A relation of the fearefull estate of Francis Spira in the yeare, 1548.

A relation of the fearefull estate of Francis Spira in the yeare, 1548.

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Title page

A Preface.

A RELATION OF the fearefull estate of FRANCIS SPIRA.

Decemb. 2. 1637.

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A RELATION OF the fearefull estate of FRANCIS SPIRA.

IN the yeare 1548. when the glorious Sunne of the Gospel was but newly risen in Europe; in the daies of the raigne of Edward the Sixth of that name King of England: In the Territory, and under the Iurisdiction of the Citie of Venice, being the very border of Italy, in the [Page] towne of Cittadella, lived one Francis Spira, a Civill Lawyer, an Advocate of great rank and esteeme, being of knowne learning, & eloquence? of great experience; of carriage circumspect and severe; his speech grave & composed, his countenance sharpe and austere; every way befitting that authoritie whereunto hee was advanced; endowed vvith outward blessings, of wife, & eleven children, & wealth in abundance: what his worst parts were, I have no other [Page] warrant, then his owne words, which (if not tainted overmuch, with the bitternesse of a desperate mind, and bearing the countenance rather of passion, then of sober confession) may seeme to adde a period to all further commendations.

I was (said hee) excessively covetous of money, and accordingly I applyed my selfe to get by injustice, corrupting justice by deceit, inventing tricks to delude justice: good causes I either defended deceitfully, or sold them to the adversary perfidiously;[Page]ill causes I maintained with all my might; I wittingly opposed the known truth, and the trust committed unto me, I either betrayed or perverted. Thus having worn out forty foure yeares, or there abouts, and the news of the new, or rather newly revived opinions of Luther comming into those parts, represented an object of noveltie unto him; who being as desirous to know as hee was famous for knowledge; suffered not these wandring opinions to passe unexamined, but [Page] searching into the Scriptures, and into all bookes of Controversie that hee could get, both old and new; and finding more then fame or opinion, he began to taste their nature so well, as he entertaines, loves, and ownes them at length; and with such zeale, as he became a professor; yea a teacher of them, first to his wife, children, and family, and after to his friends, and familiar acquaintance; & in comparison, seemed to neglect all other affaires; intending ever to presse [Page] this maine point, that We must wholly, and only to depend on the free, and unchangeable love of God in the death of Christ, as the only sure way to salvation: and this was the summe of all his discourse, and this continued for the space of sixe yeares, or there abouts; even so long as this fire could keepe it selfe within private wals; but at length it brake forth into publique meetings; so as the whole Province of Padua dawned by the lustre thereof. The Clergie finding the [Page] trade of their pardons to decay; and their Purgatory to waxe cold, began to bestirre themselves; glosing their actions first with calumnious aspersions upon the whole profession, then more plainly striking at Spira with grievous accusatiōs: And to effect their purpose, some promise labour, others favour, some advice, others maintenance; all joyne to divide, either his soule from his body, or both from God.

Now was Iohn Casa the Popes Legate resident [Page] at Venice, being by birth a Florentine; and one that wanted neither malice against those of this way, nor craftines to effect his malicious purposes: To him these men repaire with outcries against Spira; that hee was the man that cōdemned the received rites of the Church; deluded the Ecclesiasticall power, and scandalized the policie thereof; one of no meane ranke; being a man of Account and authoritie, and thereunto, learned in the Scriptures, elegant in speech; and in [Page] one word, a dangerous Lutheran; having also many disciples, and therefore not to be despised.

At this began the Legate to cast his eye on the terrible alteration that lately had hapned in Germanie; where, by the means of one onely Luther, the Romish Religion had suffered such a blow, as that it could neither bee cured by dissimulation, nor defended by power; but the Clergie must either mend their manners, or lose their dignities: on the other [Page] side, when hee saw how propense the common people inhabiting in the bordering countries of Italy vvere to entertaine those new opinions, hee now thought it no time to dispute, or perswade, but with speed repaires to the Senate, and procures authoritie from them to send for Spira.

