The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History Part 2

[illustration]

CONSTANTIN

[portrait of Constantine]

The Life of Constantine the Great, who died Anno Christi. 342.

COnstantius the Father of Constantine, was for his paleness, surnamed Chlorus, a Roman by birth, whose Father was a Senator: He was made Caesar by Maximianus, who, together with Dioclesian resigning the Empire, chose Constantius to succeed him, to whom the Government of the West fell by lot: He was a man of singular clemency towards men, and piety towards God, not stayning his reign with the blood of the Saints, as his predecessors had done; he little regarded his private profit, but sought the enriching of his subjects rather, saying, that it was more behooveful for the Common-wealth, that the wealth of the Land should be dispersed in the hands of the Commons, then locked up in the Princes coffers: he was so averse from all superfluities, that upon Festival days, and when he entertained strangers, he was fain to borrow plate of his friends to furnish his Cupbords: this coming to Dioclesians ear, he sent Ambassadors to him, reproaching him with poverty, because his treasury was empty: But Constantius entreating them to stay awhile, summoned a Parliament of his wealthiest Subjects, to whom he declared his need of money, telling them that now was the time for them to express their love to their Lord and King; whereupon without delay, they strove to fill his Exchequer with gold and silver, which being done, Constantius shown it to the Ambassadors, bidding them tell their Master, that this treasure which he had now collected, was before in the hands of his Subjects, who as so many treasurers kept it for his use: The Ambassadors wondered at it; but after their departure, the good Emperor restored it again to the former owners, with many expressions of his royal favor towards them. Also to try his Courtiers, he commanded all to sacrifice to Idols, pretending to discard all that refused so to do; but contrariwise those that obeyed, he put from the Court, saying, that they which are disloyal to God, will never be true and trusty to their Prince. His first wife was Hellena, by birth a Britain, the daughter of Caelus, a British Prince; on whom he begat Constantine the Great in Britain: Constantine in his youth was brought up, first with Dioclesian, whom he accompanied in his travels through Palestine: and afterwards was left an Hostage with Gallerius at Rome: He was of a comely stature, excelled others in strength, very affable, and of a Royal disposition, his in ward virtues being equal to his outward shape: for which he was envied by some, and feared and hated by the Tyrants, who thereupon sought opportunity to work his overthrow, which Constantine observing (after God had twice or thrice discovered the conspiracies that were plotted against him) he fled from Rome, having laid all the way with Post-horses for the purpose, which he left houghed, for fear of pursuit, and so he came with all speed to York, where his Father lay sick, being lately returned from an expedition which he had made against the Caledonians, and Picts: Constantius much rejoiced when he saw him, and sitting upright in his bed in the presence of his Counselors, he said, It now sufficeth, and death is not unwelcome, seeing I leave my unaccomplished actions to be performed by thee my son, &c. Governe the Empire with upright Justice: protect the innocent from the Tyranny of oppressors, and wipe away all tears from the Christians eyes, for therein above all other things, I have accounted myself most happy: To thee therefore I leave my Diadem, and their defense, taking my faults with me to my grave, there to be buried in everlasting oblivion: but leaving my virtues (if ever I had any) to revine, and live in thee, and so taking his last farewell of his son, and friends, he ended his days Anno Christi Three hundred and six, & of his age fifty six: having been Caesar sixteen years, and Augustus two years: Immediately Constantine, by acclamation of the people, assistance of the soldiers, and advice of Erocus King of the Almaines (who by the way had accompanied him hither in his flight from Rome) was proclaimed Emperor, and successor to that part of the world which his Father held: which election was joyfully ratified by the Senate at Rome, and gladly accepted by all other provinces, who accounted this Island of all other most happy, which first saw him Caesar: His first work was to prosecute the war begun by his father against the Caledonians, and Picts, whom he subdued, together with the Inhabitants of the western Islands: But the unruly Pretorian Soldiers at Rome, hearing of the death of Constantius, proclaimed Maxentius, the son of Maximianus Herculius, Emperor, who by his Necromancies, Adulteries, persecutions, and murders, grew so odious, and intolerable to all, that the Senate sent to Constantine, craving his aide to redress these things: But in the mean time Maxentius was grown to that height of impiety, and impurity, that he violently took away men's wives from them, and having violated their chastity, sent them back to their husbands again: amongst the rest, a Christian matron, wife to a Senator, understanding that the Tyrants messengers were at the door to fetch her to him, she desired some time to dress her self, and so going into her chamber, she ran a sword into her side, and fell down dead, leaving her body to the burial, rather then to satisfy the Tyrants lust: He also massacred, and put his Subjects to death upon every light occasion: many of the Senators he slew for their wealth: He gave himself over to Magicall arts, ripping open the wombs of women great with child, searching the bowels of tender Infants, & other creatures; he by conjurations raised Devils, to consult with them about the issue of his wars. Maximianus his father pretending a dislike of these outrageous courses of his son, repaired to his son in Law Constantine, who had married his daughter Fausta, to complain to him of them: but whilst he was with him, he secretly tampered with his daughter to make away her husband; but the good Lady, knowing that her bond to her husband was greater then that to her father, she revealed it to Constantine, who thereupon caused him to be put to death: and then commiserating the Lamentable condition of the Romans, he raised an Army, and marched towards Rome against that Tyrant Maxentius, and drawing Licinius governor of Sclavonia (who was made Caesar) to his side, by giving him his sister Constantia to wife, he hasted towards Rome with an Army of 90000 foot, and eight thousand horse, levied out of Britain, France, and Germany: but knowing well that success in war dependeth more on Divine assistance then human strength: he considered unto what God he should address his prayers for success, (for as yet he was not fully settled in the Christian faith) & considering that his predecessors, who had worshipped many God's, & put their trust in them, had so often miscarried, and that on the contrary, his Father, that had only worshipped one, and the true God, had a happy reign, and was still preserved from many dangers, he therefore resolved to worship, and adore that God only, which his father had served: wherefore he earnestly prayed unto God, to reveal himself to him, and to prosper him in his journey, and whilst he was thus praying, lifting up his eyes to heaven about noon day, he beheld the sign of a Cross lively figured in the air, with this inscription, In hoc vince, By this overcome; himself and all his Army wondering at so strange a prodigy, and being much troubled in his mind to know the meaning of it, the night following Christ appeared to him in his sleep, commanding him to make the like Figure, and Banner against his enemies: whereupon the next day, imparting the vision to his friends, he sent for the best goldsmiths, and Lapidaries, to make the like Cross with gold and precious stones, and withal resolving to worship that God only, who had thus appeared to him, he sent for godly ministers to instruct him therein, who shown him that Christ was the only begotten son of God, of his coming into the world, his holy life, death, &c. Afterwards with great courrage he went forwards bearing before him, and his victorious Army, instead of the Imperial Eagle, the form of this vision imbroydered upon his standard: Maxentius, as much depending upon his forcerers, was no less confident of victory, for the furtherance whereof he framed a deceitful bridg over Tiber, to entrap Constantine: and also sent out diverse Armies to oppose him, before he should come near the City; But Constantine trusting only in God, overthrew at the first encounter, his first, second, and third Armies, and so marching thorough all Italy, he brought his victorious ensigns near the walls of Rome. Heerupon Maxentius led forth his Army above a mile from Rome, and joined battle with Constantine, but being overcharged by the vantgard of Constantine, he with the rest of his army fled, and either through hast, or forgetfulness, took over the deceitful bridg, which he had made to entrap Constantine, but no sooner were they entered upon it, but it fell in sunder, whereby they were all drowned; Constantine & his Army remaining victorious, sang praises unto God for the same. The Senators, nobles, and all the people of Rome, being freed from servitude, received him with rejoicing hearts, and loud acclamations; men, women, children and servants called him their patron, and preserver. But his humble mind was not puffed up with their praises, and applause, but ascribing all to God, he gave thanks to him as the giver of victory: He erected for a Trophy his own Image, holding a Banner with a cross quartered in it. All the Western Nations also having obtained liberty hereby, kept festivals in honor of Constantine. He published his royal edicts, whereby he restored to his subjects all those lands which had been injuriously taken from them; calling some from banishment, and freeing others from Captivity, whom the Tyrants had imprisoned: he gat godly ministers about him, and although they went in poor and mean habits, not considering their outside, but honoring the Image of God in them, he set them at his own table, took them with him whither soever he went, that he might enjoy the benefit of their prayers. He repaired some Churches, Built others, and relieved many poor men with bountiful donations and gifts: To those that begged in the streets, and at his gate, he gave monie, meat, and clothing: and to such as by wrongs, and oppressions were fallen into want, he gave pensions: He was a father to the fatherless, an husband to the widows: he married young maids, that were Orphans, to honest wealthy men, and gave them portions, & was very gracious to all petitioners & didressed Sutors: And perceiving that there was much stiscord, & various opinions in matters of religion, he called a Synod of the Clergy, where he was present himself: dismissing his guard, as superfluous, whilst he was environed with godly & learned men: he declared to them the controverted points, whereof they were to consult, being very desirous to settle the Church in peace and unity; those which were of a quiet and peaceable temper, he made much of, and much disliked those which were otherwise: And God to requite his care of his house, made all the barbarous nations to prostrate themselves at his feet: He made him a conqueror, and terrible to his enemies, who of his own nature was of a most gentle and gracious disposition: Yet some of the kindred of Maximianus conspired treason against him, but thorough the mercy of God (who in a wonderful manner revealed all their conspiracies to Constantine by visions & revelations) they were prevented. God also gave him much peace & safety, whereby he delighted himself in the love of his subjects, but chiefly to see the Church of God in a flourishing Condition, and so continuing to the tenth year of his reign, he celebrated public and solemn Festivalls, wherein he offered up prayers and praises unto God. But as his fame increased in the minds of most, so was it much maligned by Licinius his fellow Emperor, who sought an occasion against Constantine, by raising a cruel persecution in the East against Christians, whom he never favored in his heart, though for a time he had suffered them in the exercise of their religion: and besides he plotted many treasons against Constantine, to whom God revealed them, whereby they were prevented: then by feigned and crafty accusations he raised a persecution against the godly ministers, prohibiting them from meeting together in Synods to consult about matters concerning their own, and the Churches good, and thereby seeking to break off and interrupt the harmonious agreement of the Church, which could not belong preserved without such meetings, wherein great and weighty matters of controversy were fairly debated and determined. Then he banished all godly men out of his Court, others he degraded from their dignity, and employed them in Servile offices: he sought to enrich himself by the spoils of others: he threatened with death those that professed the name of Christ; he committed many adulteries, and held that no man could live chastely, measuring others dispositions, by his own vicious inclination.

Then he made a Law, that men and women should not be present together at divine service: that Bishops should not expound the scripture to women, but that women should choose women to be their instructors and preachers: then he commanded the congregations to meet together without the City gates in the open fields: such soldiers as would not sacrifice to Devils he put out of their places and offices: He forbad any to relieve those that lay in prison and were almost famished, yea he made a Law that such as did relieve them, should be imprisoned themselves. His avarice was insatiable, taxing the lands of his subjects, thereby filling his treasury with silver and gold, and yet complaing of his poverty. He unjustly banished many and confiscated their goods: he made his servants to abuse the wives of Noble men, and then to accuse them. Himself deflowered virgins, and fell to open persecution of the Church, especially of the ministers, the chiefest of whom he caused secretly to be murdered. Some Churches he wholly demolished, and caused others to be shut up, that the congregations might not meet in them: he invented new kinds of tortures for the Christians; some he caused to be cut into small pieces, & so to be thrown into the Sea to feed fishes. But the afflictions of the Church coming to the ears of Constantine, who saw that he could not otherwise prevent them, this Champion of God presently raised military forces, so that many Troops of horse & foot resorted to him to follow his Christian Standard against the Tyrant, and by way of preparation, he betook himself to prayer, and chose some godly ministers to attend him; esteeming them as his souls guard. On the contrary, the Tyrant hearing that Constantine had undertook (by God's assistance) to free the Christians from his Tyranny, & had got religious men about him, he derided him, and sent for the Egyptian conjurers and magicians, and their Priests to sacrifice to his false God's, and to inquire the success of his war, who all with one consent promised, that he should prosper and be victorious; and thus trusting to their promises, he marched forward, and prepared to join battle: the two Armies met in Hungary, and a little before the Battle, Licinius calling his friends and favorites into a grove where were many Idols, having lighted up waxen Tapers, and made his usual sacrifices to them, he said, My friends, these are our country God's, which we from our successors do religiously worship, our enemy, violating the ancient customs and blinded with error, worships a strange God, which wickedly he conceiveth to be the true God: under whose Colours he intend's to fight, and beareth his Standard before his Army. In confidence of whose assistance he warreth against us and our God's, whom he hath traitorously forsaken, and relinquished the worship of them. Now it will appear whether of us is in an error: for if we have the victory, we shall know that our God's preserve and assist us: if Constantine's strange God shall give him the victory over us, who are many more then they, we shall thereby know which God ought to be reverenced, &c. And having ended his Oration, he commanded his Soldiers strait to give batttaile to the enemy. About this very time, in some of those Cities which were subject to Licinius, the Citizens thought that they saw Troops and bands of men, of Constantine's Army marching at noon-day thorough the City, as if they had gotten the victory. Constantine having made his prayers to God, joined Battle, with Licinius, and gave him a great overthrow: many of his enemies cast away their weapons, and falling down at his feet, craved mercy, which he willingly granted them: Licinius forsaken of his forces, and finding by experience, that the confidence which he reposed in his false God's was fruitless, fled away, and Constantine forbad his Soldiers to pursue him, hoping that the sense of his present calamity would make him leave off his wicked courses, and convert him to a milder temper: but he escaping into Asia the less, consults again with conjurers, is confident of success promised by them, raiseth another Army, which Constantine being informed of, devoted himself for a time to prayer, and having erected a Tabernacle distant from his Tents, he gave himself to godly meditation & prayer, some other faithful & religious men accompanying him in these religious exercises: and so marching against his enemies, they came to a second battle, where he slue many, got the victory, and carried away many Trophies: yet he commanded his soldiers to show mercy to the Captives, and to express humanity towards them, yea himself paid their ransom, whereby they were delivered. Licinius being taken prisoner, by the mediation of his wife Constantia, had his life spared, and was confined to the City of Nicomedia: but he after a while practicing new treasons, was at last by command of Constantine put to death: whereupon the peace of God's Saints manifestly appeared, and the Gospel of Christ had a free progress: for no sooner was the blasting tempest of persecution blown over, but the faithful Christians, who before had hidden themselves in woods, & deserts, & secret caves, came forth, reedified the Churches, celebrated Festival days to God with pure hearts, and faith unfeigned: and now the whole Roman Empire enjoying peace, religion spread abroad her bright beams to illuminate those which sat in darkness, and the shadow of death: former miseries were forgotten, and God was praised as the author of this happiness: Then were Constantine's proclamations sent abroad to call home those that were banished out of their Countries: those which had been condemned to slavery were freed; their goods which had been confiscated were restored: such as for their constancy in religion had been discarded out of their military offices, were put into their places again, and such as were condemned to the servility of feminine employments, he enfranchised from such base subjection: He made Laws to redress the grievances of his Subjects: enacted that the goods of those which had suffered Martyrdom should be restored to their kindred, or if they had none, to the Church: By his edicts sent abroad into all Nations in Greek and Latin, he acknowledged that God was the owner, and donour of all things, and that by his own strength he had not obtained the victory, but by God's assistance to whom he ascribed the glory: He also enacted that the Church lands and goods that had been injuriously taken away, though now belonging to his own Crown, should be restored: that such as had purchased Church lands, or goods, though they had grievously offended, yet out of his accustomed clemency he freely forgave them, provided that they made present restitution of the same: Then he proceeded to confer great dignities on the Christians, making them governors of provinces, & prohibited the Heathens to sacrifice to Idols, or to erect their Images: he commanded that Churches should be built, and enlarged, and that the charge thereof should be defrayed out of his own Treasury: Having made himself famous by his pious actions, a report was brought to him of a great faction which was growing up in the Church, which beginning in the Church of Alexandria, spread it self through Egypt, Libya, and Thebes, and many other Provinces, and Cities, the Bishops writing, and inveighing one against another: this fire was first kindled by Arius, which grieved Constantine as much as if himself had fallen into some great calamity, whereupon presently he chose one about him, who had been a zealous and faithful confessor of the truth in times of persecution, whom he sent to Alexandria to draw them to peace and concord, writing his Letters to the Authors of sedition to this purpose, that, Whereas all his designs and endeavors had tended to bring all nations to agree in one opinion in matters of Religion, the rather that the Heathen by such an example might the sooner be converted: and whereas some rash, and seditious spirits, had by their errors made a schism in the Church of Afric, he had sent sober and religious Ministers to reconcile their factious spirits, and settle peace in the Church: but hearing that new factious seditions were sprung up amongst them, he was much grieved at it, and now wrote to them, proffering himself to arbitrate, and moderate their mutual dissensions, not doubting, through the help of God, and assistance of godly and learned men, to reconcile their differences, and settle peace amongst them again: And saith he, Whereas I was at Nicomedia purposing a journey into the East, the receipt of your letters diverted my intentions, being unwilling to behold that, which I was grieved to hear of, viz. your contentions, therefore by your concord, & agreement open me a passage into the East, where your dissensions have shut me out, and let me see a joyful agreement amongst you, that all of us being reconciled together may praise and glorify God. The messenger did not only deliver the letter, but dealt very earnestly with them for the settling of peace, yet he could not bring it to pass, the faction being grown so strong, that it was spread all over the Eastern Provinces, the Devil envying the happiness of the Church, caused this discord & contention still to continue: The first original of it was this, Arius a Presbyter in the City of Alexandria, a man which outwardly made a great show of holiness, denied the eternity of the Son of God with the father, alleging that he was not of the same substance with him: at the same time Alexander a man of great holiness and learning, was Bishop in that City, who being of a gentle and mild condition, endeavored to have cured Arius of that heresy, praying and admonishing him to leave his errors: but he being of a proud and insolent nature, persisted therein, and drew many followers after him, hereupon Alexander proceeded to excommunicate him, which prevailing nothing, Alexander acquainted the Emperor with it, saying that the mischief was grown so great that it required a great and speedy remedy: Constantine understanding that these divisions increased in Egypt, and amongst the Thebans, in so much as the people grew tumultuous, killing and murthering one another, and committing many other outrages: and another division sprang up also at the same time concerning the Celebration of Easter. Hereupon he called a general Council in the City of Nicaea in the province of Bithinia in Asia, and having sent abroad his Writs into every province, the Bishops and ministers repaired cheerfully to that place, some hoping that a universal peace would be established, others desiring to see this godly Emperor. Here were congregated out of Asia, Africa, and Europe three hundred and eighteen Bishops, besides Presbyters, and Deacons, whereof some were famous for their doctrine: some for their gravity and constancy: some for their experience, and age: some for their acuteness and ingenuity: and all had their Diet allowed them by the Emperor: who himself in person was present amongst them: Upon the day appointed to begin the Council, they all assembled in the hall of the Emperors palace, were seats being set on both sides, they took their places according to their degrees and dignity: then came the Emperor with an humble countenance, and modest aspect, whereupon they all rose up; at the upper end of the hall he stood a while, and would not sit down, till he had given a sign to the Bishops to sit down also: then one of the chiefest of them made a brief speech to the Emperor, and recited an hymn of thanksgiving unto God: whereupon the Emperor spake to this purpose. It was my desire (dear friends) to convocate you in a general Council, and seeing you now assembled, I give God thanks for it; Let not therefore any private envy deprive us of that good which we expect by this meeting: and God having made us victorious over the Tyrants, let not the Devils tares of dissention spring up to the disturbance of the peace of the Church: for tbese are of worse consequence then war; for that kills the body, the other destroys the soul: I rejoice to see you here together, but shall much more rejoice to see unity in affection, and concord amongst you, which being men devoted to God's service, you ought to desire, and to encourage others by your examples to embrace peace, and concord: I entreat you therefore, beloved ministers of God and servants of Christ, take away the causes of dissention, cut off this Hydra's head of heresy, and establish peace, so shall you please god, and me your fellow servant in the Lord. But amongst so many Bishops, though many were good, and holy men, yet others there were full of envy and contention, whereupon they accused one another to the Emperor: exhibiting their complaints to him in writing: but he calling them before him, burnt their informations, that none should see them, and said unto them; Fathers, and ministers, God hath called you to the ministry, and thereby hath given you power in an orderly way to judge me, but you cannot be judged by me, wherefore I refer your controversies to the judgment of God and the Council; Wherefore setting apart all malice & discord, for God's sake apply yourselves to peace, & to the forgetting of all these private injuries. In the Council also he persuaded some, pacified others, praised others, and endeavored to bring them all to concord, and agreement, and so at length by God's blessing he brought most of them to unity in opinion in all points of controversy, that they did not only agree in matters of faith, but also of one certain time for the celebration of Easter: to which decrees they all set their hands, and they were engrossed as the determinate Acts of the Council: Arius and his wicked sect were condemned by all the Bishops, except seventeen, which held with him, whereof eleaven afterwards recanted, and Arius with the other six were excommunicate, and banished by the Emperor: and so was the holy and Christian Council dissolved: After which the good Emperor affirming that he had obtained a second victory against the enemy of the Church, having now reigned twenty years, made a great feast to the honor, and glory of God, and invited the Bishops thereunto, and some of them he placed at his own table, the rest at tables on either hand him: the feast being ended, he gave gifts, and presents to all the Bishops, and by his letters divulged, and confirmed the Councils Acts, and and by his decrees enjoined submission to the same: when he dismissed the Bishops, he made a speech to them, admonishing them to preserve peace, to avoid contention, not to envy one another for gifts, or wisdom, but to esteem their abilities as a common good. His next care was to demolish, and pull down Idolatrous Temples and Images: as the Groue and Temple of Venus in Phoenicia, which was a school of wickedness, to those which were addicted to lust, where men and women frequently committed adulteries, fornications, &c. Constantine thinking it unfit that the Sun should behold such villainy, sent a Band of soldiers to suppress it: as also the Temple of Aesculapius, and the Image of Venus at Heliopolis, and many such like in other places. But the Devil envying the prosperity of the Church, raised a new Sedition in Antioch, were the whole City was divided into two factions about the choice of a Bishop, and were so mad against each other, that had not Constantine interposed, they had destroyed one another: to them therefore he sent Ambassadors to pacify their Fury, advising them by letters to preserve peace, and approve themselves dutiful subjects, persuading them to refer their cause to him, and that they should not seek the Bishop of another Church, but should choose him for their Bishop, whom God of his providence had appointed them: the Bishop, whom they desired, was Eusebius, Bishop, of Cesarea, but the Emperor wrote one letter to them to dissuade them from that choice, and another to Eusebius to commend him for refusing of it: to end this controversy a Synod was called, and Constantine wrote to them to do all things according to the prescript of God's word, commending some to them, whom he judged fit for the place. He endeavored to extirpate and root out all Heresies, writing to the Valentinians, Marcionists, Cataphrigians, &c that their doctrine was false, and seditious, that they were enemies to truth, and eternal life: and therefore that he would not suffer that Contagion to spread further, seeing the whole and sound were daily infected with their pestilent errors, but would severely punish the offenders and delinquents: then he enacted that none of them should meet together in Conventicles: that the Churches, where they used to meet, should be demolished and confiscated to the Catholic Church, and other places of their meeting converted to the use of the commonwealth, commanding that from that day, they should have no places of meeting, neither public nor private: hereby many being brought to a sight of their errors, publicly manifested their repentance, and so were again received into the Church. He was eminent for Justice, neither denying, nor delaying any just and reasonable petitioners. He remitted to the owners of Land the fourth part of such rents as were formerly paid him: he mitigated the heavy tributes, and being unwilling that such as were cast in suits of Law, should be utterly undone, he freely bestowed on them both lands and money. He thought it unfit, that any one admitted into the presence of his Imperial majesty should go heavily out of his presence. And as his care was to advance God's glory, God also highly advanced him, by making him victorious over the Scythians, & Sauromatians: Ambassadors came to him from all nations, presenting him with precious gifts, and offering him from their Kings, if he pleased, to serve him in all his wars: he returned gifts to the Ambassadors, and dignifyed the deserving with Roman honors, so that some of them embraced Roman civility, and never returned into their own countries again: the King of Persia sending Ambassadors with rich presents to him, desiring to renew their League: he returned them with far richer gifts; and understanding, that many Christians suffered persecution under him, he wrote effectually to him in their behalf, desiring him to receive them into his protection; for (saith he) by dealing graciously with them, you shall do me and yourself a great benefit. He knowing how effectual the prayer of faith was, did not only frequently prostrate himself before God in private, but commanded and desired the public prayers of the Church also in his behalf. He made his Court a church where prayers were made, and the Scriptures were read, and expounded daily. He made Laws for the strict observation of the Lord day, commanding, that through all the Roman Empire all work and Labor should be forborne. He prescribed a form of prayer to the Legions of soldiers to be used both on the Sabbaths, and other days: He prohibited the adoration of Images; as also the single combats of Sword players, who slew one another to make the people pastime: and whereas the Egyptians worshipped the river Nile with many superstitious Ceremonies, thinking that otherwise the river would not overflow, he forbad it upon pain death, and that wicked custom being put down, the river overflowed the country, and made it more fruitful then formerly: And whereas certain unjust Laws were made against those that were childless, he abolished them, and enacted that their inheritances should descend to those that were next of Kin to them. He ordained that the determination of Synods should be a binding rule for deciding of Ecclesiastical controversies. He endowed, and much enriched the churches of of God: Meeting with a covetous man, he said, O good man, when will thy thirst of covetousness be satisfied, and having drawn forth with his spear the measure of a man's stature upon the ground, he said If thou hadst at home all the wealth, and treasure of the world, yet must thou leave it, and possess no more then this figure on the earth, if thou obtainest that. But whilst he took pleasure in meekness, and mercy, sparing offenders, he made his government to be derided, and contemned by some wicked persons. He sent to Eusebius to get him fifty Bibles fairly written out on parchment for the City of Constantinople, appointing the Governor of the province to provide him with all things necessary for the charge thereof: Gaza, formerly a Mart town in Palestine, receiving the faith, he much rejoiced at it, and made it a City, which he named Constantia: in many other Cities he caused Idols to be taken away, and Churches to be erected. But whilst he was thus busy for the Churches good, the Devil stirred up new factions, and divisions in Egypt, whereupon he assembled a Synod, commanding them speedily to to determine, and end those controversies: he sent his Delegate to it with authority, that if any contemned his command in not coming to it, he should banish him. On a time a flattering Presbyter telling him, that he was a blessed man, and worthy to be Emperor over the whole world, and to reign with the Son of God in eternal glory: he manifested his dislike, commanded him that he should not dare hereafter to use any such speeches: but rather pray earnestly for him that he might live and die God's faithful servant: About this time came Ambassadors to him from the East Indies, bringing him all kind of precious stones, and pearls, and strange living creatures, declaring that their Princes did acknowledge him to be the King and Emperor of the world: He had three sons, Constantine, Constantius, and Constance: these he made Caesar's whilst he lived, and instructed them in those Arts which do adorn Imperial Majesty: he appointed them a Council for the dispatch of public affairs: he advised them to prefer the knowledge and worship of God before wealth, and Kingdoms: he placed religious Officers about them, and amongst these three sons he divided his Empire when he died: Hearing that the Eastern Barbarians rose against him in his old age; he raised an Army, and took some Bishops along with him to pray for success, and so marched against them, but they hearing of it, sent Ambassadors to crave pardon, and promise obedience, and he being always desirous of peace, entertained them courteously, and granted their requests. Falling into some distemper, he resolved to go to the warm Baths, but fell sick at Hellenopolis, and finding his end to approach, he humbly confessed his sins to God: and (as Eusebius saith) was there Baptized, but most probably he was long before Baptized at Rome, and so quietly resigned up his spirit unto God, in the three and thirtieth year of his reign, of his age sixty six: Anno Christi 342: Till his last sickness his body continued strong and lusty, not troubled with any disease, pain, or infirmity: He was of a comely presence and aspect, and was stout, and hardy to endure exercise, riding, travel, and wars.

He made, and penned holy prayers to his dying day: He removed the Imperial seat from Rome to Byzantium in Thracia, which he adorned with stately edifices, and privileges above other Cities: he enriched, & adorned it with the spoils of Rome, as Statues, pillars, Colosses, and all other things that were singular, and excellent, either of stone or metal; the like he did from other Cities also: he built in it a stately Palace, a most magnificent Church wherein he erected his own Tomb: A famous Library, wherein he put an hundred and twenty thousand of the chiefest written books, and in the midst thereof were the guts of a Dragon of one hundred and twenty foot long, whereupon was admirably written in letters of gold Homers Iliads: His death was much bewailed amongst all sorts of persons: his Guard, amd officers tore their garments, cast themselves on the ground, beat their heads against the pavement, crying out that they had lost a gracious L. &c. the Centurions, and Captains bewailed the loss of their General: the Soldiers of their shepherd: the people ran about the City with weeping and lamentation: when the Senate, and Citizens of Rome heard of it, they shut up their Baths, prohibited all public plays, and recreations, lamenting and mourning excessively.

He used to show much reverence, and attention to the word of God preached, so that many times he would stand up all the Sermon while, and when some of his Courtiers told him, that it would tend to his disparagement, he answered, that it was in the service of the great God, who is no respecter of persons: He used to kiss the hollow of old Paphnutius his eye which he had lost for the cause of Christ in the former persecutions: the days of this Godly Emperors reign, were the breathing days of the persecuted Church: and in his time the Gospel was propagated into East India by Frumentius, and Edesius. As also into Iberia in the uttermost part of the Euxine Sea, by the means of a Captiue Christian woman, by whose prayers a child that was mortally sick, recovered health: and the Lady of Iberia her self was delivered from a mortal disease: whereupon the King her husband sent Ambassadors to Constantine, entreating him to send him some preachers into Iberia, to instruct them in the true faith of Christ: which Constantino performed with a glad heart.

He used to say, that an Emperor should refuse no labor for the benefit of the common wealth: as also, That an Empire is given by the determinate purpose of God, that he to whom it is given should so employ his diligence that he may be thought worthy of the same by him that gave it. He made and published a decree, that all Ministers, and such whose vocation was to serve in the Church, should be free, and exempted from all public duties, taxes, and burdens whatsoever, that being so privileged, they might with more cheerfullnesse attend upon Divine administrations: yea so careful was he to nourish and cherish learning and learned men, that he enacted a Law which ran in this form: Medicos, grammaticos, et alios professores literarum, et doctores legum cum vxoribus, & liberis: We will and decree that Physicians, Grammarians, & other professors of the liberal Arts, and doctors of the Law, with their wives and children, shall be free together with their lands, and possessions, from all civil charges, and offices, &c. as also that their stipends, and salaries shall be well, and truly paid them, whereby they may the more freely attend upon their offices, &c.

So studious he was of peace, that when any Bishops or Ministers brought complaints one against another, he would take their bills of complaint, and burn them before their faces, and withal so tender he was of their honor, that he used to say, that if he saw a Bishop committing wickedness, he would rather cast the skirt of his gown over him to cover it, then by speaking of it to dishonor his holy calling.

[illustration]

JOVIANVS

[portrait of Jovianus]

The Life of Jovianus the Emperor, who died Anno Christi. 363.

JUlian the Apostate having led the Roman Army into Persia in the winter time, in a battle against the Persians, was wounded with an arrow from an unknown hand, with which wound, losing his senses, he fell upon his Horse neck, and by his Soldiers was carried into his Tent, where (after means used) coming to himself again, and recovering strength, he called for his Horse, and Arms, that he might return again into the battle: but afterwards feeling his force to fail, in extreme pride he took his blood in his hands, and holding it up to heaven, he used these words against our Savior Christ, It sufficeth that thou Christ the Galilean hast overcome me, for so he was accustomed to call Christ in scorn. By his death there was so great a confusion in the Campe, that they were in danger to be overthrown by the Persians, and besides they were in much distress for want of victuals; the Persians also understanding these things, never ceased to molest them with sudden assaults and Alarums; whereupon the chief commanders of the Army assembled together to choose an Emperor to govern them, and after much contention, and diversity of opinions, they all consented to choose Jovianus, Emperor: He was the son of Uarronianus, a Noble Hungarian, who leaving the wars to avoid tumults, and troubles, retired himself to his possessions in Hungary, there to live in rest and quiet; But Jovianus his son, went to the Emperor Constantius 's his Court, followed the wars, was valiant, and of a goodly personage, and therefore much esteemed by Julian, who made him the chief commander of his ordinary Troops.

Iovianus was of an excellent wit, sound judgment, given to study, well learned, and withal a faithful Christian, insomuch, as when Julian commanded that no Christian should be a Captain, neither should have any Charge, or office in the wars, Iovianus pleasantly said, that he made greater account of the faith, whereof he made profession, then of any dignity, or honor that he enjoyed, and so he gave up his charge, choosing rather to throw away his military Belt, the ensign of his honor, then to do sacrifice, or satisfy the wicked edict of the Emperor. Yet afterwards Julian (when the necessity of the Persian wars constrained him) reassumed him into the number of his Captains: This Iovianus being chosen Emperor, considering that Julian had drawn the men of war of his Army to commit Idolatry, and to sacrifice to Devils, he in a public Oration which he made to them said, That although he might, yet he would not, being a Christian, be an Emperor of Infidels, and so he resisted, and absolutely refused the Empire. But all the Army was so well pleased with the election, that they cried out aloud, saying, we are all Christians, and for his sake, they that were not so, resolved to become Christians, upon condition that he would accept the Empire, which he then consented to; They all with incredible joy, and gladness sware obedience unto him, and gave him the Imperial ensigns: whereupon he presently ordered, and reinforced the Army: but Sapor King of Persia gathering together the greatest Forces that he could make, did so molest, and inviron them that they were glad to come to an agreement with him, though somewhat to the dishonor of the Romans, but it was the best end that he could make in those straits whereinto Julian by his pride had brought the Army. Then he marched into Soria; the Christians everywhere wonderfully rejoicing at his election, and his first work was by proclamation to call home all those Bishops which were exiled for opposing the Arian Heresy, or on any other unlawful occasion, whom he restored to their former places, and principally the great Athanasius. He also revoked, and made void all the prohibitions, and decrees made by Julian against the Christians, and ordained that they should be admitted to offices, dignities, magistracy, and study as in the days of Constantine the great: He caused to be paid to the Churches those rents of corn, and other things that Constantine had given them, and which, by the command of Julian had been sequestered. Then he caused the Idol-groves, and Temples to be shut up, and the Pagans wandered about hiding themselves here and there: the bloody and detestable sacrifices used in Julians time, he wholly took away. The Bishops of all sects, and opinions posted unto him, hoping everyone of them to find him according to their own minds, but he adhering to the Nicaene creed, made them flat answer what his judgment, and faith was, and whom he would countenance: Then the Macedonians exhibited to him a supplication, requesting that they which held a dissimilitude, and unlikeness between the father, and the Son should be banished the Church, and themselves substituted in their rooms; but he sent them away with these words: I tell you truly, I cannot away with contention, but such as embrace unity and concord, I both honor and embrace them: when the Emperor had thus appeased the contentions of seditious persons, he went from Antioch to Tarsus, where he buried the corpse of his predecessor: and immediately after he was proclaimed Consul, and so from thence he went to Constantinople: He laid a Godly foundation to his Empire by establishing the Christian faith, giving in all things good signs of a just and virtuous prince, every man conceiving much hope of him: but this and all his Noble resolutions, and other Christian like purposes were interrupted by his immature death, the iniquity of the people not deserving so good a Prince, which happened thus: He coming to a place called Dudastana in the confines of Bithynia, the weather being very cold, they set in his Chamber where he lay, a great pan with kindled char-coals, which coals were wet, and as his attendants were gone to take their rest, his chamber door being locked, and he asleep, the vapor of the fire waxing gross, and thick, and filling the chamber with smoke, which had no place to evaporate, stopped the Emperors Breath, so that in the morning he was found dead in his bed; In the eighth month of his reign, and of his age about forty. Anno Christi 363. His loss was much bewailed of all good men. He used to wish that he might govern wise men, and that wise men might govern him. He restored the Christian faith in every part of his Empire: straitly commanding all the Idol Temples to be shut up, which his predecessor Julian had opened, and upon great penalties forbad all manner of Gentilitious sacrifices: he called home from banishment that worthy Captain Ualentinian, whom Julian had banished: He resolved to follow the advice and counsel of Athanasius in matters of faith, and Church government.

For his personage, he was of a goodly presence, both tall and bigg; his gesture grave: his eyes gray, and countenance pleasant: an affectionate Lover, and professor he was of the Christian religion: of Indifferent learning himself, but a most honorable imbracer thereof in others: very precise and Considerate in choosing of Judges and Magistrates, and very facile and familiar to his servitours about him.

[illustration]

THEODOSIVS. 1.

[portrait of Theodosius I]

The Life of Theodosius Senior, who died Anno Christi. 397.

GRatian Governing the Empire with Ualentinian the younger, finding that the Roman Empire daily decreased, and that the Barbarians waxed strong, and increased daily, he found that the Common wealth stood in great need of a valiant, and worthy man to govern it: and knew that there lived at that time in Spain, one Theodosius, the son of a noble Captain, whose name was Theodosius also, whom Ualens had caused to be slain, because his name began with Th. and the Devil had revealed to him, that after him should reign one whose name began with those letters: this Theodosius perceiving that he also was in great danger upon the same reason, he retired himself into his own Country, being as well for the Nobility of his ancestors, as for his own valor and exploits in Arms, the most renowned, and of greatest account of any man in his time. Hereupon Gratian sent for him, made him Captain general of all the Empire; and shortly after, his fellow Emperor: Theodosius having received the Emperors letters, and accepting of the charge, with the greatest speed that could be, he went into those countries where the Goths were, who knowing of his coming, gathered themselves together to fight with him: Theodosius being very desirous thereof, levied a sufficient Army, and having tried his soldiers in some skirmishes, he gave them battle, which was one of the cruellest and most bloody that ever was. But holy Theodosius carried himself so discreetly, and valiantly in directing, encouraging, and fighting, that through God's mercy he obtained the victory, and made an incredible slaughter of the enemies: and ceased not till he had wholly driven them out of the Province: and then marching with his Army in good order to Gratian, he made him Emperor of Constantinople & the East. Presently he went thitherward and coming to Thessalonica, he fell sick of a dangerous disease, and much desiring to be baptized, he sent for the old Bishop of that place: and when he was come, he demanded of the Bishop of what faih he was: the Bishop answered, that the opinion of Arius prevailed not in those parts, & that the new-found invention of his pestilent brain, had not crept in amongst them, but that all Christians in those coasts retained the authentic, and ancient faith delivered by the Apostles, and confirmed by the Council of Nice: and thereupon the Emperor was willingly baptized of him; not long after he recovered his health, & so went towards Constantinople. A little before whose coming, Gregory Nazianzen was translated by the consent of all the Catholic Bishops to govern the Sea at Constantinople: but perceiving that some murmured, and objected, that he was a stranger and foreigner, though he was glad of the Emperors coming, yet he refused to continue any longer at Constantinople. Theodosius finding the Church there out of order, endeavored by all means to reduce it to peace, and unity: wherefore immediately he gave Demophilus, the Arian Bishop, to understand his pleasure, demanding whether he would embrace the Nicene Creed, set the people at unity, and embrace concord himself; which he refusing, the Emperor said to him, If thou refuse to embrace peace, and unity, I command thee to avoid the Church, and accordingly he, with many more of his adherents, departed, leaving their Churches to the Orthodox: Presently after the Emperor summoned a Council of one hundred and fifty Orthodox Bishops; he cited also the Bishops of the Macedonian Sect, hoping thereby to reclaim them; of which there appeared thirty six, most of them out of Hellespont: there the Emperor and the other Godly Bishops used all means possible to reconcile them to the Catholic Church: but neither admonition nor reprehension would prevail with them, and so they departed, professing that they would rather join with the Arians then with them: then the Council proceeded to the election of a Bishop for Constantinople, and chose one Nectarius, a man of an holy life, and Godly conversation: they Decreed, that a provincial Synod should determine provincial affairs: the Emperor confirmed their Canons, and so the Council was dissolved. But though the Arians were banished the Churches, yet the schism and tumults ceased not, whereupon the Godly Emperor aiming at peace, summoned another Council, charging that men of all Sects and opinions should meet there together, hoping that by conference and communication amongst themselves, they would at length be brought to establish one faith and opinion: and when they were all come together, the Emperor sent for Nectarius, Bishop of Constantinople, reasoning with him how he might rid the Christian religion of that discord and dissention, and reduce the Church of Christ to unity and concord; he said also, that the controversies & quarrels that molested the quiet state of the Church, and rent asunder the members of Christ, were to be sifted out, and the punishment to light upon them that were found to be the authors of Schism, and disturbers of peace: Nectarius leaving him for the present, went to Agelius the Novatian Bishop, who embraced the faith of one substance, and opened to him the mind of the Emperor. He (although he was otherwise a man of rare and singular parts) yet was nobody in controversies, but appointed Sisinius, a minister of his Church, to reason with them in his stead: Sisinius being a well experienced man, knew that disputations would not only not reconcile schisms, but rather exasperate men's spirits and inflame contentions, therefore he advised Nectarius after this sort: that instead of disputation, the Emperor should demand of the ringleaders of the Heretics, whether they esteemed the ancient Fathers that lived before this Schism sprang up, or whether they condemn them? If they own them, saith he, out of their writings we can confirm the truth, and confute these men: If they reject them, all men will cry out upon them: Nectarius liking this advice, reported it presently to the Emperor, who approving of it also, he presently demanded of all the Heretics, whether they esteemed and allowed the fathers, which governed the Church before them, and would be tried by their testimonies touching the true and right faith? They hearing this, knew not what answer to make, and so were divided amongst themselves: whilst some would assent to the Emperor, others dissented: yea they that were of one opinion, were divided amongst themselves; the Emperor perceiving that they relied not upon the ancient Fathers exposition of the faith, but upon their own wit, and quirks of Logic, he bad every sect to lay down their faith and opinion in writing: which accordingly they did, and brought them to the Emperor; the Emperor received them courteously, and then retired into his closet, fell down upon his knees before God, humbly beseeching him to reveal the truth unto him, and to assist him in finding of it out; then perusing every ones opinion, and seriously weighing of it in the balance of the Sanctuary, he condemned and tore in pieces all those Creeds that derogated from the unity that is in the blessed Trinity, allowing & highly commending the other: the Sectarian Bishops, becuse there reigned amongst them mutual discords & dissention, were set at naught even of their own people and party. Thus as Theodosius was careful to build God's house, the Lord built him an house, and prospered him in all his enterprises: for about this time, the Alanes and Hunns [people of Scythia] entered again into Hungary, against whom the Emperor went with his Army; he fought many cruel battles with them, and in them all had the upper hand, slaying an infinite number of them, and driving the rest out of the Confines of the Empire: insomuch as Athanaricus, King of the Goths, offered himself and his people to do him service, & Theodosius not being willing to overtire his men of war, granted him peace, and so taking Athanaricus with him, he returned victoriously to his City of Constantinople, where Athanaricus beholding the power of the Emperor, the solemnity and greatness of his Court; the riches, furniture, and order of his house, and service, he said, that truly the Roman Emperor was God on the earth, and represented the God of heaven, against whom none ought to be so hardy, as to lift up his hand, or heart, except he would presently be condemned to death: not long after Athanaricus fell sick, and died, but the Goths that served in his house and Army, having had experience of the goodness and bounty of Theodosius, desired to continue in his service, and afterwards carried themselves faithfully and valiantly in all his wars: But Gratian, and his son Valentinian ruling in the West very remissly and negligently, gave occasion to the British Legions to rebel and choose an excellent Captain, one Maximus, for their Emperor, who thereupon presently marched into France, where Gratian was, who being ill beloved of his Soldiers, many of them forsook him, and went to Maximus; hereupon Gratian resolved to retire into Italy, but being circumvented by the policy of Maximus, he was slain in the way, Anno Christi 387. Maximus marching forward with a great Army into Italy, Ualentinian the Emperor knowing his own weakness, deserted it, and went to Constantinople to Theodosius, to entreat aide: who compassionating his condition, of his natural and accustomed valor, resolved to go into Italy, to revenge the death of Gratian, and to restore Valentinian to his Empire, and thereupon, leaving his son Arcadius in Constantinople, and taking Valentinian along with him, he raised the greatest and best forces he could, and so marched through Lombardy, where Maximus already was, having left Androgathius general of his Army to resist Thedosius, who expecting that he would come by Sea into Italy, he embarked all his Army aboord a great number of Ships and barks, purposing to overthrow Theodosius upon the water: the valiant Theodosius, being advertised hereof, Marched by long journeies, finding the passages open, into the plains of Lombardy, & besieged the City of Aquileia were Maximus was, and compassing the City round about, they within it, having guilty consciences, and being full of fear, delivered Maximus into Theodosius hands, without staying for any assault, or fight, who caused him as a Traitor to his Prince, to be put to death: when Androgathius, his General, being upon the Sea with a very mighty navy, heard of it, he was so overcome with sorrow and despair, that he cast himself overboord, and drowned himself, and thereupon his Army yielded themselves to Theodosius, and so without either slaughter or bloodshed, God gave unto his holy servant Theodosius, a very great victory: and from France, Spain, Germany, and Britain there came Ambassadors to him, yielding him their obedience with great humility and devotion. Thence he marched with Ualentinian to Rome, where they received him with a solemn Triumph; He continued there certain days, reformed many abuses, & disorders, inflicted punishments, and did Justice upon sundry wicked and dissolute persons, and as an holy and faithful Christian, he reformed the abuses of the Church also: and setting all things in good order, he returned to Constantinople, leaving with Ualentinian an Army and power sufficient to defend his Empire. Theodosius, through God's mercy, and goodness, was so feared, and honored by all nations, that the King of Persia, notwithstanding his former victories, in great humility sent his Ambassadors to Constantinople, intreaing a perpetual League, and peace with him, and he seeing with how great submission that potent King sued for peace, granted it.

Not long after, Valentinian the Emperor went into France, and there living in prosperity, and void of care, one Argobastes, a Captain of his, conspired with Eugenius to kill him, and for that end suborned some of his Eunuchs to strangle him in his bed, which they did, publishing abroad, that he had hanged himself: whereupon Argobastes nominated and made Eugenius Emperor: Theodosius being advertised of this fact, was very sorry, and much troubled, considering how dangerous a war lay before him, yet thinking it a great dishonor to suffer such an action to go unpunished, he mustered up his Army, and leaving his son Arcadius in Constantinople, with all possible speed he marched against them; but as a good and holy Christian, he first betook himself to fasting and prayer, seeking unto God, the giver of Victory, for success in his interprise, requesting the prayers of other holy men also, whereof one of them sent him word, that he should have the victory, but should die in Italy, and never return again to Constantinople. When Theodosius with his Army came to the confines of Italy, the Tyrants had such great forces, and had taken such good order for all matters, that all the passages of the Alps were stopped, and at the foot thereof they attended his coming with all their forces: yet Theodosius having overcome those passages, and being entered into Lombardy, found himself much distressed, the enemies being more in number, and having as valiant and experienced soldiers as he; who compassed him about, & kept all victuals from being brought to his Camp: but the valiant Emperor using the best means he could, as a faithful Christian, expected and hoped for his best relief from God, to whom with tears he made continual supplications: and truly his danger was so great, that had not God miraculously fought for him, he had there been lost: the night before the battle he spent wholly in prayer, neither eating nor sleeping, & the next day, seeing himself charged on every side, he set his men in very good order to fight, with great courage and resolution attending the coming of his enemies, and just as the battle was ready to begin, behold the goodness of God: Arbicius a Captain of the enemies cam over to his side with all under his Charge. The Battle beginning, where Romans were against Romans, they fought at even hand, most cruelly wounding, and killing one another. But Theodosius his Auxiliaries were worsted, and at the first charge ten thousand Goths, which were in his pay, were slain, which when he saw, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and with a true faith and steadfast hope, shedding many tears, prayed unto the Lord, that he might not be overthrown in so just a cause. At that instant a Captain of his, with a great troop of Soldiers came to the rescue of certain Squadrons, which in all show were overthrown, and they charged the enemy with such courage and resolution, that they which were in a manner vanquished, recovered strength and heart again: But the enemies were so many, that it seemed impossible for them to defend themselves, at which instant it pleased God to send them succor from heaven, for suddenly there arose so violent a wind and tempest, as the like had never been seen by any man then living, which without annoyance to the Emperors Army, did beat into the enemies faces with such force, that it bereaved them of their sight, so that they were not able to march forwards, yea the wind was so strong, that all the Arrows, stones, darts, and lances, which they threw and shot, were borne back again, wounding those that threw them: the most Christian Emperor taking notice of this miraculous providence of God, rendered thanks unto him for the same, encouraging, and animating his soldiers, so as in a short space they obtained a complete victory: Eugenius himself was taken fighting, and brought to Theodosius, who commanded him to be slain for his treason, and Argobastes flying, and finding no certain place of refuge, with his own sword cut his own throat: Theodosius had the spoil of his enemies Campe: presently after, all the Princes of the Empire sent their Ambassadors to Theodosius, to congratulate his victory, and many barbarous nations did the like, so that he remained the absolute Lord both of the East, and West: and being freed from wars, he came to Millaine, where Saint Ambrose was the Bishop, in which place he remained the rest of his time, applying himself to civil Governement, whereof in the time of war he neglected not to take great care. Being thus in Millaine, meditating upon his mortality by reason of his diseases, he resolved to settle his estate, and sending to Constantinople for his son Honorius, by the general approbation of all, he made him Emperor of the West: and his elder son Arcadius of the East, after which he lived in great prosperity three years in Millaine, in the company of that holy man Ambrose, during which time this fell out. In Thessalonica [a richand populous City of Macedonia] there happened a great tumult amongst the people against the magistrates and governors under the Emperor, and their fury grew so great, that they slew them, which when Theodosius understood, he was so incensed against them, that he made his soldiers put to death seven thousand of the common people, making no difference between the guilty and innocent: Ambrose hearing of it, when the Emperor came to Church, as his manner was, Ambrose (that his repentance might be as public as his offense) set himself in the Church door, and told the Emperor, that he should not enter there, making a learned Oration to him, wherein he opened his fault, and then excommunicated him: all which the Emperor heard with great patience, and returning to his palace he continued there eight months before he was absolved, at the end whereof he said to one about him, truly I will go and see what penance my Pastor will lay upon me for my offense, and so he went to the Church door where Ambrose was, entreating him to absolve him. But what repentance hast thou shown (said the Bishop) for so heinous an offense? and with what salve hast thou healed so mortal a wound? Thou (said the Emperor) art to instruct, and show me what I am to do, and thou shalt see that I will accomplish what thou shalt prescribe: the Bishop seeing the Emperors mildness, thinking it penance sufficient that he had been so long excommunicated, with mild and courteous speeches, said unto him: Thy penance, Theodosius, shall be this, that seeing in thy hasty fury thou commitedst such an horrid murder, thou shalt presently establish a Law, that no man whom thou shalt adjudge to die shall be executed within thirty days after thou hast pronounced the sentence, at the end of which time thou shalt either ratify or disannul thy sentence, as thou seest cause: the Emperor immediately caused this Law to be written, and proclaimed, which he ever after observed, and whereof much good ensued: and so being absolved, he came into the Church, prayed, and received the Sacrament, and ever after loved Ambrose very dearly, and used his counsel in many matters, and for his companies sake, he continued in Millaine the remainder of his life.

In the good Emperors absence, the Arians at Constantinople began to wax bold, raised tumults, & proceeded to that insolency, that they set the house of Nectarius [Bishop of Constantinople] on fire: in other Cities also, where they were thrust out of their Churches by the authority of the Emperor, they kept conventicles in the suburbs, and thereby much propagated their damnable opinions: About this time the Emperor commanded that all the Idol groves and Temples in Alexandria should be demolished, and that Theophilus the Bishop thereof should see it done, which he with much zeal prosecuted, which so enraged the heathen, that they made head together, ran upon the Christians, and sought to destroy them every kind of way: the Christians withstood them, and so they fought till both sides were weary, many were slain, and more wounded: But the heathens, when that the heat was over, were wonderfully afraid of the Emperors displeasure, and therefore forsook the City, and hid themselves in several places: Afterwards the Governor and Captain of the Host assisted Theophilus in the overthrow of those Temples: all the Images by the Emperors order were given to the relief of the poor.

Whilst Theodosius was at Rome, after he had overcome Maximus, he reformed two most abominable wickednesses: the first was this; In Rome was an huge house of ancient building, where all the bread that served the City was baked, and most of the rooms were under ground: round about it were Taverns and Victualing houses full of Harlots, so that many that resorted thither, either to satisfy their hunger, or lust, were by these whores spoiled of all they had, and usually so made away that their friends could never hear of them more: for by privy conveiances, they were thrown into these back-houses, and there kept to grinding, and drudgery all their life after. It fell out that one of the Emperors Soldiers was thus thrown into this hole, who when, they would not suffer him to depart, drew his Dagger, and slew some that stopped his passage, so that the rest being afraid, let the Soldier go: and the Emperor being informed by him, sent for the Millers and Bakers, punished the Masters with extreme torments, overthrew those blind houses, and so rid the princely City of that shameful doing. The other abuse which he reformed was this: If a woman were taken in Adultery, they shut her up in a narrow Stews, and compelled her beastly, and without all shame to play the harlot, ringing a bell whilst the deed was doing, that all the neighbors might be made privy to it, which was so far from removing the sin, that it increased it rather: The good Emperor being informed hereof, caused the Stews to be pulled down, and wholly suppressed: and made other Laws for the punishment of Adultery.

Theodosius being aged, & infirm, at last fell extreme sick, and therefore he disposed of the Empire to his two sons; and because they were young, and not of fit years for such a burden, he left, as tutors and governors to them, two very sufficient men both for war & peace: after he had set all things in order, his disease so increased, that being overcome by it, he recommended his soul to God, and so departed out of this present life Anno Christi 397. of his age fifty, or as others sixty, and of his Empire seventeen. In all his wars he was very valiant and politick▪ of an excellent wit and judgment in civil government, a lover of Justice and equity, very merciful, and of a most noble inclination, yet somewhat hasty & choleric, but presently pacified, and easily entreated: To moderate his passion, besides Ambrose his Law in matters of death, he used (knowing his own hasty disposition) not to determine of anything till he had repeated over the letters of the Greek Alphabet, for in that space his wrath would be tempered: he was exceeding liberal, temperate, and chaste: he greatly honored learned, and wise men: he was well spoken, and cheerful in his deportment. His wife Flacilla was an excellent, and most religious woman: He used to say, That he accounted it a greater honor, that he was a member of the Church, then that he was the head of the Empire.

He wrote out the whole New Testament with his own hand, accounting it a great Jewell, and reading a part of it every day. He commanded that they which reviled, and spake evil of him should not be punished: Quoniam si ex levitate processerit, contemnendum est: si ex insania, miseratione dignum: si ab injuria, remittendum est: Because if it proceeded of levity, it is not to be regarded: if of madness, it is to be pitied: if of an injury received, it is to be pardoned in them.

In this Emperors reign there was much hurt done by earthquakes in sundry places: In the Imperial City of Constantinople there were thrown down at one time fifty seven Towers of the City wall, which were newly built a little before: It endured by fits six months together, so that many fair and goodly Churches and Fortresses were demolished, and the Inhabitants were fain to forsake their houses, and lie in the fields: It raged by Sea also, so that many ships, and whole Islands were swallowed up by it. After which, ensued Famine and pestiferous aers, by which many thousands of people, and beasts perished: and in Chersonesus, whole Parishes sunk into the ground: Also in the last year of his reign in Epirus there was a Dragon seen of that vast bigness, that when he was dead eight yokes of Oxen could hardly draw him. The Inhabitants of Antiochia overthrowing the brazen portraiture of his beloved wife Placilla, Theodosius was so incensed against them for it, that he deprived their Town of the dignity of a Metropolitan City, conferring it upon their neighbor town of Laodicea: he threatened also to burn it down, but by the persuasions of Flavianus Bishop of Antiochia, the good Emperor moved with pity, pardoned their fault.

At one time he was very favorable to the Arians, whom he permitted to keep Conventicles in his principal Cities, which Amphilochius Bishop of Iconium taking notice of, he came before the Emperor, and did his reverence unto him, but not to his son Arcadius, though he was already made Augustus, whereat Theodosius being offended, Amphilochius presently answered, that the God of heaven would also be offended with them, who tolerated the blasphemers of his only begotten son Jesus Christ: the Godly Emperor being hereby brought to a sight of his great sin, presently made a Law prohibiting the Conventicles of the Arians in all his Cities.

Concerning that miraculous tempest that God sent for the destruction of his enemies, Claudian the poet writes these verses.

[illustration]

THEODOSIVS. 2.

[portrait of Theodosius II]

The Life of Theodosius the Second, who died Anno Christi. 453.

ARcadius, the Elder Son of Theodosius, in the thirteenth year of his reign falling sick at Constantinople, left his Son Theodosius to succeed in the Empire, who being but eight years old, Arcadius by his last will and Testament made Hisdigerdus, King of Persia and Parthia, his tutor, who understanding what Arcadius had done, accepted of the charge, and speedily sent one Antiochus an excellent man, and a great soldier to Constantinople: who with the good will and consent of Honorius, Emperor of the West, and uncle to young Theodosius, governed the Eastern Empire with great fidelity and discretion, and so maintained the same in peace and justice, till Theodosius came to age. About which time the Western Empire was much infested by the barbarians: but Theodosius being now of sufficient age, was freed from his tutours, and as he was a Godly man, and the inheritor of his grandfathers virtues, his chiefest care was for the service of God and the defense and advancement of his Church; whereupon he fell out with Barrabanus King of Persia (who succeeded Isdigerdus) because he persecuted the Christians that were in his dominions, and when persuasions would not prevail, he sent Ardaburus an excellent Captain against him, who fought a battle with Nasius, General of the Persians, overthrew him, and made a great slaughter of his men, and afterwards entered his country, and made great spoil therein. By another way Theodosius sent Gratianus, another Captain, against Alamander King of the Saracens, who came to aide the King of Persia, who overthrew him in battle, and slew a great multitude of his Saracens: And in another place, another of Theodosius his Captains overthrew the Persians, so that at last Barrabanus ceased from persecuting of the Christians, and a peace was concluded between Theodosius and him: About this time Honorius having reigned in all thirty years, died at Rome without issue: and thereby the whole Roman Empire was devolved upon Theodosius: and some held for him, as reason and duty required; but the greatest potentates in the West began to make themselves Lord's of the Empire in several parts of it. But they falling out amongst themselves, Theodosius, not thinking it safe to leave the East, made his Cosen german Ualentinian, Caesar, who was the son of Placidia, sister to Arcadius and Honorius, and wife to the Emperor Constantius: and so with sufficient troops he sent him into Italy with his mother Placidia, whose virtue and wisdom was sufficient to govern all, till her son came to years fit for government: in the mean time, one John who had usurped the Empire at Rome, sent his Ambassadors to Theodosius, requesting him to accept him as his partner in the Empire; but Theodosius caused them to be apprehended as traitors and rebels, and withal he sent command to Ardaburius, an excellent Captain of his, that with the greatest power he could make, he should pass by sea into Italy before Placidia, and should seek to defeat the Tyrant John. But in his passage there befell him such a storm at Sea, that his own ship being severed from the rest, was driven to an haven where he was taken, and carried prisoner to Ravenna: His son Asper (who was in the same fleet) being informed hereof, landed his men after the storm was over, and passing the Lakes and bogs near to Ravenna (which were always judged impassible, and never known to be dry before) entered the City, freed his father, took the Tyrant John and cut off his head. This miraculous deliverance of Ardaburius was judged to be the fruit of the effectual prayers of the Godly Emp: Theodosius. Presently after came Placidia with her son into Italy, & passed to Ravenna, where hearing of another usurper, that was coming with all his forces from Spain to seise upon Rome, she sent Ardaburius against him, who fought a great battle with him, & overthrew him, after which his own soldiers, mutining against him, delivered him to Ardaburius: and whereas another usurper was risen up in Rome, the soldiers and Citizens apprehended him, and sent him prisoner to Ravenna. Ualentinian being thus peaceably possessed of Italy, was by the consent of Theodosius, and with the good will of all men, made Emperor: & not long after, leaving all things in the best order that he could in Italy, he took his passage for Greece, and went to Constantinople to see Theodosius, where he married Eudoxa daughter to Theodosius: and so returned into Italy: at which time Gensericus King of the Uandalls exercising great cruelties upon the Christians in Africa, Godly Theodosius was so grieved, that he sent two of his Captains with great forces against him. But whilst they prolonged time in Sicily, Attila a mighty King of the Hunns, with many other barbarous nations, which like swarms of Bees came to him, intended to invade the Eastern Empire, knowing that the best and greatest part of the men of war were gone with the two Captains into Sicily; and at his first entry, he took many Cities in Thrace, and Slavonia, whereupon Theodosius in great hast called back his Army out of Sicily, raised more forces, and fought with Attila many battles, much repressing his fury: but in the midst of his preparations against these Barbarians, it pleased God that he fell sick of the plague, whereof he died: or (as some hold) by a fall from his horse: in the fiftieth year of his age, and of his reign forty two, Anno Christi 453: Socrates Scholasticus gives this character of him. Theodosius, though borne, and brought up in the Imperial Palace, yet was he free from all light and vain behavior: He was so wise and discreet, that he seemed in his youth to all that conferred him a man of great experience: He was of such hardiness and sufferance both inwardly in mind, & outwardly in body, that he could endure the pinching cold of winter, and the parching hear of summer: He used to Fast twice every week: His palace and Court seemed no other then a religious family: at the dawning of the day, he used with his sisters to sing Psalms and Hymns of praise to God. He learned much of the holy Scriptures without book: He so reasoned of them with the Bishops, as if himself had been an experienced minister: he gathered together a very great Library of the ancient Fathers works, but especially many books of the sacred scriptures: He excelled all men in patience, courtesy, and clemency: He learned to bridle his anger: to bear afflictions patiently: to revenge him of none that did him injury: & whē one of his familiars asked him, why he would not put to death some that had wronged him; He answered, I would to God it lay in my power to reviue them that are dead: indeed it is no hard matter to bereave a man of his life, but when that is done, be a man never so sorry, he cannot revine him again: when any traitor was condemned, he would not suffer him to go so far as the gates of the City towards the place of execution, before he sent him a reprieve. One day, as he set forth some public shows to the people at Constantinople, wherein beasts fought together, the people shouting, desired that one of the strongest men, should be set to encounter with one of those beasts: His answer was: Do not you know that we cannot abide cruel spectacles. He highly honourd God's ministers, especially such as excelled in in Godliness: Once as he was at the public shows to please the people, there fell out an exceeding great tempest: whereupon he commanded his Beadles to speak to the people, telling them, that it was far better to lay aside those shows and pastimes, and with one heart and voice to pray unto God to cease that violent storm; the words where no sooner spoken, but all jointly fell down to the ground, and poured out zealous and earnest prayers unto God: so that the whole City was become as one Church: and it pleased God that the weather presently Cleered up and became fair: and whereas there was a great dearth, and scarcity before, through God's mercy, they had afterwards great store and plenty: At another time as this most Godly Emperor was celebrating those shows in the same place, he had news brought him of Aspers success, and of the death of the Tyrant John, whereupon he thus spake to the people: Let us give over this vain pastime, and let us repair unto Church and serve God devoutly, pouring out our zealous prayers to him, and praise him for his wonderful mercy, who by his own hand and outstretched arm, hath deprived the Tyrant of his life; no sooner had he made an end of speaking, but all the people gave over their spectacles, and passing through the Theater, sang praises together with the Emperor unto God: and so going directly to Church, spent the whole day in those holy exercises: When wars were at any time proclaimed, after the examples of David and Jehoshaphat, he made God his refuge, and by prayer, he always obtained prosperous success.

