The Theater of Gods Judgments, Title page – List of sources
THE THEATRE OF GODS JUDGEMENTS: Wherein is represented the admirable Justice of GOD against all notorious sinners, great and small, specially against the most eminent Persons in the World whose exorbitant power had broke through the barres of Divine and Humane Law. Collected out of Sacred, Ecclesiasticall, and Pagan Historie by two most reverend Doctors in Divinity, THOMAS BEARD of Huntington, and THO. TAYLOR, the famous late Preacher of Mary Aldermanbury in LONDON. The incomparable use of this Book for Ministers and others is largely expressed in the Preface.
The fourth Edition, With Additions.
God hath Woollen feet, but Iron hands. Aug.
LONDON, Printed by S. I &: M. Hand are to be sold by Thomas Whitaker at the signe of the KINGS ARMES in St Pauls Churchyard, MDCXLVIII.
To His Highnesse IAMES Duke of YORK.
SIR,
IN the lowliest posture of Humility these Historicall Examples, extracted out of the choicest Authors both Ancient and Moderne by two learned Doctors, are presented to Your Highnesse; Neither would they presume to put themselves under so high a Patronage, did I not humbly conceive, that being Historicall Peeces, they might be fit for Your Highnesse perusall, History being the proper'st and most advantagious Study that Princes can apply themselves unto, because it containes examples of all sorts; In History Brave men stand as Marble Statues erected in the Temple of Immortality, and Bad men as Malefactors upon Gibbets, expos'd to the publick view of the world to all Posterity. Although Your Highnesse hath a Royall Father for an incomparable living Patterne of all the Cardinall Vertues with their Attendants, (which breaking through these late Clouds of Civill Confusions) shin'd with an advantage of lustre to the wonderment of the world) as also against any thing that may have the least vicinity with Vice, to imitate, yet, humbly under favour, variety of Examples, as of Witnesses in Law, cannot doe amisse, the one for confirmation of Truth, the other for direction of Life; In which opinion I rest,
Your Highnesse most Humble, and most obedient Servant, M. HERON.
THE PREFACE.
IF to avoid and eschew vice (according to the saying of the Poet) be a chiefe vertue, and as it were the first degree of wisedome; then it is a necessary point, to know what vice and vertue is, and to discerne the evill and good which either of them bring forth, to the end to beware lest we dash our selves unawares against vice in stead of vertue, and be caught with the deceitfull baits thereof. For this cause the great and famous Philosopher, about to lay open the nature of Morall vertues (according to that knowledge and light which nature afforded him) contented not himselfe with a simple narration of the properties, essence, and object of them, but opposed to every vertue on each side the contrary and repugnant vice; to the end that the sight of them, being so out of square, so hurtfull and pernicious, vertue it selfe might be more admirable, and in greater esteem. And for this cause also God himself, our soveraigne and perfect Law-giver, that he might fashion and fit us to the mould of true and solid vertue, useth ostner negative prohibitons then affirmative commandments in his Law; to the end above all things to distract and turne us from cvill; whereunto we are of our selves too too much inclined. And as by this, meane sin is discovered and made knowne unto us, so is the pnnishment also of sin set before our eyes, by those threatnings and curses which are there denounced: to the end that whom the promises of life and salvation could not allure and perswade to doe well, them the feare of punishment (which followeth sin as a shadow doth the body) might bridle and restraine from giving them over to impiety. Now then if the very threatnings ought to serve for such good use, shall not the execution and performance of them serve much more? to wit, when the tempest of Gods wrath is not onelyonly denounced, but also throwne downe effectually upon the heads of the mighty ones of the world, when they are disobedient and rebellious against God. And hereupon the Prophet saith, That when Gods judgements are upon earth, then the Inhabitants learne justice. And doubtlesse it is most true, that every one ought to reap profit to himself by such examples, as well them wch are presented daily to their view by experience, as them which have been done in times past, and are by benefit of History preserved from oblivion. And in this regard History is accounted a very necessary and profitable thing, for that in recalling to minde the truth of things past, which otherwise would be buried in silence, it setteth before us such effects (as warnings and admonitions touching good and evill) and layeth vertue and vice so naked before our eyes, with the punishments or rewards inflicted or bestowed upon the followers of each of them, that it may justly bee called an easie and profitable Apprentiship or Schoole for every man to learne to get wisedome at another mans cost. Hence it is that History is termed of the ancient Philosophers, The record and register of Time, the light of Truth, and the mistresse and looking-glasse of mans life: insomuch as under the person of another man it teacheth