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CHAP. CXI. Divine Judgments upon Anger, Revenge, &c.
AS all the Vertues and Graces of the Christian Religion have a tendency to Comfort and Happiness, so there is no Sin but makes some Preparation for its own Punishment: Amongst the rest, Anger and Revenge, and indeed all the Passions, do so naturally put the Blood of the Sinner into a Fermentation, and the Thoughts into such Disorder and Confusion, that the Man is in great danger of being distemper'd both in Body and Mind too. Nature is disturb'd, and the Spirits in Mutiny; and by Observation we may often see the Passionate Man's Sword sheath'd in his own Bowels, and his Gun recoiling (by a just Providence) upon his own Breast. See what follows.
1. Malachus, a Poet in Syracuse, had such Fits of immoderate Choler and Anger, as took away the use of his Reason; yet was he then most able in the composure of Verses, when he was thus made Frantick by his Passion. Zuring. Vol. 1. l. 1. p. 90.
2. Lucius Sylla, burning with Anger at Putecli, because Granius, the Chief of that Colony, delayed to send in for the Repairs of the Capitol, that Money which was promised by the De∣curions, by an over-great concitation of the Mind, and the impetuousness of an immoderate Voice, he was taken with a Convulsion in the Breast, and so vomited up his Soul mixed with Blood and Threats, being at that time entring upon the Sixtieth Year of his Age, yet not con∣sumed by that, but perishing by a Madness, that was nourished by the Miseries of Rome. Val. Max. l. 9. c. 3. p. 254. Wieri opera, p. 795, 796. l. de Irâ Lonicer. Theat. p. 370.
3. Charles the Sixth, King of France, being highly displeased with the Duke of Britain, upon some sinister Suspicions, was so bent upon Revenge, that unmindful of all other things, his Pas∣sion suffered him not to eat or sleep. He would not hear the Duke's Embassadors, that came to declare his Innocency: But upon the Fifth of the Kalends of June, Anno 1392. he set forth with his Forces out of a City of the Caenomans, contrary to the Advice of his Commander and Physicians, about high Noon, in a hot soultry day, with a light Hat upon his Head. He leaped upon his Horse, and bad them follow him that loved him: He had scarce gone a Mile from the City, when his Mind was unseated, and he in a Fury drew his Sword, slew some, and wounded others that attended him; till such time, as wearied and spent with thus laying about him, he fell from his Horse, he was taken up, and carried back in the Arms of Men, into the City for dead; where after many days, when at first he neither knew himself, nor any about him, he began by degree to recover; but his Mind was not so well restored, but that ever and anon he had Symptoms of a Relapse, and at seveal intervals bewrayed his Distemper, so that the Go∣vernment of the Kingdom was committed to his Uncle. Zuring. Vol. 1. l. 1. p. 16.
4. Being called in November, 1604. to the House of a certain Praefect, saith Platerus, to Couch a Cataract, that was grown in the Eye of his Wife, the Praefect was informed, that his Maid had that Night lain with a Miller; causing her therefore to be fetched home, and catch∣ing her by the Hair of the Head, he threw her to the Ground, kicked her, and fell into so great a Passion, that being presently seized with Difficulty of Breathing, and a Trembling, there was more need to look after him than his Wife, Before any Medicine weas administred, he was ad∣vised by a Chirurgeon to open a Vein, but to no purpose; his want of Breath, Trembling, and Prostration of the Spirits continued, he died within two days after. Plat. Obs. Med. l. 1. p. 50.
5. The Emperor Nerva, who was otherwise of a weak Stomach, and often cast up his Meat which he had newly eaten; fell into a huge Passion with one whose Name was Regulus, and while he was in a high Tone Thundring against him, was taken with Sweats, fell into a Fever, and so died in the Sixty Eight Year of his Age. Donat. Hist. Med. l. 3. c. 13. p. 188.
6. Victor Pisanus, the Venctian, Admiral, Famous for his Exploits, understanding that his Vice-Admiral through Cowardise had suffered Ten Ships of the Genoess to escape out of the Sipontine Haven, fell into such a Passion as put him immediately into a Fever, whereof he died. Zuring. Vol. 2. l. 7. p. 495.
7. The Sarmatian Embassadors cast themselves at the Feet of the Emperor Valentinian the First, imploring Peace; he observing the meanness of their Apparel, demanded if all their Na∣tion were such as they? Who replyed, It was their Custom to send to him such as were the most Noble, and best accoutred among them: When he is a Rage cryed out, It was his Misfortune, that while he reigned, such a sordid Nation as theirs could not be content with their own Li∣mits; and then, as one struck with a Dart, he lost both his Voice and Strength, and in a deadly Sweat fell down to the Earth: He was taken up, and carryed into his Chamber, where, seized with a violent Hick-cough, and gnashing of Teeth, he died, December, Anno 375. in the Fifty fifth Year of his Age, and the Twelfth of his Empire. Zuring. Vol. 2. l. 7. p. 495. Pezel. Mel∣lific. Hist. Tom. 2. p. 277.
8. Alexander, transported with Anger, slew his dear Friend Clitus, his Foster-Brother, with his own Hands; thopugh when the Heat was over, he was difficultly restrained from killing himself, for that fault whch his sudden Fury had incited him to commit. Wieri opera, p. 823. Justin. Hist. l. 12. p. 139.