Nestorius denying Christ to be God, Theodosius summoned a Council at Ephesus to suppress that Heresy, by which Nestorius was deposed from his Bishopric. He greatly detested all Heretics: His wife was Eudoxia a very Godly and discreet woman. His usual saying was, that Emperors of all other men were most miserable, because commonly the truth of businesses is concealed from them. In his time there was such a famine in Rome, that the poor sort were fain to make bread of the bark of trees, and the richer sort of Chesnuts: a Pound of flesh was worth fifty pence, and dead men's flesh was sold and eaten. In one battle that his General fought against Attila, there were slain 162000 men, whose blood made a neighbor brook to overflow its bank. This Attila was called the terror of the world, and the whip wherewith God scourged many nations: Theodosius in godliness was like unto his Grandfather: In collecting a great library of good books nothing inferior to Ptolemaeus Philadelphus. In gathering into one short sum the Laws of his predecessors, he trode a path wherein Justinian followed him to the great benefit of learned men. His house was like unto a Sanctuary for exercises of reading the holy Scriptures, and devout prayers: His facility in subscribing unread letters was corrected by the prudent advice of his sister Pulcheria: In his time Attila, entered into Italy, took, sacked and ruined Aquileia, Ticinum, and Millaine, and intended the same cruelty against Rome: but Leo Bishop hereof went forth to him, and with gentle words so mitigated his mind that he forbore to do it.

He had a man whose name was Palladius, one that had rare gifts both outwardly in body, and inwardly in mind, and of that strength, and agility of body, that he was able in three days to ride Post into the furthest bounds of the Roman & Persian dominions, and back again in the same space to Constantinople: So that by his celerity he made the Roman Empire which was vast and wide, to be but narrow and straight.

When Theodosius sent his Army under Ardaburius against the Persians, and for the relief of the persecuted Christians there: the Citizens of Constantinople were very sad and heavy, fearing the variable event of the wars: but a company of Angels appeared to certain in Bithynia, that were travelling to Constantinople, and willed them to bid the Citizens to be of good cheer, and to pray and put their trust in God: and that they should be confident of Ardaburius victory, for God had sent them as governors, and Sovereign Captains of the wars.

The Heresy of Nestorius was so hateful to him, that he made this Law concerning the followers of it: We decree, that whosoever doth embrace the wicked opinion of Nestorius, and shall give ear to his lewd doctrine, if he be a Bishop, that he shall be banished, if a Lay person, that he shall be accursed. [In the time of Theodosius his reign, the Britain's sent for the Saxons out of Germany, to assist them against the Scots and Picts: and when they came; Uortiger the British King entertained them, conferred with them of their faith, and found them Pagans that worshipped Mercury, whom they called Woden, and in honor of him Wodensday [wednesday] they worshipped also Uenus, whom they called Frea, whence came Friday: these Saxons, when together with the Britain's, they had foiled the Scots and Picts, traitorously fell upon their own masters the Britain's, slew many, and drave the rest into the mountains, whom they called after their country language, Welshmen, i: e: strangers.

[illustration]

JVSTINIAN

[portrait of Justinian]

The Life of Justinian, who died, Anno Christi 568.

JVSTINE, Emperor of the East being grown old, and having no sons of his own, adopted his sisters son, called Justinian, appointing him to succeed in the Empire: He was a very godly man, zealous for the truth against Heresies, and would suffer no faith to be openly professed, but that which was allowed in the four General Councils: and accordingly God blessed him exceedingly in his wars: For coming to the Empire in a very troublous time, the first war that he made, was against the Persians, who for fifty years together had often invaded the Roman Empire, and commonly had the better of it: against them therefore Justinian sent a great Army under the conduct of Belisarius, a noble and valiant captain, who fought a bloody battle with the Persians, which continued almost a whole day, but in the conclusion (through God's mercy) Belisarius prevailed, and made a great slaughter of the enemies: After which notable victory, he recovered sundry places in Mesopotamia, which the Persians had usurped from the Empire. Another Army also of Iustinians entering into Armenia, by the same good hand of providence obtained victory, and recovered most part of that which was formerly lost: Hereupon Cavadas, King of Persia, raised a mighty Army under the command of a valiant old Captain of his, called Alamander, who had formerly gotten many victories against the Romans, with whom Belisarius after some encounters, came to a battle, which was the greatest, and cruellest that ever happened those wars: this battle was fought near to the river Euphrates, and much against the opinion of Belisarius, who, knowing that the enemy had the advantage, would not have fought, but his men, against his will preparing themselves: he ordered and encouraged them all that he could: the fight was maintained with such obstinacy, and fury of both sides, that for the greatest part of the day it appeared not to which side victory would incline: but at last the Imperialists waxing faint (having fasted all day, because it was Easter eve) they began to retreat: which the Persians seeing, they charged the horse-troops of Belisarius with such fury, that they brake them also: Belisarius did what he could to encourage and reinforce them, but when he could not prevail, he alighted from his horse, and placed himself in a squadron of footmen that kept their ground, and encouraging them with his presence, they all resolved to conquer or die, insomuch as when the Persian General saw them remain whole, he came upon them with great fury, thinking easily to have had the execution of them, but they kept themselves so close together, that they could not be broken, and fought so valiantly, that they slue many of the Persians, till night coming on, the Persians left them: then did Belisarius with his men retire into an Island which was in the river Euphrates hard by, whither the rest of his Army came to him, & the next morning set his men in order to fight again: but the Persians having lost more men then the Romans, removed into another quarter, and the King of Persia understanding his great loss, sickned, and shortly after died, whereupon his son made peace with Justinian: & Belisarius returned to Constantinople, where he was received with much triumph. A few days after, two potent men in the City, which were sisters sons of Anastasius the Emperor, with a great party that adhered to them, rebelled against Justinian, one of them taking the ensigns, and name of Emperor: and the war was so cruel within the City, that thirty thousand persons were slain together with the usurpers, whereby God did wonderfully deliver Justinian from an imminent danger, after which time he lived in peace and better estimation then before: in this scuffle Belisarius did him better service then all others: After the Uandalls had seised upon Africa, they raised a cruel persecution against the Christians, some of them being heathens, others Arians: but after the death of Gensericus, Gilimer his nephew succeeding in the Kingdom, Justinian sent Belisarius with a purpose to regain the Kingdom of Africa, who imbarked himself accompanied with many excellent Captains in five hundred sails of ships, and ninety two Gallies, and so began his voyage towards Africa, where (through God's mercy) he safely arrived: Epiphanius Bishop of Constantinople going in the fleet, prayed for their prosperous success; when they were landed, they found some that took part with them, and so they they marched along the Sea-Coast towards Carthage, and the Navy did the like by Sea: when Gilimer understood this, he left his brother Amata in the City for the guard of it, commanding him to kill all the prisoners, and at such an hour the next day to issue out of the City with all his forces against Belisarius, promising that himself with his Army would charge him at the same time in the rear, and so he departed out of Carthage with his Army: and sent a Captain with some Troops to Alarum & trouble Belisarius in his march: the next day Amata came forth according to appointment, but was quickly beaten and slain by the Vauntguard: & Gilimer with his forces charged so resolutely upon the reere, that the Imperialists began to retire; but Gilimer hearing of the defeat, and death of his brother, made an Alt, whereupon Belisarius his soldiers charged with such fury, that Gilimer was wholly overthrown, many of his men slain, and he by flight saved his life: the next day Belisarius marched to the City, where arriving in the evening, he found no resistance, and the gates open, yet would he not enter into an enemies City by night, but the next day he marched in with great quietness, neither suffering his soldiers to plunder or murder any, who were very obedient to him: Possessing the City, he commanded presently the walls to be repaired, which were very ruinous: and in the mean time Gilimer unbroken in spirit, rallied his Army, raised more forces, sent for his brother Zazon with a great army out of Sardinia, and having thus gotten a sufficient number, he went towards Carthage, either to fight, or besiege Belisarius. But Belisarius for certain days would not take the field, till he had sufficiently repaired the walls, and then he marched forth with his Army to give Gilimer battle, and when the commanders saw each other, they set their men in order, one relying upon the Arm of flesh, the other putting his confidence in God. The fight began with great fury, but in the first charge Zazon was slain, and some other principal men of the Uandalls, whereupon the rest fled into their Campe which they had strongly fortified: Belisarius gathering his forces together presently pursued them, which when Gilimer saw, suspecting that he could not defend the Campe, with a few servants, he fled away, and Belisarius entered it, putting all in Arms to the sword, taking the women and children captives. In the Camp they found an infinite quantity of gold, silver, money, and Jewels, for the Uandals, having no place of refuge which they counted safe, carried all their treasure with them, and so in one hour they lost all that they had stolen, and gotten in Africa in nintie five years before: thus God blessed his servant Justinian, and justly plagued those wicked Uandalls, who had cruelly persecuted the Orthodox, cutting out their tongues, imprisoning the Godly ministers, and making them their drudges, making stables of their Churches &c. The next day Belisarius sent an excellent Captain with a good Troop of horse to pursue Gilimer, and shortly after himself followed with some choice men of his Army, but finding that Gilimer was fled into some inaccessible mountains in Numidia, he left a Captain with sufficient forces to besiege him, and so returned to Carthage, in his passage taking in many towns, and much people resorted to him with joy, being glad that they were freed from the miserable servitude of the Uandalls, and restored to the liberty of the Empire: Shortly after he sent some to take in Sardinia, and others into Mauritania, and in all places God gave him wonderful success, so that in little more then four months he took in all Africa, that had been possessed by those wicked Uandalls for the space of nintie six years, wherein they had been great oppressors of the true Church of Christ, and had almost extirpated it: Gilimer being straitly besieged as before is said, at last yielded himself upon quarter for his life, and so was brought prisoner to Belisarius, who sent the Emperor Iustini • n news of his success, requesting that he might re • urne to Constantinople and bring Gilimer with him. Justinian referred it to himself, whether to stay and govern that province or to return; he made one Solomon governor, left with him a good part of his Army, and so took Gilimer, and his kindred, and infinite Jewels, treasures and riches, which the Vandalls had plundered from Rome, Spain, Africa, & other provinces, and so returned to Constantinople, where he was received in triumph: In the mean time the Churches of the East being much infected with the Arian heresy, were full of dissensions & troubles, but the good Emperor published an edict, wherein he accursed the principal ringleaders, and inflicted great penalties on them that held and maintained such damnable opinions, endeavoring thereby that no dissention might take root in any of the Churches through the world: About this time the nation that dwelled by the river Tanais sent to Justinian, requesting him to send a Bishop to them, who willingly assented to their requests, by which means they were converted to the Christian faith.

Belisarius did not long continue at Constantinople before Justinian gave him the charge of his wars in Sicily and Italy against the Goths, and Theodatus, who at that time was Lord thereof, an enterprise of no less importance, and of greater danger then the former of Africa: But Theodatus dying about that time, he left his Kingdom to his nephew Athalaricus bebeing but eight years old, wherefore his mother Amalasunta had the education of him, and the Governement of the Kingdom: but Athalaricus shortly after dying, Theodatus his cosen-german usurped the Kingdom, and treacherously put Amalasunta to death. Instinian detesting so vile a fact, sent Belisarius with his victorious Army against him, who by the way landing in Sicily, took in Catania, Syracuse, and many other towns, and Cities, and after a while the whole Island submitted to him. Theodatus being informed hereof, was much afraid, and presently dispatched Ambassadors to Justinian, proffering to renounce his title to Sicily: and that in Italy in all decrees and proclamations, Iustinians name should be first used, and that once every year he would send him a golden crown in token of subjection: Withall giving them in charge, that if Justinian refused that proffer, that then they should offer the whole Kingdom of Italy to him, upon condition that he should give him some lands, and possessions in Greece, or else where, Justinian refused the first, but embraced the second, and sent back his Ambassadors with them to consummate the agreement; but in the Interim, Theodatus having by his Captains gotten a victory against some of Iustinians Captains in Slavonia, he was so puffed up with pride, that he refused to stand to his former offer, yea his insolency was such, that he apprehended, and imprisoned Iustinians Ambassadors: and he was the more encouraged, hearing that Belisarius was gone from Sicily ininto Africa, where a Captain with a great part of the Army had mutined against Solomon, put the Judges, and governors to death, and possessed themselves of a great part of the country, but Belisarius arriving there, overthrew them in battle, and so leaving all in peace, he sailed into Italy. About this time there was seen so prodigous a sight about the Sun, that the like hath never been heard of: For the Sun, for the greatest part of a year, gave so little light, that it was but equal to the light of the moon, the sky being clear, without clouds, or anything to shadow it, after which there followed a great famine, and much war, and bloodshed.

Justinian seeing the inconstancy of Theodatus, and being greatly displeased with the death of his Captains in Dalmatia, and the imprisonment of his Ambassadors, with the wisdom, courage and resolution of a worthy Prince, he sent Constantius a noble Captain into Dalmatia, and Slavonia, who quickly recovered most of that which was lost: and sending to Belisarius speedily to enter Italy with the greatest power he could: Belisarius with his accustomed expedition and courage, leaving sufficient Garrisons in Sicily, transported his Army into Italy, landing at Messina, and finding no opposition, he seised on many towns thereabouts, conquering all to the City of Naples, into which Theodatus had put a great garrison of his Goths: them Belisarius besieged, and after many skirmishes, he took the City by force, where his soldiers found great spoils, and slew many of the Goths: but the next day he set all the inhabitants at liberty, and restored to them the greatest part of their goods again: This action stroke a great fear into the Goths, who held Naples to be impregnable.

Theodatus in the mean time making but slender provision for his defense, all his chief Captains met together, and chose for their King, one Uitiges a a wise and valiant Captain, which Theodatus hearing of fled towards Ravenna, but being pursued, he was overtaken, and slain: Vitiges presently called a council of war, where it was resolved, that they for the present could neither defend Rome, nor fight Belisarius, and that therefore he should retire to Ravenna, til having raised sufficient forces, he might return and give him battle: Belisarius, leaving a strong garrison in Naples, marched to Rome, to whom the inhabitants opened their gates, and let him in. In the Senate he made an excellent speech, exhorting them to embrace, and defend their liberty: then he repaired the City walls, and brought in store of provision from all the adjacent parts: In the mean time Uitiges left no means untried to increase his power, concluding a peace with the King of France, and drew all his forces thence, and from Germany, and other parts he procured all the aide that possibly he could; so that he raised 150000. men horse, and foot, good Soldiers, and most of them well armed, and so he marched towards Rome, where Belisarius was, but with an inconsiderable army, and therefore not able to take the field: whereupon Uitiges, nothing doubting of the victory, grew so proud, that he asked everyone he met, whether Belisarius was not fled away, and rejoiced infinitely when he heard that he was fortifying of Rome. But the valiant Belisarius trusting in God, was far from flying, resolving rather to die then to abandon what he had gotten: Vitiges coming near Rome, Belisarius had caused two very strong Towers to be built by the Bridge to stop his approach, and had placed in them very good guards; but when Vitiges Army approached, they which guarded the bridge were in such fear, that they presently surrendered the place, and the same night Vitiges passed over a great part of his Army: the next morning Belisarius suspecting no-such matter, sallied out of Rome with a thousand choice horse, with which he marched towards the Bridge, and coming near to it, he suddenly met with Uitiges men at Arms, which so vexed Belisarius, imagining that his men that guarded the bridge were lost, that with less prudence then was requisite, he charged them with so much fury, that there fell out a cruel fight, so that these men at Arms were driven back to the battalion where Vitiges was, who charged with so great a troop of his Goths, that Belisarius and his company were held for lost, yet he in his own person did wonders, wounding, and slaying many of his enemies, and charged so far in amongst them, that though he did the part of an excellent soldier, yet not of a discreet General: For he put his person in such danger, that he was held for dead, and so some of his men that fled, reported of him in Rome: Being in this distress, and unable any longer to maintain the fight, his people began to retire on the spur, and he also did the like, after they had slain a thousand of the Goths. Many of Vitiges horsemen pursued him to the gates of Rome, which were shut, and the guard would not open them, lest the enemy should have entered with them; besides, the noise was such, that they knew not Belisarius his voice, whom they accounted for dead: he having fought the greatest part of the day, was driven to lean to the wall, and ranging his soldiers into a squadron, made head against the enemy, and so continued fighting without meat or drink till it was night; in which he did a valiant, though a dangerous exploit: charging the Goths with such fury, that they all believed (through the darkness of the night) that great Troops were sallied forth against them, whereupon they retired to their Campe: Thus God almost miraculously preserved this brave Captain, who afterwards coming to the gates, and calling to the watch, they knew him, and joyfully let him in: he had abundance of arrows sticking in his horse, and armor, and some blows, and cuts with the sword, (but through God's mercy) none of them came to his skin, which was held for a wonder by those which saw what great danger he had been in.

The next day Vitiges came with all his Army to the City; but being unable, by reason of the great circuit, to compass it all about, he made six strong Camps in several parts of it: many dangerous conflicts there were during this siege, which lasted a year and nine days: For the first seven months the Enemy never ceased to assault and batter the City on all parts, where they did, and received much hurt: And Belisarius never ceased from defending, sallying forth, and fighting with them, so that they slue above forty thousand of the Goths, in which his valor and wisdom did wonderfully appear; for it was the most terrible, and bloody siege that ever was The good Emperor Justinian neglected them not, but sent them succor of Companies of Horse, and Foot, valiant Captains, Corn, and other necessaries, though with much difficulty: Notwithstanding which, the City endured extreme famine. Belisarius managed all things with such prudence, and valor, that Vitiges seeing his men tired, and weakened, he sent and concluded a truce with him for six months: yet it continued not so long, for Vitiges understanding the wants of the City, renewed the Wars, whereupon Belisarius sent the Marshall of his Army with two thousand Horse, and other Soldiers, to begin war in the Marches of Ravenna, and God so prospered them, that they took in Ariminum and other places; Which Vitiges hearing of, and fearing the loss of Ravenna, raised the siege, and returned to defend the rest.

In his retreat, Belisarius charged his rereguard so furiously, that he slue a number of his men: And so with shame, dishonor, and loss, Vitiges went back to Ravenna, and presently after laid a strong siege to Ariminum, where the aforesaid forces were: Belisarius presently raised such forces as he could; went to Naples, fortified that City, and so marched strait towards the City of Ravenna, and by the way he met with Narses, a brave and religious Captain, that Justinian had sent with new supplies to his aide▪ being thus strengthened, he marched to Ariminum, forced Uitiges to raise his siege, and so relieved his men. Hereupon Lombardy, Milan, and other places declared for the Emperor: and Belisarius sent them aide of Captains, and men, and there fell out many conflicts, and battles both with the Goths, and with Theodoricus King of France, who came with a great Army, thinking to possess himself of that country: Belisarius after many great adventures fought another terrible battle with Uitiges, who had gathered all his forces together for that end, and (through God's goodness) got the victory: Uitiges fled into Ravenna: Belisarius pursued, besieged him in the City, and in the end took it, and had Uitiges delivered into his hands, with whom almost all Italy came under his obedience

Cosroes, King of Persia hearing that Belisarius whom he chiefly feared, was busied in the wars of Italy, took the opportunity to make war upon the territories of the Empire, and took some Cities, whereupon Justinian, who was very circumspect for all parts, sent an Army into the East, under a valiant General, who being slain in a battle against the Persians, he sent a second, yet could not the Imperialists make sufficient resistance against them, but that they still prevailed; wherefore Justinian sent for Belisarius, as the only man that could match the Persian: Belisarius going to Constantinople took with him Uitiges with his Queen, many of his kindred and other principal men of the Goths his prisoners, and was received into Constantinople with exceeding honor, and much joy, and was looked upon as the wonder of the world, everyone extolling his virtues and noble acts: he was a man of a pleasant countenance, tall of stature, of an excellent constitution, Noble of condition, pious, mild, courteous; and endued with many other rare and heroical virtues: within few days after, he was sent into the East against Cosroes, and with his coming, the Imperialists took heart, and he revived the war with such discretion and courage, that there was a present alteration in all things: and having obtained some victories, he soon recovered most of that which was lost: But whilst thus he was far from Italy, the Goths which kept some Garrisons there, assembled together, and chose one Ydibaldus King; but not long after, his guard slew him: In whose place they chose Araricus King, who was also slain within five months, & then they chose Totila for their King, who presently marched through all Italy without any great resistance, and besieged the City of Naples, which, after many exployts both by Sea and Land, he took: and prospered so much in his enterprises, that he was like in a short space to make himself Lord of all Italy: which Justinian hearing of, sent to Belisarius, commanding him to leave the affairs of the East in as good a posture as he could, and speedily return to Constantinople, whence without any stay he was presently sent by the Emperor into Italy, whither he led with him but fifty thousand men, expecting that he should have found sufficient forces there: for the Emperor was made to believe that his affairs were not in so low a state as they proved; his coming was much expected by his friends, and feared by his enemies; but when they saw that he brought so small an Army with him, his friends grieved, and his enemies contemned him. Putting himself into Ravenna, he fortified and kept the same, and within few days took such order, that though he could not match his numerous enemes in the field, yet by policy he won upon them: whereupon Totila being angry, assembled his whole power, sent one part of his Army to Ravenna against Belisarius, and with the rest he went to Rome, which was so slenderly provided with men and amunition, that it was not like to hold out long: Belisarius understanding this, remembering with what trouble and care he had formerly defended that City, and having not sufficient forces to relieve it by land, he was very sorrowful, and thereupon wrote earnestly to the Emperor to send him men and money, and in the mean time he resolved to put himself into Rome by Sea: and so passing over into Dalmatia, he went to Durasso, where he met with Captain John, whom the Emperor had sent with an Army to assist him: but holding that the relief of Rome was presently necessary, he took the Sea to enter Rome by the river Tiber, appointing Captain John to hast his march by land to relieve him: Coming to the mouth of Tiber, he speedily rigged a great number of Barks and Frigots, with which he passed up the river, in the narrowest part whereof, Totila had drawn a chain a cross, made a bridg, and two Castles at either side, guarded with a great number of soldiers: yet Belisarius with his men charged the guard so lustily that they scattered them, and Rome had been presently relieved, if by a strange mishap it had not been prevented: Indeed God (who had raised up these Goths to scourge the Roman Empire, and to punish the sins of Rome, and the decay of zeal, and increase of superstition in the Church) had otherwise determined of it: For Belisarius having left his wife, whom he dearly loved, with his family in a Port at the mouth of the river, under the care of a good Captain, and strong garrison, had news brought him, that the town was taken, and his wife in the enemies hand, which so grieved and enraged him, that he presently returned down the river, determining to recover his wife, or lose his life, presuming that if he sped well, he might presently return to the relief of Rome: Being come to the port, he found the town safe, and his wife well, and at liberty, whereupon he was more grieved to see himself so deluded: and the same night it pleased God (who makes all things to concur for the effecting of his own will) that he fell sick of a fever, and his disease daily increasing, he was often at the Point of death: In the mean time Totila so straitly besieged the City of Rome, that they within, did eat catts, rats, dogs &c. And yet many died of hunger: so that in the end he became master of it, burnt the Capitol, and best part of all the City, threw down the third part of the walls, commanded the inhabitants upon the pain of death to depart, and live in other places: and so he left it burnt, desolate, and wast, which had been the mistress of the world. And then he marched against Captain John and his army, that was coming towards Rome, who shown himself so very a coward, that he durst not stay his coming, but put himself into Otranto, whereby Totila took all Calabria, Abruzzo, and Lucania.

In the mean time Belisarius having recovered his health, performed one of the most desperate attempts that ever was: which was, with those troops which he had, to go & put himself into the desolations of Rome, where he presently caused trenches to be digged, rampires to be made, and all the victuals that could possibly be gotten to be brought thither. The fame whereof brought many citizens for love of their country to come and put themselves therein to with him. As soon as Totila heard hereof, by long Iourneies, he returned to Rome, assuring himself presently to enter it, and therein to take Belisarius: But Belisarius so valiantly defended the same, that to his great loss Totila was forced to raise his siege: afterwards Belisarius, having better fortified it, and left a good garrison in it, went to join with John, and his Army, and to pursue Totila: But the King of Persia again making wars in the East, Justinian sent for Belisarius to Constantinople, which when the King of Persia heard of, he concluded a peace with Justinian, & so Belisarius remained in Constantinople all the rest of his life; during which time the Huns came down into Thrace, robbing and spoiling all the country, against whom old Belisarius was sent, who overthrew them in a great battle, and so returned to the Emperor.

After Belisarius departed from Italy, Totila returned again & besieged Rome, and after a long siege, wherein the inhabitants & soldiers endured great extremities & famine, he again took it, but did it no harm, seeking rather to repair and repeople it, giving great gifts, privileges, and exemptions to the inhabitants: Afterwards he took many other places, & then passed over into Sicily, but finding that the conquest thereof would be difficult, he left four Captains with many men of war, and so returned into Italy, where, in a short space, he had made himself absolute Lord of the Country, had not the Emperor sent Narses, an holy, famous and valiant Captain with a great Army into Italy; and in his march towards Rome, Totila met him, and presented battle to him. They fought, and in the fight Totila was slain, and his Army routed, whereupon Narses easily reconquered all Italy: After Totilas death, the Goths chose Teyas, a potent man amongst them, King, who raised with Totila's treasure, a great Army, & so marched out of Lombardy to encounter with Narses: they both lodged their Armies upō a river side, where after some notable skirmishes, they came to a battle, which was one of the most cruel that had been fought in all that war: having fought six hours, wherein Teyas in his own person had done wonders, he was at last slain; yet the battle continued till dark night: the next morning they returned to the fight again without ceasing, and the Goths taking the advantage of an hill, defended themselves till towards night, at which time they sent Ambassadors to Narses, proffering to resign all they held in Italy to him, provided that he would let them live in it, without Armor or weapons. Narses granted their request, for that he would not fight with a desperate people, himself also having lost many of his men in the fight: and so they delivered what they possessed, & in a short time after they were so mixed with the natives, that the name of the Goths was wholly extinct, and forgotten. Narses applied himself to the re-edifying of Rome: and because it was extreme ruinous, and the inhabitants few, he contracted the compass of it, and settled the Government of it, and of Italy in the best manner he could: He was a man of great judgment, a good Christian, zealous in religion, and an excellent Captain, and held the government of Italy under Justinian all his life after.

In Iustinians time besides these and many other wars, there happened great earthquakes, famine, and many other calamities: He was a Godly and excellent Prince, who provided for all his great wars without taxing or oppressing his subjects: and in his civil government he was so careful, as if he never had applied himself to anything else: for whereas the laws made by former Emperors were many, tedious, obscure, and sometimes contradictory each to other, he contracted, cleared, and made them uniform, adding new, where there was a defect. And whereas they contained two thousand books before, he reduced them to fifty, called the Digest, and compiled four books of Institutes: and other decrees, which were dispersed into divers books, he reduced to twelve, called Iustinians Codex. He was very curious in Architecture, and built many great and sumptuous edifices. Being grown old, and having no son to succeed him, he adopted his daughters son, called Justin, for his fellow Emperor. And after so many noble acts, he left this for a better life in the eightieth year of his age, and of his reign thirty-nine, Anno Christi 568. His death was greatly lamented and deplored through the whole Empire.

As some write, Iustinians wife was Theodora, a womane infected with the heresy of Eutyches, who after the death of her husband, out of malice, and envy to that brave and noble Captain Belisarius, caused his eyes to be put out, and brought him to that extremity of want, that he was forced to sit by the highwayes begging, Date obolum Belisario, For God's sake give an halfpenny to poor Belisarius Evag. Uanity of Uanities, all is Uanity,

One thing is very remarkable in this Godly Emperor Justinian, Gensericus when he spoiled and plundered Rome, took the vessels of gold, and silver, which Titus had brought from the Temple in Jerusalem, and carried them with him to Carthage: these vessels, amongst other spoils, Belisarius met with when he took Carthage, and carried them to Constantinople: but Justinian would not receive them into his treasury, but sent them again to Jerusalem, to be disposed of for the good of the church, according to the discretion of the Christian Bishops which lived there.

[illustration]

HVNIADES

[portrait of Hunyadi]

The Life of Hunyadi, Prince of Transylvania, who died Anno Christi. 1450.

Hunyadi was borne in Ualachia, of noble Parentage, and endowed with all those virtues which adorn a Prince, and therefore was Anno Christi 1443 made Prince of Transylvania, which at that time was much infested with the incursions of the Turks: He was a politick, pious, valiant, and famous Captain: his victories so great, that the like were never obtained by any Christian Prince against the Turks, and his name became so dreadful to them, that they used to still their crying children with it: At his first coming to his sovereignty, he began to keep the Turks short by cutting them off, whensoever they presumed to enter into his country: He shut up also the passages whereby they used to enter, and so having made Transylvania safe, he went into Moldovia, and never rested till he had quite won it out of the Turks hands: Then he passed over Danubius into their dominions, making havoc of all, and carrying back a great booty, and many Captives: At this time Isa Bassa, a great favourite of Amuraths, was governor of Temeswar, and an excellent soldier, he to please the Sultan his uncle, continually forraged the Country about Belgrade, burning the villages, driving away the cattle, & taking the people captives: sometimes also he brake into Hunyadi country, laying in every place as he went strong Ambushes, hoping to entrap that wary Captain; But Hunyadi purposing revenge, raised a strong army both of horse and foot; and passed over Danubius, encamping near to Belgrade: which Isa hearing of, presently set forward with a great army to meet him: And coming on in good order, he found Hunyadi as ready for the battle as himself. The signal of battle being given, there began a great & cruel fight: At the first encounter the wings of Hunyadi Army were forced to retire, but his men at arms charged with such fury, that many fell on both sides, but most of the Turks, who were not able long to endure the shock, but were overthrown by heaps, and at last betook themselves to flight, and Isa Beg: with them; Hunyadi & his Hungarians fiercely pursued to the very suburbs of Sinderovia, so that most of the Turks were slain, and a rich prey and many prisoners fell to the Christians, which they carried into Belgrade: the fame of this victory coming to Buda to Vladislaus King of Hungary: he caused public thanksgivings in every church, and sent rich presents to Hunyadi, for his encouragement: Amurath much grieved with this loss, repaired his forces, sending Mesites Bassa (a man of great experience, and valor) with a puissant Army to invade Transylvania, where he burned all that came in his way, killing man, woman, and child, without respect of age, or sex: Hunyadi having no Army to oppose so potent an enemy, was much grieved for the spoil of his country, and therefore went to Alba Julia, to the Bishop thereof: the Turks came on within sight of the City, laying all wast before them, which so grieved Hunyadi and the Bishop: that with a tumultuary Army raised in hast, they marched out, either to repress the rage of the Turks, or die honourably: but they quickly fell into ambushments laid by the crafty Bassa to entrap them, and were forced to fly back into the City with some loss: and the Bishop taking a river with his horse was there slain by the Turks: Hunyadi with wonderful celerity went into the borders of his country, persuading all to take Arms, and so having raised some forces, he marched back after the Bassa, who was returning back, loaden with the spoils of the country: Mesites hearing of Hunyadi approach, proudly answered, Let him come, and with the spoil of himself enrich our victory: yet withal he appointed certain companies of his best soldiers in the fight to set upon Hunyadi, knowing that if he were slain, the rest would easily be put to flight, withal giving them tokens whereby they might know him and his horse: This, Hunyadi being informed of by a Spie, he changed horse and armor with a valiant gentleman that was like him, appointing him a strong troop of horsemen to attend him, & watching his opportunity, like a violent tempest he fell on the Turks, and finding them out of order, he slew many of them; but the Troops before appointed, spying the counterfeit Hunyadi, made towards him as they were ordered, where began a cruel fight, but at last the Turks prevailing, slew him and his guard, though with great loss to themselves: But Hunyadi himself rode up and down in the Army, encouraging his men, and relieving them where was most need; the Transilvanian prisoners in the Turks Camp, choosing rather to die, then to go into Captivity, in the heat of the fight brake their bonds, and took such weapons as came next to hand, with which they killed their keepers, and so issued forth to help their friends, laying about them like desperate men, so that the Turks began to waver, and afterwards to fly, whom the Hungarians pursued with a most terrible execution: Mesites and his son were both slain in their flight, with twenty thousand Turks, and of the Christians were lost about three thousand. All the prey was hereby recovered, the tents and baggage of the Turks taken: and the poor prisoners released, who falling down at Hunyadi feet, gave God thanks for their deliverance by him: and he with tears in his eyes courteously embraced them, rejoicing at the public good; himself giving most hearty thanks to God, and enjoining the like to be done in all the Churches of his Province: part of the spoils he gave to pious uses, the rest he divided amongst his soldiers, and sent the Turks ensigns, and the heads of the principal of them to King Uladislaus. Amurath was so enraged at this news, that he commanded a great Army to be raised against the next spring, which he committed to Abedin Bassa, commanding him to enter into Ualachia, and having laid it wast by fire and sword, to go thence into Moldovia, and having done the like there, to go into Transylvania &c. The Bassa according to his order marched into Ualachia with eighty thousand fighting men: Hunyadi willed the people to retire into the strong holds, till he came to help them. The Bassa dividing his army into two parts, laid all wast before him, spared none that fell into his hands of any age, sex, or condition, but most of the people were in the fortresses, or mountains out of his reach: Having thus raged there, he marched into Transylvania, to have done the like in that place, but Hunyadi attended his coming with fifteen thousand brave men, which the Bassa hearing of by his scouts, presently encamped himself, as being somewhat afraid of Hunyadi: yet hearing that he had not a fourth part of his number, he advanced forwards towards him: The Armies being within half a mile one of the other, they made an Alt, resolving to use their best policy as well as valor: yet the next morning they drew forth both their Armies, warily ordering of them for the best advantage: Hunyadi sought by provident foresight, and policy to match the huge multitude of his enemies, which when he had done, calling his captains together, he with a cheerful countenance said unto them. Noah courage (companions, and fellows in Arms) could have induced me to encounter so great a multitude, did not necessity enforce, your approved valor persuade, and the assured hope I have in Christ Jesus above all things confirm me; Christ hath chosen us to fight this sacred battle, and with our right hands to revenge the dishonor of his holy name &c. And so with a most holy and Christian speech he inflamed their hearts with a resolution of adventuring their lives in so good a cause: the Bassa also in the best manner he could, encouraged his soldiers, telling them of their victories, their valor, their number, and the contemptible forces of the Christians: but above all things he willed them in the battle to seek out Hunyadi to kill him, and thereby they might secure the victory, and of him should receive honorable rewards: and so marching forward, the signal of Battle was on both sides given, and they encountered together with such fury and out cries, as never was anything more terrible: the Turkish horsemen being more, and more expert, forced the Christians to retire to their men at Arms, but they charging the Turks home, slew most of them: In the main battle of foot, was a most cruel fight between the Christians and Janizaries, and such a slaughter was made on both sides that the blood ran like rivers, and so the fight continued four hours: at which time the Bassa brought on his rearward, comanding them to compass the Christians, and slay their weary enemies, whereby they might obtain an easy victory; Hunyadi prepared for this storm, and encountered afresh with them: though the slaughter of the Turks was great, yet because of their number they felt it not, and so fought it out desperately, yet at last they began to faint, and by degrees to shrink back, whereby the Hungarians, cheered up with hope of victory, eagerly pressed on, til they put them to open flight: The Bassa seeing that all things were desperate, fled also with some of his Janizaries, but the Christians fiercely following, slew so many of them, that of that great Army not one half returned over Danubius: Hunyadi wonderfully enriched himself and his soldiers with the spoil of the Turks Campe: he took five thousand prisoners, and one hundred ensigns, besides their tents and rich pavilions: Then he caused general prayer and thanksgiving to God for three days in all the Churches of his provinces: and carried the ensigns and part of the spoil to King Vladislaus at Buda. Against the next spring Amurath raised a great Army to be revenged on the Christians; Vladislaus, by Hunyadi persuasion expecting no less, did the like, with which he marched towards Bulgary, and and coming near the Turks; Hunyadi with ten thousand choice horsemen in the dead of the night, went to fall upon the Turks in their Camp: and the moon shining at that time, he discerned them to be buried in sleep and security, and having viewed the fittest place to assault them in, with a most hideous outcry he entered their Camp, encouraging his men valiantly to assail their sleepy, naked, & fearful enemies: the Turks astonished with the noise, at first rather made a stir, then fought, but hearing that Hunyadi was there, as men dismayed with his name, they turned their backs, and fled. In that night by Hunyadi with ten-thousand men, there were thirty thousand of the Turks slain: all the spoil of a rich Camp taken, their ensigns and four thousand prisoners, and all with the loss of fivehundred men, and so he returned loaden with booty to the King, who received him with much joy, and honored him exceedingly: and then through all the Camp they joined in prayers, and thanksgivings unto God for so great a victory: After wards the Christians marching forward, took all such towns in Bulgary as stood in their way: but being come to the great mountain Hemus, through which they should pass into Thracia, the depth of winter was come upon them, the passages of the mountain were strongly shut up, and guarded with a great Army commanded by Carambey Bassa, and the Army began to suffer great extremity for want of provision, so that at length they were forced to march backwards: which Carambey hearing of, presuming of a glorious & easy victory (contrary to the special command of his master) pursued them with his Army: Uladislaus was gone before, and Hunyadi was with the rearward a days journey behind. When news was brought of the approach of the Turks, his soldiers much rejoiced at it, as deeming it much more honor to die in fight, then to starve with hunger and cold: Eight times did Hunyadi encounter with the Turkish Troops, and as often put them to flight: But when Carambey came on with his whole Army, Hunyadi was sorry that the King was so far before him; but making a virtue of necessity, he put his men in the best order that he could, and persuaded them not rashly, and furiously to run upon their enemies, as men prodigal of their lives, but to keep their ranks, and to fight like valiant men, intending to carry away the victory, or to leave unto their enemies a bloody remembrance thereof: Immediately the battle began, and the Armies met together with great fury, many were slain on both sides: Hunyadi his horsemen fought so, as if they fought for nothing but an honorable death. The Turks stood to it a long time, but finding that they fought against desperate men, at last they began to give ground: but Carambey coming on with fresh supplies, restored the battle almost before quite lost: Hunyadi seeing the fainting of the Turks, cried out Victory, Victory, encouraging his men as fighting under the protection of the Almighty: Carambey performed all the offices of a prudent commander, and valiant soldier, so that he stayed the battle for a while, but at last seeing the case desperate, he fled amongst the rest, and his horse falling into a bog, he was taken by a private soldier: Hunyadi seeing so brave a man in the hands of a common soldier, asked him if he would sell his prisoner: and he asking ten Ducats for him, Hunyadi presently gave him four hundred Ducats: the Despot of Servia coming afterwards into Hunyadi tent, asked him how he would ransom his prisoner, who answered that he valewed him at forty thousand Ducats, which the Despot gave him. O the mutability of all worldly things! Carambey allied to the great Turk, and immediately before so great a commander, was now twice in one day prized, and valewed by his enemies. Shortly after Hunyadi consulting with Uladislaus after so great a victory, attempted the opening of the streites, but finding the difficulties, and dangers great, the winter cold, and raging, and the wants in the Army daily increasing, they resolved to return the same way they came: which the Turks beholding from the mountains, and having fresh supplies come to them, they followed them at the heels, and often skirmished with them, but at last the King came to Belgrade, where he was joyfully entertained by his subjects; and after some few days stay there, he went to Buda, and in the Cathedral Church returned humble, and hearty thanks for his good success, hanging up in the same Church many of the enemies ensigns in remembrance of so notable a victory.

Amurath being at this time engaged in his Wars against Skanderbeg, by the persuasion of his Bassa's, sent Ambassadors to Uladislaus, who concluded an honorable peace with him for ten years, and the same was confirmed by the solemn oath of both parties: But many great Kings and Princes were much discontented at it, and endeavored to persuade the young King to break it: and the King calling a Council of all the Nobility of Hungary to consult about that business, Julian the Popes Legat, made a large speech against the peace; & having at last prevailed with the K. he absolved him from his Oath given to the great Turk. Amurath ignorant of these proceedings, according to his agreement withdrew his Garrisons out of Servia restoring it to the Despot, together with his two blind sons, and set at liberty a great number of captive Christians, faithfully performing whatsoever he had promised upon his Religion.

But Uladislaus in the mean time prepared his Forces, sent to Skanderbeg to come, and to join his strength with his (though God prevented it, as is mentioned in the life of Skanderbeg) and being daily pricked forward by the earnest solicitations of the Popes Legat, having assembled a great Army of brave Soldiers, Hungarians and Polonians, he marched into Bulgary, came to Nicopolis the chief City thereof, where he burnt the Suburbs, and refreshed his Army three or four days, and then marched towards Thracia, taking in many Towns and Forts by the way. Amurath awakened with the noise hereof, raised a great Army of an hundred thousand men, and so marched with them towards Varna, where the Christian Army lay. Hunyadi, the Christians General, hearing of the approach of so numerous an Enemy, with great prudence and policy disposed of his Forces, guarding one side with a Fen or Marish, and the other side with his Carriages. The Turks approaching, began to skirmish with the Christians, which was maintained with great courage till the ground was covered with the blood of the slain. At length the battle being joined, the victory began to incline to the Christians; Hunyadi with his Horse having valiantly put to flight both the wings of the Turkish Army, making great slaughter wheresoever he came.

Amurath seeing the great slaughter of his men, and all brought into extreme danger, plucked the Writing out of his bosom, wherein the late League was comprised, and holding it up in his hand, with his eyes cast up to heaven, he said, Behold thou crucified Christ, this is the League that thy Christians in thy Name made with me; which they have without any cause violated. Now if thou be a God, as they say thou art, and as we dream, revenge the wrong now done unto thy Name, and me, and show thy power upon thy perjured people, who by their deeds deny thee their God. Immediatly after the Janizaries, which were the greatest strength of the Turks, began a most cruel fight against the Christians; yet where the King and Hunyadi fought, the Turks shrunk back: but they prevailed on the other side of the Army, which Hunyadi (having a vigilant eye to every place) perceiving, presently rode thither, and with his presence restored the battle before almost lost: in the mean time the young King, with greater courage then care of himself, brake into the battle of the Ianizaries, where a French Knight of the Roades, wounded Amurath with a pike, and had certainly slain him with his sword, had he not speedily been rescued by his guard: Vladislaus having performed all the parts of a valiant soldier, had first his horse slain under him, and then oppressed with multitude, was himself slain: whose head Amurath caused to be held up upon a launce, and proclamation to be made, that it was the head of the Christian King: which so discouraged the Christians that they betook themselves to flight, and Hunyadi seeing no hope to restore the battle, with some Ualachian horsemen, fled through the woods and got into Ualachia: where, by Dracula, the Prince of that country, he was taken prisoner: and thus as God punished good Jehoshaphat for joining with Ahab: so Hunyadi escaped narrowly with his life, and afterwards became a prisoner for joining with the perjured popish King. Of the Christian army scarce a third part escaped, yet was there a greater slaughter of the Turks, who hearing so much silence in the Christian Camp, feared some deceit, staid two days before they durst adventure to take the spoil. Amurath was very melancholy after the victory, having lost thirty thousand men, whereupon he said, that he wished not at so great a price to gain many victories. This bloody battle was fought at Uarna Nov. 10 Anno Christi 1444. Hunyadi being released out of prison, the Hungarians called a general assembly of the states, where they chose Ladislaus, the son of Albertus Arch Duke of Austria, for their King: but he being a child of five years old, they unanimously chose Hunyadi Regent, during the Kings minority, as of all others the most fit for so great and heavy a charge: In which office he spent four years in peace, deciding civil controversies, composing quarrels amongst the Nobility: equally administering Justice to all men: ending controversies, and that without any suspicion of corruption, using therein such expedition, and never wearied patience, in hearing every man's cause, that sitting, walking, standing, riding, he dispatched many great and weighty matters, always showing himself affable, and courteous as well to the poorer sort, as to others of greater calling that had any suits unto him, so that no man was to his friends more friendly, and to his enemies more terrible: In times of peace he was always provident for war, heaping up great treasures without which the war could not be maintained, and in all things so carrying himself, that he was of his subjects both beloved and feared. Ladislaus the young King of Hungary lived as yet at Vienna, about whom was Ulricus Earl of Silicia a very potent man, who much envied, and maligned Hunyadi, and prevailed with the King to send for him in a friendly manner to Vienna, and then to make him away privily: But it pleased God that Hunyadi came to the knowledge of this wicked conspiracy, and thereupon returned answer to the King: that he was ready to serve his Majesty within Hungary in all his affairs, But that it was neither best for the King, nor safest for himself to go out of that Kingdom: the wicked Earl being thus disappointed of his hopes, went to the borders of Hungary with diverse other in his train, intending either cunningly to apprehend, and carry away Hunyadi unto Vienna, or else to dispatch him upon the place: But Hunyadi, though he proffered in the open field to commune with him, yet by no means would he be got into the town: whereby the treacherous Earls expectation was disappointed. Afterwards another train was laid for him, that under pretence of the Kings safe conduct, he should meet the King in the broad fields of Vienna: Hunyadi though he suspected deceit, yet came to the place, but when he neither met there the King: nor had the Earl any safe conduct for him, he told the Earl that it was now in his power to slay him, who thus sought his blood, but for reverence to the King he would spare him, and so let him go.

In the mean while he was advertized by his Spies, that Amurath was raising great Forces against him; and therefore he, desiring nothing more than to be revenged for their great losses at Varna, accompanied with the greatest part of the Nobility of Hungary, and with the Vayvod of Valachia, he set forward against the Turk, with two and twenty thousand choice Soldiers; and going into Servia, he sent to the Despot, desiring him to join his forces with them: But the false Despot did not only refuse it, but gave intelligence to Amurath of their number, and every days march: and withal advised him to let them come so far into his Country, that he might get behind them with his Army, and so stop their return. Which advice the Turk followed, and so both the Armies came into a great plain in Bulgary: Hunyadi daily expecting the coming of Skanderbeg with his Forces, declined the fight, though Amurath daily provoked him: but he still standing upon his guard, Amurath endeavored to cut him off from water, and forage: so that Hunyadi was at last forced to fight, and therefore commanded his Soldiers to prepare themselves: and the more to encourage them, he made an excellent and most Christian speech to them, desiring them not to be discouraged for the remembrance of the loss of the battle at Varna, for therein God had justly revenged the Christians breach of faith, and all the authors of that perfidious dealing, were justly cut off: Whereas (said he) we against our wills drawn into that woeful war, through the mercy of God yet live, preserved for the defense of the Christian Common-wealth: Hitherto we have rather fought by the power of God then of Man, and in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior have easily overthrown these wicked Infidels. We have fought under the leading and Conduct of the Highest, whose help we have always felt at hand, and therefore we need not fear their great multitude, &c. Neither did Amurath neglect to order his battle, and encourage his men, whose Army filled all the plain from one side to another, to the great astonishment of the Christians. About nine a Clock the signal of battle being given, the fierce and courageous Soldiers began to skirmish; but afterwards they fought Foot to Foot, and Hand to Hand for three hours; at which time the Christians put the right wing of the Turks to the worst, and also in the left wing they did the like with great slaughter of the Turks. Amurath presently sent in strong supplies, whereupon the Christians light Horsemen, wearied before, retired to their men at Arms, who serring together, easily repulsed the Turks, and made a great slaughter of them.

Hunyadi in the mean time with his Artillery from the Hill, did the Turks great harm; which Amurath perceiving, drew up his men close under the Hill, whereby that was prevented: Hunyadi encouraged his men, sometimes with cheerful speech, sometimes with his own most valiant hand: to the weary he sent relief, the fearful he animated, those that were flying he staid, and where the enemies came fastest on, there was he present himself to meet them, performing all the offices of a good General, and worthy soldier, whereby the battle grew so fierce and terrible, that every place was soiled with the blood of the slain: but the Turks came on so fast with fresh suppiles, that one battalion of the Christians was oft times enforced to weary four or five of the Turks before they could be relieved. The cruel fight maintained all the day, was by the coming of the night ended, both Armies retiring to their trenches, and with little rest was that night spent: It was scarce fair day, when both the Armies orderly ranged, began the battle again: but the Christians had almost spent their strength the day before, whereas there were forty thousand Turks that had not fought at all: yet Hunyadi wonderfully encouraged his men by many arguments beseeching them for the love of God and man, with their wonted valor that day forever to set at liberty themselves, their country, their wives, and children, and whatsoever else they held dear unto them.

So that both the Armies being fully joined, the battle was fought with no less force and fury then the day before: yea many of the wounded Christians came again into the battle, there either by speedy death, or speedy victory, to cure their wounds, and did excellent service. Thus the battle continued all day long, yet the Turks had the better, and so both Armies, thoroughly wearied, returned to their tents: The next morning by the dawning of the day, the battle was again begun, where for certain hours, it was fought with like hope on both sides, and a great slaughter made: many of the Hungarian nobility there lost their lives, valiantly fighting against their enemies, whereupon Amurath commanded forth all his reserves at once with their number to overwhelm the wearied Christians, which accordingly succeeded, for the Christians weak and wounded, were hereby wholly overthrown, which Hunyadi seeing, saved himself by flight, the like did many of the Christians, whom the Turks eagerly pursued till they might stop them; then the Turks Army compassing in the Hungarian Camp to rifle it, were by the wounded soldiers, wagoners and other drudges of the Army, kept out so long as they had any shot left, who at length were all slain, yet not altogether unrevenged. In this battle the Turks lost four and thirty thousand men for eight-thousand of the Christians. Hunyadi all alone by uncouth ways travelled three days and nights without meat, or drink, and the fourth day tired his horse, and cast him off: and afterwards being himself on foot disarmed, he fell into the hands of two notable thieves, who despoiled him of his apparel, but falling at strife in parting the prey, he took occasion to lay hand on one of their swords, with which he slew one of them, and put the other to flight, so travelling on almost spent with hunger and thirst, the next day he light upon a shephard, a sturdy knave, who hearing of the Hungarians overthrow, was roaming abroad in hope of prey: at his first sight of Hunyadi he stood at gaze, stricken with his majesty: Hunyadi also being so extreme weak desired not to have to do with him: at last the shepherd bluntly asked him of his fortune, and he for God's sake craved something to eat, the shepherd moved with the promise of reward, brought him to a poor coat hard by, and caused bread and water with a few onions to be set before him, who after wards at his banquets would pleasantly say, that he never in his life fared better, nor more daintily, then when he supped with this shepherd. Thus refreshed, he went to Synderovia, which the Despot having intelligence of, caused him to be apprehended and imprisoned, yet at last released him upon certain conditions: but shortly after the Despots country being invaded by the Turks, he sent to Hunyadi craving pardon for his offense, and humbly entreating aid of him, which Hunyadi readily granted, going himself with his forces, and joining with the despot, he marched speedily against the Turks, who spying Hunyadi Ensign in the Christians Army, as men wholly discouraged, betook themselves to speedy flight, after whom followed the Christians with most bloody execution, pursuing them all that day, and had not the night come on, few of them had escaped: the General and most of the Turks chief commanders were taken prisoners: then Hunyadi entered far into Bulgary, burnt the chief City, and having well revenged himself of the Turks, he returned with triumph to Buda: Amurath being dead, and Mahomet succeeding him, having taken the great City of Constantinople, his next design was against Belgrade, which stands upon the great river of Danubius, and was the key of Hungary, which being taken would let him into the heart of the country, and for that end, he raised an army of an hundred & fifty thousand of his best soldiers, and sent before him two hundred ships and gallies up the river, to prevent the victualling of the City by water, and presently after came himself with all his Army, and sat down before it, and with the fury of his Artillery overthrew a great part of the wall, which the defendants with great industry speedily repaired. Hunyadi also sent a fleet of ships, which encountering with the Turks fleet, took twenty sails of them, and so terrified the rest, that they were glad to run themselves a ground near to the Turks Camp: all which were presently set on fire that they should not come into the hands of the Christians: Hunyadi being thus master of the river, himself with five thousand valiant soldiers entered into the City: Mahomet resolved to gain the City, and having made a great breach, appointed the next day to give a general assault, but whilst he was preparing for it, Carazias Bassa his lieutenant General was slain with a great shot from the town, with which the proud. Tyrant was exceedingly troubled, yet went on with his purpose, and the Ianizaries his best soldiers, without any great resistance entered the breach, the like did others in many parts of the City, whereupon they reckoned that it was their own: but the valiant Hunyadi issuing out on every side with his most resolute soldiers, so oppressed the Turks, that few of them that were entered the City escaped, but either were slain or taken prisoners, and the rest with exceeding slaughter were beaten from the walls: Presently also in this confusion, Hunyadi sallied out of the town, set upon the Turks that guarded their great Ordnance, whom with great slaughter he drave from their charge, and enforced them to leave them to their enemies: Mahomet seeing this, courageously charged the Hungarians afresh to have recovered his Ordnance, but was so valiantly repulsed by Hunyadi, and beaten with murthering shot from the town, that he was glad when he was got into his trenches: Hunyadi also turned their own Ordnance against their Camp, with which he did them no small harm: and being strengthened with a new supply of Christians, he assailed the Turks trenches, at which the proud Tyrant never before so braved, issued out, valiantly encountering him, beat him back again to the great Ordnance, from whence he he was again by the Christians Beaten to his trenches; In these hot skirmishes the Captain of the Ianizaries, with many other valiant men, were slain, and Mahomet also himself was so sore wounded under the left pap, that he was carried into his pavilion for dead: but coming again to himself, considering that he had lost his whole fleet, his great Ordnance, and forty thousand of his best Officers, and soldiers, secretly in the night he arose with his Army, and in great silence shamefully departed, still looking behind when the Hungarians should have pursued him, which for want of horse they could not do.

Shortly after, this most valiant and renowned Captain Hunyadi, worthy of immortal praise, grew mortally sick of a wound received in those fights, who feeling himself in danger of death, desired to receive the Sacrament, and would in any case (sick as he was) be carried to the church to receive it, saying, It is not fit that the Lord should come to the house of his servant, but that the servant should rather go to the house of his Lord and master, and shortly after he resigned up his spirit to God, Anno Christi 1456.

He was much lamented, and honoruably buried at Alba Julia in Saint Stevens Church.

He was prudent of wit, discreet in counsel, expert and politick in war, prompt of hand, very circumspect and wary before he attempted anything, but very quick and expeditious when once resolved. He maintained war against two mighty and puissant Emperors of the Turks, Amurath and Mahomet the great: and through the Lord's might, he defended all Panonia against them, and was as a mighty wall, or bulwark to all Europe against the cruel Turks, the enemies of Christ and his Christians, and therefore he was called the thunderbolt and terror of the Turks: Neither was there ever any Christian King or Prince, that gat so many victories, and so profitable for Christendom, as he did.

[illustration]

SCANDERBEG

[portrait of Skanderbeg]

The life of George Castriot, alias Skanderbeg, King of Epirus, who died Anno Christi 1466.

JOhn, the Father of this George, was descended of an ancient Family, which had long reigned in Epirus, or Albania, a part of Macedonia; yet he surmounted his predecessors, in prudence, gravity, and magnanimity; in corporal beauty, and comeliness of person, and in many virtuous endowments: His Mother was Voisava, daughter of the King of the Tribullians, a woman for beauty, wisdom, and excellency of spirit, surpassing most of her sex. God blessed these persons with nine Children; four sons, and five daughters, whereof this George was the youngest, upon whose right arm, when he was born, appeared the form of a sword, as naturally imprinted, as if it had been engraven by the hands of a cunning Workman. About this time the Ottoman Empire had extended it self into Europe, and Amurath the great Turk having long afflicted Macedonia with a terrible and tedious war: John Castriot, amongst other Princes, was fain to sue to him for peace; which he obtained upon condition, that he should deliver to him all his sons in hostage: which though it was very grievous, yet necessity forced assent. Thus was George, with his other brethren, delivered to the great Turk; who faithfully promised well and honorably to entreat them: But this miscreant having them in his power, falsified his oath, and caused them to be circumcised; giving to George (in whom something more then ordinary appeared) at his circumcision, the name of Skanderbeg; i. e. Lord Alexander: He was about nine years old, and Amurath taking a liking to him, appointed him good Masters and Instructers, under whom he quickly learned the Turkish, Arabian, Greek, Italian, and Sclavonian Languages: And as his strength increased, he acquainted himself with all those virtuous exercises which might fit him for the war. And sometimes with his Sword, sometimes with his Bow, on Horse back and Foot, he gave forth incredible proofs of agility and readiness of body, and of a forward and courageous spirit: Hereupon the Sultan made him a Sanziak, and Colonel of five thousand Horse: His brethren also proving very good Soldiers, he employed them in several parts of his Empire Skanderbeg being eighteen years old, was sent by Amurath into Natolia; where, in his first enterprise, his virtue, and good success in war appeared, and he returned victorious. And afterwards he, with his Regiment, always made one in all enterprises; and the good success was, by the common consent of all the Soldiery, still cast upon him, without the mention of other Commanders. And new troubles arising in Asia; he, at those years, was chosen General of the whole Army: And hereby he did easily surmount the glory of his former acts, by the quick and speedy defeat of his Enemies. Amurath wondered not so much at his happy success, as at his wisdom and prudence. About this time came a Giant-like Scythian to the Court, demanding if there were any that durst encounter him in Arms and prove himself in fight against him. Amurath proclaimed and promised to the Conqueror a great reward, to encourage his men to undertake the combat. But when everyone abhorred the purchase of honor upon such desperate conditions (for they were to fight in their shirts in a narrow place with their swords only) Skanderbeg stepping to him, said, Either shalt thou not, O Scythian, bear away this prize, and glory, or else being made more glorious by my death, thou shalt be enriched with these spoils, and ornaments, &c. In the Duel, Skanderbeg slue the Scythian, without receiving the least wound from him; and presenting his head to Amurath, received the reward of his victory.

Afterwards two Persians of a fair and goodly stature came, and made the like challenge to fight on Horse back; and when all refused, he took up the Gantlet against them: and whereas (contrary to agreement) after his first course, they both assaulted him together; he so acquitted himself, that he slue them both, and presented their heads to Amurath; and both by the Emperor and his Bassa's, was admired and rewarded with great and bountiful presents. If at any time he was employed against the Christians, and he could not evade it without suspicion, he used to pray to God that it might be far from him, to purchase honor by shedding the blood of Christians: and therefore he ever sought as little as might be, to endammage them, and gave them opportunity to save themselves. Whatsoever money came to his hands, he distributed it bountifully amongst his Soldiers.

About this time died John Castriot in Epyre, which Amurath hearing of, seised upon his Kingdom, put Garrisons into all the Cities and strong Holds, and poisoned all the brethren of Skanderbeg, which was an extreme grief to him, yet durst he not discover the least signs of it, but carried himself, as if he had preferred Amurath before them all.

Yet the Tyrant grew jealous of him, and put him upon all desperate services, hoping that by his forwardness he would perish in some of them; yet knowing how much interest he had in the affections of the men of War, he carried fair weather towards him. But rather the admirable providence of God in preserving of him is to be taken notice of: for the Tyrant wanted not will, nor power, nor opportunities, nor provocations from his Court-Parasites to have taken away his life, but the Lord preserved him to be the delverer of his people, a bulwark to the Christians, and a scourge to that proud Ottoman Empire in her greatest height and glory.

Not long after, Amurath fell out with Uladislaus King of Hungary, for assisting the Despot of Misia, and thereupon raising an Army of eighty thousand men, he sent Canambey the Bassa of Romania with Skanderbeg, and twenty thousand men to invade the Hungarians, himself following with the body of his Army: Uladislaus, with great Hunyadi that famous Captain, prepared an Army of five and thirty thousand men to encounter him: the Bassa encamped by the river of Monavia, Hunyadi not enduring this bravado, with ten thousand men leaving the King in his Camp, passed the river to encounter with the barbarians, who contemning his small number, began the fight: Castriot (seeing an opportunity to accomplish what he had before determined) in the beginning of the battle, with his bands began to retreat, and afterwards fled, thereby striking a fear into the other Turks, who soon fled also: Skanderbeg having before imparted his purpose to his friends, especially to his nephew Amase, as they fled through a wood, he laid hands upon the Turks Secretary, and caused him with threatenings to write letters in the name of Amurath to the Governor of Croia (the regal City of Epirus) to deliver up his command into the hands of Skanderbeg, as deputed by him to have the command thereof, and then killing the Secretary, he posted by very long journeys into the upper Dibriae, where sending for some of the principal men of the town, he discovered himself and purposes to them, who unanimously assented to what he desired, presenting to him their estates & lives, for the settling of him in his Kingdom, and so taking good order for all his affairs, he hastened towards Croia, sending Amase before to carry news to the Governor, and to certify him that Skanderbeg with his train was not far behind: he took with him his friends, and a select number of Dibrians, and so entering into Croia, he delivered the packet, which being opened and read was easily believed, and the Governor prepared to depart: the night after his men at Arms, which he had left secretly near the town, were let in, with whom many of the Citizens joined, who setting first upon the watch, and then on the Garison, put most of them to the sword, and so having made himself master of Croia, he presently sent to Dibria to give his friends notice of his success, & to stir up that country, and their allies to lay hold upon the opportunity for the recovery of their liberty: he also gave notice to all the country about Croia, stirring them up to take arms to free themselves from the Turkish yoke, who readily and with much joy received him, and came so flocking in, that he quickly had a good troop of resolute and courageous soldiers, with whom he presently marched to Dibria, where Amase also had raised another company: Then he appointed two thousand men to guard the frontiers, and with the rest he went into base Dibria, where a noble and brave Captain [Moses Galome] came to him, that afterwards did him excellent service. In the mean while many of the Turks in those parts assembled together to fight with him, but were easily vanquished, and most of them put to the sword. Then Skanderbeg employing his Captains to raise all the forces they could; and many Noble men of his kindred, with their followers coming to him, he quickly had an Army of twelve thousand soldiers well appointed, with these he marched to Petrella a strong Garison of the Turks, scituate upon the top of a steep rocky mountain: and partly with fair words, partly with terrible threats, he so far wrought upon the Governor, that he surrendered the place to him, and with his garrison departed out of it: From thence having Garisoned the place, he marched (though in the frost and snow) to Petra▪alba, situated upon the top of a mountain also, as were all the Cities of Epirus, there the Governor was content upon the same terms to quitt the place; and from thence Skanderbeg went to Stellusa, to which he proffered the same terms as he gave to the other; the soldiers were willing to accept of them, but the Governor opposed, but at last they laid hold on him, and delivered him bound to Skanderbeg, and so departed: upon this news all the weaker Garrisons easily yielded to him: then he went to Sfetigrade, where he attempted to have entered by a treaty, but the Garison standing out stoutly against him, and the depth of winter being come, he left Moses with three thousand horse to block it up, and to have an eye to the frontiers, and so he retired to Croia, where he disbanded his Army, till there was further occasion. Then he betook himself to the service of God, and settling of his civil affairs; but presently came news from Moses, that many of the Turks were gathered together near unto him. Whereupon Skanderbeg taking his followers, and an hundred horse, went straight thither, which the Turks hearing of, presently scattered; Skanderbeg then took a thousand Horse, that were with Moses, and made an in-rode into Macedonia, spoiling all the Country, and returned loaden with the prey.