and instructeth all those that apply their mindes unto it, to governe and carry themselves vertuously and honestly in this life. Wherefore they deserve great praise and commendation, that have taken paines to inroll and put in writing the memorable acts and occurrents of their times, to communicate the same to their posterity: for there the high and wonderfull works of God doe most clearely, and as it were to the view, present themselves, as his justice and providence: whereby albeit hee guideth and directeth especially his owne, to wit, those that in a speciall and singular manner worship and trust in him (as by the sacred Histories, touching the state and government of the ancient and Primitive Church, it may appeare) yet hee ceaseth not for all that to stretch the arme of his power over all, and to handle and rule the prophane and unbeleeving ones at his pleasure; for he hath a soveraign Empire and predominance over all the World; And unto him belongeth the direction and principall conduct of humane matters, in such sort that nothing in the world commeth to passe by chance or adventure, but onelyonly and alwayes by the prescription of his will; according to the which he ordereth and disposeth by a strait and direct motion, as well the generall as the particular, and that after a strange and admirable order. And this a man may perceive, if he would but mark and consider the whole body, but especially the end and issue of things: wherein the great and marvailous vertues of God, as his bounty, justice, and power, doe most clearely shine; when he exalteth and favoureth some, and debaseth and frowneth upon others, blesseth and prospereth whom hee please; and on the contrarie, curseth and destroyeth whom he please, and that deserve it It is hee also which erecteth principalities, and which maintaineth Common-wealths, Kingdomes, and Empires, untill by the sum and weight of their iniquities they sink themselves into ruine and destruction. And herein is he glorified by the execution of his most just and righteous judgements, when the wicked after the long abuse of his lenety, benignity, and patience, doe receive the wages and reward of their iniquities. In this (I say once again) shineth out the wonderfull and incomprehensible wisedome of God, when by the due ordering of things so different and so many, hee commeth still to one and the same marke which hee once prescribed, to wit, the punishment of the world according to their demerits. And this same is most manifest and apparant even in the Histories of prophane Writers, albeit in their purpose it was never intended nor thought upon, nor yet regarded almost of any that read the same; men contenting themselves for the most part with the simple recitall of the story, therein to take pleasure and passe away time, without respecting any further matter: Notwithstanding, the true and principall use of their writings ought to be, diligently to marke the effects of Gods Providence, and of his justice, whereby to learne to conteine our selves within the bounds of modesty and the feare of God; seeing that they which have carried themselves any thing uprightly in equity, temperance, and other naturall vertues, have been in some sort spared: and the rest (bearing the punishment of their iniquities) have falne into destruction.
This consideration ought to perswade every man to turne from evill, and to follow that which is good, seeing that the Lord sheweth himselfe so incensed against all them which lead a wicked, damnable, and perverse life. And this is the cause why I, having noted the great and horrible punishments wherewith the Lord in most righteous judgement hath scourged the world for sin, according to that which is contained as well in sacred as prophane Histories; having gathered them together, and sorted them one after another in their severall rooms, according to the diversity of the offences, and order and course of time, which as neare as I could I endeavoured to sollow, to the end to lay downe, as it were in one Table, and under one Aspect, the great and fearefull judgements of God upon them that have rebelled or repugned his holy will. And this I do not with purpose to comprehend them all (for that were not onelyonly difficult but impossible) but to lay open the most notable & remarkable ones that came to my knowledge; to the end that the most wicked, dissolute, and disordered sinners, that with loose reines runne fiercely after their lust, if the manifest tokens of Gods severity presented before their eyes doe not touch them, yet the cloud and multitude of examples, through the sight of the inevitable anger and vengeance of God upon evill livers, might terrifie and somewhat curb them: Perjurers, Idolaters, Blasphemers, and other such wicked and prophane wretches, with murderers, whoremongers, adulterers, ravishers, & tyrants, shall here see by the mischiefe that hath falne upon their likes, that which hangeth before their eyes, and is ready to lay hold of them also. For albeit for a time they sleep in their sins and blindnesse, delighting in their pleasures, and taking sport in cruelties and evill deeds, yet they draw after them the line wherewith (being more ensnared then they were aware) they are taken and drawne to their finall destruction.
