The truth whereof straightway followed. For Critias, when he saw Alcibiades very much to prevail in favour and authority, endeavoured to take him out of the midst of them. Therefore he sent Tisimen (or as others name him, Susametres) and Bagous, that they might kill him. He when he was with his Leamond, being killed in her bo∣some, and was cast away unburied, was covered with the gar∣ment of his Concubine. Justine, book 5. Plutarch. & Probus, in his Life.

[ 32] THat was an effectual Image of rest, which brake the courage of King Croesus, first with the greatest fear, and then also with grief. For of his two sons, he thought that Atys the more excelling both in great nimbleness, and endowments of body, and ordained for the succession of the Empire, was taken away from him by the sword. Therefore whatsoever did belong to avoid the bitternesse of a denounced slaughter, the father's care in no part ceased to turn away. The young man was wont to be sent to wage Wars; he was kept at home. He had an Armory filled with plenty of all kinds of weapons; that also he commanded to be removed. His Earls used to be girded with the sword; they were forbidden to come near. Yet necessity made way for mourning. For when a wild Boar of huge bigness wasted the tilled places of the Mountain Olym∣pus, with often destruction of the Country-people; and help was humbly besought of the King against the unaccustomed evill, the son wrested by force from his father, that he might be sent to slay him, indeed so much the easier, because the cruelty not of the tooth, but of the sword, was laid up in fear. But while all were diligently bent on a sharp endeavour of killing the swine, a stub∣born chance of a hovering force, turned the launce sent from Adra∣stus, that he might smite the wild beast, out of the right way into

him: and indeed would have that right-hand especially aspersed with the fault of a wicked murder, unto whom the defence of the son was committed by the father. Valer. Maximus, book 1. chap. 7. & Herodotus, book 1.

[ 33] POlycratis, daughter of a Tyrant, of the Samians, she seemed to see at the time of rest, her father to be on high in the ayr; who should indeed be washed by Jupiter, but, anointed by the Sun. She being affrighted with this vision, warned her father, that he should not go to Oraetes the Governour of Cambyses at Sardis. But he obey∣ing not the saying, was fastned to a crosse by Oraetes. Herodotus, book 1.

[ 34] UNto Hipparchus the son of Pisistratus, was presented in his sleep, the image of a tall man pronouncing these verses;

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Bear (Lyon) things unsufferable, suffer with bearing mind: There is no wicked man, to whom hee'l not repay in kind.

In the morning he would refer these words to the Interpreters of dreams. But straightway the Vision being despised, he neglected it, and went away into the solemn fight, where, by Aristogiton, and Harmodius, Gephyraeans, he was killed. Herodotus, book 5.

[ 35] SImon of Athens, when as he moved an expedition against the Persians, his Navy being now ready, he had such a dream. An angry Bitch seemed to bark at him, and to utter thereupon a voyce mixed of a man's voyce, and a dog's barking, in these words;

Be gone, thou art to be a friend To me, and to my whelpish kind.

Astyphilus Posidoniates therefore, a divining man, and familiar friend of Simon, affirmed death to be foretold him, using this ar∣gument: The dog is an enemy to him whom he barks at: but to an enemy none is dear, or a friend, but when he dyeth. More∣over, the mixed voyce, sheweth the Mede an enemy, whose Armies are mixt of Greeks and Barbarians. The end proved the dream to have been true: for not much time after Simon dyed of a disease in the siege of Citium Plutarch. in his Life.

[ 36]

WHen as a certain one had seemed to repeat a verse of Ho∣mer's unto Socrates;

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪

Thou shalt indeed on the third day To Phthia come, full fraught with clods of clay.

He said to Aeschines, I shall dye on the third day. Phthia was the Country of Achilles. And his friends endeavoured to perswade Socrates, that he should flee into Thessaly, because there he had good friends. But he drew 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,] that is, to kill or cor∣rupt. And the third day after, Hemlock being drunk in prison, he perished. Laertius, in his Life.

[ 37] ATterius Ru••••us, a Roman Knight, when a Sword-play was set forth by the Syracusans, he saw himself in the time of sleep, to be thrust thorow by the hand of Retiarius. And the next day he told it in the place of beholding unto the sitters by. Afterwards it fell out, that in the next place from the Knight, Retiarius was brought in by the Sword-player. Whose face, when he had seen the same man said, he thought he should be slain by that Retiarius, and forthwith he would depart thence. They, his fear being sha∣ken off, by their speech, brought the cause of destruction to the mi∣serable man. For the Sword-player being compelled into that place, and cast down while he endeavours to strike him ly∣ing along, kills Atterius being thrust thorow with his Sword. Va∣lerius Maximus, in the first Book, chap. 7.

[ 38] JUlius Caesar, not much before he died, in his sleep sometimes he seemed to himself to fly above the Clouds, sometimes to joyn his right hand to Jupiter. Moreover in the same night, when he lay in his bed, all the dores of his Chamber, and likewise the Win∣dowes being set open, he was affrighted both with a noise and light, and the Moon shining bright, he marketh Calphurnia being fast asleep, to utter dark words, and undistinct sighings. She imagi∣ned that she lamented him whom she held thrust thorow, in her bo∣some. Others deny that sight to have been set before her. But when as a Pinnacle had been (by the decree of the Senate) adjoyned unto Caesars house, as Livy is Author, as it were for an Ornament, and enlarging it, Calphurnia having imagined (at the time of rest that to have slidden down) she seemed to her self therefore to mourn and weep. But when light had approached, she asked Caesar, if by any means it might be brought to passe, that he might not go forth, but might adjourn the Senate unto another time. But if he did esteem her dreams but as a lock of Wool, yet he should ask Coun∣sell of the Soothsayers, and Sacrifices, concerning things hanging over his head; Whence there was some suspition and fear set be∣fore

him also, as it seemeth: For he took notice of no superstition before the woman was grieved or vexed for that thing which she then saw. But assoon as the Soothsayers told him, satisfaction could not be made, many sacrifices being now slain, he determined, Anthony being sent, to dismisse the Senate. In the mean time Deci∣us Brutus, surnamed Albine, whom Caesar, for the trust which he had to him, had written amongst his second heirs; seeing he was a companion of the conspiracy of the other; Brutus and Cassius fearing lest if Caesar should passe away that day, the matter would have been told abroad, he mocked the Soothsayers, and reproved Caesar; and being taken by the hand, led him forth. And so that day, in the Court, being thrust thorow, with many wounds he was wretchedly slain. Plutarch.

[ 39] CAesar being slain, the people diligently sought after the con∣spirators being hidden. Helius Cinna the Poet, one of Caesars friends, had the night before, a fearfull dream. It seemed to him that he was invited by Caesar to supper; but when he refused, he was led by the hand against his will, and strugling. This man, hearing the body of Caesar to be burnt in the Market-place, although he had his Vision mistrusted, and was also held with a Feaver, came for the honours sake of him into the Market-place, Assoon as he was seen one of the common people told his name to ano∣ther which asked him, he to another: straitway it spread through all, that this man was one of Caesars smiters. For there was among the Conspiratours, another of his surname, Cornelius Cinna: whom because they thought this was he, by and by, a violent force be∣ing made, they in the very market-place, tore him in pieces. Plu∣tarch. in Caesar & Brutus.

[ 40] NEro (Provinces a little after falling off from him) was affright∣ned with evident signes of Dreams, and significations of things to come, and all things both old and new, he never wonting to dream before. At length his mother being killed, he saw at the time of rest, a Ship, the stern by violence wrested from him go∣verning it, and to be drawn by Octavia his wife into the most nar∣row dark places. And by and by to be filled up with a multitude of winged Ants, sometimes to fetch a circuit from the Images of Nations dedicated to the Theatre or view of Pompey, and to be dri∣ven away in their progresse: an ambling Nag, in which he very greatly delighted, the latter part of his body transfigured into the form of an Ape, and onely his head being whole, to utter forth shrill neighings. Suetonius.

[ 41] GAlba the Emperour, a little before his death, had set apart out of his Treasure, a Jewell set forth with Pearls and preti∣ous stones, to beautify his Tusculane-Fortuna. That on a sudden as more worthy of a famouser place, he dedicated unto Venus of or in the Capitoll. But the next night he saw Fortune complain in

his sleep, of the Jewell being taken away: and in good earnest to threaten, that she would snatch away himself, and also those things which he had given. The Emperour being affrighted in the dream, most early in the morning, those being sent be∣fore, who should make ready the Divine thing, ran into Tus∣culanum: and he found nothing besides warm embers on the Altar, and an old man clad in black beside it, holding Frank∣incense in a Glasse dish, and unmixt Wine in an earthen cup. Suetonius.

[ 42] DOmitian dreamed that Minerva departed out of the holy place, denying that she could defend him further, because she had been disarmed by Jupiter. The same man dreamed, that a Countrey-man came to him with a Sword, and Minerva, who was placed in his Chamber, to have cast away her weapons, and the same to go down out of a Chariot, which was drawn with black Horses, into a great gaping of the Earth. He was presently slain by his layers in wait. Xiphiline, in his life.

[ 43] ANthony Caracalla, Emperour, a little before that he was thrust thorow by Martial, Tribune of the Souldiers, and prepared a setting forward out of Antioch, his father Severus stood by him with a Sword in his sleep; and saith, Even as thou hast slain thy bro∣ther Getas, so will I kill thee. Anthony therefore awaking out of sleep, never doubted the end of his cruelty, and life to be at hand when as before also the Diviners had foretold the like things. Di∣on. Nycaeus.

[ 44] DIonysius of Syracusa, as yet containing himself within a pri∣vate habit, a certain woman Hymeraea, of no obscure stock; while she took rest, in her opinion climbed up to Heaven, and there the seats of all the gods being viewed, she takes notice of a mighty man, of a yellow colour, a freckled face, bound with Iron chains, covered underneath with the Throne and feet of Jupiter. And the young man being asked what Captain, the favour of be∣holding heaven had used, who he was? She heard that he was a cursed destiny unto Sicily and Italy, and that being loosed from bonds he was to be a destruction unto many Cities. The which dream she the day after by speech divulged. And then, after that for∣tune, an enemy to the liberty of the Syracusans, and hatefull to the lives of guiltlesse ones, cast Dionysius, being freed from his heaven∣ly custody, as it were a certain Thunderbolt, into idlenesse and rest, assoon as Hymeraea beheld him entring the walls among a dis∣solute rout, for the honouring and beholding of him, she called out, this is he whom she had seen in her sleep. That thing being known, made the Tyrant carefull to take the woman out of the way. Val. book 1. chap. 7.

[ 45]

WHen Cicero followed Julius Caesar into the Capitoll, and told him, the last night Jupiter was seen by him, who with a Golden chain had let down a little boy of a wonderfull towardnesse from Heaven, unto the Gate of the Capitoll, unto whom he had afterwards given a whip in his hand: Octavius being then beheld whom Caesar had brought into the Capitoll for paying a vows sake, he knew that to be him whom he had seen in his sleep: His tri∣umphs and Son, being truly a scourge to the too much proud Nobi∣l••ty of Rome, made Cicero his dream certain. Fulgosus, book 1. chap. 5. & Xiphil. in Augustus.

[ 46] Q. Catulus, the Capitoll being dedicated, at the time of his rest, he saw Jupiter to have chosen one out of many children cloat••ed in Purple robes, to whom he had given the Roman ensigns to be carried in his hand, and the night following, when sleeping, he would drive away that very child out of Jupiters bosome, Jupi∣ter said, that he should not remove the child, because he kept him for the safeguard of the Roman Commonwealth. On the morning fol∣lowing, he by chance lighting on Octavius, by his shape and gar∣ment knew, that that was he, whom he had seen at the time of sleep. Fulgosus, book 1. chap. 5. & Xiphilin.

[ 47] SLeep shewed unto Vespasian the father, his own Royall office; and of his sons. For when he was as yet a private man in Achaia with Nero, he saw it told him (at his rest) by an unknown person, that his happinesse shall begin when a tooth should be ta∣ken away from Nero. Therefore being awakened, he on whom he first happened, was a Physitian, who shewed him a tooth that he had pulled out of Nero. Therefore not much after the death of Ne∣ro followed, likewise of Galba, and after them the discords of Otho and Vitellus, yielded the first beginnings and strength to Vespasian for rule. Fulgosus, book 1. chap. 5. Moreover Nero himself saw (at rest) Jupiters Chariot to be sent into the house of Vespasian: which words when they wanted interpreting, Josephus the Jew said they did betoken the Roman Empire to Vespasian. Xiphiline in Vespa∣sian.

[ 48] JUlian being chosen Emperour by the Souldiers in France against ••is will, said to some of his more dear friends; On that night which had gone before the day of his being declared Emperour, a certain likenesse (was seen by him) of some Genius or Paynim, which said these words unto him in a chiding manner: Ere while (O Julian) I attend at the porch of thy house, hiddenly much de∣lighting to increase thy dignity, but as often as being repulsed, I have departed: and (the opinion of many agreeing) neither now indeed am I received, I will go cast down and sorrowfull; yet that I will keep in remembrance in my heart, that I will dwell no lon∣ger with thee. Cuspinian.

[ 49]

NEptune seemed unto Stipo the Philosopher in his sleep, to be angry▪ because he had not offered [Hecatombe] that is, the sacrifice of an hundred beasts, as the custome was. But the Phi∣losopher being nothing disturbed at this sight, answered: What sayest thou, Neptune? Dost thou so come hither as a boy with thy complaint, because money being mutually taken, I have not fil∣led the City with a savour? But according to the bignesse of a fa∣miliar thing, I have sacrificed unto thee some very small fishes. At these words Neptune smiling, he seemed, his right hand being plucked to him, to have said unto him: For thy great favour, I will be∣stow on the City of the Megarians, plenty of [Apues] or very small fishes. The which also they deliver to have happened.

[ 50] UNto Hippias the son of Pisistratus, while being a banished man he ambitiously seeks after Kingly Authority, at Maratho, a night-shape of his mother, with whom he seemed to copulate, at the time of rest, was brought before him. For which thing the interpreters answered him, that Authority Royall was largely signified unto him, and he being put in mind thereof by his dream, and full of hope, not long after enjoyed the dominion of Athens. Herodotus, book 6.

[ 51] THe Mother of Dionysius of Syracusa, when she had conceived him in her womb, she seemed to bring forth a Satyr; and an Interpreter of wonders; being consulted with, she knew with a cer∣tain issue, that he was to be the most famous and most mighty of the Grecian bloud. Valerius, book 1. chap. 7.

[ 52] Astyages Cyrus his grandfather by the Mother side, the birth of Cyrus having respect unto the Empire of all upper Asia, two dreams of his being fore-messengers of it, endeavoured in vain to shake off Mandanes his daughter, because he had seen in his sleep, her urine to have overflowed all the Nations of Asia, not to a most excelling man of the Medes, lest the glory of the Kingdom should be passed over into that family, but by assigning her unto Cambyses, a man of a mean fortune of the Persians, and by commanding her son Cyrus to be put out; because he (times being quiet) likewise had thought, through the off-spring of Mandanes, the vine sprung forth would have increased so far, untill it would over-shadow all parts of his dominion: but truly he was disappointed, by endeavouring, through man's counsels, to hinder the happinesse of his Nephew, appointed unto him by the judgment of the heaven-lies. Valerius, book 1. chap. 7. Herodotus, book. 1.

[ 53]

THey report, That Cyrus, King of the Assyrians, dreamed, the eldest of Prince or Duke Hystaspes his sons, with two wings to overshadow, with the one, Asia; with the other, Europe. Therefore after his son Cambyses, Darius the eldest son of Hystaspes having obtained the Kingdoms, subdued Europe and Asia. Herodo∣tus, book 1. & Justin.

[ 54] MIthridates the sonne of Ariobarzanes was a companion to Demetrius son of Antiogonus, and his equal, and had Antigonus in reverence, a man evill neither in deed, nor in the opinion of others. An unlucky suspition happened to Antigonus, concerning him by reason of a vain dream. For (at his rest) it had seemed to him, to have set a wide field with bran∣ches of gold, from thence first grew golden corn. A little af∣ter, he, when he had returned thither, found nothing but stubble; and when he was very greatly grieved, he heard the voyce of a certain one, who said, Mithridates, the golden corn being mowed down, went away into the Euxine Sea. He being much troubled, opened that sight to his son, being first brought to an oath of silence: and that thing also, that he determined by any means to kill Mi∣thridates. Demetrius (this thing being known) was grievous sor∣rowfull, and when as he being a youth, according to his manner, being at leisure, had come to him, not daring for the tye of the oath, to warn him by words, drew him apart by degrees from friends; and when they were alone, his Spear being turned upside down, he wrote, he beholding him, Flee Mithridates: and he, the matter being understood, fled away by night into Cappadocia. But destiny proved the foolish Dream of Antigonus to be true, by and by: for Mithridates possessed a large and good Country, and was the author of the Kingdom of Pontus, which the Romans under about the eighth King, overthrew. Plutarch. in Demetrius.

[ 55] ACtia, the Mother of Augustus Caesar, sleeping in the Temple of Apollo, she seemed to be co-mingled with a Dragon, and the moneths for bringing forth being fulfilled, she brought forth. Moreover, before she brought forth, she dreamed, that her bowels were carried on high into Heaven, and were powred forth into the whole World. The same night, Octavius saw in his sleep, that he sprang out of his mother's womb. When the Infant was now born, Nigidius Figulus, a Senatour, presently foretold unto the Father, the highest royall authority unto his son. Xiphilin. & Sue∣ton. in Augustus.

[ 56] OCtavius, when he led an Army thorow Thracia, and had asked counsel of the Oracle of Bacchus concerning his son Augustus; the night following he presently seemed to see his son more sump∣tuous than in a mortal shape, with a thunder-bolt and Scepter, and

the spoyls of Jupiter the most excellent great, and a chariot covered over with a shining crown of Bay, twelve horses of an exceeding whiteness drawing it. Q▪ Catulus, after the dedication of the Ca∣pitol, for two nights together dreamed; in the first, The most ex∣cellent great Jupiter, many boyes in robes of purple playing toge∣ther about the Al••ar, separated one, and to have laid into his bo∣som the singe of the Common-wealth which he carried in his hand; and in the night following, to have observed, that he, the same child being in the lap or bosome of Jupiter Capitolinus, when he had com∣manded to be withdrawn, was forbidden by the warning of the god, as though he should be brought up for the safeguard of the Common-wealth. And the next day beholding Augustus meeting him, not without admiration, he said, he was most like to the Lad of whom he had dreamed. Some unfold the first dream of Catu∣lus otherwise, as though Jupiter, many boyes together cloathed in purple robes, requiring a defender from him, had shewn one among them, unto whom they should bring back all their desires, and had brought his kiss untouched with his fingers, unto his mouth. Marcus Cicero having followed C. Julius Caesar into the Capitol, he by chance told the dream of the foregoing night unto his familiar friends: a boy of a free countenance, let down from heaven by a golden chain, to have stood at the doors of the Capitol, and Jupiter to have delivered unto him a whip. And then suddenly Augustus being seen, whom as yet unknown to most, his Uncle Caesar had brought to sacrifice, he affirmed him to be he, whose likenesse at the time of sleep was presented before him. Suetonius.

[ 57] IT is agreed amongst all, That Vespasian the Emperour was so sure alwayes of the off-spring of him and his, that after daily conspiracies against him, he dared to affirm to the Senate, Either his sons were to succeed him, or none. It is said also, that he saw a certain ballance (at rest) placed in the middle part of the Porch of the Palatine-house, with an equall beam, when as in the one scale, Claudius and Nero stood; in the other he and his sons. Neither did the thing deceive, when as both commanded so many years, and with the like space of time. They say, Nero, in his sleep, was in his last dayes put in mind, that he should bring forth the Chariot to the most excellent great Jupiter out of the Vestry, into the house of Vespasian, and into the Circle.

[ 58] ADrian, the day before he was ordained Emperour, saw at Antioch of Syria, in his sleep, a fire to fall from Heaven on the left part to his neck or throat, straightway to creep on the right; with which fire, ••e seemed to himself to be neither sore afraid, nor hurt. Dion. of Nicaea, & Xiphiline in Adrian.

[ 59]

ALexander, while he assaulteth the City of Tyre for 7. moneths, with Bullwarks, Engines, and two hundred oar-gallies on the Sea side, saw Hercules, at his rest, stretching out his hand to him from the wall, and inviting him. Apollo seemed to say to ma∣ny of the Tyrians in the dreams, that they should passe over unto Alexander, for neither should those things which should be done in the City be effected by them. But they as traytors of the wicked∣ness found out, bound the Image of Apollo with chains, and fastned him to the foot of a pillar with nails, calling him a favourer of Alexander. Another shape was set before Alexander in the night. A Satyre was offered to him. The which when he endeavoured quickly to take, it withdrew it self; at length, after many intrea∣ties and runnings about of his, it came into his hand. The divi∣ner, the name being divided asunder, not absurdly answered, Sa∣Turos. Tyre shall be thine, because [Sa] with the Greeks, signifieth thine. They shew a spring, at which next after sleep, he saw the Satyre. Plutarch. Alexander.

[ 60] EUmenes, when he thought Neoptolemus and Crater to move against him, and provided to move by night; by and by being over∣charged with sleep, a wonderful Vision was offered to him. He seemed to see two Alexanders at a battle joyned between them∣selves, and both to lead all the wings: hence, to the one came Mi∣nerva; to the other Ceres, for help. A sharp conflict being begun, that being scattered for whom Minerva stood, Ceres, ears of corn being divided asunder, weaved a crown for the Con∣querour. This being seen, he conjectured it was the second to him, who for a very good field, and at that time having a fa∣mous ear of Corn in the knop of a Rose, did fight. For it was full of sown seed, and pease yielded a bright shew, the fields having long grass in great plenty. He was now more raised up; after that he understood Minerva and Alexander to be a sign of battle to the enemies. He therefore gave also Ceres and Alexander a sign to his Souldiers, that they should redeem their head and weapons with the Crown made of ears of Corn. A battel being joyned, he slew Neoptolemus and Crater. Plutarch. in Eumenes.

[ 61] TImoleon, chief Commander of the Corinthians, a Navy being prepared for help of the Sicilians, against Dionysius the Tyrant, and all things being delivered or supplyed, which an Army had need of, the Priests of Proserpina seemed to see Ceres and Proserpinae to go far from home, adorning themselves, and with Timoleon, say∣ing, They were to sayl into Sicily. Wherefore they provided an holy Galley with oars of Corinth, named Drabus. He had seven Corinthian ships, The Leucadians afforded the tenth, when he looseth from these parts; when it was late in the night, and he was carried with a prosperous wind, on a sudden, the Heaven seem∣ed

to him to be cleft, and a plentiful and clear flame to have been powred forth upon the ship. From thence a Torch lifted up, that was proper to the mysticall or hidden things, and accompanying and holding the same course, what part of Italy the Governours most especially desired, it was brought into that. The Prophets affirm∣ed this shew to agree with the Dreams of the Priests, and that the goddesses were at hand in this voyage, and to shine before them with this shining brightnesse. For Sicily was holy to Proserpina, for there they fable she was allured, and that this Island was given her for a nuptial gift. And truly after this manner was the Navy confirmed. Plutarch. in Timoleon.

[ 62] AS the Dream of Hannibal, Captain of the Carthaginians, was de∣testable to the Roman bloud; so, of a certain foretelling whose not onely wakings, but also very sleep was ominous unto the Ro∣man Empire. For he drew forth an Image agreeeble to his purpose, and desires; and he thought a young man more no∣ble than in a mortal shape, to be sent unto him from Jupiter. By whose warning, at first, his eyes following his steps into no part, straightway a ready will of keeping an humane wit being feared, looking behind him, he perceiveth a Serpent of a huge greatnesse, with a stirred force, treading every thing whatsoever he had met with under feet: and after him, showres breaking forth with a great noyse of heaven, and the light rolled up within very obscure darkness. And then being astonished, he asked, What that Mon∣ster was, what it might betoken? This is a Captain; thou seest (saith he) the desolation of Italy; therefore be silent, and leave other things unto silent destinies. Valer. Max. in book. 1. chap. 7.

[ 63] AMandatus is a servant from Mardonius unto the Oracle of Am∣phiaraus, to enquire about those things which they should exe∣cute. But he thought, in his sleep, a servant of the god was stand∣ing by him, at first indeed to drive him back by word, as if the god had been absent: but straightway, as lesse obeying, to thrust him also with his hand. Last of all, to him stubbornly abiding, to have dashed a great stone in his head. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, That is, But these things were mis••sounds of things to come. For Mardonius was overcome at Plataea in a great battel, and being smit∣ten with a stone, was slain. Caelius, book 19. chap. 15. out of Plu∣tarch.

[ 64] XErxes, the son of Darius, King of the Persians, was about to bring war on the Greeks; Artabanus son of Hystaspes, the Uncle of Xerxes, exceedingly withstood it. Xerxes although fretting, yet he had purposed to obey Artabanus. But the destinies urging him, he had the same dream twice. He saw a man in a noble likenesse, chiding him, because he deferred to bring War on Greece. The thing being talked of with Artabanus, he constrained Artabanus cloathed with the King's garments, to take a sleep in the King's

Throne. The same resemblance was also presented before the eyes of Artabanus: Therefore he incensed Xerxes unto the Warr of Greece, with no less diligence than before he had withstood: indeed the evil fate of Xerxes so urging it, that the most proud King might pay the punishments of his rashness and pride. The same Xerxes seemed to himself to be crowned with an Olive-grass, with the boughs of which Olive the whole Earth was overwhelmed, and presently the Crown, tyed fast about his head, vanished: This dream was more famous and sure than the former. Xerxes had af∣frighted the world with Warlike preparation, and now seemed to triumph over Greece, Athens being taken, when as he was by the diligence of Themistocles broken, he was forced by a shamefull flight to shift for his life. Herodotus, book 7.

[ 65] THe Spartans, Callicratidas being Captain, were to fight at Ar∣ginusa in a Sea-battell with the Athenians, the diviners on both sides disswading them. For the head of a sacrificed beast lying on the shore, dispersed the Lacedemonians, being drawn through the rage of a wave; the Soothsayers shewed, all these things be∣tokened that the Pretor of the Navy was to perish in that combat. Which thing being heard, they say Callicratidas answered, he should withdraw nothing from the Spartane worthinesse, if by fighting he should fall. But unto Thrasibulus the Athenian, who being then Pretor, led the Navy, and to whom that day, the top of Royall Authority had come by lot, by night this dream appeared. It see∣med to him, together with six other Praetors, to act the Tragedy of Euripides, whose title is inscribed, [Phoenissas] in the common Theatre. But it seemed his adversaries acting the Tragedy, whose name is [Supplices], the Cadmean Victory to have happened to them, and all to have perished, by imitating the Captains, who had pitched their Tents for the assaulting of Thebes. These things being heard, a Prophet being called to interpret, they so expoun∣ded it, that seven Captains were to fall in that battell. But the holy things otherwise openly promising Victory, he bade the Cap∣tains, that it may be shewed unto their companions alone concer∣ning every ones death, but that they divulge a Victory (betokened by those very holy things) throughout the whole Army. A battell being joyned, Callicratidas, some Ships of the Enemies being first overcharged, dyed; the conquest remained in the power of the Athenians, 25. Ships being lost, 77. of the Enemies sunk. They fought on both sides, with little lesse then four hundred Ships, and that battel is mentioned to be the greatest of all, which indeed Greeks with Greeks ever fought. Diodore, in Book 13.

[ 66] UNto Pyrrhus King of the Epirots besieging Sparta, such a dream was offered. All Lacedemon being stricken with a Thunder∣bolt, seemed to him thereby to be set on fire, and he thereupon to leap for joy. He being stirred up with gladnesse, commands his Captains, that they set the Souldiers in order, and expoundeth the

dream to his friends; as if he was to vanquish the City. Unto which thing when as others wonderfully agreed, the sight pleased not Ly∣simachus. He saith, he feared, least as the places that were blasted with Thunderbolt, remain inaccessible, so the god signified to Pyr∣rhus, that he was not to enter the City: When as Pyrrhus answer∣ed this man, Those were meer delusions, and full of uncertainty, but that every man holding weapons in his hands, ought to bring into his remembrance.

Optimum id augurium, pro Pyrrho exponere vitam.

Of Divination that's the chief, For Pyrrhus to adventure life.

In the first of the morning he sets upon the City. But the Lacede∣monians not sluggishly and beyond their strength, defending them∣selves, he was constrained to loose the siege. Plutarch. in Pyr∣rhus.

[ 67] CN. Pompey, having followed King Mithridates unto Euphrates, fell by night. At which time it is blazed by report, that Mi∣thridates saw a resemblance in his sleep, which foreshewed him things to come. It seemed to him to sail in the Pontick Sea, with a prosperous wind, and now to foresee Bosphorus, and courteously to speak to those that were carried together with him, as who rejoy∣ceth in his sure and undoubted safety: but suddenly he was found forsaken by all, and tossed in a small broken piece of a Ship. His friends standing by, stirred him up, being busied with those trou∣bles and Images, shewing that Pompey was at hand. A fight there∣fore (instead of a bulwark) being begun, he was overcome. Far more then ten thousand were slain, and the Camps were taken; Mithridates himself with a draught of eight hundred Horsemen with him brake through the Romans. By and by the rest sliding away, he is left alone with three, among whom was the Harlot Hipsicratia, who had alway been of a manly boldnesse: Where∣fore the King called her Hispicratia. But then she being cloathed with a man's Persian garment, and carried on a Horse, neither see∣med she to be weary in body from the tediousnesse of the flight, nei∣ther the Kings body and horse being taken care of, was he tired untill they came unto the Towre or Castle Inor, where the Kings Money and Treasures were heaped up. Thence Mithridates took his pretious stones, which he distributed unto those that assembled unto him out of the flight. Moreover he gave a deadly poyson to a certain friend of his to be carried with him, lest any one should come into the enemies hands. From thence he strives to go into Armenia to Tigranes. Which thing, when he forbade him, and had pronounced a hundred talents on his head, the Springs of Eu∣phrates being passed by, he bends his flight through Colchis. Plutarch in Pompey.

[ 68]

BEfore the Pharsalian fight, it seemed to Cn. Pompey by night in his sleep, he entering into the Theatre, the people to applaud him; and that he adorned the Temple of Venus the Conqueresse with many spoils. This sight partly raised him up, partly made him carefull, fearing somewhat, least Grace and famousnesse should come from him unto Caesars family chanting on Venus, and some Panick fears awakened him out of sleep: In the fourth watch over Caesars Camps, where all things were quiet, a great light shi∣ned out. A flaming Torch kindled thereby, was brought into Pom∣pey's Camps. Caesar himself said he saw this, while he went about the Watches. The same Author, in the same place.

[ 69] HEcuba being great with young, she seemed to bring forth a burning Torch, which burned Asia and Europe. She not long after brought forth Paris, by whose unchast loves, the country of Troy being destroyed, their forces being wasted, Greece was con∣sumed by a long war, and undone. Sabellicus, book 1. ch. 1. Volatte∣ran. book 18. Anthropol.

[ 70] CAmbyses King of Persians, saw Smerdes (in his sleep) sitting in the Kings Throne, to touch the Heaven with his Crown. He for that thing, fearing lest his Brother Smerdes should possesse the kingdome; sent Prexaspes to kill him. Neither yet could he avoid even this by his brother-killing Murther; whereby Smerdes the Ma∣gitian, who feigned himself to be the true Smerdes Son of Cyrus, should the lesse invade the Kingdome. Cambyses going up to horse, being wounded in the Thigh with a Sword, died. Herodotus, Book 3.

