A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
THe people of God, who live in such times wherein publike dangers and persecutions are approaching, being conscious to their own infirmities, and weaknesse, are many times much perplexed, and distracted with the feares, and apprehensions of the ensuing perills, and through weaknesse of Faith much question whether they be able to undergo such conflicts, and endure such temptations as the people of God formerly have done? or whether the power of God doth so eminently appeare in these latter times for the deliverance of his Church, and Children, as in the time of the Old Testament, and in the first primitive times of the Gospel it did? But certainly the Name of God is wonderful still: His arme is not shortened that it cannot save, nor his eare heavy that it cannot heare: So that we may assure our selves, that either he will preserve us from, or support us under, or deliver us out of any temptation, that may or shall befall us: For God never puts his servants to suffer, but he furnisheth them with spirituall sufficiency to go through with the same. And like as a prudent Commander makes not choice of white-livered Souldiers for hot service & high attempts; but of those of greatest experience, and most approved valour: so God singles out his valiantest Souldiers for strongest encounters, his best Scholars for the largest lessons, his choicest armour for the highest proof, the most courageous Christians for the sorest afflictions. And that the truth hereof may the more clearly appear, view seriously th…se ensuing examples, both of the ancient and moderne times, which as they were first recorded for the publike benefit: so are they now collected out of severall authours of good credit for our present instruction, and consolation.
MArcus A…relius the Emperour, who raised the fourth persecution against the Christians, could by no perswasions be appeased, till in his warres against the Germanes his Army was ready to perish for want of water, whereupon one of his Legions (being all Christians) prayed unto Christ, who immediately sent abundance of raine, which refreshed the Roman Army, and dashed their enemies with thunder and fire: in remembrance whereof that Legion was called foreign, or the lightning Legion: after which victory (so miraculously obtained) he stayed the persecution. Euseb.
Ignatius Bishop of Antioch, being apprehended, and brought to execution, had his spirit so fortified against fears, that he cried out, Let the fire, the Crosse, the Beasts, the breaking of bones, convulsion of members, and bruising of the whole body, yea, and the torments of the Devill seize upon me; provided that I may partake of Jesus Christ, I passe them not. Also when he was cast unto the wilde beasts, he allured them to devour him, saying, That if he were ground with their teeth, he should be found fine flour in the house of his Father. Euseb.
John Bishop of Bergomum, a godly and reverend man, having freely reproved a King of the Lombards for his wickednesse: the King desirous of revenge, commanded him to be sent home upon a fierce horse, which used to cast his riders, and teare them to pieces: but the godly Bishop being mounted upon him, he laid aside his fiercenesse, and carried him home safely to his own house. Platin.
Theodosius, a godly Emperour, fighting against the Tyrant Eugenius, his Army was in great danger of being overthrown; but Theodosius having recourse unto God by prayer, the Lord sent a mighty tempest of winde, which blew so vehemently in his enemies faces, that it drove back their darts upon themselves, whereby they were overcome. Ruffin.
Constantius the Emperour, an Arian, being incensed against A…banasius a godly Bishop, sent a Captaine with five thousand armed men to slay him; but the Lord delivered him miraculously: for when they had invironed the Church wherein he was, he passed safely through the middest of them; and though many Arians that knew him, were present to discover him, yet was he not discerned. Theod. See his life in my first part.
The City of Nisibis being straitly besieged by Sapores King of Persia, there was in the City an holy man of God, Jacobus by name unto whom the Citizens resorted, beseeching him that he would shew himselfe upon the walls, and pray to God for help against their enemies, which so soone as he had done, the Lord sent a cloud of gnats and flies among the Persians, whereby the siege was raised, and the City saved. Simps. Eccles. Hist.
Sanctius a godly Christian under one of the first persecutions, though he was vexed with all sorts of Torments, yet could he not be compelled to confesse his name, countrey, or kindred, but to every question, still answered, I am a Christian; whereupon the tormenters applied Plates of Brasse red-hot to all the tenderest parts of his body, which was extreame sore with former scourgings, whereby his body was so pitifully drawne together, that he retained not the shape of a man; after which they cast him into prison, and after a few dayes (his body being all over so sore that he could scarce endure the least touch) they bring him forth to new torments, presuming thereby either to force him to blaspheme, or to die under them; on the contrary, his body was so suppled, and refreshed by his torments, that he recovered his former shape, and use of his members, their intended punishment (by the grace of Christ) proving a safe medicine unto him. Act. & Mon.
