Chapter IV: Part 4

Immediately after this Historie, he putteth an other more worthie memorie than the foremost. =Lodouicus= father to =Alodisius=, ruler of _Immola_, not long after he died, appeared vnto a Secretarie, whom =Ludouicus= had sente to _Ferraria_, as he was on his iourney, riding on a horse with a Hauke on his fist, as he was wonte when he liued, and willed the Secretarie (albeit wonderfully afraid) to bid his Sonne the nexte day to repaire vnto the same place, for he had matter of greate importance to declare vnto him. Which when =Lodouicus= heard, partly because he could not beléeue it, partly for that he doubted some body laye in waight for him, he sent an other to answere in his roome. With whome the same soule méeting as it did before, lamented very much that his Sonne was not come thither, for if he had so doone, he saide, he would haue opened many other things vnto him. But as then he willed the messenger to tell him, that twentie two yeares, one month and one day being passed, he should loose the rule and gouernment whiche he nowe possessed. As soone as the time foreshewed by the ghost was expired, albeit he were very circumspect and careful, yet the same night, the souldiours of =Philip= Duke of _Millen_, with whom he was in league & therfore stood came ouer the ditches hard frozen with Ice vnto the walles, and raising vp ladders, tooke both Citie and Prince togither.

[Sidenote: Melancthons Aunt.]

=Phillip Melancthon=, writeth in his booke _De anima_, that he himselfe hath séene some Spirits, and yͭ he hath knowne many men of good credit, which haue auouched not only to haue séene ghostes themselues, but also that they haue talked a great while with them. In his booke which he intituleth _Examen Theologicum_, he rehearseth this historie. Which was, that he had an aunt, who as she sat very heauily by the fire, after her husband was dead, two men came into her house, whereof the one being very like, said he was her husband deceased, the other being verie tall, had the shape of a =Franciscan= Friar. This that séemed to be the husband, came neare the chimney saluting his heauy wife, bidding her not to be afraide, for (as he said) he came to commaund her certaine things: then he bid the long Monke to go aside a while into the stoue hard by. And there beginning his talke, after many words, at the last be earnestly beséecheth, and most hartily desireth her, to hire a Priest to say Masse for his soule, and so being readie to depart, he biddeth her giue him her right hand: which thing (she being sore afraide) abhorring to doo, after he had faithfully promised she should haue no harme, she giueth her hand, which albeit indeed it had no hurt, yet did it séeme to be so scorched, that euer after it remained blacke. This being done, he calleth foorth the =Franciscan=, and hastily going forth togither, they vanish away. =Ioannes Manlius=, in his collectanies of Common places, writeth concerning other spirites which he and other men also did sée, the first tome in the Chapter _De malis spiritibus & ipsorum operibus_, and also in the Chapter _De satisfactione_.

[Sidenote: Ludouicus Viues.]

=Ludouicus Viues=, saith in his first booke _De veritate fides_, that in the new world lately found out, there is nothing more common, than not only in the night time, but also at noone in the midday, to sée spirits apparantly, in the Cities and fieldes, which speake, commaund, forbid, assault men, feare and strike them. The very same do other report which describe those nauigations of the great Ocean.

[Sidenote: Hieronimus Cardanus.]

=Hieronimus Cardanus= of _Millen_, excellently séene in Philosophie & Phisicke, remembreth a great many of these apparitions, in his booke _De subtilitate, & varietate rerum_: which who so listeth to reade, I referre him to his bookes, for I am desirous to be bréefe.

[Sidenote: Olaus.]

=Olaus Magnus=, Archbishop of _Vpsalia_ in _Sueueland_, declareth in his history _De Gentibus Septentrionalibus_, the second booke and third chap. that spirits appeare in _Iseland_, in the shape & likenesse of such, as men are acquainted withal: whom the inhabitants take by the hand in stead of their acquaintance, before they haue heard any word of those their acquaintāce death, whose similitude and likenesse they take on them, neither do they vnderstand that they are deceiued, before they shrinke and vanish away. These things haue I brought togither both out of the olde and also new writers, that it might plainly appeare, that spirites do oftentimes walke and shewe themselues vnto men.

CHAP. XVI.

Daily experience teach vs, that spirits do appeare to men.

To all the premisses before handled, this also is to be added, which no man can deny, but that many honest and credible persons of both kindes, as well men as women, of whome some are liuing, and some already departed, which haue and do affirme, that they haue sometimes in the day, and sometimes in the night séene and heard spirits. Some man walketh alone in his house, and behold a spirit appeareth in his sight, yea and sometimes the dogs also perceiue them, and fal down at their masters féet, and wil by no means depart fro them, for they are sore afraid themselues too. Some man goeth to bed, and laieth him downe to rest, and by and by there is some thing pinching him, or pulling off the clothes: sometimes it sitteth on him, or lieth downe in the bed with him: and many times it walketh vp and downe in the Chamber. There haue bene many times men séene, walking on foote, or riding on horseback, being of a fierie shape, knowne vnto diuers men, & such as died not long before. And it hath come to passe likewise, that some eyther slaine in the warres, or otherwise deade naturally, haue called vnto their acquaintance béeing aliue, and haue bene knowne by their voice.

[Sidenote: Spirites requiring helpe.]

Many times in the night season, there haue béene certaine spirits heard softly going, or spitting, or groning, who being asked what they were, haue made aunswere that they were the soules of this or that man, and that they nowe endure extreame tormentes. If by chaunce any man did aske of them, by what meanes they might be deliuered out of those tortures, they haue aunswered, that in case a certaine number of Masses were soong for them, or Pilgrimages vowed to some Saintes, or some other such like déedes doone for their sake, that then surely they shoulde be deliuered. Afterwardes appearing in greate light and glorie, they haue said that they were deliuered, and haue therefore rendred greate thankes to their good benefactours, and haue in like manner promised, that they will make intercession to God and our Ladye for them. And hereby it may be well proued, that they were not alwayes Priestes, or other bolde and wicked men, which haue fayned themselues to be soules of men deceased, as I haue before saide: in so much that euen in those mennes chambers when they haue bene shut, there haue appeared such things, when they haue with a candle diligently searched before, whither any thing haue lurked in some corner or no. Many vse at this day to search and sifte euery corner of the house before they go to bed, that they may sléepe more soundly: & yet neuerthelesse, they heare some scriking out, and making a lamētable noise, &c.