[ 71] DArius had moved out of Susa against Alexander, being sup∣ported with a multitude of Armies (for he had six hundred thousand Souldiers under his Ensigns) trusting to a certain dream, the which (the Magitians flattering him) had interpreted more than according to the likenesse of truth. The troop of the Macedo∣nians seemed to shine together with a great brightnesse of fire. But Alexander to wait on him in the habit wherewith he had been cloa∣thed, when he was [Ascandes] that is, a Messenger, or [Ascantes] that is Chamberlain to the King: And when he had entred into the Temple of Belus, to have been withdrawn from before his eyes. By these things (in my opinion) God foreshewed that the Mace∣donians were to carry on honourable and famous matters, and Alex∣ander to obtain Asia; as Darius had enjoyed it, being of a Messen∣ger or Chamberlain, made King, but in a short time to lay down his life with his glory. Plutarch. in Alexander. Curtius hath delive∣red, that the King imagined the Camps to shine with a great bright∣nesse. Sabellicus, Book 4. Ennead. 4.

[ 72]

THey report, Domitian to have dreamed that a bunch sprang out from him behind a Golden neck; and to have had it for certain, that a more blessed and joyfull condition of the Common∣wealth was foreshewn to be after him. As indeed it so fell out in a short time, through the abstinence and moderation of following Princes. Sueton.

[ 73] EZeline, surnamed Monk, a bloudy and most cruel Tyrant, at his rest saw the fortune of his sons, that night in which he first came together with his wife, who was by name Adela, a Tuscian, of the stock of the ancient Earls of Montaion. For he seemed to himself to see a little hill, in which a Roman Town was (in the Patavine field) placed (the which he commanded, and was thence called Romanus or a Roman) so to be carried up and exalted, that it touched heaven with its top, and the same a little after, to be mel∣ted as Snow, and so to be let down, that it could no more stand up. The chances of his sons brought this effect: For the elder Son, and he Ezeline by name, possessed the rule of Verona, Patavium, Vincentia, Feltrium, and Cividal, and Marchia. But the younger, Alberick, entred on the Kingdom of Tarvisium, and other places. But afterwards, fortune changing, in the two hundred fifty and sixth year, above the thousandth of salvation, when as the Pope and the Guelphians together, had moved war against Ezeline his son, he lost Patavium, with the whole land. But when he trusted that he should possesse the City of Mediolum by craft, and for that thing had passed over the River Abdua, being besieged by his enemies, overcome in battell, a wound being received, being taken nigh to Soncinum, in that very same place he died, and was buried. His brother Alberick being strucken with fear by this chance, when as he distrusted that he could keep Tarvisium, he betook himself into the Castle of Saint Zeno. Where, in the year of Salvation, 1200. being betrayed by his own Souldiers, he came into the power of his enemies. There having beheld six sons to be killed before him, and his wife Margaret with two young maids to be burnt, he him∣self being cut through all his limbs by piece-meal, he saw (as his father had in his dreams) his Roman stock, or nation, to be ended. Fulgosus, book 1. chap. 5.

[ 74] THe Mother of Phalaris saw Mercury (whose Image holding a goblet in his hand, she worshipped at her own house, among the shapes of gods) in her dreams to sprinkle bloud on the ground out of that goblet, and being dashed on the pavement, to bubble back, untill by little and little it overflowed all the house up to the top. That which was seen in one, the bloudy cruelty of her son made true in many houses. Ponticus Heraclidus is the Author of this Vision, a learned man, as saith Tully, and Scholler of Plato. Petrarcha.

[ 75]

AMilcar Captain of the Carthaginians, besieging Syracusa, see∣med to hear in his sleep, that the next day after he should sup within the walls of the besieged City. By that thing being turned to a hope of Conquest, he being chearfull, set the Army in order in the morning to besiege the City. Unto him considering and attempting such enterprises, as often comes to passe, a great uproar arose in the Camps, the Carthagenians and Sicilians dis∣agreeing among themselves. The Townes-men laying hold of the occasion, come suddenly forth of the Gates, and their enemies being scattered, the Conquerours take their Captain, desiring to succour their ranks being disturbed, and therefore neglecting himself. And so being brought into the City, sup∣ping in fetters, he understood what a false expounder of the dream he had been. Valer. Max. Book 1. chap. 7. and Ci∣cero, Book 1. Of Divination. Artemidore writeth, a shew was presented to a certain one in his sleep, as that he should sup with Saturn; and it so happened, that the day following, he was cast into Prison. Caelius, Book 13. chap. 21. Of Book of Antiq.

[ 76] JUpiter commanded T. Latinus, a man of the common people, in his sleep, that he should tell the Consulls that he was not plea∣sed with the neighbouring Circean playes, of the leaders of the dance, which thing, unlesse being heeded, it were satisfied by the renewing of sports, no small danger of the City was to follow. He fearing least with some disprofit unto his Religion, he should ex∣toll the highest command, kept silence. And straightway his Son, being taken with the sudden force of a disease, died. He also at the time of sleep, being asked by the same, whether he had suffi∣ciently weighed the great punishment of his royall command neg∣lected, continuing in his purpose, was recompenced with a weak∣nesse of his body. And then at length by the counsell of his friends, being brought in a horse-litter, unto the Consuls Judgment-seat, and from thence to the Senate, the order of his whole chance being explained, with the great admiration of all, the strength of his members being recovered, he returned home on his feet. Vale∣rius, in book 1. chap. 7. Cicero, in book 1. Of Divination. And Livy, book 2. Decad. 1.

[ 77] THe Tartars inhabit beyond the Mountain Belgia, the Sea lying between. Changius, or their fi••st Emperour, saw again a white horseman, who had foretold unto him the Empire, in his sleep, that it was the will of the immortal god, That in the Moun∣tain Belgia being passed over, they should go forward into the West, and subdue all Kingdoms. But as soon as they had come to the Mountain Belgia, in that part which the Sea floweth on the Moun∣tain, that they should go down, and their faces being turned to∣ward the East, they with nine bowings of the knee, worship the

immortal God. Changius obeyed, and all his people being led out, he compelled them to continue all night in prayers. The morning being come, he saw the Sea to have went back from the Mountain, nine feet, and on that side he led his whole Army on dry ground thorow the waste wildernesses into Asia. Haithon the Armenian in his book of the Tartars.

[ 78] HAnnibal, Captain of the Carthaginians, had decreed to carry away a golden pillar, being found in the Temple of Juno Lu∣cina. But being not sure, whether it was of sound gold, or whether it was gilded with gold nigh the superficies, by solemnizing an as∣sembly, he tryed it, and being made sure, that it was all of gold, he was confirmed in his purpose of snatching it away; unto whom the shape of Juno seemed to be present, while he dreamed: she ad∣monished him, that he should abstain from covetous and sacrile∣gious enterprizes; threatening, if he proceeded, that she would deprive him of one eye wherewith he should see the ground, or the Sun; with which sleep, the Captain otherwise cruell, and who feared no god, there was no Religion, as was written of him, yet it is delivered, being moved, he daring to move nothing out of the place of that very gold, which had fallen out of a hole while he tryed it, he took care to have a warlike Engine made, and to be placed on the top of the pillar. Petrarcha.

[ 79] VAlens, Emperour, in his sleep, saw a certain man, saying these words unto him;

Be gone with haste unto great Mimas: thee the grievous force Of destiny, dreading thy self, shall from thy life divorce.

He being awakened out of sleep, asked the standers by, What place was called Mimas? And when at length, a certain one of the Gram∣marians or Oratours, who follow the Kings Court, had said, Mi∣mas was a Mountain of Asia, of which Homer had made mention in his Ulysses: And to aiery Mimas. The Emperour laughing, an∣swered, What necessity enforceth me of seeing this place, and seeking a lot? But when, fighting against the Alanians, the Em∣perour was burnt in a little cottage about Adranopolis of Thracia, the Barbarians departing from thence, some Souldiers of Valens di∣ligently searched out his dead carcass. In that cottage where he perished, was found an old grave of a certain ancient man, with this Inscription, Mimas a Governour of the Macedonians, was here laid. Therefore that dream of Valens was fulfilled. Cuspi∣nian.

[ 80] THat which was once set before Julius Caesar in his sleep, before that he had moved into neather France, and brought offensive weapons on the City, when at his rest, it seemed to him, he ravish∣ed

his mother: By which dream, the expounders stirred him up unto a most large hope, having interpreted, That the rule of the world should be given him. The same dream they mention, was offered to Hippias, son of Pisistratus, with no unlike issue, who be∣ing his succeeder in tyranny, used his Countrey more cruelly. For a night resemblance of his Mother, with whom he seemed to copu∣late, is said to be set before him at the time of sleep; for which thing the Interpreters answered, That rule was largely betokened unto him. And he being put in mind by his dream, and full of hope, not long after he enjoyed the dominion of Athens. For this is that Hippias, who having attempted a tyrannical power, not without cruel wickednesse, was more outragious and unbridled than his father, when as being a banished man, he had changed his soyl, he moved wicked arms against his Countrey. At last conspiring with Darius, being slain in the Marathonian fight, he yielded punishments to his Countrey and houshold••gods. But an∣other son of the same Pisistratus, Hipparch, who exceeded the cruelty of many Tyrants, when as he oppressed his Country and Citizens with a cruel Lordlinesse, a conspiracy being made against the life of the Tyrant, he was, by Armodius and Aristogiton, most valiant young men, not without the safety of all, slain: whose names be∣ing devoted to freedom, lest at any time it should be lawfull to in∣stitute servants, the Athenians established with an open abhorrency. Alexander, book 3. chap. 26.

[ 81] SAbacus, King of Aethiopians, possessed the Kingdom of Aegypt fifty years, which being finished, the god, which is worshipped at Thebes, was seen to say unto him, His reign over the Egyptians should not be happy, nor of long continuance, unless, the Priests of Egypt being all slain, he should passe thorow the midst of their dead carcasses with his. This dream being often set before him, he called together all the Priests on every side, and what things he had received through the dream being told them: He would not, he saith, build a remaining destruction for any one in Egypt, but had ra∣ther abstain from the Kingdom of Egypt, being pure and free of all wickedness. Diodore the Sicilian, & Herodotus, book 3.

[ 82] SEthon, King of Aegypt, Priest of Vulcan, when as he despised the Egyptians, he made use of a forreign Souldier, and stripped the Egyptians of their fields. For this wrong, it came to pass, that after Sennacherib King of Arabians and Assyrians had invaded Egypt with a great Army, the Egyptians would not help him. Then the chief Priest, void of counsel, betook himself into the Garret or Chamber of his House, and there bewailed before the Image, how much he was in danger. Therefore while he was lamenting, sleep crept on him, and while he slept, the god seemed to stand by, ex∣horting him, that he was to suffer no hurtfull thing, if he went to meet the Army of the Arabians, for he would send him helpers.

The Priest trusting to these dreams, those that were willing of the Aegyptians being taken, Merchants, or Factors, and handycrafts∣men or labourers, he pitched his Tents in Pelusium; for, in this, is the Aegyptian invaded. When he had come thither, in the night, a great multitude of field-Mice suddenly arising, gnawed asunder both the quivers, bowes, and also the rains of the bucklers in the Camps of their enemies; so that the next day, the enemies being naked of weapons, made flight, many being lost. And now in that Temple of Vulcan, the King stands in stone, holding a mouse in his hand, and by letters saying these words; Who so looketh on me, let him be godly. Herodotus, book 2.

Of Miracles of Devils, or of divers deceits and mocks of evil Daemons, to strengthen the Idolatry of the Gentiles.

[ 1] THe power of Vesta warranted (the fire being gone out) a woman Schollar of the Virgin Aemilia, to be safe from all blame, who worshipping, when she had laid a Cyprus garment (the which she had a very good one) on the hearth, the fire suddenly shone out. Valerius, book 1. chap. 1.

[ 2] THey say, Aeneas to have placed houshold-gods brought from Troy, at Lavinium; thence being brought over to Alba, by his son Ascanius, the which he had built, to have returned again to the ancient Chappel: and because that might be thought to be done by man's hand, being brought back again to Alba, to have sig∣nified his will by another passage. Valer. Max. book 1. chap. 8.

[ 3] NOt onely the Aegyptians, but almost all the World anciently worshipped Isis for her Miracles: for this goddess healed the diseases of those that were not well in health, in their sleep; and they who did obey her counsel, were cured beyond thought. Also those that were weak in their sight, or in other part of the body, humbly intreating the vertue of the goddess, were restored unto their former health. Diodore Siculus, book 1. chap. 2. of Ancient Things.

[ 4] IN the Temple of Aesculapius among the Epidaurians, they who came to pray to the god, they sleep; and in their sleep, do learn the reason of recovering health. And then they put squares in the Temple, containing the names of those that were cured, and the manner of curing. Pausanias, in his Corinthian affairs. There was the same custome among the Romans, even to the Times of the Antonines, that which we may understand from a Marble Table of Rome found in the Temple of Aesculapius in the Island Tiberia, and by the Mapheans kept even to this day, in which these words are read, rendred out of Greek in the Latine speech, as witnesseth Jer. Mercurial, a most Learned Physitian, in his first book of exer∣cise. In these dayes the Oracle told Caius, a certain blind man, that he should come to the holy Altar, and should bend his knees; he should come from the right part to the left, and should place

his five fingers upon the Altar, and should lift up his hand, and put it upon his own eyes, and he saw well, the people being pre∣sent, and giving thanks because great miracles were done under our Emperour Antonine. The god answered by the Oracle unto Julian vomitting up bloud, being despaired of by all men, that he should come, and should take from the Altar Pine-kernells, and should eat them together with honey for three dayes; and he was well, and, being alive, openly gave thanks in the presence of the people; the god gave an Oracle unto Valerius Aper a blind Soul∣dier, that he should come, and take the bloud of a white Cock, mingling honey with it, and should make a washing water, and should use it three dayes upon his eyes, and he saw and came, and openly gave thanks to God. Lucius being troubled with a pain of the side, and despaired of by all men, the god gave an Oracle, He should come, and take ashes from the Altar, and should mingle it together with a pretious Pearl, and should lay it upon his side, and he was in health, and openly gave thanks to God: and the people gave thanks together with him.

[ 5] ARistides a Rhetorician of Smyrna, when as an Earthquake was at hand, was commanded by Aesculapius to go a little before, unto the antient house, and on the top of the little hill Atys to perform holy things, and to build Altars; the which when he had scarce finished, the Earthquake arising, so shook indeed all the Countrey lying between, that it left no house to resort unto, but it came not to Atys, not touched any thing beyond it. Stobaeus, in 3. speech.

[ 6] THe Veians being vanquished and plundered by Camillus, it seemed meet, to carry away the Ensign that was in Junoes Tow∣er unto Rome, as he had vowed. Artificers being called toge∣ther unto that thing, Camillus performed holy things, and having prayed the goddesse, that she would embrace the endeavour of the Romans, and being willing, that she go with her favours unto the gods inhabiting Rome: they say, the Ensign spake with a low voice, she was willing, and to agree by nodding. Livy delivereth, that while he prayed, Camillus to have handled the goddesse, and invi∣ted her, thereupon some of the standers by, to have answered, she was willing, and to agree and follow willingly. Plutarch. in Camillus.

[ 7] ALexander the Great making a Bulwark in the Sea to vanquish Tyre, suddenly a Whale of incredible bignesse, swam to it and one part of his body being bended on the bulwark, he stood there a long time, with the great affrightment of all behol∣ders. He again swam out, at last into the Sea. Hence a very great Religion or superstition possessed both, thinking that to beto∣ken, Neptune would be a helper to the Macedonians, his mind being inclined even unto that which they desired. One told that such a

kind of sight appeared to him in the City, as though Apollo had said, The City of Tyre should be forsaken by them. That thing when the common people thought it was feigned by that man in favour of Alexander, and now some young ones would stone him, he being withdrawn by the Magistrates out of the midst of them, fled into the Temple of Hercules, and so by the safeguard of the god whom he had implored, he was freed from punishment at hand. But the Tyrians in nothing more. They worshipped him with much superstition, who linked Apollo's Statue and Image with golden chains, and so by that means they supposed him to be so fettered, that he could no more depart from their City; but for all that, their City was taken, and Alexander took off the golden chains and fetters from Apollo, with which the Tyrians had linked him, and commanded, that he should be called Philalexander; and so he finished that magnificent sacrifice unto Hercules. Diodorus, lib. 17.

[ 8] PHillippides the Athenian, being sent Embassadour and Legate to Lacedemonia, about the invasion and breaking in of the Per∣sians into Greece, returning home again much reprehended the de∣layes and stay of the Lacedemonians, who would not bring out their Army before the full Moon, and meeting Pan, or the god Pan, in the Parthian Grove, who promised that he would ayd the Athenians in the fight at Marathon, which was to be a while after. And so from this sprung the honours that the Athenians vouchsafed to the god, or gods messenger. Pausanias, lib. 1.

[ 9] IN the Mithridatick Warr, when Mithridates besieged and ho∣vered over Cyzicum with the wings of his Army, the gods seemed to favour the Cyzenians, and to approve of their fortitude, and to excite it by some perspicuous and transparent signs and tokens at sundry times, as well as at Proserpina's feast then instant. When they wanted a black Ox to sacrifice, they brought one made of bread∣corn artificially made in paste, to the Altar; but the holy or con∣secrated Cow which was at feeding, afterwards to be sacrificed to that Goddess, was at pasture over Sea with the rest of the flock of the Cyzenians; in that same day leaving the rest of the flock and herd, swam over alone to the Town, and willingly offered it self to be sacrificed; moreover, their goddess appeared in a dream unto Aristagoras the publick School-master; Truly, saith she, here I am, and I drive and force the African Fidler or Musitian into the Trum∣peter of Pontus; do thou therefore command thy Citizens to be of good chear. The Cyzenians marvelled much at this speech; and as soon as it was break of day, and that the bright Luciferian Star, Phoebus's harbinger, did periwigg the horizon with his silver'd locks, the Sea began to boyl, as though a huge wind had agitated and stirr'd it, the quaverings, machines, and engines of the King's wall, and the famous (yea supererogating works) of the Thessa∣lian Nicomedes, with their great noise and crack did prophesie and

foretell what would come to pass; afterwards a very stormy South∣wind did rise, which in a semi-moments space did so palsie and shoulder-shake a woodden Tower of the heighth of a hundred cu∣bits, and other machinaments and fortifications, that it levelled their sky-towring tops with the ground. But some relate it thus; That Minerva was seen in Visions to very many, to whom she ap∣peared in their dreams, sweat trickling down her, and shewed part of her embroidered garment or veil which was rent, and that she said, She was even now come from ayding the Cyzenians. But Mithridates being almost famished, (although not in Hungaria) gave over the siege, and returned into Bythinia, Lucullus follow∣ing him. Plutarchus.

[ 10] THe Boetians being enslaved and captivated by the Thracians, when they plumed their feet, and flew into the Trophonian den, it was told them in a Dream, That Bacchus was to be their helper; they fell upon the Thracians being drunk, (having Bacchus with them also) they redeemed one another, and built a Temple to Bacchus their redeemer; as Herac••dus Ponticus writes.

[ 11] IT is reported, That Cleomenus, King of the Spartans, after the Ar∣gians were vanquished, sacrificing in Juno's Temple, a flame of fire streamed out of the breasts of the Image; which was an evi∣dent sign that Argos was not to be conquered by assault; for if the flame had issued out of the head of the image, it would have inti∣mated, That he should win and take the City from the Tower: but when the lightning sprung out of her breasts, then all was done that the gods would have done. Herodotus, lib. 6.

[ 12] IN a black sorrowful conflict and battel at Pharsalia, in which Pompey was overcome by Caesar, which was foreshewed and writ∣ten by great and wonderful signs and wonders, in Elide, there was an image of Victory which stood in Minerva's Temple, which had its back to the gate, and in that same day that the battel was fought, of its own accord it turned towards the door. At Antiochus in Sy∣ria, and in a Town by the red-Sea called Ptolemais, twice in that very same day there was such a noise heard about that City, as though there were a great mutiny and murmuring of Souldiers about the walls, and there was the noise of a Drum heard in Per∣gamus's Temple. Valerius, lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 13] WHen Attila, the King of the Hunni, made an attempt about the intrenching upon the borders of the Roman Empire, the images of their gods was not onely seen in the night, but also in the day time to command every one to pray for himself, and that crimson and bloody drops came from Heaven, and two headed monstrous Infants were born, and many of their consecrated houses and Temples were struck with lightning, and a voice was oft heard,

Cave tibi Italia, O Italy, take heed to thy self. Bonfinius, lib. 3. De∣cad. 1.

[ 14] A Little before the destruction and demolishment of Troy, the fire in Minerva's Temple did spare, to burn the sacrifices that were laid upon the Altars; the common people being much troubled at this thing, flocked together to Apollo's Temple to the Altar there, and laying the parts of the intrails upon it, and fire being put to that, on a suddain all things began to be distur∣bed, fell to the ground; by which Spectacle all the people being enter'd in, much afraid and dismayed, incontinently there came an Eagle with a huge noise, and snatched away apart of the intrails, and carried them to the Grecian ships. Dict. lib. 5.

[ 15] CAesar Augustus in one part of the Capitol, erected a Temple to thundring Jove, which he had vowed in the Cambrick War, and did frequent this dedicated place daily, and he thought he saw in his Dream, Jupiter complain, that he had taken away his worshippers; and that he answered, that there was the Thunderer set for his Porter; And by and by, he decked and encompassed the top of the dedicated place with little bells, which then in a manner did hang and were pendant upon the gates and doors.

[ 16] ZOnaras Annalium, tom. 3. relates, That under Anastasius the Manichaean Emperour, a Magitian, a most wicked man, that had set up a brazen Image to the Goddess Fortune, in the shape of a Countrey woman, whose feet being brass, stood in a ship which was of the same mettal, in the City of Constantinople; which aforesaid ship was either eaten away by hungry time, or broken by some other secret means, so that some fragments were taken away from it. And for this cause, ladened ships could not arrive any more at Byzantium; but whensoever they approached near to it, they were driven back again by the violence of the winds, and un∣less they had brought their bagg and baggage in long Vessels or Ships rowed with Oars, perhaps the people might have been fa∣mished; which thing continuing for a good while, at last the Ma∣gistrates took care of the business, and the cause of this dysaster, they enquired of a Magitian, a notable diviner, and so, that the broken pieces and fragments of that brazen Ship being diligently sought up, and gimmer'd and set in their proper places, then the Sea or Harbour was filled with voyage, navigation, and little ships; but as soon as they knew certainly the obstacle, at the last, the frag∣ments were dislocated; and whatsoever ships were to arrive there, by the strength of the winds, were cast and driven back; and the thing being discovered, the Ship was renewed and made up again with great care and pains.

[ 17]

THere were in a Tower in Athens Olive-trees, dedicated to Pal∣las, which were called Moriae Halirhotius the son of Neptune, did attempt to cut them down with an Axe, because, by reason of their making and production, he was overcome by Minerva and as he was a hewing of them, struck himself by the axe and by that wound he perished. Coelius, lib. 12. cap. 20.

[ 18] SOme say that Aesculapius was not born of the Nymph Coronis but of an Egg of a little Crow, because the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sig∣nifieth both a little Crow, and also a Nymph so called, as Luc••an in his Dialogue, de falso vate affirms. It is reported of the Antient Priests, who included and put a very little Serpent into a wind-Egg of a Crow, and studiously anointed it with wax, and hid it in a certain myery, and by and by an Altar was erected in that place, and he called the people together to a Sermon, or Oration, and when he had declared openly before them all, that he was about to shew himself to be a god. After the Oration was ended using some unknown uncouth words, he invocated and called up∣on Apollo and Aesculapius, that they would be propitious and for∣tunate, and draw near to that City. Afterwards dipping a wa∣ter-pot into a deep place, to fetch up some water, he brought up the water, together with that Egg, which he broke, a great com∣pany being by, and finding in it a young Serpent, he brought them all into a wonderfull admiration, but afterwards shewing a Serpent of a great bignesse in a gloomy place, a few dayes being spent, mo∣ving it self artificially, he said that it was so appointed, that he should declare that the god Aesculapius was the son of Apollo. And afterwards Serpents were committed to his tutorage and care, and his badge or arms was a staff linked about with a Serpent. Ut scri∣bit Dercilus Natalis Comes Mythol. lib. 4. cap. 11.

[ 19] IN the year 474. after the building of Rome, there was one Atro∣nius Maximus, that led through the Circle or Theatre, his servant that was sore beaten, tyed and chained to a Gibbet before the concertation of the spectators, for this cause Jupiter was angry and commanded one Annius that he should tell the Senate of this, and that he was not pleased with a fast so full of cruelty; and he smothering this, his son dyed suddenly, and for unveiling and de∣claring Jupiters counsell, the second time, was cured of a great weaknesse that tainted and debilitated him; so at last by the coun∣sell and perswasion of his friends, he was carried in his couch to the Senate, and when he had scarce finished his declaration he recovered his health, and went out of the Court on his feet, there∣fore the Senate did consult, and also by the Maevian Law that those Circean dayes were to be added to pacify Jupiter, and there∣fore was called Lustratius, not from the Gibbet as some conceive from the Greek words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but from the redintegration and renewing and making up of the breach, as Varro thinks, quia in∣staurare,

he saith, is instar novare. Macrobius, lib. 1. Saturnal. cap. 11.

[ 20] THe Argonautes report that going out of Sigea, they were tossed and tumbled with a cruel Tempest, and allmost all of them in such a great danger despairing, they by their prayers called up∣on Orpheus, together with the Samothracian Deities, that they would deliver them from this eminent danger. When the Myniae were in the belly of all the danger, expecting no good issue, unlesse they were brought forth of it, a two-fold light of Castor and Pollux shi∣ned about their heads (as it is said) and not long after the Sea be∣gan to be more calme, and for this cause the Divinity of these two young men was esteemed very highly of; and those sub••taneous Castorean fires that blazed in the Sea, were called Gemini, and they glittered like as they were the pictures and effigies of Joves twy-forked lightning which sometimes did sit upon the point of the hairs of the Souldiers, that were in their night-watches, at other times upon the fore-Masts of Ships, and wandred up and down other parts of the Ship, and with an audible sound were wont to go about. But they were a bad sign and a sad omen, when they came solitary and alone, as signifying the drowning of Ships; but when they two came together, they were a happy sign: No sign in the Zodiack more fortunate then Gemini, and were fore-shewers of a happy voyage: but it is said that by the same argument they are believed to fly and depart when Helen comes, which is a threat∣ning and ominous symptome; this thing in that place was reputed a miracle, and therefore Castor and Pollux were religiously worship∣ped by the Mariners, and so the people being arrived safely at their port, for their safe deliverance did solemnize their rites, and Ceremonies unto the Samothracian gods. Sabel. lib. 5. En∣nead. 1.

[ 21] MArcus Tullius relates in his first book of Tusculane Questions, that Trophonius and Agamedes, building a Temple unto Apollo and worshipping that god, did require a reward of their labour nothing that was certain, but that which should be best for Man. Unto whom Apollo about three dayes after did shew that he would give them that which they desired, who assoon as he began to shine (for by Apollo is meant the Sun) they were found both dead in the morning.

[ 22] CRoesus the King of the Lydians being orecome by Cyrus, and put upon a Funeral pile, that he might be burned, with a loud voice called thrice upon Solon: and Cyrus, understanding the cause of it, commanded the fire to be extinguished, but a little while after when the fire prevailed much against him, and waxed very fervent, he invocated and called upon Apollo, that if ever there were a gratefull sacrifice or offering to be given by him, that he would free him from the present evill; on a sudden therefore

black pitchy Clouds orespread as it were with a black veil, the fair and serene face of the Heavens, and bucketted down whole cata∣racts of liquid showers, and so put out and quenched the fire. He∣rodotus, lib. 1.

[ 23] XErxes bringing a great Navy against the Greeks at the end and extremity of the Magnesian Land, the Athenians are reported to have called upon the North-wind, they received of an Oracle which they had, that they should invoke and call upon his son in law, to help them, for Boreas had Orythuia Attica the daughter of Erechtheus the King. Therefore whilst they laid siege in Chalcide they invocated Boreas and Orythuia, that they would help them, and destroy the Ships of the Barbarous, even as they had done before about Athon: and Boreas performing the same, they went thence, and extructed to him a Grove near the River Ilissus. But in that Shipwrack, they that speak of the fewest, say not fewer then forty ships were cast away and sunk of Xerxes Navy; and an innumera∣ble company of men lost, and a great treasure of Money spent, be∣sides divers ladened or Merchandizing Ships, and Barks, and Fisher∣boats. Herodotus, lib. 7.

[ 24] IN a Vulcanian hillock hard by Agrigentum, there are certain green logs and pieces of wood, which being put upon the Altar, if their prayers be just and righteous, of their own accord they will kindle and catch fire; but if their requests be unjust and un∣reasonable, there will be no sign of comburation or burning. Fulg. lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 25] ROmulus in the Sabines War which was transacted about the Capitoll, and the Pallace, and high Tower, when he could in no wise stay the shamefull flight of his Souldiers in that skirmish he did vow to dedicate a Temple unto Jupiter Stator, the Stayer, if he would take away that aguish fear from the people that were about to fly, and would but stay the Romans against their enemies the Sabeans; and that they that stayed behind, should be the Vi∣ctors: scarce had he said his prayers, ere he obtained his request for the wings of the Army being repaired, the battel did not onely hang in Aequilibrio, but the Sabines were repelled (who a while be∣fore exulted for their Victory) even unto Curtius's Lake, and was beat back with great detriment and slaughter. Sabellicus, lib. 2. cap. 5. ex Plutarchi Romulo.

[ 26] WHat shall I say of Numa Pompilius? (who succeeded Romulus being called into the Kingdome out of the Sabine Courts) how prevalent was his prayer, and how daring and bold which was ready to allure Jupiter out of heaven. A thing (of which there is sufficient witnesse) not onely believed, but attempted of others likewise. Tullus Hostilius, who after him was possessed of the Kingdome, who did not undergo nor perform the sacred rites wise∣ly

when his whole house was set on fire, and burned by lightning. Sabel. lib. 2. cap. 5.

[ 27] TUllus Hostilius when he had Marshalled and ordered his army to march tovvards the River of Tibris and Anienis, and in the Fidenates and Vejentians; and knowing the imbecillity and want of strength of the Albanes against their enemies, he vowed to sacrifice twelve Samians to Mars, and so quickly became the Victor or over∣comer of the Army, who now was so accounted by right of Victo∣ry, and also was grown by hope and strength unequally match't to his enemies. Ibidem.

[ 28] A Greater counterfeiting and Apeing of piety (but yet who should reckon the worshipping of Heathen gods and spirits piety?) may be seen in Tucia, and appeared most eminently in a Ve∣stall there. Whether the confidence of the woman in this Case, or the obedience of the evill spirits is greater, is a great doubt; be∣ing commanded to plead her own cause, and to vindicate and clear her self from her aspersion, which was put upon her by her accuser, and the Vestall was desired that if she had all her time carried and demeaned her self chastly, and piously in her Ceremonies, that she should hold and fix her self with her anchora spei, upon the Rock of confidence; so she made her requests to her gods, and go∣ing to a bank of a River, having many accompanying her, that they might know the event and exit of the businesse, she brought a sieve full of the Water of the River to the High Priest (before whom her cause was formerly pleaded. There is also added to this miracle, that her accuser being very narrowly sought after, never appeared more. Ibidem.