In Tyre a City of Phenicia, certain Christians being cast to most savage beasts, were not at all hurt by them, though the beasts were kept hungry on purpose, and raged so vehemently, that they which brought them to the Stage, though they stood (as they presumed) out of their reach, yet were caught and devoured by them. Act. & Mon.
Quirinus Bishop of Scescanus having an hand-mill tied about his neck, was throwne headlong from a bridge into the River, where a long time he miraculously floated above the water, and called to the lookers on that they should not be dismayed at his sufferings; and so at last with much ado he was drowned. Act. & Mon.
The childe of a Christian, being but seven years old, was asked by a heathen Tyrant how many gods there were? whereunto he answered, that whatsoever men affirme to be God, must needs be one, which with one is one and the same: and inasmuch as this one is Christ, of necessity Christ must be the true God. The Tyrant being amazed at this answer, asked him, where, and of whom he had learned this lesson? Of my mother (quoth the childe) with whose milke I sucked in this Doctrine. Whereupon the mother was called, and she gladly appeared; The Tyrant commanded the childe to be horsed up, and scourged: the joyful mother standing by with dry cheeks, whilest all the beholders wept: yea, she rebuked her Babe for craving a cup of water to quench his thirst, charging him to thirst after the cup which the Infants of Bethlehem once dranke of, and to remember little Isaac, who willingly offered his throat to the sacrificing knife. Whilest she thus counselled him, the bloody Tyrant puld off the skinne from the crowne of his head: the mother cried, Suffer, my childe, for anon thou shalt passe to him who will adorn thy naked head with a crown of glory. Whereby the childe was so encouraged, that he received the stripes with a smiling countenance: After which the Tyrant cast him into prison, and shortly after commanded him to be beheaded; at which time the mother taking up her childe into her armes, kissed him, and being required, she delivered him to the Executioner, saying, Farewell, my sweet childe: and whil'st his head was cutting off, she sang,
All land and praise with heart and voice,
O Lord, we give to thee,
To whom the death of all thy Saints
We know full dear to be.
The head being off, the mother wrapped it in her garments, laid it to her breast, and so departed. Act. & Mon.
Babilas a godly Christian for the cause of Christ was tormented with most exquisite tortures, and so cruelly excruciated from morning till noone, that he hardly escaped with life. After which some of his friends asking him, how he could abide such sharp torments? he said, that at the beginning he felt some paine, but afterwards there stood by him a young man, who as he was sweating with paine, wiped it off, and oft-times refreshed him with cold water, wherewith he was so delighted, that when he was let down from the Engine, it grieved him more then his torments. Act. & Mon.
Pope Martin the fifth raised three great armies, intending therewith to destroy all the Bohemians, which clave to the doctrine of John Husse, and Jerome of Prague; but when they came to the encounter five several times, each time the said Armies ran away out of the field, leaving their Tents and surniture behinde them, being strucken and daunted with a causelesse fear, before any blow was given, or received; whereby the godly Bohemians were much encouraged, & enriched: Afterwards under their Captain Zisca they fought eleven battels against the Popes side, & ever went away victors. Act. & Mon. See Zisca's Life in my second Part.
Ladislaus King of Hungary getting by fraud the two sonnes of Huniades into his hands, most cruelly and unjustly caused the eldest of them to be beheaded, who after he had received three blowes from the Hangman, his hands being tied behinde him, rose up upon his feet, and looking … heaven, called upon the Lord, protesting his inno…cy, and so laying down his head again, at the fourth blow was dispatched. Act. & Mon.
Examples of Miraculous provision in times of Famine.
Neere unto Aldborough in Suffolk, at what time (viz. in the yeere 1555.) by reason of unseasonable weather, the corne throughout all England was choaked, and blasted in the eare, there grew up Pease miraculously amongst the rocks without any earth at all about them, about the end of September, which much brought down the price of corne. Camb. Brit. p. 466.
In the yeere 1331. when there was a great famine in Ireland, the mercy of God so disposed, that upon the twenty seventh of June there came to land a mighty multitude of sea-fishes called Thurlheds, such as in many ages before had not been seen there: They came into the Haven of Dublin: Anthony Lord Lucy being Justice of Ireland, and by the Citizens of Dublin were many of them killed. Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 184.