By this time Amurath heard of his escape, and of all that he had done in Epirus, which exceedingly grieved and vexed him: Whereupon, calling a Council, he made peace with the Hungarians, and bent all his thoughts against Skanderbeg. In the mean while Skanderbeg assembles a Parliament of all the Estates of Epirus at Lissa, where he was chosen General of their Forces. The Spring coming on, Skanderbeg levied his Forces, and took the Field with six thousand men, and so marched to Sfetigrade: but the Garrison continuing obstinate, he spoiled the Country, that they might have no provision; and then with his Army he marched into Mocrea, a pleasant and fruitful Country, which he quickly subdued, and added it unto his Dominions. This further incensing Amurath, he commanded a puissant Army to be levied, which Skanderbeg hearing of by his friends at Court, he strengthened himself by confederating with his neighbors: And in the mean time Sfetigrade was surrendered to Moses. Amurath having raised an army of forty thousand choice Horse, committed them to the leading of Hali-bassa, one of his most valiant & experienced Captains: with the report whereof, the common people of Epirus were extremely affrighted, betaking themselves to prayer for deliverance from so imminent a danger: many also flocked to Skanderbeg, to serve under him, out of whom he chose eight thousand Horse, and seven thousand foot, and dismissed the rest. With this Army, after prayers made to God, he went into the lower Dibria, where he heard daily of the approach of his Enemies: Hereupon he caused Gree Musach and Amase, with three thousand Horse, to lie in Ambuscado; which was no sooner done, but the Turks began to approach, pitching their Camp near to Skanderbeg, yet knew not that he was so nigh them. Skanderbeg having appointed good watch, bade the rest of his men to betake themselves to their rest. The Turks having discovered him, grew very insolent, and coming near the Christians Camp, began to revile them, and challenge them to the battle: Skanderbeg made his men to be quiet till the rising of the Moon, then he caused them to refresh themselves with food, and so some of them to issue forth to skirmish with the Turks, in the mean time he ordered his battle: Hali-Bassa, contemning the small number of his enemies, gave the first charge with a small Troop of Horse, who after they had charged, retired, hoping that the Christians with eager pursuit, would disorder their battle: But Skanderbeg finding their policy, kept his men in good order. So both Armies coming on, the Wings began the battle afresh; Skanderbeg bringing on the main battle in the face of the Bassa, valiantly charged him. No sooner were the battles thoroughly joined, but the Ambuscado brake out, and charged the Rearward of the Turks, making such a slaughter, that some of them began to fly. Thus was the Bassa's great Army distressed by a few. But he having placed his best Soldiers nearest to himself, with them renewed the fight, so that Skanderbeg's fortune was at a stand, till Uranacontes coming on with some fresh Troopes from the Rear, brake through the Bassa's Army, with incredible slaughter of them; so that the Turks seeing their fellows lying by heaps wallowing in their own blood, betook themselves to flight, whom the Christians fiercely pursuing, slue two and twenty thousand of them, took two thousand prisoners, and four and twenty Ensigns of the Turks: And so horsing all his Foot-soldiers with the horses of the slain Turks, he made a road into Macedonia, laying all waste before him, and returned with a rich booty, besides all the spoils gotten in the Turks Camp; and with it went back to Croia, where he was received with wonderful joy. Hali-Bassa, with the remainder of his men, returned to Adrianople, where he had much ado to make his peace with the Sultan, who was almost ready to make away himself for his great losses before in Hungary, and now in Epirus.

About this time the Popes Legat persuaded the King of Hungary to break his League lately made with Amurath, saying, That Faith was not to be kept with Infidels and Miscreants, and he absolved the King and his Nobles from their Oath to the great Turk: and thereupon great preparations were made, and a great Army raised, whereof Hunyadi was made the Lieutenant General. The King of Hungary also wrote to Skanderbeg, to come and join his Forces with them: which Skanderbeg, after a Council held with his Princes, assented unto, and raising a potent Army, and seeking to God by prayer, for a prosperous journey, he marched towards Hungary: But God intending to chastise the perjury of the Hungarians, and to preserve Skanderbeg from having any hand in so horrid a sin, stirred up the Despot of Misia (a very Atheist) to deny him passage through his Country: Whereupon Skanderbeg resolved to force it, though it was like to prove a difficult work; and indeed before he could do it, the Turks and Hungarians had fought a dreadful battle, wherein many were slain, and amongst others, Uladislaus with his perjured Nobles, and the Christian Army, was wholly overthrown. The news whereof coming to Skanderbeg, he was so grieved, and enraged also at the Despot, that he spoiled his Country with Fire and Sword, and so returned home again.

Amurath hearing of the spoil that Skanderbeg had made in Macedonia, resolved in the next place to take him to task; but first he sought to undermine him by treachery, and offers of peace and amity, writing to him for that purpose. But Skanderbeg being well acquainted with his wiles, wrote back to him, rejecting his proffered peace. Amurath was much incensed at this, and hearing that Skanderbeg had dismissed his Army, and kept the Field only with his Horse, who also ranged up and down carelessly after prey, he sent for Feresey Bassa, a Captain of a fierce and ready spirit, and loading him with promises, if he returned Victor, he gave him nine thousand Horse, all chosen and picked men, commanding him speedily and secretly to enter into Epirus, before the enemy were aware: who accordingly proceeded, and promised to himself victory before he came thither. But all this was not concealed from Skanderbeg, who suddenly went and seized on a narrow valley called Mocrea, which the Turks of necessity must pass through; where, hiding his men in Woods and Rocks, till the Turks were entangled on all sides, they then violently brake out upon them, killing and slaying of them at their pleasure. The Turks made stout resistance; but their Horses in that place rather hindered then holp them, so that the greatest number of them were slain, and the rest throwing away their Arms, upon their knees craved mercy, and had it, and so were made prisoners.

Feresey almost in the beginning of the fight, seeing his men enclosed and slaughtered, and not knowing his enemies number, turned back with those troops that were about him, and so escaped, yet was pursued by the Christians, and lost many in his flight. Amurath, when he heard of it, was marvelously troubled and perplexed, bending all his thoughts against Skanderbeg: and therefore presently sent Mustapha, a Politick and hardy Captain, with a new supply of six thousand soldiers to take Feresey's charge commanding him in no case to enter far into Epirus, but to burn and spoil the frontiers of it: who accordingly coming into the Valley of Mocrea, pitched his Camp upon the side of an hill, placed his scouts upon the tops of the mountains, kept four thousand horse with himself in his Camp, and sent nine thousand abroad to spoil the country: Skanderbeg drawing near to the valley with four thousand horse, and one thousand foot, was informed of all these passages, and seeing that Policy was not to be used against so wary an enemy, he resolved to assault him suddenly in his trenches, before his dispersed Troops could retire to him: and so entering the valley, he was presently discovered, and warning given to Mustapha, who endeavored to call back his men, and some that were near, hasted to him: Skanderbeg's soldiers followed them at the heels, and assaulted them in their trenches, beat them from them, and fell pell mell upon them, filling all their Camp with fear, and slaughter: Mustapha seeing that all was like to be lost, escaped at the port which was furthest from the enemy, some of his men also following of him: five thousand Turks were slain, three hundred taken, and Skanderbeg lost but twenty horsemen, and fifty footmen.

Mustapha afterwards obtained another great Army of Amurath, with which he went against Scanderberg, who lying at the siege of Dayna against the Uenetians, had present information sent him from his garrisons upon the frontiers of Epirus, whom he commanded by a speedy messenger in no wise to encounter with the enemy, but to keep themselves in their strong holds till his coming, and so leaving Amase to continue the siege, he took five hundred horse, and a thousand five hundred footmen, with which he hasted to the relief of his garrisons: Mustapha had sought by all means to draw forth Skanderbeg's men out of their holds, but seeing that they would not stir, he began to burn and spoil all the country, till hearing of Skanderbeg's approach, he called all his Army together and encamped within two miles of him: Skanderbeg drawing some forces out of his garrison, had in all four thousand horse, & two thousand foot, with which having strengthened his trenches, he left three hundred for the guard of them, and issuing forth with the rest, he placed them in order of Battle. Mustapha did the like; but before the battle began, there came from the Turks a man at Arms in rich and gallant furniture, challenging any one of the Christians to fight hand to hand with him: Paul Manessi thereupon stepped to Skanderbeg, desiring leave that he might accept the challenge, and chastise the proud Turk, which Skanderbeg assenting to, and praying for his success, he presently mounted on horsback, rode forth to the Turk, bidding him to prepare himself to the battle: both Generalls agreed upon the Laws for the combat, and so the champions taking their course, ran each at other with their spears, and Menassi ran the Turk through the head, and so slew him, and then alighting, he stroke off his head, took his Armor, and returned to the Camp loaden with his spoils. Skanderbeg's men were much encouraged with this good Omen, and the Turks as much affrighted, whereupon Skanderbeg presently marched forward against them, and charged the Turks with such fury, that they presently began to retire: Mustapha seeing that, put spurs to his horse, resolving to win the field or die; most of his chief captains did the like, which a little renewed the battle; but presently Mustapha and twelve of his chief men were taken prisoners, the rest slain and scattered: there were killed of the Turks ten thousand men, and fifteen ensigns taken: the Christians lost but three hundred; they found a rich prey in the Turks Camp: yet did Skanderbeg make an inroad into Macedonia, spoiled and took a great booty, then left two thousand horse, and one thousand foot for the guard of his frontiers, and so returned to the siege of Dayna.

Shortly after the Venetians made peace with Skanderbeg: and Amurath sent him rich presents, with five and twenty thousand Duckats to redeem his Captains, whom Skanderbeg had used honourably, and sent them away with a safe convoy, the money he divided amongst his soldiers: and then he made another inroad into Macedonia, and dividing his Army into three parts, he laid all wast, and brought away a rich prey, that he might leave nothing for the relief of his enemies, when they returned again: Amurath was so incensed herewith, that he resolved to send no more of his Captains, but to go in his own person with such an host, that should fill every corner of Epirus, and make an easy conquest of it: Skanderbeg either having intelligence, or suspecting the worst, when he heard of such great preparations, advertised his Christian neighbors to stand upon their guard, and mustered up all his men, took up all the provisions through Epirus, where with he stored his Garrisons, and thrust most of the common people with their provisions, into his strong holds, leaving nothing to relieve his enemies.

Then bending his chiefest care for his Regal City of Croia, he placed in it a Garrison of one thousand three hundred old Soldiers, sent away all the Citizens that could not bear Arms, into the Venetian Territories, who after earnest prayers and supplications made unto God, departed with heavy hearts. Out of all his Bands he chose ten thousand expert Soldiers for a Field-army: he made Uranocontes, a famous Captain, Governor of Croia; and so with his Army he marched into Dibria: and by the way he met with Moses, who had taken the like care for Sfetigrade as he had done for Croia. But Skanderbeg fearing that that City would be first assaulted, went thither, made a speech to the Soldiers and Citizens, exhorting them to be valiant and faithful, &c.

In the mean time Amurath had assembled his Army, consisting of an hundred and fifty thousand well furnished with all things needful, with which he set forward towards Epirus, sending forty thousand Horse before, to begin the siege before Sfetigrade. The news whereof coming to Skanderbeg, he marched thitherward also with four thousand Horse, and one thousand foot: And having from the mountains viewed the encamping of the enemy, the night following, with much secrecy, he brought his men in the coverts of the Woods and Valleys near unto them: The next morning he sent out Moses and thirty others well mounted, driving some horses laden 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 with Corn before them; which the Turks espying, they sent out the like number to surprise them. But Moses and his men set upon them, seeing no more, and slue five of them, and chased the rest to the Camp. Hereupon the Turks General sent out four thousand horse after them: these Moses drew along til they were within the compass of Skanderbeg's ambush, who presently rising out of the coverts, set upon them, slue two thousand of them, took a thousand horse: and of the Christians were lost but two and twenty men. Eight days after came Amurath with all his Army in the beginning of May, Anno Christi 1449. and encamped before the City. His first work was to summon the City, and to seek to corrupt the Governor; but that not prevailing, he planted his Ordnance, and having made a breach in the Walls, gave a terrible assault to it: but the Garrison gave them as valiant a repulse. And though the assault was renewed again and again, yet still they were repulsed; so that Amurath at last caused the retreat to be sounded. There were many other assaults given, during which time Skanderbeg was still in action, setting upon the Turks Camp, sometimes in one Quarter, sometimes in another; and then presently departed, so that Amurath wondered what was become of him.

The siege continuing to the end of June, Skanderbeg brought all his Army towards the Turks Camp, and understanding by his Espials, that they lay in great security there, the night following he set upon one of their Quarters, and slue two thousand of them, and so retired, having taken two hundred and thirty horse, and seven of their Ensigns, with the loss of two and forty men.

Amurath resolving to show his wrath upon the City by a general assault, appointed twelve thousand horse, and six thousand foot under Feri Bassa, to attend Skanderbeg: In the mean time promising great rewards to those that should first ascend the Walls, and enter the City. There was also a great Tower of wood made equal with the walls of the City, so that they fought as upon even ground; and the Turks pressing hard upon the Christians, advanced their Ensigns upon the walls: But Perlat the Governor coming with a Company of fresh Soldiers, beat them back, took their Ensigns, fired their Tower of wood, and so delivered the City.

Skanderbeg in the mean time came with nine thousand Soldiers to assault their Camp: But Feri Bassa contemning his small number, encountered with him, and withal sent four thousand Horse to compass him in behind. But this Master of his Art having Moses in the Front, took two thousand Horse to meet them, and so fought with them, that they had no great cause to boast of their coming. He slue also Feri Bassa, fighting with him hand to hand, and drove the rest back to the Camp, making a great slaughter of them; yet Amurath continued his assault against the City till night came on, in which he lost seven thousand men, besides the wounded: Of the Garrison were slain only seventy, and ninety more hurt.

Amurath not prevailing by force, sought by large promises to corrupt the Garison, and at last so far prevailed with one base minded traitor, that for a great sum of money he concluded to betray the City, and for that end he cast a great dead Dog into the only well which served the whole City, which being in the morning found by the soldiers, they upon a superstitious conceit refused to drink anymore of the water, notwithstanding all the persuasions and arguments that the Governor could use, insomuch as he was forced to make a composition with Amurath, and then delivered up the City to him, and so marched away through the Turks Camp in safety, only Mahomet a Prince of a fierce disposition, would have persuaded his father Amurath to have put them all to the sword, which yet he refused. The traitor remaining in the City was richly rewarded by Amurath according to his promise, but within a few days, was secretly, at his command, made away, as a just recompense for his traiterous wickedness: Amurath placed in Sfetigrade a thousand two hundred Ianizaries in garrison, and so raising his Camp in the beginning of September returned home, having lost thirty thousand of his soldiers in that expedition: Skanderbeg followed him at the heels, and in many streites & passes assaulted him whereby he slue many more of his men, and then he besieged Sfetigrade, and gave two great assaults to it, but hearing that Amurath was reassembling his Army, and winter growing on, he left it, spending the winter in setting all things in order, and preparing for the next summers war, having intelligence that Amurath made extraordinary preparations against the next Spring: which being come, he had gotten together an Army of an hundred and sixty thousand men strong: and so dispatching away forty thousand horsemen under the conduct of Sebalias, a politick Captain, to encamp before Groia, and not to venture anything against Skanderbeg, himself followed with the rest of his great Army: & when he was come, he sent to summon the City, and made mighty proffers to Uranocontes, the governor of it, if he would surrender it to him: but the messenger was sent back with scorn and contempt, whereupon Amurath ordered ten great battering pieces to be cast, and with them battered the City for four days space in two places without intermission, so that he beat down much of the wall, which exceedingly encouraged the Turks to make an assault: and Mahomet, besides the large proffers made by his father, promised ten thousand Aspers to him that should first advance his ensign upon the wall: the Christians within were nothing discouraged, but, trusting in God, resolved to defend it to the utmost. Just as the Turks began the assault, Skanderbeg with five thousand men brake into one of their quarters, and at the first encounter slue six hundred of them, and was spoiling their tents: but Mahomet with his guard, and four thousand more sent by Amurath, hastening thither, Moses also (having done them much harm) retreated with his men to the mountains, whilst Skanderbeg in the heat of the fight, had so far engaged himself amongst the Turks, that he was in much danger to be slain, or taken prisoner, but at length resolutely breaking through them, he escaped, and came to his Campe to their great joy and comfort: then Amurath caused the assault to be renewed with more fury, and continued it till almost night, in which he lost eight thousand men, without any considerable damage to the garrison, Mahomet, hearing where Skanderbeg was encamped, took all the best soldiers in the Camp, and lodged in that quarter which was next him, hoping at his next assault thereby to entrap him: which Skanderbeg being by fugitiues informed of, appointed Moses the night following with five hundred horse to alarm that quarter, and then to retire to his campe, whilst himself with the rest of his men, going through by-ways, brake in on the other side of the Turks Army, where he made such havoc amongst them, that their loss in the storm was forgotten in comparison of this: and then fearing to be oppressed with multitude, he retired to his Camp. The next morning Amurath encouraged his men again to make a new assault, which they did perform with much fury, and continued it long by fresh supplies, but they were so bravely repulsed by the Christians, that at last he sounded the retreat, grieving much to see so many of his men slain: His next design was to undermine the City, and as he was doing of it, a great convoy of victuals coming towards his Camp, Skanderbeg, having intelligence of it, met the convoy, slew them, and divided the provision amongst his own soldiers; And having increased his Army with two thousand recruits, he divided it into three parts, giving one to Moses, another to Tanusie, and took the third himself, appointing in the dead of the night to assault the Turks Camp in three parts; but himself being discovered by the Scouts, whilst all men ran to that side, Moses and Tanusie brake into two other parts, where they slue a number of the Turks, and made great spoil. In the mean time Skanderbeg retreated, and sat down on the side of a Hill, in the sight of the Turks Army; which they taking as a bravado, requested leave of Amurath to go against him, and accordingly they issued out seven thousand Horse, and five thousand foot of their best Soldiers.

Skanderbeg seeing their approach, retreated softly, waiting for Moses and Tanusi's coming to him: The Turks followed with much difficulty, till perceiving the other Forces coming, they began to retreat; whereupon Skanderbeg charged them with much fury, and slue many of them. Moses also came upon them, killing some, and taking many prisoners in sight of the Turks Camp, and so retreated again into the mountains. All Amuraths hopes failing, he sent a Bassa to the Governor of Croia, to try, if by large and glorious promises he could win him to surrender the City. But Uranocontes scorning the presents which he brought, and the promises that he made, charged him, that neither he nor any other should presume to come to him anymore; but if they did, he would cut off their hands, noses, and ears, and so return them to their master.

Hereupon Amurath, in a great rage, commanded all things to be prepared for a new storm, which the next day he put in execution, but to his own great loss, the Christians valiantly defending themselves against the Turks fury: This put him almost out of his wits, that he pulled off his hair; and though his Bassa's endeavored to comfort him, yet he became sick of grief, that a small town should eclypse all his former glory; and finding that his end approached, he called his Son, and great Captains, charging them not to leave his death unrevenged: and so shortly after he gave up the ghost.

After whose death Mahomet presently raised the siege, and returned to Hadrianople; yet shortly after sent Ambassadors to Skanderbeg, proffering peace, if he would pay him a certain tribute: Which motion Skanderbeg scornfuly rejected, and so dismissed the Ambassadors, and presently after he made an inroad into the Turkish Dominions, which he grievously wasted, and returned home loaden with spoil. But Mahomet to requite him, sent Amesa, one of his best Captains, with twelve thousand Horsemen, to do the like in Epirus: which Skanderbeg understanding by his Espials, he lay close in ambush with six thousand Soldiers upon the great mountain Modrissa, over which the Turks were to pass; who, with much difficulty, having almost got to the top thereof in the night, were suddenly charged by Skanderbeg's Footmen, who made a great slaughter of them, their Horses being rather an hindrance than an help to them, so that they were driven down the mountain amain; & when they came to the foot of it, they were again charged by Skanderbeg, and Amesa, who with their Horsemen were set in places of advantage: hereby they were totally routed, seven thousand slain, and Amesa, with most of the best Captains, taken prisoners, with whom he returned with great joy to Croia, using his prisoners very courteously. Amesa desired of him, that he might send to Mahomet, to inform him of their state, which he assented unto, and set their ransom at thirteen thousand Ducats. Mahomet stormed extremely at this disaster, and refused to ransom the prisoners; yet afterwards, by the persuasion of his Bassa's, he sent it, with other rich presents, to Skanderbeg. Whereupon he sent them back with a safe Convoy, and divided the money amongst his Soldiers.

The proud Tyrant resolved revenge, and therefore sent Debreas, one of his best Captains, loaden with promises of great preferment, if he prevailed against Skanderbeg, and under him fourteen thousand choice Horsemen, which were as many as Debreas desired, and with which he promised to chastise Skanderbeg. Skanderbeg having intelligence hereof, resolved not to stay his coming into Epirus, but to meet him by the way: And so taking six thousand horsemen, he went into the enemies country, and came by night into a great plain, where the Turks lay, hoping not to have been discovered; but the Moon shining bright, the Scouts had discovered him, and gave the Alarm to their Camp, and Debreas mindful of his promise to his Lord, sent out some Troops to skirmish with him, whiles he set the rest of his Army in order: Skanderbeg sent out some to encounter them; and ere long both Armies charged each other with much resolution: And Debreas did so encourage his men, and fought so valiantly, that Skanderbeg's Fortune seemed to be at a stand▪ Thus both sides did their uttermost to conquer, one while one party prevailing, and then the other, till at last Skanderbeg encountered hand to hand with Debreas, and slew him, with whose fall the whole Army was discouraged and fled, whom the Christians eagerly pursuing, slue more in the chase then in the battle; for of the Turks were slain four thousand one hundred and twenty; but of the Christians very few. Skanderbeg returned thanks to God for that great and doubtful victory, dividing the spoil and prisoners amongst his Soldiers, and so returned with great joy to Croia.

At the report of this defeat Mahomet grew very melancholy; whereupon his great Bassa's offered to spend their lives in that service: But the crafty Tyrant intended to go another way to work, viz. to corrupt some of Skanderbeg's chief Commanders, which would easiliest turn to his ruin. And amongst others singling out Moses Galome, which was counted the best Captain next to Skanderbeg himself, he found means secretly to send to him, proffering him store of gold, and promising golden Mountains, honors about himself, yea the Kingdom of Epirus, if he desired it. Moses was at last prevailed with, yet presently left not Epirus, but persuaded Skanderbeg to besiege Belgrade in the confines of Epirus, which was held by the Turks, giving him hopes of an easy conquest. Skanderbeg deceived by him, made all things ready for the siege, and sent to Alphonsus, King of Naples, his special friend, for some men that were versed in managing of Sieges; which he obtained from him, and so sat down before Belgrade, with an Army of fourteen thousand brave men, and in a short time so distressed the City, that the Turks desired truce for sixteen days, promising that if relief came not in that space, they would surrender the City to him. This Skanderbeg consented to, & so himself encamped on an high Hill with three thousand Horse, and one thousand Foot, and sent Musachius and Tanusius with the rest of his Army, into a great plain, where they might lie freelier in that hot season, and withal appointed five and twenty Scouts to keep continual watch towards the enemies Country.

Mahomet hearing of this siege, presently dispatched away Sebalias, a great Captain, with forty thousand horse to relieve Belgrade, promising him great rewards if he could bring him Skanderbeg alive, or dead. This Bassa by long journeies prevented the fame of his coming, and drawing near to Skanderbeg's Campe, he entrapped, or corrupted his scouts, so that they gave no warning of the Turks approach: yea he came so suddenly on that part of the army which lay in the plain, that they had not leisure to bridle their horses, or put on their armor: Musachius arming himself, endeavored to order his men, seeing equal danger in fight, and flight, and therefore resolved to sell his life as dear as he could, but seeing his men slain by heaps about him, he endeavored to have broken through, and escaped to the mountains to Skanderbeg, but being oppressed with multitude, he continued fighting to the astonishment of his enemies, till he and all about him were slain. Tanusius made diverse brave attempts to have rescued him, but finding it impossible, he exhorted his men to fly, yet most of them were slain by the Turks in their flight: Skanderbeg from the mountain saw this miserable slaughter of his men, and would with his handful of soldiers have gone down to their rescue, or died with them, but was withheld by his Captains, who told him, that he would thereby expose himself and them to certain destruction: Sebalias being in the pursuit of Tanusius and his party, with most of his Army, Skanderbeg came down suddenly upon the rest, and slew them in an instant, and then followed at the tail of the Turks, did them much mischief, till Sebalias gathering all his forces together, made head against him, yet Skanderbeg again charged them, and slew with his own hand two brave Champions which had before sworn to Mahomet, to kill him if they met with him. The fight continued till the night parted them, and then both Armies retreated, Sebalias to Belgradeward, and Skanderbeg towards Epirus, whither he marched the next day, leaving good guards upon all the straight passes, lest the Turks should break into Epirus: of Scandrebegs men were slain five thousand, but most of them the Italians that Alphonsus had sent him, and the Turks lost three thousand: Sebalias repaired the battered walls of Belgrade, reinforced the Garison, and then returned with great triumph to Constantinople: being the first Captain that ever gave a defeat to Skanderbeg: and he was received there with such applause, as if he had conquered a great Kingdom, every man talking of the praises of Sebalias: and no preferment was thought too great, or reward sufficient for him: The poor Christian captives taken by him, were some sold for slaves, others impailed alive upon sharp stakes, others hanged on iron hooks, and others cruelly tortured to death at the proud victors pleasure.

Moses hearing of this loss, thought it a fit time for him to revolt in, and so went to Constantinople, where, by Mahomet, he was joyfully received, and honorably entertained; Skanderbeg hearing of his revolt, was at first much astonished, but after a while he said no more, but that he wished that all treason was together with Moses gone out of Epirus: Moses much solicited Mahomet to continue his wars with Skanderbeg, promising to do great matters therein: yet the crafty Tyrant durst not at first trust him too far, till in time he had discovered that his affections were wholly alienated from Skanderbeg: then the spring following, he gave him fifteen thousand horse, which were as many as he desired, and furnished him with all other warlike provision, with which he marched into Dibria: Skanderbeg hearing of the coming of Moses, and what strength he had, stood not upon policy against him that had been privy to all his stratagems, but marched with true valor to encounter him: when the two battles were ready to join, a messenger came from the Turks, to see if any durst prove his valor against a Champion of the Turks hand to hand: the challenge was accepted, and the Turk appearing, Zechariah Groppa, having obtained leave of Skanderbeg, went out against him, and after a short parley, they ran with their lances each against other with such fury, that both horse and man were overturned: then nimbly recovering themselves, they drew their scimitars, and encountered each other with such sturdy strokes, that at last both their swords fell out of their hands, then grappling together, they wrestled so long till Groppa overthrew his adversary, and with his dagger thrust him into his throat, then taking a sword, he cut off his head, and returned loaden with his spoils to Skanderbeg, who most honnorably rewarded him; the Christians shouted for joy, and the Turks were as much discouraged: then came Moses with a loud voice challenging Skanderbeg. But when he saw him preparing to meet him, he went back with shame to his Army: Then the signal of battle being given, both Armies met, and fought furiously, and Moses with his choice men attended Skanderbeg hoping to have killed him, and a courageous Turk with his horsmans staff, bare him quite backward upon his horse, so that the Turks shouted for joy, hoping that he had been slain: but Skanderbeg chafed with such an unwonted disgrace, furiously assailed the Turk, and slew him: Moses did what was possible to encourage his men, but seeing at last he must yield or die, he fled through by-ways to him well known; eleven thousand of the Turks were slain, and not above one hundred of the Christians, and eighty wounded: Moses before admired, was now scorned by the Turks, and Mahomet would have put him to a cruel death, had not the Bassa's interceded for him: besides he was tormented in the conscience of his own guilt, and so at last resolved to escape, and cast himself upon the mercy of Skanderbeg, and accordingly taking his opportunity, he fled, and coming to Skanderbeg with his girdle about his neck, he fell at his feet, and craved pardon: Skanderbeg took him up, kissed him, restored his estate, honor and offices, forbidding any man to speak to his disgrace of what had formerly passed: this vexed Mahomet exceedingly, yet returning to his former artifices, he inveigled Amase with the promise of the Kingdom to revolt to him, who to give him the better assurance of his fidelity, carried his wife and children with him to Constantinople; there he was kindly entertained by Mahomet, and the Spring following he sent Isaac, the great Bassa of Constantinople with fifteen thousand into Epirus, and with him Amase with five thousand more, who was to be proclaimed King at their coming into Epirus, to draw the people to them: Skanderbeg hearing of it, sent for all his great Captains into Dibria, where the storm must first fall, and causing all the store, and cattle to be removed into strong holds, he left all naked. By this time Isaac was entered Epirus, and Skanderbeg with six thousand horse, seeming to be affrighted with the great Army of the Turks, fled towards Lyssa in the Uenetian territories, that thereby they might suspect no subtlety. Isaac glad hereof, sent out some Troops after him to mark which way he went, and so rested his Army after their long journey: the horsemen at their return certified him that Skanderbeg was fled out of Epirus, and not an enemy to be seen in all the country

Hereupon the Bassa created Amase in the name of Mahomet, King of Epirus, and so marched forward, yet commanding his men upon pain of death, not to break their Rankes: at last he came to the famous Pharsalian plains. In the mean time Skanderbeg in the night had sent some excellently well mounted, to the tops of the mountains, to give notice of the motions of the Army of the Turks, and with his own Army he conveyed himself secretly by night as near as he could unto them. The enemy finding some straggling Cattle in those plains, fell to seeking after booty, as men without fear; and at night encamped without any great watch, but only towards Lyssa, whither Skanderbeg went. The next morning the Bassa came to the same mountain, on the other side whereof Skanderbeg lay, and there encamped with half his Army, sending Amase with the other half to burn and spoil the country.

Skanderbeg, like a politick Captain, divided his Forces into three parts, one under Moses, another under Tanusius, the third he takes to himself, appointing everyone his part, and what he should do, and so marched to the top of the mountain, from whence he beheld how the Turks lay in the plains, especially they which were lately returned from spoiling the country with Amase, how their horses were unbridled, and unsadled, themselves some resting on the ground, others victualling of themselves, others at several kinds of sports, and many fast asleep on the grass. The like negligence was in the Bassa's Camp, all being without fear of Skanderbeg, of whom they had heard nothing for many days.

Skanderbeg delighted with this sight, placing more Drums and Trumpets in every part of his Army, then ordinary; himself, with some of his best Horsemen, descended from the Mountain to oppress the Turks Scouts, and slue them all but one, who escaped, and gave the Alarm to the Camp. The Turks could not believe that Skanderbeg was so nigh them on that side: but Skanderbeg following at his heels with his Horse, and his foot hasting after, began to break in upon them; and the other parts of his Army descending from the Mountain with such horrible shouts and noise of instruments of war, as if Heaven and Earth should presently go together; the Hills and Valleys with their hollow echo increasing the terror of the Alarm. Amase first made head, and encouraged the Turks; with whom Skanderbeg encountered, and whilst the Bassa was coming to his rescue, Moses on the one side, and Tanusius on the other, charged him so hotly, that he was glad to retire to his Trenches.

Amase still with great courage withstood his Uncle, and encouraged his Turks: yet Skanderbeg still prevailing on them, they at last turned their backs and fled: Skanderbeg's Horse pursuing the chase, slue very many, and took Amase prisoner. Moses also had dispersed the Bassa's Army, and pursued them till they were out of Epirus: many were slain, and many taken prisoners, and twenty of the Turks fairest Ensigns, of whom were slain about twenty thousand, & of the Christians about sixty. Skanderbeg possessed the rich pavilion of the Bassa; and his Captains had Tents with much rich furniture, never prepared for their use.

And so with his victorious Army he marched to Croia, all the country coming forth to meet him with acclamations of joy. Amase was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, and sent to Alphonsus, King of Naples, with part of the spoil, by him to be kept in durance.

Mahomet was much grieved for this loss, and angry with the Bassa; yet afterwards was pacified again. After which he concluded a peace with Skanderbeg for a year: and when that was expired, he sent an Army under Synan-beg of twenty thousand into Epirus, with which Skanderbeg forthwith encountered and overthrew, so that few escaped by flight.

Then Asam-beg with thirty thousand, whom Skanderbeg in plain battle vanquished at O • rida, and took Asam prisoner, and used him honourably, and afterwards dismissed him.

Jussum-beg came after with eighteen thousand, was set upon by Skanderbeg, had many slain, and himself hardly escaped by flight.

Then Carasa-beg, an old and expert Captain, desired Mahomet to let him try his fortune, who sent him with an Army of almost forty thousand. Skanderbeg more feared him then any of the former, and therefore raised more forces then ordinary: And to welcome him the better, he sent two thousand of his best Horsemen to lie in ambush in the enemies country, who set upon the Vauntguard of four thousand Turks, who expected no danger amongst their friends, and slue most of them. With which unfortunate beginning Carasa was so vexed, that had it not been for shame, he would have returned back again; yet coming into Epirus, whilst he was resolving what course to take, Skanderbeg suddenly assailed him before he could order his men. But at the same time there fell such a violent storm, that the Armies were sundered: The storm continued three days, yet Skanderbeg was always vexing the Turks on one side or other: Whereupon the old General returned back to Constantinople with the remainder of his Army, and was well derided by his Master for having promised so much, and performed so little.

Mahomet finding that he could not prevail by force, betook himself to craft, writing kind Letters to Skanderbeg, by his Ambassadors, concluded a peace with him, which was proclaimed with great joy, and faithfully kept for a season, whilst Mahomet made war with the Venetians; but there being provocations of both sides by the Borderers, Skanderbeg entered with an Army into Macedonia, made much spoil, and returned with a great Booty. Hereupon Mahomet sent Seremet Bassa with fourteen thousand Soldiers, to lie upon the confines of Epirus for a Guard, but to attempt nothing against it.

Skanderbeg having intelligence hereof, marched thither with twelve thousand, lying in ambush near the City where the Turks were; and in the morning he sent five hundred towards the Enemy, to draw him out, if they could, into the Field: But if he came forth, to retreat to the place where the Army lay, which fell out according to his desire; so that rising up, he assaulted the Turks on every side, slue ten thousand of them, and took twelve principal men prisoners, for whom he had forty thousand Duckats in ransom. Then Mahomet sent Balabanus with fifteen thousand horse, and three thousand foot to invade Epirus, who knowing that Skanderbeg lay not far from him with a small power, he intended in the night to set upon him at unawars, but Skanderbeg having intelligence by his scouts, set forward in good order to meet him. Balabanus perceiving that he was discovered, made an Alt: Skanderbeg when he drew nigh him, considering the ground where the enemy lay, encouraged his soldiers, which were but four thousand horse, and a thousand five hundred foot, charged them on their lives, that if the enemy in the fight retired, they should not pursue them beyond the streites of the hill, suspecting an Ambush behind it: and so retired a little, which Balabanus, seeing his small number, judged to be a flight, and therefore hastily marched after, till Skanderbeg watching his opportunity stayed, and set courageously upon them, yet the battle a great while stood doubtful, but such was the fury of Skanderbeg and his soldiers, that at last the Turks fled, and they pursued to the streits of the mountains, where Skanderbeg had commanded them to stay. But his best Captains in the heat of fight, forgetting his command, entered the streits, and were set upon by many that lay there in ambush, where fighting like Lions, at last they were oppressed with multitude, taken prisoners, and sent to Mahomet: they were Moses, Musachius, Perlot &c. The least of them able to have conducted a brave Army.

Skanderbeg presently sent to have ransomed, or exchanged them for others, but the Tyrant knowing that they were his best Captains, refused, and flayed them by degrees, so that they were fifteen days in dying. Epirus mourned for the great loss, but Skanderbeg resolving to revenge their blood, with fire and sword, entered into the Turks dominions, sparing nothing that he could burn or destroy: Mahomet sent Balabanus rich presents for his good service, commanding him to recruit his Army, and prosecute the wars, which he performed with all diligence, yet using policy, he corrupted Skanderbeg's scouts, and had like to have oppressed him ere he was aware; but Skanderbeg himself, who spent most of the night in careful watch, discerned the approach of the enemy by the noise of their horses, and so speedily ordering all things, encountered with them, and after a great fight put them to flight, slew most of them in pursuit, Balabanus with a small remnant hardly escaping. Yet Mahomet sent him again with 14000 horse, and and three thousand foot, knowing his deadly hatred to Skanderbeg, who first tried by subtlety to circumvent him, and when that prevailed not, he resolved by plain force to subdue him, and so marching forward, Skanderbeg met him with eight thousand horse and a thousand five hundred foot near to Sfetigrade.

The fight beginning (though the Turks were two to one) yet Skanderbeg's men fought like enraged Lions, without regard of danger: Skanderbeg carefully ordered all things, himself fighting at the head of his Army, performing all the parts of a worthy Chieftaine, and valiant soldier; but whilst he thus fought in the midst of his enemies, his horse was slain under him, and in the fall sorely bruised one of his arms: the Turks pressed on vehemently to have slain him; but God delivered him, his soldiers rescuing, and remounting of him; he forthwith encountering with one of the Turks great commanders, slew him hand to hand, which so terrified the Turks, that they, first retired, then fled, whom Skanderbeg pursued with such execution, that few returned home with Balabanus. Mahomet was extreme angry with him, but when his fury was over, Balabanus told him, that the way to conquer Skanderbeg, was to enter Epirus with two puissant Armies, to spoil the country, and enclose Skanderbeg betwixt them, and neither to fight, but when the other was near at hand, by which means he might certainly be destroyed: the Tyrant liked this advise so well, that he gave him commission to take what forces he would, and to choose his associate out of all his men of war &c. Balabanus chose out forty thousand good soldiers, and one Iacup, a valiant Captain, for his companion, whom he sent with sixteen thousand one way, and himself with twenty thousand horse and four thousand foot went another way: Skanderbeg, having secret intelligence of all these projects, gat in readiness eight thousand horse, and four thousand foot, choice soldiers, and sent out his Espialls: who hoping for great rewards, proved false traitors, and went to Balabanus, acquainting him with so much of Skanderbeg's designs as they knew: Skanderbeg marvelling that they returned not, went out himself with five more to see how the enemies lay: but he had like to have fallen into an ambush, had he not seasonably discovered it, and speedily retired, yet he lost four of his men: and so coming to his Army, he suddenly prepared to fight with Balabanus before the other Army came, and so presently marched into the valley where Balabanus lay: and divided his army into four parts, one under himself, the other three under three of his best Captains, and so advanced towards the Turks. But Balabanus waiting for the coming of his partner, would not stir out of his trenches: Skanderbeg's men derided and provoked them all they could, till the Turks, enraged with the affront, would have issued forth without the General, had he not led them. When therefore he saw no remedy, he advanced in good order, and Skanderbeg furiously assaulted him, so that there was a dangerous and doubtful battle, yet Skanderbeg and his men so pressed upon them on all sides, that at last they were broken in pieces, most of them slain, only Balabaenus with some few escaped: Skanderbeg had scarce divided the spoil, and breathed himself, when a post brought him news, that Iacup, was burning and destroying all in another part of his country: whereupon he presently marched thitherward, and his men went as to an assured victory: Iacup hearing of his coming, retired into a corner of the plain: Skanderbeg coming near him, rested one whole day, then brought forth some of his prisoners before the enemies campe, which before knew nothing of Balabanus his overthrow: yet Iacup ordered his Army, and fiercely charged Skanderbeg's men, where the fight lasted not long, but the Turks fled, and most of them were slain, In all there were slain in the two battles four and twenty thousand men, and six thousand taken prisoners: Iacup escaped with a few; after which Skanderbeg entered into the Turks territories, made havoc of all, and so returned with his victorious Army to Croia, where he dismissed them every man to his own home. Then Mahomet with great rewards hired two villains to go, and kill Skanderbeg, who went into Epirus, declaimed against Mahomet and his superstition, desired to be instructed in the principles of the Christian religion, and to be Baptized, and thereby found much favor with Skanderbeg, yet watching their opportunity to murder him: But treason against Princes, whom God hath in his most mighty protection, cannot be long concealed: these assassinates falling out between themselves, let some words fall which gave occasion of suspicion, and so being examined, they confessed the treason, and were justly executed according to their demerits: Mahomet then resolved to go himself into Epirus with such an army as should speedily end the war, and for that end he raised an army of two hundred thousand men: Skanderbeg having intelligence of it, fortified all his Cities and strong holds, especially Croia, which he furnished with all things necessary for a long siege, put into it a choice Garison, and made Balthasar Perduce, a worthy Captain Governor thereof. He left nothing abroad in the Country, removed all the inhabitants into Garrisons, or other places of refuge: no sooner was this done, but Balabanus came with fourscore thousand Horsemen, and sat down before Croia. In few days after came Mahomet with his huge Army, and encamped there also: He summoned the City; to which the brave Governor made no other answer then by continual thundering shot into his Camp. Mahomet caused great Ordnance to be cast, and planted his Batteries. In the mean time Skanderbeg with a small Army of choice Soldiers, lay in the woods, cut off his Forragers, and such as brought victuals to the Camp; and oft in the night suddenly brake into one or other of the Quarters of Turks Camp, with great slaughter of them, and kept them in such continual Alarms, that he never gave them rest.

Mahomet seeing his men to decrease, and that the City was not to be taken but by Famine, and a long siege, and fearing some disaster, as had there happened to his Father, left Balabanus with the greatest part of his Army, and returned himself to Constantinople. As he went back, he corrupted the Governor of a Fort called Chidna, in which were eight thousand of Skanderbeg's Soldiers, promising them liberty, and safety to depart. But having them in his power, the Tyrant caused them cruelly to be cut in pieces, sparing neither Soldier nor Inhabitant, Man, Woman, nor Child.

Skanderbeg scorning to have his chief City besieged by Balabanus, and yet wanting Forces of his own to raise the siege, sent to his friends the Venetians, and other confederate Princes; so that by their help in few days, he got an Army of above fourteen thousand choice Soldiers, with which he marched to Croia: But by the way understanding that Jonima was coming with a new supply to Balabanus, with some choice Horsemen he posted over the Country, fell upon them, slue and put them to flight, took Jonima and his son prisoners, whom the next day he shown to Balabanus. And so with plain force he drave the Turks from a mountain near to the City of Croia. Balabanus seeing this, with some others, he rode up to the City gate, and with infinite promises would have persuaded them to deliver up the City to him; but they sallying out, drave them away, and one of them shot him through the throat, whereof he presently died.

The Turks discouraged with these things, rose in the silence of the night, and retreated eight miles from the City. Skanderbeg the next morning found in their Tents great store of Corn, and other provision, which he conveyed into Croia in great triumph.

The same day he sent select Soldiers to take the straits through which the Turks must needs pass, when they went out of Epirus: Which the Turks hearing of, they sent two Messengers to Skanderbeg, promising him to deliver up their Horse and Arms, if he would permit them safely to pass out of the Country. From whom they received this short answer, That as they came into his Country without his leave, so they must depart without his leave also. Whereupon in the dead of the night they desperately brake through those passes, yet not without great loss.

Shortly after Skanderbeg recovering what he had lost, and putting all the Turks to the Sword, brake up his Army, retaining only two thousand Horse, and one thousand foot for the guard of his Frontiers. Mahomet was so vexed at this evil success, that he could neither drink nor sleep for a season; yet at last he resolved the next Spring to go thither again in person, to make a full conquest of it. And Skanderbeg provided for him as he had done formerly.

Mahomet with a mighty Army, when the Spring was come, entered into Epirus, and with much labor and charge built a City, which he made a Garrison. From thence he marched to Dirrachium, a City belonging to the Venetians, which he had thought to have found unprovided: But it proved otherwise, insomuch as having spent some time there, to his great loss, he suddenly arose, and returned into Epirus, and sat down before Croia, proffering large privileges and great gifts, if they would surrender the City, or else threatened them with all the calamities of war. To which they made no answer but with the mouth of the Cannon: Skanderbeg also continually molested his Camp, and brake into their Quarters every night. Whereupon Mahomet rose with his Army, and hearing of many Epyrots, retired into the mountains; he went to seek them out, but was by them repulsed with great loss. Skanderbeg also following him at the heels, daily cut off part of his Army: So that at last the Tyrant despairing to do any good, went back with vexation and shame to Constantinople.

After all this, Skanderbeg viewed the state of his kingdom, ordered his affairs, and then went to Lyssa, to confer with the Venetian Ambassador and the other confederate Princes: But within few days he fell sick of a Feaver, and perceiving his end to draw nigh, he sent for his Wife, and Son, and the confederate Princes, discoursed to them of his troublesome life, fore-warned them of the dangers that were like to ensue, persuaded them to persevere in unity, made the Venetians protectors of his Son and Kingdom: And so after he had with most fervent prayer commended his soul into the hands of Almighty God, he quietly left this life, January 17. Anno Christi, 1466. and of his age sixty three, of his reign twenty four.

His death was much lamented by all Christian Princes, especially his neighbors, who had lost their most careful Watchman, and invincible Champion. The sorrow of his subjects is not to be expressed: He was royally buried in the Cathedral in Lyssa. Yet nine years after the Turks having taken the City, with great devotion digged up his bones, reckoning it some part of their happiness, if they might see or touch the same: such as could get any part thereof, set it in silver or gold, and hung it about their necks, persuading themselves, that it would make them valiant and prosperous.

He was a man of rare parts, and of an indefatigable spirit: During all the time of his wars he never slept above two hours in a night: He ever fought against the Turks with his Arm bare, and that with such fierceness, that the blood did ofttimes burst out of his lips. He with his own hands in those wars slue at least three thousand of the Turks. What his strength was, may appear by these examples. There was in a part of Epirus a mighty wild Bull, that had murdered many, & committed a thousand outrages: him Skanderbeg encountered with on Horseback, and with one only blow of his Cimitar, he cut his neck clean from his shoulders.

Also a monstrous Boar in Apulia, that had wounded many of King Ferdinands Courtiers, Skanderbeg being hunting with the King, encountered with this Beast, and soon parted his head from his body.

His Cimitar was made at Damasco in Syria, and was of an excellent temper: he oft carried two of them in one Scabbard, and sometimes would break them both in one battle.

Mahomet hearing that he would cut Helmets, Headpieces and Pouldrons clean asunder with it, he sent to him for one of his Swords, thinking that there had been some extraordinary virtue in them: And when Skanderbeg had sent it, he put it into their hands, who had the strongest Arms about him; but perceiving no such wonders as was reported of it, he sent it back with scorn, saying, That he would not be beholding to him for that which he could get for his money: and that he credited not what was related to him of that sword.

But Skanderbeg, in the sight of the Messenger, having made strange and admirable proofs of it, bade him tell his Master, that it was not the virtue of the Sword, but the strength of his Arm, which he reserved against his enemies.

God raised up this worthy Christian Prince, and endowed him with such excellent parts, as another David, gainst those proud Goliath's, Amurath and Mahomet, who were cruel and bloody persecutors of the Church of God: God made him successful and victorious in above twenty battles that he fought against the Turks.

[illustration]

M. CORVINVS etc.

[portrait of Matthias Corvinus]

The Life of Matthias Corvinus King of Hungary, who died Anno Christi. 1490.

HUniades being dead, the young King Ladislaus and Ulricus Earl of Cicilia thought they might the more boldly come into Hungary, and thereupon they presently began their journey: Ladislaus the eldest son of Hunyadi, who was now at the City of Alba, hearing of the Kings approach, obediently opened to him the gates, but four thousand of his Armed soldiers he debarred from entering into the City: whilst the King was there, he with the Earl Ulricus sat often in Council with some other nobles also: at last, they required Ladislaus to resort unto them, he at first was in suspense what to do, but afterwards, putting on a privy coat of male, he came to them; Whilst they were in debate, Ulricus picked a quarrel with him, and called him traitor for shutting the gates against the Kings soldiers, and withal, taking his sword from his page, let fly at his head. To break the blow, some putting up their hands, had their fingers cut off: the Hungarians without, hearing the tumult, brake into the chamber, where they presently slew this false Earl Vlrick, and cut him almost all to piees: the King was much discontented hereat in his mind, yet seeing there was no other remedy, he dissembled his grief for the present, and making fair weather to Ladislaus, he took him along with him towards Buda: By the way, passing by the Town where Hunyadi wife was, mourning for the death of her husband, the King went to her and seemed with many fair words to comfort her, there he rested, and refreshed himself: and so departed with much dissembled love, and feigned favor, and took along with him the two sons of Hunyadi, Ladislaus and Matthias, who where now without suspicion, and therefore the more ready to wait upon him: But when he came to Buda, he caused them both to be suddenly apprehended; and immediately after the elder [Ladislaus] was brought forth to the place of execution: at which time, a crier proclaimed, Thus are they to be chastened that are rebels against their Lord. After the hangman had three blows at his neck, Ladislaus having his hands bound behind him, rose up right upon his feet after the third stroke, and looking up to heaven, called upon the Lord, and protesting his innocence, meekly laid down his head again, and so at the fourth blow had it stricken off: then did this bloody Tyrant take Matthias, and carried him captive with him into Austria. Shortly after this young King was to marry the French Kings daughter: great preparation was made against the wedding, which was to be celebrated at Prague in Bohemia: many Princes and Potentates were invited to the solemnity, at which time this wicked King had intended to make an end of all the Hussites in Bohemia: thither therefore he went, taking his prisoner Matthias along with him to Prague: where he also imprisoned him, but in the midst of all his great preparations, anno 1461, this great adversary of God's people, Ladislaus King of Bohemia and Hungary, and Archduke of Austria, was by the revenging hand of God smitten with a pestilent sore in his groine, whereof he died within the space of six and thirty hours: After whose death, the Kingdom of Bohemia fell to Geo. Pogiebracius, a friend & favorer of the Hussites, whom afterwards Pope Innocent the eighth did excommunicate, and depose for his religion. But the Nobles of Hungary, hearing of the death of Ladislaus, met together, and for the love they bare to the remembrance of Hunyadi, they chose Matthias, surnamed Corvinus, now a prisoner at Prague, to be their King, and withal dispatched away Ambassadors to Pogiebracius, to desire him to send this their King elect to them: Pogiebracius having heard their message at supper time, he immediately sent for Matthias out of Prison, and placed him at the upper end of the Table; young Matthias being but about eighteen years old, was much abashed at it, and began to crave pardon: But the King would needs have it so, and when he was set, to quiet his mind, he willed him to be of good cheer, for that he had good news to tell him: Good news (said Matthias) if it would please your Majesty to grant me my liberty. Yea that (said the King) & more too, and then saluting him by the name of the K. of Hungary he brake unto him the whole matter: and within few days after, he married to him his daughter, furnished him with all things fit for his state, and roially accompanied him into Hungary, where he was with great joy and triumph received by his people, and over whom he gloriously reigned for the space of eight and thirty years, in which time he notably enlarged the Kingdom of Hungary, & proving the thundering son of a lightening father, he became a far greater terror to the Turks, then ever was his father Hunyadi. Presently after the Emperor Frederick, having the Crown of Hungary remaining in his hands, which Elizabeth the mother of Ladislaus had carried to him, laid claim to the Kingdom, whereupon wars ensued between Matthias and him; but at last by the mediation of the Princes of Germany, a peace was concluded betwixt them, and Matthias ransomed the Crown from Frederick for eight thousand Florences. At this time there were great wars betewene the Venetians and the great Turk; but the Venetians going by the worse, sent Ambassadors to King Matthias, soliciting him to join in league with them, and to take up Arms against the common Enemy, offering presently to furnish him with a great sum of money, besides a large yearly pension, towards the maintenance of those wars. For the which he should to his power by land, defend all those Territories of theirs, which lay between the Rhetian Alps, and the Adriatic Sea, against the invasion of the Turk.

Matthias having well considered of this their request, answered, That they had many times before in the like case, refused to give aid to the Hungarian Kings his predecessors; yea, and judged it a thing unreasonable, that any such thing should be requested at their hands: So that the Hungarian Kings had many times received great loss for want of their assistance: Yet he was willing to forget all such unkindness, and to take their Territories into his protection, according to their request; promising withal, the next Spring to invade the Turks Dominions. And according to his promise he honorably performed it: For in the beginning of the Spring he passed over the Danubius at Belgrade, with a puissant Army, and razed the Forts which the Turks had built thereabouts, and so entering into Servia, laid all the Country wast before him; and afterwards laden with spoil, returned home again, carrying away with him twenty thousand captives. And with the like prosperous success he maintained wars against Mahomet the Great, and against his son Bajazet, almost always going away with the victory; so that there was no Christian King or Chieftaine, that did ever more often with success fight against the Turks, or had of them greater victories.

Then did he (according to his promise made to the Venetians) enter into the Kingdom of Bosna; where, by force, he overthrew the strong Forts which the Turk had built for the defense of the Frontiers, and valiantly drave them all out before him, till he came to Jaitze, the chief City of Bosna, unto which he laid siege and took it: and so Garrisoning it, he followed the course of his victories, scarcely suffering the Turks to breath, until he had by force wrested all that Kingdom out of their hands.

This so vexed the proud Mahomet, that in great fury he came with a mighty Army into Bosna, and laid hard siege unto Jaitze, which was by the Christians worthily defended, till Matthias came to the relief thereof, who so troubled the Turks Camp with continual skirmishes on the one side; and they within the Town, with desperate sallies on the other, that at length the proud Turk was driven to such extremity, that he was forced secretly to steal away in the night with all his Army, into Servia; and for hast, left behind him all his Tents, and his great Ordnance.

Matthias having thus valiantly relieved the City, followed the Turks Army into Servia, and took part of that Country also; which, together with Bosna, he annexed to the Kingdom of Hungary: So that now the name of Matthias was unto the Turks, no less dreadful, then was sometimes the name of his valiant Father Hunyadi.

Anno 1475. Mahomet the Great, having ended his wars with the Persians, resolves to convert all his power against the Venetians; and for that end sent Suleiman Bassa with an Army of fourscore thousand brave men, to besiege Scodra, or Scutari, within the confines of Albania: many were the desperate assaults which the Turks gave to the City, and yet they were still as valiantly repulsed by the Christians within.

In the mean time Matthias raised an Army, and with it marched into the Turks Dominions, where he made such havoc and spoil of all before him, that Mahomet was glad to call back the great Bassa from the siege of Scodra (after he had lien there three months with his great Army, and lost fourteen thousand of his men) to defend his own Country.

With this dishonor Mahomet was so discontented, that he gave one a yearly pension daily to put him in mind of the siege of Scodra.

Anno 1480. the Turk sent a mighty Army, consisting of an hundred thousand men, under some of his chiefest and most expert Commanders, into Transylvania, which brought such a general fear upon the Country, that Steven Batore, the Vayvod, was glad with all speed to fly unto Matthias, King of Hungary, declaring to him the danger of his Country, and craving his aid. Matthias at this time lay sick of the gout, yet he sent an Army under his expert Captains, which not far from Alba Julia, met with the Turks, and there in a great and bloody battle defeated them, slue Isa, one of their chief Captains, and thirty thousand Turks besides. By which great victory Transylvania was delivered from that present danger.

The Noble acts of Matthias against these enemies to the name of Christ, were so many, and so great, that through God's goodness, he was a great shelter not only to Hungary, but almost to all Christian Kingdoms, in repelling and beating back the proud swelling waves of the Turkish Empire, which were like to have over-flown all: yea, he so defended the confines of Illyria from the power of the Turks, that both Mahomet, and Bajazet his son, were enforced to seek to him for peace. But the Devil in the mean time, envying his prosperous success in defense of the Christians, stirred up the Pope to cast in the ball of contention between Pogiebracius and him; whereby not only his course of victory against the Turks was stopped, but also great war and bloodshed followed amongst Christians: In which wars Matthias took from Pogiebracius, Moravia, and a great part of Silesia, and joined them to his Kingdom of Hungary. Also by the Popes means, a new quarrel sprang up between the Emperor Frederick and him: In which wars Frederick had utterly gone to ruin, had not Albert, Duke of Saxony, rescued the Emperor, and repressed the vehemency of Matthias. Also, after the death of Pogiebracius, the Emperor conferred the Kingdom of Bohemia upon Uladislaus, the King of Polands son: Whereupon Matthias made war upon him, and also proclaimed open wars against Frederick: But it pleased God in the midst of these great undertakings & preparations to take him away by sickness, Anno Christi 1490. and of his age 56 after he had reigned with renown 38. years

Besides his noble acts of Chivalry, he was religious according to those times, learned, and a great lover of Learning and learned men, whom he with great stipends procured to come to him out of other Countries; by which means he much civilized and reduced into good order, the barbarous rudeness of those Kingdoms which he governed, and made thereof a most flourishing Common-wealth.

Moreover, he erected a great and stately Library, which he furnished with all sorts of Books, both for Languages, Arts, and History; many of which he caused to be translated out of Greek into Latin: So that the like Library was not to be found in all Europe besides, except the Vatican at Rome. Out of which Library we have received divers parts of Diodorus Siculus, and Polybius, which were not extant before.

[illustration]

K. EDWARD. 6.

[portrait of Edward VI]

The life of Edward the sixth, King of England, who died anno Christi 1553.

EDward the sixth borne Anno Christi 1537, was the son of King Henry the eight by his third wife, Jane, daughter to Sir John Seymer: whose mothers body was opened for his birth, whereby she died of the incision the fourth day after; when he was six years old, he was committed to the tuition of Doctor Coxe, and Mr. John Cheeke, the first instructed him in the knowledge of the Arts, and Divinity: the second in the languages of Latin, and Greek: others were appointed for other Languages, who all endeavored to infuse into him knowledge, and virtue by some mixture of honest delight. Under these he profited so much that in short time he spake French and Latin perfectly: also Greek, Spanish, and Italian. He was well skilled in Logic, Philosophy, Music, and Astronomy, and other liberal sciences, in so much as the great Italian Philosopher, Cardane, having made some trial of him, was astonished with admiration and delight, reporting abroad, that he was a Miracle of nature: when he was about nine years old, his father died, and he was proclaimed King and brought to the Tower, where he remained about three weeks; in which time his uncle, the Earl of Hartford, was elected Protector of the Realm, and Governor of the Kings person during his minority: and a few days after, he Knighted the King, who taking the sword from him, Knighted the L. Major, & advanced diverse other of the nobility: the Lord Protector was made Duke of Sommerset, his other uncle, Sir Thomas Seymer was made Lord of Sudely, and high admirall of England &c. February 19 Anno Christi 1547. he rode in great state from the Tower to Westminster, and the next day was crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The same day a general pardon was granted to all persons, six only excepted: Never was King more loving to others, or bet • er beloved generally of all: He was of an excellent beauty and modesty, very courteous, and naturally so disposed to learning, that he seemed rather borne so, then instructed in it; he was full of Clemency, courage, care and knowledge in state affairs. He was very tender of shedding blood, so that none were executed in his time for religion, but only two blasphemous Heretics, John Butcher, and Georg, a Dutchman: for the execution of the first, all the council could not get him to set his hand to the warrant, till Cranmer persuaded him to it, to whom he said, that he would lay all the charge of it upon him before God. He took much delight in representations of Battails, skirmishes, and Assaults, and such like military exercises: He took much pleasure in the exercises of activity, and caused his servants to use wrestling, leaping, running, riding, and shooting at rovers &c. He was exceeding skillful in fortifications: He knew all the principal ports of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, how they lay, when the tide served, what vessels of burden they could receive, and what winds served for entrance. He was exceeding careful about State affairs, was much with his Council, and would well understand what matters passed them, and upon what grounds: and would often encounter their reasons, and give lively reasons of his own, insomuch that they made an order, that no matters of weight should be debated, but when he was present: He had a Chest, where of himself carried the Key, wherein he kept record, of such matters as were concluded by his Council: He set time apart to dispatch poor men's causes without tedious attendance, & delay. Of all the Magistrates, Justices & Gentlemen of quality in his realm, he knew their names, houskeeping, religion, and manner of life: He was skillful in the matter and manner of Exchange abroad, and provident for the Mint at home. To Ambassadors he would give answer upon the sudden, and touch both orderly, and fully upon every part of their speech, to the admiration of his hearers: He much frequented Sermons, and penned them with his own hands: His sports were ingenuous, and manlike, whereby he always learned something: He in the midst of all his businesses reserved daily some hours for his private studies and exercises with his teachers.