[ 29] THere was a like miracle manifested about Claudius, that was the worshipper or Idolizer of the same Ceremony, and when her too too loose life had contracted some calumny, who did endeavour to wash off the blot, and to dispell that cloud that encurtained her glory, and to blow away that fume of opi∣nion that was in the minds of most men, did attempt to re∣medy this malady by some such apparent testimony which would require more admiration of the succeeding Ages to won∣der at it, then faith to believe it: this Vestall (Virgin shall I call her?) first humbly praying, and tying her belt, quickly removed a Ship which carried Juno, sticking in the Tiberine sands, and drew it against the stream, which a great deal of the Roman strength and force (though vi et armis) after very many encounters could not stir nor remove. Sabellicus, Lib. 2. cap. 5.

[ 30]

ADrian the Emperour, Lucius Commodus being adopted, and ho∣ping for the Empire, commanded Severianus, and Fuscus his Nephew (which seemed to take the surrender of the Empire grievously) to be slain, much suspecting and envying them; one of them being four score and ten years old, the other but eighteen. But Severianus before he was to be strangled, called for some fire, and, burning incense; he said, Vos, ô Dei, testor me nihil mali commississe: i. e. Be ye my witnesses, O ye gods, that I have done no evill to Adrian, I wish onely this mischief, that when he shall desire to dye, he shall not be able. And thus one of them yielded to the fates. Afterwards Adrian, in a great sicknesse, often desired death in vain, and often strived to be his own executioner (by reason of his wicked heyre); his Epistle which intimates this is extant, for he writes thus; How miserable a thing is it to desire death, and not to dye. Dion. Caessi∣us, in vita Adriani.

[ 31] WHen the Athenians were infected with the Plague, they had an Oracle from Pythia, that the City was to be pur∣ged by sacrifice: they sent Niceas the Son of Niceratus, to a ship, who called Epimenedes out of Creet. He proceeding after this sort, Olymp. 27. did purge the City thus: they took sheep that had black and white fleeces, and brought them into Areopagus, and from thence permitted them to go whither they listed, and ap∣pointed severall to accompany them, and that wheresoever they should lye down, they should sacrifice severall of them to peculiar gods. And so the pestilence was quench't, hence was it that Al∣tars were oft found in the Athenian Villages without any name. Which by chance was to the unknown God, upon which occa∣sion, Saint Paul began to Preach Christ to the Athenians. La∣ertius.

[ 32] THe Persians being or'ecome and beat back to Platea a City in Boetia. Apollo answered the Grecians (consulting about a sa∣crifice) that they should rear up an Altar to Jupiter the Libe∣ratour and freer, but before they had solemnized the ceremonies, they appointed that all fire should be extinguished through the whole Region which was polluted by the Barbarians, and that they should kindle all their fires out of that pure fire on the common hearth at Delphos. Therefore by and by the Magistrates of the Grecians going all about, commanded all them that used any fire to extinguish it. Euchidas of the Plataeensians, promised that as swiftly as that could be done, that he would bring fire from the goddesse, and so he went to Delphos, and so purging his body by sa∣crifice, and washing it with water, being Crowned with Laurell, took fire from the Altar, and running backwards, went towards Plataeas, and before the setting of the Sun, returned, and in that ve∣ry same day measured and travelled a thousand pa••es, so the Citi∣zens were saved, unto whom he delivered the fire, but he quickly

fainted, and a while after died: the Plataeensians did bury him in the Temple dedicated to Diana at Euclia, and did superscribe this Tetrameter Verse.

Euchidas Delphos cucurrit, et die reversus uno est.

Euchidas unto Delphos one day run, Return'd again ereth' setting of the Sun. Plutarchus, in Aristide.

[ 33] IT is reported that Hercules the son of Alcmena, offering sacrifice to Jupiter in Olympia, when he could not drive away the flies, it is said that the Elii called the driver away of them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and did do sacrifice to him, and when the sacrifice was offered, on a sudden all the flies flew beyond the River Alpheus. Therefore was it reserved and kept by the Eleans to drive away flies from Olympia, and the same ceremony was used. Pausanias, lib. 5.

[ 34] AUrelian the Emperour, when he came against the Marcomannians unto Mediolanum a Town in Italy, he writ to the Senate that they should look into the Sybillaean books, what rites were necessary to crave the help of their gods. Which when the Senate had done so, and had it revealed by a divine revelation more then by any humane strength or counsels, the Barbarians durst not go beyond their prefixed limits, affrighted by such terrible sights and Won∣ders, and so a clear path was laid open for Aurelians Victory. But he, least that he might not seem ungratefull not to acknow∣ledge his help from Heaven besides the great rewards of this Victory, and Thanks-giving being given through the whole City of Rome, he gave fifteen Millions of the weight of Gold, and a great treasure of Pearls, for a remembrance thereof. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 1.

[ 35] THe Persians commanding Asia when they had spoiled and ran∣sack't all the Holy places and Temples of the Greeks excep∣ting the Temple of Semidea Rhea which was in Castamus Cherronesus, neither fortified with Walls nor Watches, and left it unviolated, the plundering Robbers pilling and poling all places, and this was that place which was onely left unwalled, and that might of all other been taken without danger, they report the cause to be this; the universall beneficence towards all men, for she did teach and instruct the sick in Dreams, the cure of their di∣seases, and did recover very many that were desperately sick. Furthermore, those Women that were in Travell, she delivered them from the perill of Child-birth. Diodorus, lib. 5. cap. 17.

[ 36]

WIthout Crotonis anciently there was a Temple dedicated to Juno Licinia and was very strict and hallowed with many Religious ceremonies, and where was a Grove that was hed∣ged about with high Firre-Trees: in the Center and middle there∣of there was a feeding place, a grasse-plot where all kind of Cat∣tle was fed, which was sacrificed to the goddesse, and had no kee∣per, the flocks overnight would stear themselves of their own ac∣cord to their Stables, being no wayes lyable either to the injury of men or beasts, there was a great wonder and miracle related of an Altar there which was in the day time, never was there any ashes blown away by the violence of the Winds. Sabellicus, lib. 3. Ennead. 5.

[ 37] A Great barrennesse comming upon the grounds of Pelasgus, they devoted the spring to their gods, being able to perform their vowes, they neglected to perform it, therefore being exagitated and vexed with a grievous pestilence, and enquiring of their Oracle, the cause of that evill, the Oracle answered, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that having whatsoever they would, they have not given that which they promised, therefore to pacify the Deity, they were to pay the tenths. Dionys. Halicar. lib. 1. Euseb. lib. 4. praeparat. Evangelicae.

[ 38] THey report that in Italy the Rock of the Posidoniacorians there was such a miracle used: for there was a hunter in that Coun∣trey which is called Andragathia; he was wont to dedicate the heads and feet of those things, which he had killed to Diana, and affix them to the Trees, and when he had taken a great Boar in con∣tempt of the goddesse, he said, he would onely offer the head of it to her, and tying it to a certain Tree, one day when he turned a lit∣tle out of the way, to shroud himself from the heat of the Sun being then Noon-tide, he slept under that tree, under which he had tyed the head of it, and fell asleep; then did the garter dis∣solve and untye of it self, and the head of the Boar fell upon his head so that he dyed. Diodorus, lib. 4. cap. 3.

[ 39] OEneus the King of Calydonia, there being a great plenty of all Kind of grain in Oetolia, and when he had sacrificed to other gods, onely Diana excepted, the goddesse being angry, sent a Caly∣donian Boor of a great bignesse, to destroy the neighbouring Region thereabout: and Meleager to stay this, being in full strength, ta∣king many consorts with her, killed the Boar, and so by the con∣sent of all, she obtained the reward of the slain beast, that was, the skin of the Boor. And when in a hunting time he was with Ata∣lanta, the daughter of Schaenei, being much enamoured of her did concede and grant to her that skin, which was his reward for kil∣ling that wild beast. Which being done, and Thestes sons being Hunters together with him, taking it very ill to prefer a stranger

Woman before them, and disapproving Meleagrus's fact, they by their traps and ambushes, took the skin from Atalanta, when she should return into Arcadia; then Meleager, as well agitated by love, as exagitated and excited by ignominy, at first he admo∣nished those robbers that they should restore the reward of Vertue which was given to that Woman by him, but they, contemning his words, he slew them all, for they were the Brethren of Althea: but she being much grieved for their slaughter, execrated and cur∣sed Meleager, and beg'd of the immortal gods, who had heard her prayers, that they would put an end to the life of her Son. some say that in Meleagers birth, the destinies appeared to Al••hea in a dream by night, and said, then should the life of her Son Meleager be expired, when that wood (which was a quenched charcolled firebrand) was burned out: the child being born, Althea think∣ing that by saving that Wood, she should also save the life of her Child, she diligently reserved and kept it. Afterwards being grie∣vously tormented, and vexed by the death of her Brethren, she burned the fireband, and then the cause of her sons death came to light, and repenting her of the fact, she hanged her self. Diodorus, lib. 4. cap. 2.

[ 40] STymphalus a River in Arcadia, maketh a great Lake or Gulph, and percollating, and being filtred through the Veins of the Earth, insinuates it self at length into the Argolick field, and there its name is changed; for Stymphalus 'tis called Erasinus in the dayes of Pausanias: this miracle happened, when a solemn rite was very cursorily performed by the Arcadians to the Stymphalian Diana; and in the first place the rites, for their countrey being Pretermitted, incontinently the Grove fell upon that cavern, under which the Ri∣ver Stymphalus did drain and sweat through the Earth's pores, therefore the mouth of the passage (by reason of the interveining rubbish) being dam'd up, and the water making a reflux and flowing retrogradely, the water did spread and expand it self over all the adjacent fields no lesse then 400. paces, and made a great pool or Gulph. And so by chance it happened that a hunter cha∣sing his Hart, when she had stuck her self in the dirt of the fen, be∣ing chafed with grief of mind, swam through the water, and he had not left off the pursuit after her, ere a great chasma or Gulph both swallowed up him and the wild beast together (they report) that by and by the standing water finding the channel of the River, and following it, so that the whole Lake was drunk and dryed up in one day, the ceremony being more preparedly and magnificently made to Diana. Pausanias in Arcadicis.

[ 41] GLaucus the son of Sysiphus, who ruled at Potnia despising Venus's Rites, was torn in pieces by his Mares, which used to draw his Chariot. Servius, lib. 3. Georg.

[ 42]

HErcules did erect a magnificent Temple to Jolaus his Nephew, and instituted many hallowed rites to be consecrated in it, and if the inhabitants should be wanting at the accustomed ceremo∣nies they quickly began to be made dumb, but when again they should obey, they were to be restored to their former soundnesse. Alexandr. ab Alexandro lib. 2. cap. 14.

[ 43] CYanippus Syracusanus because he had neglected to sacrifice unto Bacchus; the god, being angred and provoked, made him run into such drunkennesse, that meeting his daughter Cyane in the dark, although she resisted, he defloured her. But she snatching a ring from her father that did obstuprate her, delivered it to her Nurse, that it might be for a mark and sign of him that violated her. But afterwards when a grievous pestilence did invade and come upon the City, for such a hainous perpetrated wickednesse, there was an Oracle given out by Pythias, that the Authour of that impiety should be sacrificed to the freeing and liberating-gods. Therefore Cyane being conscious of these things, slew her father, haling him to the Altar by the hair of the head, that the gods might be paci∣fied. Dositheus, lib. 3. rerum Sicularum: et Plutarchus, cap. 39. Paral.

[ 44] IN Phocis at the Tithorean Temple of Isis, for Religion, the holiest of all them that ever the Grecians consecrated to the Egyptian goddesse, for neither is there any inward accesse into it by any, but to those whom Isis in dreams seems to call to her, beloved afore the rest: to this Tithorean Isis are two Fairs yearly celebrated in the Spring and in Autumn, the Merchants or Factors build them up Shops and Stalls of Reeds, and of any other matter that they can light on. At the last on the third day they that come to Merchan∣dize there, buy slaves, but in the afternoons apply their minds to their devotions. They sacrifice sumptuous Oxen, and Harts, but Geese and Meleagrides, birds, more parcimoniously, &c. Some∣times they say, a man is prophane when the pile begins to be bur∣ned, that through curiosity and self-confidence dare go into it. And to him if there shall seem all places filled full of Hobgoblins, and such domesticall homely spirits, notwithstanding if he turn back to Tithorea, and relate all that which he hath seen, he quickly dieth. Pausanias in Phocicis.

[ 45] IT is found by experience that they who violate the Religion of the Cabirorians, the Thebanes cannot escape condign punishment for their unexpiable wickednesse; for when the Naupacti a pro∣phane Generation of men, durst usurp those things that were con∣secrated by the Thebanes, not long after they paid for their fraudu∣lent impiety. Also those Persians of Xerxes Army, when Mardoni∣us was their Captain, having their fixed station or standing Camp in Baeotia, one part of which not doubting to enter into the Temple

of the Cabirorians, whether drawn thither by the desire of a great prey, or out of the contempt of the Deity, all of them were struck∣en with madnesse; part of them cast themselves into the Sea, part of them precipitated themselves from high rocks: and when Alex∣ander in a battell had or'ecome the Thebanes, and did destroy and depopulate the City and fields with fire and Sword, those of the Macedonians that broke into the sacred Temple of the Cabirorians all of them either by lightnings or by fire sent from Heaven, were slain; Such was the Religion of that Temple from the beginning. Pausanias in Boeoticis.

[ 46] PEntheus the King of the Thebanes when he had grieved Liber his father, and reviled him with many contumelious terms and other things, he did very insolently, but at last that he might pry into those hidden sacrifices of Women, went to Cytheron, and climbed into a Tree, and from thence he saw all, which when the mad Priestesses of Bacchus saw with a great violence, they tore him being alive, in pieces, and pull'd limb from limb. They say, there was an Oracle given at Corinthus, that they should make inquisition for, and seek out that Tree, and the finders out thereof should be worshipped with divine honours, therefore by the Item or inkling given by that Oracle, there was two wooden pictures found of his Father, Liber, put in the repository of the Temple: besides two mouthes which were anointed with red lead, they name the other Lyfius Bacchus. Pausanias in Corinthiacis: Euripides writing of the daughters of Bacchis Cadmus, and their sisters the Simeles which brought up Dionysius, did mention one Pentheus, that each of them tugg'd away the parts of his body. Natales Comes Mythol. lib. 5. cap. 13.

[ 47] WHen the Potitians had obtained the rites of the consecra∣ted things of Bacchus, which was assigned for a gift to their nation by him, as an heritage, Appius Claudius the Censor be∣ing the Author of it, did transfer it to the servilest basest office of their servants: therefore all that were above thirty years of age, Adulti, were slain and destroyed, and the name of the Potitians, divided into twelve Families, quickly was quite extinct. And Appius for his part was made blind. Valerius, lib. 1. cap. 2. Livius, lib. 2. Decad. 3.

[ 48] C. Terentius Varro overseer for the Temples, when he made Cir∣ces playes in the Temple of Jupiter, he put a boy of admira∣ble beauty, a player, to keep the watches. Which being done after many years it was as well expiated, as remembred: for a great while after, being made Consull, fighting at Cannus, he prospered so ill, that he almost lost fifty thousand Romans that were slain. Va∣ler. Max. lib. 1. cap. 2.

[ 49]

ANnibal and Himilco being two Carthagenian Captains, be∣sieging Agrigentum, commanded their Souldiers that they should cast and throw down all the Sepulchres and Mo∣numents, and so by that ruine draw and contract a great heap of rubbish and to bring it to the Wals; neither was the Army slow to execute this command, nor to bring this work to passe: but whilest they were digging there, a great reverence of Religion and awe of the gods began to seize on some of the minds of the Army. For the Tomb and Sepulchre of Thero, a Monument of great labour and labour and Art, shaken by lightning, trembled: which miracle being procured for some of their Priests, when they saw the multi∣tude make haste to pull it down, laboured with all might and main, to stay and forbid it; and suddenly a pestilence invaded the Camp, which destroyed many, neither did it wrest a few into di∣vers afflictions and calamities in which Annibal the Captain him∣self dyed. As also those that did watch by night, did think they saw spectrums and ghosts, and the shadows of them that were dead walking and wandring in shades. And Himilco gave over spoiling of the Monuments, and quickly performed his Rites to his gods, sa∣crificed an Infant to Saturn, and drowned a whole company of Priests to appease Neptune. Diod. lib. 13.

[ 50] ILus when he saw Minervaes Temple on fire, running in haste, took up Pallas's Image which fell from Heaven, and instantly he was struck blind. A while after the wrath of the Goddesse being appea∣sed, he recovered his sight again. Plutar. cap. 34. Paral.

[ 51] PEgasus bearing the Images of Dionysius out of Eleutherae a City in Boetia into Athens, the Athenians did neglect their god, neither did they receive him (as the custome was) with pomp. Where∣fore their god was angry, and infected the privy members oft he men with a grievous disease. And enquiring of the Oracle by what means they might be freed from this punishment, had this answer, that they should receive their god with pomp and honour. And so from this they carried through the whole solemnities, pikes adorned with green leaves, as well publickly as privately. Natales Comes, lib. 5. cap. 13.

[ 52] THe Captains of the Japigans did take out the Images of the gods out of the Temples, who boastingly said it was fit that they should give place to those that are most potent. And because of that, they were smote with darts and fire from heaven. And there did appear Darts afar off, which were shot out of the Clouds. And all their children unto this day are shaven unto the skin, and wear long mourning Gowns, and are to all, more rare then good men. Athenaeus, lib. 12. cap. 7.

[ 53]

WHen the Aeginetae invaded the Epidaurians, and carryed away the Olive-tree Images of Damiae and Auxesiae, by reason of which the Epidaurians yearly were constrained to bear the rites to Erictheus at Athens (for by that law they had granted the Epidaurians power of their Olive-trees) the Epidaurians refused to let go their bargain; Therefore the Athenians sent a Cart into Aegina to fetch back the Statues, that they might bring the Ima∣ges as though they had been made of their wood, therefore they endeavoured with might and main, and ropes cast about, to draw the Statues into their Ships. But as they drew them, the Images fell on their knees, and from that time they alwaies remained in that posture. Moreover, when there was a great Thunder and Earthquake, the Rowers were made mad, and wounded one ano∣ther grievously, and slew all, save one that was the Messenger of this slaughter, who betook himself to Phalerus. Herodotus, Li∣bro 5.

[ 54] ARtabarus a Persian, the son of Pharnax who had a comission from Mardonius, for the Circuit of 60. miles, when he rush∣ed into Neptunes Temple, and wickedly and irreligiously up∣on his Image, in the siege of the City he was much troubled with the flux of the Sea, and being constrained to raise his siege, when he with his Army retreated into Pallenes, he lost a great part of it by the overflowing Tides of the Sea. Herodot. lib. 8.

[ 55] PUb. Scipio Africanus Minor, when he had granted leave to his Souldiers to take Carthage, a certain Souldier going into the Temple of Apollo, did attempt to bereave the Image of the Gol∣den Vestment: for which thing Apollo being angry, caused that those sacrilegious hands should be found cut off, among those frag∣ments of the Clothes and the skirts of the Trunk or body of the Image. Valer. Max. lib. 1. cap. 2.

[ 56] THe Grecians convented and met together in Aulis being to sail to Troy. Agamemnon going a pretty way from the Army, see∣ing a she-Goat about Dianaes Grove (ignorant of Religion) which was in that place, smote it with a Dart, not long after Diana be∣ing angry, sent the Pestilence into his Army, a certain Religious Woman affirmed that Diana was vexed for the death of her she-Goat, in which she much delighted, and that she would have pu∣nishment of the Army for such a sacrilegious fact, and that she could not be appeased before he that was the Authour of this wickednesse, did sacrifice his eldest daughter, &c. Di∣ctis, lib. 1.

[ 57]

PAncrates Arcadicus, in inscriptis Marinis operibus, declares the fish Pompilus, called also Nautillus, is not onely in esteem with Neptune, but with all the gods in Samothrace. When the Golden kind of men as yet lived, Epopaeus, of the Icarian Island, fishing to∣gether with his son, and seeing that he could catch no other fish but Pompills, he did not refrain from eating them, but he with his son did eat them all. But shortly after he suffered for his villany. For a Whale coming to the Ship, swallowed up Epopaeus in the sight of his son. Moreover Pancrates doth relate, that the Pompilus is an enemy to the Dolphin, and that they let the Mechi go Scot-free when they have eaten a Pompill, for they become unprofitable; and being troubled after they have eaten them, the water casteth them on the shore, where they are food for Cormorants and Gnats. Athaeneus, lib. 7. cap. 7.

[ 58] THey say that a certain man hid a piece of holy Money which he stole out of the Temple of Apollo at Delphos, in that part of Parnassus, which is shadowed most with Woods and Trees. But a Wolf violently killed him sleeping, and afterwards every day, he did make the City resound with his howlings. When the men of Delphos began to think that it could not be done with∣out some divine providence, following the beast, they found the Gold which was taken away by sacriledge, and for the memory of the thing, they dedicated a Brazen Wolf to Apollo. Pausanias, lib. 10.

[ 59] SAmbicus a certain man of Eleus (a City of Thrace) together with some other of his companions, threw down many Brazen Sta∣tues, and sold them. Afterwards attempting greater things, he spoiled the Temple of Diana their Guardian. For her Tem∣ple was in Elis (a City of Achaia) which they called the Tem∣ple of Aristarchus. But he being apprehended presently after, when he refused to betray his companions, he was torn with new devised torments, amongst which he lost his life. Plutarch. in pro∣blemat. Graec.

[ 60] PHilomelus, who first possessed the Temple of Apollo at Phocis re∣strained his hand from the holy things, which necessity did per∣mit him to take. But Onomarchus which succeeded him, spent much of the Money in War. Phyallus the third, the brother of Ono∣marchus, took away a great number of the gifts which were conse∣crated in the Temple; to coyn Money, to pay his hired souldiers▪ And truly having received 120. Golden bucklers dedicated by Cae∣sar King of the Lydians, which weighed two Talents, he cast them aside to make money, and likewise three hundred and sixty Gol∣den Cups, which weighed twenty pounds, and the Golden Images of a Lion and a woman, so that all those things were valued at thirty Talents of Gold, and all those things which were coyned

of the Gold, according to the account of Silver, did amount to four thousand Talents. But all the Captains did spend the summe of above six thousand Talents out of silver things, which were consecrated as well by Croesus, as others: that if the whole value of the Gold and silver were accounted, it would amount to more then 10000. Talents. But all these were heavily punished for their impiety and contempt of the Deity. For Philomelus fighting against the Boeotians, the revengers of sacriledge, being wounded in many places, was shut into a certain sleep place, whence he could not easily get out (a punishment which sometimes was wont to be inflicted on Captives); he being afraid, cast himself headlong thence, and in the same manner, paying a due punishment to the Deity, he died. Diodorus, lib. 16. Onomarchus having his Army vanquished by Philip the son of Amyntas, swimming to the ships which were bound for the Athenian shore, died in the Sea. Phy∣allus was consumed with a perpetuall contagion. But Phalecus which after all them took away whatsoever was left of the gifts, lived long enough in fear, and divers great dangers, not that his fortune might be thereby better then the other companions of the wicked mischief, but that being tormented for a longer time, and made more known to many by his misery, he might undergo a more famous and much mentioned calamity. Being tossed about with very much wandring, when he did resist Cidonia in Creet, he was stricken dead by thunder.

[ 61] Q. Fulvius Flaccus did not escape unpunished, because he carried the Marble tiles that were to mend the Temple of Juno at Lacinium, to the Temple of warlike fortune, which he made at Rome. For it is affirmed that after this deed he was not long in his wits, but also yielded up the Ghost, by very great grief of mind when he heard that one of his two sons (which were waging war in Illiricum) was dead, and the other dangerously sick. By whose fal the Senate being moved, took care that the Tyles should be carried back to Locrus (a City in the uttermost part of Italy which was na∣med Magna Graecia.) Valerius, lib. 1. cap. 2. & Livius, lib. 42.

[ 62] WHen the Persians, under the conduct of Xerxes, came to the most famous Temple at Delphos with an intent to spoil it, great miraculous things were presented to their sight. The evill Daemons (whose habitation without doubt the same was) never saw a greater prey of men offered to them, then with that Tempest, they could appoint the same new superstition to Xerxes, and the whole World which he took with him. Two Rocks being suddenly smote down from the top of Parnassus, tumbled down upon the enemies lying under, and broke in pieces many that resisted. Moreover lightning being cast down from the Heavens with Thunder, and the holy armes moved out of the inner part of the house of their own accord, and a braying heard in the next Temple of provident Mi∣nerva,

did overthrow the Barbarians suddenly, so that they cast themselves headlong down from the steep places of the Mountains, as if they were driven with madnesse, upon whom the men of Delphos casting stones and Darts made a great slaughter. And by these various Phantasms, the Temple remained unviolated. Tro∣gus saith, that the men of Delphos found four thousand men, whose whole hands were consumed by lightning, and the filthy tempest, and at length they proclaimed openly, that by how much the grea∣ter the offense of the gods was than the offense of men, by so much▪ they ought to use more sudden and grievous punishment. Diodor. lib. 11.

[ 63] WHen Theron King of the hither Spain, was driven with rage to abolish the Temple of Hercules, which is at the Gades, (two Isles at the further end of Spain beyond Granate) having fur∣nished his army of Ships with necessaries, the men of the Isles of Gades came against them, being carried in swift Ships, and battel being given, it was weighed in an equall ballance as yet, but on a sudden the Kings Ships were put to flight, and therewith being caught with an unexpected fire; they burned. Very few of the enemies which remained being taken, did declare, that Lions did appear to them standing on the Decks of the Ships of the Gades, and suddenly their Ships were burned with beams sent in, such as are painted on the head of the Sun. Macrob. lib. 1. cap. 20.

[ 64] WHen the Scythians having gone out of their bounds, had spoyled the Temple of Venus Urania in Ascalon a City of Palaestine (for it was a very ancient Temple) the goddesse smote them and their Children with an effeminate disease, which they whom the Scythians call Enareas, can onely cure. Having enjoyed the Empire of Asia 28. years, at length being taken to a Banquet by Cyaxares King of the Medes, they were murdered, when they were merry in their Cups, as it was agreed upon before. Herodotus, lib. 1.

[ 65] ALexander, the son of Phillip of Macedon, when he had over∣thrown Miletum the best fenced City of Jonia, his pillaging Souldiers thronged into the Temple of Ceres. But Milesian Ceres revenging the fact, did cast flames of fire, which did strike the rob∣bers blind. Valerius, lib. 1. cap. 2.

[ 66] WHen Pyrrhus King of the Epirots returning out of Sicily, pas∣sed by the people of Locrus, he spoiled the Temple of Pro∣serpina notable for much Religion among the inhabitants of Locrus, saying in derision: Unseasonable devotion is superstition, and to gather Riches together without labour is Wisedome. But the day after that he had committed that sacriledg, his Navy being tossed with an ugly tempest, all the Ships which had the holy Money, were driven to

the shore of Italy. With which misfortune being affrighted, he commanded that the Money should be sought out, and laid up again amongst the ancient treasures of the goddesse. Neither had he any good fortune afterwards. For being tossed with many mis∣chances, at length entring into Argos, he died miserably. Suidas & Livius, lib. 9. secundi belli Punici.

[ 67] WHen Himilco Prince of Carthage (having brought almost all Sicily under his subjection) besieged Syracusa, he spoi∣led all the Temples, but in the first place, the Temple of Ceres and Proserpina. And while he studied how to gird his Camp, and encompasse his Tents with a wall, he demolished all the Sepul∣chres almost at the next Work to build his Wall, amongst which he spoyled the Monuments of Gelon of Demareta and his Wife, anciently builded with wonderfull work. But in a short time af∣ter he suffered deserved punishment for his sacriledge and impiety so arrogantly committed against the gods. For shortly his affairs went to wrack, all things being begun to be made worse, and af∣terwards when courage increased by little and little in Diony∣sians, and he was accustomed to weary them with often sallying out, and fight with light eruptions, they alwayes returned Con∣querours at all skirmishes. Also vain tumults among the Souldiers and sudden terrours were often stirred up in the silence of Midnight throughout the Camp, by which they did run to Arms in vain, the cause of it no man knowing, and their Tents being turned upside down with earthquakes, afterwards they perceived their enemies to break out of a bulwark upon them. A pestilence invaded the Camp of the besiegers in the Moor with a burning heat, which consumed the number of 150000. Dionysius making use of that oc∣casion, set fire on his Navy, and drove them to such extremity, that he compelled the Tyrant to buy a safe return for him and the Carthagenians with a reward of three hundred Talents, having left and betrayed his companions. Being returned into his Countrey, he did lead a life exposed to the reproach of all, and was so mi∣serable, that he went about the Temples of the City in a very thin Coat, declaring his impiety, and exhibiting his punish∣ment to the Deity, having confessed his wickednesse against the Gods. Lastly despairing, he killed himself willfully, lea∣ving a great fear to the Citizens of violating Religion. Diodo∣rus, lib. 14.

[ 68] WHen Delos was heretofore the chief Emporium of all Greece and that onely fenced with Religion, it defended all the in∣habitants from the injuries of all others. But Menophantes a cer∣tain Commander of the Armies of Mithridates, who being driven by the command of the King, or his own insolence, arose against the Island, and invaded it with his Navy, having neither the de∣fence of Walls, nor Arms. Where all things being beaten down, taken away, and pillaged, at length he laid the very City eeven

with the ground. In that destruction he cast the Image of Apollo (proudly being taken from its seat) into the Sea: That, being brought by the raging of the Sea to the bounds of the Boeotians at Laconia, named the place Epidelium. But neither Menophantes, nor Mi∣thridates himself did escape the wrath of the god. For not long after the calamity of Delos, when he was carried into the Sea, the Mer∣chants which had escaped his hand, slew Menophantes. But the god compelled Mithridates to lose his courage, having lost his Kingdome already, and being driven to and fro by the Romans, he could rest no where. There are some which say that he begged, as a great favour, from one of the Mercenary Barbarians, to be killed. Pausanias, in Laconicis.

[ 69] WHen the Graecians had dragged out by force, and killed those who came to pray in the Temple of Neptune, in the City of Helires, a great and sudden Earthquake did not onely overturn the very walls, but also defaced the very foundation of the City, that there was not so much as any tokens left, whereby it might be known to future ages. And they record that another such destruction happened. Helires was incompassed with a deluge of the Sea in the winter season, and the very Grove of Neptune was so overwhel∣med with that inundation, that the tops of the highest Trees could hardly be discovered: which comming to passe, the whole City with its inhabitants was suddenly destroyed as well by the most violent motion of the Earth, as the most abundant over-running rage of the Sea. In the fourth year of the Olympiad. 191. Pausanias, in Achaicis.

[ 70] WHen the Lacedemonians were inraged against the Inha∣bitants of Ilota, which worshipped at the Temple of Neptune Asphalius (that is) the safe, as Suidas saith, (which is at Teneros); Sparta was shaken as well with vehement as frequent impulsions of the Earth, that not one house escaped ruine, except four houses amongst all the rest which escaped unruined. Pausanias, in Achaicis: et Aelianus, Libro 6. variae Historiae.