It hath many times chanced, that those of the house haue verily thought, that some body hath ouerthrowne the pots, platters, tables and trenchers, and tumbled them downe the staires: but after it waxed day, they haue founde all things orderly set in their places againe.

It is reported, that some spirits haue throwne the doore off from the hookes, and haue troubled and set all things in the house out of order, neuer setting them in their due place againe, and that they haue maruellously disquieted men with rumbling and making a great noyse.

Sometimes there is heard a great noyse in Abbeis, and in other solitarie places, as if it were Coopers hooping and stopping vp wine vessels, or some other handicraftes men occupied about their labour, when it is most certaine, that all in the house are gone to bedde, and haue betaken themselues to rest.

[Sidenote: Builders hear spirits in the night.]

When houses are in building, the neighbours many times heare the Carpenters, Masons, and other Artificers handling all things in such sort, as if they were busily labouring in the day time. And this straunge wonder is ioyfully receiued as a sure token of good lucke.

There be some which iudge it commeth to passe naturally, that we suppose we heare these things in the night, which we heard before in the day time. Which question I leaue to be discussed of better learned than my selfe.

[Sidenote: Diuels are in Mines.]

Pioners or diggers for mettal, do affirme, that in many mines, there appeare straunge shapes and spirites, who are apparrelled like vnto other labourers in the pit. These wander vp and down in caues and vnderminings, and séem to besturre themselues in all kinde of labour, as to dig after the veine, to carry togither oare, to put it into baskets, and to turne the winding whéele to drawe it vp, when in very déed they do nothing lesse. They very sildome hurt the labourers (as they say) except they prouoke them by laughing and rayling at them: for then they threw grauel stones at them, or hurt them by some other means. These are especially haunting in pittes, where mettall moste aboundeth.

A certain godly and learned man wrote once vnto me, of a siluer mine at =Douosium= in the _Alpes_, vpon the which =Peter Buol= a noble man, the Schultish of the same place, (whom they call =Landammanus=,) had bestowed great cost a fewe yeres before, and had gathered therby good store of riches. In the same myne was a spirite or Diuell of the mountaine, who when the laborers filled the stuffe they had digged into their vessels, he seemed, for the most parte, euery Fridaye, to be very busie, pouring the mettals of his owne accord out of one basket into an other. Wherewith the Schultish was not offended: and when he would eyther descende into the pit, or come vp againe, blessing himselfe with the signe of the Crosse, he neuer receiued hurt. It chaunced on a time that while the saide spirit was too busie intermedling himselfe with euery thing, one of the miners being offended therewith, began to raile at him very bitterly, and with terrible cursing words, bid him get him thence in the diuels name. But the spirit caught him by the pate, and so writhed his necke about, that his face stoode behinde his backe, yet notwithstanding he was not slaine, but liued a long time after, well knowne vnto diuers of his familiar friends, which yet liue at this day, howbeit he died within a fewe yeares after.

[Sidenote: Agricola.]

=Georgius Agricola=, whose learned workes which he wrote of mettalles, be yet extant in the end of his booke of creatures liuing vnder the earth, he maketh two kindes of Diuels haunting in certayne Mynes abroade. For hée saith, there are some cruell and terrible to behold: which for the moste parte, doo very much annoy and hurt the labourers digging for mettall.

Suche a one was hée which was called =Annebergius=, who only with his breath, destroyed aboue 12. labourers at once, in the Caue called =Corona Rosacea=. The wind wherwith he slewe them, he let flée out of his mouth: for he appeared in the similitude and likenesse of an horse.

Such an other was =Snebergius=, who wearing a blacke roll about his necke, tooke vp a labourer aloft from the ground, and set him in the brinke of a certaine exceeding déepe place, where had sometime bene great store of siluer, not without gréeuous brusing of his bodie.

And againe he saith, there be some very milde and gentle, whom some of the =Germanes= call =Cobali=, as the =Grecians= do, because they be as it were apes and counterfeiters of men: for they leaping and skipping for ioy do laugh, and séeme as though they did many things, when in very déed they do nothing. And som other call them elues, or dwarfes of the Mountaines, thereby noting their small stature, wherein they commonly appeare. They séeme to be hoare, wearing apparell like the mettall Finers, that is, in a peticoate laced, and an aperne of leather about their loynes. These hurt not the labourers, except they misuse them, but do imitate them in all their doings. And he saith, they are not much vnlike vnto those whom the =Germanes= call =Guteli=, because they séeme to beare good affection towards men, for they kéep horses, and do other necessary businesse. They are also like vnto them whom they call =Trulli=, who taking on them the feined shapes of men and women, do serue as it is sayd, like seruants, both amongst other nations, and specially amongst the =Suetians=.

Touching these spirits haunting Mines of mettal, there is somewhat to be read in =Olaus Magnus de Gentibus Septentrionalibus=, the sixt booke and tenth Chapter.

[Sidenote: VVhich are people that eate and deuoure men.]

They which saile on the great Ocean sea, make report, that in certaine places, where the =Anthropophagi= do inhabit, are many spirits, which doo the people there very much harme.

Here many straunge things might be brought concerning visions appearing vnto men in their sléepe: and also of them, which being in a traunce, haue lyen a whole day and more without mouing, lyke vnto dead men: and after being restored to themselues againe, haue told many miraculous things which they haue séene.

[Sidenote: Cicero.]