About this time preparations were made for war with Scotland, which was thus occasioned: Mary Stuart sole daughter and heir to James the fifth, being very young, was desired by Henry the eighth to to be assured to his son Prince Edward, which was assented to by the Nobility, and Parliament of Scotland: and all conditions, and covenants were concluded, sealed, and sworn to of both parties, and a peace established for ten years, at the end whereof both Prince and Queen should be of age to consent. But the King of France hearing of it, labored by all means to break this agreement, endeavoring to get this match for Francis, afterwards King of France, and so far prevailed, that he made a strong party for him in Scotland: yet the Protector wrote friendly to the nobility, remembered them of their promises, seals, and oaths: he shown them the benefits that would redound to both Kingdoms by this union &c but notwithstanding all this, when they would not be brought to reason, he raised a great Army, with which he marched into Scotland, and sent a great Fleet by Sea to meet him there. In the Army were twelve thousand Foot, & two thousand eight hundred light Horse: The Earl of Warwick was Lieutenant General, the Lord Gray of Wilton was Marshall of the Field, &c. The Protector of Scotland also made great preparation to resist them, Making his Rendevouz at Musklebrough Field, whither the English marched; and so between the two nations, a great and cruel battle was fought, wherein the English were victors, and pursued the Scots for five hours space, doing great execution upon them, so that the river of Esk ran red with blood.

Divers of the Scottish Nobility and Gentry were slain, and of the inferior sort about ten thousand. Of the English were slain fifty two, but very many hurt. And thus the Lord revenged upon them their perfidiousness in breaking their Oaths and Covenants. In the which victory this also is to be noted, that the same day and hour wherein the Images were burned openly in London, the Scots received this great overthrow.

Also fifteen hundred of the Scots were taken prisoners, amongst whom was the Earl of Huntley, & some other Noble-men: Huntley being afterwards asked, how he stood affected to the intended marriage, answered, That he liked the marriage well, but he liked not the manner of wooing. Afterwards the English fired many places, took in divers Castles, placed garrisons in them, and so returned back into England.

A great alteration also was made in Religion, Injunctions were set forth for removing Images out of Churches, Godly Preachers were sent abroad to instruct and teach the people and, for want of Preachers, Homilies were appointed to be read in Churches. Edmond Bonner was committed to the Fleet, for refusing to receive these Injunctions, and Steven Gardener to the Tower, with Bishop Tonstall and Heath.

In the first year of the King, a Parliament was held, wherein was enacted, That none should speak against receiving the Sacrament in both kinds, That all Processes Ecclesiastical should be made in the Kings name: The Statute of the six Articles was repealed, and that which prohibited the use of the Scriptures in English: A Liturgy was set forth; Commissioners being sent abroad to pull down Images in Cornwall, one of them was stabbed by a Priest, as he was pulling down an Image: and afterwards the whole County rose in a commotion, which spread also into Wiltshire and Summersetshire; they beat down Enclosures, and Parks: but Sir William Herbert, with some Soldiers, set upon them, slue some, and scattered the rest.

The like commotions were raised in other Counties, which by the prudence of Gentlemen, and other honest persons, were appeased: Yet afterwards there was another rising in the West Countries, to whom the King wrote, First reproving them for their disordered assemblies; then he pitied their ignorance, and errors thence arising, persuading them to return to their homes, and due obedience. In which Letter he thus wrote to them, Assure yourselves most surely, that we of no earthly thing under the Heaven, make such account, as we do of this one thing, To have our Laws obeyed, and this cause of God which we have taken in hand, to be thoroughly maintained, from the which we will never remove a hairs breadth, nor give place to any creature living, much less to any subject, but therein will spend our own Royal Person, our Crown, Treasure, Realm, and all our estate, whereof we assure you of our high Honor. But they growing more unruly, went to Exeter, demanded entrance, which being refused, they attempted to take the City by storm, by firing the Gates, by Mines, but all in vain, being easily repulsed, and slain like Dogs. In the mean time the L. Privy Seal, with a small Company, attempted the relief of the City, which the Mutiniers hindered, by felling many trees cross his way; and in his retreat set upon him; but he beat them back, with the loss of six hundred of them.

In the mean time the Citizens suffered great want, made bread of the coarsest bran: their finest flesh was their Horses. An aged Citizen in this their want, brought out all his store, saying, That as he communicated to them his store, so he would participate with them in their wants; and that he would feed upon one arm, and fight with the other, before he would consent to put the City into the hands of the seditious.

But the Lord Gray coming with more Forces, set upon them, slue above 900. of them, and dispersed the rest: notwithstanding which, about two thousand of them r'allying the next day, affronted the Kings Forces, yet after a while, they ran away. After this also, a greater number met together, and brought with them a Crucifix upon a Cart, beset with Crosses, tapers, holy bread &c. The Lord Gray set upon them and slew the greatest part of them, diverse-were taken, and some of the principal presently executed. The seditious in Norfolk were more dangerous, as having greater strength, and the City of Norwich to favor them. To these the King wrote also, and sent an Herald with a General pardon, if they would quietly depart, which they refusing, the Lord William Parre was sent against them, who entering into the City of Norwich, was the next day set upon by the seditious, but he repulsed them with the loss of three hundred of their company.

Afterwards the Earl of Warwick came with some more forces, and after some bickerings, wherein many of the rebels were slain, he pardoned the rest, only executing some of the ringleaders, and so that commotion was quieted: Religion begininng now to flourish in the land, as well all such Godly subjects as were in the realm had free liberty publicly to profess the gospel: as also many learned, and zealous preachers before banished, were now licensed freely to return home, and were encouraged boldly, and faithfully to travel in their function, and calling, so that God was much glorified, and the people much edified: About the same time a dangerous rebellion began in Yorkshire, but through God's mercy, one of the rebels revealing of it in his drunkenness in an alehouse, it was in some measure prevented, and the mischief intended against others returned upon the contrivers pates: The French King also thinking to make his advantage of such stirs in England, denounced war against King Edward, and sent a great fleet suddenly to have taken Jersey, and Gernsey, together with many of the Kings ships there, but they were so hotly entertained, that they lost one thousand of their men, and their ships, and Gallies were so spoiled, that they were forced to return home with shame and dishonor: the French King also came in person with a mighty Army against Bulloigne, where also he was repulsed with shame and great loss: so that it was apparent, that the mighty arm of God fought for King Edward his servant, to defend and deliver him from so many dangerous commotions at home, and attempts abroad: But the Devil envying the progress of the Gospel, sought to hinder it, by stirring up contentions amongst our Nobility: first between the Lord Protector, and his brother the Lord Admiral, which was not appeased but by the blood of the latter: then between the Lord Protector, and the Earl of Warwick, and other nobles that he had drawn into his party, which (notwithstanding all endeavors used by the Godly King to make peace betwixt them) ended in the death and destruction of the Protector: Hereupon many of the vulgar sort (thinking that the alterations of the Latin service into English &c. had been the only act of the Protector) began to brute it abroad, that now they should have their Latin service again with holy bread, and holy water &c. Whereupon the King with his privy Council sent to all the Bishops, to take away all Popish books in every parish, and that if any were refractory, and would not deliver them up, that they should be committed to ward: Anno Christi 1550 letters were sent abroad for the taking down of Altars in Churches and setting up of Tables instead of the same: and during all the time that the Nobles lived in peace amongst themselves, religion flourished, the Gospel had a free passage, Popery was confounded, and scarce a Papist found that durst show his head: The popish Doctors, Smith, Chadsey, Standish, Young, Oglethorp, with many more, recanted their former ignorance and errors. Yea Bonner with his own hand subscribed to the Kings supremacy, and promoted his injunctions: the same also did Steven Gardener. Yea during all the time of peace and concord, what Papist was found in all the realm, which out of devotion to the Pope, would put his neck into the halter, and die a Martyr for his sake? In those peaceable times it was that the King sent for P. Martyr, Martin Bucer, Paul Fagius, with many other learned men, whereof some he placed at Cambridge, others at Oxford, who with their diligent industry, did much good.

And whereas the Emperors Embassador demanded boldly, that the Lady Mary might be suffered to have the Mass freely exercised in her house: The good King resolutely and constantly denied to condescend thereunto: He increased Sermons at the Court, and ordered that no man should have a Benefice from the King, but first he should preach before him: He sent five thousand pounds beyond sea, to relieve the poor Protestants; and hearing that the Emperor made many strait laws against them, he charged his Merchants to forbear their Trade into Flanders, as much as they could. This prudent and godly King, seeing the woeful breaches at home, intended by alliance to strengthen himself abroad; for which end he sent to treat of a marriage between his sister the Lady Elizabeth, and the King of Denmarks eldest son. But this Lady, though she was furnished with many excellent endowments both of Nature and Education, yet could she never be induced to marry with any.

The Lord Protector having been brought to his end by the malice and subtlety of the Earl of Warwick, (now made Duke of Northumberland) the king at first gave no token of any ill tempered passion, as taking it not to be agreeable to Majesty openly to discover it: The Lord's also labored to dispel such melancholy thoughts, by plying of him with variety of exercises, and disports: yet upon speech of him afterwards, he would often sigh, and let fall tears: Sometimes he thought that he had done nothing that deserved death; or if he had, that it was very small, and proceeded rather from his wife then from himself. And where then (said he) was the good nature of a Nephew? Where was the clemency of a Prince? Ah! how unfortunate have I been to those of my blood? My Mother I slue at my very birth, and since have made away two of her brothers; and haply to make way for the purposes of others against myself. Alas, how falsely have I been abused? How weakly carried? How little was I master over my own judgment? &c. But the Lord's labored to divert his thoughts other ways all that they could. The King had six Chaplains in ordinary, concerning whom an order was made, that two should remain with the King by turns, and four should travel in preaching abroad: the first year, two in Wales, and two in Lincolnshire: the next year, two in the marches of Scotland, and two in Yorkshire, and so through all the Shires in England. Hereby Religion was much propagated, and the people taught obedience.

The King being fallen into want of money, Commissions were sent forth for selling of Chantry lands, and Church-jewels, Chalices, &c. by purchasing whereof many mean persons were advanced to great estates, whereby they left their posterity ranged amongst the Nobility of the land. But within a few years, most of them by the secret curse of God, melted to nothing; and by improvidence, or riot, consumed all.

In the sixth year of the Kings reign, in April he fell sick of the meazles; yet, through God's mercy, in a short time, he recovered of the same. Not long after, he fell sick of the small pox; which coming kindly forth, was judged a means, which would much conduce to his future health: & hereof also he recovered perfectly. And the Summer following he rode his Progress with a great train; but when he found that it was burdensome to the Country, he discharged the greatest part of it. Soon after, the King complained of a continual infirmity of body. About which time sundry prodigies were seen; In Oxfordshire a child was born that had two bodies from the Navell upward, which lived eighteen days, and then died both together. At Quinborough three great Dolphins were taken: presently after six more at Blackwall. At Grovesend three great Fishes cal • ed Whirlepooles, were taken. In January, and the beginning of the seventh year of the Kings reign, his sickness increased upon him, attended with a strong cough; and notwithstanding all means and remedies used, yet it daily increased by dangerous degrees. He had also a great faintness, which shown that his vital parts were most strongly and strangely assaulted. And the common report was, that his sickness proceeded from a slow working poison. His sickness was much lamented, not only by his own people, but by strangers, his courtesy and wisdom having procured him much love everywhere. He was famous for his fore sight and judgment in affairs; and he so well tempered the greatness of his estate with modesty and gravity, that he avoided envy by the one, and contempt by the other.

In the time of his sickness, Dr. Ridley preaching before him, in his Sermon much commended works of Charity, which as they were a duty for all men to perform, so more especially for those which were in great place, as well in regard of their great abilities, as for that they were obliged to give example thereby unto others.

The same day after dinner the King sent for him into his Gallery, caused him to sit in a Chair by him, would not suffer him to be uncovered: and then after courteous thanks for his Sermon, he repeated all the principal points of it, and then added, I took myself to be chiefly touched by your speech: For as in the Kingdom I am next under God, so must I most nearly approach to him in goodness and mercy. For as our miseries stand most in need of help from him, so are we the greatest debtors▪ and therefore as you have given me this general exhortation, so direct me I entreat you by what particular act I may best discharg my duty: The Bishop partly astonished, and partly overjoyed with these speeches, was silent for a time: At last, tears & words breaking forth together, he declared to the King, that as he little expected such a question, so was he not furnished with a present answer: but said withal, that he conceived the Citizens of London had best experience, as overburthened with multitudes of poor of their own, and from all parts of the Kingdom, and therefore if his Majesty pleased to afford his letter to that effect, he would confer with them, and in short time return their answer: the King immediately caused, the letter to be written, which, before the Bishop, he signed, and sealed, and enjoined him to be the messenger, who going to the Lord Major with it, he called certain Aldermen, and four and twenty Commissioners, who ranked the poor into three sorts: such as were poor by impotency of nature, as Orphans, decrepit persons, idiots and criples: others by faculty, as wounded soldiers, diseased, &c. Thirdly, such as were poor by idleness, unthriftiness, &c. The first, to be educated and maintained: the second to be cured and relieved: the third, to be corrected and reduced to good order: which being presented to the King, he gave to the City, for education and maintenance of the first, the Gray-Friers Church by Newgate market, with all the revenues belonging to it: to the second, Saint Bartholomews near Smithfield: for the third, his house at Bridewell: and for increase of maintenance to these, besides the Hospital of Saint Thomas in Southwark, he gave seven hundred & fifty marks yearly out of the rents of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist, or the Savoy, with all the bedding and furniture belonging to that place: and the charter of this gift being presented to him with a blank for lands in Mortmaine, he presently filled it up with these words, Four thousand marks by the year: which being done, with reverend gesture, and Speech, he thanked God for prolonging his life to finish that business. The Kings sickness daily increased, and so did the Duke of Northumberlands diligence about him: poison was strongly suspected, for his physicians discerned an invincible malignity in his disease, which though in the lungs, a part of no quick sense, yet his sickness grew very extreme. The people did hereupon break forth immoderately into passion, complaining that for this cause his two uncles had been taken away: for this cause the most faithful of his Nobility and Council had been disgraced and discarded, and that for this cause such were placed about him as were ready to commit, or permit any mischief.

Yet at this time the Lord Guilford, fourth son to the Duke of Northumberland, was married to the Lady Jane, eldest daughter to the Duke of Summerset, by Frances daughter to Mary, second sister to Henry the eight: And albeit this Lady Jane had no right to the Crown, for she was excluded by the Ladies Mary, and Elizabeth, by the issue of Lady Margaret, eldest sister to Henry the eighth, married into Scotland, and by Frances, this Lady Ianes mother, now living: yet Northumberland blinded with pride, procured the King by his letters patents under the broad seal, to appoint the Lady Jane to succeed him in the Kingdom: and this the King did the more easily assent to, partly in regard of his great desire to have the reformed religion continued, which he suspected would be altered by the Lady Mary, if she succeeded, and he could not leave the Crown to the Lady Elizabeth, excluding Mary: and partly, By reason of that entire love which he bare to his cosen Jane, a woman of most rare and incomparable perfections, not only for her religion, but for her knowledge of the liberal Arts, skill in Languages, wherein she exceeded all of her sex: These letters were signed by the King when he was very weak, and then by all the Privy Counselors: by most of the Nobility, Bishops, Judges (except Sir James Holles) and by the Kings learned Council. Thus the Duke, having (as he thought) secured all, nothing remained but to dispatch the King: His disease was violent, yet the Physicians had some hope of his recovery, if he might be removed into an healthfuller air: but this the Duke over-auing the Council, would not suffer: then a Gentlewoman was brought, who would undertake to cure him, the Kings Physicians talking with her, and finding her extreme ignorant, would not consent that she should meddle with him: yet the Duke caused them to be discharged, and the cure to be committed to her alone: hereupon she administering something to him, the King fell into desperate extremities, his vital parts were mortally stuffed, he breathed with difficulty, his legs swelled, his pulse failed, his skin changed color, and many other horrid Symptoms appeared: then were the Physicians called again, who seeing how he was, departed with a sad silence: telling their friends, that they were called for fashion sake, but neither their advise, nor remedies used. And that the King had been ill dealt with more then once: So the King having long wrestled with a lingering tormenting sickness, about three hours before his death, his eyes being closed, thinking that none heard him, made this Godly prayer; Lord God, deliver me out of this miserable and wretched life, and take me amongst thy chosen: howbeit, not my will but thy will be done; Lord, I commit my spirit to thee. Oh Lord, thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee: yet for thy chosens sake, send me life and health, that I may truly serve thee; O my Lord God, bless thy people, and save thine inheritance, O Lord God save thy chosen people of England. O my Lord God, defend this Realm from Papistry, and maintain thy true religion, that I and my people may praise thy holy name, for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake: Then turning his face, and seeing some by, he said unto them, are ye so nigh? I thought ye had been further off: with great patience he endured his pains. Many fervent prayers he made, both for himself and this realm: the last words he spake were these; I am faint, Lord have mercy upon me, and take my spirit; and so he spent his last breath in committing his sweet soul into his fathers hands. And thus this blessed King, our young Josiah died, anno Christi 1553, of his age the seventeenth, and of his reign the seventh.

His zeal for religion doth Eminently appear in this example, The Emperor Charles the fifth sent a request to the King and Council, to permit the Lady Mary to have Mass in her house: the Council thinking it fit to gratify the Emperor, sent Arch-Bishop Cranmer, and Bishop Ridley to the King, to request his consent thereto; who coming to the King, alleged their reasons, why they desired it of him: which the King having heard, replied again from Scripture grounds so gravely and fully, that they were forced to give way to what he had said, granting it to be true: yet upon Politick grounds, they persuaded him to it, because else it might cause a breach with the Emperor, &c. Unto which the King replied, willing them to content themselves, for he would, he said, spend his life, & all he had, rather then to grant that which he knew certainly to be against the truth: yet still the Bishops pressed him, and would have no nay: then the good King, seeing their importunity, burst out into bitter weeping, and sobbing, and desired them to be content: whereat the Bishops themselves, seeing the Kings Zeal and constancy, wept as fast as he, and so took their leave of him, and coming from him, the Arch-Bishop took his Schoolmaster Mr Cheek by the hand, and said, Ah Master Cheek, you have such a scholar, that hath more divinity in his little finger, then all we have in our bodies. He read over Melanchthon's common places; All Tullius works: the greatest part of Livies History: the choicest Orations of Socrates in Greek, of which he translated two into Latin: Sophocle's Tragaedies, and the New Testament in Greek also. The learned Cardane made this Epitaph of him.

[illustration]

Q: ELIZABETH

[portrait of Queen Elizabeth]

The life of Queen Elizabeth, who died Anno Christi, 1602.

KIng HENRY the eighth being divorced from Katherine of Spain, who was his brother Arthurs Widow, married the Lady Anne Boleyn, a godly, virtuous, and charitable woman, who was delivered of this Lady, September 7. Anno Christi 1533. whose Godfather was Archbishop Cranmer, and her Godmothers were, the old Dutchess of Norfolk, & the old Marchioness of Dorset. She was brought up in the Protestant Religion from her childhood, and had for her Schoolmaster, Mr. Ascham, who instructed her in the knowledge of the Tongues, and Arts; and under whom she profited very much in learning. During all the reign of her Father King Henry, and of her brother King Edward, she lived in a Princely fashion: But under the reign of her sister Queen Mary, she met with so many afflictions, that she well deserved the title of Elizabeth the Confessor. Yet those very afflictions, through God's goodness, did her so much good, that it's hard to say, whether she were more happy in having a Crown so soon, or in having it no sooner, till affliction had first laid in her a low and therefore sure foundation of humility, for Highness to be afterwards built upon. By which means she was so ripened for her future Rule and Sovereignty, that Pope Sixtus the fifth professed, that amongst all the Princes in Christendom, he found but two which were worthy to bear command, if they had not been stained with Heresy, viz. Henry the fourth, King of France; and Elizabeth, Queen of England. But as in order of time her Sufferings preceded her Sovereignty; so we will first set them down to the view of the Reader.

When Queen Mary came first to the Crown, she pretended much love to her sister, the Lady Elizabeth: for before she was crowned, she would go no whither, but she would have her by the hand, and send for her to dinner and Supper: But after she was crowned, she kept her aloof from her: and shortly after, upon the rising of Sir Thomas Wyat, she with the Lord Courtney, were falsely charged to have a hand in it: whereupon the Lady Marie sent three of her councellers, with two hundred and fifty horsemen of their retinue to her, then lying at her house at Ashbridge, who found her very sick in bed, and very feeble and weak of body: yet they going up to her chamber, willed one of her Ladies to tell her, that they were sent to her with a message from the Queen: Her grace being told of it, said, she was glad of their coming, howbeit being very weak and it now ten a clock at night, she requested them to come again to her the next morning: to which they replied, that they must needs see her, and would do it in what case soever she were, and with all hastily rushed into her chamber, whereupon she being not a little amazed, said unto them, Is the hast such that it might not have pleased you to have staid till the morning, they answered, that they were sorry to see her in that case: and I (said she) am not glad to see you here at this time a night: they said that they came from the Queen, whose pleasure it was, that she should be at London the seventh of that month: whereunto she said, Truly there is no creature more glad then I to come to her Majesty, and am sorry that at this time I am not in case to wait on her, as you see, and may testify: They said, they were sorry to see it: yet their commission was to bring her either quick, or dead: she being troubled at this, asked, if their commission was so strict: they said yea, and withal called two Physicians asking them if she might be removed with life, or no? which they affirmed that she might in their judgment; thereupon they willed her to prepare against next morning at nine a clock to go with them: And accordingly at that time they took her forth, faint and feeble as she was, being ready to swoon three or four times between them. That night they brought her to Redborn, where she was guarded all night: The next day to St. Albanes, where she was both feeble in body, and comfortless • n mind. From thence to Mimmes, and Highgate, where she being very sick, they tarried that night, and the next day.

From thence she was carried to the Court, many people by the way flocking about her, and being very sorry to see her in that case. At Court she was presently shut up, and kept a close prisoner for a fortnight, seeing no friend all that time. Then came Steven Gardener, with nineteen more of the Privy Council, charging her with Wyats conspiracy, which she utterly denied, protesting her innocence. But after long debating of the business, they told her, it was the Queens pleasure, she should go to the Tower. At which she being agast, said, she trusted the Queen would be more gracious to her; still protesting her innocence, and entreating them to mediate for her to the Queen; that seeing she was a true woman to her Majesty, both in thought, word, and deed, she might not be committed to so notorious and doleful a place: protesting that she desired no favor, if she were found guilty of these things. But the Lord's told her, there was no remedy, for that the Queen was fully resolved that she should go to the Tower, and so they departed. And about an hour after, came Steven Gardener again with three other of the Lord's, and the Guard, secluding all her Gentlemen, Ladies and Gentlewomen from her; and instead of them, appointed three of the Queens men, and three other waiting women to attend her, that none should have access to her grace. They set also an hundred Northern Soldiers to watch in the Gardens all night, and two Lord's with their Companies in the House. The Saturday following came two Lord's to her, telling her, that she must presently go to the Tower, the Barge being ready, and the Tide serving, which would tarry for nobody.

Hereupon she with sorrow entreated them, that she might stay but till the next Tide: But one of them answered, that neither time nor tide must be delayed. Then she requested, that she might be suffered to write to the Queen before she went; but that also was denied her by one of them: but the other (the Earl of Sussex) kneeling down, said, she should have liberty to write, and as he was a true man, he would deliver it to the Queen, and bring her an answer, what ever came of it. And so the time and tide passed away; but they privily prepared all things for her going the next tide, which fell out at midnight: yet fearing lest she should be taken away, they stayed till next day, and then these two Lord's came and told her, it was time for her to depart: She bade them go before, and since there was no remedy, she would follow, adding, that she wondered what the Nobility meant, to suffer her to be led into captivity, the Lord knew whither, for she did not. She shot the bridge with some danger, the Boat striking upon the ground. When she came to the Tower, she refused to land at the Traitors stairs; neither could she land, but she must be over her shoes. But one of the Lord's said, she should land there. Whereupon she coming out of the Barge, said, Here lands as true a Subject, being a prisoner, as ever landed at these stairs, and before thee, O God, I speak it, having no friends but thee alone.

At her landing stood many Warders, and others in order; What needs all this, said she? Going a little further, she sat down on a cold stone to rest her self: Then the Lieutenant said, Madame, you sit unwholsomly, you had best come out of the rain. To whom she answered, I had better sit here then in a worse place; for God knoweth, I know not whither you will bring me. Hereupon her Gentleman Usher wept: To whom she said, What mean you to use me so? I took you for my comfort, not thus to dismay me, seeing I know my truth to be such, that none shall have cause to weep for me. And so she went in to prison; The doors were locked and bolted upon her, which much troubled her. Then she called to her Gentlewoman for her Book, desiring God not to suffer her to build her foundation upon the sands, but upon the Rock, that so no blustering storms might prevail against her.

Two days after, command came that she should have Mass said in her Chamber. In the mean time there was much examining and racking of poor men, to force them to accuse her, that they might put her to death. And five days after came Steven Gardener▪ with others of the Council, and examined her very strictly about divers things: to whom she at last replied, My Lord's you do sift me very narrowly, but well I am assured you shall not do more to me then God hath appointed, and so God forgive you all. About that time diverse of her servants, having provided her Diet, brought it to the Tower gate, where the rascally soldiers received it, which so grieved them, that they desired to speak with the Lieuetenant of the Tower, whom they beseeched, that they might not deliver her Graces food to such desperate ruffians, but that they might carry it to her themselves: but he very churlishly refused, saying, a prisoner she is, and she shall be served as other prisoners are: they replied, that they expected more favor from him, and persuaded themselves, that the Queen and her Council would be better to her Grace then so: whereupon he sware by God, that if they either frowned, or shrugged at him, he would set the where they should neither see Sun nor Moon.

Thus taking their leave, they prayed God to make him of a better mind to their Mistress: Having thus continued in prison for a month, she began to be sickly, whereupon she requested the Lieuetenant that she might have liberty to walk out a little, but he denying her that favor, she requested, that at least she might walk into the Queens Lodgings, but still he pretended that he durst not permit it: Well then said she, if they be so strict, God comfort me: The next day the Lord Shandois came to her, and told her, that he had sued to the Council for some liberty for her, and had at last obtained, that she might walk into those Lodgings, provided, that the windows were kept shut, and that the L. Chamberlain, and three of the Qs. women did attend her, for which she thanked him, and made use of that little liberty: Afterwards she had leave to walk into a little Garden, the doors being locked upon her, and the prisoners on that side the house being straightly commanded not to speak, nor look out at windows, whilst she was there: for this she praised God, and was well contented with it. During her imprisonment, a little boy four years old, a man's child in the Tower, used sometimes to bring her some flowers, as he did to other prisoners: hereupon the boy, was sent for, and they promised him Figs and Apples, and then asked him when he was with the Lady Elizabeth; he answered, every day: then they asked him, when he was with the Lord of Devonshire, and what he sent by him to her Grace: the boy said, I will go presently to him and know what he will send her: but upon this the Lieuetenant told him, he should be whipt, if he came anymore at them: But, said the boy, I will carry my Lady and mistress some more flowers: whereupon the child's father was commanded, that he should suffer him to go no more to their chambers: the next day her Grace walking in the garden, the boy peeped in at a hole, and said, Mistress I must bring you no more flowers: whereat she smiled, apprehending what the reason was: this so angered the Lieuetenant, that he commanded his father to put him out of the Tower: Shortly after, the Constable of the Tower was discharged, and Sir Henry Benefield put into his place, who brought with him one hundred soldiers, with which she was much troubled, and and asked, whether the Lady Ianes Scaffold was yet taken away, fearing that she should have acted the same Tragedy. Then she inquired, what this Sir Henry Benefield was, and whether if her secret murthering was required, he was a man of that conscience to see it done. They answered, they knew not what he was; but they were persuaded, God would not suffer such wickedness. Well, said she, God grant it: For thou, O God, canst mollify such tyrannous hearts, and disappoint all such cruel purposes: And I beseech thee, to hear me thy creature, which am thy servant, and at thy command, trusting by thy grace ever so to remain.

Shortly after, she was told by the Lord Shandois, that she must be removed by the new Guard, but he knew not whither, except to Woodstock. This much troubled her, desiring rather to stay there still, then to be led thence with such a sort of Rascals. But he told her, there was no remedy: Accordingly the Sabbath following, Sir Henry Benefield (being made her Jailor) received her to his charge, with a company of Rake-hells for her Guard. The Lord of Tame also was joined in commission with him: The first night they carried her to Richmond, where her own attendance were removed into outward Chambers, and these rude Soldiers appointed to attend on her person.

Whereat she suspecting some mischief, called her Usher, desiring him with the rest, to pray for her: For this night (quoth she) I think to die. But he with many tears endeavored to comfort her; and going down into the Court, he met the Lord of Tame, and Sir Henry Benefield, walking there, and desiring to speak with the Lord apart, he said to him, My Lord, you have always been my good Lord, and so I beseech you to remain; I now desire your Honor unfeignedly to tell me, whether any mischief be intended to her Grace this night, that I and my poor fellows may take such part as it shall please God to appoint: For certainly we will rather die then that she being innocent, should secretly miscarry. Mary (said the Lord) God forbid that any such wickedness should be wrought; and rather then it should be so, I and my men are ready to die at her feet also. And so through God's mercy she passed that doleful night with an heavy heart.

The next day, as she passed to Windsor, she spied some of her men standing in the way to see her: Wherupon she bade one about her to go to them, and to tell them, tanquam ovis, that she was led as a Sheep to the slaughter.

From Windsor she was carried to Mr. Dormers; and by the way some poor people presenting her with some small trifles, Sir Henry Benefield was exceeding angry, calling them Rebels and Traitors, &c.

As she passed through some Towns, they rang the Bells, which so angered Benefield, that he sent his Soldiers for the Ringers, and set them in the stocks.

The next night she went to the Lord of Tames, where she was entertained in a very Princely manner. At which Benefield grunted and grumbled, saying, That they could not answer it, &c. But the Lord of Tame told him, that he knew what he did, and that her grace should be merry at his house.

The next day she went to Woodstock, where she was imprisoned closely, the soldiers guarding both within, and without the walls of the house day, and night: at last she was allowed to walk into the garden, which much refreshed her, yet all the doors were strictly locked, Sir Henry himself keeping the Keies, whereupon she called him her jailor, but he desired her not to call him so, but one of her officers, to whom she answered; From such officers good Lord deliver me. After a time she made suit to the Council, that she might have leave to write to the Queen, which at last was permitted, and Sir Henry Benefield brought her pen, ink, and paper, standing by whilst she wrote, and then requested that he might be the messenger to carry it: but she told him, she would send one of her own servants with it: whereupon he replied, that he thought none of them durst be so bold as to carry it, she being in that case: Yea (said she) I have none sodishonest as not to go at my request.

Well (said he) my commission is to the contrary, and I may not suffer it. Her Grace replied; you tell me oft of your commission, I pray God you may justly answer the cruel dealing that you use towards me. Yet he stopped her letters four or five days but at length sent for one of her Gentlemen, and asked him, if he durst be so bold as to carry her letter. Yea said he, that I dare, and will with all my heart: so with an ill will he gave him her letter: She being sickly the Queen sent two of her Physicians, to her▪ who staid four, or five days, till she began to amend, and then returned, reporting well of her mild behavior, and humbleness towards the Queen. About which time she was requested to submit her self to the Queens Majesty: but she answered, that she would never submit to them, whom she had never offended, for said she, if I have offended, I crave no mercy, but the Law, which had I been guilty of the breach of, I am sure I should have had it before this: About this time a Consultation being held what should be done with her: One of the Lord's said, that it would never be quiet with England, except her head were stricken off: whereunto the Spaniards answered: God forbid, that their King, and master should have a mind to consent to that mischief: and accordingly they persuaded their King, that he should never get so much honor, as by delivering the Lady Elizabeth out of prison, which at length he effected: Whilst she was at Woodstock, her life was oft in danger, first by fire kindling under her Chamber boards, which was verily supposed to be done on purpose, yet through God's mercy, it was quenched: Also a ruffian, that was one of the keepers, was suborned to murder her, which the L. also discovered, and prevented: Also a darling of Steven Gardiners was sent to murder her, which was prevented by Sir Henry Benefields absence, who had commanded his brother to let no man whatsoever to come to her till his returned: Also whiles she was in the Tower, by Steven Gardiners procurement, a writ was sent for her execution, but the Lieuetenant presently going to the Queen with it, the Lord was pleased in mercy thereby to prevent the execution of it. At her departure out of Woodstock she wrote with a Diamond in the window.

Whilst she was there, hearing a milk maid in the Park singing merrily, she wished herself a milkmaid, saying that her case was better, and life more merry then hers in that state as she was. When she was sent for from Woodstock, she was by Sir Henry Benefield carried in a tempestuous day to Ricot, by the way her hood was thrice blown off, and she desiring to go to a gentlemans house hard by, Benefield would not suffer her, so that she was constrained under an hedge to trim her head as well as she could: from thence shewas carried to Colebrook, and by the way some of her servants meeting of her, which had not seen her of a long time, they were not suffered to speak with her, but were charged in the Queens name presently to depart, to their mutual sorrow; she was still surrounded and guarded with soldiers, and close shut up in her chamber, as in a prison: From thence she went to Hampton Court, where for a fortnight she was shut up, and guarded with soldiers as before: Then came to her the Lord William Howard, who used her very honourably: whereup-she requested him to be a means that she might speak with some of the privy Council; and shortly after, Steven Gardener with some others of them came to her, to whom she said My Lord's I am glad to see you, me thinks I have been desolatly alone a great while: wherefore I desire you to mediate to the King, and Queen, that I may be delivered from prison &c. Then Steven Gardener requested her to submit herself to the Queen, and then he doubted not but she would be good to her: to whom she answered, that rather then she would do so, she would lie in prison all the days of her life; for she craved no mercy, but rather the Law, in case she had offended: for (said she) if I should yield to this, I should confess myself to be an offender, and might give the King and Queen occasion to judge evil of me ever hereafter: and so the Lord's departed. The next day came Gardener again, and told her, that the Queen marvelled that she carried her self so stoutly, not confessing that she had offended; and therefore the Queen had imprisoned her wrongfully: Nay (said she) it may please her to punish me as she sees good: Well (said Gardener) you must tell another tale before you be set at liberty: the good Lady answered, that she had as leive be in prison with truth, and honesty, as abroad, and suspected of her Majesty.

A week after the Queen sent for her at ten a clock at night, whom she had not seen of two years before, and so she was conducted to the Queens bedchamber; when she came in, she kneeled down, and prayed God to preserve her Majesty, not doubting but she should prove as true a subject to her as ever any did, desiring her Majesty so to esteem of her, for she should not find her otherwise, whatsoever report she heard to the contrary: the Queen answered, you will not confess your offense, but stand stoutly to your truth: I pray God it may so fall out: If it do not (said the L. Eliz.) I neither desire favor, nor pardon, &c. and so after such like discourse, she was sent away with little comfort from the Queen: yet a week after she was freed from Sir Henry Benefield her keeper, and his soldiers: whereupon she went to refresh her self in the Country: but the Queen sent with her Sir Thomas Pope, one of her Counselors, who watched her narrowly all Queen Mary's days: Shortly after came someof the Queens servants, and carried one of her Gentlewomen to the Fleet, and three others to the Tower, which much troubled her Grace: But it pleased God about this time to take away by a remarkable judgment that cruel persecutor Steven Gardener, whereby the life of this excellent Princesse was preserved: and shortly after dropped away by degrees diverse other of her enemies, whereby her danger decreased, and safety, and comfort began to appear, as light out of a dark cloud: At last also Queen Marie died, at which time the Parliament was sitting at Westminster: and the Lord's being informed of it, they communicated it to the Commons, and so both joined together presently in proclaiming Elizabeth Queen of England &c. She was now about five and twenty years old, and by experience, and adversity had gotten wisdom above her age: the next day after she was proclaimed Queen, she came from Hatfield to London, and lodged at the Charter house: the next day she went to the Tower: and in her passage had diverse speeches made to her, and other expressions of her Subjects joy, and if ever person had the gift, or skill to win the hearts of the people, it was this Queen, she coupled mildness with Majesty; & stooped, yet in a stately manner, to the meanest sort. All her faculties were in motion, and every motion seemed a well-guided action: Her eye was set upon one, her ear listened to another, her judgment ran upon a third, to a fourth she addressed her speech: Her spirit seemed to be everywhere, and yet so entire in herself, that it seemed to be nowhere else. Some she commended, some she pitied, some she thanked; contemning none, neglecting none: and generally casting forth such courteous countenances, gestures, and speeches, that thereupon the people redoubled the testimonies of their joy, promising themselves much happiness under the government of such a Queen.

She was of stature tall, slender, straight, and of an amiable countenance: her hair inclined to a pale yellow, her fore-head large and fair, a seemly seat for Princely grace; her eyes lively, her nose somewhat rising in the midst, the whole compass of her countenance somewhat long, but yet of admirable beauty.

In life she was most innocent, in desires moderate, in purpose just, of spirit above credit, and almost above the capacity of her Sex: of a Divine wit, as well for depth of judgment, as for quick conceit, and speedy expedition; very eloquent, of wonderful knowledge both in learning and affairs: skillful in Greek, Latin, and divers other foreign languages.

She was very religious, magnanimous, merciful, and just: She maintained justice at home, and Arms abroad, with great wisdom and authority; She desired those that repaired to her, if they would not be deceived in her, that they would not be the first to deceive themselves; that they would not prejudice her by immoderate expectations and hopes, promising to themselves out of a sudden liking, more then was fit, or peradventure possible to be performed: And lastly, that they would not rashly judge of her actions, as being privy neither to the occasions nor ends of them.

After some stay at the Tower, she removed to Sommerset house: She continued all the Counselors left by the deceased Queen; and to balance them equally, being Papists, she chose divers Protestants to join with them; and knowing that sudden alterations are dangerous, she did by degrees abolish Popery, and established the reformed Religion: then she summoned a Parliament. When she took Coach in the Tower, she made a solemn thanksgiving to God, who had delivered her no less mercifully, and mightily, from her imprisonment in that place, then Daniel from the Lions Den: that had delivered her from those dangers wherewith she was environed, and overwhelmed, to bring her to the joy and honor of that day.

As she passed through the City, the Recorder presented her with a curious purse, wherein were a thousand Markes in gold, desiring that she would be a gracious Mistress to the City: She answered, that she was bound so to be, not for their gold, but for their good wills: And that as they had expended treasure to honor her, so she would be ready not only to spend her treasure, but the dearest drops of her blood to maintain and increase their flourishing estate.

A Child from a Pageant let down in a silken lace, an English Bible richly covered to her: She kissed her hands, took it, kist it, laid it to her breast, then held it up, thanking the City, especially for that gift, and promising to be a diligent reader of it. She cheerfully received Nosegayes, Flowers, Rosemary from mean persons.

The Sabbath following, she was crowned at Westminster: then she appointed a public disputation there, about matters of religion; but the Popish Disputants shown themselves so cross, and froward in it, that it came to nothing.

King Philip hearing of the death of his wife Queen Mary, he sent an Ambassador to propose his marriage with her, promising to get a dispensation from the Pope. This much troubled her, considering his quality, and how much he had deserved of her, and yet now she must reject his suit: Wherefore she resolved publicly to make profession of her Religion, and to hasten the Reformation, as the only means to take him off. In the Parliament was enacted, That the Lady Elizabeth was, and ought both by the Law of God, the common Law of England, and the Statute Law, to be the lawful and undoubted Queen of England, &c. The Sacrament was appointed to be used in both kinds, and divers such like Laws for establishing the Protestant Religion. Then she concluded a peace with the French King.

The Commons by their Speaker, endeavored to persuade her to marriage from many politick grounds. To whom she answered, That at at her Coronation she had solemnly with a Ring espoused her self to the Kingdom, And (said she) everyone of you, and every true Englishman, are my children, and kinsmen: But if God shall please, that I shall enter into another course of life, I promise you, that I will do nothing that shall be prejudicial to the Common wealth, &c. And to me it shall be full satisfaction, if when I have left my last breath, it be engraven on my Tomb, Here lies ELIZABETH, which reigned a Virgin, and died a Virgin.

By means of the alteration of Religion, this Kingdom became the most free of all the Kingdoms in Christendom, the Scepter being freed from servitude to the Pope: and more wealthy then formerly, an infinite Mass of money being staid at home, which was wont to be exported to Rome. She oft used to say, That the Common-wealth might be in safety, she was never without care. Her Motto was, Semper eadem, Always the same. Her study was, as to reform, so to establish the reformed Religion. When foreign Princes interceded to her in the behalf of the Papists, she answered, That they must not expect from her such things, as she could not grant with the safety of her Kingdom, and without wrong to her own honor and, conscience.

The King of France, notwithstanding his late made peace with her, yet levied great Forces of Horse and Foot, to be transported into Scotland: But whilst he breathed out nothing but blood, and slaughter against the Protestants, by God's just hand his own blood was spilled at the Nuptiall solemnities of his daughter, and sister.

About this time Religion was reformed in Scotland, which the Queen Regent much impugned; and for that end made use of French Soldiers to suppress the Protestant Nobility, and others. Whereupon they sued to Queen Elizabeth for aid, and she inquired into their ends, which they proposed, which they professed were to advance the glory of Christ, the sincere preaching of God's Word, the rooting out of Superstition, and Idolatry, and to preserve their ancient liberty against the oppression of strangers.

After the Queen had seriously considered all things, it was resolved, That the professors of the same Religion were to be relieved, and the French to be driven out of Scotland. Hereupon the Queen sent Mr. Winter with a Fleet into Edinburgh Frith, who set upon the French Ships of War, and upon one of their Garrisons. And the Duke of Norfolk was sent to Batwick, unto whom resorted many of the Scottish Nobility, where many Articles were agreed upon betwixt them. After which the Queen sent an Army into Scotland, consisting of one thousand two hundred Horse, and six thousand Foot, under the Lord Grey, a brave Soldier: They first besieged Leith; the French issued forth and skirmished with them, but were beaten in again. The siege continuing, the King of France sent to Queen Elizabeth, to treat of a peace; which at last was concluded, and proclaimed in the Camp, and Town. Hereby the ancient liberty of Scotland was retained, the dignity of England preserved, and the Scottish Protestants acknowledged our Queen Defendresse of their happiness.

Shortly after, the Queen set forth a Proclamation, whereby she commanded the Anabaptists, and such like Heretics, which had flocked to the Coast Towns of England from the parts beyond the Sea, (under color of shunning persecution, and thereby had spread their poisonous opinions in England) to depart the Realm within twenty days, upon pain of imprisonment, and loss of goods.

The Abby of Westminster she converted to a Collegiat Church; instituting to God's glory, and the increase of good learning, a Dean, twelve Prebends, a Schoolmaster, Usher, and forty Scholars, six whereof at least are preferred to the Universities yearly, twelve Almsmen, &c. Money, which King Henry the eighth had embased, she restored to its just value.

Anno 1561. the Scottish Queen deferred the confirmation of the aforementioned Treaty: Whereupon the Queen sent into Scotland, to exhort the Nobility to mutual amity, which is firmly founded in the unity of Religion.

Shortly after, the Scottish Queen, being now a Widow, and in France, sent to Queen Elizabeth for leave to pass into Scotland upon a safe conduct: Which she refused to grant, because she had not, according to her faith given, confirmed the aforenamed Treaty. But yet in a great fog, she passed by the English Ships, and so got into Scotland.

About this time the Pope endeavored to persuade her, to send some to the Council of Trent, for the taking away of dissensions in Religion, &c. Whereunto she answered, That she heartily wished for an Ecumenical Council, but to a Popish Council she would not send, with the Bishop of Rome she had nothing to do, whose authority was expelled out of England by consent of her Estates: Neither belonged it to him, but to the Emperor, to call Councils, nor would she acknowledge any greater authority in him, then in any other Bishop.

About this time the Spire of Paul's Steeple, which was five hundred and twenty foot from the ground, and two hundred and sixty from the square Steeple, being framed of Timber, and covered with lead, was set on fire by lightning; and in five hours space, it was quite consumed, together with the roof of the Church: But by the Queens bounty, and other large contributions, the roof was soon repaired again.

Anno 1562. the Protestants in France being persecuted, and oppressed by the Popish party, sent to the Queen of England, desiring aid from her: And after mature deliberation, she took into her protection the French Kings subjects in Normandy, contracting with the Prince of Condé, and other Noble men, to pay them an hundred thousand Angels, and to send them over into France, six thousand men. And the same day she published a Declaration, that she sent not her Army into Normandy to recover that Country, which anciently belonged to the Kings of England, but to preserve it for the French King, being not yet at age, and to defend it against the Guises, who had exercised barbarous cruelties against the Protestants, whom she could not neglect, without betraying her own Religion, security, and safety.

And shortly after, she sent over Forces under the Earl of Warwick, to New-Haven: And the Queens Ships scouring the Seas, brought in many rich prizes.

Anno 1563. another parliament was holden at Westminster; where, amongst other good Laws, it was ordained, that the Bible, and Service should be translated into the Welsh tongue. The year after, the Queen in her progress, went to Cambridge, where she was entertained with all kinds of honor, and with Comedies, Tragedies, and Scholastical Disputations: She surveyed every College, and in a Latin Oration she acknowledged their love, and kindness, commending their multiplicity of learning, exhorting them to bend their whole minds, and studies to the improvement thereof; promising to be a Patronesse to them therein.

Anno 1566. she went to Oxford also, where she was magnificently entertained: There she stayed seven days, being much delighted with the pleasantness of the place, and beautifulnesse of the Colleges; and the wits, and excellent learning of the Students: She gave them large thanks in a Latin Oration, with singular sweetness of speech, and so bade them heartily fare-well.

Anno 1568. some godly Ministers sought earnestly for a reformation of our Church, for abolishing of Episcopacy, & for the settling of the Presbyterial government in this Kingdom. But by the power of the Bishops with the Queen, they were imprisoned; yet had they many that concurred with them in judgment; which by the Prelatical party were branded with the odious name of Puritans.

About this time the Queen of Scots fled into England, and by the advice of the Privy Council, was here detained.

Also Pope Pius Quintus suborned one Robert Ridolph, a Florentine, who had lived a Factor in London a long time, to stir up the Papists in England against Q. Elizabeth, which he most zealously, and closely prosecuted: yet the Lord prevented him: Also there was much underhand dealing, that the Duke of Norfolk might marry the Queen of Scots, & set her at liberty, whereupon she was removed out of the North (being a Popish country) to Tidbury Castle, under the custody of George Earl of Shremesbury: Queen Elisabeth used great care for the safety of religion both at home, and abroad; and whereas in France edicts were published (contrary to the former agreement) whereby the exercise of the reformed religion was utterly forbidden, the professors of it removed from all public offices, and the Ministers of the word commanded to depart the Realm by a day prefixed, our Queen by her Embassador Norris earnestly solicited the King of France, that a sound and sincere peace might be made, advising the King, that he would not by unseasonable remedies incense his subjects minds, & that above all things he would beware of those, which by rooting out his faithful subjects, sought to weaken his Kingdom, that it might become a prey to others: but when he would not hearken to her Counsel, lest she should fail those that were joined with her in one common cause, she sent one hundred thousand Angels, and munition for war to the Protestants: she also entertained courteously such French Protestants, as fled into England, as also the Netherlanders, many of whom came hither also to withdraw themselves from the cruelty of the Duke de Alva, who breathed forth nothing but blood and death against them: and shortly after picking a quarrel with our Queen, he prohibited all commerce with the English, and commanded that nothing should be brought in, or carried forth of the Netherlands by the English: He also appointed searchers, amongst whom there was none so active, as one John Story an English fugitive, who had before consulted with a Magician against the Queens life, and had provoked the Duke de Alva to invade England but being allured with a wile into a ship, they presently hoised sails, and brought him hither, where he was afterwards executed for his treason.

About this time many rumors brake forth, that the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland (zealous Papists) were raising a rebellion in the North, whereupon the Queen sent to them, to come up to London, and Northumberland was partly minded so to do, but his friends and followers beseeched him, that he would not fail them, nor the religion of his fathers: telling him, that the Catholics were prepared all over England to assist him: that some were coming out of Scotland, others out of the Netherlands from the Duke de Alva to join with him, whereupon he going to the Earl of Westmorland: they brake out into open rebellion, publishing these pretences: That they took Arms with no other intent, but that the religion of their forefathers might be restored, corrupt councellors removed from the Queen the Duke of Norfolk and other Knights that were put from their ranks, might be restored to liberty and grace: and that they attempted nothing against the Queen, to whom they vowed themselves now▪ and ever dutiful and obedient subjects.

Their first march was to Durham, where they rent and trampled under feet English Bibles in as great a contempt as Jehoiakim did Ierem'ys roll. At Darington they besprinkled the Army with holy water, and at Rippon they heard Mass to forward their treason: their Ensign was the Cross and five wounds of Christ: At Brampton Moore they mustered a thousand six hundred horse, and four thousand foot, with which they fell upon Barnards Castell, which after eleven days siege was yielded to them: hereupon they were proclaimed Traitors, the Pope promised a hundred thousand Crowns to advance this design, but before they received the money, the Earl of Sussex, Lieutenant General of the North, gathered some forces, and pursued them, whereupon the chief of them fled into Scotland to the popish party there, not bidding their deluded followers farewell, who were presently surprised without resistance, and the ringleaders of them were executed by Marshall Law: Yet presently after Leonard Dacres began a new rebellion, and raised many to revenge their friends death, but the Lord Hunsdon hasting against them, after a long and desperate fight, put them to flight, Dacres escaping into Scotland, and leaving his followers to the Law: Northumberland in Scotland was taken by the Regent, imprisoned, and afterwards sent into England, where (being attainted by the Parliament) he was beheaded at York. The Earl of Westmorland, by God's revenging hand, in the very time of his rebellion, was deprived of his Children; and afterwards wandering himself in strange Countries, had his body consumed with venomous ulcers, whereof he died.

About that time, Pope Pius Quintus, at the instance of Nicolas Morton, an English Priest, sent forth his Bull against the Queen, whereby he deprived her of all Princely authority, as one uncapable of the Crown, or Government. Then were his Emissaries sent forth, some plotters of invasions, to lay our land wast; others, conspirators against her sacred person: And the Popes Bull was brought to London, and in the night time hung upon the Gates of the Bishops Palace by Paul's. Yet in the midst of these broils at home, she failed not to relieve the Protestants of France, who were in a most distressed state: And she exhorted all the Princes of the same profession, to take upon them the defense of the common Cause. The Queen of Navarre she supplied with monies, taking Jewels in pawn for it. She permitted Henry Champnour to lead into France and hundred voluntary Gentlemen upon Horsebacke, who were very serviceable to the Protestant party. Not long after were executed Sherwin, Campion, Kirby, for dispersing & promoting the Popes Bull against the Queen. And Sanders, the Popes Legate in Ireland to raise rebellion, fell mad, and wandered succorless in the wast mountains, where he miserably died.

Then John Summervile of Ederston in Warwickeshire, came to the Court, (provoked thereto by one Hall, a Seminary Priest) with a purpose to murder the Queen; but God discovering his treason, he was committed to Newgate, where he desperately hanged him self.

Many Priests and Jesuits repaired into England in the attire of Gallants, dispersing themselves, and endeavoring to withdraw the subjects from their allegaince: some of which were taken and executed, as Campion, &c.

Then Francis Throgmorton, solicited thereto by Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador, undertook to sound the Havens for the enemies entrance; to get a Catalogue of all the Popish Gentlemen in every County, that would assist: But God discovering his treason, he was apprehended, & in his study the catalogue was found, and the Havens for landing, &c. for which he was worthily executed.

Then one William Parry (whose life the Queen had formerly spared, when he was justly condemned for burglary) vowed her death: and for this end, he went to the Queen, desiring to speak with her, and ofttimes after having weapon, place, presence, and opportunity, intending resolutely to kill her, was ever daunted when he beheld the glory of her presence, and majesty in her face. Yet afterwards, reading Allens book, he was so fired with zeal, that he posted to a Gentleman, whom he thought as discontented as himself, opening his treason for the bringing in of foreign invaders, and threatening with Dagge or Dagger, to kill the Queen: but the Gentleman revealing it to two privy Counselors, he was apprehended, and confessing his treason, was worthily executed. Hereupon her Majesty in a Parliament openly professed, that she knew no Creature breathing, whose life stood hourly in more peril then her own: And that even at her first entrance into her estate, she entered into infinite dangers of life, as one that had to wrestle with many and mighty enemies; yet was she confident of her heavenly Fathers protection, &c.

Shortly after, as she was upon the Thames in her Barge with the French Embassador, and some others, a Serving-man with his Caleiver shot a bullet, which pierced both the arms of one of the Water-men; within six foot of the Queen: With which all in the Barge were astonished; but she being undaunted, and seeing the man bleed, threw him her scarfe, and with words of comfort, bade him be of good cheer, he should never want: for the bullet was aimed at her, though it hit him: yet afterwards knowing that it was done casually, she both pardoned the party, and commanded his master to keep him still in his service. She was of such singular clemency, that she never heard of the capital punishment of offenders, even of such as had sought her own death, but it bred horror, and sorrow in her; so that had not her Counselors earnestly inculcated the necessity of such exemplary Justice, many dangerous attempts had escaped their due punishment, which moved her to say, that her reading of Seneca de clementia, had done her much good; but some would persuade her, it had done her State as much harm.

Her love to her people in general, and tender care over the poorer sort, and oppressed, was incomparable: Her ears were always open to their complaints, and her hands open to receive their petitions; and her manner was, always to commend their causes to her-Council, and Judges, to whom she used to say: Have care of my people, you have my place, do you to them that which I ought to do: they are my people, yet everyone oppresseth and spoileth them without mercy: they can neither help themselves, nor revenge their quarrel: See to them, I pray you, see to them, for they are my charge; them therefore I charge you with as God hath committed them to me: I care not for myself, my life is not dear unto me; my care is for my people. If you knew my care for my people, you might discern, that I take no great joy in wearing the Crown, &c.

Anno 1585. Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, was gone so far in disloyal practices against her, that he was committed to the Tower; whereby discharging a Dagge with three bullets under his left pap, he pierced his heart, and presently died.

Also Philip, Earl of Arundel, and Sir John Perat, late Deputy of Ireland, for plotting with Spain against the Queen, were imprisoned in the Tower; where, by course of nature, they ended their lives.

Then Anthony Babington, Esquire, and thirteen more, whereof one was a Seminary Priest, conspired against her, whereof seven of them undertook to murder her: They held intelligence also with foreign Powers to invade the Realm; and with many Papists, in most parts of the Kingdom. But the Priest going to the Spanish Embassador Mendoza, to signify that all things were now ready, was suddenly apprehended, and imprisoned: whereupon Babington and two others of them resolved immediately to kill the Queen: bu • (God protecting her) he was intercepted, and imprisoned, from whence he escaped, and intending to fly the land disguised himself by colouring his face and hands with walnuttree leaves, yet (through God's mercy) he was discovered, apprehended, and brought to the Tower: the other conspirators hereupon dispersed themselves: yet were met with, and examined, who confessed their treasons, and were deservedly condemned, and executed: Then Stanly an English Fugitiue, suborned Patrick Cullen for thirty pound to kill the Queen: yet God discovering his treason, he was apprehended and executed: Then Roderick Lopez a Physician about her Majesty, was corrupted to give her poison in her Physic, and for that end had a Jewel of gold garnished with a great Diamond, and large Ruby given him, and fifty thousand Crowns promised when he should effect it: But God's mercy brought to light the conspiracy: So that Lopez coming with his poisonous Physic to the Queen, she told him, he must go to the Lord Treasurer Cecil, who had more need of Physic then she, whereupon he went to him with all diligence, to whom the old man said, what is your Physic Master Doctor: a Purge said Lopez: I think, said the Lord Cecil, I must be a Physician to purge you, and so apprehended him for a Traitor, then other Doctors examining the ingredients, easily found that the potion was poison, for which he suffered death at Tyburne as he deserved.

Then two other English fugitives, York & Williams soldiers by profession, and desperate Papists, were suborned to kill her, oaths of secrecy administered to them by a Priest, who sent them away with his blessing: they came into England with a purpose to get entertainment with some great Courtier to further their design, but their Treason being found out, they were condemned, and died like Traitors: Then one Squire, who belonged to the Queens stable, was hired to poison the pummell of her saddle: and by a Jesuit he was thus encouraged: God bless thee, and give thee strength, my son, be of good courage, I pawn my soul for thine, and thou shalt have my prayers dead and alive: and thereupon he delivered him the poison, directed him how to apply it; and afterwards the Queen being to ride abroad, he pressed out the poison upon the Pummell of her saddle a little before she gat up, yet God's wonted and wonderful protection appeared; for though the season was hot, and her veins & pores open to receive any malignant tainture, yet her body felt no distemper, nor her hand more hurt then Paul's did when he shaked off the venomous viper: then with the same poison he anointed the pummels of a wooden chair, wherein the Earl of Essex sat, purposing to destroy him also, but the Lord prevented the operation, as he did to the Queen: Hereupon the Jesuit suspecting Squires falsehood: because the act was not done, sent information against him into England, whereupon he was committed to prison, and examined, who confessing all, was Worthily executed.

The Duke of Norfolk, who was prisoner in the Tower about the Queen of Scots, was after trial condemned, and executed: Anno 1572. the Regent of Scotland sent to her to crave aide, for the defense of the young King and country, endangered by Civil broils, whereupon the Queen sent him a thousand five hundred men, under Sir Wilam Drury, who besieged the Castle of Edinburgh held by some rebels, took it in, and so returned into England. The same year Sir Thomas Gresham built the royal exchange for the commerce of Merchants. Anno 1577. Sir Francis Drake sailed about the world, returning anno 1580, to the great honor of the Queen and the English nation, being the first that ever attempted and performed such an enterprize.

Anno 1583 the Pope and King of Spain joined together to send men and money, under Thomas Stukely into Ireland to stir up rebellions there: but the Lord Grey, Deputy of Ireland quickly slew and took them prisoners: & Stukley, haunted with the furies of his own conscience, died miserably. Also the Earl of Desmond, that had joined in the rebellion, wandering in the woods, was at last slain by a common soldier: About this time the States of the Lowcountries joining together to free themselves from the Spanish tyranny, sought to our Queen to be their protectresse: she permitted them to carry over many English volunteeres, and promised to mediate peace betwixt them and the King of Spain, & so dismissed them well satisfied: but presently after Don John of Austria oppressing of them, they sued again to the Queen, that by her means, they might enjoy the ancient privileges of their provinces, and freedom of conscience from the Spanish inquisition, and by their lamentable complaints, they so prevailed with the pitiful Queen, that she sent into Spain, to entreat the King to redress their grievances; but he being deaf to that request, and planting his Garrisons very suspiciously, she agreed with the States, and lent them an hundred thousand pound for their relief, Anno 1581. Francis Valois the K. of France his brother, came into England to woe our Queen; but she desiring to do nothing that might grieve her subjects, after Princely entertainment dismissed him: shortly after the Prince of Orange being murdered, the States sued to her again for relief and protection, and her Council upon debate, resolved that for defense of the Gospel, and the professors of it, her Majesty ought to accept of the offer, and thereupon she undertook to be their defender, but would not take the title of Sovereign Lady thereof, which they would have settled upon her and her heirs: then was Sir John Norris sent over with five thousand foot, and one thousand horse at her Majesty's pay, for security whereof Flushing, Brill, and the Ramekins were delivered to her Majesty's use, Anno 1585. This Philip of Spain took very ill, and published two false Libells against her, whereunto she returned a printed answer: Then Mendoza the Spanish Lieger Ambassador practiced to bring in foreign forces for the invasion of this Land, but the Lord prevented him.

Then the Queen sent Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester with a brave train into the Low Countries, where he was joyfully, and honourably entertained, and the States took their oath to the Queen: Leicester presently attempted the taking in of Zutphen, where happened a fierce encounter between the English and Spaniards, in which the brave Sir Philip Sidney, as he changed his horse, was shot with a musket bullet above the knee, which so shattered the bone of his thigh, that he died thereof twenty five days after; yet the English took in a Sconse near Zutphen; whereof Leicester made Rowland York Governor, as also Sir William Stantley Governor of Deventer, contrary to the mind of the States; and these two men traitorously sold the places to the Spaniards presently after, which made the States very jealous of the English. Then was the Earl of Leicester sent for back into England; and about that time, the Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle. In Leicesters absence, his officers, and soldiers grew very unruly, whereupon the States chose Maurice of Nassaw their Governor, yet Leicester returned into Holland, but the differences Betwixt him, and the states growing higher, the Queen caused him to resign his Government, and return for England. Anno 1588 the Spaniard prepared for to invade England, yet held a treaty for peace, the better to make the Queen secure. His preparations were extraordinary, as may appear by this list of his Navy.

The Admiral Galleon of St. Martins of 1000 Tunn, 177 mariners, 300 souldisrs, 50 Cannon &c.

Galleon of St. John's of 1070 Tunn, 160 Mariners, 231 Soldiers, 50 Cannon &c.

Galleon of St. Mark, of 792 Tunn, 117 Mariners, 292 Soldiers &c.

Galleon of St. Phillip, of 800 Tunn, 117 Mariners, 415 Soldiers, 40 pieces of Artillery.

Galleon of St. Lewis, of 830 Tunn, 116 Mariners, 376 Soldiers, 40 Gunns.

Galleon of St. Matthew, of 750 Tunn, 50 Mariners, 177 Soldiers, 40 Gunns.

Galleon of St. James, of 520 Tunn, 100 Mariners, 300 Soldiers, 30 Gunns.

Galleon of Florence, of 961 Tunn, 100 Mariners, 300 Soldiers, 52 Gunns.

Galleon of St. Christopher, of 352 Tunn, 90 Mariners, 300 Soldiers, 30 Gunns.

Galleon of St. Bernard, of 352 Tunn, 100 Mariners, 280 Soldiers, 30 Gunns.

1 Zabra of 166 Tunn, 55 mariners, 55 Soldiers, 13 Gunns.

2 Zabra of 166 Tunn, 50 Mariners, 60 Soldiers &c

Ship of St. Angel, of 768 Tunn, 114 Mariners, 323 Soldiers, 30 Cannon.

The Gangrin of 1160 Tunn, 100 Mariners, 300 Soldiers 36 Cannon.

St. James of 660 Tunn, 102 Mariners, 250 Soldiers, 30 Gunns.

Conception of 468 Tunn, 70 Mariners, 100 Soldiers, 20 Cannon.

2 Conception of 418 Tunn, 70 Mariners, 164 Soldiers, 24 Gunns.

Magdalene of 330 Tunn, 70 Mariners, 200 Soldiers, 22 Gunns.

St. John of 350 Tunn, 80 Mariners, 130 Soldiers, 24 Gunns.

Mary of 165 Tunn, 100 Mariners, 180 Soldiers, 24 Gunns.

Manuell of 520 Tunn, 54 Mariners, 130 Soldiers, 16 Gunns.

Mary of 707 Tunn, 50 Mariners, 220 Soldiers, 30 Gunns; besides diverse others.