[ 71] WHen Cytharoedes did dispute in contending for the ho∣nour of Juno at Sybarum, for that was the cause that provoked the Sybaritans to that contentious disputation, and when they had mutually gone to arms, Cytharoedes fled with his Stole to the Altar of Juno: but they forbore not to lay violent hands upon him in that place, but a little after they saw bloud sprinkled about the Temple, as if it had issued out of a continually-flowing Fountain. But when the Sabaritans had sent to ask counsell at the Oracle of Delphos, they received this answer:

Stand off, my Sacred Tables come not near; Whose hands are drench't in bloud, should Justice fear. Which fresh distilling, thee forbids to venter, Into the threshold of my Temple t'enter. Good fates to them can never be foretold, Who to stain Junoes Temple dare be bold. The Muses harmlesse servant thou hast slain, The god's revenge for which, thou must sustain. Who perpetrates base willfull facts, may know, He's sure to suffer heavy Judgments blow, Inexorable toth' unjust immortalls prove, Descended though by birth from mighty Jove. Who on their necks, and childrens childrens dear, Justly will heaped vengeance send to bear,

Neither was revenge delayed. For when they waged Warre with the inhabitants of Crotonia, they were overcome by them, and their City was overthrown. Aelianus, libro 1. de var. Histor.

[ 72] IN the Mountain Halesius, near Mantinea, was the Temple of Warlike Neptune, built by Trophonias and Agamedes, with Oak∣en boards, forbidding entrance not by the opposition of any bolt, but onely with a small Wollen rope drawn before it, which had a secret force to drive men away. Never any one entered into this Temple, besides Aepytus King of Arcadia, who having lost his Son as soon as he entered into the Temple, he was smitten blind by the sudden force of the Sea-water, boyling out of holy fountains, and not long after died. When the Emperour Adrianus did build it up again, he did set overseers amongst the workmen, lest any one should look into the antient Altar, or suffer any rubbel to be carried from it to any other place. Pausanias, in Arcadi∣cis.

[ 73] IN the Mountain Lycaeus of Arcadia was the Altar of Jupiter Ly∣caeus, whither no man could come. If any one entred despising the Religion of the place, it was certainly requisite that he must dye within the space of that year. It is a wonderfull thing also that (as they say) as well men as beasts, which by chance come in∣to the circuit of this place, have no shadow of their bodies. And truly a Hunter cannot follow wild beasts that fly thither, but stan∣ding at the entrance, he cannot perceive any shadow that they have. It is certain that the men of Syena a City of Aethiopia, do shew no shadows from their bodies at that time of the year, when Cancer is in Conjunction with the Sun. But in this Lycaeus it doth happen in any part of the year. Pausanias, in Arcadicis.

[ 74]

THey report that in Cerynaea a City of Achaia, was the Temple of the Eumenides, dedicated by Orestes. They believed that if any one entred in hither to see it, polluted either with slaughter, or any incest, or kind of impiety, he being troubled in mind, would presently be cruelly terrified. Wherefore the entrance of the Temple was forbidden to all that strived otherwise. Pausanias, in Arcadicis.

[ 75] WHen Erisichthon a certain Thessalonian had cut down the Grove of Ceres, she sent to him perpetuall hunger, and cau∣sed that he should never be satisfied with meat. He had a daugh∣ter named Mestra, very well skilled in Witch-craft, whom he of∣ten sold, being turned into divers forms of living Creatures, which running away a little after, would return to her father ha∣ving taken her former shape, and so she helped her fathers hunger according to her ability. Lastly, he was driven to so great hunger, that he eat his own flesh. Natales Comes, Mythol. libro 5. cap. 14.

[ 76] WHen Cambyses King of the Persians, came to the Theban Aegyp∣tians, he sent fifty thousand to destroy the Ammonians, and commanded that they should burn the Oracle of Jupiter Ammon. Therefore when they had gone seven dayes on their journey along the sands, and dined between the City Oasis and the Ammonians; a strong South-wind overwhelmed the whole Army with heaps of Sand carried along. He being gone against the Macrobian Aethiopi∣ans with the rest of the Army, when having scarce finished the fifth part of his journey, wanting Victuals, he returned to Memphis. Where when the Aegyptians did make Holy-day for the Apparition of Osiris; (in the shape of a Bull) he supposed that they had done it for his disgrace, as if they had reproached him for his misfortune: he killed the Priests and Aegyptians playing, he wounded the Bull of Osiris, by which wound afterwards he pined away. A little after he killed his brother Smerdes, and his Sisters, suf∣fering punishments worthy of his wickednesse. Herodotus, Li∣bro 21.

[ 77] THe Persians burned the Anactorian Temple of Ceres in Eleu∣sis. Afterwards, when they were conquered at Plataea (a City of Baeotia) by the Graecians, with a very great slaugh∣ter. Not one of the Persians was seen to enter the Temple of Ceres, which was there, nor lying about the Temple, as if the goddesse did drive away those, who had destroyed her Temple. Herodotus, Libro 9.

[ 78]

SUidas doth rehearse, that there was one Anagyrasion a quick spi∣rited man, (so named from the place Anagyrus in Attick) who, because an old man, his neighbour, cut down his Grove, thus re∣venged himself. The Concubine of the old man, cast a raging love upon his, who when she could in no wise penetrate the breast of the young man with the sense of her love, she voluntarily accu∣sed him before his father, that he did not cease to appeach him of Whoredome. His father being perswaded by the Woman, did throw his son headlong from the top of the house, and killed him. Afterwards repenting his deed, he hanged himself. Lastly, the woman cast her self into a Well. He doth write the Author of this thing, Hieronymus in opere de Tragaediarum Scriptoribus. Hence arose that Proverb;

Anagyrum commoves.

Erasmus:

[ 79] AESculapius grieving that a great part of a Grove, which was de∣dicated to him at Coos was cut down by Turulius one of the offi∣cers of Antonius, to make his Ships, but in that wicked service the parties of Antonius being overcome, Turulius was condemned to dy by the command of Caesar, who brought him to the place which he had violated, and caused, that being slain there, by the Caesarean Souldiers, he might suffer for the same destruction and overthrow of the Trees; (whereby the force of that Deity was made known) and that he might obtain freedome to those that were yet standing from the like injury. Afterwards the god encrea∣sed his worship, which was had alwaies in very great esteem among the Inhabitants. Valerius, libro 1. capite 2. Lactantius, libro 2. de Origine erroris, capite 8.

[ 80] POllux Onomastici libro 5. writeth that amongst the Athenians, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to say, Virgins of Diana, were wont to be consecrated or initiated before they were marriageable, there was a Law decreed at Athens, that no maid should be given in marri∣age to a man 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to say, unlesse she had per∣formed those sacred rites to Diana, which they used to solemnize in the Moneth of January. Libanus in his Oration which he made in praise of Diana, sheweth that the Virgins used to put on a garment which they named Crocota, being of the colour of Saffron, and that they were not to exceed the age of ten years, nor under five, Diana was thought to be pleased with them, who for the like occasion, seemed to conceive some anger. They report that there was some∣times in Athens a Bear which was made so tame, that she was no∣thing at all offensive to any, but did freely feed here and there at her pleasure, wandring about, no one receiving any hurt therby. It happened that a young maid playing somewhat too sportively with the Bear, who inraged therewith, suddenly and violently snatcheth her: which her brothers seeing, threw fiercely with

Darts, and killed her, for which cause the pestilence began to rage abroad about the Countrey thereabouts. The Oracles being con∣sulted, the gods answered, that the sicknesse would not cease un∣lesse they compelled some Virgins 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, for the destruction of the Bear, to kill some Virgins in the ho∣nour of Diana. Caelius, lib. 26. cap. 19.

[ 81] THe Tanagrean Boetians had a Temple dedicated to Mercurius Creophorus for that Mercury did avert the Plague, when they carried about the Walls a Ram, for which cause he appointed that he who carried the Ram should be attended by Tanagrean pipes, or musick; he of the young men who was esteemed by all to excell the rest in beauty, in the feast day of Mercury, carrying a Lamb upon his shoulder, went round about the walls with it, which was a most present remedy against the Plague. Pausanias, in Boeticis.

[ 82] IN the eighth year of the reign of Numa, the pestilence which ra∣ged all about Italy, wasted Rome also; The Citizens struck with fear, deliver a brazen target sent down from heaven by divine pow∣er; Hereupon they tell the King wonderfull stories, that they re∣ceived of Aegeria at Camene, and that those arms were sent for the safety of the City, and that they were to be kept with an eleven more, which were to be made of like figure amplitude and form, that no thief for his profit might be able to invent the similitude being heavenly things, and that he ought to consecrate the field at Camenes, and the Meadows lying about it, where they for the most part met with him, and that they should consecrate the Well which watered the field to the Vestall Virgins, the water whereof doth purge and water all penetrables. To these having given cre∣dit, they tell that the disease presently departed. Plutarch. in Numa.

[ 83] PHalesius a private man builded the Temple of Aesculapius at Naupactum from the foundation. On a certain time the God which was worshipped at Epidaurus, sent Anites a Noble woman, to him, when he was very sick, and almost blind, to make Verses, with signed Tables. The woman seemed to her self to receive them in a dream. But the thing was proved by the event. For when she was awake, she held the sealed Tables in her hands. There∣fore when she came to Naupactum, she bid Phalesius to look upon the letters having taken away the Seal. At first he thought that a blind man could not see the letters. But being in good hope that Aesculapius had sent him something to cure him, unsealing the Ta∣bles, he looked upon the wax, and forthwith he perceived himself to be eased of the calamity of his sight. Pausanias, in Phocicis.

[ 84]

SEsostres the King of the Egyptians being dead, his son (which Herodotus calleth Varro) receiving the Crown, and taking his Fathers name, he in no wise imitated the glory of his Father. But was afflicted with the same misfortune as his Father. For being blind, either by the common nature of his Father, or, as some say, for his impiety against Nilus (into whose belly he threw a Dart) he was compelled to fly to the assistance of the gods, and having made divers sacrifices to appease the Deityes, for a long time he had no help. After ten years he received an answer, that the god which was worshipped in Heliopolis, being appeased, he should look upon the face of a woman, which knew no man carnally be∣sides her own Husband: so beginning from his own Wife when he had many, he found none that was uncorrupted, besides the wife of a certain Gardiner, whom he took to Wife after he had recei∣ved his sight, but he burned all the rest in a certain Village. Which place the Aegyptians afterwards called, The holy Turf. But he giving thanks to the god of Heliopolis according to the Oracle received, he erected two Obelisks of one stone, eight foot broad and an hundred high. Diodorus, lib. 1. cap. 4.

[ 85] WHen a certain woman said to Adrian the Emperour be∣ing very sick, that she was admonished in her sleep by the gods, to exhort him, not to kill himself, although he seemed to languish under a tedious disease, because in a short time he should receive his health. The same woman did put out her own eyes, because the health of the Prince did not answer in time ac∣cording to her report. Lastly also, she was admonished to kisse the knees of Adrian, and wash her eyes with the water which was in the Temple, and having followed the advice of her dream, she presently received her sight. In like manner a certain man being come from Pannonia, which was blind from his birth, having tou∣ched Adrian, obtained his sight, and Adrian was restored to his for∣mer good health.

[ 86] AMasis King of the Aegyptians, married a Wife, (which some would have to be the daughter of Battus, the son of Archesila∣us: others, of Critobulus, a very honourable man amongst his peo∣ple) by name Ladices, with whom when he lay in bed, he could not perform his marriage duty, as when he made use of other women. When it was so a long time, Amasis said to her, Thou, O Wife hast bewitched me, and therefore thou canst not escape by any po∣licy, whereby thou mightest not perish by the worst death among all women. When Ladices could not appease Amasis by denying it, she vowed (within her self) to Venus, that if Amasis might co∣pulate that night with her, she would send an Image to her at Cyre∣na. Her wish being granted, Amasis copulated with her, and af∣terwards as often as he lay with her, he performed his matrimoni∣all duty, and afterwards he loved her dearly. And Ladices perfor∣med

her vow, having made a Statue, and sent it to Cyrena, which remained whole till the time of Herodotus, being placed without the Cyrenensian City. Herodotus, lib. 2.

[ 87] WHen Milo Epirota, had cast a spear at Laodamia the daugh∣ter of Pyrrhus, which fled to the Altar of Diana, as to a de∣fence, the goddesse revenging her, he ran mad, whereby he died within the space of 12. dayes.

[ 88] WHen a certain sacrifice was performed to Jupiter Ascraeus, a herd of Goats belonging to Helicarnassus being brought to the Temple, stood, and the prayers being ended, one of them, (no body guiding it) went forward till he came to the Altar, which the Priest taking, sacrificed. Apollonius, de Hist. Mi∣rab.

[ 89] IN Boeotia they think that Hercules doth shut and open the Tem∣ple of Ceris Micalessia every night. Moreover they put all the Apples which Autumn brings forth, at the feet of the Image, and they remaine very fresh the whole year. Pausanias, in Boeoticis.

[ 90] THere was a Village of the Nyssaenes between Tralles and Nyssa, not far from the City, by name Achrata, where is a place be∣longing to Pluto, encompassed with a sumptuous Grove. Also the Temple of Pluto and Juno, and the Den of Charon, admirable by nature, which is above the Grove. They report that sick peo∣ple that desire to be cured by these gods, do go thither, and tarry in a Village near the Cave with those that are skillfull in the holy things, who sleeping, receive cures for them in their dreams. The Priests calling for the remedies of the gods, do oftentimes lead them into the Den, where remaining as in a Cave, they spend many dayes fasting and sleeping: sometimes those that are sick, do receive health in their own Dreams, by the guiding and advice of the Priests. Strabo, lib. 14.

[ 91] EPidaurus a City of Peloponesus, being ennobled by the famous∣nesse of Aesculapius, who (as the ancients write) hath cured divers kinds of diseases. But the Temple was filled with a multi∣tude of sick people, and Tables hanging up, in which the di∣seases that were cured were written. In the same manner it was in the Island Coa, and likewise in Trica. The City was scituated in the innermost Closet of the bosome of Saronicus. Strabo, lib. 8. The same Strabo writeth that there was a famous Temple of Aescu∣lapius at Tetrapolis, which City was inhabited by the Jonians and Carians. That Temple was full of an innumerable convention of sick people, troubled with divers diseases, and the walls were every where covered with painted Tables, wherein were written the di∣seases and names of them which were cured by that god.

[ 92]

THey record that there is a Temple of Minerva Ilias, in which Dogs are nourished, to whom it is given naturally, as also by some certain knowledge, to fawn upon the Graecians when they come, but follow the Barbarians with barking wheresoever they shew themselves. Coelius, lib. 23. cap. 30. Antiq. lect.

[ 93] THere is a round Temple of Hercules of admirable structure in the beast-market of Rome, into which (they relate) neither Dogs nor flyes can enter. As no bird can enter into the Tem∣ple of Achill••s before Borysthenes. Alexander ab Alexand. lib. 2. cap. 14.

[ 94] THere was a Temple of Pallas at Methon, a City of Peloponne∣sus, Diomedes dedicating an Image, because before that, he received damage by most violent Winds in those parts, blow∣ing very unseasonably, which presently after ceased, when they prayed to the goddesse, and afterwards no such calamity came up∣on the Inhabitants. From whence she got the name Minerva. Coe∣lius, lib. 20. cap. 24. Antiq. lect.

[ 95] WHen Greece was troubled with a continuall drought, and the rest of Greece was no lesse distracted for want of rain, which was without Isthmus, than all Peloponnesus; they sent to Del∣phos, that they might know by the Oracle the cause and remedy of the calamity. There Pythia answered, that they must appease Jupiter, but they must make use of Aeacus to sue for them, so that he is willing to obey. Therefore when they had received that an∣swer, they sent out of every City, to entreat Aeacus to undertake the entreaty. He, having finished the sacrifices to Jupiter, and offered the vows, replenished all Greece with abundance of rain. For the memory of the thing, the Citizens of Argos, did erect statues for the Ambassadors. Pausanias, in Corinthiacis

[ 96] THe Sepulchre of Aristomenes of Messene, is worthy to be seen in a Colledge of Messene, (a City of Achaia in Greece) which they say in good earnest, is not empty, and a monument set up for honour of the body not present. For although he, being driven from the Spartanes, died in banishment, yet by the command of Pythius Apollo, his bones were carried back into his Countrey, and such things were ordained to be holy. They bound a Bull which was de∣stinated to the Altar, to a Pillar not far from the Tomb. He, being mad, and raging because of his bonds, did strive to go away. Which if the vvhile the Bull moveth nimbly, and danceth according to that, it is ominous to the Messenians: but if on the contrary, the Bull shal stand immoveable, they interpret that it portends some calami∣ty to them. The Lacedemonians report the Heroick Aristomenes to have been at the Leuctrican fight 187. years after his death, vvho assisting the Thebans against them, vvrought so, that he afflicted

them vvith a great discomfiture. Pausanias, in Messeni∣cis.

[ 97] AT Pachinum, a Promontory of Sicily, Apollo Lybistinus is wor∣shipped with great devotion; for when the Lybians were about to invade Sicilie, their Navy having arrived at the Promon∣tory, Apollo being invocated by the Inhabitants, sent the Plague amongst their enemies, and destroyed almost all of them with sud∣dain death; whereupon Lybistinus was added as a sirname to him. Macrobius, lib. 1. cap. 17.

[ 98] THe Persians, Xerxes leading them to the Chappel of Minerva, which standeth before the Temple of Delphos, as they came thither, upon a suddain a Thunder-bolt from Heaven fell amongst them, with the two heads of Parnassus, being rent from the rest of the Mountain, with an horrid noise tumbled down, and intercepted very many of them; whereupon from the very Chap∣pel of Minerva came most joyfull vociferations and jubilations. The Barbarians committing themselves to flight, departing from Delphos, they published their great discomfiture; those which escaped of them, fled to Boetia, reporting, That two armed men more noble then any of humane nature could possibly be, pursuing them. These two they said were Natives, and Heroick men at Delphos, the one Phylacus, the other Antonius, the Temples dedi∣cated to them being there to be seen; That dedicated to Phylacus, standeth by the way above the Temple of Minerva; and that which was dedicated to Antonius, near Castalia, under the whirl∣pool Hyampeum. Herodotus, lib. 8.

[ 99] IN the Sabine Warr which was waged against the Romans for ra∣vishing the Virgins, The Romans made haste to shut the gate which was at the foot of the Viminalian Hill, (which afterwards by occasion of what happened, was called the gate of Janus) because the enemies did rush upon it; after it was made fast, flew open; and when again and again the third time the same thing happened, more armed men came to the threshold of it, because they could not shut it, to make it good against the enemy. And when the ene∣mies fought most fiercely on the other side, it was presently given out, That the Romans were overcome by Tacitus; for which cause, which defended the gate or entrance of the City fled. And when the Sabines had made an irruption into it through the gate, it is re∣ported, that from the house of Janus, by this passage, the great power of torrents scattering water all about broke out, burning the great and vaste numbers of their enemies with scalding waters, and devouring them with rapacious gulphs. Macrobius, lib. 1. Sa∣turnal, cap. 9.

[ 100]

THe holy sheep of the Sunne; which are at Apollonia in the bosome of Ionicum, which in the day time feed along the River side, which floweth out of the Mountain Lacmonen through the Apolloniatan field into the Sea; and chosen men, honourable by birth and Riches amongst the people, keep them lodged in the night in a Cave not farr from the City, the people every year making new election, for that the Apolloniatae by a certain Oracle were brought to put an high value upon the Sheep. There a certain Gentleman called Evenius chosen to take the care of look∣ing to the Sheep, upon a time fell a sleep, and Wolves entring into the Cave, killed sixty of them; which when the Apolloniatae under∣stood, they condemned him to the losse of his eyes for sleeping when he should have watched: upon execution of which sen∣tence, their cattle ceased to bring forth young ones, and the earth to yield her fruit, and they had Cattle at Dodona and Delphos. The Prophets being asked the cause of this present evill; answered, be∣cause they had unjustly deprived Evenius the keeper of the holy sheep of his eyes, and that the Wolves were sent by the gods, and that their punishments for this wrong should not cease till he was satisfied by those who had perpetrated this wrong to him whatsoever Evenius himself conceived due satisfaction; and then that the Gods would so blesse them, that they would find them∣selves happy. The Apolloniatae keeping these Oracles close, chose certain Citizens to perform them, who come to Evenius sitting in a station for the purpose, and sitting down with him, discourse of other things, at last came to speak of the miseries of the times; which making as an introduction to speak of his wrong, they de∣mand of him what mulct he would wish the Apolloniatae to undergo for his full satisfaction, who having not heard of the sentence of the Oracle, said that he desired two mannours which he conceived the greatest revennues belonging to the Apolloniatae, and a house which he knew to be the best in the City: the Citizens presently assented, and telling what directions they had received from the Oracle, and buying the Mannours of the Owners thereof, gave them to Evenius, who presently thereupon obtained divination from the gods, whereby he grew famous. Herodotus, Libro 9. cap. 7.

[ 101] THe Pilappii inhabit that furthest part of Scandinavia, border∣ing upon the frozen Sea, and almost inclosed with the Sea; These neither till the ground, nor nourish any cattle, but the Tarandus or Buff which they make use of in the Winter when the waters are glaz'd, and all things made stiff with the Frost; for they live by hunting and fishing, and they have ever hitherto wor∣shipped wood and stones; when they went on hunting, fishing, or began any other business, having used certain adjurations, they endeavour to move out of their place their gods which they con∣sult; which if they easily perform, they conceive they favour their

enterprise, and promise successe; but if they cannot move them without much trouble, they think their success is denyed; and if they cannot possibly move them out of their places, they conclude, that their gods are offended; And therefore they think they are to be appeased by a certain sacrifice, which they order in this man∣ner; They have a brazen vessel, wherein are the pictures of all kinds of four-footed Beasts, of Birds, and Fishes, which are com∣mon and plentifull amongst them; they have the image of a Frog made of brass annexed to a piece of Iron fastned to the middle of the vessel like a plumb; afterwards using adjurations, they beat upon the vessel, and into the picture of whatsoever creature the Frog doth thereupon fall or leap, as soon as the frog had but touched it, they procure a living creature of that kind; they kill it, and hang the head thereof upon a Tree which they account ho∣ly; the rest they cook or dress, and consume with their friends which they call about them; and according to their sacred rites, (as they think) they anoint themselves with that wherewith the host is boyled; such holy rites finished, (as they say) they have learned by experience, such things they undertake, succeed prospe∣rously. Olaus Magnus.

Of Sathan's wonderful Legerdemains, De∣ceits, and Impostures, used, for the setting up, and establishing Idolatry, by Invoca∣tion of Saints departed this life, worship∣ing of Statues and Images, and for con∣firmation of the doctrine of Purgatory, contrary to the preaching of St. Paul, 2 Thess. 2.

[ 1] THeodosius the Emperour, unjustly suspecting John Damasne, a Monk, of betraying the Secrets of the Empire to the Per∣sians, with whom he had been prisoner, punished him with the loss of one of his hands; he therefore imploring help of the blessed Virgin, as he was before her Image, had his hand restored, and perfectly united to his arm in the sight of many, though it had for many days been fixed to the doors of the Church. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 6,

[ 2] NIcephorus, lib. 15. cap. 23. relateth, That a certain Jew of the Arch-Synagogue was taken as the Author of a tumult, raised at Constantinople in the time of Leo the Emperour, and condemned to fearfull torments, in the midst whereof he cryed out with a loud voyce, O God of holy Sergius, help me! holy Sergius, thou hast known me and mine innocency. The Judges suspecting, what he spoke to be cunning dissimulation, condemned him to be burnt; who when he was in the midst of the flames, there appeared two horse∣men arrayed in white robes, who for many hours kept him pre∣served and untoucht by the fire; which the people with much wonder beholding, at length, running into the flames, snatch'd him away.

[ 3] WHen the body of the Virgin Levinua was carried through the Towns and Garrisons of that part of Flanders which ly∣eth to the Sea-side, those who were sick of the Palsie, deaf, lame, and troubled with other diseases, were suddenly cured. And two Wax Candles, put out by the wind; as soon as they were brought

to the bones of the dead Virgin, kindled by vertue thereof. Jacobus Meyer, ex scriptis Dryonis tunc temporis Morinorum Episcopi.

[ 4] MAny blind and lame were brought to the Sepulchre of Pope Martin the fourth, (who had been warlike enough) and recovered their former health, by using such devotions there, as were then used at the Sepulchres of the dead. Platina.

[ 5] THe Coach in which the dead body of S. Ladislaus King of Hungary was carried, the keepers thereof sleeping, and the beasts feeding, without any inforcement went to Varidinum with such celerity, that the keepers could not keep company with it, neither could any man by any means possibly stay it; As they were committing the body to the Sepulchre, the face of a certain man (which they say had a loathsome smell) turn'd towards his back, and hanged upon his shoulder, having tryed many wayes for help, and finding none, comes to the Sepulchre, and cryes out with a loud voyce, O Holy Ladislaus, I have wronged thee, holy Prince forgive me: And, the incensed divine power appeased by his humble and hearty veneration, his chin was brought to its proper place, and he perfectly restored. Bosinius, lib. 4. Deca∣dis, 2.

[ 6] THe Bishop of Prague in Livonia, by the persecution of the Abdeberti, losing a finger for the faith of Christ, the execu∣tioners or cutters off of his finger, threw it into a River in the Countrey of the Vandals, in which Countrey he had oft preached; which a fish presently swallowed; whereupon the fish shined with a circle of glaring flame: the Fishers espying it, and taking it for a wonderfull portent, after great industry used to catch it, at last obtained their desire; and having taken out the bowels of the fish, they found the finger shining with a glaring light. Idem, lib. 1. De∣cadis secundae, historiae Ungar.

[ 7] GEnarius of Beneventum having his head cut off for professing the faith of Christ, it and his blood put into a Viall, were kept in two severall Churches; and when they were both solemnly carried through the City, the blood which was congealed into a ball; when it did but touch the head, dissolved into as fresh blood as it was when it flowed from the Martyr at his decollation; and when it was taken from his head, it congealed again into a round form as it was before: And that we might be more assured of the truth hereof, we had the testimonies of them who were di∣ligent observers, and eye-witnesses of the same. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 8]

VAlens the Emperour, an Arrian, when he would have tran∣slated the Head of John the Baptist to Constantinople, could not possibly get the Coach wherein he had put it, to be moved or stir∣red, and therefore was forc'd to desist and leave off his underta∣king; but Theodosius, an Orthodox Christian, did afterwards with much facility translate the very same head. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 9] IN the time of the Warr of Otho and Philip, Emperours, the bo∣dies of eleven thousand Virgins, three of them Kings, were seen to return to the Temple of Colonia, from the Abbey of Fuldenses in Thuringia, whence they had been translated from Colonia. In the morning betimes, whilest they sung the Psalms appointed by the Church for nocturns, the Abbot and Monks of that Monastery saw the bodies of the three Kings going out of the Temple, which not long after were found in the Temple of Colonia, whence they had formerly been translated, Idem, ibidem.

[ 10] WHen John, a devout giver of alms, was dead, a certain woman for three dayes together continuing at his Se∣pulchre, weeping, for that she feared lest a writing (which she had delivered to him, and wherein was contained a great sin which she had committed, and which she had declared unto him) should come to the hands of any body that should know and divulge it; the Eleëmosynarian appeared to the woman, and delivered the schedule sealed, in which the former writing was blotted out, and written instead thereof, For my servant John's sake, thy sin is blotted out. Metap. in vita ejus.

[ 11] A Certain German called Conradus, repenting heartily of his sins, cometh to Rome, Hildebrand then Pope, commandeth him to wear instead of a shirt, a covering next his skin, tyed together with five chains stamped with letters, containing a catalogue of his sins, and commands him to visit the holy places all the world over, and there to pray for pardon, that he might have remission of his sins: he obeys; and travelling long and far, not omitting in his pil∣grimage to visit Jerusalem, at length he cometh to Hungary, where he visiting the Sepulchre of the holy King Stephen, in the Church called Alba Regalis, and having humbly cast himself down in prayer, before the Altar, from the first hour to the ninth, being seized on by sleep the Kingly Saint appears, saying, Rise quick∣ly my friend, thou canst not by my merits or help, obtain pardon from the Tribunal of Almighty God, but go yonder to the Monu∣ment of my son Emericus, who by his Virginity procured great fa∣vour from Almighty God; whereupon he calling on the name of that Saint, found, that the chains wherewith he was tyed, fell all in sunder, and the stamps which were set upon them clean gone, so that they appeared plain; insomuch, that there could no sinne

of his be read, there not remaining so much as one small letter. Ever after, this Temple was visited with such devotion, that innu∣merable Votaries came to it from very remote places. Bonfinius, lib. 1. Decad. 2.

[ 12] ABout the third year after the miserable slaughter received by the Turks at Nicopolis, in the time of Sigismund the Emperour, when many went into the field where that battel had been fought, they heard a voyce amongst the bones of the dead, sound∣ing forth the names of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the World, and the Virgin Mary; and looking amongst the dead corps, they espy∣ed out a head, which said, Why stand ye gazing so stupidly here? I am a Christian, who was slain here before confession, and therefore my sinnes are not yet expiated; the blessed Mother, Mary, causeth that I am not afflicted with eternal punishment, and hath so preserved me, that I have yet my speech to confess my sins, and declare my mind to the holy Apostles; wherefore I pray you send for a Priest to receive my confession, and give me absolution. He being asked, How he had deserved so great favour from the Virgin? answered, She was my peculiar Patroness all my life∣time, seven Feasts every year all my lifetime I celebrated in honour of her, and did most strictly fast, eating nothing but bread and water the eves of all those Feasts; of all my Patrons and Patronesses she was chiefly relyed on by me. A Priest from the next Town being sent for, he making an exact confession, received absolution; whereupon silenced, he rest∣ed in peace. Bonfinius, lib. 3. Decad. 3.

[ 13] MErcurius, a certain Hungarian, brought up at the Albensian Temple, when the King, Ladislaus, had commanded the Tomb of St. Stephen to be searcht, to see if any of the Reliques were taken away; being all alone, having retired himself into the holy Quire, with a doleful countenance, and sad heart, bewailing, that he could not so much as see, much lesse obtain a kiss of the sacred body; a young man in the dead of night appeared to him, who was beautified with incredible comeliness, having a most chear∣full countenance, and arrayed in white apparrel, carrying some∣what wrapt in a fine cloath, said to him, Mercury, receive what thou hast so earnestly desired, and be sure highly to esteem this precious gift com∣mitted to thy trust, keep it with care and diligence, and view it when time servs. The sacred Nocturns devoutly finished, Mercury going to a pri∣vate place, opens the cloath, and finds the right hand and ring of the holy King; shortly after, he being chosen Governour of a Monastery, built of wood, scituated at the foot of the hill Carpathius, which di∣vides Transylvania from Hungary, neither daring to trust himself, nor any one else with the hand, he hides it in the ground, and ap∣pointed every day some of the Monks to watch it, lest any man should steal it away. Then that Monastery sought to King Ladislaus, to be of the order of the King's hand, by whose Edict, the Pope's consent obtained, it was so established; Then the whole Colledg of Priests declaring to the King the whole story hereof, he repairs

the Monastery, so that he made it most beautifull to behold, and endowed it with great revenues in the year of grace, 1078, and now they call it, The Abbey of the King's right hand. Bonfinius, lib. 1. Decad. 2.