Leyden in the Low Countries being straitly besieged by the Spaniard, Anno 1574. and blocked up with thirty six forts, the famine grew so great that there died above seven thousand in the City; whereupon the Prince of Orange by breaking of ditches, and drawing up of sluces, did what he could to drown the countrey; but yet the water was too shallow to carry boats, till God sent a strong Southwest winde which drave the sea into the rivers, and land, that great boats passed and victualled the …own; whereupon the Spaniards raised their siege: but behold the remarkable work of God! who two dayes after sent as strong a North-west winde that beat back the Sea again whence it came. Belg. Com. Wealth. p. 72.
Rochell being besieged with a mighty Army from the beginning of December 1573. to the monethmonth of June following: a Dearth began to seize upon the godly Protestants which were within the same; but the Lord seasonably sent a number of fishes called Surdones into the haven, whereby the poor Inhabitants were relieved during the continuance of the siege, which being once broken up, the fishes departed, and were found no more in that coast. Fren. Hist.
As it was always one of Mr. Latimers wishes, that he might be so happy as to shed his hearts blood for the truth: and so it fell out at the time of his burning, that when the violence of the fire had opened his body, such abundance of blood gushed so violently out from his heart, to the great astonishment of the beholders, as if all the blood in his body had been gathered to that one place. Act. & Mon.
A Christian Matron of excellent parts, and piety, languishing long under the pressure of hideous temptations, wofully at length yeelded to despaire, and attempted the destruction of her selfe: After often, and curious seeking occasion for that bloody fact, at last getting upon a Rock that hung over into the Sea, putting off her apparell, she threw her self head long from the same: but receiving no hurt by the fall, she was there miraculously preserved for the space of two houres, labouring all that while industriously to drown her self: after which time (being with much difficulty drawn forth, and recovered) she did yet conflict with that extreamest desperate horrour almost an whole yeer after: but at length by Gods providence listening o… a time (though very unwillingly at the first) to her husband reading that Text, Esa. 57. 15. by little and little abundance of spiritual comfort flowed into her heart, in which condition she continued many yeeres after, even untill her death, which was 1595. Mr. Bolton.
A virtuous Gentlewoman in this Land, doubting very often of her salvation, made her case known unto a godly Minister, who often counselled her to take heed of inquiries farther then Gods Word, and to trust assuredly that she might ground her salvation upon evidences out of that, without farther revelations; yet still did that temptation grow upon her, insomuch that having a▪ Venice-glasse in her hand, the Minister sitting by her, she brake forth into very lamentable words, saying, You have often told me that I must seek no further then Gods Word, but I have been long without comfort, and can endure no longer: therefore if I must be saved let this glasse be kept from breaking, and therewithal she threw it against the walls: and though the Lord might have dealt otherwise, yet he was content to satisfie her longing soul with a miracle: The Glasse rebounds againe, and comes safe unto the ground: which the Minister taking up, said, Oh repent of this sinne, and blesse God for his mercy, never distrust him more of his promise. Bolton. Yates. See this more fully in my first part of Lives. In the life of Master Fox.
Mistris Katharine Brettergh upon her death-bed, was assaulted with most grievous temptations, which made her cry out that a roaring wildernesse of wo was within her; that her sinnes had made her a prey to Satan, and wished that she had never been borne, or that she had been made any other creature rather then a woman, crying, Wo, wo, wo, &c. a weake, a wofull, a wretched, a forsaken woman! but at length, by Gods wonderful mercy, she recovered such comfort, that in the ravishments of spirit, she cried out, O Lord Jesus, doest thou pray for me? O blessed and sweet Saviour, how wonderful! how wonderful! how wonderful are thy mercies! O thy love is unspeakable, that hast dealt so graciously with me! O Lord my God, blessed be thy Name for evermore, which hast shewed me the path of life: thou diddest, O Lord, hide thy face from me for a little season, but with everlasting mercy thou hast compassion upon me: and now blessed Lord, thy comfortable presence is come, yea, thou art come to thine handmaid with fulnesse of joyes, and abundance of consolation: O the joyes! the joyes! the joyes that I feel in my soul! O they be wonderful! they be wonderful! they be wonderful! O Lord, I feele thy mercy, and I am assured of thy love; and so certaine am I thereof, as thou art the God of truth, even so sure do I know my self to be thine, and this my soul knoweth right well, and this my soul knoweth right well: O blessed be the Lord, O blessed be the Lord, that hath thus comforted me! O the joy, the joy, the delightsome joy that I feele! O praise the Lord for his mercies, and for this joy which my soul feeleth full well: Praise his Name for evermore. See her life and death in my second Part.