[Sidenote: Augustine.]

=Cicero= writeth of maruellous things in his booke of diuination, or soothsaying. And so do many other men also. Augustine himselfe reciteth in many places of his bookes, that some after they were dead, haue warned many their friends of diuers matters, and haue disclosed vnto them secrete things, which were to come, and haue shewed sicke folkes good remedies for their diseases, and haue done many such like things.

[Sidenote: Marsilius.]

=Auenzoar Albumato=, a Phisitian of _Arabia_, writeth, that he receiued an excellent medicine for his sore eyes, of a Phisitian lately deceased, appearing vnto him in his sléep: as =Marcilius Ficinus= doth testifie, writing of the immortalitie of the soule. =Lib. 16. cap. 5.=

[Sidenote: _Mat.1.& 2._]

The holy Scriptures also teach vs, that God hath reuealed many things vnto men by dreames. =S. Mathew= in his first and second chapter writeth, that the Angell of God appeared many times vnto =Ioseph=, our Sauiour Christes foster father in a dreame, and commaunded him to beware of those which laie in wayt to destroy Christ Iesus.

[Sidenote: _Acts._]

We reade in the tenth Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, that S. =Peter= fell into a traunce, sawe the heauens open, and sawe a vessell, as it were a great shéete, descend downe vnto him from heauen, knit togither at the foure corners, wherein were all maner of foure footed beastes of the earth, and wilde beasts, and créeping things, and foules of the heauen. And there came a voyce vnto him: Rise =Peter=, kill and eate.

[Sidenote: _Acts 16._]

And in the 16. Chapter, as S. =Paul= was yet in _Asia_, comming downe towardes _Troada_, this vision appeared vnto him: There stoode a man of _Macedonia_ and prayed him, saying: Come into _Macedonia_ and helpe vs. Hereby =Paule= gathered, it was the will of God, that he should passe the sea, and should preach the Gospell in _Macedonia_.

But I purpose not to write of spirites and visions appearing vnto men in their sléepe, least my Booke grow vnto an huge volume: but only of those which we sensibly sée when we are awake.

CHAP. XVII.

That there happen straunge wonders and prognostications,
and that sodein noyses and cracks and such like, are
heard before the death of men, before battaile, and
before some notable alterations and chaunges.

It hapneth many times, that whē men lie sicke of some deadly disease, there is some thing heard going in the chamber, like as the sicke men were wont, when they were in good health: yea & the sicke parties themselues, do many times hear the same, and by and by gesse what will come to passe. Oftentimes a litle before they yéeld vp yͤ ghost, and sometime a litle after their death, or a good while after, either their own shapes, or som other shadowes of men, are apparantly séen. And diuers times it commeth to passe, that when some of our acquaintaunce or friends lie a dying, albeit they are many miles off, yet there are some great stirrings or noises heard. Sometimes we think yͤ house wil fal on our heads, or yͭ some massy & waightie thing falleth down throughout all yͤ house, rendring and making a disordered noise: and shortly within fewe moneths after, we vnderstand that those things happened, the very same house yͭ our friends departed in. There be some men, of whose stock none doth die, but that they obserue and marke some signes and tokens going before: as that they heare the doores and windowes open and shut, that some things runneth vp the staires, or walketh vp and downe the house, or doth some one or other such like thing.

But here I cannot passe this in silence: that there are many superstitious mē, which vainly persuade themselues that this cousin, and this or that friend of theirs will shortly die. For in the end, the falling out of the matter it selfe, sheweth it was a vaine and foolish persuasion, that they vnderstood such things by any signes.

[Sidenote: Cardanus.]

=Cardanus= in his booke _De veritate rerum_, writeth, that there was a certaine noble Familie at _Parma_ in _Italy_, out of the which so often as any one died, there was séene an olde woman in the chimney corner. On a certaine time shée appeared, when a mayden of the same family laie very sick, and therfore they cleane dispaired of her life: but soone after she recouered again, and in the meane while, an other, which was then in good health, sodainly died.

There was a certaine parish priest, a very honest and godly man, whome I knew well, who in the plague time, could tell before hand, when any of his parish should die. For in the night time he heard a noyse ouer his bed, lyke as if one had throwne downe a sacke full of corne from his shoulders: which when he heard, he would say: Now an other biddeth me farewell. After it was day, he vsed to inquire who died that night, or who was takē with yͤ plague, to the ende he might comfort and strengthen them, according to the dutie of a good pastor.

It hath bin often obserued in Guilde Halles where Aldermen sit, that when one of those Aldermen was at the point of death, there was heard some ratling about his seate, or some other certaine signe of death. The same thing happeneth beside pewes and stalles in Churches, or in other places where men are often conuersaunt, or accustomed to exercise their handie labour.

In Abbies, the Monkes seruants or any other falling sicke, many haue heard in the night, preparation of chestes for them, in such sort as the Coffin-makers did afterwards prepare in déed.

In some country villages, when one is at deaths doore, many times there are some heard in the Euening, or in the night, digging a graue in the Churchyard, and the same the next day is so founde digged, as these men did heare before.

There haue bin séene some in the night when the Moone shined, going solemnely with the corpes, according to the custome of the people, or standing before the doores, as if some bodie were to bee carried to the Church to burying. Many suppose, they sée their owne image, or as they say, their owne soule, and of them diuers are verily perswaded, that except they die shortly after they haue séen themselues, they shall liue a very great time after. But these things are superstitious. Let euery man so prepare himselfe, as it he should die to morrow, least by being too secure, he purchase himselfe harme.

There happen other straunge things also. For when some lye in the prison in chaines, readie to suffer punishment for their offences, many times in the night season, there is heard a great noyse and rumbling, as if some bodie were breaking into yͤ gaile to deliuer the prisoners. When men come to vnderstand the matter, they can neither hear, nor sée any bodie, and the prisoners likewise say they heard no maner thing.