[ 14] AS Bruno, Bishop of Hildesia, was solemnizing the Octaves of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary, she appeared to him in the Temple, to whom the Bishop falling upon his knees, cryes out, O Queen of Heaven, wherefore vouchsafest thou to come to me, a wretched poor man? To whom she answered, I rejoyce that thou art the author of the solemn celebration of the memory of my Na∣tivity, whereby such honour accrueth to my Sonne. Which said, she vanished away: From this time ever after, the Octaves of the Nativity of Mary were kept holy. Chron. Saxon.

[ 15] IN the year, 1495, Nicolaus, a familiar friend to the Treasurer of the Bishop of Quincclesia, as he was coming to the King Uladislaus at Buda, where he sometimes used to reside, saw in the Ayr a great light, which dazled his sight, and with the noyse thereof making an hideous clashing, stupified his hearing; he was so affrighted, that he fell to the ground surprised with the strangeness thereof, and looking up towards heaven, he saw the shape of the Virgin, with her Son, having a glorious shining circle about them in the Ayr, steering their course towards Buda, and that he at that very instant shewed it to a certain stranger, called Boennus, and his Wife, and to his own Carter, to be taken notice of with reverence, it being the very day that was appointed for celebrating the memory of the Conception of the Virgin-Mother of God, which the Hungarians ever after observed with more devotion than formerly they had done. Sabellicus, lib. 1. cap. 1.

[ 16] SAroltha, the Wife of Grisa, Duke of the Hungarians, being great with child, saw Stephen the first Martyr, who appearing to her said, Woman, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and assure thy self, that I by Divine commandment am to inform thee, that thou shalt shortly be delivered of a gallant and fortunate son, who shall en∣joy the Diadem of the Kingdom of Pano••ia; and he shall be so ex∣cellent a man, that Panonia shall never have the like after him to their King: and whereas I am Stephen the first Martyr, who shall assist thy son, let him have my name. Which spoken, he vanished away. Saroltha, confirmed by her dream that these things should come to passe, accordingly commanded holy devotions to be used at all the Altars of the Protomartyr; and in the year 909 the child was born. Bon. l. 1. Decad. 2.

[ 17] THe Parents of Nicolas Tollentinates told by an Oracle, what issue they should have, vowed a pilgrimage to Barium, where when they had continued long at their devotion in the Church of the Saint who is there worshipped; by chance, or rather

providence fell asleep, wherein they were instructed with an un∣thought-of advertisement, and their former hopes of issue much increased, by assurance of successe to their vows and solemn devotions, nor were their prayers in vain, for greater and more blessed rewards followed then the heart of man could presume, that of unholy Parents, a Saint should be born. Sa∣bellicus, lib. 1. cap. 1.

[ 18] HAldricus the Leodiensian Bishop was afflicted for about a whole year with a Canker, and could receive no hopes of help from Physicians. Wherefore he commanded his servants to carry him to the Temple of Martin. Where, when for seven dayes together he had with sighs and tears continued his devotion before the Altar wearied, he fell asleep, and dreamed that he saw Martin and Briccius together, discoursing concerning his sicknesse, and that Martin signed his forehead with the sign of the Crosse, and with a staff which he carried in his hand touched that part of him which was diseased. Therefore being awakened, for joy he cries out with a loud voice, to whom his servants (wondring at the noyse) run with speed, and removing the cloth wherewith the sore place was bound, found that it was whole, and that there onely remain∣ed a scar in the place where the Canker had been. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 5.

[ 19] THere was near Brundulum an holy Temple of Saint Michael, unto which one Temple the people of Clodia, Matemancum, and the Venetians themselves came with great Zeal to do their devoti∣ons. It happened also that at Senogallia, a certain man called Ser∣gius, a Prince in wealth and Authority, was afflicted with a grie∣vous disease, who heard a voice in the night, which said, if he would make a vow to visit the holy Temple of Saint Michael, he should recover his health. Whereupon he made a vow, and ac∣cording thereto leaving his Country soyl, visited the Temple, and bestowing great gifts upon it, returned home to his own house be∣ing freed from his sicknesse. Egnatius, lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 20] JOhn Orphanotropus brother to Michael Emperour of Paphlagonia the Physicians despairing of his cure, in his sleep he saw Nico∣las the Great, who admonished him to go to Myra, assuring him that assoon as he came thither, he should recover his health. He therefore speedily repairs thither, where deservedly bestowing upon the Clergy of that place, Oyntment and other rich and preti∣ous gifts, and encompassing the famous City of Myra with a most strong wall, he returns home perfectly cured of his disease. Ce∣drenus.

[ 21]

HEnry the second, Emperour, when he took with great pain an exact view of the Cities of Apulia, was so miserably infe∣sted with the stone, that almost all men despaired of his recovery, but he sustained his sicknesse with so great patience, judging it to be as a rod of correction for his sins sent to him from Almighty God, that as he ascended the hill Cassinum, desiring the intercessi∣on of Saints, Saint Benedict, and Saint Scolastica; for Physitians could do him no good: He saw, in his sleep, Benedict standing by him, and with a Knife to have opened his privy members, and took out a great stone, making the wound whole, and putting it in∣to the Kings hand, who awakened from his sleep, seeing and per∣ceiving the great miracle, called his guard to him that they might fetch his Prince, to whom he shewed this great miracle, which transcended humane capacity and belief, together with the scar of the incision, out of which the stone had been taken. There∣fore giving immense thanks to the most good, great, and immortal God, and giving to the Temple of Saint Benedict, most great gifts and offerings, and endowing it with great possessions, and yearly rents near adjoyning thereunto: He departed from Cassinum. Cus∣pianus.

[ 22] MAnuel a Captain under Theophilus the Emperour, who had disapproved the worship of Images, and then wavered in his Judgment concerning the same, fell into a grievous sicknesse, inso∣much that it was verily believed he would dye thereby, certain Monks of the Monastery of Studium, to whom it was shewed that he was dying, came to him, and approaching to his bed side, found by his breathing that he was yet alive, and delivered to him the joy∣full tydings, that he should recover his health; how can this be, saith he, speaking with a weak and low voice, the faculties of his Soul being much weakened, and his body dried up with heat, the Monks answered, All things are possible with God, therefore if when he should recover his health, he would endeavour that Images might be restored according to the decrees of the Antients, they as∣sured him that he should be restored to life and health: which when they had with much certainty declared, they departed. In a short time after, his sicknesse was asswaged, and, his naturall faculties re∣stored to their former strength, he was altogether freed from his sicknesse. Cedrenus.

[ 23] A Certain friend to Julian travayling with much haste towards him then in Persia, being forced for want of an Inne, to go somewhat out of his way to a Church which was near, reposed himself all night therein, whether sleeping or waking, he knew not: he saw in the night many of the Apostles Congregated, com∣plaining of the contumelies and disgraces of the Emperour cast up∣on the Church, taking counsell amongst themselves, what was to be done; and having deliberately spoken of it, and many things

more, they appearing as it were perplexed, two of them rising up in the midst of them, advising them to be of good cheer, making hast to destroy the Empire, they left that counsell or conference. The man who had this admirable Vision, neglecting the journey he had begun, that he might see the issue of his Vision, stayes ano∣ther night, and sleeps in the same place, and sees the same assembly; to whom upon a sudden, they which the night before went to fight against Julian, came in, as returned from their journey, and de∣clared to the company, that Julian was dead. Sozomenus, lib. 6. cap. 2.

[ 24] NAuglerus, lib. 2. Generatione decima-tertia, reports that Basill Bishop of Caesaria Cappadocia, by reason of Julian his threatning to destroy Caesaria as he returned from the Persian War, proclaiming a fast to be kept for three dayes in the Temple, to implore the help of Almighty God in the Church of the Virgin Mary, after finishing whereof, he saw in his sleep Mercury a Souldier lately dead; who by the command of the Virgin Mary, killed Julian, and that the arms hanging over his Tomb were gone thence: and the keeper of the Church demanded what was become of them, said, he knew not, but did affirm by Oath that they were there the last evening; Ba∣sill therefore returning to the Hill, called others up, and told them that Julian was dead, and going with them to the Sepulchre of Mercury, found his launce restored to the place it used to hang all bloudy. But Hermanus Gyges, in storibus temporum, reports this in the time of Julian, not by Basill, but Blasius a certain Bishop of Cera∣stenses.

[ 25] EDward the third, King of England, having almost reigned his twenty fourth year, there was a Ring brought him from Jeru∣salem, by certain men who came thence, which he long before had privately given to a poor man, who obtained it as an alms which he sought for the love that the King bore to Saint John the Evangelist: and not long after falling sick, having learnt the most absolute vertue of a Christian, which is contentedly to resign his Soul to the most great and glorious God, he was buried in the Temple of Westminster, and shortly after canonized a Saint; The ring was long after kept with great veneration in the same Church, which was a present cure to all infeebled and weak mem∣bers of Men and Women, and by the touch of it the fal∣ling sicknesse was cured, hence it came to passe that the Kings of England were wont on Good-Friday with many ce∣remonies to hallow the Ring, the which whosoever put upon his finger, should never be troubled with this disease. Polydor. lib. 8.

[ 26]

THe Statue of Saint Paul, an old piece, which Andronicus Comne∣nus Tyrannus adorning with Gold, placed in the Church of ho∣ly Quadraginta, which wept when the time approached that Andronicus was destroyed; Andronicus hearing thereof, comman∣ded his servants to find out whether that were true: to which service besides others, his beloved servant Hagiocristophorita Stephanus by stairs ascended (for the Statue was in a high place) and wiped the eyes thereof with fine linnen, whereupon tears more plentifully fell from them, as if they had flowed from a spring, which with great amazement he told. Andronicus struck thereupon with great grief, often shaking his head, he said; Paul wept for the great de∣struction that is to come to himself, for he accounts it his own cause, for he most cordially loved Paul, and did infinitely esteem his sayings, and was as well beloved by Paul. And not long after, hanged up by the heels, he expired his life by horrible torments. Nicetas, lib. 2.

[ 27] LEo the fifth of Ironomacum, his Mother, as it seemed to her, saw in the Temple of the Virgin Mary at Blachernes, a certain woman; her sonne apparelled in white, following her, and the floor of the Church being besprinkled with blood, another woman carrying a Spear in her hand, commanded a vessel to be filled, and to be given to the Mother of the King; which refused by her, she said to her, Thy son destroyes and gluts himself with the blood of all that worship we; wherefore I and my sonne are not without cause moved with wrath against him. The Mother of the King affrighted out of her sleep, presently declares what she had by Vision, and earnestly desires him to desist from the persecution of Images: But he, like the deaf Adder, stopped his ears, though he was somewhat afraid, and the more, for that the dream of another was declared to him: For Ta∣rasius the Patriarch appeared to a certain man, calling vehemently upon one whose name was Michael, that he should go to Leo, and kill him, in revenge of them, whom most impiously and cruelly he had put to death for their Religion. And not long after, while he was in the Temple at divine service, he was slain by the conspi∣racy of Michael Traulus. Cuspinianus.

[ 28] BArdus Durus, a little before his destruction, dreamed, That as he was making haste with the Emperour Michael, to the solemnization of a certain holy-day, to the great Temple, whither when they approached near, they followed certain men apparelled in white, who led them to Seats about the Tribunal, wherein they saw a certain old man sitting alone, whom he thought to be Peter, chief of the Apostles, at whose feet Ignatius was cast down, whom a little before they had severely bound and castigated in revenge of the wrongs he had done: moreover, Peter delivering a sword to one of them who stood by, commanding that Theorgistus (for so he cal∣led Caesar as obnoxious to divine wrath) should be placed amongst

those who stood on the left hand, and cut in pieces, and Asebotec∣nus; by this name he deciphers that Emperour as an impious son. Cedrenus.

[ 29] A Nocturnal Vision discovered to A••brose the Mediolanensian Bishop, the bodies of the Martyrs Gervasius and Protasius, it not being known to that day, where they lay, they appearing to him in his sleep, such as when they were found. So at Jerusalem in the seventh year of the reign of the Emperour Honorius, it appeared to Gamaliel Lucianus a Priest, by dream, where the body of Ste∣phen the Protomartyr, and the bodies of the sons of Abiba lay; nor did he give credit to his dream or Vision, till the same was thrice presented to him in his sleep; and then seeking for the bodies, he found them in number and form according to his Vision, the Church keeps a holy-day for the invention of Stephen at this time in testimony hereof. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 5.

[ 30] SOzomenus gives a large narration, how Pulcheria, sister to Theo∣losius found out the fourty Martyrs, which suffered under Luci∣nius at a certain placed Sebastes, in Armenia, whose reliques as by digging she caus'd to be search't for. Thirsus the Martyr appearing to her, suggested and admonish'd her to translate them to him; and afterwards the fourty Martyrs in a military habit splendidly ap∣parelled, manifested themselves to her. Sozomenus, lib. 9. cap. 2. Nicephorus saith, that Stephen the Protomartyr appeared to Pulche∣ria, whose reliques when the Citizens of Constantinople desired to take away and keep with them, he saith, the Mules which drew the Coach, wherein the reliques were spoke with a voyce like to men.

[ 31] THere appeared to a certain Husbandman, named Calemorus, belonging to the Nice-President, Chophares near Eleutheropolis in Palestine, the Prophet Zacharias, who taking into a certain Orchard, shewed the places digged, wherein his reliques lay. Sozomenus, lib. 9. cap. 8.

[ 32] IT was commonly reported amongst the Venetians, That it was not for a long time known in what place the body of St. Mark lay, and that it was either by divine power translated from the place wherein it had there layn, or was stoln away; but upon publike warning of a solemn day, set apart to fast and pray, and ob∣servation thereof accordingly, the Citizens following the Clergy to the Temple of the Saint, they say this miracle happened, that an arm rising out of a side of the Church, appeared to the anxious and solicitous multitude; whereupon with great joy they remove the body, and lay it in a more honourable place; moreover, it was decreed, that it should onely be lawfull for the Prince, and Procurators of the Temple, to come to the most sacred Tomb of St. Mark. Sabel. lib. 3. Ennead. 9.

[ 33]

SAint Benedict appeared to Pope Urban in his sleep, and said, Doubt not but my body rests at Cassinum; and for a testimony of the certainty hereof, thou rising with thy brethren to perform the office of the Church for Nocturns, shalt be cured of the Plurisie wherewith thou art now afflicted. The event proved directly ac∣cording to the Vision. Chronicon Cassinense, lib. 4. cap. 5.

[ 34] BAsilius Macedo, who afterwards obtained the Empire of Con∣stantinople, when he was a child, lost his father. His mother much afflicted with poverty, resolved by her labour in service to maintain her self and son, coming to Megalopolis at night; because poor woman, she wanted wherewithall to defray her charges at an Inne, she went to the Church of Saint Diomedes, and being wea∣ried with her travel, fell asleep; the holy Martyr that night ap∣peared to a certain Deacon of that house (which had not yet taken the orders of a Priest) in a dream, and commands, that he take in∣to the house the King which lay out a doors, in a ditch close to the porch of the Temple; The Deacon awakened with his dream, went out and finds Basil, a young youth asleep, and thinking it a sleepy phantasm, returned into the Temple, and fal∣ling asleep again, he was again and again awakened with the same Vision, wherein he was strictly admonished, that he should fetch in the King; therefore at length he goeth to Basilius, and raising him from his sleep, courteously invited and led him into the Tem∣ple, and helped him to all necessary accommodation, whereof he then stood in need: This Deacon had a friend and kinsman at that time, a servant to Theophiliza, who for his affinity was familiar with the Emperour Michael and Barda Caesar his Uncle by his mo∣thers side; this Deacon declares to his brother the vision he had seen, and desires him, that he would help this Basill, whom ac∣cording to the command he had in his vision, entertained into the service of some Prince, who preferred him to his Lord Theophiliza; and presently these two brothers tell the dream to Basil, and bind him by oath to requite what kindness he had received from them, when ••e should enjoy his Kingdom. Cuspinianus, ex Zonara & Cedreno.

[ 35] ELfred, King of England, heavily afflicted with the losse he re∣ceived by the victory of the Danes over him, Bishop Chulbert appeared to him in his sleep, saying, England is justly scourged for her former sins; but Almighty God looks with mercy and com∣passion upon the meritorious prayers, sufferings, and tears of his distressed servants and Saints: thy Kingdom is with much cruelty extorted from thee, but after a short time of affliction thou shalt be gloriously restored, and firmly settled in thy Land; and this shall be the sign of the certainty of what I tell thee, Thy fishers shall this next day come to thee laden with infinite store of fish; And, which increaseth the Miracle, though the waters be frozen, so that

humane reason cannot possibly hope for any such thing, and the coldness of the weather is such, that it seemeth a most ridiculous thing to endeavour to catch fish; yet what I say, shall come to pass, and when thou art in prosperity, remember thy deliverance, and the messenger thereof; his mother had the like Vision, both of them awaking, tell their dreams, and immediately the fishers come to them with abundance of fish. Vincentius, lib. 24. cap. 40. ex Ho∣linand. Et Willielmus, lib. 2. cap. 14. de gestis Anglorum.

[ 36] WHen Hungus, King of the Picts, a Christian, was to fight with Athelstane King of England, in ayd of the Scots; in the night, the Armies both of Hungus and Athelstane, saw in the Firmament a shining cross in the form of St. Andrews cross, resem∣bling the Greek letter χ, which was cause of fear and terrour to them. But Hungus warned by a dream, encouraging his Soul∣diers, assured them, that the cross was a sign of Victory to them; which accordingly came to pass. Cardanus, lib. 13. de rerum va∣rietate, cap. 81.

[ 37] EDgar King of the Scots, being about to fight against Donaldus, was admonished by a dream, that he should bring with him the standard of St. Cutbert; therefore having performed some ac∣customed holy ceremonies and devotions, he took the standard out of the Monastery, and the Souldiers belonging to Donaldus forsa∣king him, he was taken without sedition or blood shed. Carda∣nus, ibidem.

[ 38] ULadislaus and Geysa, brethren, as they were setting their Army in order to fight a battle against Salomon, King of the Hunga∣rians, an Angel was perceived by Uladislaus, to put a crown of gold upon the head of Geysa; who as soon as his brother informed him thereof, vowed to dedicate a Temple, in the place where he should obtain the victory, to the blessed Virgin; and the Enemies being overcome, deliberately advising concerning the same, where hard by a Church dedicated to St. Peter, behold, a Stag which had a most remarkable head, with broad interwoven horns, upon whom most shining shapes appeared, he made towards a Wood, and there stood at gaze, where the Temple was afterwards built, the Soul∣diers following after the Stag, and seeking with their arrows to shoot him, he fled into Danubius, and was never afterwards seen. Ladislaus much taken with this wonderfull sight, saith, No doubt but this was the Angel of God; but what was that appearance of a face in his horns? presently saith Geysa, They were not horns, but wings; nor shapes of bright faces, but most glorious shining feathers; but where he stood at gaze, is the place wherein we are directed to build the Temple; wherefore hard by the Church of St. Peter, they built a Temple to the blessed Mother. Bonfinius, lib. 3, & 4. Decad. 2.

[ 39]

THe night before Theodosius joyned battle with Eugenius at the Alpes, he dreamed, as Paul Diaconus and Nicephorus write, that two men gloriously apparelled in white, sitting upon white horses, commanded him to begin his battle by the break of day, for it was decreed by Divine providence, that he should victoriously over∣come his enemies; and that they declared their names to be John the Evangelist, and Philip the Apostle, and that a certain Soul∣dier had the like dream, is reported by Theodoretus, lib. 5. cap. 24.

[ 40] MAssaclerus sent by the Emperour Honorius against Gildo to re∣gain Africa from his brother, who ambitiously affected the Empire, in his sleep dreamed, that he saw the Mediolensian Bishop, Ambrose, (a dead man long before) with his pastorall staff to strike the ground thrice, and thrice to say, Here, even in this very place. And the next day, Massaclerus with much facility overthrew Gildo. Fulgosus.

[ 41] THe Roman Prince, retreating to Antioch, Andrew the Apostle appeared to a Priest, named Peter Pontius, one indued with simplicity, void of fraud, and shewed to him the Spear which pier∣ced our Saviour's side, which lay buried in a Temple dedicated to St. Peter; upon finding whereof, the besieged City, oppressed with famine, were so far encouraged, that they made a gallant Sally, wherby they overcame Corbana who besieged the City by command and advice of Belfech Turca King of the Persians, he being encoura∣ged thereunto by divination, gathered from the flying of birds; the Bishop of Nicene carrying the Lance which had pierced our Saviours side, amongst the Troops of those who sallied out in array against the besiegers. Emilius.

[ 42] WHen there had been long and doubtfull War 'twixt the Romans and Rossians, those who came from Constantinople to John Zimisca, auxiliaries to the Emperour, did by divine providence assist the Romans: for as it is reported, a storm did violently beat in the faces of their enemies, and furthermore a mighty horseman was seen of many, who running amongst the Romans, broke the Ranks of the Enemies; and it appears it was Theodore, for that a Religious Woman of Byzantium, dreamed the night before that fight, that she saw the Mother of God with a great company, who said, O Theodore, thy dear friend John, and mine too, is in a great strait, being now in battell. Wherefore bring him speedy help, she told her dream to certain honest friends of hers, who observing the time, found that it was the very night before the last day of their fighting. Ut Zonoras, Tomo 3. indicat.

[ 43]

ARiulphus Duke of Spoleto, fighting against the Romans at Ca∣mertes, and obtaining Victory, inquires of his Souldiers who it was that behaved himself so stoutly and gallantly in the battle; they answered, 'twas a Prince: Whereupon he replies, he was more powerfull then any mortall man, for when ever I was assaul∣ted fiercely by the enemy, he with a Buckler defended me from their fury: then going with all possible speed to Spoleto, seeing the Temple wherein the body of Saint Sabinus is intombed, he asked what Church it was; when they answered, It was the Temple of Sabinus, he hastily leaps from his horse, calling his Souldiers, who as they say alwayes waited diligently upon him, walks into the Church, and seeing his Image, he presently with an Oath affirmed 'twas he that protected him from the violent assaults of his nume∣rous enemies; whereupon 'twas presently believed that Sabinus was the most pious Patron of Souldiers. Ariulphus would not for any thing have wanted the experience of this Protection of Saints, which is so frequent amongst Christians. Bonfinius, lib. 8. Decad. 1.

[ 44] THe great Sfortia for the honour he bore St. Leonard, Christned his Son which he had by Catella Alopa, sister to Pandulphus Alo∣pus, after his name, for that he dreamed he saw Leonard in the same shape he is usually pictur'd in Churches, coming to him be∣ing a Prisoner with relief, breaking the Iron bars of the window of the Prison, and with his power loosing his shackles. The event proved this Vision to be very true, for the day following this bles∣sed dream; Jacobus Gallus King, by sedition was driven out of the Neopolitan Kingdome, and lost both Rule and Liberty, and Sfortia was delivered out of Prison, and to the great content of all was restored to be Master of the Horse. Jovius, in vita ejus.

[ 45] IN the time of Ferdinand first King of Aragon, the City Neopoli∣tane in a most flourishing condition, and the Kingdome free from all calamity, it is manifest that Cataldus, about a thousand years before that time, an holy man had been Bishop at Tarentinum, and that the Citizens thereof did worship him as their Patron, in the middest of the night, he again and again appeared to a Minister of holy things, who had lately taken the order of Priest-hood, ha∣ving been educated amongst those who vow chastity, that he should without delay take out of the ground a little book which he in his life time had writ, and hid in a private place, wherein some di∣vine writings were, and bring it to the King, giving little credit to this dream although he saw him in his sleep very oft, and al∣wayes of the same shape and fashion; being all alone early in the morning in the Temple, he plainly appeared to the Priest with a Mitre, in such Bishops weeds as he used in his life time to be aparrelled in, advised him, as he desired to avoid great punish∣ment, that the next day without further delay, he should dig for

the Book which he had written, and which was hidden as he had formerly shewed him by Visions, and bring it to the King, the Priest and people went the next day to the place, wherein for many ages, this little book had been hid, and found it bound with a leaden cover, and locked, wherein it appeared, that the destruction of the Kingdome, miserable calamities, and sad times were at hand, whereof the King was warned we have learned by experience that this Prophecy was fully executed, and shewed it self to be so divine, that not long after Ferdinand himself, either by the justly incensed wrath of Almighty God, or other inscrutable causes of his divine will, could avoid what he was so fully admonished of, but in the very first appearance of War, departed this life, and Charls the eight King of France, with a strong hand, having an huge Army of Neopolitans, invaded the Kingdom: and Alfonsus the eldest son of Ferdinand, after his fathers death, having but newly undertaken the government of the Kingdome, was thereof deprived, basely running away, and dying in flight as a banished man; shortly the second son of Ferdinand, the hopefullnesse of whose youth had en∣deared him to all men, to whom upon the death of his brother, the Kingdome fell, was intangled with a miserable and fatall War, died of an immature death in the very flower of his age; afterwards, the French and Spaniards obtaining the Kingdome, divided it, chasing away Frederick, another Son of Ferdinand the elder, with a larger Army, wherewith they invaded the Kingdome, took to themselves all, whether holy or prophane, plundered Towns and Cities, lay∣ing all waste, committing most vile and filthy immanities. Alex∣ander ab Alexand. cap. 15.

[ 46] JAmes the son of Zebedee appeared to Charls the Great, three seve∣••all nights, and did exhort him to drive out of the Countrey of Spain, in which his body rested, the Saracens; and assured him for his labour and travail therein, he should obtain an everlasting crown. Henricus Erphordiensis ex Turpino Romensi Episcopo refert. cap. 68.

[ 47] THe Monks of the Abbey of Florence, assured of the expedition of the Normans into France, carry the body of Saint Benedict to Aurelia, conceiving it a more safe receptacle from the Enemy, at the comming of the Normans, they burnt the Abbey of Florence, and laid it wast, the night following, Saint Benedict appeared to Count Sigillosus, to whom the care and defence of that Monastery was cammitted, and in a Vision heavily chideth him, because he had not resisted the Normans, when they fell upon the Monastery. The Earl awakening, presently fell to his arms, and with a handfull of men pursues the enemies loaden with plunder, following them with a swift course, fiercely falls upon them, and by the help of Saint Benedict, kills them every man, and redeems all the Prisoners and booty. Robertus Ganquinus, lib. 5.

[ 48]

CHildebert being King of France, the Arch-Angell Michael again and again admonished Anbertus the Abrencatensian Bi∣shop, that wholly in the Sea, which by reason of his eminency is called his Tomb, he should build a Church in memory of him; re∣quiring such veneration to be given him in the Sea, as was exhibi∣ted to him in Gorganum: in the mean time a Bull which was taken by a Lyon, was found bound in that place. Whereupon the Bishop was commanded the third time, that he should lay the foundation of the Temple, where he should find the Bull, and as he should ob∣serve the ground beaten with the feet of the Bull, he should draw the compasse of the Temple which he built in honour of Saint Michael, and from that time, as in the Mountain Gorganum former∣ly, in that place also now in danger of the Sea, the worship of the Angell was begun. Sigebert, Anno Dom. 799.

[ 49] AGnes Wife to Leopold Marquesse of Austria desired her Hus∣band to design some place wherein to build a Monastery that the prayses of Christ and his Mother might therein be said. From a Castle seated in the Mountain Cecium over against Danubia, a gentle Western wind snatched from the head of Agnes a vail, and whirled it into a Wood hard by, which when Leopold nine years after in his game of hunting, found undecayed, being as fresh as when 'twas lost, in that very place he built the Monastery desired by his Wife. Cuspianus, in Au∣stria.

[ 50] THe second Caesar busied in divers Wars, the Longobards con∣spired and entred into covenant by oath, to be subject to Conrade only; to the reducing of whom to obedience, Caesar came to Medio∣lanum, (where the Bishop thereof had as it were the Government) and besieged it: during which time, most fearful thunder there stu∣pified and terrified the people, and (as it was reported by them) the Bishop and others saw in the Ayr (whilest that tempest lasted) Ambrose threatning cruel miseries to Caesar; to be short, the Sub∣burbs being burned, the Emperour removed his siege in the year of our Lord, 1013, and left them to the enjoyment of their cove∣nant, according to the account of Sigebertus, 1039.

[ 51] COlomannus, King of the Hungarians, resolving with himself to destroy by fire Jadera, a City of Dalmatia, for her frequent revolts, dreamed, that Nicolas who in times past had been a Bishop of the Jaderensians, appearing to him, (for the wickedness which he in his mind had determined) caught him by the hair of the head, and scourged him heavily with a golden whip; insomuch, that awaking, he both felt and saw the marks of his beating. There∣fore though Jadera was a City given much to seek after innova∣tions, he winked at their folly, and suffered them therein without molestation. Bonfinius, lib. 5. Decad. 2.

[ 52]

SAint Bernard coming to Spira, read in the Statue of the blessed Virgin these consecrated Inscriptions; Oh Clement, O sweet, oh holy Mary, mother. Then presently as they report, a voyce out of the Statue said, God save you, Bernard. But he suspecting the Le∣gerdemains of the Devil, answereth, Paul forbids a woman to speak in the Church. They say, this Image remains to this very day be∣hind the walls of the Temple of Spira.

[ 53] MEdericus, an Abbot at Edunum, put his cloak upon a Monk, burning with libidinous cogitations, whereby he was deli∣vered from that misery, and the Devil, the provoker thereof, was heard, departing from him, to howl; and the Monk afterwards, according to his vow, continued undefiledly firm and constant, freed from so much as the least itch or lust of uncleanness. Another brother of the Society, gathering together, and taking the reliques from the table of Medericus, repressed the unquietness of his restless wandring mind; whereas formerly he had by the instigation of the Devil, been so far deluded, that he could by no means possible stay in the Church, but alwayes before Divine Service was done, he ran out of the Church. Marulus, lib. 5. cap. 7.

[ 54] GEnovepha, when upon the Sabbath about the time of Cocks crowing, coming into the Church of Saint Dionysius, the Torch which was carried before her, was by chance put out, the Virgins in her company being much troubled thereat, lest they should thereby suffer filthiness or horrour, she commands the Torch to be delivered to her; which as soon as it was but touched by her sacred hands, lighted of it self; which, carried to the sick and lan∣guishing, cured most of them. Bonfinius, lib. 5. Decad. 1.

[ 55] POpe Leo the fourth quenched a fire by the sign of the cross, which had long raged, destroying many houses of the Saxons and Longobards, and was making towards the Church of Saint Pe∣ter, when he extinguisht it upon the eighth day from the Assump∣tion of the blessed Mother of God, which day ever after was kept holy, not far from the Temple of St. Lawrence without the walls.

[ 56] WHen in the time of Pope Calixt, there was such an huge & exceeding fire, having consumed almost all the City, and imminently appearing to be ready to seize upon the Monaste∣ry, the Monks took the corporal of the Challice, which thrown into the fire, it most miraculously was forced to retreat, not daring to proceed further; besides, the Citizens saw a certain hand which drove back the fire from the Monastery. The violence of the fire had no power at all to burn the corporal, or do it any hurt at all. Chron. Cassinense.

[ 57]

WHen, for fear of the Normans, the reliques of Martin were translated to Antisiodorum, the Monks disagreed amongst themselves; some of them contending, that the Temple should be called Martin's Church; and others, the Church of Liborius, who had first been worshipped there; whereupon, a leprous man is placed betwixt the Statues of the Saints, and prayers are made with great devotion, that they would exercise their power: where∣upon a voyce out of the Tomb of Martin, saith, Thou art made whole by me from thy Leprosie on the one side, the other I leave to my brother Liborius to heal; for strangers ought alwayes to be ho∣noured. Then the sick man urning himself to Liborius, his other side was immediately cured. Platina, in vita Stephani.