Mr. Peacock a biessed servant of God, being in horrour of conscience, recounting some smaller sinnes, burst out into these words: And for these now (saith he) I feele an hell in my conscience; and afterwards groaning most pitiously, he cried out, O me pitious wretch! Oh mine heart is miserable! Oh, oh, miserable, and wofull! the burthen of my sinne lieth so heavie upon me, I doubt it will break my heart: Oh how wofull and miserable is my state, that thus must converse with hell-hounds! Being asked whether he would pray? he answered, I cannot: then they said, Let us pray for you: Take not (replied he) the Name of God in vain by praying for a reprobate; but after a while this tempest of temptation being over: Truly (said he) my heart and soul hath been farre led, and deeply troubled with temptations, and many inconsiderate speeches have flowed from me in the same, for which I humbly and heartily aske mercy of God: I now finde that the Sea is not more full of water, nor the Sunne of light, then the Lord of mercy, yea his mercies are ten thousand times more; what great cause have I to magnifie the goodnesse of God, that hath humbled, nay rather exalted such a wretched miscreant, and of so base a condition, to an estate so glorious and stately? the Lord hath honoured me with his goodnesse: I am sure he hath provided a glorious Kingdom for me: The joy that I feele in my heart is incredible. Bolton.
Mr. Robert Glover was so worne and consumed by the space of five yeares, that neither almost any brooking of meate, quietnesse of sleepe, pleasure of life, yea, and almost no kinde of sense was left in him; upon the apprehension of some backsliding: he was so perplexed, that if he had been almost in the pit of hell, he could have despaired no more of his salvation; in which condition although he neither had, nor could have any joy of his meat, yet he did eate against his appetite, to deferre the time of his damnation so long as he might: thinking that he must needs be thrown into hell, so soon as the breath should depart out of his body: yet the Lord, who graciously preserved him all that while, not onelyonly at last did rid him out of all discomfort, but also framed him thereby to such mortification of life, as the like hath seldome been seen; in such sort as he being like one already placed in heaven, and dead in this world, both in word and meditation, led a life altogether celestial, abhorring in his minde all profane doings. Act. & Mon.
Mr. John Holland a faithfull Minister of Gods Word, the day before his death calling for a Bible, continued his meditation, and exposition upon the 8. to the Rom. for the space of two hours; but on a sudden he said, O stay your reading, what brightnesse is this I see? have you light up any candles? A stander by said, No, it is the Sunshine (for it was about five a clock in a clear Summers evening:) Sun-shine? saith he, Nay, it is my Saviours-shine: now farewell world: welcome heaven: the day-star from on high hath visited my heart: O speak it when I am gone, and preach it at my Funeral: God dealeth familiarly with man, I feele his mercy, I see his Majesty, whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God he knoweth: But I see things that are unutterable. And being thus ravished in his spirit, he roamed towards heaven, with a chearful look, and soft sweet voice; but what he said was not understood: with the Sunne in the morning following, raising himself, as Jacob did upon his staffe, he shut up his blessed life with these blessed words: O what an happy change shall I make from night to day, from darknesse to light, from death to life, from sorrow to solace, from a factious world, to an heavenly being? Oh my dear brethren, sisters and friends! it pitieth me to leave you behinde: yet remember my death when I am gone, and what I now feele, I hope you shall feele ere you die, that God doth, and will deale familiarly with men; and now thou fiery Chariot, that cam'st down to fetch up Elijah, carry me to my happy hold: and all you blessed Angels that attended the soul of Lazarus to bring it to Heaven, bear me, Oh bear me into the bosome of my best beloved. Amen, Amen; Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly: And so he fell asleep. Leigh.