Spira by this time had considered vvith himselfe of the nature of his carriage, how evident and notorious it vvas, and therefore subject to bee envied by such, as neither [Page] liked his person nor Religion, hee perceived that his opinions were neither retyred nor speculative, but such as aymed at the overthrovv of the Romish Faction, and at change of Policie, vvherein at the best, he could expect but a bloudy victory, and that his enemies vvanted neither povver nor occasion to call him to account in publique, vvhen he must either Apostatize, and shamefully give his former life, yea his ovvn conscience the lye, or endure [Page] the utmost malice of his deadly enemies, or forsake his wife, children, friends, goods, authoritie; yea, his deare Countrey; and betake himselfe to a forraigne people, there to endure a thousand miseries, that do continually waite upon a voluntary exile. Being thus distracted, and tossed in the restlesse waves of doubt, without guid to trust to, or haven to flye to for succour; on the sudden Gods Spirit assisting, hee felt a calme, and began to discourse with himselfe in [Page] this manner:

Why wandrest thou thus in uncertainties, unhappy man; cast away feare, put on thy shield, the shield of faith; Where is thy wonted courage, thy goodnesse, thy constancie? remember that Christs glorie lies at the stake, suffer thou without feare, and hee will defend thee, hee will tell thee what thou shalt answer; hee can beat downe all danger, bring thee out of prison, raise thee from the dead; consider Peter in the dungeon, the Martyrs in the fire, if thou makest a good confession, thou [Page] mayest indeed goe to prison, or death, but an eternall reward in heaven remaines for thee; What hast thou in this world comparable to eternall life, to everlasting happinesse? if thou dost otherwise, thinke of the scandall; (common people live by example, thinking what ever is done, is well done) feare the losse of peace and joy, feare hell, death, and eternall wrath; or if thy flesh be so strong, as to cause thee to doubt of the issue, flie thy Countrie; get thee away, though never so far, rather then denie the Lord of Life.

[Page] Now was Spira in reasonable quiet, being resolved to yeeld to these weightie reasons; yet holding it wisedome to examine all things, hee consults also with flesh and bloud; thus the battaile doth renew, and the flesh beginnes in this manner: Bee well advised, fond man, consider reasons on both sides, and then judge: how canst thou thus overweene thine owne sufficiencie, as thou neither regardest the examples of thy Progenitors; nor [Page] the judgment of the whole Church; dost thou not consider what miserie this thy rashnesse will bring thee unto? thou shalt lose thy substance, gotten with so much care and travell, thou shalt undergoe the most exquisite torments that malice it selfe can devise, thou shalt bee counted an heretique of all: and to close up all, thou shalt die shamefully. What thinkest thou of the loathsome stinking dungeon, the bloudie axe, the burning fagot, are they delightfull? Bee wise at length, and keepe thy life and honour, [Page] thou maist live to do much good to good men, as God commands thee, thou maist be an ornament to thy Countrie; and put case thy Countries losse would bee of small esteeme with thee; Wilt thou bring thy friends also into danger? thou hast begotten children, wilt thou now cut their throats, & inhumanely butcher them, which may in time bring honor to their Countrie, glorie to God, helpe and furtherance to his Church: goe to the Legate weake man, freely confesse thy fault, and helpe all these miseries. Thus did the [Page]cares of this world, and the deceitfullnesse of riches, choke the good Seed that was formerly sowne; so as fearing, hee faints, and yeelds unto the allurements of this present world, & being thus blinded, he goes to the Legate at Venice, and salutes him with this news.

Having for these divers yeares entertained an opinion concerning some Articles of faith, contrary to the Orthodox and received judgement of the Church; and uttered many things against the authoritie of the [Page] Church of Rome, and the universall Bishop: I humblie acknowledge my fault and errour, and my folly in misleading others: I therefore yeeld my selfe in all obedience to the Supreme Bishop, into the bosome of the Church of Rome; never to depart again from the Traditions and Decrees of the holy See: I am heartily sorry for what is past; and I humbly begge pardon forso great an offence.

