The forerunner of eternity, or, Messenger of death sent to healthy, sick and dying men / by H. Drexelius.

§ 7. Those that buried themselves.

PAcuvius being Governour in Syria for Tiberius Caesar, did daily so give himselfe to wine and feastings, that as hee was carried to his bed from Supper, his ser∣vants wi••h great applause sung these words to him, Vixit, vixit, (i. e.) He hath liv'd, he hath liv'd. What was this, but every day to be carried about to his buriall? Seneca said well of him, That (saith he) which hee did daily out of an ill conscience, let us doe by a good one, that when wee are gone to bed, and about to sleep, with comfort and re∣joycing we may say: Wee have liv'd: if God shal lend us the next mor∣ning, let us entertaine it with cheerfulnessee. His a blessed and

secure Possessor of himselfe, who expects the next morning with∣out distrust or distraction.

Labienus the Historian for his inveighing writings termed Ra∣bienus, was so hated that all his Books were burnt, Labienus not enduring this, and not willing to out-live his wit, did desire to be carried out, and buried in the Se∣pulchre of his Ancestors where he did end and bury himselfe, and what is wonderfull, liv'd when he was buried, and was buried while he liv'd

Storax a Ne••politan not long since, a very rich man, delicate, and a prou••, Governour or Over∣seer for the yeerly p••ovision of Corne, having got this office by base and indirect means, the com∣mon people hated him exceeding∣ly, so that being overcome with hunger, they fell violently upon the man: he seeking to es••ape their fury and rage, did hide himself in a Sepulchre in a Church, but at last being found, and beaten with stones, was cut into small Gob∣bets,

and his very bloud was lickt up of many, so that his bones wanted a Grave. Hee had this E∣pitaph made upon him.

Storax qui vivus subjit sepul∣chrum, Mirum, defunctus caruit sepul∣chro.

(i.e.)

Storax who living went into his grave Strange, that being dead, no se∣pulchre could have

Albertus the Great leaving Ra∣ti••bon••, came to Collen, where though strictly being devoted to Mortification and Contempt of this World, so that hee forgat all worldly delights, yet would hee continually visit the place of his intended buriall.

Severus President of Ravenna, while hee was healthy went into his Tombe, and placing himselfe in the middle betwixt his wife

which he had, had and his daugh∣ter, there died.

Philo••omus of Galata is said to dwel six yeers amongst the graves of the dead, that by this meanes hee might overcome the feare of death.

Polemon of Laodicea, (as Suidas witnesseth) the Scholer of Timo∣crates the Philosopher, the Master of Aristides the Orator, being 56 yeers of age cast himselfe into a deepe Sepulchre being urged thereunto by the bitter paines of the Gout, and there died of hun∣ger: and before his death his friends, and neighbours lamenting his case, desired him to come forth by their help, it is reported of him that hee answered them thus, Provide me a more healthy body, and I will come up.

Wee may wonder at these but not imitate them, unlesse in this manner, as (Saint Paul speaks) ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. That Philosophers counsell is good. Vive latens, (i.e.) live hid. For as another said, Hee

lives well, that lives retiredly. This man may be said to be profitably dead and buried, the private life is freest from incumbrances and inconveniences. Whose life is to publick, often dyes unknowne to himself. The private life is fullest of quietnesse.

Notes

• Palladius c. 13.
• Suidas V. Pole.
• Colos 3.