Luther, who had the Devill, the Popes, the Emperour, and almost all the Christian World against him; both by open force, and secret fraud, seeking his destruction; yet the Lord miraculously preserved him for the space of about thirty years, in despite of them all: and at last he died in peace in his bed; at which time he made this heavenly Prayer; My heavenly Father, Eternall, and Mercifull God, thou hast manifested unto me thy deare Son, our Lord Iesus Christ: I have taught him, I have known him, I love him as my Life, my health, and my Redemption; whom the wicked have injured, persecuted, maligned, and afflicted: Draw my soule unto thee; for though I must lay down this frail body, yet I certainly know that I shall live with thee eternally, and that I cannot be taken out of thy hands. I commend my spirit into thy hands, thou hast redeem'd it, O Lord God of truth; God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that all that believe in him should have life everlasting; which he repeated thrice; and so as one falling asleep without any bodily pain that could be discerned, he departed this life, 1546. See his life in my first part.
Mr. Bolton upon his death-bed speaking to his Children, told them, That he verily believed that none of them durst thinke to meet him at the great Tribunall in an unregenerate state: and to some of his Parishioners, desiring him, that as he had by his doctrine discovered unto them the exceeding comforts that were in Christ; so he would now tell them what he felt in his soul: he answered, To give you satisfaction, though I want breath to speake, I am by the wonderfull mercies of Christ as full of comfort as my heart can hold, and feels nothing in my soule but Christ, with whom I heartily desire to be. See his life in my first part.
Zuinglius being slaine by his Popish enemies, they cut his body into foure peeces, and then burnt it in the fire: but three dayes after, some of his friends coming to the place, found his heart in the ashes whole, and untouched with the fire. The like also was observed of Bishop Cramner, See his life in my first part. Henry
Henry Voes, and John Esch when they came to be burnt for the truth of the Gospell, joyfully embraced the stake, continuing singing of Psalms; and when the fire was kindled at their feet, one of them said, Me thinks you do strew Roses under my feet. See my General Martyrology.
George Scherter being for Religion condemned first to be beheaded, and then burnt; he told the people that he would give them a signe that he died a true Christian; and when his head was cut off, his body falling upon the belly, lay still whilest one might leasurely eate an Egge, and then turned it selfe softly upon the back, and crossed the right leg, and right arme over the left, whereby many of the spectatours were induced to believe the Gospel. Act. & Mon.
Two godly Virgins in Flanders being condemned to be burnt, and had the sentence accordingly executed: yet could not the Executioners by any means consume their bodies with fire, but still they remained white, and unhurt. Act. & Mon.
Domicillus being condemned to be burnt for Religion, when he was at the stake, and the fire kindled, the winde so drove away the flame, that he continued by the space of an houre untouched by it, exhorting and instructing the people that stood by: whereupon they brought more wood, and vessels of Oile, yet neither could he therewith be burnt; which the executioner seeing, struck at his head with a staffe: to whom the holy Martyr said, I am condemned to be burned, and do you beat me with staves? with that the Hangman thrust him through the belly, and guts with his Pike, and so slew him. Act. & Mon.
Bergerius at Lyons in France, being accused and apprehended for Religion, was cast into a loathsome dungeon, wherein was a thief, who had laine there by the space of seven or eight moneths, who by reason of his paine and torment blasphemed God, and cursed his parents that begat him, being almost eaten up with Lice, and fed with such bread as Dogs and Horses refused to eate: but through the preaching and prayers of Bergerius, he was brought to repentance: of which he wrote a sweet letter to some of his friends, wherein he declared that the next day after he had embraced the Gospel, his Lice which before did so abound, were all gone, not one remaining: and that God so stirred up the hearts of good people to pity, and provide for him, that he was fed with white bread, and wholesome food. Act. & Mon.
Fanius, who was burnt for Religion in the City of Ferrara in Italy; all the time of his burning, a most fragrant, and odoriferous smell came to all that were present, and so pleased their senses, that they were much refreshed thereby. Act. & Mon.
One Laremouth, alias Williamson, Chaplaine to the Lady Anne of Cleave, a Scotchman, being imprisoned for the true Religion, he heard a voice, saying to him, Arise, and go thy wayes; whereto when he gave no great heed at first: the second time it was so said: upon this as he fell to prayer, it was said to him the third time likewise, which was about halfe an hour after: whereupon he rising up, immediately part of the prison-wall fell down: And as the Officers came in at the outward gate of the prison, he leaping over the ditch escaped: And in the way meeting a begger, changed his coat with him, and coming to the Seashoare, he found a vessell ready to go over, into which he entered, and escaped. Act. & Mon.