They had in all 130 ships of 57808 Tunn, 8450 Mariners, 19295 Soldiers, 2088 Slaves: 2630 Cannon, 7000 Muskets: 10000 Halberds, and Partizans: 100000 quintals of Biscuits: 147000 Pipes of wine: 6500 quintalls of Bacon, 3000 quintalls of Cheese. Besides fish, rise, banes, Pease, Oile, Vinegar, &c. 12000 Pipes of fresh water. The Army cost every day 30000 Ducats: the General was the Duke of Medina Sidonia: there were in it 100 Friers: Physicians, Surgeons, Apothecaries, and four and twenty noblemen volunteers: this navy was by them styled the Invincible Armado: and had the blessing of the Pope along with it: To encounter with it, the Queen first appointed General Fasting and prayer publicly through the land: then she sent forth under Charles Howard Lord Admiral▪ and under Sir Francis Drake vice Admiral a hundred ships, as also forty little ships under Henry Lord Seimer lay about Dover: as the former lay at Plimmouth: in all our fleet were but three and twenty of the Queens great ships: the rest were little ones.

The Prince of Parma in the Netherlands was to join with the Spanish Navy, and had prepared for that end two hundred and ten bands of old Soldiers, a hundred in each band, and four thousand nine hundred horse for land service. In the English Fleet were but twelve thousand Mariners and Soldiers: July the 20. Anno 1588 the Spanish Navy came within the sight of England: and they were so confident of success, that they spared for no cost, intending that England should pay the reckoning. Besides what was mentioned before, they had 220000 great shot. Of Powder four thousand two hundred quintals, every quintall containing an hundred weight. Of lead for bullets, a thousand quintals, of Match, a thousand two hundred quintalls; with murthering pieces, double Canons for battery: Field pieces for the Campe, with store of furniture for carriages, Mules and Horses: they had stoore of Torches, Hides, and Lead, to stop leaks, Whippes and butchering knives: The Army in all was thirty two thousand strong. The Prince of Parma provided 70 flat bottomed boats, everyone able to bear 30 horses for transportation, with bridges ready made to ship and unship them: Store of Piles sharpened at the ende with iron pikes to pile up the mouths of Rivers; twenty thousand empty casks with cords, & other furniture fit to make floating bridges to stop up havens, &c. Towards this expedition the Pope sent out his Crusado, and contributed a million of gold: Our Queen besides her Navy, prepared a land Army under the Earl of Leicester Lievetenant General, which met at Tilbury in Essex, consisting of twenty two thousand foot, and one thousand five hundred Horse: her self like another Deborah, was General of the Army: the first of the Spanish Shipps, which fell into our hands was a great Galleon, which having lost her foremast, lagged behind the rest, whereupon Drake sent to command them to yield, otherwise his bullets should force them to it; but Valdez answered, that they were 450. strong, and himself Don Pedro, and therefore expected honorable conditions; Drake replied, that he had no leisure to parly, if they would yield presently, do it; otherwise they should prove that Drake was no dastard: as soon as they heard that terrible name of Drake, they presently yielded: in the ship they found fifty five thousand Ducats, which they shared merrily amongst them, whilst the Armado lay at anchor near Calais, the English emptied eight ships, filled them with Gun-powder, pitch, brimstone, &c. which in the night they let drive with the wind towards the Spanish Fleet, which so frighted them with horrible fear, lest their ships should be fired, that they cut their Cables, and fled in such hast and confusion, that their greatest Galliasse fell foul on another ship, whereby she was taken by the English, and in her a rich booty; in brief, God fighting from heaven by the winds against them, and prospering the English in their little nimble ships, this Invincible Armado was so shattered, torn, dispersed, &c. that they came short home eighty one of their ships, and thirteen thousand, five hundred, and odd of their men. So that there was no famous and great Family in all Spain, which in this expedition lost not a son, brother, or kinseman: Hereupon this Religious Queen caused public thanksgiving to be celebrated to the Lord of Hosts Concerning this wonderful deliverance, Mr. Samuel Ward made these verses.

Queen Elizabeth's fame was so advanced hereby, that Don Antonio, the expulsed King of Portugal came to her for relief, who granted it to him: shortly after the King of France, Henry the third, being murdered by a Jacobin Frier, the Guisian faction leagued together to keep out Henry of Bourbon, King of Navar, and next heir to the Crown of France, from succeeding in that Kingdom, because he was a protestant: hereupon he craved aid of our Queen to settle him in his throne, which she granted in respect of the common cause of Religion, and first sent him over two thousand pound in money, Arms, ammunition, &c. then she sent him some ships: then a brave Army under the Lord Willoughby, then three thousand foot under Sir John Norris: then another Army under the Earl of Essex: all which stood him in great stead, and much forwarded his advancement to the Crown: Afterwards she prepared, and sent forth a gallant Feet under the command of the Lord Admiral Howard for the Sea, and the Earl of Essex for the Land service: she also published a Declaration of the occasion, viz. because she heard of the great preparation which the King of Spain made for a second invasion of her Land, and when it was ready to set sails, she made this prayer: Most omnipotent maker and guider of the worlds Maisse, that only searchest and fathomest the bottom of our hearts, & in them seest the true Originalls of all our actions intended: thou that by thy foresight dost truly discern, how no malice of revenge, nor requital of injury, nor desire of bloodshed, nor greediness of gain hath bred that resolution of our setting forth this Army, but a heedful care, and wary watch, that no neglect of foes, nor over-surety of Haven, might breed either danger to us, or glory to them: these being our true grounds, we humbly beseech thee with bended knees, prosper the work, and with best fore-winds guide the journey, speed the victory, and make the return the advancement of thy glory, the triumph of their fame, and surety to the Realm with the least loss of the English blood: To these devont Petitions Lord give thou thy blessed grant &c.

The Fleet, according to her prayer, saised with a prosperous wind to Cadiz, in whose haven lay ninety sails of Ships, and twenty Gallies: five of them of those which they called the Kings twelve Apostles: these were richly laden with ammunition, money, oil, wax, silk, cloth of gold, quicksilver &c. with these our navy fought, beat them, then landed, assaulted the City, and took it: then the General made a proclamation, that none on pain of death should offer violence to any religious person, woman, or child: the Ladies and gentlewomen were sent away with their richest Jewels, and apparel: the spoil was given to the soldiers, and the Citizens paid 120. thousand Ducats for their ransom: The navy of the Spaniards valewed by themselves at twelve Millions of Ducats, was sunk, burned, or taken: our English soldiers were much enriched by this enterprise: then they marched up into the country without resistance, took many booties, and then returned to their ships, and so through God's mercy, in safety to Plimmouth. Anno 1597 the Earl Essex was again sent forth with a brave Fleet, with which he went to the Spanish Islands, where he did great spoil, took rich prizes, and returned laden with honor, and treasure. After this, the King of Denmark sent Ambassadors to mediate peace between England and Spain, whom she answered, and, concluded thus; I would have the King of Denmark and all Princes Christian, and Heathen know, that England hath no need to crave peace: nor myself endured one hours fear, since I attained the Crown thereof, being (through God's mercy) guarded with so valiant and faithful Subjects.

Anno 1600 Tir-Owen, and others rebelling in Ireland, were much encouraged by the Pope: and the King of Spain sent Don John De Aquila into Ireland with two thousand old trained soldiers to join with them, who landed at Kinsal in Munster, and after came a new supply under Don Alphonso, who was himself taken prisoner, and many of his Spaniards slain at his first landing, and Don John so closely besieged, that he was glad to sue for peace, and upon articles to surrender all he had, and so to return home again. Finally God intending to advance this nation under her Government, as she had been careful to advance his glory, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ she, prospered in everything at home and abroad; the great affairs of Europe chiefly depended upon her directions, who sitting at the Helme arbitrated and guided their estates, both in peace and war: Spain seeking to overflow all, was by her beaten back, and scarcely able to maintain his own banks: In France the house of Valois was underpropped by her council; and that of Bourbon advanced by her countenance, forces, and treasure: Scotland relieved by her love: Netherlands by her power: Portugalls King by her bounty: Poland by her commiseration: and Germany, Denmark, Swedeland often took up, and laid down Arms at her beck: she extended her trade and fame into Russia, Asia, Africa, America: was highly honored by the great Turk, Persians, Barbarians, Indians: She had warriors like to the worthies of David: renowned Captains for Sea and land: by a powerful Navy she attained the Sovereignty of the Sea: her Temperance was such, that her brother King Edward usually called her, his sister Temperance: She was famous for piety, Justice, and clemency: Her Court was an Academy of honorable Counselors, Illustrious Peers, Gallant Courtiers, Learned Professors, Intelligent statists, and a Sanctuary where the meanest might find refuge: As she was learned, so she took much pains to improve her learning, by reading over authors in their Originalls, whereby she was able to answer the Ambassadors of most Nations in their own languages: She (with Titus) thought that day lost, wherein she either did not, or received not some good: So that laying aside her great affairs, she spent some hours every day in reading, or hearing learned Readers.

But above all, her piety was most remarkable; for the sacred Scriptures were her greatest delight, wherein she read often, and heard them frequently preached, to which she attended with much reverence, and the pious fruits thereof shined brightly in the whole course, as well of her private life, as of her publ • ck actions: Prayer, sobriety, purity, charity, and chastity, were her inseparable companions, never suffering any Lady to approach her presence, of whose stain she had but the least suspicion. The distressed she relieved, the oppressed she succoured, the over-born Princes she aided, the proud she amated, and always over-mastered, through God's assistance, to her lasting memory, and England's glory.

Her zeal to God appeared in preserving his true Church and worship from the pollutions of Idolatry: her Kingdom and Court was a sanctuary to banished Protestants and persecuted Christians, so that by foreign Churches her loss was much lamented, and she was styled the Nursing-mother of the French, Dutch, & Italian Exiles for Christ's name, and the unconquered Defendresse of the whole true Christian Religion.

Her last sickness was accompanied with a deep melancholy; wherein, as she gave signs of death to her Physicians, so great assurance of eternal life to those godly Divines that were about her, manifesting by her fervent prayers, and by lively signs at their prayers, and speeches, how she rejoiced with the Apostle, That she had fought a good fight, finished her course, and kept the Faith, hoping for the Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge had laid up for her against that great day. And so she resigned up her blessed Soul into the hands of her faithful Creator, and merciful Redeemer, March 24. Anno Christi 1602. of her age threescore and nine, six months and seventeen days, and of her reign four and forty. She was as well beloved, and her death as much lamented, as ever any Prince was.

King JAMES erected for her a Princely Monument, whereon he caused to be inscribed this Epitaph.

By her abstinence from wine, and most temperate Diet, she had preserved her health till her very latter end. A little before her death, she caused that Ring wherewith at her inauguration she was, as it were, married to her Kingdom, and which she had never after taken of, to be filed of her finger; she had a good vain in Poetry. In the time of her sisters reign, when a Popish Priest pressed her hard to declare her opinion of Christ's presence in the Sacrament, she truly and warily answered him thus.

And at another time, a little before the Spanish Invasion in eighty eight, the Spanish Embassador summing up his masters demands thus in verse;

Our Queen ex tempore returned him this answer; Ad Graecas, bone Rex, fient mandata Calendas:

Concerning that wonderful deliverance, that God gave to our Queen & Kingdom from the Spanish invasion in eighty eight, the learned and acute Beza made these verses.

[illustration]

K: OF SWEDEN

[portrait of Gustavus Adolphus]

The Life of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden, who died Anno Christi 1632

GVstavus Ericus, the first of that name, and blood, was ONE of THOSE six Hostages sent to that scarce to be paralleled Tyrant Christierne King of Denmark, Anno 1518, which hostages he having gotten into his power, most perfidiously retained as his prisoners, carrying them away with him into Denmark But Gustavus finding favor and liberty one day to go a hunting, disguised himself & escaped, and after many dangers arrived in his own country Anno 1520. About which time the said King Christierne, contrary to his promise made to the Swedes remitting all offenses upon their submission, beyond all examples of Christianity, within four days after his Coronation, caused all the Nobility, Gentry, Bishops, Counselors, and prime Citizens of the Kingdom of Sweden either to be hanged, or beheaded: so that the streets of Stockholm, where he was crowned, ran with blood: and their carcasses were kept unburied three days, & then he caused them to be buried: amongst these thus massacred, the father of Gustavus was one; but when Gustavus heard this doleful news, having that winter gathered a small company of soldiers together, he excited the Swedes to vindicate their countries liberty: In the valiant prosecution whereof, he having been a chief author by the consent of all the States of the Kingdom, was chosen King Anno 1527. but he refused to be Crowned, contenting himself with the title of Governor; by authority whereof Anno 1523. he summoned a Parliament, where he propounded the reformation of Religion, but finding much opposition, he resigns the Kingdom unto the states again: But shortly after the country being in danger, they humbly beseech Gustavus once again to accept the Kingdom: and so he was Crowned the Protestant King that ever was, Anno 1527. He reigned three and thirty years. He left his Kingdom to Ericus his eldest son Anno 1560, who reigned eight years, and died without issue: John the second of Gustavus succeeded Anno 1568: reigned four and twenty years: his only issue was Sigismund, who was chosen King of Poland in his fathers life time: and succeeded his father in the Kingdom of Sweden Anno 1593. He took an oath to maintain the privileges of the Kingdom, to continue the reformed religion according to the Augustine confession, to bring in no strangers &c. which oath he palpably violating, by attempting to alter religion, to enslaue Sweden, by making it a Province of Poland &c. thereupon Anno 1599 in a full assembly of the States of Sweden he was deposed, and his son Ladislaus chosen in his room, provided that his father Sigismund within three months sent him into Sweden, which he refusing to do, the States chose Charles, the youngest son of Gustavus, for their King, Anno 1600: who valiantly delivered his country from the oppressions of the Polocks: His son was this Gustavus Adolphus, who was borne Anno 1594, and carefully brought up by his father in the knowledge both of Arts, and Arms, and in such other ekercises, as seasoned him both with virtue, and religion, and prepared him for great businesses: His spirit by his education was so elevated, as to esteem no good design too hard for him: his courage so fortified, that he kew not how to stoop beneath a King. So soon as he was fit for it, he travelled into France, Italy, Netherlands and Germany: his father dying whilst he was abroad, he continued his travels under the name of Master GARS, the fou • initial letters of his name, and title: In his travels he gained much experience, studying the Mathematics, and learning the French, Dutch, and Italian languages: He was but seventeen years old at his Fathers death, after which, hastening home into his own Country, he found himself environed with enemies: The Emperor of Russia, and the King of Denmark laying claim to some parts of his Kingdom, and the King of Poland claimed all: but he so bravely, and valiantly behaved himself, that he beat them in several battalles, and at last enforced them to make peace with him: About this time the Empeperour of Germany had greatly oppressed many Princes and free Cities of the Empire, especially the Protestant party, some of whom he had cast out of their inheritances: Stralsund, and Stetin, Mecklenburg, and Pomerland were so heavily oppressed, so sorely overlaid with taxes, and free quarter, that they were no longer able to endure it, whereupon they pitifully complained, and petitioned the Emperor for redress: but he, slighting their requests, continues the oppressions; then they complain to the King of Sweden, who pitying the complaints of his Allies, confederates, and neighbors, sends an Ambassador to the Emperor in their behalf, who was returned with scorn, and contempt: Hereupon the King, considering that his own safety did much depend upon theirs, he resolves to undertake their protection, but withal that he might not be misinterpreted, he publishes a declaration, wherein he protests, that he would not have stirred, if the Emperor had not put such insufferable affronts upon him, who in the late wars of Prussia between Sweden, and Poland, had forbidden him to make any leavies of men, victuals, or ammunition in Germany, yet granting liberty to his enemy the King of Poland to do it: that the Emperor himself had sent two Armies into Prussia to the aide of his enemy the Pole: that his currier riding post with letters to Bethlehem Gabor, had been staid, his letters opened, and false Copies published of them: that his Ambassadors had been slighted, denied Audience, and forbidden to stay in Germany: that when he sought peace by the mediation of the King of Denmark, he obtained nothing but affronts and delays: that the poor town of Stralsund (though it had promise of protection from the Emperor, yet) was it blocked up by the Duke of Freidland, who also had taken the I will of Rugen, lying near to to it: that both those places had sought to him for protection, and that it much concerned him, not to suffer them to be possessed by his enemies: that the Emperor had hindered the Swedish trade upon the Baltic Sea: taken his Ships, laid embargoes upon them &c. that his coming with an Army into the Empire was, to relieve his cosin and confederate, the the Duke of Stetin and Pomeren, miserably oppressed, and to secure his own dominions, not to offer hostility to the Emperor, or Empire; this his declaration he sent in a fair, and respectful manner to the Emperor, who wholly slighted it, but it much satisfied the world: it was rumored abroad, that divers Potent Princes, as England, France, Russia, Venice, and Holland, were interested with him in this action: The Emperor made great preparation to withstand his coming, filling the towns of Pomerland, & Brandenburg with Garrisons. In Mecklenburg were Walsteines forces, who was newly made Duke thereof: All the bridges and passes upon the river Oder were stopped up, manned, and fortified &c. the King of Sweden had no town to be his friend, but the distressed Stralsund only, where he might land his forces: He therefore intending to land in the I will of Rugen, within half a league of Stralsund, sends to Sir Alex. Lesly governor of Stralsund, who with eighteen Swedish ships fell upon the Island, and in a short time cleared it of the Imperialists: presently after, his Majesty of Sweden in a hundred and thirty ships, embarks his Army of about twelve thousand foot, and three thousand horse, some say not so many, and lands in this I will of Rugen: His enemies in all those parts assembled together, to bid him battle at his first landing, but God struck them with such a terror, that they durst not do it: the King was the first that landed himself, who immediately kneeled down and prayed thus: O most great God, that commandest what ever thou pleasest both in heaven and earth, and in the surging Seas, what thank fullness am I bound to render unto thee for that thou hast preserved me thus safely in all this so perilous a voyage? Again, & again do I from the very bottom of my heart & soul give thanks unto thee: and here I humbly beseech thee, that seeing, as thou very well knowest, I have not undertaken this expedition for any private ends of my own, but only for thine honor sake, and to be some comfort and assistance to thine afflicted church: so (if so be the time which thyself hast appointed be already come) thou wouldest now be pleased to favor and bless me hereafter also: and that especially thou wouldest send me a fair wind, and a prosperous, that the Army yet left behind, which out of so many people and nations I have gathered together, I may with joyful eyes shortly here behold, and with an happy beginning promote with them the glory of thy holy name, Amen: This devotion of the K. wrought so with his Counselors, and commanders, that it wrung tears out of their eyes; to whom he said, Forebear to weep, but heartily conjoine your prayers with me; for the greater the Army of prayers is, the greater and more assured shall be the victory: he that pray's diligently hath in part already overthrown the enemy: then took he a shovell, and fell to digging of a trench, and all the rest of the Army followed in their turns, the one half digging, the other half standing to their Arms, so that before night they had strongly entrenched themselves. After two days rest, he took a party of horse and foot, marching three miles into the country, where he saw diverse troops of the enemies, but they all ran away: then he assaulted and took in diverse Sconces, which were strongly built, but weakly defended, so that in twelve days space he cleared the Isles of Vsedom and Wollin: and so marched to the City of Stetin, the seat of the Duke of Pomeren and Stetin; all the Ladies and gentlewomen gat upon the leads, and into windows to look at the Kings Army: the King sent a Trumpet to demand entrance: the Duke returned answer, that he was resolved to stand Neuter: the King not satified, tells him, that he came into Germany to relieve the oppressed Princes, and therefore expects to be admitted into the City, which if it was refused him, he would force it: hereupon the Duke issues out of the Port, and goes to the King, desiring to stand Neuter, but the King would not hear of it, and looking up to the Ladies, Cosin, saith he, if you mean to keep me out of the town, you must set others to guard it, then these Ladies &c. then the Duke desiredl eave to go into the town, the K. consented, & ordered the Lord Reay (a brave Scotchman) to guard him, who when the draw-bridge was let down for the Duke, entered upon it with him, and pell, mell, entered the gate with the Town Garison, whereupon the King with his whole Army marches into the City, and so became master of it without blood-shed. Not long after, the King commanded a Solemn fast to be kept through his Army, & Leaguer at Stetin; the same day the Imperialists fell upon their outguards, but the Leaguer taking the Alarum soon beat them off: then were two soldiers suborned by Tilly to murder the King, but it pleased God to discover the treason, whereupon one of them ran away, the other was deservedly executed. Afterwards the King marching against Grippenhagen, desirous to satisfy himself in viewing of a pass with four and twenty horse only in his company, fell into an Ambush of sixty horse, where he valiantly defended himself, till some of his troops, hearing the pistols go off, fetched him of in safety: before he began his Battery, he ordered another Fast to be kept in his Campe, and the Lord was pleased to give him success answerable to his desires: yea, which is admirable in eight days space he took in many Citis, defeated many enemies, gat many prisoners, so that he wholly cleared Pomeren, and Markland: He was very sparing of blood, putting few to the sword, even in those towns and Castles that he took in by storm.

Then came the French Embassador to his head quarters, where a league was concluded betwixt the King of France and him, upon these, conditions: First that for the defense of their friends, clearing of the Ocean, and Baltic Seas; restoring of the oppressed States of the Empire: and demolishing of new built Forts upon the Ports and Coasts of either Sea; And secondly, seeing the Adverse party refused to repair injuries, and rejected all intercessions, therefore the King of Sweden was to maintain thirty thousand foot, and six thousand horse in Germany, and the King of France was to pay his share towards the maintenance of the same; these with divers others were the conditions of the League, whereof the King of Sweden gave present notice to the Protestant Princes met in a Diet at Leipsich, assuring them that his intentions were no other, but to defend, and restore the German Princes, and their Liberties, &c.

Whereas some of the Kings forces were left in Prussia since his late wars there, order was given unto them within three days to take shipping, & go to the King in Pomeren; and for their transportation, nine ships were appointed, but a storm arising, the fleet was scattered, seven of them with much ado made their Port, one other, wherein was Monroe, a brave Scotchman, with three companies, run a ground near to Rugenwald, a strong place held by the Imperialists, Here a double fear ceased on them, either of drowning in the Sea, or having their throats cut on shore: the latter they put unto the venture, and upon a float of boards, gat safe to the land; but, through God's good providence, most of the Garison were gone abroad to fetch in their weekly contribution: the Burgomaster or major of the Town seeing the Scots thus gotten ashore, went to them, and understanding that they were the King of Swedens men, invited them into the town, and in the night time letting them in, and furnishing them with arms, Monroe sent Captain Bullion, with a chosen party of Musketteeres to fall upon the Imperialists that remained in the City, who quickly Cryed for quarter, & had it granted: the Town being thus miraculously taken, God brought in the ninth ship that was driven away by the storm, to anchor before the Town, whereby Monro was strengthened, and enabled to do some feats of Arms abroad in the country: the King perceiving that God himself had herein fought for him, commands Monro to continue there, and sends gallant Bauditzen with some more horse and foot to join with him.

A while after came an Imperial Currier to the King; His letter contained an admiration of the Emperors, why the King should come armed into the Empire, offering him a treaty of peace, if he would first lay down arms: To this he answers, that his Imperial Majesty would cease to wonder, if he pleased to remember the two Armies sent against him into Prussia: the wronging of his friends, and the endangering of his Kingdoms; and as for the profer of peace, he could not believe that it was sincerely meant, seeing that before it was scorned: but to lay down Arms, he utterly refused, unless Germany were restored to liberty &c. A wonderful thing it is that in eight months, space betwixt July and February, he took in eighty Cities, Castles, and Sconces in Pomerland and Mecklenburg.

Tilly the Imperial General, having about this time gotten together a brave Army of one & twenty thousand horse and foot, advances towards the King: who strongly entrenched himself, out of which he would not be drawn: Tilly passed and repassed by, yet durst not he venture, upon him in his trenches: the King had no reason to present him battle, his Army having been so wearied out, and no necessity forcing him to fight: therefore Tilly goes back, and lays siege to Magdeburg, which at last he took, and like a bloody villain, put to the sword twenty thousand persons at least, of all ranks, ages, and sexes; that great City also he burned down, utterly turning it into Cinders, exceping a hundred nine and thirty houses: His soldiers committed all manner of ravages all the country over: Ladies, Gentlewomen, and others, like beasts and dogs they yoked & coupled together, leading them into the woods to ravish them, & such as resisted, they stripped naked, whipt them, cropped their ears, and so sent them home again.

In the mean time, the King taking with him eight thousand men, advanceth towards Frankfurt upon Oder: Count Scomberg was governor there, who suspecting the Kings purpose, took in seven thousand more into the Garison, and burnt down the suburbs: the same day came the King, then he entrened in the vineyards near the City: in the approaches the valiant Baron Dyvell was wounded, which much troubled the King; in the evening the Imperialists salied out, but were soon beaten back with loss; the next day being Sabbath, the King had prayers, and sermons in his Camp: all things being quiet, the soldiers in the town began to revile the Swedes, asking them, if they had eaten up their leather gunns; they hung out also a Goose upon a pike, jeering the Swedes with it; the great officers within the town thought that the King had no purpose to set upon them, his numbers were so small, and their own strength so great: Both Sermons being ended, he commanded Sir John Banier to give order for the assault: and when he saw his commanders and officers in a bravery ready to fight unarmed, he commanded them to put on their armor: Saying, if my officers be killed, who shall command my soldiers: the Swedish soldiers wanting ladders, ran to the Boores houses, & fetched their racks, with which and some hatchets they got to a mighty strong pallisado near the walls, which they fell to hewing down, then the enemies and they fell to it, bullets and smoke darkening the very air, the Imperialists being beaten, retire through a Salley-port into the town: the King calling Sir John Hephbron, and Colonel Lumsdell, said, now my brane Scots, remember your countrymen slain at new-Brandenburg: they thereupon with their English and Scots regiments, press upon the Salley-port, bullets flying as thick as hail; Lumsdel with his drawn sword presses on, saying, Let's, enter my hearts, and so thrusting in amongst the thickest of his enemies, his men follow, knocking down their enemies most pittiously: then breaking open the greater gate, they entered the City, making a pitiful slaughter, crying, New-brandenburg, knock him down: One Scotchman killed eighteen men with his own hands; and Lumsdell took eighteen Colours, yea he shown such valor, that the King afterwards bid him ask what he would, and he would give it him: by this time the Swedes gat over the walls: Scomberg valiantly opposed himself, but was quickly forced to retire: the Swedes running into danger, like flies into the candle, as if they had not seen it: the Imperialists having brought all the riches which they had gotten by Plundring the whole country into this City, were now lading of it away upon mules, wagons &c. but the Swedes saved them that labor, and the flying soldiers were so stopped, and wedged in with these carts, that many of them were stifled, slain, or thrust into the Oder: divers of the Imperial Collonells were here slain, with fifty Captains and officers, and above seven thousand soldiers, three and twenty Ensigns, and eight Cornets were presented to the King: many prisoners taken, and sent to Stetin; of the Swedes were slain but one hundred, and as many more hurt: the next day the King by entreaties and threats restrained his men from plunder: Here he found much riches: a hundred thousand pound of powder: eighteen pieces of great Ordnance, besides little ones, and a great quantity of Arms, and Ammunition; there was no woman ravished in all this City, nor any Burger killed: the King caused solemn thanks to be returned to almighty God for this great victory: Shortly after he restored the Duke of Mecklenburg to his ancient and paternal inheritance, out of which he had been unjustly cast by the Emperor who had given it to Walsteine: After which he clears Branbenburg of the Imperialists, and takes in Gripswald, and many other places.

Then he advanced towards Magdeburg, from which Tilly was departed, having fortified and garisoned it; by the way he took in many towns and Castles, which Tilly hearing of, sent back four Regiments under Pappenheime to resist him, who joining with the garrisons that were expulsed by the King, fell upon a party of the Swedes, which the King hearing of, with all his horse and two thousand Muskettiers he comes time enough to make one in the medley: Pappenheim's foot are almost all slain on the place: his horse plaid the Pultrons, & ran away, himself escaped by the swiftness of his horse: hereupon diverse garrisons were quitted to the King: then the King proceeding further, formed a strong Camp at Werben upon the river Elbe, hearing that Tilly was coming back towards him, and called of his Garrisons that were not tenable.

Tilly sent, as his avantcurriers, four Regiments of horse, excellent old soldiers, and most of them Curiassiers, to see if they could tempt out the King to fight, these were confident that the King would not fight, and so marched to a town within a league of him, not seeing one Swede all the way, and so there they took up their quarters; Bernsteyn that commanded in chief with six hundred Curiassiers set the watch, the other betook themselves to their rest: the King of Sweden privily sends out a party of two thousand musketters, and five hundred Dragooners against them, which in the break of day fell upon them, slew a thousand five hundred, & Bernestyne amongst them, took nine and twenty Corners, and great store of plate and money: Tilly resolving revenge, marches towards the King with six & twenty thousand brave men, all like himself, full of anger and resolution: but before he assaulted his trenches, he endeavored secretly to hire some traitors with large promises to nail up the Kings Ordnance, that it might be made unservicable against him: but by remorse of conscience in one of the undertakers, the plot was discovered: yet the King gave not Tilly one Cannon shot, though he came near his Ordance, which made him very confident that his plot had taken, and his men pressed on in great multitudes, but on a sudden there was such a tempest of chain shot, murthering shot, and what ever was cruellest to do execution, shoured in amongst them, that there was made a miserable slaughter: immediately sallyed out Baudissen with three regiments of horse, and so cruelly charged his Curiassiers, that had the King seconded him, Tilly had had a great defeat: but a retreat was sounded for that night: then Tilly hired some Boores to fire the town of Werben, about which the Kings Leaguer was: but through God's mercy they were discovered, and executed: Tilly made some other attempts, but seeing he could make nothing of it, he retreated: after whom the King followed, charging the Crabbats [light horsemen] so furiously, that they were driven upon their own foot, who were fain to charge their pikes against them: Hereupon Tilly made an Alt, ordered his men, and a skirmish was begun, which by the nights approach was broken off, and so both sides retired to their quarters: Tilly had a great mind to be revenged, sent out diverse Parties to watch their opportunity, but seeing that most of them came short home, and victuals grew very deer, he disloges with his Army, and marches quite away into the Duke of Saxonies country: he left behind him 500 starved horses, 800 Wagons forwant of draught horses, besides, about 7000 of his men lost in this expedition: then the King divided his Army into several quarters. At this time the Queen of Sweden arrived at Wolgost with eight thousand men: and Marquis Hamilton brought six thousand more out of England at the same time: with these men the King reenforced his several Armies: Tilly was busily employed in taking in Towns in Saxony, and afterwards besieges Lipswich: Hereupon the Duke of Saxony sends importunatly to the King, to hasten to his relief, who accordingly uniting his forces again, marches thitherward: by the way they met with hard lodging, and worse commons, whereupon the Army being drawn up into Battalia, the King thus spake to them: Lord's and gentlemen, I am much grived for this your hard lodging, & entertainment: But courage my hearts, we are now almost in the Dukedom of Saxony, his country: there things will mend: there we shall have victuals, and provision enough, then shall you be paid your arreares, only I desire you to behave yourselves civilly amongst the inhabitants &c. It nothing, I know, daunts your valiant hearts, that you are going to fight with an Army that call themselves invincible: since you have found it not to be so: On therefore my hearts, on God's name; we daily pray to the Lord of hosts for you, and we desire you to do the same for us, that he would be graciously pleased to go along with us, to assist us, and to give us good success in whatsoever, just and religious enter prize we undertake. The Army much encouraged with this speech, marches courageously that night near Wittenburg: and hither the Duke of Saxony sent Ambassadors to the King, to conclude upon what terms he should assist him: which were these.

First, that the King might freely pass, and repass through Saxony. Secondly, that the Duke at his own charge should find the Kings army with powder, shot, and provisions. Thirdly, that the Dukes Army should be under the command of the King. Fourthly, that the Duke should conclude no peace with the Emperor without the Kings consent: when the two Armies met, the Dukes horse and foot veiled their Cornets, and Ensigns as they passed by the Kings Army: the next day news came that Tilly had gotten Lipsich: Then did Tilly out of a bravery send a Trumpet to the King with this message, that as he was a brave Cavalier, he should come, and give him battle: the King scorning the term of Cavalier, replied thus: what! doth your General think me worthy of no better a term then of a Cavalier? I am a King, and tell him ere long I shall find him out: hereupon Tilly prepares his Army, as for a victory assured, rather then to fight much for it, and his men who counted themselves invincible were very glad of the news of a pitchit battle: Pappenheim when he saw the blood prodigiously dropping from the house at Hall, where he was, said: what! must we bleed? will the King of Sweden beat us? that's impossible. September the seventh, Tilly with four and forty thousand brave men advances into the field: the place was a Goodly plain called God's-acre, a mile from Leipsich: the same place, where Charles the fifth overthrew Prince Mauris formerly: there was in this plain a little rising hill, and a wood, here Tilly, careful of all advantages, placed his Army: the hill was fit to plant his cannon on, and easy for him to descend, but hard for the Swedes to climb up; the wood served him to hide his men at the first, and for a retreating place if need were: His word was, Saint Mary, the token to be known by, was white strings and ribbons: the King the day before the battle kept a fast with his Army, to seek unto God for success: in the evening he marcheth forward within three or four miles of the enemy, where they rested that night; the King that night dreamed that he had Tilly fast by the hair of the head, and for all his struggling, would not let him go, till he bit him on the left side, which upon the success, was thus interpreted, that the king should have the upper hand of his enemy, and that Tilly should defeat the Duke of Saxony, who had the left side of the King in the battle: Before day light, he was upon his march, and coming within view of the enemy, he saw them upon the higher ground: Tilly knowing that they were to meet with a troublesome passage through bushes and dirty ways, sent out some to trouble them, who also by setting fire to trains of gunpowder, scattered for that purpose, sought by the smoke thereof, the wind blowing it just into the protestants faces, to blind and trouble their putting of themselves into order: but neither force, nor stratagem could serve turn; for in despite of both, the pass was gained, where the protestants immediately began to put themselves into order of Battle: and seeing Tilly present his men in a mighty large front, which with his wings extended full two miles in length, and to prevent hemming in, they divided themselves into two Armies, the Duke of Saxony towards the left, the King towards the right hand: Tilly seeing their march, said, Now fellow soldiers we must look for blows: his men, deeming themselves invincible, expressed much desire to beat it: The King of Sweden rode from regiment to regiment, saying with a loud voice, Come on, Comrades, will you fight today for the name of Jesus Christ? they all cheerfully cried out; vivat Gustavus Adolphus vive, vive, vive thereupon the King presently sent a Trumpet to Tilly with a letter, that he desired to see him in the field, and to that purpose he now attended for him: to which Tilly returned answer, that he for his part had never refused to fight with him; that he would now meet him half way, and that the King knew well where to find him: the King had in his Army about twenty thousand, amongst whom were many English & Scots: the Duke of Saxonies Army consisted of fourteen thousand, led by the valiant L. Arnheim: the word for both the Protestants armies was, God with us; their tokens, Green branches in their hats and helmets: some few days before, two flocks of birds had fought in this place, the one killing and beating away the other, the victorious birds remained on the place, which being sprung by the Kings vauntcurriers, took their flight to Tillies Army, and there fetching a circle about, returned towards the Kings Army: as who would say, we went to fetch you victory: at least some thus thought of it.

Being now ready to come to the shock, some struggling there was for the wind, which was full in the protestants faces, the King by wheeling about sought to alter it, the other as much to keep their advantage: the fight began with great Ordnance, Tilly himself gave fire to the first three great gunns: & the King, as his manner was, to the two first: the hideous roaring of the cannons on both sides, made the very Earth to tremble, and continuing so two hours, made many a brave man breath his last: about two a clock the cannon gave over, and both horse and foot charged: Pappenheim with his horse charging the Kings right wing, which was lined with Muskietters, was so pelted, that traversing their ground, they thrust in between the Kings Right wing, and main battle, where Bannier commanded, after whom the King immediately sent some able troops, who hemming them in cut them utterly to pieces: Pappenheimes foot being thus left naked, were easil • defeated, he himself was wounded, forsook the field, and left all his Ordnance behind him: the King in the beginning of the fight, seeing his men hardly charged, alighting from his horse, with bended knees prayed to the God of heaven for victory; Tilly seeing it go hard with his left wing, advanceth down the hill with his battle, consisting of sixteen Regiments of brave old soldiers, the horsemen also proudly prancing upon their flanks: opposite to him was Gustavus Horne, with his left wing: Tilly twice or thrice charges him with great bravery, which charges Horne with as much resolu • ion endures and returned: Tilly finding himself much galled there with the Swedish horse lined with Drakes, and small field pieces, leaving part of his horse and foot to hold Horne play, suddenly with the rest converts all his fury upon the Duke of Saxony: two or three charges the Saxons endured well enough, but the wind carrying the smoke and dust full into their eyes, and Tillyes men falling too heavily upon them, they not able any longer to endure the fury of the old Wallons, Germans, and Burgundians, at first began to give ground, & to run quite away a little after: some were slain and many were taken prisoners, the rest fled, leaving all their fair Ordnance to the enemy, who presently turned them upon the Swedish: But these cowardly Saxons, is soon as they were out of reach of the enemy, fell to pillage their own wagons, that they might carry home the spoils of the wars, though not of their enemies: the Imperialists seeing the Saxons flying, cry Uictoria, Victoria, follow, follow, follow; but the old Lad their General said, Let them go, we shall overtake them time enough, let us beat the Swedes too, and then all Germany is our own: some posts were presently dispeeded away to the Emperor at Vienna with welcome tidings of victory: But valiant Arnheym, with the best of the Dukes horse, & his life guard, edging towards the Swedes, kept the field: An Imperial Cavalier seeing a Saxon Captain of horse, behave himself bravely in the head of his Troop, presently riding up to him, bent his Pistol upon him, engaging him in a single combat, which the Saxon refused not, and both their horses being shot, to it on foot they go with sword and pistoll; both are slain, and both fell down dead together one upon another: yet death gave the honor to the Saxon Champion, laying him uppermost: But that party which Tilly had left engaged with Horne, came not so victoriously of from the Swedes, as their General had done from the Saxons, but were dispersed, and put to flight: the Earl of Frustenberg which commanded the left wing of the Tillians, having peiced in with Tilies body that charged the Saxons, seeing them fly, he with his regiment flies amaine upon the Swedes again, charging the reere of the left Wing, where Colonel Hall, a brave gentleman, commanded: after a while Frustenberg was himself dangerously wounded, and carried off: Hall also, whose breast plate was not full proof, was slain with a Musket bullet upon the place.

But no sooner were Furstenbergs foot defeated, but eight thousand of those Imperialists, which had discomfited the Saxons came upon the place, where the Saxons were lately Marshalled: the dust and smoke were so great, that they were on Colenbach, ere he was aware, the Imperialists turning two pieces of Ordnance, which they had taken from the Saxons, let fly amongst the Swedes: Just at that time came the King riding up to his men, crying to Collenbach, Charge man, on God's name, and withal himself led them up against the enemy: Collenbach advancing (and the King going away to look to other places) was presently charged with ten Cornets of horse, who at the first or second charge killed all his officers, that commanded four of his Troopes, yea Collenbach himself was there slain: his four Troopes flying thereupon, which yet the Imperialists by reason of the smoke discerned not; then did a party of the Kings Muskettiers give fire upon them, which made them wheel about to the left; where they encountered with four other Troops of Collenbachs regiment, who charged so lustily upon them, that they drave them to the gates of Leipsich: the King when he went from Collenbach, rode to his three Brigades of reserves, under the command of valiant Hepbron, carrying with him many prisoners, which he had taken with his right wing, showing them to his men, and crying, Lustily, Ualiantly: the soldiers answering Vive: the King seeing their alacrity, led them on against those eight thousand, which had defeated the Saxons, mentioned before, and with all he sent Baron Dyvell to Sir John Hebpron, to bid him fall on: Scarfly had this brave Baron Dyvel done his message, but he was shot stark dead upon the place.

Hepbron moved forward, with whom was the valiant Scots Colonel Lumsdall, & Sir James Ramsey, with Muschamp a brave English man: our Muskettiers gave not fire till they came within Pistol shot, and then the three first ranks discharged together, and after them the other three; which done, they fell pell mell into their ranks, knocking them down with the but ends of their Muskets: yet four gallant Troopes of the enemies curiassiers, came up to the Swedes, & with their pistols shot all the Scottish Ancients dead upon the place: yet did the Scots bravely stand to it, maintaining the fight about an hour together, in which time many of the Imperialist were slain & the rest fled: So that there was not a greater f • ll o • men anywhere that day, then in this place: nor any piece of service better on both sides maintained; and here it was that Tilly himself received his wounds: the King having set on Hepbron upon Tilly, returned to his right wing, presently advancing forward with it towards the wood upon the hill, where some of Tillies regiments stood as reserves, and others that had been routed, were resorted thither: the King in person set upon these with such courage, that at the first onset, he cut in pieces those which guarded the Ordnance, which he turned immediately upon the enemy; but there were four Regiments of old soldiers, that stood to their Arms bravely, such as feared no enemy: these made good the wood for a long time against the King: killed many a brave fellow, nor would they budg a foot, though they saw no hope of relief, but fought it out to the last man: only some few of them, when they had done as much as men could do, retired u • der the benefit of the night which was now come on: by which time all the Imperial Army was wholly beaten.

Thus after five hours hard fight, the victory through God's mercy, fell to the King, whose horsemen continued the chase, till darkness made it dangerous to pursue the enemy any further: the Kings Army remaining masters of the field, lay all night upon the bare ground, yet none but the wounded, complained of the want of a featherbed: the next morning they pursued the flying enemies, killing many, and taking many prisoners: thus that formidable army of the Catholic leaguers, which had for eleven years together given Laws to all Germany, and made the name of Tilly so renowned, was in one day, through the power and goodness of God, broken in pieces: about ten thousand of them slain, many thousands wounded, and six thousand forsaking that side, took oath and pay for the Kings service, many more running away, and never returning to their colors: then did the King seise upon the enemies standing Camp, where he found three thousand Wagons with all their baggage, tents, and pavilions, many Cattle, Oxen, Sheep, horses, Asles, Poultry, bread, wine, meat upon the spits &c. much costly stuff, money and plate: He took one hundred Ensigns, and Cornets: fourteen Demicannons; sixteen field pieces &c. the King of Sweden lost but seven hundred men, and the Duke of Saxony two thousand: the King lost but four Colonels; but Tilly many more: all advantages were on the enemies side: the wind, the wood, the higher ground: Tillies army was the greater, his soldiers the older, and their Army by themselves counted Invincible: besides the Kings Army was much discouraged by the flight of the Saxons, yet the Lord of Hosts gave him the victory, that he might give him the praise: Tillies manly heart could not refrain from tears, when he thus saw his old soldiers go to ruin: and this old Conqueror, that used still to see the backs of his enemies, is now glad to show them his own heels, and wounded as as he was, fled twenty miles that night: Fustenberg and Pappenheim also sorely wounded, came thither to him, and having their wounds dressed, they fled in an hackney coach, and Tilly in an horse-litter: the King of Sweden, as he began with prayer, so he ended with thanksgiving, appointing (together with the Duke of Saxony) a Public day of thanksgiving to be celebrated, both in the Army, and through all Saxony, unto God for this so glorious a victory. Tilly after this overthrow flies from place to place, partly to secure himself, and partly to glean up as many of his dispersed soldiers as possibly he could, so that in ten days space he had gone a hundred and forty miles: he wrote also to Altringer to join his Army with him, and then begins to form an army again, and Altringer brings to him about ten thousand men, so that in all he had about eighteen thousand men, but ill clothed, and armed: afterwards he joins with the Lorraine Army: and coming before the great City of Norimberg, he demanded supply of bread &c. promising that if they yielded to him, he would pay them honestly, otherwise he would force them to it: but the Count of Solmes, sent thither as Governor by the King of Sweden, made a resolute salley the next day before Tillies trenches, where with his Swedish horse, he took the young Prince of Anhalt with diverse more, prisoners: Tilly thereupon leaving behind him two thousand dead, wounded and sick men, dislodged with his army: about this time he had twelve thousand five hundred weight of powder blown up by an accident, whereupon he said, with a deep sigh: I do evidently see all my good fortunes begin to fail me, and everything goes awkardly with me: He should have said, Now doth the Lord revenge upon me all that innocent blood which I shed at Magdebrug, together with all other my wicked practices: After this he marches into the Palatinate, after whom the King of Sweden follows with about four and twenty thousand men, but first he went to Norimberg, and was there with wonderful joy entertained, and presented with four great pieces of brass Ordnance: two globes of silver, filled with silver and gold: Oats fish, wine &c. and an Oration made to him, to which (being an excellent speaker) he presently returned answer, thanking them for their presents, but especially for their constancy in religion, and defense of it, promising for his part, that as he had undertaken the defense of it, so through God's grace and assistance he would protect them, and all the rest of his friends to the uttermost of his power: Also hearing that Tilly went further and further from him, to join with Walsteines army, he resolved to march into Bavaria, a rich and fertile country, and so thereby to remove the seat of war from the Palatinate; and for that end he marched to Donawert, which was the Key to open his passage into Bavaria: this was a strong City, and had in it a Garison of one thousand seven hundred foot, and five hundred horse under the valiant Rodulph Maximilian, Duke of Saxen Lawenburg: by the City ran the river of Danubius, over which the King must pass into Bavaria: the King raised a Battery, on which he mounted twenty pieces of Ordnance, wherewith he annoyed the town, and hindered the passage over the Bridge: He also sent Colonel Hepbron with his Brigade over a bridge five miles about, who about midnight silently disposed his men in a covert all along in gardens under the wall, so disposing the matter, that none could pass over the bridge, or out at the Western Port, but he fell within his reach, which they in the town perceiving and despairing of relief, intended under the covert of the night to have marched over the Bridge into Bavaria: but Hepbron so galled them in their passage, that though Saxen-Lawenburg and some few with him, got safely over, yet the rest were so cut down, that their dead bodies covered the bridge, and thereby encumbered the whole passage; the rest seeing that, sallied out at the Port upon Hepbron, but were soon repulsed: the King all this while thundering with his Cannon on the other Port, and they within, still fearing his entrance, boldly sallied out again upon Hepbron, who so entertained them, that he slew about four hundred, and took as many prisoners, and in the height of his valor, entered the Port, with my Lord Craven, and some other English gentlemen, where they cut in pieces all that resisted, and the soldiers fell to plundering, where many a gold chain, plate, and other treasure of the enemies were made prize: By this time the King was entered at his Port also, who immediately commanded, that none of the Burgers houses should be plundered: the King gave Hepbron the honor of this action: then he restored the free exercise of the Protestant religion, garrisoned the place, and so advanced forwards: Tilly having notice of the Kings marching toward Bavaria, presently hasted thither by another way, and the better to keep out the King, he break down the Bridges over Danubius, and the river Lech, and to keep him from passing over the Lech, he lays his Army all along upon the Bavarian shore of it, sixteen miles in length; yet the King prepares to lay a bridg over the river, and in two small boates sends over the Swedes, and Fins, his pioneres and carpenters to the other side of the river, to cast up an half moon to secure the passage of the Bridge, which Tilly with all his art and power endeavored to resist: yet they performed their task, making good the place till they were relieved: the small and great shot go off incessantly on both sides with extreme hot execution one upon another: in which time General Altringer was near slain, and carried of in the Duke of Bavaria's own coach: the Bavarian Captains found this such hot service, that Tilly himself was fain to come up to the point, and in the very face of danger to give directions, where he received a musket shot in the thigh, whereof he shortly after died: this accident so astonished the Duke of Bavaria, that he presently posted away to Ingolstat, his chief City, and most of his Army retreated from their Charge, so that the King with his Army gat over the river, and sending out parties, cut off many of the Bavarian stragglers: Afterwards the King took in diverse strong places and Cities, and amongst them, the great City of Auspurg, into which when he was entered, he went strait to Church, where Doctor Fabricius, the Kings Caplaine, preached on Psalm 12: 5: For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord &c. after Sermon, was a solemn thanksgiving for the victory; then he fortified the City, and restored the protestant religion in it again, and so marches to Ingolstat, in which siege the Kings horse was slain under him, and the Marquess of Baden, a gallant man, was slain hard by, with whose death the King was exceedingly grieved, and in a speech before his commanders, he told them, that hereby he was put in mind of his own mortality, knowing that the bullet made no distinction between a King and his meanest soldier: & that it was God's decree, that no privileges could exempt him from death, therefore saith he: I wholly resign up myself to the providence of the almighty, who, though he may take me away, yet I know, he will not abandon this so just cause, which I have undertaken for restoring the Germans liberties: He doubtless will raise up some other, more wise, courageous and valiant then myself, who shall put a period to this war &c.

The Duke of Bavaria lying with his Army on the other side of the river, and the King finding that the City was not easy to be taken, raises his siege, and taking in diverse towns, and restoring the protestant religion in them, he at last came before Munchen, where was the curious palace of the Duke of Bavaria, whereupon the Deputies of the Town came forth to him, presented him with the keys, and a promise of three hundred thousand Dollars: the King enters, suffers the garrison to march out safely, viewed the Magazine, where were great store of Arms and Ammunition, he found buried also one hundred and forty fair pieces of Brasse Ordnance, and in one of them thirty thousand pieces of gold: but the chamber of rarities afforded him most entertainment, in which were incomparable varieties both of Art and nature: About this time, Commissary Ossa, with an Army of seven thousand men, came into those parts, against whom the King sent a party: and leaving Colonel Hepbron governor of Munchen, himself follows after: which news coming to Ossa, he retreated so speedily, that he left his great Ordnance behind him: So that about this time the King had either conquered, or drawn to his party all the middle part of Germany, yea from the Baltic Sea to the Alps, near to Italy, for five hundred miles together, he had gone on with victorious success; and shortly after the great City of Vlm accorded with the King, to whom he sent Sir Patrick Ruthuen a gallant Scots-man to be their Governor, and so a while after, he returns, and encamps by Norimberg: and this he did the rather, because the Duke of Bavaria had now joined his Army with Walsteine, who by command of the Emperor had gotten together a great Army, wherewith they threatened the ruin of Norimberg: the K. therefore round about this town entrenched himself: his Army being but about fifteen thousand five hundred men, & therefore he sends for his other Armies to come to him: Walstein had in his Army twenty thousand horse, & forty thousand foot, besides five thousand Crabats: About four miles distant from the Kings Leaguer, Walstein forms his, who as Imperial Generalissimo commanded in chief over the Bavarian Army also, & having fortified his Camp, he gave order to his soldiers to make more use of their trenches, then of their weapons, intending by delays to force the King to dislodge from before Norimberg, & to abandon it up to his mercy: the two Armies being quartered so nere together, there passed many skirmishes betwixt them, sometimes one going away with the loss, sometimes the other; having lain thus a while, Walstein sends home to the King, Colonel Dubattell, whom he had taken prisoner, without ransom, and with this message: That he had no other ambition then once to see his Majesty in good terms with the Emperor: his Master, and himself to have the honor to be the instrument of it: After a while the D. of Bavaria moved Walsteine to beat up the Kings quarters, before his other Armies came up to him; to whom he answered, that he would not venture, for if his army were beaten, all Germany, and Italy were both endangered: yet if Bavaria would fall one first, he would second him with all his forces: During the Kings abode here, the Norimbergers complained to him, that their lands and territories had been as bad plundered by his Army, as by the enemies, where upon the King calling his officers together, spake thus unto them: Ye Princes, Earls, Lord's, and gentlemen, you are some of those that are unfaithful, and disloiall to your own country, and do help to ruin it: I confess you are gallant men, and have done brave service in the wars, but when I hear of your ravages, robberies and plunderings, my hair stands an end at the very horror of it: Judge yourselves; is it not a doleful case that one Christian, of the same profession in religion should pilage another. One friend ransack, spoil, and ruin another. The very Devils in hell are more trusty one to another then you are: my bowels yearn within me, when I hear complaints, that the Swedish soldiers are more insolent then the enemies: But they are not the Swedes, they are the Germans that commit these insolencies: had I known that you Germans had been a people of this temper, to bear no more affection to your natural country &c. I would never have saddled horse for your sakes, much less have hazarded my life, kingdom, and estate in your behalf &c. But it may be you will say, you want money, but is not the fault in yourselves, who hinder me from having means to pay you by your robbings and pillages: For my own part, I protest before God, that I have not by all this war enriched myself so much as a pair of bootes comes to: yea I had rather ride without bootes, then in the least degree to enrich myself by the damage of these poor people: Since my coming into Germany, I have received out of my own country forty tunns of gold, which I have spent for the reestablishment of those oppressed princes, which are of the same true religion with me &c. that which I desire of you for the time to come is, that you spoil not others of their goods, but leave every man to his own possessions: the choller and manhood that you have, score it (on God's name) on the fronts of your enemies, but distaine not the honor of a soldier by insulting over unarmed innocents: Live upon your means like soldiers, & not upon pilfering and spoiling like thieves, and robbers: this if you do not, you shall ever be infamous, and I by such helpers shall never be victorious: This speech was delivered with that efficacy and life, that it extracted tears of compunction from these military hearers, who had rather bleed then weep: He also seconded it with a proclamation, that he would henceforth pardon no man of what rank soever, that should in this kind be again complained of: adding, that if to avoid punishment, they should all conspire upon a mutiny, himself with his Swedes, and Finlanders would undertake so to rattle them, that the shivers of their staves should fly about their ears for it: About this time the several Armies, that the King had sent for, to release him, began to draw near: which the King hearing of, appointed a solemn day of Fasting and prayer in his Leaguer, to seek unto God for the happy joining and good success of his Armies, and then quitting his trenches, he went forth and joined with them, whereupon he drew up into Battalia before the enemies trenches, and stood there all day to make a brave upon them. The King was now six and forty: thousand strong, and therefore resolved, if he could, to join Battle with the enemy, but because Walstein kept himself in his trenches, and would not stir, the King raised batteries, planted Ordnance, with which he plaid into his Camp: and when that prevailed not, he sought to force his trenches, whereupon ensued a very desperate fight, wherein many a brave man lost his life: a piece of the sole of the Kings boot was carried away with a shot, and Duke Bernard of Saxen Weymar had a horse slain under him, and yet it pleased God to preserve them both from any further hurt: then the King sent out parties to cut off Walsteins victuals, whereupon ensued divers bickerings.

The Crabats fled out as far as Altroffe, an university belonging to Norimberg, where they ligt upon the poor Scholars (they might as well have robbed the Spittle) Agricola, Nester, and Bruno, professors there, they carried away, and put poor Genus and Species to their ransom. But the King perceiving that the enemies would not be drawn out to fight, resolved upon a remove, marching by, and almost round about the Imperial Leaguer with Colours flying, Drums beating &c. and so dividing his Army, he took in diverse places; Then did Walstein march into Uoitland to undo the Duke of Saxony, which the King hearing of, presently turned his course thitherward, and not long after having reunited his forces, he intended to set upon Walstein, who perceiving the Kings purpose, called together his forces also; then did the King consult, whether he should fight the enemy or no: Duke Bernard was for the valiant Affirmative: Major Kniphauson for the sober Negative, his reasons were.

1. Noah man is to fight, but when he is apparently stronger then the enemy, which the King is not.

2. None is to attack a stronger enemy but when compelled by a pressing & inavoydable necessity, viz to force his passage, when he is hemmed in, and when hunger and want of provision enforceth, which are not the Kings case: Hereupon the King resolved to go and join with the Duke of Saxony, but by the way, hearing that the Imperialists lay scatetring in several Dorps and villages about Lutzen, without any intelligence of the Kings motion, his Majesty then put on a resolution to fight, saying, that he now verily believed that God had given his enemies into his hands: then did he, and all his Army advance stoutly against the enemies, doubling their march, but their legs found it a longer way then their eyes, and besides there was a filthy pass by the way at a bridge over a river, which hindered the Army full two hours, so that it was night when he came within two miles of Lutzen, where he was forced by the darkness to quarter in the open field with all his Army: then did the Imperialists take the alarm, and order was sent to all the quarters of their Army upon pain of death to repair immediately to Lutzen, so that by ten a clock the next morning they were all come up together, and Walsteine had planted his ordnance advantageously, entrenched about it, cast up breastworks for his men &c. The King having thus brought himself into a necessity of fighting, very early in the morning, he caused the Drums to beat, then had Doctor Fabricius to pray with him, and other ministers in the head of other Regiments: it was a very misty morning, which wasa great advantage to the enemy to prepare his works, from which he was resolved not to stir, and about ten a clock, November the sixth, the fogg cleared up, and the King going first to his own subjects, spake to this purpose: My deer brethren carry yourselves bravely this day; fight valiantly on God's name, for your religion, and for your King: this if you do, God's blessing, and the people's praises shall be your Guerdon, and you forever shall be laden with an honorable memorial, nor will I forget to reward you nobly: If you play the Poultrons, I here call God to witness, that not a bone of you shall ever return again to Sweden: To the Germans he said, O my brethren, Officers and fellow soldiers, I most earnestly entreat and beseech you to make full trial of your valor this one day: fight manfully against your enemies this day both with me, and for me: Be not faint hearted in the battle, nor for anything discouraged: Set me before your eyes, even me, who dreadlesly for your cause, am here ready to adventure both life and blood: If you do this, God no doubt himself will from heaven reward you with a most glorious victory, of which yourselves and posterity shall have the benefit: If you do not, farewell forever to your religion, and yourselves must forever remain enslaved: the soldiers of both nations with joyful acclamations answering the King, he further said, and now my hearts, let us on bravely against our enemies, and the God of heaven prosper our endeavors: and so casting up his eyes to heaven, with a loud voice he said, Jesus vouchsafe this day to be my strong helper, and give me courage to fight for thy glory, and for the honor of thy name: then drawing his sword, he waved it over his head, and advanced the foremost of all his Army: amongst the Kings own guard were the English and Scottish gentlemen: he himself was attired in a plain Buff-coat without Armor: and being requested to put on his Corslet, he said, the Lord God is my Armor, His watch word was, God with us: Walsteines was, Jesus Maria; the King said, I thank God I have both wind and sunn to favor me; the field, where the battle was fought, was a plain Champion country, yet had many ditches which served Walsteines men for breastworks, and the Kings horse in passing over them, were some of of them overthrown: there were also two little hills, upon which Walstein had planted his great gunns: And so great was his Army, that the front of it extended two miles in length: the Armies coming within reach, the great gunns began to play on both sides: but the Imperial cannon being planted upon steady and fixed Batteries (where as the Kings gave fire in motion) did the greater execution, so that the King not liking that sport, caused his Army to advance upon the very mouth of the cannon: the Imperialists kept their ground, expecting that the Swedes fury would be over, and themselves out of breath, ere they could get over the ditches, and beat out the Musketteires: yet they overcame those difficulties, and so theleft wing engaged with the right of Walsteines: then the King advancing with his right wing, and observing where the Crabats stood, and where the Curiasseires, which were armed Cap. a pied, calling Colonel Stalhansh to him, he said: as for those fellows [the Crabbats] I care not for them: but charge me those black-fellows soundly, for they are the men that will undo us: the King fought at the head of his Squadron, himself being foremost with his pistoll in one hand, and his sword in the other: and thus charging upon the Curiassiers, he was there overlaid with numbers, insomuch as his men, in danger of being hemb'd in, were fain to give ground, and to retire towards their body; there did the King receive a shot into the left arm, which he not feeling at first, would haveled on still, but by and by, perceiving his blood to gush out abundantly, and that part of his bone was broken, he called to Duke Albert of Saxen-Lawenburg, saying, Cosin, I am sore wounded, help me to make my retreat, this, whilst the Duke and those that were with the the King were about to do, his squadron also being now upon the retreat, there comes up an officer of of the Curiassiers, that too well knew the King, and said, this is the right bird, and so discharging his Pistol, shot him through the body, & himself was presently shot dead upon the place: the King was held up in his saddle a while, but presently fell: his horse also was shot, and so ran away without his master: Just now fell a great mist, the Sunn, which before shined very brightly, on a sudden Muffling up his face in a mourning cloud, as if not able to look upon the fall of the King of Sweden: the Imperialists being now masters of the Kings body, fell to stripping of it: one getting his spurs, another his sword, another his ring, another his buffecoat &c. everyone being greedy to get some part of his spoils: but before they could carry away his body, the Swedes returning, so charged the enemies, that they were forced to retreat, whereupon Stalhansh recovering the body, carried it away in an ammunition waggon privately, so that few in his own Army knew of his death: All this while were the four foot Brigades of the Swedes pell mell at it, and gat ground apace of the Imperialists, the horse also after an hours fight, drave them back, and got possession of seven pieces of their Ordance: but by this time the mist was so extraordinarily thickened by the smoke, that the Swedes could not see to pursue their advantage: yet it pleased God to strike parte of the Imperial Army with such a Pannick fear, that above one thousand Dutch horse ran all away together, one amongst them crying out, Oh I know the King of Sweden well enough, he is best at the latter end of the day: But the chiefest fright was amongst the Ladies and Captains wives, and other women behind the Army, many of them getting out of their coaches, cut asunder the harness, and mounted stradling upon the bare horse backs, & so scudded away amongst the soldiers: diverse women and children were there trodden to death, nor did the horsemen stay till they had fled diverse miles: but in the heat of the battle, Count Pappenheime (who was before sent for) came in with his horse and dragooners, by whose coming the charge was again renewed: but just as he was ordering his horse, he was shot with a Falconet bullet, whereof he presently died: his officers flocking about him, cried out, O our General is slain, our General is slain, and thereupon turning their horse heads, they ran out of the battle without stroke striking: but the Imperialists that were set on by his coming, maintained the fight with admirable resolution: yet the charge was sustained by the Swedes with much gallantry: full two hours were they thus in hot battle: but the greatest loss fell upon two Bridgades of the old Swedish soldiers, whom the King had most relied on: these old blades stood to their arms stoutly, till the ground was covered with their bodies, yet they died not unrevenged, for they slew many of the Imperialists, and amongst them diverse of great account: Duke Bernard had as hard a Chapter of it, as any man against the Imperial right wing commanded by Count Coloredo: yet never did man behave himself more gallantly then Duke Bernard did that day, charging his enemies twelve several times one after another: A little before sunn set, the mist cleared up, and then did Duke Bernard overview the posture and countenance of the Army, which he could not do since he heard of the Kings death, till now: He spake cheerfully to the officers, and soldiers, encouraging of them to a new onset: He found the whole Army (except Kniphausens part) in no good order, yet he took much pains to really them, and draw them on to a new charge: Alas comrade, saith the poor soldier, must we fall on again! come saith the other, if we must, let us do it bravely, and make a day of it: The Imperialists hearts quaked within them, when they saw the Swedes thus advancing in good order against them again; whereupon the horse began to retreat, which the Swedes perceiving, they with their great Ordnance gave them such a rousing Salvee, and then charged them so home, that they put them into disorder: but then again fell there such a mist, that the Swedes could not see to pursue their enemies: and now was all the service turned to the wind Mills, where Coloredo was, who struggled hard at the last cast for life: a cruel fight was here maintained till about six a clock at night, about which time the Imperialists quite gave it over: this cruel and bloody fight had lasted about nine hours; and now Walsteine marched away towards Lipswich, leaving the field and victory to the Swedes, who lodged upon the ground all night, where was a pitiful groaning of the dying and wounded of both sides: it was a frosty cold night, in which many a brave man died of his wounds, that with help might have been cured: the next morning the Swedes found all the Imperial Cannons left behind them: there were slain of the Swedes about three thousand, and of the Imperialists about four thousand upon the place, besides whom, the Boores knocked down near three thousand that fled away straggling: the wounded were as many more as the slain: on the Swedes side were slain, the King himself, whose death is never sufficiently lamented: the enemies themselves giving him this testimony, that he was the bravest enemy, and the best Captain that ever was in Christendom: and beside him, Grave Neeles: Nicholas Count of Wesenburg with some other Colonels and officers: on the Imperial party were slain, the Abbot of Fuldea, Count Pappenheim, young Count Walstein and diverse Collonells and Officers. Walsteine at first intended only to make a retreat to Lipsich, but his soldiers, so soon as they heard the Drums beat a retreat, fell to running presently: and the fright was so great that most of them never came into order again: his chief officers confessed, that if the Swedes had but sent out one thousand horse after them, they might have cut off the whole Army.