Some executioners or hangmen do report, that for the most part, they know before hand whether any man shall shortly bee deliuered into their handes to suffer: for their swordes will moue of their owne accord. And there are other that say, they can tell before, after what sort the prisoners shall suffer.

Many wonderfull and straunge things happen about those which wilfully cast away themselues. Somtime their corpses must be carried a great way off, before they being thrust in a sack can be throwne into the sea: and being laid in a waggon or cart, the horse could scant draw them downe the hill, but vp the hill they néed not labour at all, for the cart would runne very fast of his owne accord.

[Sidenote: De animorum immortalitate li.16.cap.5.]

[Sidenote: Virgil.]

Some men being slaine by théeues, when the théeues come to the dead bodie, by and by there gusheth out freshe blood, or else there is declaration by other tokens, that the théefe is there present. =Plato= writeth in the first booke of his lawes, that the soules of such as haue bene slaine, do oftentimes cruelly molest & trouble the soules of those which slew them. For which cause =Marsilius Fiscinus= doth thinke it chaunceth, that the wound of a man being slaine, while the carkasse lieth on the ground, doth send out blood against him, which wounded him, if he stand neare looking on his wound. Which thing both =Lucretius= affirmeth to come to passe, and also Iustices haue diligently obserued. =Dido= in =Virgil= thus threatneth =Aeneas=.

_And when the cold of death is come, and body voyd remaines, Each where my haunting spirit shall pursue thee to thy paines._

The like place is in =Horace= & in other Poets. As a théefe sitteth at the Table, a cuppe being ouerthrowne, the wine pearceth through the whole and sound wood of the Table, to all mens admiration.

Touching these and other such maruellous things, there might be many histories and testimonies alleaged. But whosoeuer readeth this booke, may call to their remembrance, that they haue séen these and such like things themselues, or that they haue heard them of their friendes and acquaintance, and of such as deserue sufficient credit.

[Sidenote: Suetonius.]

Before the alterations and chaunges of kingdomes and in the time of warres, seditions, and other dangerous seasons, ther most commōly happen very strange things in the aire, in yͤ earth, and amongst liuing creatures clean cōtrary to the vsuall course of nature. Which things men cal, wonders, signes, monsters, and forewarnings of matters to come. There are séene in the aire, swords, speares, & suche like, innumerable: there are heard and séene in the aire, or vppon the earth, whole armies of men encountring togither, and when one part is forced to flye, there is heard horrible cries, and great clattering of armour. Gunnes, launces and holberdes, with other kindes of weapons and artillerie, do often times moue of their owne accord as they lye in the armories. When as souldiers marche towards their enimies, and their ensignes will not displaie abroade but fold about the stander-bearers heads: if the souldiours be therewith amazed, they surely perswade themselues there is some great slaughter towardes. It is saide also, that horses will be very sad and heauie, and will not lette their masters sit on their backes, before they go to the battaile wherin they shall haue the ouerthrow: but when they are coragious and lustilie neighing, it is a sure token of victorie. =Suetonius= writeth, that the company of horses which =Iulius Cæsar= let run at libertie, neuer to be put to labour againe, did wéepe aboundantly when =Cæsar= was slaine.

When =Miltiades= addressed his people against the _Persians_, there were heard tirrible noyses before the battaile, and certaine spirits were séene, which the =Athenians= afterwards affirmed to be the shaddowe of =Pan=, who cast suche a feare on the _Persians_, that they turned their backs and fled. Thereof =Terrores Panici= tooke their name, being spoken of sodayn feares vnlooked for, and terrours, suche as =Lymphatici= metus are, which driue men out of their wits being taken therewith.

[Sidenote: Cicero de diuinatione.]

Before the _Lacedemonians_ were ouerthrowne in yͤ battaile at =Leuctris=, the armour moued, & made a great noise in the temple of _Hestor_. At the same time the doores of =Hercules= temple at =Thebes= being fast shut with barres, opened sodainly of their owne accord: and the weapons and armour which hoong fastned on the wall, were found lying vppon the grounde. These things are to be read in =Cicero= his first booke =De diuinatione=.

[Sidenote: Liuie.]

In the second warres of _Carthage_, the standerd-bearer of the first battaile of pikemen, could not remoue his ensigne out of his place, neither yet whē many came to helpe, they could any thing preuayle. These and suche other signes of euill lucke, =Caius Flaminius= the Consull, nothing regarded, but soone after his army was discomfited, and he himselfe slaine. Concerning which matter, =Titus Liuius= writeth at large. In the beginning of the warres waged with the people called =Marsi=, there was heard out of secrete places, certaine voyces, and noyse of harnesse, which foreshewed the daunger of the warres to come.

[Sidenote: Plinie.]

=Plinie= writeth in his.2.booke and 59.chapter, that in the warres with the _Danes_, and many times before, there was heard the clashing of armour, and the sound of trumpets out of Heauen.

[Sidenote: Appianus.]

=Appianus= declareth what signes and wonders went before the ciuill warres at _Rome_: what miserable cries of men clashing of armour, and running of horses were heard, no man séeing any thing.

[Sidenote: Valeri. Max.li.1.cap.6.]

=Valerius Maximus= in his firste booke and 6.chapter of straunge wonders, writeth how =Cneius Pompeius= had warning before, not to fight the fielde with =Iulius Cesar= for as he launced off, at =Dirrachium=, his souldiours were taken with a sodayne feare: and in the night likewise before the battaile, their hearts and courages sodainly failed them. And after, the same author addeth that which =Cesar= himselfe rehearseth in his 3.booke =De bello ciuili=: how that the very same day wherin =Cesar= fought his fortunate battaile, the crying of the armie, and the sound of trumpets was heard at _Antioche_ in _Syria_, so sensibly, that the whole citie ranne in armour to defend their walles. The very same thing he saith, happened at =Ptolemais=, and that at =Pergamus= in the most priuie and secret parts of the temple where none may enter, saue only priests, which place the _Grecians_ call ἄδυτα, there were heard the sound of drummes and timbrels.