In the massacre of Paris, one Merline a godly Minister flying, and hiding himself in an Hay mow, was nourished for a fortnight together by an Hen, which constantly came, and layed an Egge by him every day during all that time. Act. & Mon.
Since the beginning of these Civill wars, 40. honest men in Cornewall were condemned to be hanged, by Sir Richard Greenvile for not assisting him against the Parliament; and when they came to be executed, the sixt man brake a new halter, wherewith he should have been hanged, and after that another, and after that two others twisted together, which miracle of Gods mercy did so astonish the adversaries, that they let him and all the rest depart in safety.
At that time when P. Rupert plunderd the town of Bolton in Lancashire; amongst others that were cruelly slaine by his party, there was one William Isherwood, and his wife both slain; & Felice their daughter being then eleven weeks old, lay pitifully crying at the breast of her dead mother: But and it pleased God that an old woman, the wife of one Ralph Holme of the same towne, aged above seventy yeares, who had not given suck above twentie yeares before, seeing and hearing the childe, compassioned, & took it up, and having neither food for her self, nor for the infant in that commō calamity, to still the child laid it to her breast: and behold the goodness of God, who provides for the young ravens that cry! the childe sucking, milke came into her breasts, wherewith she nourished it to the admiration, and astonishment of all beholders. This is attested by three godly Ministers, and divers others of good credit who were eye-witnesses of the same.
St. Augustine being to visit, and instruct the people of a certaine place, and having a guide to direct th… way, and conduct him thither, did notwithstanding, by Gods especiall providence, mistake the common and usuall road, and ignorantly fell into a by-path, whereby he escaped the bloody hands of some Donatists (who knowing of his journey) way-laid him, to have taken away his life. Possidonius in vit. ejus. See his Life in my first part.
The same Father, preaching to the Congregation, and forgetting the argument which at first he proposed, fell upon a confutation of the errours of the Manichees, which he never intended, and by that meanes converted one Firmus his auditor, who afterwards came, and fell downe at St. Augustines feet; weeping, and confessing that he had lived a Manichee many yeares, and now by Gods mercy, and this Sermon was converted to the true Catholick belief. eodem.
A godly man passing through his last sicknesse, whereof he died with extraordinary calmnesse of conscience, and absolute freedome from temptations: some of his Christian friends observing, and admiring the singularity of his soules quiet, at that time especially, questioned with him about it: He answered, that he had sted fastly fixed his heart upon that sweetest promise, Esa. 26. 3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose minde is stayed on thee: because h… trusteth in thee. And his God had graciously made it fully good unto his soul. Bolton.
Thomas Whittel a blessed Martyr in Queen Maries dayes, was by the wicked suggestions of some Popish incarnate Devills, drawn to subscribe to their hellish Doctrine: But considering in cold blood, what he had done, was horribly vexed, and felt a hell in his conscience and Satan ready to devoure him: which terrible desertion and trouble of minde, made him quickly returne with more constancy and fortitude, and afterwards by Gods great mercy, he proved a most invincible and immoveable Martyr. Act. and Mon.
James Bainhā being at the stake, in the middest of the flaming fire, his legs, and his arms being half consumed, spake these words; O ye Papists; behold, ye look for miracles: and here now you may see one, for in this fire I feele no more paine then if I were in a bed of down: but it is to me as a bed of Roses. Act. and Mon.
Iohn Lambert as he was burning in Smithfield, when his legges were quite consumed with the fire, lifted up his hands, his fingers ends flaming like Torches, and his heart abounding with comfort, cried out, None but Christ, none but Christ. Act. and Mon.
A young man in Wittenberg being kept short by his father, was tempted by the Devill to yeeld himselfe body and soule to him upon condition to have his wish satisfied with money; which he assented unto, and confirmed it by an obligation written with his owne blood; whereupon suddenly decaying in his health, he was brought to Luther to be examined about the cause, unto whom at length he uttered the whole matter; which when Luther had heard, he brought him into the Congregation, where, together with the Church, he prayed so fervently for him, that the Devill at last was forced to bring the bond, and throw it in at the window, bidding the young man to take it again unto him. Act. and Mon.