And this may teach and advertise both those that are not yet obstinate in their sins, to bring themselves to some amendment; and those that feare God already, to strengthen and encourage them in the pursuit and continuance in their good course. For if God shew himselfe so severe a revenger of their sinnes that take pleasure in displeasing him, there is no doubt but on the contrary he will shew himselfe bountifull, gracious, and liberall in rewarding all them according to his promise which seeke to please him, and conforme their lives unto his will. Great and small, young and old, men and women, and all other, of what degree and condition soever, may here learne at other mens charges, how to governe themselves in duty towards God, and betwixt themselves, by a holy and unblameable life in mutuall peace and unity; and by shunning and eschewing sin, against the which God (a most just Judge) powreth forth his vengeance, even upon the heads of them that are guilty thereof. Beside, here is ample matter and argument to stop the mouthes of all Epicures and Atheists of our age, and to leave them confounded in their errors, seeing that such and so many occurrents and punishmēts are manifest proofs, that there is a God above that guideth the stern of the world, and that taketh care of humane matters, & that is just in punishing the unjust and malicious. Againe, whereas so much evill, and so many sins have reigned and swayed so long time, and do yet reign and sway upon the earth, we may behold the huge corruption and perversity of mankinde, and the rotten fruits of that worme-eaten root, Originall sin: when we are not directed nor guided by the holy Spirit of God, but lest unto our owne nature. And hereby true faithfull Christians may take occasion so much the more to acknowledge the great mercy and singular favour of God toward them, in that they being received to mercy, are renewed to a better conversation of life then others. In brief, a man may here learne (if he be not altogether void of judgement and understanding) to have sin in hatred and detestation, considering the wages and reward thereof; and how the justice of God pursueth it continually, even to the extreamest execution, which is both sharp and rigorous.
Touching the word Iudgement, I have imitated the language of Holy Scripture: wherein as the Ordinances and Commandements of God are called Judgements, because in them is contained nothing but that which is just, right, and equall: so likewise the punishments inflicted by God upon the despisers of his Commandements are called by the same name, as in Exod. 6. 6. 2 Chron. 20. 12. & 22. 8. Ezech. 5. 8. & 11. 9. and elsewhere, because they also are as just as the former, proceeding from none other fountaine save the most righteous judgement of God; whereof none can complaine but unjustly.
The Names of the Authors from whom the most part of the Examples contained in this book are collected.
Moses and other sacred Writers.
Tertullian.
Cyprian.
Eusebius.
Socrates. Theodoret.
Sozomenes.
Nicephor. Ruffinus.
Suidas
Chrysostome.
Luther.
Illyricus.
Herodotus.
Thucydides.
Dion. Halycarnasseus.
Diodorus Siculus.
Polybeus. Plutarch.
Herodian. Dyon.
Procopius.
Iornandes.
Agathius.
Aelianus.
Tit. Livius.
Salustius.
Suetonius.
Corn. Tacitus.
Amm. Marcellinus.
Iustinus.
Eutropius.
Lampridius.
Spartianus.
Flavius Vopiscus.
Cuspinianus.
Orosius.
Aimoinus.
Gregor. Turonensis.
Anton Volscus.
Paulus Diaconus.
Luitprandus.
Olaus magnus Gothus.
Sabellicus.
Anton. Panormitanus.
Aeneus Silvius.
Ravisius.
Hieronymus Marius.
Alexander ab Alexandro.
Petrus Pramonstratensis.
Mich. Ritius Neapolitanus.
Fulgosius.
Fran. Picus Mirandula
Bembus.
Antonius Bonfinus.
Munsterus.
Iohan. Wierus.
Platina. Nauclerus.
Vincentius.
Hugo Cluniacensis.
Benno Baleus.
Gagninus.
Paulus Aemilius.
Discipulus de Tempore.
Acts and Monuments.
Carion. Chronicon.
Beza.
Iosephus.
Manlii Collectanea.
Stow Chronica.
Froyssard.
Enguerran de Monstrel.
Philip de Comines.
Nicholas Gilles.
Guicciardine.
Paulus Iovius.
Benzoin Milanois.
Iob. Fincelius.
Centuriae Magdeburg.
Abbas Vrispurgensis.
Philippus. Melancthon.
Sleidanus.
Lanquet. Chronica.