[Sidenote: Castor and Pollux.]

[Sidenote: Plutarch.]

[Sidenote: Iosephus.]

The historiographers reporte, that =Castor= and =Pollux= haue béen often séene in battailes sitting on white horses, & valiantly fighting against yͤ enemies campe. =Plutarch= writeth in =Coriolanus= life, that they were séene in the battaile against =Tarquinius=, and that immediatly after, they bare tidings to _Rome_ of the victory. The selfe same writeth =Titus Liuius= also in his 8.booke of his first decade. We may reade in the history of the siege of the noble citie of _Magdeburge_ in _Saxonie_, that the enimie which laide siege to the towne, so often as the citizens issued out to skirmish with them, supposed that one vpō a white horse came riding before the citizens battaile, when as the citizens themselues sawe no such man. =Iosephus= in his bookes of the warres in _Iurie_, recordeth what straunge signes hapned before the destructiō of =Ierusalem=: which were, that a brasen gate being fast rampierd with barres, opened in the night time of his owne accord. And that before the Sunne set, there were séene chariots in the aire, and armies of men well furnished, enuironing the citie rounde about. And that at Whitsontide, as the priests entred the temple to celebrate diuine seruice, they heard a great noise, and by & by a voice crying =Migremus hinc=. Let vs depart hence. He reckeneth vp other like things, which we néede not repeate in this place. The same night that =Leo= of =Constantinople= was slayne in the temple, the trauellers by sea heard a voice in the aire which said: that =Leo= had roared out euen to the same place.

[Sidenote: Felix Malleolus.]

=Felix Malleolus= doctor of both yͤ lawes, master of =Solodor=, & canon at =Tigurū=, a mā of great reading, as it may easily apeare by his lerned writings which ar yet extāt. (For he liued about yͤ time whē yͤ Coūcell of =Basil= was holdē) writeth in his booke =de nobilitate=, =c.=30. yͭ it is to be séen in yͤ historie of =Rodulphus= king of the Romanes, that when the said =Rodulphus= had vanquished =Othotarus=, King of _Boemia_, continuing on the place all night, where the battell was fought, about midnight, certain Spirits or Deuils, with horrible noise and tumulte, troubled and disordered his whole armie. And that those were spirits walking by night, it appeared hereby, that they sodeynly vanished away like smoake.

The same Author writeth in his xxvi. chapter, That in the yeare of our Lord .1280. as one of the =Plebans= (as they call them) belonging to the churche of _Tigurine_ preached to the people, the graue stone of the tumbe or sepulchre of the two martires =Felix= and =Regula=, patrones of the same place, violently brake asunder, no man mouing or touching it, giuing a horrible sound like vnto thunder, so that the people were no lesse astonished and afraide, than if the vaute of the Churche had fallen downe. And he saith, that the same yeare, the third day of October, the greater part of the citie of =Tigurum= was brent with fire, and moreouer, that sedition was moued amongst the Citizens, for certaine Ecclesiastical disciplines, and for the Imperiall Banne (as they terme it.) In the yeare of our Lord .1440. the twelfe day of December, at yͤ dedication of the foresaid churche, about midnight, there was the like noise hearde, and immediatly after followed ciuill warres, which the _Tigurins_ held with vncertaine successe against the other =Heluetians=, for the space of seuen yeares and more.

The same writer in the .33. Chap. hath, that at the same time in the yeare of our Lorde .1444. before that valiaunt battaile, which a feawe =Heluetians= fought against the innumerable companie of =Lewes= Dolphin of =Fraunce=, fast by the wals of =Basill=, in the time of the generall Councell, there was hearde certaine nightes about those places, the alarme of Souldiours, the clattering of harneys, and the noyse of men encountring togither. &c.

Here I purposely omit many such like examples, for there are many bookes, both of auncient and also of newe writers, touching straunge signes and wonders, wherein these may be redde.

CHAP. XVIII.

It is proued by testimonies of holy scripture, that
spirites are sometime seene and heard, and that other
straunge matters do often chaunce.

[Sidenote: Luke 14.]

Yet perchaunce it will be obiected vnto vs, that we bring no testimony out of holy scripture, touching this matter: especially to proue, that Spirits do oftentimes appeare vnto men. I answer, that truth it is, There are fewe things hereof in the scriptures, and yet notwithstanding somewhat is to be redde in them. It is read in S. =Matthew= his fourtéenth Chapter, of Christs Disciples, that when in the night season, by reason of a contrary wind, they were in great danger of drowning in the lake of =Genazareth=, and that in the dawning of the day, the Lord walked on the water, they being afraide, cried out, supposing they sawe a Spirit. Hereof we gather, that they knew well inough, that Spirits appeared vnto men vpon sea and land.

Likewise when the Lord being risen from death, appeared vnto his Disciples, meaning to assure them of his resurrection, they thought at the first, that they sawe a Spirit. In the which place, Christ denieth not but there are Spirits and straunge sightes, and that they are sometimes séene, but he rather confirmeth the same by putting a difference betwéene himselfe, and Spirits of vaine apparitions. But as touching these two testimonies, we wil speak more in another place.

[Sidenote: 2.Samuel.]

It is a notable historie which we read in the seconde Booke of =Samuel= concerning =Saule=, who, at what time the Philistians warred vppon him, and that he was in verie great daunger of them, he came to a woman, who was a witch, and desired her to raise =Samuel= from death, that he might know his counsell touching the successe of the wars. She raised him vp one, whom =Saule= tooke to be =Samuel= indéede, who also tolde him what euente shoulde come of the warres. But whether hée were a true =Samuel= or a counterfait, wée will dispute the matter more at large in his conuenient place.

[Sidenote: 2.Samuel.]