The King of Sweden bore a port and presence, full of Majesty: was of a gallant stature, above six foot high: full facit: had an hawkseie: of yellowish hair: he was clean limb'd, strong, active, and hardy: of an undaunted courage: a strong judgment: an admirable quickness of conceit; of a natural vigilancy, and indefatigablenesse: had a marvelous forecast, to apprehend and dispose of his affairs to the best advantage: He had an excellent dexterity to extricate, & untangle the Gordian knottinesse of a business: he knew how to take advantage of men's humors: and had a native attraction in him to win hearts, as well as provinces: He was a great student upon any business of Importance: a diligent disputer, and canvasser of the answer which he was to give to Ambassadors. A sudden danger seldom astonished his judgment: but the more desperate the peril was, the nimbler was he in his deliveries: still showing most vigor, where there was most need of it: He was exceeding temperate in his diet: his feeding was upon strong and souldierly dishes: But that which was most commendable in him, was his Religion both public and Private: He was frequent in prayers and thanksgivings, upon every emergent occasion: He would pray a shipboard, a shore, in the field, in the midst of a Battle, as if prayer alone were the surest piece of his whole Armor: He was a strict observer of Martial discipline: and a strict punisher of misdemeanors in his Camp: When he first came into Germany, he saw that many women followed his Army, whereupon coming to a great river, his men and waggons being passed over, he caused the bridge to be broken down, hoping thereby to be rid of this lumber: but they on a sudden shriking out grievously, the soldiers on the other side, vowed not to stir a foot till the women were fetched over: whereupon the King finding that this ill humor was so generally dispersed amongst his men, that it was dangerous to purge it all at once, smiled out his anger for the present, permitting what he could not amend: yet this abuse he afterwards reformed by degrees: His Army won the day, though they lost their King; which made one say,

A little before his death, being in discourse with Doctor Fabricius, his Chaplain: he told him, that he thought God would ere long take him away, because the people did so overvalew, and Deifie him: He was slain in the battle at Lutzen, November the 16 Anno Christi 1632. and of his age thirty eight: At his first coming into Germany, having a design upon Stetin, and his Army now ready upon the shore, and his boates ready upon the river to imbarke them; the wind was contrary, and so had continued for diverse days before: the King observing this, before his Army with bended knees, and hands lifted up to heaven, he said: O thou most just God, full well thou knowest, that I did not at first undertake this enterprise out of any rashness, or ambition, but for the Glory of thy most holy name, and the defense of the truth of thy word: here now therefore I call upon thee O God, and most humbly do beseech thee, that with the air of thy favor, and with a prosperous wind, thon wouldest be pleased to breath upon this my undertaking for Christ his sake, Amen: Noah sooner was his prayer ended, but through God's mercy, the wind turned about with so full a gale, that the whole fleet passing up the river Oder, in two hours space ran up twenty miles, and unlooked for, came to an Anchor within a mile of Stetin, to the great defeat of the purposes of the Imperialists, who had an intent within two days after to have laid siege to the City, had not God thus miraculously prevented them: Also when he came first to his Crown, he would needs lay siege to Notteburg Castell, which the Muscovite had given to his father for some assistance that he had afforded him. The Castell stood in an Island in the mouth of the most raging and swift river of Nerva, his Colonels despairing of taking it, and loath that their young King should receive a check in his first attempts, labor to dissuade him from the Action: yet he continued resolute to pursue it: and see how almighty God wrought for him: the besieged Muscovites were stricken with such thrushes, warts, and blisters in their throats and mouths, that they could neither chew their meat, nor swallow, whereupon they parlied, and yielded up that impregnable Castell to him, wherein he found a whole years victuals, besides abundance of ammunition.

Not long after this, he had a difference with the Dantzickers, who prepared twenty or thirty good ships of war, with the first opening of the spring to have burnt up his Navy in the harbor: but towards the end of winter, when this narrow Swedish Sea was frozen a yard, or two deep, this young King caused his boores to cut open this ice for ten or twelve miles together, which done, he came in a night with his fleet upon the Dantzickers, and burnt, sunk, and took most of them: Also in his wars with the King of Poland, he conquered so many towns from him in Prussia, and Livonia, that he enforced him, by the mediation of our King Charles, to make peace with him.

[illustration]

L. COBHAM

[portrait of Lord Cobham]

The Life of Sir John Oldcastle, who died Anno Christi, 1417.

SIR John Oldcastle was born of an ancient and honorable Family, bred up at the Court under King Henry the fourth, and for his abilities, and valor, was by him made Lord Cobham: he was also much prized by King Henry the fifth; but that which did truly ennoble him, was, that the Lord was pleased in those dark times to reveal the Truth unto him, whereof he became a zealous Professor, and a valiant Defender, especially of the godly Ministers, who were Wycliffe’s disciples, whom he protected against the rage of the Antichristian Clergy, who bore the greatest sway in those Popish times: but hereby he made himself the Butt of their envy, and malice; insomuch as Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury, calling a Synod of the Clergy, they appointed twelve Inquisitors of Heresies to search out Wycliffe’s books, and disciples: who after a while brought in two hundred forty six conclusions, which they collected as Heresies out of those books; whereupon they resolved, that it was not possible to make whole the seamless Coat of Christ (as they said) except some great men were taken out of the way, which were the chief upholders of those Heretics, amongst whom, the Lord Cobham was esteemed the principal, who in the Diocese of London, Rochester, and Hereford, had entertained, maintained, and set up to preach such as were not Licensed by the Bishop; and who himself held Heretical opinions about the Sacraments, Images, Pilgrimages, &c. Hereupon they concluded, that without any further delay, process should be awarded out against him, as against a most pernicious Heretic: But some, of more wisdom and crafty experience then the rest, advised that the matter should not be handled so rashly; but seeing that the Lord Cobham was a man of great birth, and in great favor with the King at this time, that therefore they should first make the King acquainted with the business, and procure his approbation, and consent before they summoned him: This Council was well liked of, and thereupon Arundel, with his other Bishops, addressed themselves straitewaies to the King, laying forth before him most grievous complaints against the said Lord Cobham, to the great disgrace of that godly man. The King gently heard these blood-thirsty Prelates, for indeed in those dark days they kept Kings in awe, yet he requested, and instantly desired them, that in regard of his Noble Stock, and for that he was his Knight, they would deal mildly, and favourably with him, seeking to regain him with gentleness, rather then by rigorous dealing: He promised also, that if they would have a little patience, he would seriously commune with him himself about those matters: Thus having pacified them for the present, he shortly after sent for the Lord Cobham to him, advising him as an obedient child to submit himself to the Church, and to acknowledge himself culpable: To whom this Christian Knight answered: You most worthy Prince, I am always willing, and ready to obey, for as much as I know you to be the Minister of God, bearing the Sword for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well: unto you, next to my eternal God, I owe my whole obedience, and submit all that I have unto you, being ready at all times to do whatsoever you shall in the Lord command me: but as touching the Pope, and his spiritualty, I owe them neither suit nor service; knowing him by the Scriptures to be the great Antichrist, the son of Perdition, the open adversary of God, and the abomination standing in the holy place. When the King had heard this stout and godly answer, he left him; And (not indeed daring to do otherwise) he gave the Archbishop leave to proceed against him as he saw fit: Then the Archbishop, with the consent of his other Bishops, resolved to call the Lord Cobham before them, personally to appear, and to make answer to such Articles as they should charge him with; and for this end they sent forth their chief Sumner with a very strict Citation to the Castle of Couling, where he then lived, to cite him; but when the Sumner came thither, he durst by no means enter into his Castle gates without his License, and therefore after a while, returned to his Masters, as wise as he went. Then the Archbishop suborned one John Butler, who was. Door-keeper of the Kings privy Chamber, with large promises of reward, to go with his Sumner to cite the Lord Cobham, who accordingly went to him, falsely informing him, that he was sent by the King, to tell him that it was his mind that he should obey the process, and make his appearance: But the Lord Cobham stoutly answered, that he would in no case consent to those devilish practices of the Priests; with this answer they returned, and told the Archbishop that no man could safely, without peril of his life, cite him anymore: Hereupon he decreed presently to send down Citatory Letters to be set upon the great Church Doors in Rochester, which was but three miles from Couling Castle; but as soon as the Letters were set up, they were pulled down again, by some friends and favorers of the Lord Cobham, and thus the Archbishop was served twice, or thrice: and yet when the day came, and he appeared not, they condemned him of most deep contumacy; and hearing by some of his fawning spies, that the Lord Cobham laughed the Archbishop to scorn, and disdained all his doings, he then proceeded to excommunicate him, and withal, set up a new Citation, wherein he cruelly threatened, that if he did not appear at the day, he would handle him more extremely; and withal, he commanded the Lay-power, under pain of terrible curses, to assist him against this seditious Apostate, Schismatic, Heretic, and troubler of the public peace, &c. with such like odious names. But this worthy and constant servant of the Lord seeing the fury of Antichrist, and his followers thus kindled against him; perceiving also that he was compassed about with deadly dangers, he wrote a most Christian Confession of his Faith, Signing and Sealing it with his own hand, wherein also he answered to four of the chiefest Articles that they laid to his Charge, and so taking it along with him, he went to the King, trusting to find mercy, and favor at his hands: He concluded the Confession of his Faith thus: All the premises I believe particularly, and generally all that God hath left recorded in his holy Word; and therefore I desire you my Liege Lord, and most worthy King, that this Confession of mine may be justly examined by the most godly, wise, and learned men of your Realm: if it be found agreeable to God's Word, let it be allowed, if otherwise, let it be condemned: provided always that I be taught a better belief by the holy Scriptures; and I shall at all times most reverently submit to the same: But the King, over-awed by the Bishop, rejected it, bidding him to deliver it to those that should be his Judges: then he desired before the King, that he might have an hundred Knights, and Esquires to be his Compurgators, which he knew would clear him of all Heresy: Also he offered after the Law of Arms, to fight with any man living, Christian, or Heathen, in the quarrel of his Faith, the King and his Council being excepted: Lastly, he protested that he would refuse no correction that should be inflicted upon him according to the Laws of God, &c. Yet for all this the King suffered him personally to be summoned in his privy Chamber. Then the Lord Cobham said that he had appealed from the Archbishop, and therefore he ought not to be his Judge; this made the King very angry, and when he refused to be sworn to submit to the Archbishop, he was arrested, and led to the Tower till the day of his appearance. In the mean time he caused the Confession of his Faith to be written out again. When he was brought before the Archbishop, and his Consistory, the Archbishop proffered to absolve him, if he would humbly desire it: Cobham told him that he was ready to make a rehearsal of his Faith, if they would give him leave, and so drawing it out of his bosom, he read it before them all, and then delivered it to the Bishop. After private consultation amongst themselves, they told him that there were many good things contained in his Confession, but for the present they must examine him upon other matters; then they examined him about the Sacrament of the Altar, and Penance, &c. But he told them that he would no otherwise declare his mind, then was expressed in his writing: The Archbishop said, that if he would not fully and clearly answer to the Articles proposed, they would adjudge him an Heretic: Do as ye think best (said Cobham) for I am at a point: that which I have written, I will stand too to the death; The Bishops were amazed at his stout answer, and so returned him to the Tower till Monday following, at which time the Lieutenant of the Tower, Sir Robert Morley, brought him before them again; then the Archbishop told him that he was (as formerly he proffered) ready to absolve him, if he humbly desired it: No, said the Lord Cobham, I will not, for I never yet trespassed against you, and so kneeling down, and lifting up his eyes, and hands towards heaven, he said, I shrive me here unto thee O eternal, everliving God: In my frail youth I offended thee, O Lord, by pride, covetousness, wrath, uncleanness. Many men have I hurt in mine anger, and committed many other horrible sins, good Lord I ask thee forgiveness; and so weeping, he stood up, and said, Lo good people, for breaking God's Laws, and his holy Commandments, they never yet cursed me, but for their own Laws, and Traditions they handle me most cruelly, and therefore both they and their Laws by God's promise shall be utterly destroyed: Yet they proceeded again to further examination of him, to whom he gave stout, witty, and sound answers; whereupon the Archbishop proceeded to read the bill of condemnation against him; then the Lord Cobham with a most cheerful countenance said, Though you judge my body, which is but a wretched thing, yet I am sure you can do no harm to my soul, no more then Satan could to Job's soul; he that created it will of his infinite mercy save it, I doubt not, and as for the confession of my Faith, I will stand to it, even to the very death by the grace of my eternal God, and then turning to the people, he said with a loud voice, good people, for God's sake be well aware of these men, for else they will beguile you, and lead you blindfold into hell with themselves; then falling down upon his knees, he prayed for his enemies, saying, Lord God eternal, I beseech thee of thine infinite mercy to forgive my pursuers, if it be thy blessed will; and so he was sent back to the Tower: But this their cruel handling of the good Lord Cobham procured them much discredit both with the Nobility, and Commons; whereupon the Prelates laying their heads together, caused it to be blown abroad by their creatures, that now the Lord Cobham had seen his errors, and recanted the same, and withal they drew up a form of abjuration in his name, and scattered it abroad, as if he had lowly submitted himself in all things to the Church, & changed his opinion concerning the Sacrament; not long after the Lord Cobham made an escape out of the Tower, and fled into Wales, where he remained for the space of four years: In the mean time Proclamation was made by the King, and a great sum of money was promised to him that could take Sir John Oldcastle, either alive or dead; and at the end of four years the Lord Powis, either for the love of the money promised, or for the hatred of the true Christian Religion, sought by all ways how to play the Judas, and at length obtained his bloody purpose, apprehending the Lord Cobham, and bringing him bound to London, Anno 1417. at which time there was a Parliament assembled to raise money to maintain the Wars in France; the Lord Cobham was then carried before the house of Lord's, who taking cognizance of all the proceedings against him; and he no whit receding from his former profession, they adjudged him to be carried to the Tower, and from thence, as a Traitor, that he should be drawn thorough the streets of London, to the new Gallows in Giles his fields, where he should be first hanged, and then burnt upon the Gallows, which sentence was accordingly shortly after executed, and so this godly, zealous, and courageous Champion of Jesus Christ suffered Martyrdom, Anno Christi, 1417. But behold the Just Judgment of God upon the Archbishop, who had sat in judgment upon him, & pronounced the sentence against him. It pleased God shortly after to strike the said Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury, in his tongue, that he could neither swallow down any food, nor speak a word for some days before his death, and so he was starved to death.

This Lord Cobham was a man strong, valarous, and in special savor with his Prince, till the spiteful, and malicious Prelates suggested to him, that this Oldcastle, and his adherents lay in wait to take away his life, and that in Giles his fields twenty thousand of them were to assemble in an hostile manner to destroy the Monasteries of Westminster, Saint Albons, and all the religious houses in London; together with Paul's Church: whereupon the King with a great Army at midnight went into Giles his fields, and found instead of an armed assembly, only some that were assembled to hear the Gospel preached in those times of persecution, seeing they could not have liberty to do it in other times, and places; these were about eighty, with a godly Minister amongst them, whereof thirty seven were condemned, and some of them hanged, and consumed with fire: During the time that the Lord Cobham was in Wales, all the Mass book that he met with he scratched, and defaced the Pictures, and Images which he found in them, and some of them coming to the hands of the Abbot of Saint Albons, he sent them to the King, and pitifully complained of the great wrong done to the Saints thereby: but the King returned them to the Archbishop, to do as he pleased therein.

[illustration]

ZISCA

[portrait of Zizka]

The Life of Zizka, who died Anno Christi, 1424.

ZIsca was born in Trosnovia, in the Kingdom of Bohemia, of an ancient, and noble family, and from his youth was brought up in the Kings Court, and was much employed in Military affairs; wherein he profited so well, that he became an able, and skillful Captain: and fighting valiantly in a battle against his enemies, he lost one of his eyes; but it pleased God to recompense that outward loss by enlightening his mind with the knowledge of the truth, by the help of Wycliffe’s books (at this time rife in Bohemia) and by the Ministry of John Hus; and when John Hus, and Jerome of Prague were so cruelly, and unjustly burned by the Council of Constance, to the dishonor of the Bohemian Nation, and King Wencheslaus, that had permitted it, dying shortly after: Zizka resolved to revenge the wrongs which the Council had done to them, upon their complices, and adherents, and for that end he raised an Army of forty thousand Protestants, by whose help he subverted the Monasteries, and their Idolatrous Temples, pulling down, and breaking in pieces their Images, and Idols, driving away the Priests, and Monks, which he said were kept up in their Cloisters, like Swine in a sty to be fatted; then he attempted to take the Castle of Wisgrade, and being not able presently to carry it, he left part of his Army before it, and marched with the rest to Pelzina, where were many Protestants, which town he took in, and fortified the same very strongly, and in the mean tim • his party that he left behind him, took in the Castle of Wisgrade: Hereupon the Queen sent to the Emperor, and to other nobles adjoining to her, for help. But the Emperor being preparing to go against the Turk, that had lately taken some Castles from him, could not assist her. She therefore taking all the Kings treasure, fortified the Castle of Prague, and the lesser City adjoining unto it; making Gates, and Towers upon the bridge over the river, to stop the passage of the Protestants that way; in the mean time the number of Protestants increasing in Prague, they fought for the bridge so furiously, that many were slain on both parts, but at length the Hussits woon the bridge, and the neither part of the lesser Prague; the Popish party for the Queen flying into the upper part, & then turning again, the battle was renewed, where they fought continually, day, and night, for five days together; But during this bickering Ambassadors came from the Emperor, which made a truce amongst them, and agreed that certain places being by Zizka delivered back into their hands, they should send Ambassadors to the Emperor Sigismund to treat with him about the settling of their estate. This both sides consented to, and thereupon peace ensued for the present: But the Emperor being now at better leisure, that he might show his zeal for the Popish cause, and perform his promise to the Fathers at the Council of Constance, raises a great Army, wherewith he resolved to root out all the Hussites in Bohemia, but before he enters into that Kingdom, he goes with his Army to Uratistavia, the chief City in Silesia, where he banished some, imprisoned others, seised upon the estate of others, and many he put to cruel deaths, and all this (as himself gave out) that he might strike a terror into the Bohemians, and make them obedient to the Church of Rome; this coming to the ears of the Bohemians, and they shortly after meeting with some of the Emperors Letters, wherein he wrote, that he would come speedily, and rule them after the same order, and manner as his Father Charles had done before him. Thereupon they seeing that their Religion, Liberty, and all that was dear unto them, lay at stake, resolve to arm for their own defense, and to repel unjust Tyranny by lawful force, and chose this noble Zizka for their general; and drawing the Governor of the Castle of Prague, called Cencho, to their part, they sent Letters into all the Realm, that no man should suffer the Emperor to enter, who was an enemy to Bohemia, seeking nothing else but to destroy the Kingdom, and one that had put by the Marquess of Brandenburg, whom they had chosen for their King, and had not only suffered John Hus, and Jerome of Prague to be burned at the Council of Constance, contrary to his Faith given, but had also procured the same, and with all his endeavor sought to extirpate the Doctrine, and Faith which they taught, and followed: In the mean time Zizka was set upon by the Imperialists, who were all horsemen, and Zizka's soldiers were all on foot; the place where they fought was rough, and rugged, so that the horsemen were fain to alight, and fight on foot; hereupon Zizka commanded all the women that followed his Army, to throw their Kerchiefs on the ground, wherein the horsemen being entangled by their spurs, were slain before they could unloose their feet; and by this policy he got a great victory over them; then he went to Ausca, out of which Town, Ulricius, a Papist, had cast out the Protestants: This place Zizka took by Storm, set it on fire, and razed it: he took also a Castle which was a mile off, whither Ulricius was fled, putting him, and all his family, save one, to the sword; Then considering that he had no walled, or fenced Town to inhabit, he chose out a mountain that was fenced by nature between two Rivers; This place he compassed in with walls, commanding his followers to build them houses, where they had pitched their Tents, and named the City Thabor, and the inhabitants his followers, Thaborites; the way to it by Land was scarce thirty foot broad, in which neck of Land, he made a deep trench, and a triple wall of such thickness, that it could not be broken with any Engine. At this time the Thaborites had no horsemen, but the Emperor sending one of his officers with a thousand horsemen into Bohemia to resist Zizka, he fell upon them in their Quarters in the night, took away all their Horses, and Armor, and set the Town on fire where they lay; and then he taught his soldiers to mount on Horseback; to leap, run, turn, cast in a ring, so that after this, he never led Army without his wings of horsemen: In the mean time the Emperor Sigismund gathering together the Nobles of Silesia, entered into Bohemia with a great Army, marched to Prague, and enticed Cencho that kept the Castle, to surrender it to him; Hereupon the Citizens of Prague sent for Zizka, who came with his Thaborites to assist them, and received the City under his government. His first design was to besiege the Castle, which was so strongly fenced, that it could not be forced but by famine, whereupon he blocked up all the passages to it; But the Emperor coming with a very great Army, opened them again, and laid siege to the City of Prague, and assaulted it often for six weeks space; he sent out also part of his Army to seize upon the Tents of the Thaborites, against whom Zizka sent forth some power under the command of Nich. Hus, who beat the Imperialists, and took in Grecium, the Queens City also. Neer to Prague there is an high hill, on the top whereof Zizka planted a strong Garrison, that it should not come into the power of his enemies: against this garrison the Emperor sent the Marquess of Misnia, with many soldiers, who getting to the top of the hill, were so lustily set upon by Zizka's men, that they were beaten into a corner, where the rock was very craggy, and steep, and there they set so fiercely upon them, that when the Misnians could no longer resist, they were driven down the steep rock, where they were broken to pieces. Hereupon the Emperor, raising his siege, departed, and Zizka with his men returned to Thabor. But considering that the Popish Clergy in Bohemia were the procurers of the cruel burning of John Hus, and Jerome of Prague at Constance, and that now also they had set on the Emperor against the Hussites, helped to pay his Army, and had joined with him in murthering the innocent servants of Jesus Christ, drowning some, roasting others before a soft fire, thrusting others into the metal-mines; yea that their malice, and hatred was grown to that height, that they sold them like cattle, giving a Florene for an ordinary Christian, and five Florins for a Minister, whom they excrutiated with all manner of Torments; he thereupon resolved to pay them back in their own coin, and in prosecution thereof, he burnt, destroyed, and overthrew three hundred Monasteries, and amongst the rest the famous Monastery called the Kings Court, a mile from Prague, in the walls whereof the whole Bible was most exquisitely written in letters of Gold; the Monks, and Friers he drave out, and caused either to betake themselves to labor, or to seek to other places for shelter.

Shortly after he took in many places, and then besieged the Castle of Visgrade; the besieged were brought to great straits, insomuch as they were forced to live upon their horses; at length they came to composition, that if they were not relieved by the Emperor by a certain day, they should surrender the Castle to him; the Emperor hearing hereof, marched to the relief of it with a strong Army, but entering into a narrow passage near the Castle, he was suddenly set upon by the Protestants, who gave him a great overthrow, which caused him to depart without effecting his purpose, and so the Castle was surrendered to Zizka; presently after he took one of the Imperial Captains in a strong Town; he also took, and burned down five Monasteries, and then sat down before the strong Monastery of Saint Clare. Thither also came the Emperor with a great Army, but when Zizka drew forth his power against him, he most cowardly fled, and departed out of Bohemia: From thence Zizka went with his Army to the famous City of Commitavia, which he took by storm, burning all the Priests therein; then he besieged the strong Town of Raby, where he was stricken with an Arrow in the eye, and so was carried to Prague to the Physicians, who cured him of his wound, but he lost his sight, and so was stark blind, yet would he not leave his Army, but still took the charge of them; After this the Protestants took many of the Emperors Garrisons, which caused him to send to all the Princes Electors to raise forces, and to join with him for the subduing of the Bohemians: Himself with an Army of Hungarians entered on the East part of Bohemia, and he appointed the Electors to enter on the West; the Emperor at his first coming took in some Towns. But when Zizka (although he was blind) came towards him, he was in a great fear, yet a battle was fought, wherein Zizka slew many of his Nobles, and common soldiers, insomuch as the Emperor fled, and Zizka pursuing of him a days journey, got great and rich spoils; in his return he took the strong Town of Broba by force, and burned it down, so that it lay desolate for fourteen years after; the Emperor in his flight made such hast, that himself passing over a Bridge, Piso, a Florentine, that had brought fifteen thousand horse out of Hungary to these wars, adventuring to pass the River upon the Ice, the Ice breaking by reason of the number and weight of the horsemen, most of them were there drowned, at which time and place perished a great part of the Hungarian Nobility. Zizka having obtained this victory, would not suffer any Images, or Idols to continue in the Churches, neither would he suffer the Priests to wear Copes, and vestments; After this Zizka marched with a great Army into Austria, where the husbandmen drave, and carried a great number of their Cattle into an Island in the river Danubius, but leaving, for hast, some Calves, and Swine behind them, Zizka caused his soldiers to drive them to the rivers side, where they made them roar, and bleat, which the Cattle in the Island hearing, swam over to them, whereby Zizka got a great booty, and so returned home. Then the Emperor delivered to the Marquess of Misnia, the bridge, and Town of Asca upon the river Albis, to plant a strong Garrison in; Thither Zizka went, and besieged it; whereupon the Marquess raised a great Army out of Saxony, Thuringia, Misnia, and both the Alsatia's to relieve the besieged: Zizka fought a great battle with them, the victory remaining doubtful for a great while, but it pleased God at last to make the Protestants conquerors, in which battle Zizka slew many Noblemen, and nine thousand of the common soldiers, and thereupon Asca was surrendered to him, which he utterly razed: At last there arose some dissention between them of Prague and Zizka; whereupon they raised a great Army against him, and he knowing himself to be too weak to withstand them, retreated into certain mountains, but when his enemies pursued him into a narrow Plain, he knowing that they could not spread out their Army in that place, commanded his Standard to stand still, exhorting, & encouraging his men to give them battle, which accordingly they did; the battle was very fierce, and cruel on both sides, yet at last Zizka had the upper hand, and slew three thousand of them, puting the rest to flight, and strait he took the City of Cuthna by force, which they of Prague had garrisoned, and burnt it down, and so with all speed he marched with his Army to besiege Prague; But his soldiers being not pleased with it, began to murmur, saying, that it was not reasonable that the Regal City should be suppressed, especially not dissenting from them in opinion; that the Emperor would make great advantage of these their divisions, &c. These speeches coming to Zizka's ears, he called together his Army, & speak thus unto them. Brethren, blame not me that have sought your health, and safety; the victories that you have obtained under my conduct are yet fresh in memory, neither have I at any time brought you to a place from which you have not gone conquerors: you are become famous, and rich, and I for your sakes have lost my sight, and dwell in darkness: I have got nothing to myself but a vain name; for you have I fought, and vanquished, &c. I do not persecute them of Prague for mine own cause: its your blood that they thirst after, it would avail them little to destroy me, an old, and blind man; its your valor, and courage which they fear; either you, or they must perish; Civil sedition is dangerous, let us subdue Prague, and banish the seditious Citizens before the Emperor hear of it, and then when but few of his faction are left, we may fear him the less; But because you shall accuse me no more, I give you free liberty to do what you will. If you will let them of Prague alone, I will not be against it, so there be no treason wrought; If you determine of war, I am also ready; Look which part you incline to, Zizka will be your aid and helper; Upon this speech, the soldiers minds were changed, so that speedily betaking themselves to their Arms, they ran to the City walls, to provoke their enemies to fight: Zizka in the mean time provided all things ready for the assault: But it pleased God to stir up one of the City Ministers, called Johannes de Rochezana, famous for his life, & learning, by the consent of the Citizens to go out to Zizka, and he dealt so effectually betwixt them, that he reconciled them each to other, and so put an end to that discord. The Emperor considering the wonderful success that God gave to Zizka in all his undertakings, and that the whole State of Bohemia did depend upon him alone, he sent to him, promising him the government of the whole Kingdom, & making many other large promises if he would come to him, &c. Hereupon Zizka began his journey towards the Emperor, but it pleased God by the way that he fell sick at the Castle of Priscovia, where he also died, 1424.

Aeneas Silvius (afterwards Pope) complains, that to the great dishonor of the Imperial Majesty, and disgrace to the Catholic Religion, Sigismund, born of an Emperor, & himself an Emperor, whose name was so famous, and so much feared in Italy, France, & Germany, yea amongst the very Turks themselves, should thus basely, & unworthily truck with an old blind man, by promising him gold, government, and what not, if he would but submit unto him.

In the time of his sickness, his attendance demanded of him, where he would be buried, whom he commanded to pull the skin from his dead corps, and to make a Drum of it, which they should use in their battles: affirming, that as soon as their enemies should hear the sound of that Drum, they would not abide, but presently fly away: He was buried honorably at Caslavia by his Thaborites; But Anno Christi 1623. the Popish Army under the Emperor Ferdinand, two hundred years after wanting one, coming into the Church, and seeing the Epitaph upon his Tomb-stone, they brake it in pieces, & digging up the dust of his grave, they carried it out, and scattered it abroad in the wind, raging against him so long after his death, whom they could never overcome in his life.

In the life time of King Wenceslaus, he had a purpose of disarming the Citizens of Prague for some offense that he took against them, which Zizka hearing of, called together the Citizens, bidding them arm themselves and follow him; which they doing, he went presently with them to the King in his Castle, who being astonished at their so sudden coming in that manner, Zizka said to him, Sir, where are those enemies which your Majesty fears; for these your faithful subjects, and Citizens of Prague are resolved to spend their blood in the defense of their King; whereupon the King dismissed them, and the Citizens kept their Arms, and were freed from their fears.

[illustration]

I. P. MIRANDVLA

[portrait of John Picus]

The Life of John Picus Earl of Mirandula, who died, Anno Christi, 1494.

John Picus was born Anno Christi, 1463. of an ancient and Honorable Family in Italy, that derived their pedigreee from Constantine the Great: a little before his Mother was delivered of him, there appeared in her Bed-chamber a round flame of fire hanging (as it were) on the wall for a little while, and then vanishing away, concerning which there were many conjectures: When he had passed over his childhood, under the care and tuition of his Mother, he was placed under able and learned School-masters, where he applied himself with so much ardour, and diligence to his book, that in a short time, he became a very good Orator and Poet. He was of a very quick apprehension, rich fancy, excellent invention, and sound memory, insomuch as having heard sundry verses once read over, after a little meditation, he was able to repeat them forwards and backwards, to the great admiration of all that heard him: When he was fourteen years old, his Mother, desiring to fit him (being her youngest Son) for the entrance into Popish Orders, as the way to preferment, sent him to Bononia to study the Civil Law: when he had spent 2 years in that study, wherein he made a very good progress, perceiving that it depended most upon precidents, and traditions, he grew weary of it, yet as young as he was, in that space he made an excellent Epitome of the Popes Epistles and Decretals, which was excellently well approved of by learned men. But being exceeding desirous to search out the secrets of Nature, he left these beaten paths, & betook himself to the study of Philosophy, and for his furtherance therein, he travelled to all the Famous Universities of Italy and France, acquainting himself with the most learned men in them; and took such extraordinary pains in his study, that in a little time he became an exquisite Philosopher, and an excellent Divine; and so having spent seven years in these Studies, being ambitiously desirous of renown and credit in the world, he went to Rome, where he publicly set up nine hundred questions of Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Divinity, &c. not only out of Latin Authors, but Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, Arabic, as also out of the Hebrew Cabala, & the old Philosophers, Pythagoras, Trimegistus, Orpheus, &c. Besides some of Natural Magic. He also set up seventy two more questions, not formerly discussed by any Authors, but found out by himself, in Philosophy, and Metaphysics, and withal he promised to bear the charges of such learned men as should come out of other Countries to dispute with him upon those questions. But this doing, procuring him much envy, caused that his Antagonists would never suffer him to come to a public disputation upon them: yet privately they scanned them over very curiously, and complained that divers of them were contrary to the true Faith: But he not enduring the least disgrace, in twenty days space published a learned Apology, wherein he justified his questions, as being nothing at all contrary to the Catholic Faith: Concluding with that of St. Augustine: Errare possum, haereticus esse non possum, quando alterum sit hominis proprium, alterum perversae, & obstinatae voluntatis: I may err, but I will not be an heretic, the first being proper to man, but the other a property of an obstinate, and perverse will: He was of excellent beauty, tall of stature, of a comely countenance, lively eyes, and his hair of a yellowish color, of a noble stock, and great riches, insomuch that many Ladies, and gentlewomen fell in love with him whilst he was at Rome, and so inveagled him, being of a tractable, and courteous disposition, that he began to give over himself in this his heat of youth, to unlawful pleasures with them: But it pleased God by the malice of his adversaries, & the troubles which he met with by their means, to awaken him from his sensual delights, and to stir him up to shake off, and avoid all these provocations, and incentives to wickedness, and to choose celestial, instead of fleshly pleasures: and laying aside his hunting after vain glory, and popular applause, to dedicate, and devote himself to the glory of God, and the good of his Church: resolving for the time to come, so to carry himself, through God's assistance, that his adversaries should have nothing to object against him.

His same being spread abroad, many great scholars repaired to him, some to dispute with him, and to try whether his learning was answerable to the report that went of it, others to learn, and be instructed of him: And whereas he had written some love verses in his youth, he burnt them all, and some other unprofitable writings: then he addicted himself seriously to the study of the Scriptures, and being twenty eight years old, he wrote a learned Tractate of the six first days work of God, and another of the Sabbath, for the public benefit of the Church. He was wonderfully affected with the Elegancy of the Scriptures, in their Originals, especially of Paul's Epistles, which he preferred before all human Eloquence whatsoever; professing that the writings of Tully, Demosthenes, &c. were not to be compared with them. Then he wrote his Book De Ente & uno, stuffed with abundance of learning: He wrote much also for interpreting the Old Testament, and reconciling seeming differences: He justified the translation of Jerome against the calumnies of the Jews: He also defended the Septuagint translation, principally in reference to the Psalms: He wrote also about the true computation of Times: He wrote much in defense of the Catholic Faith, against Mohammedans, Jews, and other opposers of it: many other excellent works he had begun, but being cut off by an immature death, he left them unfinished: and his writing was so bad, that few could collect his sense by it: He read over whole Libraries both of Latin and Greek Authors with admirable celerity, and yet culled out the most useful things as he went through them: He was so versed in the ancient Fathers, as if he had made them his only study all his life long: He was so well acquainted with Modern Writers, that if any difficulty was proposed to him out of them, he could presently resolve it, as if he had been of their Counsel in writing: He was an acute and excellent Disputant, which he much delighted in: He always preferred those disputations which were privately undertaken, with an humble and peaceable mind, to find out the truth, rather then to get the Victory: But could not endure such public disputations as were undertaken to show learning, or to win applause from the common people, professing that they did very much hurt: He had a very great Library of Ancient and Modern Writers, of all sorts and Languages: He was of such an indefatigable Spirit, that he was never a weary of his study: Three years before his death, he retired himself from the pleasures, profits and honors of the world, & that he might live a more private life, He made over almost all his estate in the Earldoms of Mirandula and Concordia, to his Brothers Son: a great part of his Money, Plate and Jewels he distributed amongst the poor: He kept a frugal Table, which he well contented himself with: He was constant in his daily prayers unto God: He relieved the poor every day: He gave much money to poor maids, for preferring them in marriage: He employed an intimate friend to inquire out the wants and necessities of poor House-keepers, whom he bountifully relieved: He kept under his body by fasting, &c. He was of a cheerful countenance, and of so composed a mind, that he was scarce ever seen angry: He was very humble, being so far from seeking and affecting great honors, and offices, that he could not be persuaded to accept of them: His usual discourse amongst his friends was of the vanity and uncertainty of all Earthly things, and of the stability of Heavenly things, and therefore he would often call upon them to love the Lord above all, &c. He did so little regard these outward things, that he was often blamed by his friends for too much neglect of them: He was always most cordially affected to his friends, whom he chose for the similitude of manners and learning, rather then for other outward respects of kindred, &c. Angelus Policianus, and Marcilius Ficinus were two of his most intimate friends: But falling into a violent Feavour, which contemned all means of cure, in thirteen days space he quietly departed, Anno Christi, 1494. and of his Age 32.

[illustration]

T. CROMWELL

[portrait of Thomas Cromwell]

The Life of Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex, who died, Anno Christi, 1541.

THomas Cromwell was born at Putney in Surrey; his Father was a Smith, and therefore could bestow no great cost in his education, so that his poverty was a great hindrance at first to his virtue; yet such was the activity, and forward ripeness of nature in him: his wit so pregnant: his judgment so sound: his tongue so eloquent: his service so faithful: His stomach so courageous, & his Pen so active, that he could not be long concealed, nor hindered from favor, & friends to employ him: Nothing was so difficult which his wit & industry would not compass, he had also a very firm memory in retaining whatsoever he had once gotten, insomuch as in a journey to, and from Rome he learned the whole New Testament translated by Erasmus, without book: As he grew towards ripeness of years, he had a great mind to travel into foreign Countries to see the world, and learn experience, and so passing over the sea, he went into France, from thence into Italy, at last he came back to Antwerp, where he was entertained by the English Merchants to be their Secretary: It happened about the same time, that the Inhabitants of Boston in Lincolnshire, were minded to send to Rome for the renewing of their two Pardons, which, though it would cost them great expenses, yet they found such gain by that Roman Merchandise, that they chose one Jeffery Chambers, and another, whom they furnished with Writings, and good store of money, and so sent them to Rome to dispatch that business: By the way when they came to Antwerp, Chambers suspecting his own weakness for so weighty a work, conferred, and prevailed with Thomas Cromwell to assist him therein: Cromwell, though he knew the difficulty of the enterprise, and what it was to have to deal with such greedy Cormorants, as the Pope, and his Cardinals were, yet having some skill in the Italian tongue, and as yet being ungrounded in the true Religion, he consented to go along with them. Coming to Rome, he gat Information, that the Popes holy Tooth greatly delighted in new fangled dishes, and strange delicates, whereupon he prepared certain fine dishes of jelly, made after the best English fashion, but never before seen at Rome: And taking his time with his two companions, when the Pope was newly come from Hunting, and gone into his Pavilion, they brought their English Presents in with a three man's Song (as it was then called) The Pope marvelling at the strangeness of the Song, and understanding that they were English men, and came not empty handed, he willed them to be called in: Cromwell doing his obeisance, offered him his jolly-junkets, telling him, that they were such as none but Kings, and Princes in England used to feed upon: Desiring him to accept of the Present which he, and his Companions, that were poor suitors to his Holiness, had presented as novelties for his recreation, &c. The Pope seeing the strangeness of the Dishes, bad one of his Cardinals to taste of it, who liked it so well, that he commended it to the Pope: The Pope also was so well pleased with it, that he asked them what their suits were, and commanding them to teach his Cook the making of that meat, he incontinently confirmed both their Pardons according to their requests: All this while Cromwell had no sound taste of Religion, and himself would often after tell Doctor Cranmer what a Ruffian he was in his young days: How he was in the wars with the Duke of Bourbon in the fiege of Rome: As also how he assisted Chambers in publishing, and setting forth the Pardon of Boston everywhere in Churches as he went, and so he continued, till at last, learning the New Testament by heart, it pleased God to begin to touch, and affect his heart with the knowledge, and savor of the Truth: In the mean time, Cardinal Woolsey began to rule all under the King, or rather with the King in England; so that men of the best wits, and ablest parts, sought to get into his service: amongst whom Thomas Cromwell also gat preferment under him, and having faithfully served him divers years, the Cardinal at last preferred him to be his Solicitor: About which time Woolsey was building his stately College in Oxford [now Christ-Church] for the furtherance whereof, he pulled down some small Monasteries, and Priories in divers parts of the Realm, the charge whereof he committed to Cromwell, wherein he was so industrious, that he gat him much hatred amongst many superstitious persons, and with some of the Nobility that were about the King.

Shortly after the Cardinal grew into disgrace with the King, and fell into a Premunire: So that his household being dissolved, Thomas Cromwell amongst others, sought to get into the Kings Service: And Sir Christopher Hales, Master of the Rolls (though a great Papist) yet liked Cromwell so well, that he commended him to the King, as a man most fit for his purpose, having then to do against the Pope. But the King having had former complaint made to him against Cromwell, for his homely dealing with the Monasteries, Images, Altars, &c. he detested his very name, and some that stood by also, with railing, and reviling words, sought more to inflame the Kings hatred against him: But there being present at the same time, the Lord Russell, Earl of Bedford, with a vehement boldness he stood forth, and took upon him the defense of Cromwell, uttering much in his commendation before the King; and withal, telling him, that when himself was at Bononia, about the Kings affairs, he was in extreme peril of his life, had not Cromwell by his singular device and policy freed him from the same: Adding, that forasmuch as his Majesty had now to do with the Pope, there was in all England none so fit for the Kings purpose, which could say or do more in that matter then he: The King hearing this, was content to see, and speak with him, and to hear what he could say: Cromwell having private notice that he should be sent for to the King, provided himself before hand, and gat in a readiness the Copy of the Bishops oath, which they used to make to the Pope at their consecration, and so being called for, he was brought to the King in his garden at Westminster, Anno Christi 1530. the King propounding sundry questions to him, He answered him very satisfactorily, and withal shown him how his Princely authority was abused within his own Realm by the Pope, and his Clergy, who being sworn to him, were afterwards dispensed with, and sworn anew unto the Pope, so that he was but an half King, &c. He also shown him how he might accumulate to himself whatsoever the Clergy in England was worth, if he pleased to take the occasion now offered unto him: The King giving good ear to this, and liking his advise, asked him, if he would stand by what he had told him: Yea said he, I can avouch it to be certain, and therewith he shown the Bishops oath unto the King: Hereupon the King presently admitted him into his service, and taking his Ring off his finger, he sent him therewith into the Convocation house amongst the Bishops: Cromwell coming boldly into the house, placed himself amongst the Bishops, where he made an Oration, and declared unto them the authority of a King, and the office of subjects, especially of Bishops and Churchmen under the public Laws, which Laws (saith he) you have all transgressed, & highly offended by derogating from the Kings Roiall estate, falling under a Premunire, by consenting to the power Legantine of the Cardinal, as also by being sworn to the Pope, contrary to your fealty to the King, to whom therefore you have forfeited all your Goods, Chattels, Lands, Possessions, and whatsoever Livings you have: The Bishops hearing this, were much amazed, beginning to excuse, and deny the fact: But Cromwell showing to them the very Copy of the oath given to the Pope at their consecration, they could deny the matter no longer, but fell to entreaty: And after a short debate amongst themselves were content to give to the King 101884. li. to free them from the Premunire: After this Cromwell growing into great favor with the King, he first Knighted him: then made him Master of his Jewel-house: then one of the privy council: then Master of the Rolls: then Knight of the Garter: And lastly, Earl of Essex: Great Chamberlain of England, and the Kings vicegerent to represent his own person: Which office is seldom conferred upon any subject in England, and was never better discharged then by this Lord. Neither did his honors make him grow proud, or remiss in his duty, but he was rather quickened thereby to work more abundantly for the good both of Church, & State: and above all his other virtues, he is chiefly to be commended for his singular zeal, and laborious travel bestowed for the restoring of the truth, and demolishing the Synagogues of Antichrist, the Abbeys, and Religious houses: For it pleased Almighty God to make him an instrument to persuade the King to suppress, first the Chauntries, then the smaller Monasteries, and at length all the Abbeys in England, both great, and less: And though the buildings might have been converted to Schools, and houses of learning: the goods, and possessions might have been bestowed to much better, and more godly use, viz. to the relief of the poor, and to many public uses of piety, and charity: yet herein the secret judgment of God is to be admired, and adored, in that those houses that were so full of all manner of abominations (as appeared to the Kings Commissioners upon examination, and remains upon Record) so horrible to be heard, so incredible to be believed, so stinking before the face of God and man, that no marvel it is, if God's vengeance from heaven, so highly provoked thereby, would not suffer any monument of these Houses to be unplucked up: The Doctrines, Laws, & Traditions also of such as inhabited them, was rebellion against Christ, derogatory to his Glory, pernicious to man's salvations, full of much blasphemy, and damnable Idolatry: So that of both we may say with Matthew Paris: Cujus faetor usque ad nubes fumum teterrimum exhallabat. i. e. whose filthy stink did breathe up a most pestiferous fume even to the clouds of heaven, and with Sodom's sins cried loud for vengeance, &c.

The Bishop of Rome's power being thus abolished out of England, there were yet divers Popish Bishops, his creatures, which privily watched all opportunities to restore it again: But Cromwell (as a mighty wall, and defense of the Church) resisted it continually, and so frustrated all their expectations, and endeavors: About this time some tumults began to arise about Religion: Whereupon the King Summoned, and Assembled most of his Bishops, and Learned men to meet, and treat soberly, and modestly about most of the controversial points: To this Convocation, Cromwell went, and accidentally by the way he met with Alexander Alesius, a Scotchman, whom he took along with him: And having taking his place as the Kings Vicegerent, at the upper end of the Table, he made an Oration to them, wherein in the Kings name he thanked them for their ready, and cheerful meeting together, told them that the King desired that they should debate about the present controversies of Religion, for that he would suffer no alteration but by the advice, and consent of them, and his Parliament: Therefore (saith he) he desires you for Christ's sake, that all malice, obstinacy, and carnal respects being set apart, you will friendly and lovingly dispute amongst yourselves of the controversies moved in the Church, and that you will conclude all things by the Word of God: Neither will his Majesty suffer the Scriptures to be wrested by any false Glosses, Papistical Laws, or by any authority of Doctors, or Counsels, much less will he admit any Articles, or Doctrine not contained in the Scripture, but only founded upon continuance of time, and old Customs, or by unwritten verities, as ye were wont to do, &c. The only way to unity is to determine all things by the Rule of God's Word, as himself requireth, &c. In this Convocation many points were debated, wherein Alesius, being a godly, and learned man, did the Church good service, and so through Cromwell's industry, though Religion could not be wholly reformed, yet the Reformation of it was well begun at that time through all England. And this good Lord was always very studious how to advance the Cause of Christ: His whole life was nothing else but a continual care and travel to further the true knowledge of the Gospel, and to reform the House of God: He caused all the people through the Kingdom to be instructed in the Lord's Prayer, and Creed, in English: Then he procured the Scriptures to be translated, and published for every English man to understand: Then he rescued the vulgar sort from damnable Idolatry, causing many of their grossest Pilgrimages to be destroyed: He procured, that divers idle Holy days should be abolished: That Liberty should be given to eat Eggs, and white-meats in Lent: By him it was provided, that for the better instruction of the people, Beneficed men should be resident on their Cures to teach, and keep hospitality. Infinite almost were the private benefits which he did in helping poor godly men, and women out of trouble, and great distresses: Yea, his whole life was full of such examples, being a man ordained of God to do many good, especially to deliver such as were in danger of persecution for Religion sake. Some examples are set down by Master Fox in his Book of Martyrs, Vol. 2. Pag. 507. &c.

Usually men advanced from mean and base degree, to high and ample dignities, grow proud and insolent, forgetting what they were, and from whence they came, and so casting off their old friends that were formerly beneficial unto them; but it was far otherways with this courteous and Christian Earl, as may appear by these examples: On a time he was riding in his Coach with Archbishop Cranmer through Cheapside, where spying a poor woman of Hounsloe, to whom he was indebted for certain old reckonings, to the value of forty shillings, he caused her to be called unto him, where questioning▪ with her what was her name, and where she lived; withal he asked her whether he was not somewhat indebted unto her, she said yea, but she durst never call upon him for it, though now she stood in great need of it: He therefore presently sent her to his House with one of his men, and when he came from the Court, he did not only discharge his debt, but gave her an yearly Pension of four pound, and a Livery every year so long as she lived after.

Another Example was this: At what time Thomas Cromwell went with the French Army into Italy, the Army being overthrown, he fell into much want, and being in the City of Florence, he met a rich Merchant, called Francis Frescobalds, and asked of him an Alms for God's sake; the Merchant under his tottered attire, seeing an ingenuous countenance, moved with pity, demanded of what Country he was, &c. To whom he answered, I am Sir of England, my name is Thomas Cromwell, my Father was a sheerer of cloth, and I straying from mine own Country, came with the French Army into Italy, by whose overthrow I am fallen into this want: The Merchant considering the state of the young man, and loving the English Nation, amongst whom he had formerly lived, and from whom he had received many courtesies, took him into his house, entertained him kindly, and when he was desirous to return into his own Country, he gave him an horse, a new suit of apparel, and other necessaries, and sixteen Ducats of gold to bear the charges of his journey. It so fell out after, that at what time the Lord Cromwell was so highly in favor with his Prince, and advanced to so many dignities, that this Francis Frescobald, was by many great losses that befell him in his Marchandizing, become very poor, yet remembering that in England some Merchants owed him fifteen thousand Ducats, he purposed, if he could get that money, to content himself to live upon it, and to give over trading, and for this end he came into England; and it fell out that whilst he was here, endeavoring to get in his debts, he met with the Lord Cromwell, whom he had forgotten, as also the kindness which he had shown him: The Lord Cromwell, as he was riding to the Court, espied him in the street, and eying him well, he remembered him, and alighting from his horse (to the admiration of his followers) he went, and in a most kind manner embraced him, and scarcely refraining from tears, he asked him whether he was not Francis Frescobald the Florentine: Yea Sir, said he, and your humble servant: My servant (quoth Cromwell) no, as you have not formerly been my servant, so will I not now account you other then my special friend, assuring you, that I have cause to be sorry, that you knowing what I am (or at least should be) would not make known your arrival to me, that I might have paid part of that debt that I confess I ow you: But being now upon urgent affairs for my Prince, I must entreat you to excuse my leaving of you, desiring you with the faithful mind of a friend, that you come this day to my house to dinner, and so remounting, he went to the Court: Francis wondering with himself who this Lord should be, at last, called to mind, that it was the same man, whom he had formerly relieved at Florence, for which he was wondrous joyful, hoping that by his Authority he should the sooner recover his debts: about Dinner time he repaired to the L. Cromwell's house, & there walking in the Court, he attended his coming: the Lord shortly returning, he no sooner dismounted, but he again embraced this Gentleman with so friendly a countenance, that the Lord Admiral, and the other Lord's that were with him, marvelled at it, which he perceiving, turning towards them, and holding Frescobald by the hand, he said, My Lord's, marvel not that I am so glad to see this man, for by his means I have attained to this present dignity, and that you may not be ignorant of his courtesy to me, I will relate it to you, & so he told them everything in order, as is before recited: & so, still holding him by the hand, he had him into his Dining-Room, and placed him next to himself at the Table: when Dinner was ended, and the Lord's departed, he would needs know of him what occasion had brought him to London: Francis related his great losses to him, and told him that all that remained was this money that he come to sue for: Cromwell having comforted him against his afflictions, and told him that he sympathized with him in the same, said further, you shall receive in this your distress some consolation for your old courtesies that you shown me in times past, and I further profess in the word of a true friend, that during this life, and state of mine, I will never be wanting to do for you, wherein my authority may prevail to supply your lack and necessity: and so taking him by the hand, he led him into his Chamber, and commanding all to depart, he opened a Chest, and first gave him sixteen Ducats which he had given him in money, then ten Ducats that he disbursed on his apparel, and ten other that he paid for his horse: and further, said he, for the interest of your money, take these four bags, in each of which is four hundred Ducats, these you shall receive from the hand of your assured friend: Frescobald, though brought to a low ebb, yet expressing the virtue of a modest mind, would have refused the kindness offered, but that the other enforced him against his will to receive it. Then he caused him to give him a note of the names of his debtors, which he gave to one of his servants, charging him diligently to inquire out the men, & then to require them to make payment of those debts within fifteen days, or to abide the hazard of his displeasure: the servant so carefully performed his Lord's command, that in a short time he procured Frescobald all his debts: who willingly forgave the interest: And all this while he lodged in the L. Cromwell's house, who gave him noble entertainment, & proffered, that if he would continue in England, and make his bank here, he would lend him 60000 Ducats for four years gratis: But Frescobald, desirous to return into his own Country, and to live a private life, with many thanks for his extraordinary favors, he took his leave, and went to Florence, where he died the year following: Also at another time, being with other Lord's at the Monastery of Sheen, examining some Monks that denied the Kings Supremacy, as he sat at Dinner, he spied afar off a certain poor man, that used to sweep their Cels and Cloisters, and to ring the Bell, &c. whom when the Lord Cromwell had well noted, he called him to him, and before all the Table, took him by the hand, asked him kindly how he did, and turning to the Lord's, said; My Lord's, See you this poor man, this man's Father was a great friend to me in my necessity, and hath given me many a meals meat. Then said he to the poor man, Come unto me, and I will so provide for thee, that thou shalt not lack whilst I live: Thus this Worthy and Noble Lord excelled in divers eminent virtues, especially in a flourishing authority, excellent wisdom, and fervent zeal to Christ, and his Gospel: His great care was to preserve, and nourish peace abroad in foreign Realms. In all neighbouring Princes Courts he kept special intelligence, that nothing was there done, or intended, whereof he had not notice: nor was any spark of mischief kindling against our King, or Kingdom, which he by Wit, and Policy did not quench, and keep down: and if policy prevailed not, he would purchase peace by money, so that during the time of his advancement the King never had War with any foreign Nation, though many great Princes were much incensed against him: He employed his authority no l • ss also in keeping all things in good order at home: hampering the Popish Prelates, and disapointing their subtle devises: then in bridling other unruly persons, forcing them to subjection by the Laws: He was a succor, and refuge to all godly persons: a terror to evil doers, so that the very report that Cromwell was coming, quieted many fraies, and much evil rule: A company of Ruffians appointing to fight in Pater Noster row, and having blocked up the ends of the street with Cars, that none should intertupt them, Cromwell hearing of it, in the heat of the fight came down Pannier Alley towards them, but so soon as the report of Cromwell's coming was heard, the Cars could not keep them in, but thy ran away, and so the fray was ended.

Also there was a Ruffianly serving man, who to put himself into the gallanter Garb, as he conceived, nourished his hair till it hung down upon his shoulders: on a time the Lord Cromwell met this fellow as he walked in the streets, who seeing his disguised habit, which he judged might be of bad example unto others, he called him to him, and inquired whose man he was, and with all asking him whether his Master, or any of his fellows wore their hair so long, or no: he answered no, but to excuse himself, he pleaded that he had made a vow not to cut his hair for such a time: to whom the Lord Cromwell answered, that since he had made himself a Votary, he would not force him to break his vow, but yet he would lay him in prison till the time was expired, and so presently sent him to the Marshal-sey, till his Master having persuaded him to cut his hair, petitioned for his release, and so being brought before the Lord Cromwell with his short hair, he dismissed him: Also a Frier wearing his Cowle after the dissolution of Monasteries, Cromwell meeting him in Paul's Churchyard, said to him, will not this Coule of yours be left off yet: If I do not hear by one a clock that this apparel of thine is changed, thou shalt be hanged immediately for example to all others, and so he durst never wear his Coule after: Innumerable were the benefits which this worthy Lord did, by his prudent Policy, grave authority, and godly zeal for the good both of the Church, and State: what good orders he established, what wickedness he suppressed, what corruptions he reformed, what abuses he discovered, what crafty jugglings, and superstitious delusions he detected, and abolished out of the Church: as the Rood of Grace, wherein a man stood enclosed with an hundred wyers, wherewith he made the Image roll his eyes, nod his head, hang the lip, move, and shake his jaws, according as the value of the gift offered, pleased, or displeased the Priest: if it were a small piece of silver, he would hang the lip, if it were a good piece of gold, his chaps should go merrily, &c. But Cromwell discovering this forgery, caused the Image, with all his engines to be openly shown at Paul's Cross, and there to be torn in pieces by the people: Also the blood of Hales he caused to be brought to the same place, where it was proved to be the blood of a Duck: He also proved the holy maid of Kent to be a notorious whore: Also the Rood of Chester, of Thomas Becket, our Lady of Walsingam, with many more cursed monuments of Idolatry, this good man, stirred up by the providence of God, removed out of the people's way, that they might walk more safely in the service of Almighty God.

About this time Edmond Bonner was a Lutheran, and a great Professor of the Gospel, whom therefore the Lord Cromwell much favored, and procured for him the Bishopric of Hereford: Then obtained of the King that he should be sent over as Ambassador into France, and sent over by him a letter which he procured of our King to the King of France, wherein he desired him to license a subject of his to print a large Bible in English at Paris, because paper was easilier to be had there then in England: As also because they had more store of good workmen to dispatch the same. Bonner much bestirred himself in this business, and outwardly shown great friendship to the Merchants that had undertaken this work, entertaining them often at his table, and so rejoiced in the printing of those Bibles, that himself would oft oversee the Press: yea he was so zealous, that he caused them to print a New Testament in English, and Latin, and himself took off many of them, and gave them to his friends: then did the Lord Cromwell procure his advancement to the Boshiprick of London, and Bonner took the oath of Supremacy before these English men that printed the Bible, and before Master Coverdale, who was the over-seer of the Press: to whom he promised, that when the Bible was printed, he would have at least six of them to set up in several places in Paul's Church: Afterwards by the procurement of Cromwell, the Bible of Tindals translation was printed at London, one of which he presented to King Henry, and obtained that the same might be freely read of all his Subjects: But the setting forth hereof did exceedingly incense the Popish Bishops, especially because of the Prologues to the books, and a large table in the end of it, wherein were set down texts about the Lord's supper, and to prove the lawfulness of Ministers marriage, and against the Mass: But whilst Cromwell was thus laboring for the public good, and endeavoring to deliver the poor Saints out of their troubles, the malice of these Popish Bishops increased so against him, that they continually labored by false trains, and crafty surmises to cast him out of the Kings favor: About this time, there was one John Lambert, a godly, and learned Minister, called in question for his Religion, the King himself sat amongst the Bishops, whilst he was examined, and after a long disputation betwixt the Bishops, and him, in the close of the day, the King said to him: what sayest thou now after all this pains that hath been taken with thee, wilt thou live or dy? Thou hast yet free choice: To whom Lambert answered, I wholly submit myself to the will of your Ma ^ty : the King replied, if you submit yourself to me, you must dy, for I will be no patron to Heretics; and so (by the secret, and crafty counsel of Stephen Gardener) turning himself to the Lord Cromwell, he said, Cromwell, read the Sentence of Condemnation against him; which through human frailty, and being surprised on the sudden, he did read.

But when the day came wherein Lambert was to be burned, Cromwell sent for him into his house, and taking him into his secret Chamber, he asked him forgiveness for that which he had done. The subtle malicious Prelates ceased not, by themselves, and their agents about the King, to calumniate, and traduce him, insomuch that a Parliament being summoned, Anno 1541. Cromwell being in the Council-Chamber, was suddenly apprehended, and committed prisoner to the Tower, which was much lamented by all good men, who prayed heartily for him: but the Popish party much rejoiced, especially the Clergy, whom he could not abide for their Popery, and masked hypocrisy: Shortly after he was attainted by Parliament: the crimes which they laid to his Charge were these: First he was accused of Heresy, and for a supporter of such persons, as Barns, Clark, and many others, whom by his Authority, and Letters written to the Sheriffs, and Justices in divers Shires, he had rescued out of the hands of their adversaries, and discharged out of Prison: Then, that he had dispersed amongst the Kings Subjects many Books, containing much heresy in them: Then that he had caused to be translated into English many Books, comprising matter against the Sacrament of the Altar, & that he had commended it as good and Christian Doctrine; then they pretended that about two years before he had spoken some words against the King, but the witnesses to prove this did not agree amongst themselves. But the truth was, the King was a weary of his Queen, the Lady Anne Boleyn, a virtuous and religious woman, to whom he had been married but a few months, and cast his wanton affections upon the Lady Katherine Howard, which Cromwell labored to dissuade him from, and therefore he must be taken out of the way. This Storm Cromwell did foresee at least two years before, considering the variable affections of the King, and the subtle malice of Stephen Gardener, and his associates; and thereupon he called together his servants, and shown them in what a slippery state he stood, & therefore required them to look diligently to their order and doings, least through their default any occasion might arise against him: also he took such order for them, that most of them, especially his Gentlemen that were younger brethren, which had little but his service to take to, he well provided for, by leaving money in the hands of their friends for them: and having twelve boys that were his Musicians, he gave them twenty pound apiece, and so returned them to their friends: and as his great prosperity had not puffed him up with pride, so neither was he at all dejected in his adversity, but bore it with admirable constancy, and Christian fortitude, and patience: Some Commissioners coming to examine him whilst he was in the Tower, he carried himself so gravely, and patienly, and answered them so discreetly, that they could put no Interogatories to him, either concerning Ecclesiastical, or Civil affairs, wherein he was not exceeding ripe, and well furnished with an answer. Amongst the Commissioners, there was one whom the L. Cromwell desired to carry from him a Letter to the King, which he refused; saying, that he would carry no Letter to the King from a Traitor: then he desired him at least to carry a Message from him to the King, which request he assented to, so it were not against his Allegiance; then the Lord Cromwell taking witness of the other Lord's what he had promised: you shall (said he) commend me to the King, and tell him; By that he hath so well tried and proved you, as I have done, he shall find you as false a man as ever came about him: His enemies durst not bring him to his Answer, nor try him by his Peers, but procured an Act of Attaindure, whereby he was condemned before he was heard: yet the King not long after his death repented this hast, wishing that he had his Cromwell alive again: When he came upon the Scaffold on Tower-hill, he spake thus unto the people.