[ 58] ABout the year of our Lord, 1016, certain Monks returning from Jerusalem, brought a small part of the towell where∣with our Lord wiped the feet of his Apostles before his last Supper, to Cassinum; It not being believed by many, certain men, super∣stitiously desiring to prove the truth, cast it upon hot burning coals: whereupon it presenly put on the colour of linnen; but as soon as it was taken out of the fire, it received its former form. Chron. Cas∣sinense, lib. 2. cap. 34.

[ 59] WHen at a certain Feast at Bononia, a Cock was dressed, ser∣ved up to the table, and carved with much art, one of the guests said, It is impossible Saint Peter should restore this Cock thus carved, to life again; immediately upon his words, the Cock leapeth up, restored to life, and clapping his wings together, scat∣ters the broth which was in the dish, into the faces of them who sate at the table; the blasphemer was immediately punish'd with an hereditary Leprosie. Vincentius, lib. 25. cap. 64.

[ 60] THe Bishop of Alexandria, a very religious man, had a certain Philosopher to his neighbour, named Evagrius, addicted to the Graecian superstition, who had been Schoolfellow to the Bishop; this man, the Bishop desiring to convert from his foolish worship∣ing of false gods to the saith of Christ, called him often to him, and disputed with him; but the Philosopher more and more averse to the Christian faith, (as 'tis reported) spoke to the Bishop in these words; Verily, reverend Bishop, besides other things, which I dislike of your opinion, I can by no means approve of the judg∣ment of you Christians, who say, That the end of the world is to be, and that all dead bodies shall then arise, and that every one shall have reward at the last for every good deed which he hath done; he that moved with mercy giveth to the poor, lendeth it to God, and shall receive it an hundred fold, and life everlasting. The Bishop, excellently affirming and proving, that nothing of the Christian Religion was vain; Evagrius departed not yet fully sa∣tisfied in his mind: But after a while, Amighty God joyning with

the Bishop's doctrine, he believed, and was baptized; and being rich, he brought to the Bishop three hundred pounds in gold, to di∣stribute to the poor; but upon this condition, that he should give it under his own proper hand in writing, that Almighty God would restore it. The Bishop received the money, and giving him a wri∣ting under his hand, (as he desired) divided the money amongst poor people that were in great necessity. The Philosopher having for some years led a godly life, lying upon his death-bed, com∣manded his children, that when he should be dead, they should put this writing into his hand, and so bury him; which being performed accordingly, the Bishop the third night after in his sleep saw Evagrius, who spoke to him thus; Reverend Bishop, come to my grave, and receive thy writing, for my debt is paid me an hun∣dred fold; but that it may more plainly appear to thee, I have sub∣scribed it with mine own hand. Early in the morning the Bishop sent for his sons, and when he perceived by them that the writing was buried with Evagrius, he went with the Clark of the City to the Sepulchre, which opening, they found the Philosopher sitting, and reaching out his hand with the Paper in it: which when the Clarks would have received, he refused to deliver to any of them; but to the Bishop extending his hand, he delivered it, and so lay in his Sepulchre in peace, the Bishop shewing openly the writing in the sight of all men, thus newly subscribed; Evagrius the Phi∣losopher, to the most holy Bishop Sinesius, My very good Lord; Know holy Father that I have received an hundred fold what I delivered to you; and therefore I have sent you this writing with my hand and name subscri∣bed, to shew that I can require nothing from you. Which when it had been read to the people, he commanded the scedule subscribed by the hand of the Philosopher, to be safely set up and kept in the Li∣brary. Cedrenus.

[ 61] AT Constantinople, in the Monastery of the holy Mother of God, in the Church near the Sepulchre of Holy Sopina, the Image of the blessed Virgin Mary holding an Infant in her arms which Saint Luke had limmed in a table in the life time of the Virgin Ma∣ry, was placed. This picture is called Odigatria; that is, a leader or conducter, because she appeared to two blind men, and led them to her Church, and there restored to them their sight: the Citizens of Constantinople besieged by the Saracens upon a Tuesday made procession with this Image the whole day throughout; fast∣ing, praying, and fighting; at the same time, a certain Citizen advised them that they ought to fetch that Image, and all of them unanimously to pray to her in this manner. Holy Mother of God, who hast so often delivered us, now save us from the enemies of thy Son; If it be thy pleasure, thy Image should not be drown'd in the Sea, overwhelm the enemies therein, which when he had said he privily thrust the Image under water, and there holds it, and im∣mediately thereupon there arose such a violent storm that drowned

some, and broke into splinters the rest of the Ships of the Sarazens, so that they were all destroyed.

[ 62] EVagrius out of Procopius tells us that a Citizen of Adessa, in de∣spair to defend their City against Cosroes the Persian, sent the picture or Image of Christ which he himself had made, to Abbagarus: who when the City was ready to be taken, drew the Image to the ditch of the City, and threw it into the water, against the enemies piles; Which done, the works of wood, and heaps which Cosroes had made for his foot-Souldiers to go upon, being presently burnt, were reduced into ashes.

[ 63] THe people strawing hearbs upon the Tomb of Nicecius the Lugdunensian Bishop; Aigulphus comming from Rome, brought some of them with him, which a Priest bestowed upon him, which giving to one in a draught of cold water, who was visited with a Feaver, he presently recovered his health. Gregorius Turo∣nensis.

[ 64] THe same Author, cap. 84. de gloria Confessorum, tells us of a wonderfull Revelation of Valerius the Cosoranensian Bishop: he saith that Theodore, the Bishop finding two Sepulchres, and doubt∣ing whether belonged to Valerius; watching a whole night, he in∣vocated Valerius that he would please to declare and manifest to him the place wherein he was buried, taking two Vessells of Wine and placing them before the Sepulchres, he said, which of these two shall be augmented or fuller with Wine, it will thereby ap∣pear a manifest testimony, that the Sepulchre of Valerius is placed by it: the day following, he found one of the Vessels running over with Wine, which was placed by the Tomb of Valerius.

[ 65] IT being told Ebronius Master of the Horse in France, that at the Sepulchre of Leodegarius, Miracles were wrought, he sent a Soul∣dier thither to search out the truth of the report, who spurning the place with his feet; saith, My Wife doth miracles as my breech singeth: which done, ever after as oft as he spoke, he farted, and stunk most abominably. Martinus in Chronico feria sexta id maximè sieri solitum ait; and that thereby the Woman his Wife became so resolute a Christian, that she was after∣wards a Martyr; and that King Pipin sending for the Wo∣man, and inquiring of the truth hereof, was fully satisfied, that it was according to this relation. Vincentius, Book 23. Chap∣ter 159. Et Epherdiensis, Chapter 59. referunt.

[ 66]

ULadislaus first King of the Polonians taking to Wife Judith, daughter to Uratislaus King of Bohemia, who having been long barren, advised by the Bishop of Cracovia, sent Messengers to the Monastery of Saint Aegidius in the Province of Narbo, where the bo∣dy of that dead Saint lay, with magnificent gifts, whereupon there was a time set apart for three dayes fast, which the Monks were to observe, and spend in prayer to Almighty God, that for the merits and intercession of his gratious servant Aegidius, he would grant an heir male to the Princesse. The third day of their fast, it was revealed by Vision to a certain pious Monk, that Almighty God had granted what they had with so much zeal and devotion desired; the Messengers therefore, sent away assured hereof, when they returned, found the Princesse great with child, who after∣wards was maturely brought to bed of a gallant young Prince, to whom they gave in Baptism the name of Boleslaus. Judith four Moneths after died, who gave, being a most bountifull and pious Lady, all the Jewels, Moneys, and estate in her power to bestow, to the relief of the poor; and the adorning of Temples whilst she was living. Cromerus, lib. 5.

[ 67] WHen the body of Vedastus the Attrebatensian Bishop was tran∣slated from the place, wherein times past it was laid, a blind man, named Audomarus, desired of Almighty God by pray∣er that he might see the bones of the Saint, and forthwith he recei∣ved his sight, and praying shortly after, if his sight did any way hinder the health of his Soul, that his infirmity might return, he was again struck blind. Merul. lib. 5. cap. 4.

[ 68] MEthodius, Patriarch of Constantinople, was pursued with much hatred by his enemies for his worshipping of Images, who corrupting a notorious common Whore with a sum of Money which they gave her, caused her to accuse him that he had ravi∣shed her, and that before the chief of the whole Senate: all which he bore with admirable patience, till they ordered that the Holy man, before Manuel and many of the chief of the Senate, should be admitted to no other purgation, but having spoke some few words removing that part of his cloathing which covered his privities, he should shew his members to them, which done, they appeared wi∣thered and mortified, whereby it was obvious to all men that he was utterly uncapable of Venery; which to the Orthodox was great cause of rejoycing, and of sorrow to Sycophants and calumni∣ators: And when the Holy man was asked whether sicknesse had been the cause that his members were so weakned, not without a modest shame he answered, that in time past when he lived at Rome he was by the Devill instigated to the lust of the flesh, by the often burning flames of love, which daily growing and increasing in him and he fearing lest he should lose his resolved continency and chaste life, he invocated the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, that they would

help him in this combat, and praying incessantly to this purpose, In the night, saith he, in my sleep I saw two men standing by me, one whereof touched my privy parts with his hand, saying to me, Be of good heart, thy fire of lust shall be suddenly asswaged, who seemed so to burn my privy parts, that with the extream pain there∣of I awaked: Rising from sleep, I found my privities enfeebled, and almost mortified, from which time I was never troubled with fleshly lust. Cuspian.

[ 70] AGatha, Virgin and Martyr, after many torments which she suffered by Tyrannus, for that he could not move her from her steadfast faith, caused her breast to be torn in pieces, and afterwards cast her into prison wofully hurt and wounded, being visited by the Apostle Peter, on purpose to cure her, she conceiving him to be some Surgeon that came to her, refused his help, and said, The Lord Jesus is my Physitian, who by his onely Word is able to cure all my infirmities, and I have never in my life used any worldly help or Physick to my body. Then the Apostle Peter de∣claring to her who he was, and that he was sent by our blessed Saviour to her, leaving her made whole, and cured of all her hurts and wounds, vanished from her. Marulus, lib. 5. cap. 4.

[ 71] IN the reign of Philip Diodorus about the year of our Lord, 1182, when there was a deadly Warr betwixt the Rothomagensian King, and the Earls of St Aegidius, and no possible humane means could put an end thereunto, a certain poor man named Durandus, of an obscure place named Podium, a Carpenter by Trade, working in a Wood, the Mother of God appeared to him, and gave him a small piece of parchment, upon which was pictur'd the Virgin and her Sonne; and in the margent thereof was written in Latin, Lamb of God grant us peace. He enjoyning him, as he said, that he should declare the same to the men in arms, and that he should command them to put an end to their civill and unnatural Warr, and that in the Name of Almighty God, credit being given to his speech, and a peace concluded, there were many Images made in imitation of his, which those that carryed in their hats, securely and safely without hurt, fought in battle, and likewise were upon their march or journey refreshed thereby, as much as if they had all ne∣cessary provision, they supplying the want of all. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 1. continuator Sigesberti.

[ 72] DAgobertus, son of Clotharius the second King of France, being very young, pulled from Sadregifillum, an excellent and wor∣thy Nobleman, who was designed by his father to be prefect of Aquitane, his honourable ornament belonging to his place, and grievously beat him, for that he conceived that he had not that re∣verent observation from him which belonged to the son of a King, being offended in the first place, that he set himself frequently over against him at the Table when he feasted, and that forgetting

his Majestie by wine, he took from his hand the cup, which is not used but amongst equals, and freely drunk in it. Whereupon the Nobleman went presently to the King, and shewed to him his de∣formed mouth, and lacerated back, with the fresh marks of all his blowes: whereat being inraged, he commanded, that his sonne should be taken and brought to him; the young man fearing the anger of his father, flees, and from one secret place to another, absconds himself from his fury: at last, the King having but one onely son, and thinking with himself, that he had done sufficient Penance for his offence, by his long fear and flight, resolves to for∣give him, and be reconciled to him; those whom the King sent to Catullarus, Governour of the Parisians, who were to fetch his son out of the Cave wherein he absconded himself, when they came thither, were taken with such fear and horrour, that the hairs of their head standing upright, and all the parts of their bodies trem∣bling, they had no power to go into the Cave; his father supposed, that they, to gratifie his son, who was to reign after him, were un∣willing to perform his command, lest his son should be angry with them: and therefore he presently pronounceth his son's pardon, that they might go into the Cave to fetch him to him. In this place, far in the ground, lay buried the bodies of the Martyrs Dio∣nysius Rusticus, and Eleutherius, which to that day was not known to any man, who appearing to Dagobert in his sleep, advised him to vow the building of a Church there, which he afterwards per∣formed, bestowing upon it great endowments, and magnificently adorning it.

[ 73] THey say, a certain woman delivered her sins in writing to Ba∣sill the Great, supplicating him to pray to Almighty God for the forgiveness of them; he accordingly imploring remission of her sins, all were blotted out of the writing, except one more grievous then the rest; wherefore the woman was sent to Ephem the Hermite; but by reason he was dead, she returned (having as she conceived, laboured in vain) to Basil, who understanding that he dyed that day, after the womans abundant pouring forth of tears, he putting the paper to the breast of the dead man, who was laid upon the ground, findeth, when presently he took it away, that the remaining unblotted sin, when he there put it, was now clean blotted out. Marulus, lib. 1. cap. 16.

[ 74] AT Winton in England, in the year of our Lord, 975, Elferus, Prince of the Marches, defended the married Priests against the Monks, which observed the vow of Virginity; the Monks not able to defend their cause by Scripture, used the assistance of Dun∣stane Archbishop of Canterbury, who not being able either by Scri∣pture to maintain, That Priests ought to vow Virginity; there∣fore all his endeavours to confute them, they esteemed in vain; at length during this hot contest, the Image of Christ hanging upon a wall, spoke words to this purpose; They are mistaken, that take

part with the married Priests; by which Miracle most men were satisfied, that the chaste Monks were in the right; others thought, that this Image was caused to speak by magicall incantation, as they said: whereupon the married Priests inviting Eltheredus the Bishop out of Scotland, who whilest he and they were vigorously defending their cause against the Monks, the room falling upon their heads, most of the Priests were slain, and the rest hurt, but Dunstane standing upon a beam of the room, was preserved from hurt, and the Monks were likewise safe and sound, whereby Dunstane received victorious honour. But it was said by many, that this came to pass by witchcraft. Mamelburiensis, lib. 2. Ranulphus, lib 6. cap. 11. Polydorus, lib. 6.

[ 75] CLodoveus, King of France, converted to the Christian Faith, by the advice of his Nobility, raised a Warr against the West Goths, not onely because they had incroached some of the Territo∣ries of France, but for that they were also assertors of the Arrian Heresie; when therefore Clodoveus was strenuously opposed by his enemies, and put into some danger by battle, he promised by vow, that he would offer to St. Martin his horse whereon he rode, if he obtained the victory; he was not unmindfull, when he had over∣come his enemies, of his Vow, but resolving to give an hundred pieces of gold in lieu of his horse towards the adorning of St. Martin's Temple, his horse would not be moved out of the place wherein he stood, till he gave two hundred, and then his horse moved as freely as ever; whereupon the King merrily said, I see Saint Martin is ready to help in distress, but strict in requiring the full value of what is vowed. Johannes Magnus, lib. 16. cap. 2.

[ 76] WHen Luitprandus, King of the Longobards, was endea∣vouring to translate the reliques of St. Austin out of Sardinia, which was wasted by the Saracens, in his journey at a cer∣tain Town in the Therdonensian Diocess, his Coach stopped so upon a sudden, that by no art he could use, it would be moved: he made a solemn vow, That if Austin would propitiously hear and cause his bones to be carried to Ticinum, he would give that Town for the maintenance of Priests, and men appointed for Divine wor∣ship; the Saint hearing his request, caused the Coach to be drawn with much facility. Vincentius, lib. 23. cap. 148. Sigebertus tran∣slationis illius meminit anno Dom. 721.

[ 77] ADelbertus, Bishop of Bohemia, visited with a most grievous Feavour from his childhood, was brought to the Temple of St. Mary the Virgin, and being pronounced by his Parents, as dedicated by a vow to Religion if he should recover his health, he immediately was freed from his disease. Bonfinius, l. 2. De∣cad. 2.

[ 78]

GEnadius, Patriarch of Constantinople, having often rebuked a certain Priest of the Church of St. Eleutherius, for that he by an evil life disgraced his profession; and not being able by any means he could use to reform him, he at last in the Temple com∣plained to St. Eleutherius, of the wickedness of this Clark, and saith, Saint and Martyr, Eleutherius, either reform and amend thy Clark, or cut him off, that he may no longer disgrace his profession. Cedrenus.

[ 79] GRegorius Turonensis (de gloria confessorum, cap. 97.) scribit. When Hospitius was buried, a certain man took some of the dust of his Sepulchre, and wrapping it in a linnen cloath, carried it with him, intending to bring it to the Lirinensian Monastery; and ta∣king ship, he sailed towards the said Monastery; upon a suddain the Ship stood as immoveable in the middest of the vaste Sea, as a rock, at which the Jews, to whom the Ship belonged, wondring, and much amazed, he declared to them, that he had with him the reliques of Hospitius; and now they might perceive, that those were the cause that the Ship would not stirr, unless they would steer their course to the Lyrinensian Monastery, where he was to place the holy reliques.

[ 80] WHen the body of Boniface, Bishop of Moguntinum, slain by the Pagans, was carried to the Fuldensian Monastery through Frisia, all the fields without any humane agitation, resounded with an unwonted harmonious Eccho. Scribit Werneius in fasciculo tempo∣rum: et Mutius, lib. 7. de Germania.

[ 81] AN eleven hundred Virgins martyred by the Huns, their bo∣dies were brought to the publick Church; whereupon, when a certain Priest had obtained the body of one of the Virgins, that he might translate it to his Church, moved thereunto by zea∣lous devotion; whilest they were at Mattins, she resuming her bo∣dy, and appearing as she had been alive, to the great wonder of the whole Colledge of Priests, who beheld it, worshipping the great Altar, immediately departed; the chief of the Society com∣ming therefore to the Tomb, could not find the Virgin who was laid therein. At these Altars, innumerable solemn vows were were made, and wonderfull Tables, wherein the people did write their voices, were fastned on the walls with folding doors. As a certain German, who was addicted to the religion of these people, when he was very sick, one of them came to him when he was at rest, and did let him know, That if he would say the Lords Prayer 11000 times, he should not want the help and protection of so many Virgins at the hour of death. Bonfinius, lib. 5. De∣cad. 1.

[ 82]

IN the times of the Hunni, (a people that came out of Scythia to live in Hungary) while that S. Servatius, the Bishop of Trajectum, did offer sacrifice, the top of the house was presently opened, and a very high Pillar of fire hanged out of Heaven even to the very Tomb, which not onely the Citizens, but the borderers also, and very many strangers did see. Wherefore they began to worship this most potent man, and reckon him among the gods. They did never intend to cover his Sepulchre, which was placed in the mid∣dle of the house, with the roof. And although they did perform their Divine duties there in the clear day, and did receive their Oracles, yet there was never any rain or hail, snow or tempest wanting at these sacrifices. Bonfinius, libro & capite eodem.

[ 83] DAgobertus the King of France, erected the Temple of St. Dio∣nysius from the foundation, taking away from all others, and spoyling them, whereby he might enrich this alone: neither was any of his predecessors found, who gave so magnificent and exces∣sive yearly revenues to Temples out of their patrimony. He co∣vered the Temple of Dionysius onely with silver, and he made the bodies of the Saints to be placed there, covered with beaten gold, and having added many rich gifts, insomuch, that that Temple was sometimes his defence against the anger of his Father, when the officers, which would draw him thence at the command of his Father, being astonished, stood before the Temple with their feet so fastned, that they could not enter. But the dedication of that Temple was wonderful: For a certain Leper that lay all that night in the same Temple, did report to the high Priests which came together to the dedication, That he saw Christ, and other Saints dedicating the Temple: And Christ commanded him, that he should relate that which he had seen, to the High Priests which came thither to the dedication; and lest happily the belief of this thing should be desired, he would shew that sign, that he should be cleansed of his Leprosie; and the skin which was full of sores by the swellings of that disease, should be wholly taken away from his face. Therefore they not onely give credit to him, but also the High Priests abstained from the dedication. But for the memory of the thing, the skin was also taken from the face of the Leper, which being hidden in a golden box was shewed, and a day eve∣ry year was celebrated among the yearly Festivals. Fulgosus, lib. 1.

[ 84] GEnovepha, a Virgin of Paris, did most reverently fre∣quent the Village Catula, where the holy Dionysius dyed, to whom she dedicated a Cathedrall Church. She humbly went to the Colledge of the Priests, that they might build a Temple with the collected money. But their po∣verty

and want of Sand did alledge an excuse. On the contrary, she being carried by Divine inspiration, said, I beseech you, go out to the bridge of the City, and whatsoever you hear, declare it to me. They being gone out, while they stood attentively in the Market-place, if they might hear any thing, behold, two Swine∣herds coming towards them, talked together. The one said, Whilest I did seek after the footsteps of a strayed hogg, I found a very great furnace of Lime. I also (said the other) found it likewise in a wood. The amazed Priests did relate to the Virgin those things which they had heard. But she did shed tears for joy; which when it was demonstrated to the Citizens, a magnificent Temple was erected with the collected money, and dedicated to Dionysius. Truly, holy prodigies were not wanting at building of the Cathedral Church. For when drink did fail the Carpenters, she took a wine-vessel, which (when she had prayed to the Deity) she hallowed with the sign of the Cross; by and by she gave it full to the La∣bourers. The Divinity alwayes renewing it with the like exces∣sive abundance, to quench their thirst, even untill she had finished the work. Bonfinius, lib. 5. Decad. 1.

[ 85] WHen the first Founders of Venice (which they say were the Citizens of Patavium in Pontus) had builded some Cottages, and had not as yet dedicated a Temple to any Deity, suddenly a fire breaking out of the Master-Workmen's house in the night, the fire being continued, consumed 24 houses; the wind and fuel scat∣tered all abroad, nourishing the flames. The multitude having turned themselves to prayers, did bequeath a Temple to St. James. The fire at the very same instant departed, and houses were erected by their prayers. Egnatius, lib. 6. cap. 5.

[ 86] ABout the year of Grace, 1516, Balthasar Hubmeyerus, a Divine at Regenspurg, at his Conventions he so enflamed the Magistrates against the Jews, that their Congregation being cut off, they might build the Temple of the divine beautiful Virgin Mary in the same Ark. Which when it was said to exhibit I know not what Mi∣racles, the fame thereof being stretched out far and wide through Germany, so great a concourse of strangers suddenly began to be, that neither the Temple, nor the Monastery, and scarcely the City it self, unless truly the large Palace of the King, could suffice so great a company of vile, wicked persons. Thence the fury encrea∣sed, when as a certain Ratisbonian incidently remembred the beauti∣full Virgin Mary so much, that being snatcht away as it were in an extasie, did strive night and day to come straightway to her with a restless course, leaving behind him Parents, Wife, and Children, neither saluting nor acknowledging those which he met in his Jour∣ney. Neither truly could he be compelled with threatnings or bonds. The people being enraged, (for this madness had almost driven the common people and Tradesmen) snatcht with them the instruments of their Art which were next to hand, did bring them

to the Image instead of an offering, to be hung up in the Temple. Thou mightest have seen women leading Children, old men lean∣ing on their staves, Children reaching a crust of bread or an apple, instead of a gift; the sick drawing near with their sheets and co∣verings; dumb, deaf, and blind with their eyes open; in the mean time, being unmindful of mear, drink, or sleep. Having en∣tred the Temple, all were not affected with one and the same man∣ner; but those who had attained to the highest point of Grace, ac∣cording as the Mass-Priests perswaded: as soon as they saw a beautifull Image, they sate down without any word speaking, like men stricken with the Planet: being come to themselves, they professed all together with fury, That they were healed of their diseases. This perswasion made many, with a desire to excell in superstition, to cast themselves, at the entrance of the Temple, on the ground. When the Edict of the Senate did severely punish this insolence of immoderate worship, whether it was done by the revenge of the Deity, or the wrath of the Devil, whereby that seducing Dreamer (who for eight years and more, had made the credulous Germans mad) might perish together with his miracles. There are some which think it was done by the fraud of the Jews; others, by the deceit of them which should have the greatest gain by this peregrination: This authority was purchased to that place by magick art, which the worship of the Image, and the minds of the people being once deluded by superstition, encreased and en∣larged. Be it as it is, most men of Judgment, and true Catholicks, judged, that these were Magical and Diabolical signs, rather then Divine. Sebast. Francus in Chronicis.

[ 87] LAmpertus, a Knight of Lovain in Brabant, did bear a full of the Reliques of Saints hanging down from his neck even into his breast, and he believed that this was a safe protection against all kinds of dangers. But in the Battel against the Duke Godfrid, that inchantment fell from his neck into the field: and presently after the Knight (before invincible) was killed, in the year, 1015. But a certain Souldier, having known the preservative against bewitch∣ing, hid it in his house. But the thing was betrayed by the swell∣ing of his huckle-bone and thigh. Therefore it was delivered to Ethelon the brother of the slain Knight. Sigebertus, in Chronico.

[ 88] THe Metensian Bishop performing the Government of the Clergy-men, in the stead of Poppo of Treveris, (a City of Germany) who was gone into Palestina, made a nayl very like the Altar of the Lord, and hid it in his bosome, which he did restore, although swimming in blood, and shut up the earth, which was shaved away with the blood, in Crystall. Catalogus Tre∣verensis.

[ 89]

COnstantine the Emperour, did alwayes adore the nayles of Christ being crucified, which were given him by Helena his Mother, he fastned one to the Crest of his helmet, he made a bridle for his horse with the other, (which may be seen at Mediolanum to this day) having confidence, that in the help of these, he should eschew all dangers of his life. But what is more wicked, then that thou shouldst ascribe those things to the iron, which belong to the most high God? Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 2. de cultu divino ex Am∣brosio.

[ 90] POpe Gregory II. sent three holy Sponges, to Eudon the great Duke of Aquitan, which were wont to be used at his table. He distributed them, being cut in pieces, to his army, which he did conduct against the Saracens, and it happened, that none of them which did partake of it, were wounded or slain. Eudoni episto∣la ad Gregorium, in lib. Pont.

[ 91] A Monk of the Roman Convent, which being a boy, was deli∣vered by his Parents to an Abbot, where he did offer sacri∣fice, and leaving his Religion, he married a Wife. But being sick of the Quinsie, he was brought back into the Monastery, re∣ceiving the habit, and repentance, and he was beaten cruelly with whips, by St. Andrew and Gregory, for his faults committed. Hence leaping out of his bed, he put on a garment made of Goats-hair, and another that was to cast over his shoulders, and having entred the Temple of St. Andrew, he said to the standers by; Behold, I being so purified by the stripes of the Saints I depart out of my body, as formerly I issued out clean by baptism. And dyed, while they were muttering a Soul-mass for the dead. Vincentius, lib. 25. cap. 57.

[ 92] A Certain man of Colonis, (an Ile in the Argolick Gulph) born of a Jew his father, but being converted, when he perceived the body of our Lord in the Paschall Feast, he carryed it whole (I know not for what use) in his mouth home with him. But he being affrighted with the Divinity, did bury it in the Church-yard. The Priest came suddenly upon him by chance, and discrying what was done, having opened the pit, he found the form of a Child; which when he hasted to carry it to the Church, it vanished into the thin Ayr. Trithemius in Hirsaugiensi Chronico.

[ 93] A Certain infamous woman, at the yearly solemnization of the Passeover, at Castrum, (which is called, The golden Mountain) when she perceived the body of our Lord in her mouth, she shut it up whole in her chest at home. A little after, when one of her Lovers by chance opened it, he found the sacrifice (as they call it) of our Lord's body, changed into the shape of flesh and blood, in the year of our Lord, 1181. Sigeberti continuator. By these delusions Satan doth strive to confirm the Popish fiction of Transubstantiation.

[ 94]

IN the year of Christ, 1345, when certain men consecrated a sa∣crifice, they did steal the memories of all the Saints, with their own dish, which was dedicated, out of the Temple; and because they found the dish not gold, (as they believed) but brass gilded, they cast it into a filthy Pond at the Village Bubalum, near the City of Cracovia. Presently the place shined with frequent fires, and little fire-brands some dayes and nights continually. When that miracle was presented to the Bishop, not as yet discovering the cause thereof, after he had proclaimed a three dayes fast, when he went thither with an annual Pomp: and having found the Eucha∣rist there, he brought it thither, from whence it was carried. But in the very same place where it was found, Cazimirus II. King, did build a magnificent Temple with exceeding rich walls, entituled, The body of Christ, and in process of time environing a very large space of ground with a wall, he built a new City, and called it Cazimiria, after his own name. Cromerus, lib. 12.

[ 95] JOnathas Judaeus of Bruxells (a famous City of Brabant) in the year of Christ, M.CCC.LXIX. redeemed certain sacrifices (as they call them) dedicated to Holy Katherin, and being slain in a Gar∣den by the assault of his enemies, he left them to his Wife to keep, and she to her son Abraham; who on Friday in the Holy Congrega∣tion of the Jews, having chosen out his sacrifice, he pierced it, and did tear it in pieces. But abundance of blood proceeding, the Mother of Abraham being converted, divulged the miracle. Wen∣cislaus the Duke of Brabant, having made diligent search, he took care, that Abraham and his associates should be burned alive before the Temple of holy Katherine, and religiously placed the sacrifice in the Cathedral Temple of Saint Gudula. Ludovicus Guicciardinus, in descriptione Germaniae inferioris.

[ 96] HEretofore the Rule of the Mass for the soul of the dead was sang openly, and with a loud voice. But Pope Vigilius insti∣tuted, That it should not be performed but in a holy place, in holy garments, and a low voice. It happened once, as Shepherds, ha∣ving put bread ridiculously upon a stone in the field, rehearsed the words of the Canon, by which it was transubstantiated: and so suddenly seeing bloody humane flesh before them, and stricken by the appointment of God, they presently dyed. Hermannus Gygas.

[ 97] WHen the bodies were thought to rest in their graves, the earth would be carried out of the vault of the Temple of Paulinus at Treveris, where the Theban Legions were killed by Rictic∣narius Maximianus, heretofore Lievtenant to the Emperour, a cer∣tain head being cast forth by the Priest unwarily, did bleed exces∣sively, and remains bloody even to this day. Schaffnaburgensis, An∣no 1072.

[ 98]

REgino doth declare, that Clodoveus, King of France, because that irreligiously he plucked the body of Dionysius out of his grave, and broke his arm, and snatched him with violence; pre∣sently being astonished, fell mad, and after two years lost his life and Kingdom. Idem Adon Vienensis aetate 6. & Nauclerus genera∣tione 23. Sigebertus circa annum Domini, 660.

[ 99] HEctor Boëthius doth relate, That if any woman kicked the Tomb of a blessed woman at Guanora in Scotland, she ever af∣ter remained barren. Cardanus de Rerum varietate, lib. 8. cap. 44.

[ 100] A Certain woman which had carried the shoes of holy Genovepha to Lutetia, suddenly lost her eyes, and having begged pardon, received her sight. Bonfinius, lib. 5. Decad. 1.