[Sidenote: 1.Paral.14.]

As concerning other maruellous things, there is somewhat to be read in the Scriptures: In the seconde of =Samuel= & the fift chap. Also in the first of =Paralipomenon=, and the .xiiii. chap. we reade, that the Philistines went vp the seconde time into Iurie, to make warres on =Dauid=: Hée went vnto the Lord, and shewed him the matter, who commaunded him, that he shoulde embushe himselfe behinde the wood with his armie, and when he heard a rustling or noise in the toppes of the trées, he should immediatly sette vppon them. This sounde they say was a strange and supernaturall sound.

[Sidenote: 2.Reg.6.7.]

It is written in the second booke of the Kings the .vi. and vii. chapters, that God deliuered the citie of _Samaria_ from great famine, when it was fiercely besieged by =Benhadad= king of the _Assirians_, for in the night season their enemies did heare the noise of the chariots, the neighing of horsses, and shréeching of a huge armie, as it were in their owne pauillions and tentes, supposing therefore, that the kyng of Israel had gathered togither his footemen and horssemen, and had nowe sette vppon them, they soughte to saue themselues by flighte, leauing theyr victuall and other prouision behinde them in their tentes.

[Sidenote: 1.Samu.7.]

In the first of =Samuel= and the seuenth chapter, God caused a wonderfull greate noyse to sounde ouer the Philistians, and so destroyed them. I meane they were so affrighted with a kinde of straunge feare, that it was an easie matter to vanquish them.

[Sidenote: _Daniel_ 5.]

In the fifth Chapter of =Daniel= ye may reade, that king =Balthasar= in his roysting banquet, espied right against the candle, a hand writing vpon the wall what his end should be.

[Sidenote: 2. _Macha._ 3.]

It is redde in the third Chapter of the seconde of the =Machabees=, that there appeared a horsse vnto =Heliodorus=, seruant vnto =Seleucus= king of _Asia_, as he was about to destroy the temple of _Hierusalem_: and vpon the horsse séemed to sit a terrible man, which made towards him to ouerrun him. On eache side of him were two yoong men of excellent beautie, which with whippes scourged =Heliodorus=.

[Sidenote: 2. _Mach._ 10.]

[Sidenote: 2. _Mach._ 11.]

The second of the =Machabees= and tenth chapter, =Iudas Machabeus= encountred with his enemies, and when the battaile was hotte, there appeared vnto the enemy out of heauen, fiue men sitting on horses, rayned with notable bridles of gold, who ledde the Iewes hoste, and two of them defended =Machabeus= from all his enemies. And vnto =Machabeus= appeared a horsman in a shining garment, his armour all of gold, and shaking his speare. Whereby it was signified, that he should obtaine a notable and famous victorie. 2. =Macha.= 11.

I alleadge not these examples, for that I adiudge the bookes of =Machabees=, of as good authoritie as the Canonicall bookes of the new and old Testament: but only for that they are ioyned togither with them, and may be read of euery one: and they were alwaies read of the auncient people. For albeit they neuer went about to approue any doctrine by them, yet were they of great authoritie amōgst them.

CHAP. XIX.

To whome, when, where, and after what sort, Spirites do
appeare, and what they do worke.

By all these examples we may plainly perceiue, that many strange things are obiected to mens senses, and that sometimes Spirits are séene and heard, not only (as some haue thought, as =Plutark= witnesseth in the life of =Dion=) of children, women, sicke folkes, dottards, and otherwise very plain and simple creatures, but also to men of good courage, and such as haue bin perfectly in their wits. Yet it may not be denied but that there appeare many more vnto some, than vnto other some, as vnto trauellers, watch-men, hunters, carters, and marriners, who leade all their life not only in the day time, but also in night, in iourneying, in the water, woods, hills and vallies. You shall méete with some one who neuer sawe nor heard any of this geare in all his life time, and contrariwise, there be other some which haue séene and heard very many such like things.

So there are some which very sildom chance vpon Serpents, and againe, many there are which oftentimes méete with them in their iourney. The common people say, that those whose natiuities chance vpon the Angaries (for so they terme the foure seasons of the yeare) do sée more store of spirits, than those which are borne at other times, but these are méere trifles. Those which are stedfast in true faith, sée or heare such things more sildome than superstitious people, as in all other things. He that is superstitious, vseth some blessing (as they call it) to heale his Horsses disease, and it taketh good effect: he enchaunteth a Serpent, and it cannot once mooue out of the place. He applieth a blessing to staunche bléedyng, and it stoppeth presently: He taketh a hollie rod, or twisted wand inchanted, & it will moue where a mettle mine is: but he that is of a sounde fayth and doth despise these things, (for he knoweth well they are contrary to the word of God, and also to the Popes decrées) albeit perchaunce he practise such things, yet notwithstanding he can bring nothing to passe. And so also it chaunceth that he seeth spirites and vaine visions, a great deale more seldome than superstitious men do, for hée knoweth well what hée ought to déeme and iudge of them. There are some kinde of men, who thinke it a gay thing, if many such straunge sights appeare vnto them.

There were farre many more of these kindes of apparitions and myracles séene amongest vs, at such times as we were giuen vnto blindnesse and superstition, than since that the Gospell was purely preached amongest vs: the cause whereof I will shewe hereafter.

And moreouer it commeth oftentimes to passe, that some one man doth heare or sée some thing most plainly, when an other which standeth by him, or walketh with him, neyther seeth, nor heareth any such matter.

[Sidenote: Some men see things which other men see not.]

[Sidenote: _Actes_.9.]

[Sidenote: _Actes_.22.]