I am come hither to die, and not to purge myself, as some perhaps may expect that I should, and will: For if I should so do, I were a very wretch: I am by the Law condemned to die, and I thank my Lord God that hath appointed me this death for mine offense, for I have always lived a sinner, and offended my Lord God, for which I ask him hearty forgiveness. Its not unknown to many of you, that I was a great Traveler, and being but of mean Parentage, was called to high estate, and now I have offended my Prince, for which I heartily ask him forgiveness, beseeching you to pray with me to Almighty God, that he will forgive me, &c.

And once again I desire you to pray for me, that so long as life remaineth in this flesh, I may waver nothing in my Faith: then kneeling down on his knees he spake these words: O Lord Jesus, which art the only health of all men living, and the everlasting life of them which die in thee: I wretched sinner do submit myself wholly to thy blessed will, and being sure that that thing cannot perish which is commitied to thy mercy; willingly now I leave this frail, and wicked flesh, insure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it unto me again at the last day, in the resurrection of the just: I beseech thee most merciful Lord Jesus Christ, that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soul against all temptations, and defend me with the buckler of thy mercy against all the assaults of the Devil. I see, and know that there is in myself no hope of salvation, but all my confidence, hope, and trust is in thy most merciful goodness; I have no merits, nor good works that I may allege before thee: Of sins, and evil works (alas) I see a great heap, but yet through thy mercy I trust to be in the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sins, but wilt take, and accept me for righteous and just, and make me an Inheritor of thine everlasting Kingdom. Thou merciful Lord wast born for my sake, didst suffer hunger and thirst for my sake, didst teach, pray, and fast for my sake: all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake: thou sufferedst most grievous pains, and torments for my sake: Finally, thou gavest thy most precious blood to be shed upon the Cross for my sake: Now most merciful Savior let all these things profit me, that thou hast freely done for me, which hast also given thyself for me: Let thy blood cleanse and wash away the spots and foulness of my sins: let thy righteousness hide and cover my unrighteousness: let the merits of thy passion and blood-shedding be satisfactory for my sins: give me Lord thy grace, that my Faith waver not, but be from, and constant to the end: that my hope in thy mercy, and life everlasting may not decay, that love wax not cold in me: Finally, that the weakness of my flesh be not overcome with the fear of death: Grant O most merciful Father, that when death shall shut up the eyes of my body, yet the eyes of my soul may still behold and look upon thee, and when death hath taken away the use of my tongue, yet my heart may cry, and say unto thee, Lord into thy hands I commend my soul, Lord Jesus receive my soul, Amen. Having ended his Prayer, he made a godly exhortation to those that were about him on the Scaffold, and so quietly commended his spirit into the hands of God, Anno Christi, 1541. Saunders, that English runagate, that never speaks well of any godly man, or zealous professor, or of the truth, will have him to die for the breach of a Law made by himself, viz. That one appeached of Treason, should not come into the Kings presence till he had proved himself not guilty: but this is but a Popish lie, for neither did he ever prefer such an Act, neither was any such thing charged upon him in his Attaindure.

[illustration]

J. GRAY

[portrait of Jane Grey]

The Life of the Lady Jane Grey, who died, Anno Christi, 1554.

DUring the languishing sickness of King Edward the Sixth, the Duke of Northumberland, who bore all the sway at Court, married his fourth Son, the Lord Guilford Dudley, to the Lady Jane Grey, eldest daughter to the Duke of Suffolk: her Mother the Lady Frances, was daughter to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and Mary, younger Sister to King Henry the Eighth; and then studying how to advance his family; he came to the weak King, and inculcated to him in what danger the state of the Church would be, if he chose not such a pious successor, as would maintain the now established Religion: He told him, that it was well known how the Lady Mary stood affected: Indeed of the Lady Elizabeth there were better hopes, but their causes were so strongly connected, that they must either be both excluded, or the Lady Mary admitted: That it was the part of a religious and good Prince, to set apart all respects of blood, where God's glory, and the Subjects weal might be endangered, and that doing otherwise, they were in danger of eternal death: That the Duke of Suffolk had three daughters near of blood to him, that they were such as their virtues, and birth did commend, and from whom the violation of Religion, or the danger of a Foreign Yoak by any match was not to be feared, forasmuch as their education had been religious, they had as it were with their milk, sucked in the spiritual food of true Religion and Doctrine, and were also matched to Husbands as zealous for the truth as themselves: He desired therefore that the Crown might be left to the eldest of them, the Lady Jane, with this proviso, that she should maintain the now established Religion, herself and her husband being sworn thereunto: These reasons so prevailed with this sick godly King, that by his last Will he excluded both his Sisters, and left the Crown to the Lady Jane: This Will was read in the presence of the Counsel, & all the Judges of the Realm, who were required to subscribe unto it, and by the power of the Duke of Northumberland, most of them were either persuaded, or overawed to do it: only Arch-Bishop Cranmer would by no means consent thereunto, and withal, he went to the King to know of him the reason why he disinherited his Sisters: the King told him how he was advised to it for the safety of Religion, and that the Lawyers had told him, that he might lawfully do it; and therefore entreated him as he tendered the peace and propagation of the Gospel, that he would consent to it: So after much debate, and many persuasions, the facile Arch-Bishop was at last drawn to subscribe it. There was also one Judge Hales, an upright man, and lover of the Gospel, that would not by any persuasions be drawn to subscribe unto it: Presently after the good King died, and the Lord's persuaded the Lady Jane to take the Crown upon her, but she with many tears entreated her Father in Law, and the rest of them not to lay such an unwelcome burden upon her; yet by their Arguments and importunity, they at last drew an unwilling consent from her, and thereupon proclaimed her Queen. Between King Edward and this young Lady there was little difference in years, but in learning & knowledge of the tongues, she was far his superior, being trained up under a godly and learned man, Mr. Elmar, and herself being of a most fine, and rare wit, but this worthy Lady having personated a Queen but ten days, the Lord's of the Counsel hearing that many flocked to the Lady Mary, and that she was coming towards London, they presently in Cheap-side Proclaim her Queen: the Duke of Suffolk being at this time in the Tower with his daughter: the Lord's seized on the Tower, and commanded the Duke to render himself Prisoner, who submitting to them, went strait to his Daughters chamber, forbidding her the farther use of any Royal Ceremonies, and wishing her to be content to return to her former private state; whereunto with a settled countenance, she answered; Sir, I better brook this Message then my former advancement to Royalty: Out of obedience to You, and my Mother I have grievously sinned, and offered violence to myself: Now I do willing, and as obeying the motions of my Soul, relinquish the Crown, and endeavor to salve those faults committed by others; if at least so great a fault can be salved by a willing relinquishment, and ingenuous acknowledgement: So soon as Q. Mary came to London, she caused the Lady Jane to be committed to safe custody in the Tower, and not long after at Guild-hall she was arraigned, and condemned for Treason, together with her Husband, and returned to the Tower again Prisoner: some few days after she was set upon by one Fecknam, a Priest, with whom she held a godly and learned disputation about many points of Religion, and when he saw that he could not prevail with her, to alter her opinion, he took his leave, saying, I am sorry, for I perceive that we two shall never meet: to whom she replied, True it is, we shall never meet, except God turn your heart: For I am sure except you repent, and turn to God, you are in an evil case: and I pray God in the bowels of his mercy to send you his holy Spirit; for he hath given you a great gift of utter ance, if it please him also to open the eyes of your heart: Her Father being Prisoner at the same time in the Tower, she wrote this Letter to him.

Father, Although it pleaseth God to hasten my death by you, by whom my life should rather have been lengthened: yet can I so patiently take it, as I yield God more hearty thanks for shortening my woeful days, then if all the world had been given into my possession, with life lengthened to my will: and albeit I am well assured of your impatient dolors, redoubled many ways, both in bewailing your own woe, and also (as I hear) especially my unfortunate state: Yet, my dear Father (if I may without offense rejoice in my mishaps) me thinks in this I may account myself blessed, that washing my hands with the innocence of my fact, my guiltless blood may cry before the Lord, mercy to the innocent: and yet, though I must needs acknowledge, that being constrained and (as you well know) continually assayed, in taking the Crown upon me, I seemed to consent, and therein grievously offended the Queen and her Laws: yet do I assuredly trust that this my offense towards God is so much the less, in that being in so Royal an estate as I was, my enforced honor never mixed with my innocent heart: & thus good Father, I have opened my state to you: whose death at hand, although to you perhaps it may seem right woeful, to me there is nothing that can be more welcome, then from this vale of misery, to aspire to that heavenly throne of all joys, and pleasure with Christ our Savior: In whose steadfast faith (if it be lawful for the daughter to write so to her father) the Lord that hitherto hath strengthened you, so continue you, that at last we may meet in heaven, with the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, &c.

In the reign of King Edward the sixth, There was one Master Harding, Chaplain to her Father, and a zealous Preacher, and professor of the Gospel, who in the beginning of Queen Mary's Raign, turned Papist, swimming down the stream with the Time, which coming to the ears of the Lady Jane in prison, her righteous soul was so grieved, that she wrote this Letter to him.

So oft as I call to mind that dreadful and fearful saying of Christ, That he that putteth his hand to the Plough, and looks back, is not meet for the Kingdom of heaven; and on the contrary, those comfortable words which he speaketh to those that forsake all, and follow him; I cannot but marvel at thee, and lament thy case, who seemedst sometimes to be a lively member of Christ, but now the deformed Imp of the Devil: Sometimes the beautiful Temple of God, but now the stinking, and filthy kenel of Satan: Sometimes the unspotted Spouse of Christ, but now the shameless Paramour of Antichrist: Sometimes my faithful brother, but now a stranger, and an Apostate: Sometimes a stout Christian soldier, but now a cowardly runaway: Yea, when I consider these things, I cannot but cry out, and say to thee, thou seed of Satan, whom the Devil hath deceived, the world hath beguiled, and the desire of life subverted, and made thee of a Christian, an Infidel: Wherefore hast thou taken the Law of the Lord into thy mouth? Wherefore hast thou preached the Will of God unto others? Wherefore hast thou instructed others to be strong in Christ, when thou thyself dost now so shamefully shrink away, and so horribly dishonor God? Thou preachest not to steal, and yet most abominably thou stealest, not from men, but God, committing most heinous sacrilege, robbing Christ of thy body and soul, choosing rather to live with shame, then to die, and glor • ously to reign with Christ, who is life in death unto his? Why dost thou show thyself most weak, when thou shouldst be most strong? The strength of a Fort is unknown before an assault, but thou yieldest up thy hold before any battery be made against it: And so she goes on to discover the danger of his present condition, the terrible threatenings out of the Word of God against backsliders, and God's severe judgments executed upon them: And lastly, she sweetly sets before his eyes God's mercies, His gracious promises, many examples of his readiness to forgive, and embrace true penitents, and so concludes with this pathetical exhortation: Let, I pray you, the lively remembrance of the last day be always before your eyes, remembering that Runagates, and Fugitives from Christ shall be cast out at that day, who setting more by the world then by heaven, more by their life then by him that gave them their life, did shrink, and fall from him that forsook not them: And on the contrary, the inestimable joys prepared for them, that fearing no peril, nor dreading death, have manfully fought against, and victoriously triumphed over all the powers of darkness, hell, death, and damnation, through their most redoubted Captain Christ Jesus, who now stretcheth out his arms to receive you, is ready to fall upon your neck, and kiss you, and last of all, to feast you with the dainties, and delicates of his own most precious blood, which undoubtedly if it might stand with his own determinate purpose, he would be ready to shed again, rather then you should be lost: To whom with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be all Honor, &c.

The night before she suffered, she sent her sister, the Lady Katherine her Greek Testament, in the end whereof she wrote thus: I have here sent you (good sister Katherine) a book, which although it be not outwardly printed with gold, yet inwardly it is more worth then precious stones. It is the Book (Dear Sister) of the Law of the Lord. It is his Testament, and last Will which he bequeathed unto us wretches, which shall lead you to the path of eternal joy; and if you, with a good mind read it, and with an earnest heart purpose to follow it, it shall bring you to an immortal and everlasting life, it shall teach you to live, and learn you to die: It shall win you more then you should have gained by the possession of your woeful fathers lands, which if God had prospered you, you should have inherited: So that if you apply diligently this book, seeking to direct your life after it, you shall be an inheritor of such riches, as neither the covetous shall withdraw from you, neither thief shall steal, nor the moth shall corrupt: Desire with David (good sister) to understand the Law of the Lord God, live still to die, that by death you may purchase eternal life: And trust not that the tenderness of your age shall lengthen your life, for as soon (if God call) goeth the young as the old, labor therefore always to learn to die: Defie the World, deny the Devil, and despise the Flesh, and delight yourself only in the Lord: Be penitent for your sins, and yet despair not: Be strong in faith, and yet presume not, and desire with Paul to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, with whom, even in death there is life: Be like the good servant, and even at midnight be waking, lest when death comes, and steals upon you like a thief at midnight, you be with the evil servant found sleeping, and least for lack of oil you be found like the five foolish Virgins, and like him that had not on the wedding Garment, and so you be shut out from the Marriage: Rejoice in Christ, as I do: Follow the steps of your Master Christ, and take up his Cross, lay your sins on his back, and always embrace him: And as touching my death, rejoice, as I do (good sister) that I shall be delivered of this corruption, and put on incorruption: For I am assured that I shall for losing of a mortal life, win an immortal life, the which I pray God to grant you, and send you of his grace to live in his fear, and to die in the true faith of Christ, from the which (in the name of God) I exhort you, that you never swerve, neither for hope of life, nor for fear of death: For if you deny his Truth to lengthen your life, God will deny you, and withal shorten your days: and if you cleave unto him, he will prolong your days to his glory, and your comfort: To the which glory God bring me now, and you hereafter, when it shall please him to call you. Fare you well (good sister) and put your only trust in God, who only must help you.

During this her imprisonment, she made sundry Divine, and heavenly prayers; which she uttered with much affection, faith, and fervency: The morning before she suffered, her husband the Lord Guilford Dudly, was carried out to the Scaffold on Tower Hill, where, with prayers, in a most penitent manner, he ended his life, whose body all bloody laid in a Cart, together with the head wrapped in a cloth, was brought to the Chapel within the Tower, even in the sight of this sorrowful Lady, a spectacle more deadly then was the Axe of her death: And now her own part was next to be acted: The Stage of her Tragedy was raised upon the Green within the Tower, upon which she mounted with a cheerful countenance, and looking upon the people, with great constancy, she spake thus unto them: Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a Law I am condemned to the same: My offense against the Queens Highness was only in consenting to the devise of others, which now is deemed Treason, yet it was never of my seeking, but by counsel of those who should seem to have further understanding of things then I, which knew little of the Law, and much less of titles to the Crown: But touching the procurement, or desire thereof by me, or on my behalf, I do here wash my hands in innocence before God, & the face of you all this day: And therewith she wrung her hands, wherein she had her book: Then she said further: I pray you all good Christian people to bear me witness that I die a true Christian woman, and that I do look to be saved by no other means, but only by the mercy of God in the blood of his only Son Jesus Christ: And I confess, that when I did know the Word of God, I neglected the same, loved myself and the world, and therefore this plague and punishment is justly befallen me for my sins: And yet I thank God of his goodness, that he hath thus been pleased to give me a time and respite to repent in: And now good people, while I am alive, I pray you assist me with your prayers: Then she kneeled down, and said in English the one and fifty Psalm in a most devout manner throughout unto the end: Then standing up she gave her Gloves, and Handkerchief to her Maid, and her Book to Master Bruges the Lieutenant of the Tower, then she untied her Gown, and the Hangman pressing upon her to help her off with it, she desired him to let her alone, and turning to her two Gentlewomen, they helped her off therewith, and her other attires, giving her a fair Handkerchief to knit about her eyes: Then the Hangman kneeled down, asking her forgiveness: Unto whom she said: The Lord forgive thee, and I do; and I pray thee dispatch me quickly: Then he willed her to stand upon the straw, which doing, she saw the Block: Then she kneeled down, saying: Will you take it off before I lay it down: And the Hangman said, No Madam: Then tied she the Handkerchief about her eyes, and feeling for the Block, she said, What shall I do? Where is it? Where is it? One of the standers by guiding her thereunto, she laid her head down upon the Block, and then stretched forth her body, and said: Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit; which was scarcely uttered before she received the fatal stroke with the Axe: And so she ended her life Anno Christi, 1554. and of her Age 16. Her death was lamented of all, but not suffered to go altogether unpunished by God: For Judge Morgan, that passed the sentence of condemnation upon her, shortly after fell mad, and in his raving, cried out continually, Take away the Lady Jane from me, and in that horror ended his wretched life. She was a most chaste, innocent, and virtuous Lady, of high Birth, yet were not her Parents any whit indulgent to her in her childhood, but rather more severe then needed to so sweet a temper: For what need iron instuments to bow wax: But as the sharpest Winters (correcting the rankness of the earth) cause the more healthful, and fruitful Summers: So the harshness of her breeding, compacted her soul to the greater patience, and piety, whereby she proved the Mirror of her Age: On a time Master Roger Ascham coming to wait upon her at Broadgates in Leicestershe • re, he found her in her Chamber, reading Phaedon Platonis • n Greek, with much delight, whilst her Father, with the Dutches, and all the household were hunting in the Park: He aked her how she could lose such Pastime? Who smiling, answered, I wiss, all the sport in the Park is but a shadow of that pleasure which I find in this book: Adding further, that it was one of the greatest blessings that God ever gave her, in sending her sharp Parents, and a gentle Schoolmaster, which made her take delight in nothing so much as in her studies: During her imprisonment in the Tower, she made misery itself amiable, by her pious and patient behavior: Adversity, her nightclothes, becoming her as well as her day dressings, by reason of her gracious deportment: Some said that she was with child when she was beheaded; the greater cruelty, to cut down the tree with blossoms on it, and that that which saveth the lives of other women should hasten her death: On a time the Lady Jane, when she was very young, was at New-Hall in Essex, the Lady Mary's house, where being entreated by the Lady Ann Wharton to walk abroad with her; as they passed by the Chapel, the Lady Wharton made a low courtesy to the Popish Sacrament hanging over the High Altar, which when the Lady Jane saw, she marvelled at it, and asked her why she did it, and whether the Lady Mary was there, or no? She said, no, but I make courtesy to him that made us all: Why (quoth the Lady Jane) how can he be there that made us all, when as the Baker made him: Which speech of hers coming to the Lady Mary's ears, she never loved her after, which well appeared by the sequel: Master Fox concludes his Story of her with these Verses:

She had a fine vein in Poetry: In her troubles she made these Verses:

[illustration]

S ^r . P. SYDNEY

[portrait of Philip Sidney]

The Life of Sir Philip Sidney, who died, Anno Christi, 1586.

PHilip Sidney, was Son and Heir to Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy of Ireland, President of Wales, and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter: a Person of Great parts; and in no mean grace with Queen Elizabeth: his Mother was Daughter to the Duke of Northumberland, and Sister to the Earls of Warwick and Leicester, so that his descent was apparently Noble of both sides. In his very Childhood there appeared in him such excellent parts, and endowments of nature, that his Father conceiving great hopes of him, was very careful of his education, so that having soon drunk in the principles of learning at home, he was sent to the University, where he profited exceedingly in the knowledge of the Arts, so that after an incredible proficiency in all the species of learning, he left the Academical life, for that of the Court, whether he came by the invitation, and instigation of his Uncle the Earl of Leicester, at that time a great Favorite of the Queens: Fame had before hand blazed abroad his noble accomplishments: He was of a comely Presence, and framed by a natural propension to Arms, so that he soon attracted the good opinion of all men, and was so highly prized in the good opinion of the Queen, that she thought the Court wanted a great Ornament, when he was absent from it: Whilest he was at Court, at his spare hours, he composed that incomparable Book for phancie, and language, called his Arcadia, when he was but one and twenty years old; the Queen thought him so fit for the greatest employments, that she sent him upon an Embassy to the Emperor of Germany at Vienna, which he discharged to his own honor, and her good content; yea, his Fame was so renowned through Christendom, that he was in election for the Kingdom of Poland, but our Queen refused to further his advancement, not out of emulation, but out of fear to loose the Jewel of her times: He married the daughter, and sole Heir of Sir Francis Walsingam, then Secretary of State, a Lady destinated to the bed of Honor, who after his death was married to the Earl of Essex, and after his death to the Earl of St. Albans: During his abode at Court, he became of intimate acquaintance with Sir Fulk Grevil, afterwards L. Brook, who thought himself so much honored by his friendship, that having erected for himself a stately Monument in St. Mary's Church in Warwick, He caused to be engraven upon his Tomb: Fulk Grevil servant to Queen Elizabeth, Counselor to King James, and friend to Sir Philip Sidney. The States of the Netherlands having obtained aid of our Queen against the Spaniards, they agreed to deliver up to her some cautionary towns for her security, whereupon she sent over Sir Philip Sidney to be Governor of Flushing, and of the Castle of Ramekins: afterwards his Uncle the Earl of Leicester was sent over as Deputy-General for the Queen, who was honorably entertained by the States: and not liking to lie still, and do nothing, he made his preparation for the taking in of Zutphen, whereupon the Prince of Parma sought to furnish the place with victuals, sending with it a convoy of seven hundred horse, and two thousand foot: To intercept these, Leicester sent Sir John Norris, to whose assistance came the Earl of Essex, the Lord Willowby, Sir Phi. Sidney, Sir Will. Stanley, and Sir Will. Russel, in all two hundred horse, and one thousand five hundred Musketiers and Pikes: The day being dark by reason of great foggy mists, the Spaniards whilst their waggons made forward, staid in a place of advantage near Zutphen, upon whom the English were entered before they were aware, and were entertained with a furious charge of shot, which notwithstanding they abode, and so valiantly followed the skirmish, that they overthrew, put back, slew, and took prisoners many of them, but herein the day proved doleful, that the worthy Sir Philip Sidney, as he was changing his horse, was shot by a Musket above the left knee, which so shivered the thigh bone, that the Bullet could not be got out: Being thus wounded, he was carried to Arnheim in Gelderland. Whilest he lay thus upon his wound, M. Humphrey Fen, a godly and able Minister, being at this time Chaplain to the Earl of Leicester, went to visit him, who found him carefully fitting and preparing himself for death; wherein he was much holpen by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ: and after Mr. Fen had been a while with him, Sir Philip told him that he had made his Will, and that he was now minded to be his own Executor, and so causing a Cabinet to be brought to him, he gave him a good sum of Gold, which he had formerly bequeathed to him in his Will: in this his last sickness, his Arcadia came into his mind, and he considered that in it there were divers light, & amorous passages, which might tend to the corrupting of the incautious Reader: It was not as yet Printed, neither was there any Copy of it, but only one, which for the present was in the hands of his entire friend, Sir Fulk Grevil, and therefore to show his repentance for the vanity of his youth, he sent to Sir Fulk Grevil, and conjured him by all the obligations of friendship that were betwixt them, that he should presently burn that Copy, that so it might never come abroad into the world; which earnest request of his dying friend, Sir Fulk Grevil had intended to have fulfilled, but that the importunity of some about him, prevented it: Sir Philip Sidney lay thus languishing upon his wound, for the space of five and twenty days, bearing the pains of it with admirable patience, and Christian fortitude, at the end whereof he quietly resigned his spirit into the hands of his merciful Redeemer, Anno Christi, 1586. His death was much bewailed both by the Queen and all good men, for the great hopes that they had of this worthy Gentleman, in whom were complete all the virtues, and valor which could be expected in him: his body was brought over into England, where he was honorably interred with his Ancestors. I have many years ago seen this Epitaph hanging up in Paul's Church of him:

I have also seen this Epitaph of him.

Certain it is (saith one) that he was a Noble and matchless Gentleman, and it may be justly said of him without Hyperboles of fiction, as it was of Cato Uticensis: That he seemed to be born to do that only which he went about.

[illustration]

G. CARACCIOLUS

[portrait of Galeacius Caracciolus]

The Life of Galeacius Caracciolus, Marquess of Vico, who died, Anno Christi. 1592.

GAleacius Caracciolus was born at Naples, Anno Christi, 1517. His Fathers name was Calantonius descended of the ancient, and Noble Family of the Caraccioli of Capua: His Mother was descended of the noble Family of the Caraffi, whose Brother was afterwards Pope Paul the Fourth. His Father was very careful of his Education in his youth, and then being well known to, and in favor with the Emperor Charles the Fifth; he requested him to entertain this his Son into his service, which the Emperor willingly did, and liked him so well, that shortly after he made him his Gentlem an-sewer; in which place, and office, he demeaned himself so well, that he woon the favor of the Nobility, and rest of the Court, and grew to be of special accompt with the Emperor himself: and indeed few were to be compared with him for innocence of life, elegancy of manners, sound judgment, and knowledge of many things: His Father also being desirous to continue his name, and advance his house, provided for him a Wife, a Virgin of Noble birth, called Victoria, Daughter to the Duke of Nuceria, with whom he had in Portion 6500. l. his Fathers estate being worth 5000. l. per annum. By this Wife he had six children [four Sons, and two Daughters] But God intending to advance him to an higher dignity then that to which he was born, was pleased in mercy by degrees to reveal himself, & his truth to him: The first beginning of it was this: There lived about this time in Naples, a Noble Spaniard, called John Waldesius, who having got some knowledge of the truth of the Gospel, especially in the Doctrine of Justification, he used often to confer with, and instruct divers other Noble-men, his companions, and familiar friends, in points of Religion, confuting the false opinion of our inherent Justification, and merit of good Works, and thereby detecting the vanity and fondness of some Popish points, by which means (the Lord blessing his labors) many of these Noblemen began to creep out of darkness, and to discern the truth, amongst whom one was John Francis Caesarta, a Kinsman to Galeacius: he discoursing often with Galeacius, began to convince him of the vanity of worldly privileges: of the true means of our Justification; of the excellency and power of God's Word, and of the folly of most of the Popish superstitions: Now Galeacius much esteemed this his Kinsman, yet the world hung so heavy upon him, that for the present these things seemed to make but small impression upon his spirit: At this time Peter Martyr was a public Preacher, and Reader at Naples, whose holy life, and sweet, copious Teaching, made him very famous. Hereupon, Galeacius was once content at Caesarta's motion, to go and hear his Sermon, yet not so much out of a desire to learn, as tickled with a curious humor to hear so famous and learned a man. Peter Martyr at this time was showing out of 1 Cor. the weakness, and deceitfulness of the judgment of man's reason in spiritual things, and the power, and efficacy of God's word in those men in whom the Lord works by his Spirit, which he illustrated by this comparison.

If a man should see men and women dancing together afar off, and hear no instrument, he would judge them mad, or foolish; but if he come near, and hear the Music, and mark their measures, &c. he will then not only delight to see them, but feel a desire in himself to bear them company: Even so many men, when they behold in others a sudden and great change of their looks, apparel, behavior, and whole course of life, at first he will impute it to melancholy, or some foolish humor; but if he look nearer, and begin to hear, and perceive the sweet harmony and consent of God's Spirit, and word in them, then they change their opinion, and begin, first, to like them, and that alteration in them; and afterwards feel in themselves a desire to imitate, and be of the number of such men, as forsaking the worlds vanity, walk according to the rule of the Gospel, that they may come to true, and sound sanctification: This comparison, by the grace, power, and efficacy of God's Spirit, wrought wonderfully in Galeacius, (as he oft confessed to his friends) that from that hour he resolved to forsake his former pleasures, and practices, and to set himself to seek out true happiness: and for that end, he read the Scriptures every day, as the fountain whence it must be drawn, and wherein the way to heaven was discovered: He chose such company, by whose life and conference he might be edified in the true Religion, and in his most holy faith: But this great alteration being observed in Naples, his old companions were much amazed at it: some judged it a melancholy passion: others esteemed it plain folly, & feared that he would become simple, and doting. But such as feared God, as they wondered much to see so great a change in so great a man; so they exceedingly rejoiced to see it, and praised the Lord in his behalf: But the more courageously this worthy servant of Christ went on in the ways of godliness, the more the Devil raged against him by his temptations, endeavoring thereby to stop his course, or, if it were possible to drive him back again, that having begun in the spirit, he might end in the flesh: First, his zealous profession procured him an infinite number of mocks, and made him the subject of most vile slanders: many took occasion thereby extremely to hate him: his Father was much displeased and vext, seeing how the honor and advancement of his house was like to be eclipsed thereby, and therefore he often, and sharply chid him, charged him with his Fatherly authority to put away his melancholy conceits: this much grieved him, being always very submiss, and obedient to his parents: his Wife Victoria also (though a wise, kind, and dutiful Wife) yet would she by no means yield to his motion, for the change of her religion, fearing infamy, and reproach thereby, and therefore she was always soliciting of him with complaints, tears, kind entreaties, and all other ways that a wife could use to her husband: It was also a great temptation, that almost all the Nobility in and about Naples, being of kin, and familiar acquaintance with him, oft resorted to him, to draw him forth to his old sports and pleasures: And his Office sometimes calling him to the Court, it was a great trouble to him, for there he heard of anything rather then of Religion; not a word of God's word, but all of pleasures, honors, &c. or how they might rid out of the way the forsakers of Popery, and professors of the true faith: yet Satan set upon him by a more dangerous temptation, to withdraw him from the truth; for at that time Italy was much pestered with Arians and Anabaptists, who with glorious shows deceived the simple; these men set upon Galeacius, seeking by all means to entangle him in their errors, and blasphemous fancies: But God's goodness appeared wonderfully, enabling him, newly entered into the School of Christian Religion, and as yet little studied in the Scriptures, to resist the cunning snares of these dissembling Heretics, many of them being grounded Scholers, and thoroughly studied in the Scriptures: yet he by the sincere simplicity of God's truth, and assistance of the Holy Ghost, not only discerned the fondness of their opinions, but untied the knots, and brake the snares, and mightily confuted them: yea, (through God's mercy) being often in their meetings, he was strongly confirmed in the truth by hearing, and seeing of them: Yet he met with a more dangerous temptation, for the Waldesians, with whom he most conversed, though they were right in some points of Religion about Justification, &c. and disliked some abuses in Popery, yet they frequented the Popish Churches, heard their Masses, & were present at their vile Idolatries, and this they did to avoid persecution, and this was a dangerous example to Galeacius, but (through the good providence of God) his Office calling him into Germany to the Emperors Court, at Strasbrough he met with his old friend Peter Martyr (who was then Divinity Professor there) by whom he learned, that the knowledge of the truth of Justification was not sufficient to salvation, if in the mean time a man defiled himself with Idolatry, which the Scripture calls spiritual whoredom: from him he received many other comfortable instructions, and thereby was much confirmed in the truth: and so returning to Naples, he declared his Judgment to the Waldesians, concerning the shunning of Idolatry, whereupon they presently forsook him, being unwilling to hear of that Doctrine which would expose them to all manner of sufferings: But God of his infinite mercy, wrought in him such heroical resolutions, that seeing his friends forsook him, and he had no hope of seeing a Reformation in Naples, he resolved to forsake his Country, and seek for Christ and his Religion wheresoever he might find them, and that he would rather forsake father, wife, children, goods, honors, &c. to win Christ, then to enjoy them all, and want Christ Jesus; yet herein he met with many grievous combats: for so oft as he looked upon his aged father that dearly loved him, and whom he again respected with all duty, and reverence, so oft he was stricken to the heart with unspeakable grief to think of leaving of him; and such like reasonings he had in his heart: What, must I needs forsake my loving father, or else I cannot have God my Father? And must I needs fail in my duty to him, if I perform my duty to God? Shall I hereby bring his hoary hairs with sorrow to the grave? Shall I bring an obloquy upon him, and my whole kindred? shall I be the cause of his death, that would (if need were) redeem my life with his own death? Yet must I rather hazard his life, then cast my own poor soul with horror into hell: And no less was he grieved in respect of his noble Wife, having no hope that she would renounce Popery, and go with him: She was in the prime of her youth, a Lady of great birth, fair, wise, and modest, but her love and loialty to him passed all, which filled him with these reasonings: Shall I thus suddenly leave my dear wife, the only joy of my heart in this world, my companion, the augmenter of my joy, and lesner of my woe? Shall I thus leave her forever? Shall I deprive myself of her, & thereby of all others also, and of all comfort of a conjugal life, and married estate? Alas poor Lady! what will become of her, and her little ones when I am gone? What will she do but weep, and wail, and pine away with grief? Yet must I for Christ's sake resolve to leave her, and all, to follow Christ: Whilst he meditated on these things, he thought he heard, and saw his wife sighing, and sobbing, and weeping, and houling, and running after him, saying: Ah my deer Lord! and sweet husband, whither will you go? And will you leave me poor woman comfortless and succourless? What can honors, riches, gold, silver, jewels, friends, &c. do when I want you? What joy can I take in my children without you, but rather my grief to be doubled to look on them? How can any be persuaded that you care for me, or them? Is this the love you have so often boasted of? &c. These thoughts tormented him the more, because they boiled in his heart, and he durst impart them to none, least they should have hindered his departure: yet the thoughts about his children extremely augmented his grief: they were goodly and towardly children, worthy such Noble parents: they were young, and therefore not apprehensive what it was to want a Father: He loved them tenderly: When his wife, the Lady, did sometimes put into his arms the youngest to play with, how did it cut him to the heart, and what ado had he to contain from floods of tears? how did he in himself thus reason; and shall I presently leave these sweet Babes to the wide and wicked world, as though they had never been my children? to be a Father is a comfort, but a Father of no children, and yet to have children, is a misery? And you poor Orphans, what will become of you when I am gone? Your hap is hard to be fatherless, your Father yet living: What can your great birth now help you? by my departure you shall loose all, honor, living, dignity, &c. yea, hereby you shall be exposed to infamy, reproach, slander, &c. so that you shall curse the time that ever you had me for your Father: Many other were the temptations that he conflicted withal, though inferior to these, as leaving the company of so many Noblemen, his kindred and acquaintance: to loose his honorable Office at Court: to leave forever his Native soil, the fruitful Italy: to deprive himself and posterity of the Noble title of a Marquesdom: to undertake a long and tedious journey: to cast himself into exile, poverty, shame, and other miseries: to leave so brave a seat, the Garden and Orchard whereof exceeded all others in Italy, to see which, there daily resorted many strangers out of all parts: yet resolved he (through God's grace) to leave all and follow Christ: saying thus to himself: Thou Lord art he that drewest me out of the misty darkness of ignorance, enlightening my mind with thy holy spirit, and with the heavenly knowledge of thy truth, thou hast made known to me the way of salvation, & hast ransomed me to thyself, by the blood of thy Son: now therefore holy Father I am only thine, consecrated to thy glory, & therefore I will follow thee, and obey thee, and walk in thy ways whithersoever thou shalt be pleased to call me. Not my Father, Wife, Children, Honors, Lands, Riches, nor all my delicacies, and pleasures shall hold me one hour from following thee: I deny myself, and I deny this whole World for thee, and thy sake: O Lord thou knowest how many enemies compass me? How many hindrances, and temptations lie in my way, &c. O Lord have mercy upon me, and deliver my soul, &c. O blessed and happy these miseries, that pull me out of the worlds vanities, and sink of sins, that I may be made heir of everlasting glory; welcome therefore the Cross of Christ, I will take it up O Lord, and will follow thee. According to this holy resolution, making his mind known only to a few of his choice friends, of whose piety he hoped well, he wrought so much upon them, that they vowed to accompany him in this his voluntary exile; yet, see the deceitfulness of man's heart, most of these, when they came to the borders of Italy, and began seriously to consider what they left behind them, and what they went to, they first (with Lots wife) began to look back, and afterwards went back, turning again to the vomit of their pleasures: But oh the unsearchableness of God's judgments, these ungrateful persons refusing so great a mercy offered them, the Lord pursued with just revenge: for purposing to serve God in their pleasures in the midst of Popery, they were taken by the Inquisition, forced publicly to recant, and abjure their religion, and so became the subject of misery, and infamy, and were equally odious to both parties: Yet their Apostasy was a great discouragement to Galeacius, seeing himself forsaken of those by whose society he hoped to have enjoyed much comfort in a strange Country: Notwithstanding all this, he prepared for his departure, and finding his opportunity, he concealed his purpose, least the authority of his Father might have diverted him, and so getting some 1000. Marks, which his Mother had left him, on the 20. of March, Anno 1551. & of his Age 34. he departed from Naples, as if he had intended for the Emperors Court, whither indeed he went, attending his Office for a short time, and then bidding adieu to the Court, and all worldly pleasures, he went strait to Geneva, where he arrived in safety (through God's mercy) & with a joyful heart: In that City, though there was an Italian Church; yet met he with none of his acquaintance, but one, a Nobleman of Siena, and now a Preacher to the Italian Congregation: thus blessing God for freeing of him from the Antichristian yoke, & bringing of him where he might safely profess his name with a free conscience; he associated himself with Master Calvin, and submitted to his instruction, who finding his sincerity, meekness, &c. most kindly entertained him into his fellowship, and this their mutual love was so firmly grounded, that it continued to their lives end; Master Calvin shows how he honored & esteemed of him by his Epistle to him, wherein he dedicates to him his Commentary upon the first Epist. to the Corin. And amongst many other high commendations that he gives him there, he acknowledgeth that the example of Galeacius prevailed much with him, for the strengthening of his faith, and increase of his godliness: But when the news of his fixing at Geneva came to the Emperors Court, and to Naples, it cannot be imagined how strangely it affected all that heard it: but above all, his own friends were wonderfully astonished at it, and his Family; where nothing was to be heard but lamentations, tears, and pitiful complaints, so that it seemed a lively pattern of woe, and misery: yet was the old Marquess his Father most affected of all others, foreseeing hereby the ruin and downfall of his estate and Family: but the violence of sorrow being once over, he began to cast about by what means he might recover him again; and for that end sent a cosen-german of his, that was most dear to Galeacius, with Lttters to Geneva, full of authority, protestations, bitter complaints, and loving entreaties to return home again, for the comfort of his aged Father, the reviving, and cheering up his forlorn wife, and distressed children, and to the unspeakable joy of all his kindred. This Gentleman coming to Geneva, found Galeacius in a mean house, which he had taken for his use, with only two servants attending upon him: but how sad was the meeting of these two gentlemen, which was spent in nothing but embracings, sighs, sobs, and tears; yea, it so exceeded, that for divers hours, they could not speak a word each to other: till at last the Gentleman hoping, and longing to recover his friend, with pitiful words mixed with tears, he delivered his Letters, til he had recovered more freedom of speech, which having once obtained, to his Letters, he added obtestations, entreaties, persuasions, and exhortations, all mingled with many tears, that he would respect the ruin of his house, the grief of his old Father, the desperate condition of his Wife, and Children, &c. and remedy all by his return into Italy. But Galeacius, being as immovable as a Rock, without delay returned him answer, that he knew all this which he said to be true, yet withal he would have him know, that he had done nothing rashly, he had consulted with God, by whose grace he was moved hereunto: and by the same grace had his eyes opened to discern the truth, and to see the Superstitions in Popery, &c. He told him also that he had well weighed the infami • s, reproaches, and miseries which attended this his change: But said he, seeing one of these must needs be chosen, either to stay at home with a burdened conscience, under an heap of errors, and superstitions, or else to leave house, lands, family, Country; yea, and all the worlds glory, thereby to obtain liberty to serve the Lord purely according to his word; that therefore he resolved of two evils to choose the less, and rather to shut his eyes against the splendor of worldly glory, and empty vanities, then that the sight of them should hinder him from following the call of Christ; who saith, That he is unworthy to be his Disciple, who leaveth not Father, Mother, Wife, Children, &c. yea, and his own life to follow him: therefore said he, I forsook all these, because I could not enjoy Christ, and them, being heartily sorry that they would not come to him, or that he might not have liberty safely to live with them: But for himself, he said he had riches, honor, and joy enough, so long as in that cottage with his two servants, he might live in the true Church of God, enjoy his Word and Sacraments free from pollution, and the society of godly men, and have time to converse with God by holy meditation, & to confer with his religious friends about God's great goodness shown him in his conversion, &c. His kinsman was much astonished at this answer, yet had nothing to reply; considering that his resolution was not grounded on carnal reason, or the will of man, but upon the holy word of God, and his powerful and unresistable calling: therefore with a sorrowful heart he held his tongue, bitterly complaining within himself, that he had succeeded no better, and so after a while he took his leave of his beloved friend, with many tears, and pitiful cries on both sides. When he came near Naples, there was much running to hear good news, but when he had delivered his heavy message, the sorrow of them all was redoubled upon them: Father, Wife, Children, Friends, &c. were all overwhelmed with grief: and the rather, because at the same time the Emperor had published an Edict, wherein he proclaimed Galeacius guilty of high-treason, confiscating his goods, and making himself, and his posterity uncapable of his Fathers Marquesdom: this made the old man, notwithstanding his great age, to go to the Emperor, and to sue to him, that his sons falling from the Roman Church might not prejudice his posterity, but that himself only might bear the punishment of his fault: But before he entered upon this journey, he dispatched away a messenger with a letter, to charge his son upon his filial odedience, to meet him such a time at Verona, within the Venetian territories, hoping if he could speak with him, that he should recall him from the society of the Heretics of Geneva: Galeacius having received this Letter, and taken advice upon it, purposed not to disobey so lawful a command of his Father, though he feared that it would but further exasperate him: yet, before he went, he resolved by God's grace, that neither threatenings, entreaties, allurements, &c. should stir him one inch from that course of Religion, whereby he had begun to serve the Lord: And thus armed with heavenly fortitude, and the Prayers of the Church, he hasted to Verona, where he found his Father, who received, and used him kindly: and after salutations, he set upon him with all the cunning and subtle arguments that he could possibly invent to draw him home again: Galeacius humbly answers, that his body and estate is his Fathers, but his conscience is the Lord's: tells him he cannot embrace that motion, but he must make Shipwrack of a good conscience; and therefore humbly intreats him, that seeing his only desire was to obey God, and save his soul, that he would not urge him more to respect estate, and family, then God's glory, and his own souls health: The old Marquess seeing the unmoveableness of his son, which he deemed willfulness; yet enjoined him at least to stay there till he had been with the Emperor, and preferred his Petition to him: this Galeacius assented to, and performed; but so soon as ever he understood that the Emperor had granted his Fathers request, he with a joyful heart returned to Geneva, and being there, he considered how to employ himself for the public good: for which end he devised how to settle the Discipline of the Italian Church there, which was much increased by a confluence of families w ^ch fled from the bloody Inquisition: About this time Calvin was delegated to go to Basil about matters of Religion, with whom (at his request) Galiaceus went, and there met with Celsus, descended of the noble Family of the Earls of Martinengo in Italy lately (through God's mercy) escaped out of the mire of Popish Superstition: This Celsus was then purposed to go for England, but by the persuasion of Galeacius, he went with him to Geneva, where they both joined together, and by the help, and direction of Calvin, they established a form of Discipline for the Italian Church, and Celsus was chosen the first Pastor thereof, in which place he performed the office of a faithful and vigilant Watchman, and had two Elders joined as assistants to him: The principal of the Elders, was Galeacius himself, by whose authority and diligence the Church was preserved in Peace and Unity.

Anno 1555. His Uncle Paulus Quintus was made Pope; hereupon the old Marquess wrote to him, commanding him to meet him at Mantua in Italy, sending him provision of money for his journey: he obeyed, and went thither, where his Father entertained him with more then ordinary kindness. Then he told him, that he had procured of his Uncle, the Pope, a Dispensation for him, whereby he might freely live in any City within the Venetian Territories, without being molested for his Religion and Conscience: He told him that hereby he would be a greater solace to his old age, then his absence had been a grief, earnestly entreating him that he would gratify him in this request, and all in a most pathetical manner, beseeching him not to reject so great a favor offered him by the Pope, telling him that hereby he might recover his honors, estate, friends, and estimation. Galeacius was wonderfully perplexed with this motion, considering the proffers, and promises, and authority of his Father, which he knew not well how to deny, nor how to embrace, the rather because he wanted the advise of his faithful friend Master Calvin: Being in this great perplexity, he durst not rely upon his own wit, but retiring himself, betook himself to fervent prayer unto God his Savior, the Author of true Wisdom, humbly craving the assistance of his holy Spirit, that in this his extremity he might resolve upon that which was most for God's Glory, and his own sound comfort: And the Lord answered his prayers, directing him in the way that he should choose: For considering, that the Pope, Antichrist like, directly opposed himself to Christ, his religion, and true Church, that therefore he might by no means sue for, or accept any favor at his hands, nor be at all beholding to him for anything: Besides, God's Spirit suggested to him, that it carried with it a show of Apostasy, to forsake the fellowship of Christ's Church, and to live amongst Idolaters: as also how scandalous it would be to professors, who would be ready to think, that he had taken his farewell of religion, and renewed acquaintance with his old friend the world: and further, that this was to forsake the ordinary means of the true word, and Sacraments, and to live in a place where there was nothing but Idolatry: He further saw that Satan's policy herein was to entangle him again in the cares of the world, and pleasures of Italy, and thereby to dazie his eyes with sensual delights, that by degrees the power of godliness might decay in him: & lastly, God's holy Spirit taught him wisdom how to answer all his Fathers objections, and confute all his arguments: Hereupon he beseeched his Father not to draw him to that which afterwards he might have cause to repent of, by making him a prey to the Papists, who held it for a Maxim, that faith was not to be kept with Heretics: therefore saith he, its better for me, and more joy to you, that I live in this poor estate, then that I should endanger my life, and my whole posterity: the Marquess being silenced hereby, returned with an heavy heart to Naples, and Galeacius with a merry heart to Geneva, where he was received by his friends, and the whole Church, with exceeding rejoicing for his safe return: but by the way, he visited that godly Princess, the old Dutchess of Ferrara, who entertained him honorably, and had much conference with him about his conversion, temptations, Journeys, the Church at Geneva, & the great Calvin, & so lovingly dismissed him, sending him in her own Coach, for his ease, as far as to the Town of Francolium: During these occurrences, his Wife Victoria burned in hearty affections towards him, and its inexpressible how vehemently she longed for his company, so that she never ceased writing to him, beseeching him to return again to her, and his Children: but when Letters prevailed not, she earnestly desired him to meet her in some City within the Territories of the Venetians: this request he yielded to, hoping to prevail with her to leave her superstition, and to come with him to Geneva: the place where they were to meet, was Laesina, a City in Dalmatia, a hundred miles by water from Vicum: thither he went, but she came not according to promise, but sent two of her eldest sons to meet him there; their sight and company was most acceptable to him, but being frustrate of his expectation, in meeting with his wife, he sent them back, and returned to Geneva, where after a few days came Letters posting from his wife, craving pardon for her former failing, and beseeching him once more to come to that place, where, without fail she solemnly vowed to attend him: this request seemed very unreasonable, that he should so spend his time, and weary out himself, in such long & dangerous journeys: yet considering, that at his first coming from her, he had not so fully discharged his duty, by endeavoring her conversion, he yielded to go, and accordingly, An. 1558. he came again to Laesina, where he understood that many of his friends, together with his Wife, had intended to have met him, but that a Mariner of Venice had disappointed them; hereupon he resolved to go to Vicum, relying on the Lord's protection, having, as he conceived, a special call thereunto: when he came to his Fathers Castle, it cannot be expressed how great joy the whole Family was filled with: but above all others, his Wife surpassed with joy, and delight, hoping that now she had recovered her deer Lord and Husband, the only comfort, and solace of her life: but within a few days all this joy was turned into tears, and mourning, when he had discovered his constant resolution to persevere in his Religion, and that he would rather die then be drawn from it: yet in the midst of these mournings, which almost brake his heart, he comforted himself in the Lord, dealing with his wife in a loving way, and earnest manner to go and live with him her Husband, as the Law of God, and nature required, promising her that she should have liberty of her religion, to live as she would: but she flatly answered him [though with many tears] that she would never go with him to Geneva, and that she would not live with him as long as he was entangled with those Heresies: Yea, so violent and willful she was, that she there denied him that duty which a wife is bound by all Law to yield to her husband, nor would by any means lie with him as man and wife; saying, that she was expressly forbidden by her Confessor to do it, upon the pain of excommunication: How this unwomanly answer pierced his heart, its easy for Husbands to guess: yet he bore it with invincible constancy and quietness of mind, but withal told her, that if she denied him that matrimonial duty which by the Law of God she owed him, he would sue out a divorce against her: Notwithstanding she still persisted in her obstinacy, rather choosing to break God's command, then her Confessors: he therefore resolving to depart, reiterated his former protestation to her, and so bad her to take it as his last warning.

The doleful day of his departure being come, he went to his Father to take his leave, whose former love was now turned into fury, so that he gave him his farewell with many an heavy and bitter curse, which the Lord turned into blessing, and so having passed this brunt, he came into the Hall, where was his Wife, Children, and many of his near kindred, and deer friends, all fraught with grief and heaviness: Nothing was heard but sighs, sobs, and cries: Nothing seen but tears, and wringing of hands, his Wife embracing, and taking him about the neck, beseeched him with loving and pitiful speeches, that he would pity himself, her, and his children, and not so willfully cast them all away: His young children all upon their knees, with arms stretched out, hands holden up, and faces swoln with tears, cried unto him to have pity upon them, his own bowels, and not to make them fatherless before their time: His kindred with heavy countenances, and watery eyes looked rufully on him, and though through grief they could not speak, yet every look and gesture was a loud cry, and strong entreaty for his stay amongst them: unutterable was the grief of them all, & unspeakable was the torment, and temptation that he felt in this agony, when he must either leave Jesus Christ, or these his friends for his sake: Yet above all, there was one most lamentable sight, which would have broke an heart of Flint: amongst all his children he had one daughter of twelve years old, a proper and towardly Gentlewoman, who catching fast hold about his knees, held him so hard, that he could by no means shake her off, and fatherly affections would not suffer him to hurt her: he labored to be loose, but she held fast; he went forwards, but she trailed after, erying to him, not to be so cruel to her his child, who came into the world by him: this so wonderfully affected him, being a man of a most loving and tender-hearted nature, that as he oft related, that it made his very bowels to roll within him, and that his heart was ready presently to burst in sunder: But being armed with a Divine, and supernatural fortitude, he brake thorough all these temptations, and trod underfoot whatsoever might hinder him from Christ, and so leaving that heavy house, and dolorous company, he hastened to the Sea-side, and taking ship, he presently caused them to hoise sails towards Laesina, yet with a toiled, and distressed mind, betwixt sorrow, when he remembered whom he had forever left behind, and joy to remember that he had escaped: Yet could he not so master natural affections, but that he brake out into tears, and often looked back to that which he had left behind, yet saw that he must leave all for Christ's sake: but it much pierced his heart, when in looking back, he saw his Wife, Children, and kindred standing on the shore, who when their cries could be heard no longer, ceased not to look after the ship so long as it was in sight, neither could he refrain, but with a woeful countenance looked at them again, so long as he could discern them: and remembering all the former passages of his Fathers curses, his Wifes tears, Children's cries, &c. it fetched from him many a heartbreaking sigh, and bitter groan: Yet the sprirituall strength, and courage of his mind was constant, and invincible: So that after a while, he cheered up himself, and bended the knees of his heart to the eternal father in Heaven, giving him most hearty thanks, for that he had furnished him with such a portion of grace, as to withstand, and conquer Satan in so perilous a conflict; and for delivering him from Popish thralldom, and the bloody Inquisition, which he was in continual danger of whilst he was in Italy: He praised God also for giving him time, opportunity, and grace to perform that Duty to his wife, which he had omitted at his first departure from her: As also that he had made that protestation to her, upon her monstrous and undutiful behavior towards him: And so (through God's goodness) he came safely to Geneva, October 4. An. 1558. His safe arrival brought exceeding joy to the whole Church there, especially to the Italian Congregation; amongst whom he lived with unspeakable contentment in his own conscience, in his former private, and quiet life: And after a few years, he began to find in himself some reasons which inclined him to think of entering into a married condition; and the rather, because he never heard from his wife, nor found any relenting in her, nor remorse for her former obstinacy: This his purpose he communicated to Master Calvin, craving his advise and council in a case of so great importance: His answer was, that it was most convenient, and less scandalous, if he could abstain from marriage: Galeacius told him that he could not abstain, and gave him many weighty reasons which inclined him to marriage; withal imparting to him some secret reasons: Holy Calvin, a man of a sharp judgment, and of a wise discerning spirit, foresaw that many would speak evil of the fact, others would be scandalized, because few truly understand the Doctrine of Divorcement, and fewest of all knew all the circumstances of this particular fact: Galeacius urged such arguments out of God's Word, as Calvin could not sufficiently answer, and thereupon he told him at last, that if he would go to the judicious Peter Martyr, and ask his opinion, and the opinion of the Learned Divines of Rhaetia, and Switzerland, and request them after mature deliberation to set down their judgments, and the reasons of it in writing, for his own part he would subscribe unto them, and yield him what liberty they thought fit in this matter: Always provided, that he should submit and stand to their judgments in this case: This Galeacius willingly assented to, desiring nothing more then to find out what the Lord by his Word, and by the voice of his Church should prescribe to him: And accordingly he wrote to the Divines, and Churches afore mentioned, who meeting together, and seriously debating the case, and weighing all circumstances, at last unanimously resolved, that he might with a safe conscience leave his former Wife, who had first maliciously disserted him, and so be married to another: and this their opinion they confirmed by Scripture, Fathers, Councils, and by the Civil Law, which being returned to Galeacius, he still taking the consent of the Church along with him, sued out a Divorce, and had it legally by the Magistrate granted unto him: After which, advising with his godly, and prudent friends, he began to think of disposing himself in marriage, wherein yet he sought not so much after riches, beauty, birth, &c. as for a fit companion of his life, with whom he might comfortably spend the remainder of his days, and serve God cheerfully till the coming of his Lord and Master: And the Providence of God (which never fails his children that wait and depend upon him) provided him such a wife as his heart desired, viz. a Matronly Genlewoman, a Widow that came from Roan in France to Geneva, for true Religions sake: She was well reported of for piety, modesty, and many excellent qualities, and about forty years of age: Galeacius considering her fitness in many regards, married her, Anno 1560. and of his age forty three, and they lived together many years after, with much comfort, and excellent agreement, so that the great afflictions, and unquietness of his former life was now fully recompensed with a life full of all contentment, and Christian joy.

His next care was to unburthen himself of all worldly cares, prescribing to himself a moderate, and frugal course of life: Kept only two maidservants, lived in great sobriety, yet always free from sordid baseness, neither wanting necessaries, nor having superfluities: His attire was plain, but comely: & he that might in his own country have been attended with many servants, did often walk the streets alone, not having one man with him: Yea, he disdained not oft to go into the Market, and provide his own necessaries, and sometimes would buy, and carry home Fruits, Hearbs, Roots, and such other things: esteeming this course of life, together with freedom of Religion, better then the Marquesdom of Vicum: Yet under this mean attire was shrouded that gravity, majesty, and deportment, that any wise observer might easily discern that he came of a Noble race: He was a great ornament to, and was highly esteemed and honored by all the City of Geneva, everyone speaking of his praise, so that it was hard to say, whether he was more beloved, or admired amongst the Magistrates, Ministers, and persons of all ranks: No public meeting was appointed, or solemn feast made, unto which he was not invited, everyone thinking himself happy that might enjoy his company: and (though he would have refused it) yet everyone gave him the title of a Marquess all his life long: His noble qualities were such, that everyone honored him: Strangers, Princes and Noblemen that visited Geneva would by no means omit to see, and be acquainted with Galeacius, honoring him no less then if he had been in Naples.

His chief converse was with those Italians of his own Church, in whose eyes his humble mind, and friendly conversation made him more honorable: He was one of a thousand, for besides his Noble birth, & Princely education, he truly feared God, was affable, courteous, and friendly to all men; wise, discreet, and very eloquent: as his memory was exceeding good, so his smooth style, his easy, quiet and seemly delivery made his speech most graceful to all that heard him: with poor men, if they were godly, and honest, he would converse as familiarly, as if they had been his equals: he was of a free and liberal heart; no poor or distressed man did ever desire his assistance, but presently he would reach out to them his helping hand to relieve them, and the loss of his former estate never troubled him, but when he had not wherewithal to give to charitable uses: it was his joy, and delight to be lending, and giving to those that wanted: Prisoners, and distressed persons did oft taste of his bounty: He visited the sick, and his presence, and Christian exhortations were very comfortable to them: Every day he joined with the Church in their public service: He never omitted to hear Sermons, showing wonderful devotion, and reverence to the word of God: He daily read a portion of the holy Scriptures: As an Elder of the Church, he carefully observed, and inquired into the manners, and lives of Professors; encouraging the good, admonishing offenders: where he saw, or heard of any dissensions, or suits of law amongst Christian neighbors, he was exceeding careful to compose, and end them: he wholly dedicated himself and all his abilities to the advancement of God's glory, and the edification of his Church: But after a long calm of peace and tranquility, God raised up new storms, yet further to try his patience, and exercise his graces: for first he fell sick of a grievous, and doubtful disease, proceeding from abundance of rheum, which made him so short winded, that he could hardly draw his breath, wherewith he was exceedingly tormented night and day, so that he could scarce get any sleep: this was procured by his long and wearisome journeys, which he had formerly taken by Sea, and by Land, for his conscience sake: Then there came to Geneva a Nephew of his, bringing him Letters from his former Wife, and his eldest Son, persuading him yet at length to return to his Native Country, and former Religion: giving him hope that hereby he might advance his youngest son to the place of a Cardinal, &c. But the soul of this worthy Gentleman was much wounded, and grieved hereat, as abhorring those profane dignities in the Popish Church, and to show his distaste of the motion, he burnt the Letters before the Messengers face, and withal not daigning to answer them by writing, he by word of mouth returned a grave, wise, and zealous answer: Yet this importunate Jesuit (for so he was) ceased not to molest him with frivolous reasons, and fleshly arguments, promising him an huge sum of money, if he would return home, &c. But the Noble and holy heart of this godly Christian, in an heavenly zeal, and ardent love to his Savior Jesus Christ, could not but show it self, which made him to cry out: Let their money perish with them, who esteem all the gold in the world worth one days society with Jesus Christ, and his holy Spirit: and cursed be that Religion forever, which shall wed men to the world, and divorce them from God: Go home therefore, and take thy silver with thee, make much of that dross of the earth, &c. But know, that my Lord and Savior hath made me enamored of far more precious jewels, and durable riches: Which words so enraged this Papist, that he brake out into ill words, and reproachful terms, and so went his way: Being delivered from this tempter, his sickness increased more, and more upon him: his pain was most grievous, but he bare it with an heroical courage, and as the pains increased, so his faith, and patience increased, and as the outward man perished, the inward man was renewed day by day, and above all, he found unspeakable comfort and sweetness in his prayers to the Lord, and would often say, that in the midst of his prayers his soul seemed to be ravished, and to taste of the blessed joys of Heaven, and as the suffering of Christ abounded in him, so the consolations by Christ abounded much more: The Physicians spared no pains to cure him, nor his friends to visit him, especially his loving and tender wife was never from about him: But all was in vain, the time of his dissolution drawing on; Therefore he wholly sequestered himself from anymore care of his body, and from all worldly cogitations: he took his farewell of his wife, and all his Christian friends, saying, That he would lead them the way to Heaven: his heart and thoughts were all in Heaven, and he cried to Jesus Christ, that as he had sought him all his life, so he would now receive, and acknowledge him as his own: And so in the presence of his friends, whilst the Ministers were exhorting, and praying with him, he peaceably, and quietly yielded up his Spirit into the hands of his merciful God, and faithful Creator, An. Christi, 1592. and of his Age about 74.

As Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh 's daughter, & chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt: So our Noble Galeacius, when he was come to years, and the knowledge of Christ, refused to be called the Son and Heir to a Marquess, Cup-bearer to an Emperor, Nephew to a Pope, and chose rather to suffer affliction, persecution, banishment, loss of Lands, Livings, Wife, Children, Honors and Preferments, then to enjoy the sinful pleasures of Italy for a season; esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches then the honors of a Marquesdom, without Christ; and therefore seeing he must either want Christ, or want them, he despoiled himself of all these to gain Christ.

[illustration]

C. BRETTERG

[portrait of Katherine Bretterg]

The life of M ^rs. Katherine Bretterg, who died, Anno Christi, 1601.