[ 101] WHen a Robber came to the Tomb of Wencislaus IV. the ho∣nourable King of the Bohemians, upbraiding the dead man's life, a stony Statue put upon the Sepulchre gave him a buffet, and presently being smitten blind, he suffered for his wickedness. Af∣terwards the Statue was laid in the privy Chappel, and another Brazen one was put in the place thereof. Aeneas Sylvius, capite 28. Histor. Bohem.

[ 102] A Certain Constantine, the overthrower of Artabasdus, seeing the Image of the God-bearing-Virgin standing, having caught up a stone, he threw it at the Image, and brake it, and when it fell, kick'd it. And he saw her in his sleep standing by him, and saying, Dost thou know how audacious a fault thou hast com∣mitted against me? but it will fall on thy own head. On the morrow the Saracens defending the walls, and the battel being joyned, he miserable wretch running to the wall, being struck on the head and face with a hurled stone, he had a punishment according to the deserts of his wickedness. Paulus Diaconus, lib. 21. Rerum Rom. & Cedrenus.

[ 103] COnstantine the Bishop of Cyprus in the 4th action of Nicena the se∣cond, doth declare; That a certain heardsman, who had pulled out the right eye of the Image of Mary with a prick; afterwards going out into the field, when he struck the cattel, his own eye dropt out. And there was another certain man in Cizium, (a Town of Cyprus) because that he had driven a nail thorough the head of the same Image painted upon a wall, had a mighty pain in the head, which he could be in no wise eased of before that he had drawn out the nail. Also the same man doth affirm, That an Agarene endeavouring to pluck out the eye of the Image of Mary, with a long Spear in the City Gabala of Syria, digged out his own eye, and was tormented with a burning Feaver. And in the 5th action; yet other 3 miracles are published, which were executed by Images,

to confirm the worship of them, which Charls the Great in his book of the worship of Images, doth refer it to the force of superstition.

[ 104] A Certain Jew having received baptism in Hannonia, being lifted up from the holy fountain by William a Knight of Hol∣land, returning with the Dog to his vomit, he smote the Image of the Virgin Mary in the Temple, privily with a punniard in the face, abundance of bloud gushed out, The Jew prepared himself for flight. The Virgin did appear to a Smith in a Dream, doth shew him the author of the mischief, doth exhort him to pursue him, and offering a duell to convince him of his wickedness. He doth obey, and by single combat doth drive the conquered Jew to the Cross. Johannes Trithemius in Chronico Hirsaugiensi.

[ 105] WHilest a peace was contracting between Henry and Philip, the Kings of England and France, certain Officers being brought in from Richard son of Henry King of England, which that Age called Coterelli, while they played at dice, a certain man ha∣ving lost his money, seeing the Virgin in the Porch of the Temple, holding her son in her right hand, throwing a stone at the Image, he broke a part of her son's arm, from whence blood plentifully flowing, it proved a remedy to many sick people, who devoutly sought help thereby; the Officer being taken away by the Devil, dyed most miserably the same day. Robertus Gaguinus, lib. 6.

[ 106] THe sixth year of King Charls, the Frenchmen took a Town called Burburgum, and having broken into the Temple, a French Souldier seeking to lay hold upon a silver Image of St. John, it is reported, That the Statue turning to him, he fell mad, and killed himself with his own teeth. Robertus Gaguinus.

[ 107] AT Buda, a City of Panonia, two Gamesters meeting together, the one said he playd in the Name of God; and the other, in the name of the Devil: he which made God by his vain words, a favourer of his wickedness, lost not onely all his money, but his cloaths also; and going towards home about mid-night, desperate∣ly inraged by his loss, as he went through a Church-yard, thus pos∣sessed with anger and fury, looking upon the Image of our Saviour crucified upon a Cross, he snatcheth up a stone, and strikes it into the face of the Crucifix, which making a hole therein, stuck fast in it; whereupon great store of blood miraculously issued thence: a Butcher who was troubled with the Gout, living close to the Church-yard, being an old man, and in his bed, heard a low voyce, which bid him rise, and strike with his great knife whomsoever he should meet; which words, when they had been thrice re-iterated, and that with threats of much mischief to befall him, if he refused, he resolved to obey the voyce. Therefore when at first he was not able to rise out of his bed, by reason of his infirmity, at length, slowly rising, he layes hand on his slaughter-knife, and going to the

Church-yard, meets the wretched mad Gamester coming towards him, and thrusts his knife into him; which done, coming to the house of the Judge, he desires to speak with him: The Judge at first believed it to be meerly an imposture of the Devil, though he declared to him his Dream, and the slaughter he had committed; but when it was light, coming to the Church-yard, whilest the people flocked about the dead body, Devils with terrible howling snatching away the corps, carried it into the ayr in a trice out of the sight of the spectators, which with the hole in the Crucifix, out of which blood issued, demonstrated the perfidiousness of the Gamester, and freed the Butcher from danger. M. Frischius in Meteoris.

[ 125] IN the year of our Redemption, 1383. there was in this Coun∣trey, a certain fellow named Schelkrop, of mean Parentage, one of the infamous rout, who naturally was indued with a bold ma∣lignant wit, and by licentiousness and custome was come to a great heighth of wickedness, wherein he not onely delighted, but glo∣ried, he passed his time in Bawdy-houses and Taverns, and with great eagerness followed Play; from whence all kind of vices in∣gender, as fast as vermin from the putrefaction of a dead carcass; and especially impiety towards God, is thereby begot. In all which, Schelkrop was so notorious a Captain, that the time wherein he lived could hardly parallell him. He upon a certain time, ac∣cording to his custome, tryed his fortune at play, having choyce of companions like himself, they went to a publick Gaming-house, a Tavern in the Suburbs of Moguntinum, called Filtsbach, the sign of the flower, which was commonly called Zuder Blumen; and when they had for some time playd there at dice, it fell out, that Schel∣krop was so unfortunate, that he had lost almost all his money; which when by continuing of play, he did not onely not recover, but very much augmented his loss, he began, as he was wont, not onely to vapour with his fellow Gamesters, and give them base and unhand∣some language, but likewise most impiously to blaspheme God and his Saints; some report, that when he was thus with rage and im∣piety incensed, that he openly threatned, That whatsoever Image of our Saviour he first met withall, of it he would take revenge of his present loss. But I will not confidently affirm it, but it ap∣pears plainly, that when he went from his companions, he came to a certain Chappel seated betwixt the Church of Saint Alban, and the Temple of the blessed Virgin, where Images were kept, and suddenly fiercely hacked and hewed the Image of our blessed Saviour crucified upon the Cross, and that with one stroke he cut off the head thereof, so that it fell from the body, and that with the edge and point of his sword he slasht and thrust many other Images of Saints which were placed by the Cross, &c. Hitherto Schelkrop was mad with fury and rage; and what followes, will declare how miraculously divine revenge seized on him; for sud∣denly, dreadfully, and miraculously blood flowed from the cuts,

slashes, and thrusts, that he had made in the Images, as if not Ima∣ges made of wood, but living men had suffered that injury; and Schelkope now as one attain'd to the full measure of execrable impie∣ty, stood still, not able to move a foot, till he was deprehended in his raging crime by passengers, that found him in the place where he had perpetrated that villany, for which they seised upon him, and brought him before the Magistrates, by whom he was most deser∣vedly condemned to die, and accordingly was burnt in the sight of all the people, not far from the City, in the place which the people commonly call the Jews Sand, because they were used there to in∣terr their dead. And the Images, famous by their hurts and the blood which issued from them, were translated by the hands of Priests, from that little Church, to the Temple of the Holy Cross; where to this day that dreadfull blood is to be seen, and so reli∣giously honoured, and many mortals variously afflicted, making vows to visit that place, have obtained of the most great and good God such mercy, as to be cured of their infirmities, and delivered from their afflictions. Theod••ricus Gresmundus, legum doctor.

[ 109] ANd although this impiety and petulancy of furious men is no way to be tolerated, but rather by Laws and punishments to be repressed, yet I believe, that, without doubt, these miracles were wrought by the fraud and imposture of the Devil, to confirm Idolatry in the hearts of men, by the worship and adoration of Images, by which they would confine God to dwell in trunks and stones; which Idolatry was most frequent, and to this day is in the Papacy. See concerning these signs and prodigies, Paul's latter Epistle to the Thessalonians, cap. 2. and seriously consider the Text.

[ 110] IN the twenty fourth year of Constantine, at Coprominum in Beritum, the Image of Christ was contumeliously abus'd by the Jews, whereupon blood and water openly appeared to issue out of the side thereof, whereby many were cured of their infirmities: they putting it into vials sent of it all the World over, by reason where∣of an Holy-day was instituted the fifth Ide of November, in remem∣brance of the Passion of the Image of Christ. Sigebert in the year of our Lord, 765, saith, The Fathers in the Nicene Council were of opinion, that this happened in the time of Athanasius, and that he particularly related and commended it to posterity. It was translated from Syria (as it is reported) rather by Divine then hu∣mane counsel. Sabellicus, lib. 9. Ennead. 8. et Cuspinianus.

[ 111] A Certain Jew in the time of Pope Pelagius, stealing the Image of our Saviour out of the Church, and thrusting it through with a weapon, carried it privately home with him; and being about to burn it, when he perceived it bloodied, he was so amazed there∣at, that he desists from his intent, and went and hid it; which the Christians seeking for it, found it by the track of blood which fell

from it as it was carried; for which fact they stoned the Jew to death. Sigebertus in Chron.

[ 112] OTho and Philip contending in War for the Empire, many com∣mitted themselves and their goods to the Temple of Saint Go∣varus, not far from Trevers, because the place, as they conceived, was excellently well fenced both by nature and art. Whither Vernerus Bolanus coming to fight against it, the besieged fearing lest the enemy should enter by a window, which they conceived the weakest part of the Church placed there, the Image of our Sa∣viour upon a Cross which was made of wood, whereby they thought they had sufficiently secured it from the irruption of the enemy that way: a certain bow-man ayming at that place, shot his arrow into the Image of Christ, and presently the blood flowed out of it, as if it had been a living body. Vernerus terrified there∣with, takes the cross, and threw it into the Sea to warr against the enemies of Christ, and the Image and Arrow was conserved with the blood sprinkled on them, notwithstanding. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 113] GRegory the Great in his Epistle to Theoctistus, saith, That a cer∣tain Longobard of the Region of Transpadua, found a golden Key of Peter's, which he sent as a great Present to the King of the Longobards, who caused it to be engraven on his sword; which as soon as he made use of, struck with Satanical fury, he cut his own throat with it, and dyed the same hour; Whence had Peter so pretious a key? and to what purpose?

[ 114] ALdegisius, whom Pandulphus Prince of Capua commanded to go to Cassinum, and from thence to Planeta, and bring with him the Chalice of the Emperour, and other more pretious ornaments of the Church as a pledge, whilest he was about to en∣deavour to perform the command of his Master, at the Altar, be∣fore which he stood adorned, he fell upon his face, struck with the Palsie and Falling-sicknesse, becoming thereby a miserable specta∣cle to the beholders; from which sicknesse, though he after a sort recovered, yet his eyes and mouth continued pittifully distorted; and moreover, the Prince did not onely persist in his enterprise of sacriledg, but designed greater against the brethren, but after his death, a certain boy told to huntsmen, that he saw him tyed with Iron bonds, and drown'd up to the throat in a miery stinking Lake, and that by two ugly black spirits, he saw him one while cast into the deep, and another while pulled out, the cause of such horrid punishment inquired by the boy of him; he answered, It was, be∣cause he had taken a golden Chalice out of the Monastery of St. Benedict, and had neglected to restore it before his death, desiring the boy to acquaint his Wife herewith, and wish her to restore what goods were taken from the Monastery, which notwithstand∣ing

the woman being covetous, refused to perform. Chronicon, lib. 2. cap. 62.

[ 115] A Certain Hermite inhabiting in a Rock near an High-way of a Neapolitan Seigniory, looking out at a window to see what time of the night it was, after he had said over the Nocturnal Psalms, saw a long rank of Blackmoors going loaded with straw, and threatning fire, who asking them, Who they were, they answered, That they were Devils, and they meant to bestow the combusti∣ble matter, they carried upon men, and that now they went for Pan∣dulph Prince of Capua, who was a dying; in which very hour, as it afterwards appeared, Pandulph expired his life; and presently af∣ter, Vesuvius, a Mountain, vomited out such flames, that store of scorching Sulphur rising thence, appeared like a torrent, with great force and violence, discharging it self into the Sea. Chron. Cassinense, lib. 2. cap. 84.

[ 116] URspergensis & Platina narrant, That John Baptist appeared to a certain rapacious and sacrilegious fellow, (who came to the Monument of Rothares, King of the Longobards, in a Church built for the repose of his dead body, and took away all the ornaments wherewith it was buried,) and blamed him for his presumption to dare to touch his body; who although he had not walked in the strict way of truth, yet he had committed himself to his patro∣nage and protection. By reason of this impiety, this sacrilegious person could never after go into the Temple; for as often as he assayed to enter thereinto, he was driven back by a ghost, which offered to cut his throat, if so be he proceeded; and so was forced to retreat.

[ 117] IN that Warr that Charls the Eighth, King of France, waged against Anne Dutchess of Britain, whom afterwards he married, a certain Souldier of Britain going out of the City of Rhemes, to plunder, in the Temple of a certain Town, whereinto the Coun∣trey people had brought the greatest part of their goods, he breaks open a Chest, thinking that it belonged to some secular person, and loading himself with as much as he could well carry of the goods therein, returning home with them, he looking amongst his plun∣der, saw amongst the rest certain small pieces of linnen cloath, like to handkerchiefs, and not conceiving that they were such as Priests use for a napkin to carry the host, he bestowed them on his Land∣lady; who perceiving them bloody, she first looked upon her hands; which when she found hurt, but could not perceive any blood issue from thence, she searched her bosome, and found all the skin of her breast, lining of her Wastcoar, and lower petti∣coat imbroydered with blood; the woman carrying these cloaths to the River to wash, could not possibly take the blood out of them, though by washing thereof, the water seemed bloody. Which is

not unlike what happened to Pope Leo, who to those that sought from him holy reliques, he cutting part of a napkin, which is cal∣led the Corporal, gave it them; but when he perceived a certain man to despise it, Leo in his presence pricked the corporal, where∣by he made it plainly appear, that blood flowed from it. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 118] GRegorius Turonensis, cap. 81. de gloria confessorum, writes con∣cerning Marianus the Hermite, a Holy-day in remembrance of whom was wont yearly to be kept, that the house of a certain man (who to perform domestick business, and his necessary occu∣pations, neglecting the observance thereof, and being rebuked for it by a neighbour; answered, That it was better to perform his necessary work, then shew such devotion to such a Saint, whose salvation was doubted) was set on fire and destroyed with re∣vengefull flames, in such manner that his neighbours houses joyn∣ing close to his, received no hurt at all thereby.

[ 119] A Certain Aurelianensian, about to labour in his vineyard in the holy Feast of Avitus the Cartonensian Abbot, admonished by others to forbear work, as soon as he betook himself to labour, his face was writhed towards his back; (to wit, by the Devil, the murtherer of mankind, turned the contrary way,) It was a terrible sight therefore to a multitude of Spectators: but the man going into the Temple of Avitus, and desiring forgivenesse of his sin, ob∣tained that pardon, insomuch that his face was turned to its right place. Gregor. Turonens. lib. de gloria Confess. cap. 99.

[ 120] A Certain Citizen of Paris having pawn'd his cloaths to a Jew, being not able to redeem them, promised to the Jew, if he would restore his apparrell, to give him for the same, the host which he should receive the next Easter; which the Jew consenting to, he according to his promise bringing to him; the Jew takes the host which he received, and casts it into a vessel full of boyling oyl and water, and with blasphemous words falls to scorn and reproach it; whereupon, as 'tis reported, a most beautifull young man leapt out, and with wonderfull agility avoided the Jew, who sought to drown him with a staff that had an Iron hook at the end thereof; his sons standing by, and frighted with the strangenesse of the sight, run to their Mother, and tell her the cruelty of their father against the young man; immediately there is a great concourse of people, who take the host from the Jew which the Bishop carryed to the Church of St. John in Gravia, the Wife and Children of the Jew were by this miracle converted to the Christian faith, and he brought to prison, where with many words he bragg'd of the vir∣tue of the Talmud, and calls for it to be brought to him to deride thereby the superstition of the times; which when he had recei∣ved, and began to hope that he was secure from suffering for his impiety, he with his book were consumed by flames, which issued

from a pile of wood made for that purpose, as violently and swift∣ly, as an arrow out of a bowe. Thomas Patriarcha Barbariensis, lib. 3. Fortalicii fidei.

[ 121] IN the Arvernensian Church, a certain impious fellow swore un∣truly; whereupon his tongue was suddenly tyed; for that he could not speak, but lowed like a beast. And grieving heartily with sighs for the perjury he had perpetrated, he humbly casts him∣self down at the Sepulchre of the Bishop Dretemonius, imploring his help, (not God's, as 'tis commanded) and finds his tongue loo∣sed, and himself able to speak as expeditely as formerly, publickly confessing his sin, for which wittingly and willingly committed, this punishment fell upon him. Gregorius Turonensis de confessoribus, cap. 29.

[ 122] MEscho, Prince of the Polonians, by stratagem taking Cracovia from Boleslaus Duke of Bohemia, the Princes making a Truce, met together at Cracovia, where Boleslaus is taken at a Feast, and both his eyes put out, and his Nobles cruelly slain; the Prisbui∣censians being privy to the treachery, and partakers of the wicked∣nesse, the same also endeavour treacherously to kill the brother of Boleslaus; for Cochares drawing the young man into a Wood, upon pretence of hunting, commanded him to be bound to the stock of a Tree, and shot at with arrows. It is reported, that at that time St. John Baptist invocated by him, received the arrows upon an hai∣ry cover or skin, and so defended him, and that he warned his Wife by Vision, to relieve her Husband in that great danger; whereupon Overa, a servant to the Prince, with great haste, and good speed, declared the Treason to the people, who speedily com∣ming to the relief of the Duke, released him, and killed the Tray∣tors. In that place the Monastery of the order of Saint Benedict was built, and a greater Altar placed where the Tree, to which Janures was bound, stood. Aeneas Sylvius, in histor. Bohem.

[ 123] COmnenus the Emperour being sick, and seeming ready to faint, was restored by the Image of our Saviour; for an holy imbroydered vail placed upon the Chalice, which had the picture of our Saviour wrought upon it, was spread upon the bed wherein he lay, and his body wrapped in it; whereupon the vehemency of his sickness was immediately remitted; and he arising, took meat, was perfectly well, and freed from his disease: but when this re∣covery of his in this manner seemed to the people as a thing not to be believed, that he might take away the incredulity of them, he went on horseback into the Market-place. Cuspinianus.

[ 124] IN the time that Ptolomey sought for the cross with great anxiety, because he could no where find it, other Monuments of the Pas∣sion of our Lord, miraculously discovered themselves to mortals; At Lutetia, Ludovicus, the son of Philip Augustus for three years, (the

King being absent upon his holy expedition) was visited with such violent sicknesse, that every one expected the expiration of his life, which was onely known to be in him, by weak and almost insensible breathings. Mauritius, the Bishop of Paris, brought with great reverence to Lutetia, a part of the blessed crown of Thorns which was kept at the Church of Dionysius, and the sacred nayl, obtained by prayers; which as soon as 'twas but moved to∣wards the sick Prince, his sicknesse was driven away, and his health perfectly restored. Aemilius, lib. 6.

[ 125] A Certain man mortally wounded, by tasting a little bread consecrated by St. Bernard, was immediately healed, he could by benediction make bread continue many years uncorrupt, retaining its colour to the sight, and sweetnesse for the taste. In the Tolosanum Province, many sick, by tasting the bread which St. Ber∣nard had blessed, recovered their health. A certain Salernitanian Citizen, with the water wherein St. Bernard the Abbot had washed his hands, was restored to health. Autor vitae.

[ 126] THe Malmendrensian Monks, after they had in vain by prayers and tears sought the free restitution of their Monastery from Caesar, who had subjectd it to the Colonie of Antistitus, they sought for the bones of St. Remachus, and brought them to Leodium, and layd them upon the King's Table, sitting then at meat, which broken with the weight thereof, they by falling, broke the legs and feet of a certain Noble-man, who by the intercession of Remachus, implo∣ring the help of Almighty God, was made whole, and that in such sort, that there remained not so much as the least scarr or mark where his hurts had been; And when as more Miracles were wrought by these reliques, the King did not onely restore what he had taken from the Monastery, but bestowed gifts upon the Monks, Anno 171. Schaffnaburgensis.

[ 7] IN the Confines of Biturgum and Turonum, Claudiomagus being Governour, there being a famous Church, in a secret place whereof, when in his pilgrimage Saint Martin coming thither, lodged upon straw, upon whose departure the Priests and Virgins in devotion, for that they had a most reverent esteem of his piety, divided amongst them the straw whereon he lay; part whereof, when they hanged about the neck of one possessed with a Devil, he was suddenly dispossest. Bonfinius, l. 5. Dec. 1.

[ 128] CHronicon Martini manuscriptum, reporteth, That a certain Noble woman ignorantly translating the bones or reliques of Stephen from Jerusalem, to Constantinople, thinking they had been the bones of her Mother, it happened, That the Devil's howling in the ayr discovered the Angels harmoniously singing, driving them away, and the daughter of the Emperour possessed with a Devil, cryed out, If Stephen come, I shall be presently made well.

[ 129]

A Certain Noble man, a Prefect or provost under Otho the second Emperour, being possessed with a Devil, by a chain, which as it was believed, had bound St. Peter put about his neck, was pre∣sently dispossest in the year, 983. Ut Chronicon Saxoniae habet. Vin∣centius, lib. 24. cap. 88. Othonis primi temporibus accidisse narrat, Sigebertus verò secundi.

[ 130] THe people strewing herbs about the Tomb of Nicetius the Lugdunensian Bishop, Augulphus the Deacon coming from Rome, and bringing with him some of them which were given him by a Priest, gave of them in a draught of cold water to seve∣rall visited with Feavers, and they were suddenly restored to health; Gregory of Turon affirms as a most certain truth, that this was done in his time. It is reported, that the Albanensian Bishop, sick of a Feaver, taking bread and water out of a dish (out of which St. Bernard was wont to eat meat), as soon as he tasted thereof, re∣covered his health. Autor vitae Bernardi. Gregorius Turonensis de gloria confessorum, cap. 85. de Sylvestri Calvillonensis Episcopi lectulo funibus ligatur, ligato mira quaedam narrat. Many sick of Feavers be∣ing laid upon this bed of the Bishop, have been refreshed, made whole, and lusty; he saith he saw many troubled with infirmities, who but by touching some small particles which had been cut from the ropes of the bed, restored to their former health; he likewise saith, he saw his Mother with a particle of a rope which had been cut from the ropes of that bed, to cure a woman sick of a Feaver, by putting it about her neck.

[ 131] IVo, in Chronico, & Paulus Diaconus, libro 6. cap. 2. de gestis Longo∣bardorum narrant, That in the time of Constantine, about the year of our Lord, 682, during the three moneths of July, August, and September, a pestilence had so depopulated Ticinum, and so many of the Inhabitants which remained alive, fled out of the City, that grass and weeds sprung up in the streets thereof; whereupon it was revealed to certain men, that the Plague would not thence depart, till they had built up the Altar of the Martyr Sebastian in the Church of Saint Peter; And that it came accordingly to passe, for the reliques of Sebastian being translated from Rome to Ticinum, and the Altar built, the Pestilence ceased. And hence it is, that the superstition which possest the minds of the ruder sort of men, by conceiving Sebastian a guardian and defender of men from the Plague, first took its rise.

COnstantine the Great having overcome Maxentius, there ap∣peared as a symbol, the sign of the Cross in the firmament; when he likewise thought to fall upon Maximinus, a deadly enemy to the Christians, he was suddenly afflicted with a disease called the Elephantiasie, all his Physitians despairing of his recovery: at last the Greeks having a place in their Capitol, in which they af∣firm,

If the Emperour wash it, being filled with the blood of chil∣dren, he should recover his former health. Without all doubt, that kind of remedy was familiar with the Kings of Aegypt; (Scri∣bit Plinius, lib. 26. cap. 1.) the Children therefore are called toge∣ther, and the hangman ready, expecting an Edict to perpetrate that villany; but the Emperour, being a most humane gallant man, was so moved with tears of the tender Mothers, that he could by no means find in his heart to deprive them of their children, but delivered them to their Mothers, choosing rather to dye, then to ••e∣lieve himself by the innocent blood of children: The next night he saw by Vision Peter and Paul coming to him, who admonished him to go to Sylvester the chief Bishop of Rome, and wash himself in a pool there which they decyphered to him; he obeys this Vision; and bestowing himself in fasting seven dayes, he with his son Crispus were washed with baptism by holy Sylvester, having been anointed with oyl; at which time an extraordinary miraculous light illu∣strated the place, and a melodious sound was heard; and Constan∣tine himself being touched by a Divine hand, cometh out of the Laver safe and sound from his infirmity. Nicephorus, lib. 7. cap. 33. et Cedrenus.

[ 133] LOtharingus being a prisoner at Constantinople, was so robustious and strong, that the Turks were afraid lest he should break his chain and fetters, and therefore they made an Iron Collar or chain, and put it about his neck, with chains of Iron fastned to it five fingers broad, and three fingers thick, reaching to his fetters; in which condition the prisoner remembring St. Nico∣las, who had lived in his Countrey, invocates him to intercede to Almighty God for him; whereupon sleeping that night after, the next morning when the Sexton opens early in the morning the door of the Temple of St. Nicolas at Varanguilles, he finds there this Cap∣tive sleeping, who awakened, acknowledged himself miraculously brought thither in his sleep, it being two thousand miles distant from Nanceum, where the day before he had invocated this Saint's intercession. The miracle being divulged, the people run to see it; and after Mass, having sung some praises to Almighty God, four Smiths are sent for to free him from his chains; which when it appeared that they could by no humane power be dissolved of their own accord, as it were, but by the command of Almighty God, leapt in sunder. Vierus, lib. 2. cap. 29. de praestigiis Daemonum; ex libello de Galliae Sanctuariis.

[ 134] GRegorius Turonensis, lib. 5. cap. 6. writeth, That Bituricus, Arch∣deacon of Lions, by the cutting of Cataracts or skins which grew upon his eyes, lost his sight; and being helpless by Physi∣tians, made his address himself, by the devotion of fasting and pray∣ers for two or three moneths to the Church of Martin, that he might receive his sight; and ardently making his prayers upon the Feast-day of St. Martin, obtained his desire.

[ 135]

POpe Leo in the time of Charls the Great; when he had led the Procession through the City of Rome to the Church of Sylvester, by his chief Officer, for the celebrating the Paschal; and Pambulis a Priest, whose filthy life he had often corrected, was stript of his Pontificial Robes, and deprived of sight and speech, and coming to the Monastery of Erasmus, and carried to the Image of Albinus, in the Church of St. Peter, as it is reported, he there received again his eyes and tongue. Sigebertus, Anno 799. et Bonfinius, lib. 9. De∣cad. 1.

[ 136] GRegorius Turonensis, libro de gloria confessorum, cap. 96, tells a miraculous story of one visited with the Palsie, who being drawn in a Coach to celebrate the Feast of Alban, the Andigaven∣sian Bishop, in his sleep at night he saw a man coming to him, and saying, Rise the third hour, and go into the Temple, for it will come to passe, that at that time Martin and Alban will be there; and if thou like∣wise be there at that instant, thou shalt recover thy health. Which Mi∣racle, according to the prediction had in his dream, was wrought in the sight of many spectators. Turonensis affirmat.

[ 137] A Certain Priest sick of the Palsie brought to the Tomb of St. Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, was presently restored to health. At the same Sepulchre a certain man possessed with a Devil, vomits him up with much blood. Vincentius, lib. 24. cap. 95. At Grandavus in the year, 1010, before the body of St. Bavones, which then by chance was brought thither, Mansuindis, a Maid of Antwerp, was cured of the Palsie. Jacobus Meyer, in Chronico Flan∣drensi.

[ 138] COsroes King of Persia hearing that Sergius the Martyr granted all things that were desired of him, sought of him ayd for the defence of his Kingdom, and foecundity to his Wife, being barren, which obtaining of him, he sent to Gregorie a golden Cross, dish, cup, censer, and other gi••s in honour of Sergius the blessed Martyr. Evagrius, l. 6. cap. 21.

[ 139] COnstantine Bishop of Cyprus, tells in the fourth Nicene Act, of a certain man, who by driving a nayl into a wall, struck it in∣to the forehead of St. Peter's picture, and found that he was pre∣sently troubled with an Head-ache; whereupon, commanded to pull out the nayl, he obeying, was presently made whole.

[ 140] FRenchmen being sent by Pippin to Floriacum, to carry the bones of Benedict to the Cassianensian Monastery, as they were going into the Temple, by the vertue of Benedict were struck blind; whereupon they returned back, conceiving that he rebuked them, because he would not have France deprived of such holy reliques. Scribit Sigebertus Anno Dom. 753. Vincentius, lib. 13. cap. 155.

[ 141]

A Certain man named Garganus, a Citizen of Pontinum, who fed a great herd of Cattle in the Mountain Prium, lying in Apuleia, which is now called Garganus, or the Mount of St. Michael, in the time when the Goths infested Italy by war, seeking a Bull which was strayed from the herd, at last finds him in a cave which was in a hard rock naturally without man's labour; and angry at his straying beast, he shoots at him, the arrow lighting upon the back of the Bull, rebounded back upon Garganus, which he con∣strued to have some divine signification; wherefore he declared what happened, to Lawrence a Priest, who prolaiming a Fast for three dayes, in the night when he was asleep, he had a Vision or Dream, wherein Michael the Arch-Angel appeared to him, affirm∣ing to him, that it was his doing that the arrow retorted from the Bull, that he would have that place known to be the oratory wherein he would have a Church for his service; and when the Neapolitans had besieged the City of Sipontinum, (Lawrence decla∣ring the Oracle of the Arch-Angel) the hour they had appointed to break in, the Vision was believed, and the cave of the Arch-Angel, which seemed as if it had been made by handy-work, began reli∣giously to be worshipped; and the dedication of Gelasius the chief Bishop which he prepared, was disapproved by the Arch-Angel, for that a place divinely consecrated, wanted no dedication. There∣fore the cave being consecrated with a most royall Temple, most men were wont to come thither once every year, there were tables wherein were written the form of religion, and prayers hanged up∣on the walls all about, shewing their titles. And where the Altar that belonged to the Statue of the Arch-Angel was, in a place inac∣cessible by men, there the Statue was placed, which beholding, the mind of man struck with a silent fear, by the contemplation of so great and holy meditations, powreth forth its prayers. Other Al∣tars also made by neither cost nor artifice of man, which seem na∣tural, increase devotion, Pont. l. 2. belli Neapol.

[ 142] AN old Fisherman told to the Duke Bartholomaeus Grandonicus, when the waters rose above their ordinary custome, and there∣by threatned much hurt to the Venetians, that early in the morning whilest the storm raged, three men of a venerable aspect came to him, whom he carrying through the passage to the Haven, the storm ceasing, they all remained in the City, one of them in the Church of St. George; another in the Temple of St. Nicolas; the third, ha∣ving declared the other two, to be George and Nicolas, manifests himself to be Mark the Evangelist, and commanded that he should relate it, because he should receive great benefit from the Prince of the City for his labour in ferrying them over; and that he might have credit from them he should acquaint with the same, he be∣stowed a Ring on him, to shew to them; whereupon the Venetians bestowing a yearly stipend on the Fisherman, decreed supplica∣tions and praises. Fulgosus, lib. 3. cap. 6. et Egnatius eodem.