We reade in the historie of =Heliseus=, that he sawe chariottes of fire, and many horsmen vpon the toppe of the Mountaine: and yet his seruaunt sawe nothing vntill the Prophet prayed vnto the Lord, that he would vouchsafe for his confirmation and consolation, to open his eyes that he might also behold this notable miracle. So likewise we reade in the 9. chapter of the Actes of the Apostles, that Christ ouerthrew =Paule= before _Damascus_, and that he spake vnto him, and his companions also hearde the voice. Afterwardes in the 22. chapter, =Paule= himselfe shewing vnto the people in the presence of =Lycias=, in the Castle at _Hierusalem_, what had happened vnto them, saith that they heard not the voice of him that talked with him: which two places are not repugnant, for the meaning is, that they heard a voyce or sounde indéede, but they vnderstood not what the Lord had sayd vnto him.

[Sidenote: Socrates familiar.]

=Plato= writeth in his dialogue called _Theages_, that =Socrates= had a familiar spirit, who was woonte to put him in mynd to cease from labouring, when that which he attempted should haue no happie successe. This spirit he himselfe sawe not, and other men hearde not. They say that sometimes Children doe sée certaine things, which other men see not, and by a certaine peculiar operation of nature, some men behold that which others in no wise can perceiue.

[Sidenote: At what time spirits appeare.]

[Sidenote: Apocalips.]

As touching the time when spirits appeare, we reade in histories that it shall be after a thousand yeares which God hath appoynted, in the which time Sainte Iohn prophesied in the Apocalips, that Sathan shoulde be lette loose, that is to saye, errours and superstition, and al kinde of mischéefe shuld abound, and many spirits appear euery where: for men gaue them more credite, than the Scriptures. If a spirit appeared, or was heard to say in case these or those things be decreed, to wit, vowed Pilgrimage, and erecting Chappelles, and that this shall be an acceptable kinde of worship vnto God, the Bishoppes and paryshe Priestes weighed not whether those things were agréeable to the word of God or no, &c. Spirits appeared in old time, and do appeare still in these dayes both day and night, but especially in the night, and before midnighte in our first sléepe. Moreouer, on the frydayes, satterdayes, and fasting dayes, to confirme superstition. Neither may we maruell, that they are heard more in the night, than in the day time. For he who is the author of these things, is called in the holye Scriptures the Prince of darkenesse, and therefore he shunneth the light of Gods word.

[Sidenote: In what place spirits are seen.]

And albeit these are heard or séene in al places, yet are they most especially conuersant in the fieldes where battels haue bene fought, or in places where slaughters haue bene made: in places of execution; in woods into the which they have coniured deuils being cast out of men: in Churches, Monasteries, and about Sepulchers, in the bounds of countries, and buts of lands: in prisons, houses and towers, and sometime also in the ruines and rubbish of Castles.

[Sidenote: _Esay_ 13.]

[Sidenote: Monsters of the desart.]

[Sidenote: _Esay_.34.]

God threatneth the Babilonians in the 13. chap. of =Esay=, that Spirits and Satyres shal daunce where their magnificent houses and Pallaces were, where they were wont to lead their daunces. And in his 34. chapter, where he threatneth destruction vnto all nations and enemies of God, he saith: In the ruinous and tottering Pallaces, Castles, and houses, horrible spirites shall appeare with terrible cries, and the Satyro shall call vnto her mate, yea and the night hags shall take their rest there. For by the sufferaunce of God, wicked diuels worke straunge things in those places where men haue exercised pride and crueltie.

[Sidenote: After what sort spirites appeare.]

The maner of appearing of spirits, is diuers and manifold, as it appeareth by those things which I haue alleaged before. For they shewe themselues in sundry sorts: sometimes in the shape of a man whom we know, who is yet aliue, or lately departed: and otherwhile in the likenesse of one whom we know not.

I heard of a graue and wise man, which was a Magistrate in the Territorie of _Tigurie_, who affirmed, that as he and his seruant went through the pastures, in the sommer very early, he espied one whome he knew very well, wickedly defiling himselfe with a Mare, wherewith being amazed, he returned back againe, and knocked at his house, whome he supposed he had séen, and ther vnderstood for a certaintie, that he went not on foote out of his chamber yͭ morning. And in case he had not diligently searched out yͤ matter, the good & honest man had surely bin cast in prison, and put on the rack. I reherse this history for this end, that Iudges should be very circumspect in these cases, for yͤ diuell by these means doth oftentimes circumuent yͤ innocent. =Chunegunda= wife vnto =Henry= the 2. Emperour of yͭ name, was greatly suspected of adultery, and thereuppon many false rumors scattered, that she was too familiar with a certaine yoong man in the Court, for the Diuell in the likenesse of the same yoong man, was oftentimes séene come out of the Empresse Chamber. But she afterwards declared her innocencie by treading vppon hotte glowing ploughshares, (as the custome was then) without any hurting her féete, as witnesseth =Albertus Cranzius=, in his fourth booke, and first Chapter of his _Metropolis_.

We reade that many spirites haue appeared vnto certaine Hermites and Monkes in the shape of a woman, alluring and intising them to filthie lust. They appeare also in the fourme of brute beastes, sometime foure footed, as of a Dogge, a Swine, a Horsse, a Goate, a Catte, or a Hare: and sometimes of foules, and créeping wormes, as of a Crow, a night Owle, a schritch Owle, a Snake, or Dragon, whereof the Gentiles had great plentie in their Temples and houses, and nourished them, as we may reade euery where in the Poets. Spirits haue sometimes appeared in a pleasaunt fourme, and sometimes in a horrible shape. At one time some hath bene séene ryding on horsebacke, or going on foote, or crawling vppon all foure. At an other time hath appeared a man all burning in fire, or beraide with blood: and somewhile, his bowelles haue séemed to traile out, his belly being as it were ripped vp. Sometimes a shadow hath onely appeared: sometimes a hand, sometimes an instrument, as a staffe, a sworde, or some such lyke thing which the spirite helde in his hande. Sometimes he appeared in maner of a bundle of hey, burning on fire: another while onely a hoarse kinde of voyce was heard. Sometimes a spirit hath bene heard walking in the inner parte of the house, turning the leaues of a Booke, or telling money, or playing at dice, or bounsing against the wall. And sometimes there is heard a terrible noyse or clappe, as if a peale of Gunnes were discharged hard at hand. And spirits sometimes, taking a man by the arme or by the haire of the head, haue walked with them.