About the yeare 1556. in the town of Weissenstein in Germany, a Jew, for theft that he had committed, was condemned in this cruell manner to be executed. He was hanged by the feet with his head downwards betwixt two dogs, which constantly snatcht, and bit at him: The strangenesse of the torment moved Jacobus Andreas (a grave, and learned Divine) to go to behold it: Coming thither, he found the poor wretch as he hung, repeating verses out of the Hebrew Psalms, wherein he cryed out to God for mercy: Andreas hereupon took occasion to counsell him to trust in Jesus Christ the true Saviour of mankinde: The Jew embracing the the Christian faith, requested but this one thing, that he might be taken downe, and be Baptized, though presently after he were hanged again (but by the neck, as Christian malefactors suffered) which was accordingly granted to him: Mel. Adam. in vit. Ja. Andr. p. 639.
One who had accused the Apostle Saint Iames the brother of Iohn, when he saw that he was condemned, and led to execution, was so pricked in conscience, that of his own accord he confessed himselfe to be a Christian, and so they were both led forth together to be executed: As they were in the way, he desired Saint Iames to forgive him that which he had done, who after that he had paused a little upon the mater, turned to him, and said; Peace be unto thee, brother, and kissed him, and so both were beheaded together. Euseb.
Potamiaena a young and beautifull Virgin, being condemned to death for that she was a Christian, and delivered to a captaine called Basilides, who stayed the insolence of the people, which followed her to the place of execution; she thereupon prayed for his conversion, and was heard of God, so that he became a Christian, and suffered martyrdome also, Act: and Mon.
William Hunter being at the stake ready to be burnt for Christs cause, lifting up his hands, and eyes to heaven, cryed, Sonne of God shine upon me: and immediately the Sunne out of a dark cloud shone so full in his face, that he was constrained to looke another way, whereat the standers by much mused, because it was so dark a little before. Act. and Mon.
Robert Smith a godly Martyr being at the stake ready to be burned, exhorted the people to thinke well of his cause, not doubting but that his body dying in that quarrell, should rise againe to life: and told them that God would shew them some token thereof; and accordingly when he was halfe burnt, all black with fire, and clustered together on a lump like a black coale, all men thinking him dead, suddenly rose upright, lifting up the stumps of his armes, and clapping the same together, declaring a rejoycing heart, and so bending downe again, he slept in the Lord. Act. and Mon.
Mr. Robert Glover a godly Martyr, a little before his death had lost the sense of Gods favour, and the comforts of his Spirit, whereby he was in much heavinesse, and made great moane; but when he came within the sight of the stake whereat he was to suffer, suddenly he was so mightily replenished with Gods holy comfort, and heavenly joyes, that he cryed out, clapping his hands, He is come, he is come, and so dyed most cheerfully. Act. and Mon.
Three godly men being condemned to be burned, when they were at the stake, & the chaine about them, one of them slipped out, and went apart from the rest, whereupon there was great fear lest he would have recanted: but the reason was, because he felt not the comforts of Christ in his soul, which made him pray earnestly, and vehemently to the Lord, who at last sent him comfort; whereupon he arose with great joy, saying, now I thank God I am strong; and passe not what man can do unto me and so returning to his fellowes, they all suffered joyfully: Act. and Mon.
The Cardinall of Loraine, a principall pillar of the house of Guise, and a crafty, and cruell persecutor of Gods people, coming from Rome with a purpose to stirre up the Kings of France, and Polonia, utterly to root out the Christian assemblies, the Lord wrought so wonderfully for his peoples safety, that by the way he fell mad at Avignion, and died in the flower of his youth; at the instant of whose death there happened such an horrible tempest in the aire, that all stood amazed at it. Act. and Mon.
Archbishop Cramner by the wilely subtilties and large promises of the Papists being drawn to subscribe to a recantation, afterwards by Gods great mercies recovered againe, and when he was at the stake to be burned, as soone as the fire was kindled, he stretched out his hand wherewith he had subscribed, and held it so stedfast and unmoveable (saving that once he wiped his face with it) that all men saw his hand burned before his body was touched: He also abid burning with such constancy and stedfastnesse, that alwayes standing in one place, his body moved no more then the stake to which he was bound. Act. and Mon.
He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength.
They that waite upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walke and not faint,
Esa. 40. 29. 31.