KAtherine Bretterg was born in Cheshire, the Daughter of Master John Bruen, of Bruen-Stapleford,: Her education before her marriage, was such, as became the profession of the Gospel, in godliness, and purity of life, and religion: She was studious of the holy Scriptures from a child, and by reading thereof gained such knowledge, that she was able to make good use of them as occasion was offered: She used the things of this world moderately, and soberly, not affecting the vain pleasures and fashions that others too much delight in: She used not to gad abroad with wandering Dinah, but rather with Hanah, she delighted to tread upon the dust of the Sanctuary, and to walk in the ways of Zion, &c. The Sabbath day was always dear and welcome to her, and though many times she went far for it, yet she would not be without the Ministry of the Word: And her heart was so tender, and full of compassion, that oftentimes she was perceived to hear Sermons, read, pray, and meditate, with tears: She made conscience of all, even of the least sin, and such as many accounted no sins: She never used to swear an oath, great or small: Neither at any time brake forth into unseemly speeches, lying in jest, immodest words, &c. She used not the Name, or Titles of God at any time without great reverence: Her private discourses were always well seasoned, and proceeded from such a sanctified heart, that they ministered grace to the hearers: Her daily exercise was to converse with God, in reading, praying, singing, and meditating: All her delight was in the Saints, and in those that were most excellent: The Lord's Precepts were precious to her, for from her childhood she feared God, and walked before him with an upright heart: She was not like many women, that are unable to render a reason of the Faith, and Hope that is in them, but grew in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus: When she was about twenty years old, by her Parents consent, she was married to Master William Bretterg of Bretterghold in Lancashire, near Leverpool, who was a young Gentleman, that embraced Religion sincerely, and suffered much for it at the hands of Papists: This gracious couple lived two years together in such mutual joy, and comfort, as well beseemed the children of God: In which time she had one daughter by him: Their Habitation was in the midst of ignorant, and brutish Papists, who were always doing some wrong, and injury to them, yet her knowledge, patience, mildness, and constancy for the Truth, much edified, and built up her husband in his most holy faith, and encouraged him with more patience to bear all the wrongs, and indignities that were daily offered to him: He had his horses and cattle divers times killed in the night in his grounds by such malicious Papists as hated him for his Religion sake, which exceedingly conduced to his loss, and hindrance, being most of the stock that he had; yet did she not only bear this great affliction with admirable patience, but even rejoiced, and praised God, submitting to his holy, and wise Providence: She would often say, It is good that such things should be, but woe be to them that do them: It is good in God, thereby to chasten his children, and prevent some sin that he saw us like to fall into: Its good in respect of God's Church, that the weak may be confirmed in the Truth, and that Popery may be disgraced, when the world shall see such wickedness flow from it: Its good in God, that so the wicked may be without excuse in the day of Judgment, when their conscience tells them, that though God suffers them to do such villainy, for some just cause known to himself, yet they commit it only of malice, and revenge: And in the midst of such vexatious practices, she would often say: The mercies of God are infinite, who doth not only by his Word, but by his Justice also make us fit for his Kingdom: Little do our enemies know what good by these things they do unto us, and what ruin they bring to their own Kingdom, while they thus set forth the wickedness thereof: She used often to pray, That God would forgive them, who had thus wronged them, and send them repentance for it: She used to call upon her Husband to do the like, and to bless them that cursed him; and lest her Husband should fail in this duty, she daily prayed to God to sanctify her Husbands thoughts, and direct his heart aright, only to seek God's glory, without seeking revenge, or satisfying his own affections: So careful she was to prevent sin, both in herself, and others: Her meekness, humility, and unspotted carriage was such, as that she forced some that were adversaries to her religion, yet to speak well of her: She had a good report of all that knew her, for her holy and sincere life: She was very pitiful, and bountiful to the poor, neglecting no opportunity of doing good where she could: She constantly kept her times of Praying, Reading, and Meditating: She would by no means be absent from family duties: She used private duties, not only in her Closet, but abroad in her Garden, Orchard, &c. She tasked herself to the reading of Eight Chapters a day at least, out of the sacred Scriptures, and such time as she saw idly, or evilly spent, she used to call, The time of temptation: She spent much time also in reading good Books, judicious Expositors, and the Book of Martyrs, and was many times so affected in reading of the torments which Christians were put to, &c. that she would weep very bitterly for the same: She was so zealous for God's glory, and loved the truth so entirely, that she would often argue against Popery, but never open her mouth to plead for Baal. Sin was so hateful to her, that she would grieve for it, both in herself and others: Once, as she was riding to Church with her Husband, he was angry with his man, whereupon she said to him; Alas Husband, I fear your heart is not right towards God, that can be thus angry for a trifle: and weeping, she further, you must pray against your passions, and always be sure your anger be for God; else how dare you appear this day before his Minister, and offer up your prayers in the public Congregation before God? And another time a Tenant of her Husbands being behind with his rent, she desired him to bear with him a quarter of a year longer; and then when he brought it, with tears she said to her Husband; I fear you do not do well to take it of him, though it be your right, for I doubt he is not well able to pay it, and then you oppress the poor: She was so blamless in her whole course, that the common enemies of Religion, the Papists, had nothing to say against her: and amongst all the godly that knew her, she was highly prized for her modest, holy, and humble carriage: Thus she continued with her Husband about two years, and then it pleased God that she fell sick of a Feaver, which was so violent, that it made her sometimes to talk idlie, and by Satan's subtlety, that watches his opportunity, she began to fall into an heavy conflict of Spirit: First she began to find some little infirmity, and weakness of Faith more then ordinary, but through God's mercy, she soon overcame it: But shortly after Satan assaulted her in a more violent manner, but after a day or two God delivered her, sending her peace, and comfort of conscience, which increased more & more in her, to her death: In the beginning of her conflict, the severity of God's justice, & the greatness of her sins came into her mind, which much afflicted her, whereof she often complained: then she accused herself of pride, that she had delighted in herself, and her beauty too much: then she thought that she had no faith, but was an hypocrite, and one that had not embraced Religion so sincerely, nor glorified God so carefully, especially with her tongue, nor loved him so fervently as she should have done: Sometimes she would cast her Bible from her, and say, It was indeed the Book of Life, but she had read the same unprofitably, and therefore feared it was become to her the Book of Death: Sometimes she complained that her sins had made her a prey to Satan, a spectacle to the World, a disgrace to Religion, and a shame to her Husband, Kindred, and all true Christians, and then she would weep bitterly: Sometimes she was troubled for the original corruption of her nature, the sins of her Parents; Yea, and of our First Parents, as if it had made her unworthy of God, &c. Sometimes she accused herself of impatience; bewailed her want of feeling God's Spirit: doubted of her Election, &c. She wished that she had never been born, or that she had been made any other Creature, rather then a woman: ofttimes she cried out, Woe, woe, woe, a weak, a woeful, a wretched, a forsaken woman, &c. with tears continually trickling from her eyes: She complained of grievous thirst, such as all the water in the Sea could not quench, and yet refused, or drank very little: Sweat burst out upon her exceedingly; at other times her body burned extremely: Sometimes she was very dull in prayer, and once, as she should have said, Lead us not into temptation, she stopped, saying, I may not pray, I may not pray, being thus interrupted by Satan: Yet her friends left her not, till she could both pray, and make confession of her Faith, with special application to herself.

These fits, though grievous to herself, and discomfortable to her friends, yet they were neither long, nor continual, but in the midst of them she would give good evidences of her faith, striving and fighting against her temptations, and by Prayer, begging strength of God against them: Oft she would with a cheerful countenance entreat her friends not to faint, nor to give her over, but constantly to pray, and to help her against the Tempter: One of them once demanding, whether she believed the promises? and whether she could pray? she answered: O that I could, I would willingly, but he will not let me: Lord, I believe, help my unbelief▪ And when he told her that her desires, and endeavors were accepted for performance in Christ; she was much comforted at it: Once after a great conflict with Satan, she said, Satan, reason not with me, I am but a weak woman, if thou hast anything to say, say it to my Christ; he is my Advocate, my Strength, and my Redeemer, and he shall plead for me: Sometimes being afflicted with the sight of her sins, and want of comfort, with many a pitiful sob, and much weeping, she would say: Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to help, and comfort me, a poor, woeful, distressed woman: A godly Christian friend took much pains with her, minding her of God's mercies, Christ's merits, the many gracious promises contained in the Word, &c. which through God's blessing greatly refreshed her, and gave her occasion many times to call upon God, for increase of grace, and deliverance from those grievous temptations, wherein the Lord shortly after answered her desires, so that she began to feel herself in a very good measure delivered from her former fears, and afflictions: but the day before her death, she was wholly released, and filled with abundance of inward consolations: and from the beginning that her comforts appeared, she would very cheerfully join with the company in Prayer, and singing of Psalms: One day her Brother, holy Master John Bruen, coming to visit her; he said, Sister be not dismayed at your troubles, remember what the Apostle saith, That judgment must begin at the House of God, to whom she answered, True it is, and if it begin at us, and the righteous shall scarcely be saved, where shall the sinners and ungodly appear? During this time she often prayed, and would rehearse many comfortable Texts of Scripture, especially the eighth to the Romans, closing up all with Prayer, and most comfortable application thereof to herself, with much joy: When food was brought her, she would pray God, not only to Sanctify those creatures for her bodily sustinance, but also to fill her soul with the waters of life, often repeating, To him that thirsteth will I give of the Waters of Life freely.

Once she took her Bible in her hand, and joyfully kissing of it, she said, O Lord, it is good for me to be afflicted, that I may learn thy Statutes: The Law of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of Gold and Silver: At another time, calling her Husband to her, she said, O Husband, beware of Popery, keep yourself holy before the Lord, yield not to the abominations of the wicked, lest they rejoice, and so you dishonor God, and destroy your own soul: Let my little child be brought up in the true fear of God, &c. So shall I meet her in Heaven, whom I must now leave behind me on Earth: She often repeated, We have not received the spirit of Bondage to fear again, but the spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father, which last words she often doubled over: She often also repeated,

The day before her death the Lord discovered himself more plentifully to her, from which time, to her death, she was freed from Satan's temptations: She laid aside all thoughts of the world, husband, child, or anything else: She lay with a cheerful countenance, as one ravished in her spirit: Her tongue overflowed with the praises of God: Her husband reading some portions of Scripture to her: When he came to that John 17. 4. I have finished the work that thou gavest me to do, and now glorify me: She desired him to pause, and then said: Blessed be thy Name, O blessed Savior: Perfect the work, I humbly beseech thee that thou hast begun in me: When he read verse. 9. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine: She said, O Lord Jesus, Dost thou pray for me! O blessed, and sweet Savior, How wonderful! How wonderful! How wonderful are thy Mercies! Read on: The blessedest reading that ever I heard, the comfort whereof doth sweeten my soul: When he read verse. 22. The glory that thou gavest me, I have given them, that they may be one, as we are one: With marvelous joy she said: I confess before the Lord his loving kindness, and his wonderful works before the sons of men, for he hath satisfied my soul, & filled my hungry soul with goodness: When he read v. 24. Father, I will that they which thou hast given me, be with me, even where I am, that they may behold my glory, &c. Stay, said she, let me meditate on the goodness of the Lord, For this is the sweetest saying that ever came to my soul: For now I perceive, and feel, that the countenance of Christ my Redeemer is turned towards me, and the bright-shining beams of his mercy are spread over me: O happy am I that ever I was born to see this blessed day: Praise, praise, O praise the Lord for his mercies, &c. O my sweet Savior, shall I be one with thee, as thou art one with the Father? Wilt thou glorify me with that glory which thou hadst with the Father before the world was? And dost thou so love me, dust and ashes, to make me partaker of glory with Christ? What am I poor wretch, that thou art so mindful of me? O how wonderful! how wonderful! how wonderful is thy Love: O thy Love is unspeakable: O I feel thy mercies, And O that my tongue, & heart were able to sound forth thy praises as I ought, and willingly would: O help me to praise the God of all consolations: And thus she continued for five hours space, praising the Lord with a cheerful and heavenly countenance, testifying such inward joy, from a comfortable feeling of God's mercies in her soul, using such sweet sentences and sugared phrases of Divine eloquence, as was most admirable: Some part whereof was thus: O my Lord God, Blessed be thy Name for evermore, thou hast shown me the path of life: Thou didest, O Lord, for a little season hide thy face from me, But with everlasting mercy thou hast had compassion on me, &c. thou art come with fullness of joy, and abundance of consolations, &c. Help me, O help me to praise the Lord: Then she sang with as sweet a voice as ever she did in her life the third Psalm, concluding thus:

Then she said, O praise the Lord, for he hath filled me with joy and gladness of heart: My line is fallen unto me in a pleasant place: I have a goodly Heritage: for the Lord is the portion of mine Inheritance: O how pleasant is the sweet perfume of the place where I lie: It is sweeter then Aaron's composed Perfume of principal Spices: How comfortable is the sweetness I feel: It is like that Odor that proceeds from the golden Censor, that delights my soul: The taste is precious, Do you not feel it? Sweeter it is then myrrh, the honey, or the honey Comb: Then she sang Psal. 19. verse. 7. &c. Then she prayed to, and praised God again: Then she sang Psal. 136. A Christian friend seeing her exceeding joys, prayed for the continuance of them to the end: Whereupon she said, O the joys! the joys! the joys that I feel in my soul! O they be wonderful! they be wonderful! they be wonderful! After a while she fell into a short slumber, and then awaking, she said, O come kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth, for thy love is better then wine: O how sweet the kisses of my Savior be? Mine eyes are opened (blessed be God) I do feel, and see the everliving mercies of my Christ, &c. O how merciful, and marvelous gracious art thou unto me? I feel thy mercy, I am assured of thy love, and so certain am I thereof, as thou art the God of Truth: Even so sure do I know myself to be thine, O Lord my God, and this my soul knoweth right well, and this my soul knoweth right well: Then she sang the fourth Psalm: And afterwards said, I am sure that my Redeemer liveth, and that I shall see him at the last day, &c. Then a Godly Minister coming to her, she said to him: My soul hath been compassed about with terrors of death, &c. A roaring wilderness of woe was within me: But blessed, blessed, blessed be the Lord my God, who hath not left me comfortless; but like a good Shepherd, hath brought me into a place of rest, even to the sweet running waters of life, &c. O blessed, blessed be the Lord, that hath thus comforted me, and hath brought me to a place sweeter then the Garden of Eden: O the joy! the joy! the delightsome joy that I feel! O how wonderful! how wonderful! how wonderful is this joy! O praise the Lord for his mercy, and for this joy that my soul feeleth full well: And thus she continued, divers praying with her at sundry times: And immediately before one began his prayer, she said to herself: Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord be thou my helper, thou hast loosed my sack, and girded me with gladness: Therefore will I praise thee, O Lord my God, I will give thanks to thee for evermore: On the Sabbath Evening herst rength and speech beginning to fail her, she said, My Warfare is accomplished, and mine iniquities are pardoned: Lord, Whom have I in heaven but thee? and I have none on earth but thee: My flesh faileth, and my heart also, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever: He that preserveth Jacob, and defendeth his Israel, he is my God, and will guide me unto death, &c. And with that she presently fell asleep in the Lord, passing a way in peace, without any motion of body at all, May, ult. Anno Christi 1601. And of her Age 22.

[illustration]

JO: L: HARINGTON

[portrait of John Lord Harrington]

The Life of John Lord Harrington, Baron of Exton, who died, Anno Christi, 1613.

John Lord Harrington was the Eldest Son of the Lord and Lady Harrington, to whose care, and tuition King James committed the education of his Eldest daughter the Lady Elizabeth, who was after married to Frederick, Prince Elector Palatine: They were persons eminent for prudence, and piety, who carefully educated this their son, both in Religion, and Learning: and this honorable Lord, as a thankful man for their care, and honor received from them, returned honor to them again and that with advantage; being no less honorable to them, then they were to him: He was of an excellent wit, firm memory, sweet nature, and prompt to Learning, so that in a short time, he was able to read Greek Authors, and to make use of them in their own language: He spake Latin well, wrote it in a pure, and grave Style, was able to confer with any stranger readily, and laudably in the Italian, and French Tongues: Understood the Authors which he read in Spanish: And for the Arts, he was well read in Logic, Philosophy, and the Mathematics: He made a good progress in the Theorique part of the Art Military, and Navigation, so that he wanted nothing but practice to make him perfect in both: And for his understanding in Heavenly knowledge, and the mysteries of salvation, it was admirable; so that there was scarce any question that could be propounded to him about those matters, unto which he was not able suddenly and understandingly to answer; Being well grounded both in Religion, and Learning at home, his noble Father sent him to travel abroad in France, and Italy, that by experience he might ripen that knowledge which before he had gained, and for a guide, and Tutor for him in his Travels, he chose and sent over with him one Master Tovy, a grave, learned, and religious man, and formerly the head Master of the Free-School in Coventry: But how dangerous a thing it is for religious Gentlemen to travel into those Popish Countries, may appear by the example of this Nobleman, and his Tutor, whose sound Religion, and heavenly zeal for the truth being taken notice of by the Jesuits, they took their opportunity to administer a slow-working poison to them, that seeing they had no hopes of corrupting their minds, they might destroy their bodies, and bring them to their graves: Of this poison, Mr. Tovy, being aged, and so less able to encounter with the strength of it, died presently after his return to England: but the L. Harrington, being of a strong and able body, and in the prime of his age, bore it better, and conflicted with it longer, yet the violence of it appeared in his face presently after his return, and not long after hastened his immature death: He was eminent for sobriety, and chastity: His lips were never heard to utter any unchaste, or unseemly speech, which was the more admirable, considering that he was in the heat of youth, living in the Court, and had been a Traveler into those countries which are Schools of uncleanness, where few return such as they went out, but of chaste are made unchaste, or if unchaste before they are made seven-fold worse then they were: But this our Noble man was as fish, fresh in s •• t waters, and kept himself undefiled, as Lot in • he midst of Sodom: and indeed he took the right way to preserve his Chastity, by avoiding the incentives, and provocations to lust: He spent not his time in courting of Ladies, and am • rously contemplating the beauty of women, which are Bellows of Lust, and baits of uncleanness: But he preferred his Books before their beauty, and for his society, chose men of parts, and learning, for Arts and Arms: Besides, he was very temperate in his diet, shunned Feasting, and was frequent in Fasting; and hated Idleness, and much sleep, which are the two Nurses of uncleanness: and in the night when he lay awake, to prevent temptations, he exercised his thoughts with heavenly meditations: His justice, so far as he had occasion to show it, was very exemplary; he dealt honorably and honestly with everyone that he dealt with; and whereas his Father had contracted great debts by his Princelike House-keeping, and other public and private occasions, he was very solicitous for the discharge of the same, giving power to his Executrix to sell part, or all his Land, if need were, therewith speedily to discharge the Creditors: and being asked when the writing was drawn up, Whether he assented to it? He answered, Yea, with all my heart, for my honor, and my honesty are my nearest heirs.

But the splendor of his Religion out-shined all his moral, and natural accomplishments: This was the Temple that sanctified the Gold, and the Altar t • at sanctified the Offering: this was that which enob •• d his Sobriety, Justice, & other virtues: And this appeared both by his Private, and public exercises of Piety, which were rare in a young man, more are in a young Nobleman, yea, and hardly found in such a measure in any man, of what age and condition soever: He usually rose every morning about four or five a clock, seldom sleeping above six hours: When he first waked, his constant care was to set his heart in order, and to fit it for holiness all the day after, offering the first fruits of the day, and of his thoughts unto God: Being up, he read a Chapter out of the holy Scriptures, then with his servants in his Chamber he went to prayer; then he spent about an hour in reading some holy Treatise, to enliven his affections, and increase his knowledge: He read over Calvin's Institutions, and Rogers his Treatises, which were his two last Books: Before Dinner and Supper, he had a Psalm, Chapter, and Prayer in his Family, and a Psalm sung, and Prayer after Supper: and besides these public duties, he prayed privately every morning in his Closet, then betook himself to some serious study for three or four hours together, except he was interrupted by some special business: The residue of the morning he spent in converse with his friends, riding the great Horse, or some such other honest and Noble recreation till Dinner time; Thus avoiding Idleness, and preventing temptations, which ensue thereupon ordinarily; presently after Dinner he retired into his study to meditate upon some Sermons that he had lately heard, or if he was disappointed of that opportunity, he neglected not the first that was offered to him; yea, many times in his Travels by Land, or Water, he thus busied himself, the rest of the afternoon he spent in businesses, study of Histories, the Art of War, Mathematics, and Navigation, wherein he attained to a great measure of perfection: After supper he prayed with his servants, then withdrew himself into his study, where he kept a Diary, or Day-book, wherein he recorded what he had done that day; how he had offended, or what good he had done; what temptations he met with, and how he had resisted them: and surveying his failings, he humbled himself before God for them; and for such failings as were fit to be known only to God and his own soul, he wrote them down in a private Character, which none could read but himself, and then betook himself to his rest; and to prevent evil thoughts before sleep, one that waited upon him in his Chamber, read a Chapter, or two out of the holy Scriptures to him, and this practice he continued for four years together before his death.

And as his care was thus in private to walk with God, so no less was his care in public also, which appeared especially in his use of the time, and means of God's worship. He was a most religious observer of the Lord's Sabbaths, both in public and private duties, yet preferring (as he often professed) the public before the private, so that though he had an household Chaplain, yet he ever frequented the public Assemblies twice a day; yea, whilst he was a Courtier: and if his occasions cast him into a place where the word was not preached, he would ride to some other place, sometimes four miles, rather then want it: Immediately after Sermon, he withdrew himself from company for about half an hour, to meditate upon, and apply what he had heard to his own Soul: after the Evening Sermon, two of his servants having written, he caused them to repeat both the Sermons in his Family before Supper; and such was his memory, that usually he could remember, and speak of more then they had written; then he wrote them down in his Book, and prayed himself with his Family, wherein he had an excellent gift: And by way of preparation to the Sabbath, every Saturday night he used to call himself to a strict account how he had spent the whole week, and accordingly to humble himself for his failings, and to return praise to God for mercies received from him: On the Sabbath morning, rising betimes, he used, as he was making himself ready, to repeat to his servant those Sermons which he had heard the Lord's day before: He used Monthly to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; and to fit himself to feast at the Lord's Table, he kept a private Fast the day before, and then he looked over his Book for his carriage that month, and spent the whole day in prayer, meditation, and self-examination, observing how it was with him since his last receiving, what progress he had made in piety, how he had thrived in grace, and what more strength he had gotten over his corruptions: and thus he spent the whole day, not coming out of his Study till about Supper time: Also the morning before he received, he read over 1 Cor. 11. Wherein is contained the institution of the Lord's Supper, and to his servants that were to communicate with him, he read a little Treatise to them; wherein the right manner of preparation was contained; and besides these monthly Fasts, he kept many other days of afflicting his soul upon sundry occasions: He was wondrous attentive in hearing the word of God preached, or read, and carried himself exceeding reverently therein, knowing that he was in the presence of God, that was no respecter of persons, and that he heard not the words of a man, but of God: Showing thereby, that when he came to hear, he willingly laid down his honor at Christ's feet; and to avoid ostentation, or the appearance of it in his private duties, he never admitted any one, either to his prayer, or repetition of Sermons in, and with his Family, but only one friend, that was most intimate with him. And thus was this holy servant of Christ blameless, and pure, and the son of God without rebuke, in a naughty and crooked generation, amongst whom he shined as a Light in the world, holding forth the words of Life, that he might rejoice in the day of Christ, that he had not run in vain, nor labored in vain.

He further manifested the sincerity of his Religion, by his love to all that were truly godly, especially to faithful, and painful Ministers; as also by his mercy, and charity to the needy Saints, and poor members of Jesus Christ: After his return from his Travels, by way of thankfulness to God, he gave yearly, by the hand of a private friend, twenty pounds to the poor, and the second Sabbath after his landing in England (having spent the day before with his Tutor, Master Tovy, in fasting, prayer, and thanksgiving) he heard the Word, received the Sacrament, and gave to poor of that Parish, five pounds; and besides, he gave forty pounds to be bestowed upon poor Ministers, and other Christians, for the relief of their necessities: Yea, such were his bowels of tender mercy, that he gave the tenth part of his yearly allowance, which was a thousand pounds per annum, to pious and charitable uses, besides much that he gave occasionally, as he travelled, walked abroad, &c. And all his other graces were beautified, and adorned with admirable humility, which is rarely found in persons so honorable, and honored both by God and men. From the first day of his last sickness, he strongly apprehended the approach of his death, and therefore accordingly prepared himself for it (though others thought of nothing less then his death:) Besides his private meditations, he called often for others to pray with him, prayed often himself: made confession of his sins, and oft confessed his Faith, and undoubted hope of salvation by Christ, professing with much cheerfulness that he feared not Death in what shape soever it came: He uttered many heavenly speeches, desiring to be dissolved, and to be at home with God, and his Father, professing not above two hours before his death, that he still felt the assured comforts, and joys of his salvation by Christ Jesus, and when death it self approached, he breathed forth these longing expressions, O that joy! O my God, when shall I be with thee? and so in the midst of those longing desires, he sweetly and quietly resigned up his spirit unto God, Anno Christi, 1613. And of his Age 22.

He was not so eminent in place, as he was in grace, his gifts and graces, and power of Religion were exceeding rare; So that the Papists, who brag so much of merits, and good works, cannot bring forth a parallel example amongst them, of any man of his age, honor and rank, nay scarce of any age, or degree whatsoever, that shown so much power of Popery, or the form of seeming sanctity, as this young Nobleman did of true Piety, and power of godliness.

[illustration]

P. L. MONAY.

[portrait of Philip de Mornay]

The Life of Philip de Mornay, Lord of Plessis Marly.

PHilip de Mornay was by the Fathers side of the House of Mornay, allied to the most Illustrious Families in France, being somewhile since united to the Royal Family of Bourbon. His Mother was of the Noble Family of Bec Crespin in Normandy; which, for having done worthy service in the conquest of England, obtained the Hereditary dignity of Constable of Normandy. This Philip was born the fifth of November, Anno 1549. James de Mornay his Father was a valiant Gentleman, but (according to that Age) much addicted to the superstitions of the Church of Rome, in the which he was very careful to bring up his children. Frances de Bec his Mother (daughter to Charles de Bec Crespin, Vice-Admiral of France, was a woman of resolution and wisdom above her sex) she had some knowledge of the true Religion in her Husbands life time, and endeavored under-hand to instill it into her Family, and in the end wrought so far with her Husband upon his death-bed, that after some ardent exhortations which she used to him in his extremity; He signified to the by-standers, that he had no need of the Romish superstitious Ceremonies, grounding his salvation upon the alone merits of Christ Jesus his Savior. Their design was to have made this their Son Philip a Church-man; by reason that his Uncle Bertin de Mornay, who possessed divers Benefices, intended to resign them all to him: But God's providence (which would not suffer him to be tempted with such a Bait) permitted not this Uncle to think of it at his death. His first Master was one Gabriel Prestat, who together with human Learning, infused gently into him some principles of true doctrine, though he durst not make any open mention of religion unto him, both because he knew his tender age incapable of it, and like wise for fear of his Father, who knew not that this Gabriel was a Protestant. He was afterwards brought to Paris by his Father, where he continued for two years, though in that time the course of his Studies was often interrupted by sickness. About the end of the year 1560. he was called from Paris to his Fathers Funeral; A certain Priest being sent to fetch him, who perceived that his Mother was no friend to the superstitions of the Roman Church, and therefore he gave him this counsel upon the way; That he should take heed of the Lutheran opinions, of which his Mother was suspected, and that he should always persist in that Religion in the which he had been nourished and taught. Master Du Plessis (a little astonished by reason of his age) gave him this answer; That he was resolved to continue firm in what he had learned of the service of God; and that if he should doubt of any point of it, he would diligently read the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles for his better information therein. Being arrived at his Mothers, he was solicited by her, and his elder Brother, to read the Protestant Catechism, which he refused, but withal demanded a New Testament in Latin and French; one of the Geneva Impression being offered unto him, he likewise refused it, but accepted of one Printed at Lions, which he greedily read, praying God to enlighten him in the knowledge of his truth; and withal carefully observing, that the chief doctrines & services of the Church of Rome were not to be found in Scripture, such as Purgatory, Invocation of Saints, the Sacrifice of the Mass, adoration of Images, &c. Each of these still as he found no mention of it in Scripture, he blotted out of his mind, and began to suspect the rest: so that at last he desired to satisfy himself concerning Transubstantiation, & Justification, by reading some controversies of that time, concerning those Subjects, which wrought so good effect in him, that about the end of the year, 1561. he became resolved to quit the service of the Church of Rome; His Mother, though she exceedingly rejoiced to see that he had embraced the truth, yet would not willingly have had him to profess it so soon, because she as yet adhered outwardly to the Papists. But God having about the same time cast her into a sickness, almost unto death, she interpreted it as an admonition to her, not to retain any longer the truth of God in unrighteousness, making a vow in express terms, in the presence of her Children, that if God would please of his mercy to raise her from that bed of sickness, she would make open profession of the Gospel, which she performed at the end of the same year, 1561. About the beginning of the year, 1562. he was again sent to Paris by his Mother, where he had scarce continued 3. months, before the troubles for Religion brake forth, which forced him to leave the City; being returned home, he fell sick of a Plurisie, which with other infirmities, so far interrupted his studies, that he forgot almost all which he had Learned: Whereupon his Mother had an intention to make him Page of the Kings Chamber. But peace being re-established in the year, 1563. His importunities prevailed so far with her, as to return him once more to Paris, where in short time he recovered what before he had lost, so far as to out-go his Master, who was wont to listen to him, as if himself had been his Scholar. It is observable, that during this time of his continuance at Paris, he was never seen to play, or take other recreation then expounding before his Master Plato's Timaeus, or some such like Author. About this time his. Uncle the Bishop of Nantis strove to win him back to the Church of Rome, exhorting him to read diligently the ancient Doctors of the Church, & the better to allure him thereto, he promised to resign unto him his Bishopric, and to put him in present possession of a Priory; But he thanking him for his proffers, answered, that he would remit himself wholly unto God, from whom he was confident, he should receive whatsoever was necessary for him. And afterwards did often by Letters mark out unto his said Uncle such passages of the Fathers as confirmed the Protestant Religion, & confuted that of the Papists. In the year, 1567. the second troubles arising for Religion, he prevailed with his Mother, to permit him to put himself into the Army, with two of her Brothers; But the eternal providence of God, which reserved him to higher employments, brought it so to pass, that his horse falling upon him by the way, broke his leg, which forced him to return. This hurt was long in healing, and at length constrained him to undertake a Voyage into foreign Countries, the use of Baths being requisite to his full recovery: Wherefore about the end of August, 1568. with much trouble and danger, he went to Geneva, and from thence by Switzerland to Hidelberg in Germany; There he lived in the House of Immanuel Tremellius, and began also his studies in the Civil Law, gaining immediately the affections of the most Learned in that University. September, 1569. he went to Frankford, and from thence into Italy, remaining some time at Padova to continue his studies in the Law, not that he intended this for his chief end, but desiring above all the knowledge of Christian Religion, he would not be ignorant of the rest; His idle hours he passed in the Physic Garden, to learn the natures and names of the herbs and plants: in which he profited so far in a short time, that Guillandinus (the Director of that Garden) had him in singular admiration: Besides, at the same time he read over the greatest part of the Bible, under Rabbi Menaken a Jew, the most learned of that Age in the holy Tongue.

At length the State of Venice making a League with Spain, and the Pope, against the Turk, occasioned a more strict search to be made by the Bishop of Padova after such as professed the Protestant Religion: of which profession Master du Plessis being known to be, retired himself to Venice to Monsieur du Ferrier, then Embassador for the King of France there: And here likewise he was likely to have come into some danger for his religion; For a certain Officer of the Inquisition, proffering him an Oath upon some Articles proposed unto him, he answered in Italian, That his Religion permitted him not to take it: The Officer misunderstanding the word Religion (which in that Language, most commonly signifies some Order of Friers) asked him if he were a religious person? Monsieur du Plessis (understanding the Officers question of a Protestant, such being in France called of the Religion) answered, yes, whereupon the Officer proceeded no further. Divers like dangers he escaped by the providence of God in other parts of Italy. At Rome a Provost came by night, and examined him concerning his Country, his name, &c. He told him his name was Philip de Mornay, the Provost not hearing du Plessis, by which name he was most ordinarily called, left him, supposing he was not the man he sought for; From Venice (having first seen the rest of Italy) he went to Vienna, and from thence by Hungary, Bohemia, and Saxony, to Franckfort, and so to Cologne, in the end of the year, 1571 here he was familiar with Philip Ximenes, Spaniard (the great friend of Cassander) with whom he had often Conference about Religion. Ximenes confessed many errors in the visible Church, but would by no means allow of a separation from it: du Plessis having obtained his Arguments in writing gave him an Answer to them, which those of Cologne, called Triduanum Scriptum: To which Ximenes promised, but never gave an answer. In the Spring, Anno 1572. He passed into Flanders, and so into England, where he was favourably received by Queen Elizabeth, who already had him in great esteem. At that time Monsieur de Montmocancy, and Monsieur de Foix, were newly arrived in England, to swear the League betwixt the Queen, and Charles King of France. These intended to send du Plessis to the Queen of Scots (then Prisoner in England) to salute her in the name of their Master. But when he perceived that he was to deliver some Letters secretly unto her, which made against the League, he refused that Commission, Saying, That he would not begin his employment by so evil an Action. At the end of July, 1572. he returned into France, and went to wait upon the Admiral at Paris; That fatal marriage being then ready to be solemnized between the King of Navarre, and Margaret of France: His mother was then in the City upon her return home, and himself ready to accompany her: When news was brought that the Admiral was hurt, whom presently he ran to help, and to aid him to his lodging. He had always suspected that marriage, but this wicked act confirmed his suspicion. Wherefore desiring his Mother instantly to depart, he resolved himself to stay and attend the issue of what he suspected. Upon Bartholomew-Day (the day of that horrid Massacre) the Messenger whom he had sent to inquire of the Admirals health, returned affrighted, and told him, that the Admirals lodging was broke open by force: At which sudden news, he leapt out of his bed, and putting on his clothes, felt an extraordinary motion in himself, which caused him to say, God will deliver me out of this danger, and I shall see it revenged: On the contrary Ramini (his Tutor) presently answered, And I shall die in it. Both which came to pass. Whilst he intended to hasten to the Admirals Lodging, divers hindrances kept him within, till the murderers arrived at his house, so that he had scarce time to burn his Papers, and save himself on the top of the house, till they were gone. A day or two he lay hid in Paris, and on the third day of the Massacre, he slipped out of the City (though not without much trouble and danger) under the disguise of a Lawyers Clerk: Arriving at his Mothers, he found the Family dispersed, and herself concealed by a mean Gentleman of the neighbourhood; Having saluted her, he resolved to venture for England: To which end, one proffering to procure for him the Duke de Guise his Pass, he refused it, saying, That he would not ow his life to such, for whose service he should be loath to employ it; That God had delivered him from the Massacre, and therefore into his hands he would commit his passage; and within two or three days, finding a Boat at Diep, he passed in it safe to England: Where he had been recommended to the Queen by the Lord Walsingham, then Ambassador in France: Being there, he wrote some Remonstrances in Latin and French; by which he exhorted the Queen to the defense of the afflicted Church; and confuted by some Apologies, the calumnies imposed upon the Protestants: He was likewise employed in the Treatie of Marriage betwixt the Duke of Alencon (brother to the French King) and Queen Elizabeth. This Duke, by reason of some differences betwixt his brothers and himself, took up Arms, and made use of the Protestants, as a descontented party, to assist him; to join with whom, Monsieur du Plessis was much solicited, which occasioned him at length to return into France; but withal he expressed his dislike of joining the Interest of Religion with the Dukes Ambitious, and discontented Ends. This war not succeeding, he retired himself to Jametz, till the death of King Charles the seventh, who died, Anno 1574. After which he came to Sedan, where he was desired by the Dutchess of Bouillon to undertake a journey to the Duke of Cleve, who with the Elector Palatin, had been by her late husband constituted Executors of his Will; which (though a business of much hazard) was undertaken by him, and performed to the great contentment of the Dutchess. During his sojourning at Sedan, he married Charlotte Arbaleste, a widow, who having likewise escaped the Massacre at Paris, was fled thither for Religion: At whose request he composed his Treatise of Life and Death.

In the Year 1576. He went to the King of Navarre in Guienne, who immediately received him for one of his Counsel: To whom he did much service in the Wars, against the Pretended Holy League; In reference to which, he was by the said King employed, Anno 1577. with an ample Commission to the Queen of England, to solicit her for aid against the Leaguers: Being arrived in May at London, the Queen (who was very prompt in such kind of speeches) told him, That she had expected him as Messenger from a Duke, but now she saw him as Ambassador from a King. At his Audience he obtained from her the sum of eighty thousand Crowns to levy men in Germany for that war; which nevertheless were not raised, by reason of the Peace which followed in the same year: During this abode in England, he composed his Treatise of the Church. Being resolved to pass into the Low Countries, in June, Anno 1578. He took leave of the Queen at Norwich, who besides an honorable Present bestowed upon him, would have a particular Cypher for Letters to pass betwixt them: In his passage he was robbed by Pirates, where he left (besides other things) his Papers, amongst which there were some Books of the History of his Time in Latin, which he had begun, Anno 1570. Arriving at Antwerp, he was present at the Treatie of Alliance betwixt Queen Elizabeth, Duke Casimir, and the Estates; in the which he caused likewise to be included the King of Navarre his Master: He was afterward poisoned by one Guerin, who had been hired to poison the Prince of Orange, but his youth and good constitution overcame the force of the Poison: During his, stay here, about the midst of the year, 1579. he began his work of the Truth of Christian Religion; of which when he had finished about four Chapters, he fell into a grievous sickness, which the Physicians judged to be caused by the relics of the Poison which he had taken. This continuing upon him, and the Plague raging in Antwerp, he was invited by those of Gant, for change of Air, unto their City, where, they provided and furnished a house for him. There he spent the rest of that year, and begun the next, viz. 1580. And no sooner had recovered his health in part, but immediately he set himself to the continuance of his work. But he was that Spring taken off by new employments.

The King of Navarre again took up Arms, and commanded Monsieur du Plessis, (laying all other business aside) to make another journey to England, to demand succors; which he immediately undertook: The Queen of England was then about to make Peace with the King of France, so that this Embassage was not very agreeable to her: Yet after his return to Antwerp, she wrote a Letter with her own hand to Monsieur du Plessis, telling him, that he should be welcome when ever he pleased to return into England; and that never any Gentleman had treated with her, in whom she took so much pleasure as in himself: At Antwerp he finished his Book of Christian Religion, which the year after himself turned into Latin. Anno 1582. He returned into France, where he publilished a Treatise, containing the Reasons why the Counsel of Trent could not be admitted in France, Printed by command of K. Hen. 3. In the year following (1583.) He was sent by the King of Navar to the National Synod of Vitray in Bretaigne, where he was joyfully received by the whole Company, with this preface, That had they met him occasionally in the streets, they should have earnestly importuned his presence with them. He was likewise present in the General Assembly of the Protetestants held at Montauban, by the Kings permission, in the year 1584. where he was desired by the Assembly to draw up the form of their Complaints against the violation of the Edict for Peace, which he, together with the Count de Laval, presented afterwards to the King at Blois.

The League of the House of Guise, breaking forth in the year 1585. which was formed first against the King, under pretence of the defense of the Catholic Religion, & afterwards declared against the King of Navarre, and the Protestants: That famous Declaration in the name of the said King, was penned by Monsieur du Plessis, wherein the King, having answered the Calumnies cast upon him by that Faction, proposed (to avoid the calamities of a Civil war) that the quarrel might be ended betwixt himself and the Duke of Guise, notwithstanding the inequality of their conditions, by a combat, either of one to one, two to two, or ten to ten, more or less, at the choice of the said Duke: To which Declaration Monsieur du Plessis would not set his hand, till the King of Navarre had promised that he should be one of the Combatants, if the Conditions should be accepted. But this not being accepted by the Duke, there followed the Civil wars for Religion; in which Monsieur du Plessis did many necessary and importent Services for the King of Navarre, and the Protestants, both with his Sword and Pen, having answered a virulent book published by the League against the King of Navarre, called the English Catholic: Besides his assistance in the General Assembly of the Protestants at Rochelle, and his Remonstrances to the General Assembly of Estates, held at the same time by the King at Blois, intended for the disinheriting of the King of Navarre, next heir to the Crown. At which Assembly in writings so far prevailed, that the greatest part of the Deputies concluded a Peace to be made with the King of Navarre, and much ado there was to make them at length change their language.

After the death of the Duke of Guise at Blois, there followed a Truce betwixt the Kings, in the year 1589. Upon which Monsieur du Plessis was by the King of France made Governor of Saumur. One memorable passage during these wars cannot well be omitted, which was, That the King of Navarre, having abused the daughter of a Gentleman in Rochelle (by whom he had a son) the Church had often remonstrated his fault unto him, which he ingeniously confessed, but could not be persuaded to take off the scandal by a public acknowledgement of it, till Monsieur du Plessis giving him counsel about a Battle which was then ready to be fought, took the opportunity to tell him how necessary it was to seek the favor of Almighty God, the only giver of Victory, and thereupon urged him to consult with his Conscience, whether he ought not to give glory to God upon such an occasion, and what remorse it would breed in him, if God for want of it should blast his undertakings, to the ruin of so good a Cause; which so nearly touched the Kings heart, that he commanded him to consult with a Minister concerning what he had to do in that business; according to whose advice he made the next day a public Acknowledgment of his fault in the Church before all the Nobility of his Army. Which counsel being thought by some to be too Rigorous, Monsieur du Plessis made this answer, That as a man could not be too courageous before men, so he could not be too humble in the presence of God.

After the murder of Henry the Third, by a Jacobin at St. Cloud, in August, 1587. Monsieur du Plessis was made Counselor of Estate to the King of Navarre (now Henry the Fourth King of France) whom he served in the recovery of his right against the League of the House of Guise, though with much hazard to himself, some having been, by their own confession, hired to murder him, for which they were executed at Tours.

Sixtus Quintus then Pope, being one of the Kings chiefest Enemies, an expedient was propounded of taking him off by some honorable Embassage, and to that end the question was put, whether the King might with a safe conscience write to him? Monsieur du Plessis answered, That doubtless he might, it being ordinary in the same case for Christian Princes to write unto the Turk; so that the question was not, if he should write, but how? Since the King could not cal him holy Father, or kiss his feet, whom according to his profession, he ought to think the enemy of Christ, and if he should write otherwise it would be to no purpose. This expedient therefore was wholly laid aside.

Afterwards the Duke of Florence being willing to join interests with the King, fearing the too great potency of Spain, sent a Gentleman to him, who proffered to Monsieur du Plessis twenty thousand Crowns a year, if he would counsel the King to change his Religion, to which he stoutly replied, That his Masters conscience was not to be sold, no more then his own.

In the year 1590. He built a Church for the Protestants in Saumur, and obtained a grant from the King, for the Instituting of an University there, which was afterwards confirmed by a National Synod held in the same place. The King besieging Rouen, in the year, 1591. and fearing the Army of the Prince of Parma, which was then entered France, intending to raise that siege; Monsieur du Plessis was again sent into England, to demand aid from the Queen, where he had conference with some English Bishops, concerning the differences betwixt them, and the Non▪conformists, remonstrating unto them, with what conscience they could molest those, who agreed in the same faith with them, only for some simple Ceremonies, with whose infirmities they ought rather charitably to bear; which Remonstrance caused them for a while to be more gently dealt with, instead of the persecution which was intended against them.

In the year 1593. He wrote a large Letter to the King, who then had changed his Religion, desireing the continuance of his favor to the Protestants, and withal expostulating that sudden change, assuring him nevertheless of their fidelity towards him, and resolution to obey their lawful Prince, of what Religion soever, even to the hazard of their lives. Meeting him afterwards (according to command) at Chartres, the King somewhat troubled at the first enterview, began to excuse what he had done, by telling him that he had been necessitated to sacrifice himself for his Protestant Subjects, that he might with more ease procure a peace for them: To which Monsieur du Plessis answered, That there were better expedients for the working of that end, had his Majesty been pleased to have made use of them, and that it would have been more agreeable to their minds to have sacrificed their lives for him. About this time he obtained of the King a revocation of such Edicts as had been made by the Leaguers against the Protestants, and a confirmation of others, by which the free exercise of their Religion had been formerly granted unto them.

Anno, 1595. He began his work of the Lord's Supper, which he finished in less then a year; In which Book his principal end was, to represent the belief and practice of Antiquity in most part of the points controverted in Religion; which design the King had heretofore approved, as a means to facilitate a reformation: This Book was afterward approved by the National Synod at Saumur, though not Printed until the year, 1598. The publication of it stirred up many enemies against him, especially of the Clergy: The Jesuits of Bourdeaux petitioned the Parliament there, that it might be burned; The Pope himself by express Letters complained of it to the King, that one of his Privy Counsel should dare to call him Anti-Christ. The King nevertheless took no notice of it, only sometimes he complained to his friends, that he was sorry that Monsieur du Plessis had by this means given him occasion not to put him upon further Employments; which likewise he desired Monsieur de la Force to tell him; To whom du Plessis answered, That he had not done this act rashly, but upon good consideration; That the King knew well, that he was ever wont to distribute his services first to God, next to his King, and then to his friends; which method he could not with a good conscience change; That he was not ignorant how much this would hinder his preferments in the world, which he regarded not so much, as to do the least service for his God; That however God was faithful, and would honor such as honor him, and much more to the like effect. But the Pope still underhand solicited the King to ruin him, whom in all his Letters he called his enemy, representing that he had punished one in Rome for having spit upon the Kings Effigies, how much more ought the King to punish him who had so irreverently used God's Vicar: And so far was the King led away by his frequent solicitations, that notwithstanding the important services of Monsieur du Plessis, he sought all possible occasions to cast him off, which though ordinarily not hard to find in one who had so high a Charge in the administration of the Common-wealth, yet (by the grace of God assisting him) Calumnie could not find on that side where to fasten. At last (having nothing else to accuse him of) his Book must be laid hold of, for a pretence to ruin him, in which the Bishop of Eureux, du Perron promised to show five hundred false quotations: Du Plessis on the contrary offered to make good all the passages cited in his Book, out of Impressions approved by his adversaries. Whereupon a Conference was appointed at Fountainbleau. But the Sorbonists fearing lest the examination of particulars would prove to their disadvantage, desired the Popes Nuncio, and he the King, to hinder it: The King desired him not to trouble himself, since he would so manage the business, that the disgrace should remain upon the Protestants, which he intended to bring to pass, by ordaining, that at the Conference the Bishop should open the Book, and name to the number of fifty passages, if the time would permit, to which du Plessis was to make answer ex tempore, otherwise he was resolved to verify the Bishops accusation. This being told to du Plessis, he answered, that it was a hard condition for him, to make an unpremeditated answer to such quotations as the Bishop should pick out of ten thousand alleged in that Book, to the retaining of all which, no human memory could suffice. Whereupon the conditions were a little (though very little) qualified, and thus proposed; That the Bishop should quote unto him sixty passages over night, to which he was to answer at eight the next morning. Monsieur du Plessis (after ardent prayers to God) accepted the condition: About one of the Clock after mid-night the sixty passages were brought to him, quoted only thus, Scotus p. 869. Durand. pag. 870, &c. besides that, the Books which he borrowed of the Bishop (he having none there of his own) at two of the clock, were again sent for by six; yet in this space of four hours (though weak sighted) he had examined nineteen of the quoted passages; At eight of the clock he was called, though then put off till one in the afternoon, so that but nineteen of the quotations were examined; upon his answer to the first, the Moderators (being most part Papists) were ashamed, and pronounced in favor of Monsieur du Plessis; which they were about to have done likewise in the second, had not the King interposed, which made them decide it against him. For the rest, they were chiefly such passages of Fathers, as the Bishop pretended, that du Plessis had not entirely quoted; in which, though du Plessis made it appear, that the words pretended to be fraudulently left out, were all to the same effect; yet the Moderators judged, that it were good they had been added: This was the sum of that Conference; concerning which du Plessis Printed afterwards a Relation to vindicate himself: But the Bishop everywhere cried up the victory which he pretended to have gotten there, even in the Cathedral Church, in a Sermon before the King and Court at Whitsuntide: (About a fortnight after the Conference) He was himself the Trumpet to his own praises: But that week a flash of Lightning broke into the Church, shattered the Pulpit where the Bishop had preached all the Holidays, burnt some Images, and at the same time fell likewise in the Kings Garden: Also on the Thursday following, the Bishop preached again in a Church near the Lowre, upon which Church, within two nights after, fell another flash of Lightning, which uncovered part of the Steeple, and beat down some Images; and at the same instant falling again into the Kings Garden, burned some Orange trees there. In these Prodigies, the very Adversaries of du Plessis acknowledged the finger of God; Neither would they suffer the Bishop to preach anymore in their Churches; besides, that himself made an oath to preach no more till Winter. Monsieur du Plessis thus fallen into disfavor with the King, began to lead a more private life, though he had still a large influence upon public affairs: In the year 1602. A certain Monk had hired two young men to kill him; who came in Sermon time into the Church, at Saumur, the one of them drawing so near, as to lift up the Carpet which lay before him, but had not the boldness to strike: Being taken upon suspicion he confessed his intentions, and who set him on work; whereupon the Monk was apprehended, and hanged. Afterwards the King began again by little and little to favor him, moved thereunto, not only out of his own inclinations, which had been alaways towards him, though thus clouded for a while, for fear of the Pope; but likewise by a Remonstrance from Queen Elizabeth, who had told his Ambassador, that she knew not how to trust his Master, who so far depended on the Pope, as for his sake to slight his best and most faithful servants.

In January, Anno 1605. The only son of Monsieur du Plessis was sent for to the Court by the King, who intended an employment for him, where he was well received: But the design upon which he had been sent for, failing, he desired leave to go into Holland, which was granted him, where he was the same year unhappily slain before Gueldres; which bred so great a grief in his mother, that she lived not long after, departing this life in May, Anno 1606. This was one of the most remakable Epoches in the whole Life of Monsieur du Plessis, in the which two such great & so contiguous losses had befallen him: After his sons death, he had both his own grief to combat with, and to comfort that of his wife: But after her death he was wont to say, That heretofore she had been an aid to him in living well, and should hereafter be so in teaching him to die well; from thenceforth he took this for his Motto, Mihi bis anhelo suprestes.

The same year he was again himself called to the Court, and graciously received by the King, where he continued, till the year following, at which time he desired leave of the King to retire himself, which the King unwillingly granted; withal, desiring him to come sometimes to Court, and expressing his grief that he could not employ him according as he desired, the reason whereof himself well knew, meaning the scandal which the Pope would have taken at it: Being returned to Saumur, he began his Work of the Mystery of Iniquity, Anno 1607. which, though a work of infinite labor, yet he finished it in nine months. In which it is remarkable, that to spare his sight, he dictated it to others that wrote it from his mouth.

In the Spring, Anno 1608. He began to set upon those great Volumes of Baronius, to which he intended a confutation. About this time likewise were those Letters of his into Holland concerning the Novelties introduced into the Church by Arminius, to whom he advised the French Church, to send one of their Ministers (naming Monsieur du Moulin) to confer with him concerning the Points by him maintained, and to adjure him in the Name of God to forbear begetting of Parties in the Church: This advise was approved by the Church, but fearing to offend the King, they durst neither ask his leave, nor send without it. Du Perron, Bishop of Eureux, now made Cardinal, and Archbishop of Sens was much pressed by the King to answer Mon. du Plessis, to which he was likewise urged by his friends, who told him that the Action at Fontainbleau was little to his credit, and that should du Plessis die, it would be then too late to answer him, because men would be ready to say, that he durst not do it in his Life time; wherefore he promised, and undertook the business: And going to Rome, sequestered himself from other business for the space of a year to perform it, promising the Pope at his arrival in France to print his answer, which he said was risen to a great Volume: Upon his return, the King asked him when he would print it? He told his Majesty that he stayed but for some Manuscripts from Rome; which answer, the King seeing his delays, used as a Proverb to some undertakers, whose work went not forward, who making idle excuses to him; Yes (says the King) I see you stay for Manuscrips from Rome too; Causabon, who was about the Cardinal, wrote to Monsieur du Plessis concerning this Answer, telling him that it was finished, and that himself had seen it; whom du Plessis desired, as the Cardinals friend, to give him from him the same Counsel which Christ did to Judas in the Gospel; What thou dost, do quickly. But this Volume of answer never appeared: The Cardinal after the Kings murder, thinking himself to be disengaged from his promise, In October, An. 1609. Mon. du Plessis had notice given him of a Book in folio, seen in the house of one that was a Confident of the Jesuits, which was written to the half, containing divers Oaths signed with blood; in which they obliged themselves to obey the commands of the Pope: of which he immediately gave a secret advice to the Court; but by the evil conduct of him that was appointed to search for it, the Book missed of being found. This year he turned into latin his Book of the Mystery of iniquity, which he dictated so fast, that his Amanuensis had much ado to keep pace with him with his pen. The horrid murder of the King following in the year. 1610. he upon notice of it, took so good order, as to keep the people about his government in quiet, who upon that sudden change were ready to take up arms: And as soon as he had received the Edict for the Regency of the Queen Mother, he administered the Oath of Fidelity to all the Clergy and People within his Jurisdiction; making a speech unto them, in which he desired them to forget the distinguishing names of Papist and Protestant, which having caused so many misfortunes, ought to be buried in this great one: Professing, that whoever would show himself a good French-man, and a faithful Subject, should be of him respected as his Brother.

In May, An. 1611. was held in Saumur the General Assembly of the Protestant Churches; where choosing a President, six of the sixteen Provinces were for the Duke de Bouillon, the other ten for Monsieur du Plessis; who being much troubled at it, desired them to choose again, but was by the company commanded to take the place: At which the Duke being discontented, there followed a dissention in that Assembly, manifestly tending to a Schism in the Church, which du Plessis (though a party) much labored to reconcile, and at last that was happily brought to pass in the National Synod held the year following at Privas.

Another dissention afterwards happened betwixt Monsieur du Moulin, Minister of the Church at Paris, and Monsieur Tilenus, Professor at Sedan, about the effects of the Union of the two natures in Christ: The making up of this difference was, by a National Synod held at Tonneinx, referred to Monsieur du Plessis, who proved the happy Author of a full reconciliation betwixt them, in the year, 1614. Yet had this difference like to have broke forth again the year following, by the indiscretion (or malice rather) of some particular persons, had not Monsieur du Plessis in time stopped its progress: In which he was aided by a seasonable Message of King James; who at that time sent to invite du Moulin into England, to confer with him about a method of Uniting all the Reformed Churches of Christendom, to which he had been often solicited by Monsieur du Plessis. The issue of which Voyage was, That the King resolved to send Letters to all Protestant Princes, to invite them to Union, and desired the French Churches to frame a confession gathered out of all those of other reformed Churches, in the which unnecessary points might be left out, as the means of begetting discord and dissention.

Some years following were spent by Monsieur du Plessis in procuring the peace of the Protestant Churches, and endeavoring to keep a good correspondence between the King and them, which was continually ready to be interrupted; in which business he carried himself with so much prudence and fidelity in all occurrences between them, that he was admired, and praised by all, yea, even Cardinal Perron himself (heretofore one of his greatest enemies) shown him great respect in the Assembly of Estates held at Rouen, An. 1617. speaking of him in all companies with an excess of Prayses; and telling the King himself, that those men had done him wrong who had kept off Monsieur du Plessis from having a greater power in the management of his affairs; And that his Religion ought not to render him unprofitable in the exercise of those graces which God had given him; and that his Majesty ought to keep him near his person so long as he should live. Which praises the said Cardinal reiterated upon his deathbed, in September, Anno, 1618. charging his friends then about him, to send a solemn Farewell from him to Monsieur du Plessis, and to manifest his sorrow for not having made a straighter league of friendship with him, having so high an esteem of his Conscience and integrity. His government of the Town and Castle of Saumur was continued unto him till the year, 1621. when the King falling into displeasure and suspicion of the Protestants, by reason of their high deportment in the Assembly at Rochelle, displaced him at first but for three months, with a promise of restoring him so soon as affairs should be a little quieted. But these discontents growing to an open War, he could never procure a re-establishment, though it were continually solicited by him; Wherefore retiring himself to his House in the Forest upon Dayure, he continued there till the day of his death, which followed in the year, 1623. there applying himself to holy meditations and exercises of Patience. He did by a particular providence of God make his last Will for the peace of his Family, and the edification of those that should survive him; which having finished upon the third of November, in the forementioned year, he expressed himself to be now discharged of one of his greatest cares, and that nothing was now left for him to do, but to die well. The next day he was seized by a continual Feaver, forcing him to keep his bed, which so continued and increased upon him, that upon the ninth of the same month the Physicians gave over all hopes of his recovery: Nevertheless he lived for forty eight hours after, which he so well husbanded in the care of his salvation, that scarce one of those hours was employed in any other business. In all which time he gave both by word and action so many express and evident signs of his faith and assurance, that it may be truly said, that in this short time he confirmed by Irrefragable proofs all that he had said or written of the truth of Christian Religion. In all this time he felt little or no pain, so that when the Minster asked him how he did, he still would answer, Well, very well. His speech continued till the tenth day at midnight, which he continually employed in prayers for himself and his enemies, and in comfortable speeches to the by-standers; sometimes in the midst of his prayers, being heard to say, I fly, I fly to Heaven, the Angels are carrying me into the Bosom of my Savior, sometimes repeating those words of Job, I know that my Redeemer liveth, I shall see him with mine eyes, hisce oculis, repeating divers times these last words in Latin. Being asked if he felt not the Spirit within him sealing unto him the promises of God, he answered, Yes indeed, I am assured of it, and again, I feel, I feel what I speak. Two hours after, his speech, and his hearing failed him, and his breath between six and seven in the morning of the eleventh day, which was the hour that he yielded up his spirit into the hands of God his Creator, finishing by a happy death, a life of above seventy four years continuance, exemplarily spent in the fear of God, and the profession of his Gospel.

[illustration]

J. BRVEN

[portrait of John Bruen]

The Life of John Bruen, of Bruen-Stapleford, who died, Anno Christi. 1625.

John Bruen, of Bruen-Stapleford, in the County Palatine of Chester Esquire, was born, An. 1560. and was the son of a worthy Gentleman, descended of Worshipful Ancestors, who brought him up civilly, and as those times were, religiously also: And the Lord preserved him in his childhood, and youth from the poison of Popery, & the contagion of those common gross sins, which for want of the light, and life of the Ministry of the Gospel, reigned in those parts: When he was about 7 years old his Father for some offense rebuked him sharply, and corrected him soundly, which he being much grieved at, seeking relief, he took a prayer Book which he had learned, and going into his Fathers Chapel, read in it; and prayed as well as he could, & it pleased the Lord to comfort him with inexpressible joys; the next day he went to the same place, and used the same means, but found not the like comfort: Afterwards his Father sent him to his Uncles, Master Dutton of Dutton, where he was bred up at School, under one Master James Roe, for about three years space: Anno 1577. his Father sent him to Oxford, where he first received the love of the truth in any knowledge and understanding, being then about seventeen years old, he lived in Albans-Hall as a Gentleman Commoner, and being familiar with one John Breerwood, his Countriman, an Aldermans son of Chester: This Breerwood observing in him some Popish practices, and opinions, set upon him by Scripture arguments to convince and reform him, whereupon this young Gentleman (through God's mercy) was so wrought upon, that as himself wrote it down in his Book; I was, saith he, then inflamed with zeal against the profane beast of Rome, and all Popery, both persons and things, with all their Monuments, Rites, and Ceremonies, &c. After a while his Father sent for him home, that he might dispose of him in marriage, and provided for him the daughter of one Mr. Hardware [a worthy and wise Gentleman] to whom he was married with the consent of Parents, and in the fear of God, and lived very comfortably with her for seventeen years, seeing his sons, and daughters as Olive plants round about his Table: Then being in the prime of his youth, he spent too much time in hawking, hunting, and such carnal delights. But Anno, 1587. his Father dying, he began to be much perplexed both in mind and estate; some sorrows and fears, thoughts and cares began to stir, and work in him, and the Lord hereby began to work for his more effectual calling, and conversion, and this he did both by the rebukes of his Word, and checks of his Spirit, convincing his judgment, and changing his heart from the love of baser, to a delight in better things: whereupon he began to search his heart, and try his ways, and to call himself to an account for his former courses, and weighing them in the balance of the Sanctuary, he found them to be but vanity, and vexation of spirit: and besides, he being charged by his Father with the portions of twelve children, which he left behind him, he began to cut off occasions of wasteful and riotous expenses; and whereas his Father left him a Park well furnished with Deer, he disparked it, and drawing himself to as narrow a compass as he well could, he provided competently and comfortably for his own Family, and faithfully paid his Brethren and Sisters all their portions, and disposed of them in marriage to their own content: Then he was very careful to set up God's worship in his Family, walking wisely in the midst of his house, setting his eyes, his favor upon the godly, and not suffering a wicked person to abide in his sight: and his principal care was to dwell with his Wife as a man of knowledge, and to train up his children in the nurture, and information of the Lord, and by his holy and prudent carriage his wife (though well affected to Religion before) yet grew on to an higher pitch in knowledge, and grace, and became to him a faithful helper, and careful yoakfellow, to bear and draw in the yoke of Christ: they were both very careful in the education of their children, catechizing of them in the principles of Religion, and causing them to learn such sentences of Scriptures as might make the easiest impression of grace upon their hearts: neither did he spare to use the rod of correction, as God's healing medicine to cure the corruptions of his children, yet if at any time his heart was overheated through his hatred of sin, and zeal for God's glory, that he spake unadvisedly with his lips, or dealt too violently with his hands, he used to be much humbled for it, that going about to cure others, he had wounded himself: And amongst his man and maid servants, there was not one idle and unprofitable person: and for his choice of servants, he took notice of any thereabouts, that began to set their faces towards Heaven, such he loved, and labored to draw them into his service: So that in a short time he was furnished with godly and gracious servants, both men, and maids: and then he looked upon them as his brethren, and fellow servants in, and under Christ: would sometimes use them familiarly, advise, confer, consult, and resolve with them in matters of conscience, and other weighty occasions: Sometimes he made them his comforters in afflictions, and temptations, and received refreshing from them: Amongst the rest, he had one old disciple [Robert Pasfield] a man utterly unlearned, being able neither to write nor read, yet through God's blessing upon his industry, having a good memory, he became ripe in understanding, and mighty in the Scriptures: Yea, he was so well acquainted with the sum, and substance of every Book and Chapter, that hardly could a man ask him for any sentence of Scripture, but he would tell him in what Book and Chapter he might find it: He had a good gift in prayer, was very willing and able to confer of good things, whereby he became very useful both in the Family, and to other young Christians abroad, as he had opportunity: For the help of his memory he invented, and framed a girdle of Leather, long and large, which went twice about him: this he divided into several parts, allotting every Book in the Bible in their order to some of these divisions, then for the Chapters, he affixed points or thongs of Leather to the several divisions, and made knots by fives or tens, thereupon to distinguish the Chapters of that Book; and by other points he divided the Chapters into their particular Contents or Verses, as occasion required: This he used instead of pen, and ink, in hearing Sermons, and made so good use of it, that coming home, he was able by it to repeat the Sermon, quote the texts of Scripture, &c. to his own great comfort, and to the benefit of others; which girdle Master Bruen kept after his death, hung it up in his Study, and would merrily call it, the Girdle of verity: This old Robert (though but a servant, yet) being rich in grace, his Master used him very familiarly; when conveniently he could, he would have him near him, would often go to the Hop-yard or Barn, where his business lay, to talk and confer with him, and when he was grown old, having been in his service about thirty years, he was so far from casting him off, that he daily fed him with some of the best morsels from his own Table, and setting him not far from him, that he might the better confer with him, which he continued to his dying day: Such other servants as he chose to be ever about him at home, and abroad, he made happy, by his taking opportunities to impart some wholesome words of admonition, & instruction to them, &c. He never thought his Table better furnished, then when he had some godly persons to sit with him, or stand about him, nor his meat better seasoned, then when it was poudred with the salt of wholesome words: And for other of his servants employed in Husbandry, and such out-works, he never suffered them to want such encouragements as might make them cheerful in his, and God's service: He would sometimes go abroad to them, raise matter of speech, and conference from their callings, works, wages, &c. for their instruction and edification: And there were few of them but exercised themselves unto godliness, praying in their courses every night in the Kitchen, when their Master was gone to bed: Such of his Servants as were inclined to Marriage, he provided well for them.