[Sidenote: Olaus.]

[Sidenote: Daunces of Spirits.]

[Sidenote: Saxo.]

[Sidenote: Pomponius Mela.]

[Sidenote: Solinus.]

=Olaus Magnus= in his third booke and eleuenth Chapter _De Gentibus Septentrionalibus_, writeth, that euen in these our dayes, in many places in the North partes, there are certaine monsters or spirites, which taking on them some shape or figure, vse (chiefly in the night season) to daunce, after the sounde of all maner of instruments of musicke: whom the inhabitants call companies, or dances of Elues, or Fairies. Somewhat also is to bee reade touching this matter in =Saxo Grammaticus=, in his historie of _Denmarke_. Such like things are those which =Pomponius Mela= reporteth in his third booke of the description of _Aethiopia_, that in _Mauritania_ beyonde the Mount _Atlas_, many times in the night season are séene great lightes, and that tinkling of Cymballs, and noyses of Pipes are also heard, and when it is daylight no man appeareth. =Solinus= writeth in his thirtie eight and fortie foure chapters, that in this same Mountaine, =Ægiptians= vse euery where to leade their daunces: of whom also =Plinie= maketh mention in his first booke and first Chapter. Men holde opinion, that they are =Panes=, =Faunes=, and =Satyres=, of whom the olde writers haue mentioned many things.

[Sidenote: Hierome.]

[Sidenote: A Fable out Hierome, of a Centaure, A Monster hauing the forepart like a man, the hinder like a horse.]

Saint =Hierome= writeth in the life of =Paule= the Hermit, that an =Hippocentaure=, appeared vnto =S. Anthonie=, in the same shape which is described of the Poets. In a stonie valley (saith he) he espied a Dwarffe of a small stature, hauing a crooked nose, and his forehead rough with hornes: the hinder part of his bodie, and his féete like vnto a Goate. =Anthony= nothing amazed with this sighte, taketh vnto him the shield of faith, and the brestplate of hope, lyke a good warriour. Notwithstanding the foresayde creature presented him with Dates, to refresh him in his iourney, as witnesses of peace and friendship. Which when =Anthonius= vnderstood, he staide, and enquiring of him what he was, receiued this answere. I am (quoth he) a mortall creature, and one of the inhabitants of this desart, whome the Gentiles, being deceiued with many errors, dooth worship, calling vs =Faunes=, =Satyrs=, and night Mares.

And I am sent as Embassador from our company, who earnestly beséech thée, that thou wilt pray vnto the God of all creatures for vs, whom we acknowledge to be come into the world, to saue the same, &c.

[Sidenote: Plutarch.]

And here we may in no wise ouerpasse in silence, that notable historie which =Plutarch= in his booke _De fectu oraculorum_, (translated by that learned man =Adrianus Turnebus=) reciteth in these words. Touching the death of diuels, I haue heard a certaine historie of one who was neither foolish, nor accustomed to lye. For it was =Epitherces=, my countreyman, a professour of Grammer, father vnto =Æmilianus= the Rhethoritian, of whome some of you also haue heard the same: He told me, that when he once tooke ship, meaning to go into _Italie_, because he carried with him not only great store of marchandise, but also very many passengers, in the euening when they were about the Islands =Echinadæ=, the wind quite ceased, and that the shippe driuing in the Sea, being brought at the last vnto _Paxe_, many then waking, and many also quaffing after they had supped, sodeinly there was heard a voyce of one which called =Thamus=, in such sort that euery man maruelled. This =Thamus= was a Pilotte borne in _Egipt_, vnknowne vnto many which were in the ship. Wherefore being twice called, he held his peace, and the third time answered: then the other with a louder voyce commaunded him, that when he came vnto =Palodes=, hée should tell them that the great God =Pan= was departed. When this was heard, euery man was amazed with feare, as =Epitherces= affirmed vnto vs: And being in consultation whether they should do as was commaunded or not, =Thamus= thus iudged of the matter: that if the winde did blowe, they must passe by with silence, but if it were calme without winde, he must vtter that which we had heard. When therefore they were come to _Palodes_, and no wind stirred, nor waue moued, =Thamus= looking out of the sterne towards the lande, cryed out as he had heard, that the great God =Pan= was deceased: Hée had scant ended those words, when immediatly there followed a great groning, not of one man, but of many, being admixt as it were with great admiration. And because many were present in the ship, (they said) the same hereof was spéedely spred abroad at _Rome_, and =Thamus= sent by =Tiberius= yͤ Emperour, who gaue so much credit vnto the matter, that he diligently enquired, and asked who that =Pan= was. The learned men whome he had in great number about him, supposed that =Pan= was he, who was the sonne of =Mercurie= and =Penelope=, &c.

[Sidenote: De preparatione Euang. li.5.chap.9.]

[Sidenote: Paulus Marsus.]

These and such like things, (=Eusebius= who also reciteth this historie) affirmeth to haue chaunced in that time of =Tiberius=, in the which Christ being conuersant amongst men, expelled all maner of diuels from the societie of them. Other most godly professours of our Religion, affirme, (as namely =Paulus Marsus=, in his Annotations vppon the first of =Ouids Fasti=) that this voyce was heard out of _Paxe_, the very same night ensuing the day wherein our Lorde suffered, in the 19. yeare of =Tiberius=, which was the same yeare that Christ was crucified in: by the whiche voyce being vttered in a wildernesse of solitary rockes, it was declared that our Lord and God had suffered for vs. For the word =Pan= in Greeke, signifieth all: and then the Lord of al the world was crucified.