[ 143]

THe fourty fifth year after the death of Stephen King of Hungary, he being canonized, all the Princes of Hungary, with the King Ladislaus, met together; and after celebrating certain ceremonies in remembrance of the dead, at their coming to the Monument of the holy King, there issued from thence such fragrant smells, that the whole Church was, as it were, filled with a certain heavenly dew: finding his bones moistned, and anointed with a certain kind of Balsom, laid in a Syndon, they began to look for a gold Ring, which was his old Scepter, amongst the liquid balsom; which when they could by no means find in the Marble Tomb, they en∣deavoured to draw out the moisture, which falling upon, and filling Viols and great Vessels therewith, they were nothing nearer their desire of emptying the Sepulchre thereof; for as fast as they drew it out, it was still by a Divine power supplyed; which perceived, they by degrees powred what they had drawn out upon the bones again; and it appeared, that after their infusion thereof, there was neither more nor less in the Tomb; upon finding of which trea∣sure there, an Altar was renewed to the blessed Virgin; and after a short time, the Wife of the illustrious Prince called Matildus, who for three years space had laboured of an intestine disease, invited by the fame hereof, vows a pilgrimage to this Chappel in Hungary, whither as soon as she had made her address, she was immediately freed from her torments. Bonfinius, lib. 1. Decad. 2.

[ 144] AFter the Pope received testimony of the many Miracles which were done before the Sepulchre of Udislaus King of Hungary, which shewed the power of Almighty God for his sake to be manifested, in that place he canonized him a Saint. In the same hour that a child, who being an unformed lump of flesh, without hands or feet, and whose bones and s••ews were not ob∣vious to the sight of men, was brought to his Sepulchre; as soon as the Parents began their prayers, he received hands, feet, and shape, to their great comfort and rejoycing. Bonfinius, lib. 4. De∣cad. 3.

[ 145] THe Sergiopolitans or Antiochians treating with Cosroes King of Persia, to spare their City, offer him sacred treasures for the redemption thereof, offered him a golden Cross, which Justi∣nian the Emperour, and Theodora, had sent thither; which Cosroes receiving, required more, and amongst others, seeking to take the silver Urn, in which the reliques of Sergius the Martyr were laid, presently an Army all about the streets appeared, which chased away the Persians off the City; so the City was mira∣culously delivered with the help of Souldiers. Evagrius, lib. 4. cap. 28.

[ 146]

IN the tenth year of Leo Emperour of Isaurus, the Sarazens besieged the Town of Nicea in Bithynia: the City long opposed by storm, and some part of her Walls battered with Engines to the ground, by the appearance of Saints which are there worshipped, the Sara∣cens affrighted with the sight of the Father, left what so hotly they had attempted, and basely fled. Cedrenus.

[ 147] THe Thessalonians besieged by Michael King of the Bulgarians, upon a certain day went to the Sepulchre, praying all night, and using an oyntment which boyled up out of the Sepulchre, uniting their strength together, they all fiercely throwing open the Gates, sally out upon the Bulgarians; whereat the enemy was so amazed, that fear took upon a suddain so deep impression in them, that they all betook themselves to their heels, not so much as one of them standing, or daring to defend themselves; the Leader of the Roman Army was a Martyr, who cleared the way before him; which the Bulgarians who were taken prisoners confirmed by oath, telling, that they saw a gallant young Knight on horseback, who led the Roman Squadrons, from whom flashes of fire came, which lighting upon their enemies, burnt and consumed them. Cedre∣nus.

[ 148] THe Cartonensian Citizens hanged up the linnen garment of the Virgin Mary, which Charls the bald had brought from Con∣stantinople, upon the wall, instead of a flag or ensign, which struck blind Rollo the Dane with his Army, and compelled them to de∣part, without doing injury to the City. Ranulphus, lib. 6. cap. 2. Ganguinus, lib. 5.

[ 149] WHen Godfrey of Boleign with others had undertaken the Syriac Expedition, setting upon the City Jerusalem by storm, Aimarus the Aniciensian Bishop was seen by many to go before the Souldiers, and scaling the walls first, gave the sign to others to follow him, although it was known for certain, that he departed many moneths before from Antioch, as William the Bishop of Tyre writeth. Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 6.

[ 150] HEnry the second, Emperour, subjugating Boleslaus, who posses∣sing Bohemia, and all the Sclavonian Countrey, and likewise debilitating Poland, taking the sword of Saint Adrianus the Mar∣tyr, which had been long kept in a place called Waldberg, divine power working with it, he was most formidable to his enemies, most prosperously prevailing over them, the Martyrs, St. George, St. Lawrence, and St. Adrianus being seen to go before his Armies, and to break the ranks of their enemies. Cuspinianus.

[ 151]

THe Romans carrying before them the holy Lance, with which the side of our blessed Saviour was pierced, instead of an En∣sign fighting against Corbana Prince of the Persians, at the Metro∣polis or chief City of Syria, called Antioch, slew above an hundred thousand of their enemies; they missing when they mustered, of four hundred thousand Souldiers which they had before the fight, two hundred thousand; Baldricus Bishop of the Dolensians, a con∣temporary, writeth from the mouths of them that were present, That the enemies when they joyned battle, saw three in the shape of most royal Noble-men, sitting upon white horses, and a great Troop of the like countenance, and in like manner apparrelled, who led the forefront against the enemies: these were not seen of all, but some of the Romans, and by them they were believed to be the Martyrs, George, Demetrius, and Mercury; after whose ap∣pearance, the Barbarians were so amazed, that void of counsel or courage, and possessed with fear, they most basely ran away. Aemi∣lius, lib. 4.

[ 152] ACtius being General, when John King of Bohemia, father to Charls the fourth, Roman Emperour, about the year of our Lord, 1330, invaded Italy, falling sick of the Gowt, under∣went great perill in his affairs, circumvented by the unfaithfull dealing of his couzen german, General Leodrisius, who leading the Rhaetian and Helvetian cohorts, and with a strong hand gathering together all banished men, came to Abdua. Actius, though trou∣bled with the Gowt, raised Souldiers in every place, and left his Garrisons well fortified to the care of Governours, till such time as his expected recruits should come to him. And committing the Van-guard of his Army to his Lievtenant Nervianus, the Leodrisia∣nians had prevailed against them, had not St. Ambrose, the Medio∣lanensian guardian Saint, been seen by many of the City in form of an Horseman, succouting them apparently in their distress; for there came at that time to their relief, Hector Panicus, with a wing of Cataphractans, Albrogians sent by Ludovicus Subaudius, father-in-law to Actius, which overcame the Rhaetians, unseasonably exult∣ing and resting themselves disorderly, putting them to the sword, and took Leodrisius himself prisoner; there being slain at that time above four hundred thousand men. And in the field where this Victory was obtained, a Temple was built to St. Ambrose in me∣mory thereof, where yearly upon the twenty fourth of February, the Mediolanensian people coming together in great pomp, with the Praetor and Counsellors, celebrated his Feast with sacred solemni∣ties; Jovius in Actio. But Fulgosus, lib. 1. cap. 6. writeth, That the Auxiliaries which came to relieve Actius, as soon as they began bat∣tel, clearly saw Ambrose with a whip to fall upon the Barbarians which Martinus Scaliger led, being hired thereunto by Leodrisius; and in memory of this Victory, Ambrose was pictured with a whip in his hand, ever after this.

[ 153]

IN the battle wherein Ramirus King of Spain fought against the Saracens before Calugurium, James the Apostle was seen by all who were there, leading the Christian Army, and putting the Saracens to flight.

[ 154] NIcephorus, lib. 8. cap. 23. reporteth, That Chrysanthus and Muso∣nius being Bishops, who sate in the Nicene Council, and dying before they had subscribed those Articles of Faith which were there agreed upon; the Fathers of the Council therefore went to their Monuments, and holding a writing in their hands, which contained in it the Articles, they spoke to them as if they had been living men hearing them; Holy Fathers, you have fought a good fight with us, you have finished your course and kept the faith, if therefore what we have done ought to be allowed and confirmed, it is meet and needfull, that you (who are illustrated by the splen∣dour of the Trinity, whose beatificall Vision frees you from all obscurity and hindrance, which lets us from the clear and perfect discerning of things,) with us subscribe this little book; who when they had spoke these words, laid it down before the Tomb sealed, and going to their rest that night, and returning in the morning, they found the book sealed with the seals inviolated, and their sub∣scriptions inserted with the rest, which they perceived to be newly written, in these words; We Chrysanthus and Musonius, with all the Fathers in the first holy Oecumenical and Nicene Council do agree, and although translated from our bodies, yet with our own proper hands we have subscribed the Articles in this book.

[ 155] PLergilis, a Priest, prayed, That he might see what species laid hid under the form of bread and wine, and whilest he con∣tinued his supplications for the same, an Angel from Heaven ap∣pearing to him, speaketh, saying, Arise quickly, if thou desire to see Christ, he is present, cloathed with that body which the holy Mother of God bore, he therefore casting his eyes upon the Altar, seeth the child, the onely begotten Son of the Father, whom with trembling arms he takes and kisses, and presently restores again to the top of the Altar, and falling prostrate upon his knees again, he implored Almighty God again, that he would turn him again into his pristine species, and as soon as he had finished his prayer, he found the body of Christ returned to his wonted form, as by prayer he had desired. Rabbanus de Sacramento Eucharistiae, cap. 30. Paschasius in libro, de corpore et sanguine Domini, cap. 41.

[ 156] A Certain Souldier in the City of Rome extinct by the Plague, when he revived, said, That he saw a narrow bridge, under which ran a River ugly and caliginous, which sent forth an incre∣dible stinking savour; but on the other side of the bridge upon the bank-side of the River, he saw pleasant places, which with the va∣riety of flowers which grew therein, sent forth such fragrant odours

as much delighted the smelling faculty, and habitations all about which were of a certain divine form and splendour; but amongst the rest, one was greater, and excelled in glory, for that it was wholly built with golden bricks; but for whom it was built, he could not understand: but he considered, that he observed, that the just most securely passed that bridge; and that the unjust and reprobate fell into the River: then he saw, as he said, a stranger, a Priest, who inoffensively passed through those streights, having quietly and contentedly suffered the going thorow the turnings therein, for that he had lived piously in this world; but amongst those which he saw fall, whom the whirlpool of the froathy snatch∣ing stream tossed about, he saw Peter chief Bishop of the Ecclesia∣sticall Family, who four years since coming that way, infolded with Iron chains, and in vain striving to swim through the horrible hollow passage, he therefore had a warrant, as a punishment to him, to punish those that hereafter should be guilty, rather severe∣ly then indulgently. Marulus, lib. 6. cap. 14.

[ 157] IN the Castle of the seven holy brethren, Albericus, a certain Noble child when he attained the tenth year of his age, afflicted with sicknesse, was brought even to deaths-door; at which time he lay immoveable without sense, as if he had been quite dead, seven dayes and nights. In which interval brought by the blessed Apo∣stle Peter, and two Angels, he cometh to the infernal gulph, at length he was brought to see the pleasant things of Paradise, and lifted up into the aerie Heaven; he was sufficiently instructed by Peter, of things contained in the Old Testament, of the punishments due to sinners, and the glory of Saints: he saw certain secret things which he was forbid to speak; and so for seventy dayes he being led about the Provinces by him, he was restored to life. Chronicon Cassionense, lib. 4. cap. 68.

[ 158] VIncentius hath a long Narration extant in his book 27. chap. 99. of Tundalus, whose soul was led by an Angel as well to the infernal place of punishments, as purgatory, where he saw many whom he knew, at his first entrance amongst the blessed: he met with a multitude of men and women enduring the misery of rains and winds, pining away with hunger and thirst, but injoying light, molested with no stink; who as the Angel told me, had not lived very honestly, nor had been charitable to the poor, were af∣ter some years to enjoy rest. We came then to the port, which once opened and gone through, there appears a flourishing field full of eternal light, in which many souls of both sexes exulted, de∣stinated to those happinesses for the torments they had suffered in this life, from which they were now delivered, though not yet de∣serving to be joyned to the society and fellowship of the Saints. There is a Fountain of life, of which whosoever drinketh, shall live for ever; going a little further, we saw Concober and Donatus, who were tyrannical Kings in their life-time. But Donatus many

years bound in chains, gave all that he had to the poor. Making a further progress, we came to King Cormartus, under whom Tun∣dalus in his life-time served, who spending his time in a silver Palace, was attended like a King by the souls of the poor and pil∣grims, upon whom he, being a King, had bestowed his goods; which beholding, the house is obscured, and all the Inhabitants consternated. The King going out weeping, seeing his Ministers with hands lifted up towards Heaven, devoutly praying, and say∣ing, As thou wilt and knowest best, have mercy upon thy servant. And beholding, he saw the King in fire up to the navel, and from the navel upward cloathed with hair-cloath; saith the Angel, This punishment he suffereth three hours every day, and for twen∣ty one hours he is at rest; for that he stained the Sacrament of holy Matrimony, and therefore he is purged with fire up to his navel, and weareth an hair-cloth, because he commanded his fellow to be slain at St. Patricks, and prevaricated his oath; excepting these two, all his sins were forgiven him.

[ 159] THe Soul of another certain man being led by the Angel Ra∣phael to the Heavens above, and infernal places, saw a man sitting in a chair of fire, into whose face most handsome curtezans threw fires which they retracted with their posteriors; and those torments he continually endured, because in his life-time he was given over to lust and luxury. He saw a man whose skin the De∣vils excoriated or pulled off, and throwing salt upon him, cast him upon a grid-iron, who had been cruel to those who were subject to him: Another riding upon a fierce horse, offered a shee goat which he carried before him, having a Monasticall vesture behind, who had lived by rapine, and had taken a Goat from a poor woman: at length the Monk would have put on feigned repentance. He saw religious men of divers orders, some of which had spent their time in mirth and laughter; others who wallowed in gluttony and lust, whom the Devil tormented with punishment answerable to the wickednesse they had perpetrated. Lastly, he saw Judas the Traytor, who, envied of all the Devils and damned spirits, was held in the bottom of the gulph, where he was exposed to the scorns and railings of them all. This man restored to life, beginning to tell these things to his brethren, contrary to what was given him in charge, immediately was struck upon his face with a staff by Saint Benedict. And (saith he) because thou hast offended by speak∣ing, thou shalt be deprived of thy speech for nine dayes. And having injoyned this penance, he departed. The nine dayes being expired, he at last, as he was commanded, tells the whole story to his Abbot; And the Abbot having received no order to conceal it, publisheth it to the people. Vincentius, libro 29. cap. 8, 9, 10.

[ 160]

GEnovepha, a Virgin of Paris, laboured so much of an extasie, that she was for three dayes breathless; only her cheeks were observed to have some rednesse in them: who coming to her self, affirmed, That she had been led to Hell, went to the fields of the blessed, and that she had manifestly seen the punishments of the wicked. Bonfinius, lib. 5. Decad. 1.

[ 161] ERasmus, Bishop and Martyr, after intolerable tortures suffered by him for the testimony of Jesus Christ and his Gospel, the Apostles and Prophets were seen to bring him a Crown; delighted with which Vision, he prayed Almighty God to put an end to his life, which he obtained, most gently breathing out his soul. Mar∣tinus, lib. 6. cap. 16.

[ 162] URsinus, a Priest Nursia, as he was about to yield up his soul joyfully cryed out, giving thanks to them whom he only saw coming to him; they that stood by, inquiring who they were, at whose coming he so greatly rejoyced, saith he, Do not you see the Apostles Peter and Paul here present, calling me away? Presently whilest turning towards them whom he alone saw, and repeating, I come, I come, behold I come, he departed, leaving his body void of a soul. Gregorius, lib. 4. Dialogorum, cap. 11.

[ 163] A Certain man who led a religious life, knowing Ezekiel and Da∣niel the Prophets who appeared to him, saluted them; and whilest he shewed them re••erence, whom none else discerned, though many were present, performing his duty, he departed. Idem.

[ 164] MErulus, a Gregorian Monk at Rome, a man adorned with nota∣ble sanctity of life, in his sleep dreamed, That he saw a crown made of most white flowers which fell from Heaven, and was to be put upon his head; afterwards visited with sickness, with great ala∣crity finished his course. Then by the command of Peter the Abbot, the fourteenth year after his death, his Sepulchre being opened, a most incredible sweet smell ascended out of it; for which cause it was thought, that the Vision he had was true. Idem. lib. 4. cap. 47.

[ 165] GRegorie tells us of a Maid of Christ named Galla, living at Rome; To whom the Apostle Peter appeared, inviting her to go along with him, for that her sins were forgiven. This Vision, when she her self had related to others, to the end to go along with him, to whom the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven were given; she put off her body with as much readiness and willingness, as a man undresseth himself to take his rest. Idem. lib. 4. cap. 11.

[ 166]

DE Musa puella, idem Gregorius, cap. 17. tradit, That in a Vi∣sion by night there appeared to her the Mother of God, with a comp••ny of Virgins, injoyning her to abstain from laughter, jests, and allvanity; for that it would come to passe, that after thirty dayes, he should exult and rejoyce in the company of her, and her Virgin. Whereupon being visited with sickness, and at last the time approaching of which she was foretold, comforted with the same Vision again, as if she had answered to one, calling upon her, she said, I come, Lady, I come. And with those words she breathed out he•• soul.

[ 167] IT is remembred, That Probus Rea••inus the Bishop, who by his languishing condition, knew that he was shortly to depart this life; all that were wont to be with him, by chance being gone from him, except one boy, saw Juvenal and Eleutherius the Martyrs, entring the Room; at whose approach being terrified, and stupi∣fied with the suddain lustre and shining, understanding where they were broke suddenly out of the bed, with the noise whereof the fa∣mily raised, run to the place where the Bishop lay, but found no∣thing but his dead body, his soul being departed. Marul. lib. 6. cap. 16.

[ 168] THe body of St. Jerome when he had given up his soul, was sur∣rounded with a suddain glorious light, Angels appeared, and the voyce of Christ was heard, which invited him to his Heavenly Kingdom. The same hour Cyril, Bishop of Jeru∣salen, saw his soul carried by Angels going towards Heaven; the same day his holy soul shining with wonderfull brightness, appear∣ed to Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. At Turon two Monks saw a shi∣ning Globe passing through the Skies, and thereupon immediately heard a Quire of Angels most ravishingly singing, which whilest they admired, they understood that the soul of Jerome the Priest who dyed then at Bethlehem, was carried by Angels to rest in Para∣dise, &c. Idem.

[ 169] THe day that St. Augustine was buried, a certain Monk who abode far off, being wrapt in spirit, saw him singularly ar∣rayed with a Miter, and Bishops weeds, sitting amongst the clouds all in glorious white, such radiant beams proceeding from his eyes, as illuminated the whole Church, incredible sweetnesse of odour delighting his smelling faculty. Afterwards he was seen by Bernard, whilest Sermons were read in the night-time by his brethren in the Church, casting out of his mouth most pure waters, which immeasurably flowed upon the Pavement of the Church. Idem.

[ 170]

AS the life, so the death of Francis Assiatus (from w••om the Order of Minors begun) was noble and magnificent, who ex∣piring, a certain brother saw his soul in form of a star, to slue out of his body, and fly towards Heaven: The same hour an Husband∣man grievously sick with over-labouring, his soul being ••eady to depart, languishing and speechlesse, on a suddain broke foth into speech, saying, Expect me, father, expect me; and, being asked, he said, he saw St. Francis with great light making toward Hea∣ven. Which said, his soul went out of his body, making good his words by his action continually, following him whom he had said he saw. Marulus, lib. 6. cap. 16.

[ 171] A Certain Monk of Adoneus at Rhotamagium, in the night going to see one with whom he was enamour'd, fell off the bridge into the water, and was drown'd. The Devils contend with an Angel for his soul; it is agreed betwixt them, to refer it to Richard Duke of Normandy, to end the difference. His order was, that his soul restored to his body, should first be placed upon the bridg, and if he took the way which leadeth to his beloved Mistris, he should be in the power of the Devil; but if he should take toward his Church, his soul should be in the power of the Angel: which done, the Monk returned to his Monastery, and so it is believed he was freed from the jawes of the Devil. Ranulphus, lib. 6. cap. 7. in Polychronico.

[ 172] WHen before the body of a certain dead Monk, Mass was celebrated, at the singing of Agnus Dei, he leaped off the Beer, blaspheming God, refusing to kiss a woodden cross which was offered him to kiss, falling upon the Virgin Mary with railing words, deriding those that sung Psalms, for that he was orda••ned to the horrid torments of Hell. The Monks beating their breasts with their fists, pour forth prayers devoutly for him; the poor man receiving a better mind, began to laud and praise the omnipo∣tency of Christ, to renounce Satan, to adore the cross, and to con∣fess, That after he took the life of a Monk upon him, and vowed chastity, he perpetrated fornication; and praising God, the text day he comfortably departed. Vincentius, lib. 25. cap. 62.

[ 173] A Certain Monk of France saw the soul of a most lewd and wicked man, who notwithstanding he put on Monasticall weeds in the agony of death was bound by the Devil in fiery chains, and that he saw him dragged towards Hell: but at last by the intervention of St. Benedict, was freed; for that whilest he was adorn'd with, his habit he had done no hurt. Also Maius, a Cassinensian Monk, who being precipitately cast down from an high Window in the night by the Devil, broke his neck, he complained to a great favou∣rer of his in the Monastery, (for that was with many prayers sought

by that convent) that in his sleep this evil was imposed on him by the Devil, but that he was freed by the help of St. Benedict; from hence alms-giving, and the number of Psalms said for the dead in that Monastery increased. Cassianus, lib. 4. cap. 4.

[ 174] WHen St. German came to Turnodurum, he cometh to the Se∣pulchre of a certain disciple which had followed him out of Brittain, and asked him, whether he would warr with him any further? who answered, That he had sufficiently warred, and that he enjoyed heaped rewards for his fight; and further prayed, that he would depart. Saith Germanus, Rest in peace and happinesse; so he laying down his head, slept in the Lord. When he made his journey to Augustodunum, at the Tomb of Cassianus the Bishop born in Scythia, having much company, in the hearing of them all, he called to him in the Tomb, and enquired what and how he did? saith he, I enjoy sweet rest, and expect the coming of my Redeemer. To whom Germanus answered, Rest happily therefore, and intercede more diligently for our health. Bonfinius, lib. 4. Decad. 1.

[ 175] PAschasius, a Deacon of the Apostolicall Court, excelling by his piety towards God and man, (as it is reported by Gregory,) but that he pertinatiously stood for Lawrence, (whom he thought more worthy) against Symmachus, who was judged by the voyces of all men worthy of the place of chief Bishop, when after death he was to pay punishment for his fault, he was found by Germanus Bishop of Capua, performing the drudgery of a servant in the An∣gulanian Baths; which Germanus when he understood the cause, went away, and for some dayes made supplication for him, re∣turning, knew that he was freed from that burthen, and that his prayers were heard, whom now he perceived was not to be found there. Marul. lib. 5. cap. 11.

[ 176] A Certain Priest having come often to wash himself at the baths called Centurellae, offered bread as a reward to one that had often freely waited upon him, and found, that he did not want it; for he had been Lord of that place, and after death he was there punished again, to expiate a certain offence, by suffering punishment: yet he offered much to him, if by offering consecra∣ted bread he would pray for him; wherefore the Priest offered the holy Host and praying for him, returned to the Baths; but not finding the man, he understood that he was freed from his pain. Idem.

[ 177]

BEnedict the Tenth, chief Bishop, after his death appearing to John the Portuensian Bishop, confesseth, That he was kept, by Odilones his prayer, from eternal death; And that he now appeared to him, that he would go to him, and desire him, that he would pray for him now being in Purgatory, as he was accustomed when he was living. This Message being delivered, the Abbot and he prayed for him, and injoyned all the Monks who were with him, to do in like manner. Not long after, Benedict gloriously shining, ap∣peared to Edelbertus the Monk, and told him, that he was translated from Purgatory to Beatitude. Odilones and the Monks praying for him, he appeared again to Odilones, giving him thanks, for that he had received so great mercy, chiefly by his prayers. Idem. Ibidem.

[ 178] RObertus Gaguinus telleth, That John the Anchorite reported to Ansoaldus, Bishop of Pictavum, That he was raised by a cer∣tain reverend old man from his sleep, and commanded to pray for the soul of Dogabert King of France, the hour of his death: which when he had done, he saw a company of Devils in the mid∣dest of the Sea; who carried the soul of the King in a boat hawl∣ing him to torments, he calling upon Martin, Maurice, and Diony∣sius, the Martyrs, to help him against them, and that those three men came to him cloathed in white garments, professing they were the men he called on, who helped Dogabert, and freed the soul of the suppliant King from torments without delay, and carried him with them to heaven. Sigebertus in Chronico, about the year of our Lord, 645. telleth to a certain man, That the soul of Dagobert coming to Judgment, was accused by many Saints for his spoyling of Churches, and that evill Angels endeavouring to take him away, Dionysius the Parisiensian intervened and freed him, onely prescri∣bing that, in satisfaction of the wrong he had done, he should to the honour of God, and the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, whom he had offended, build a Church.

[ 179] MAurice the Rothamagensian Bishop, brought into the Temple after his death, having received his soul again, said to them that stood about him, Mark well the last words of your Pastour, I am naturally dead, but am revived, that I may declare to you what I have seen, for I am to retain my soul no longer then I speak to you, my conductors, whose apparrell and countenance was most fair and lovely to behold, and their speech most pleasant, promised me going towards the Sun-rising, the delectable and wished for enjoyment of Paradise; and having finished the adoration of Saints at Jerusalem, we went towards Jordan, by the Inhabitants whereof our company increasing, I was filled with exceeding joy; and when I made haste to passe the River, my companions reported, that our Lord had taught, that veniall sins which I had not formerly wash∣ed away by confession, would be purged by the aspect and fear of

the Devil, which thereupon I should conceive; forthwith there appeared an army of most ugly spirits, flourishing and tossing most sharp Spears, and vomitting out of their mouthes flames of fire, so that the ayr seemed all over filled with Iron and flames; at which sight I was miserably filled with horrour. That therefore you may consult and provide for your safeties, I have assumed this ha∣bite to speak to you: and presently again he expired. Vincentius, lib. 25. cap. 4.

[ 180] MAcarius of Alexandria upon a time walking in Scy••hiotican solitude, looking upon the skull of a dead man lying upon the ground, began to obtest it by the name of Jesus, and to inter∣rogate it of what Countrey he was when he lived, and in what place his soul, sometimes his Inhabitant, now abode? His dry mouth denudated of flesh and nerves burst forth into speech, answer∣ing, he had been a Gentile, and an Inhabitant of the next Village; and that now his soul was thrust crowded as remotely deep into the Gulph of infernal perdition, as Heaven is distant from the Earth; but the incredulous Jews were thrown lower then he, and Here∣ticks, who endeavoured to pervert with falshood the revealed truth of Divinity, lower then they. Idem.

[ 181] CYrillus Hierosolymitanus reporteth, Whilest in great heaviness he was at prayer, desiring that he might know the condition of the soul of Ruffus his dead Nephew; he first smell't a most heavy stink, intolerable, if he had not stopt his nose; and presently after he saw Ruffus bound in burning chains, vomiting flames out of his mouth mixt with smoak, his body all over by reason of the hea••, he seemed to suffer within, sparkling fire; and being much af∣frighted with this sad spectacle, he earnestly desired to know for what cause a man, who for his integrity of life was beloved of all men, should be judged worthy of such punishments? No fault was objected against him, (for ought he could find) for which he was so tormented; but his playing at dice, which he sundry times using, thought it a light sin, or none at all; and therefore neglected to confess it to a Priest. Idem.

[ 182] A Certain man in the confines of the Province Valeria, before the Priest Severus came to him to absolve him of his sinnes, finished his course presently; the same day the Lord looking upon the p••••••ers and tears of Severus, the young man revived; and being asked what became of his soul, whilest his body was deprived of it? he answered, That it was snatched by certain men blacker then Moors, who breathed fire out of their mouthes and nostrils, who carried him through open and rough places; but as he was thus led, being met by young men arrayed in white garments shi∣ning with a glorious light, the Devils were forced to dismiss him, and restore him to his body; for that they said, God had granted

this to Severus, who had by prayer devoutly desired it: There∣fore having confessed his sins to the same Priest, and done penance, he dyed the seventh day again, but more happily then before. Marulus, ex Gregorio.

[ 183] IN the time that Rome was repaired, after the Goths had wasted it, one, rather wicked then ignoble, being dead, revived. As his friends were bewailing his death, and said, Send one to the Church of Lawrence the Martyr, to enquire what Tiburtius the Priest doth; for I saw him put upon a pile of wood fiercely burning: I also saw another pile, which, with the point of the flame thereof, seemed to reach Heaven, I heard a voyce breaking out of the flame, which shewed for whom this punishment is prepared; which having de∣clared, he was stricken, not with a Planet, but death it self, and again returneth from whence he came; and it appeared, Tiburtius at that instant exhaled his wretched soul, whom every man al∣most fore-judged, every one detesting his life; for though he was a Priest, he had nothing belonging to his place besides the figure and name. Idem.

[ 184] STephen, a Roman, illustrious in his age, going to Constantinople, fell sick and dyed; and, because they who accompanied him; had a desire by reason of the respect they owed him, to carry his body to his native Countrey, they enquired for one to imbalm him, by taking out his bowels, and applying Spices and ordinary means to keep the body from putrifying in the Journey: They could find no imbalmer by all their inquisition they made after one, but the next day the dead body was restored to life, and lived long after, though not so reformedly as he ought. Wherefore many rebuked him, because what horrid sights he had seen, did not terrifie him from evill-doing. He was wont to tell that he was then carried to Hell, and saw those formidable things which formerly he had heard, and would not believe; and that while he stood as one guilty before the Tribunal of the Judge, it was commanded that he should be dismissed, and their mistake who had convented him, was reprehended; for that it was commanded, that not he, but Stephen the Smith should be led thither: The same hour the Smith departing this life, caused this to be believed a reall Vision, and not reputed an idle dream. Marulus, lib. 6. cap. 14.

[ 185]

WIlliam, a boy of fifteen years of age, had a Vision in the Night, wherein there appeared to him a certain glo∣rious man, who led him to a place of torments, and seeing men excrutiated after various manners, at last was brought to the De∣vill himself, who in his fiery Mansion amidst the flames, sate as a Judge in his Tribunal: presently a certain ugly spirit leapt up, accusing the boy; Saith he, I have ever suggested evill things to this boy, but of those sins which he committed lately, he made no mention at all to the Priest at his confession; he that led the boy perswaded him to sign himself with the sign of the Cross; which done, all his fear of damnation was taken away. Vincentius, lib. 27. cap. 84.

[ 186] IT is reported, That in the Sabine Province there was a certain Nunne, who strictly observed chastity, but defiled her tongue with foolish procacity; and when she past her last day, being buried in the Church, the Priest coming into the Church at mid∣night, saw her distended before the Altar, cut through the middle, her higher part burnt with fire, and her lower part left untouched: in the morning therefore telling to his brethren what he saw, as he looked upon the place in which he saw her burnt; he sheweth to them the marks which he found in the Marble of the scorching fire. Gregorius Magnus, lib. 4. Dialog. cap. 50.

The End of the Second Book.