The Legate perceiving Spira to faint, he pursues him to the utmost; hee causeth a recitation of all [Page] his Errours to be drawne in writing, together with the Confession annexed to it, and commands Spira to subscribe his name there, which accordingly he did; then the Legate commands him to return to his owne Towne; and there to declare this Confession of his, and to acknowledg the whole Doctrine of the Church of Rome to be holy, and true; and to abjure the Opinions of Luther, and other such Teachers, as false, & hereticall: Man knowes the beginnings of sinne, but [Page]who bounds the issues thereof? Spira having once lost footing, goes downe amaine, he cannot stay, nor gaine-say the Legate; but promiseth to accomplish his whole will and pleasure; he soone addresseth himselfe for his Iourney, and being onward in the way, bethinks himselfe of large spoyles hee had brought away from the Conflict with the Legate: what glorious testimony hee had given of his great faith, and constancie in Christs cause: and to be plaine, how impiously [Page] hee had denyed Christ, and his Gospell at Venice; and what he promised to do further in his owne Country; and thus partly with feare, and partly with shame being confounded; he thought he heard a voyce speaking unto him in this manner.

Spira, What dost thou heere? whither goest thou? hast thou unhappy man, given thy hand-writing to the Legate at Venice; yet see thou dost not seale it in thine owne Countrey: dost thou indeed thinke eternall life so meane, as that thou preferrest [Page] this present life before it? dost thou well in preferring wife and children before Christ? is the windie applause of the people, better indeed then the glorie of God; and the possession of this worlds good more deare to thee, then the salvation of thine owne Soule? is the small use of a moment of time more desireable, then eternall wrath is dreadfull? Thinke with thy selfe what Christ endured for thy sake; is it not equall thou shouldest suffer somewhat for him? Remember, man, that the sufferings of this present [Page] life, are not comparable to the glorie that shall bee revealed: if thou sufferest with him, thou shalt also raigne with him: thou canst not answer for what thou hast alreadie done; neverthelesse, the gate of mercie is not quite shut, take heed that thou heapest not sinne upon sinne, lest thou repent when it will be too late.

Now was Spira in a wildernesse of doubts, not knowing which way to turne him, nor what to doe, yet being arrived in his owne Countrey, and amongst his friends, with [Page] shame enough hee relates what he had done, and what he had further promised to doe; and how the terrors of God on the one side, and the terrour of this world on the other side, did continually racke him; and therefore hee desired of them advise in this so doubtfull a case: his friends upon small deliberation answered; that it was requisite hee should take heed that hee did not in any wise betray his wife and children, and all his friends into danger, seeing [Page] that by so smal a matter as the reciting of a little Schedule, which might bee done in lesse space then half an houre, he might both free himselfe from present danger, and preserve many that depended upon him; adding moreover, that hee could get no Credit in relenting from that which he had already in greatest part performed before the Legate at Venice, and that in the perfect accomplishing thereof, little or no discredit could arise, more then what by the [Page] former action already he had sustained: on the other side, if hee did not performe his promise made to the Legate, hee could neither discharge himselfe of the shame which he had already incurred; nor avoyd farre more heavy and insupportable injuries, then probably he should have endured, if hee had persisted obstinately in his former Opinions.

This was the last blow of the battaile, and Spira utterly overcome, goes to the Praetor, and proffers [Page] to performe his foresaid promise made to the Legate, who in the meane time had taken order to have all things ready, and had sent the instrument of abjuration signed by Spira, to the Praetor, by the hands of a certaine Priest. All that night the miserable man ware out with restlesse cares, without any minute of rest; the next morning being come, he gets up, and being ready, he desperately enters into the publique Congregation, where Masse being finished, in [Page] the presence of friends and enemies, and of the whole Assembly; being by estimation neere two thousand people; yea, and of Heaven it selfe, he recites that infamous abjuration, word for word, as it was written: it being done, he was fined at thirtie pieces of gold, which he presently paid: five whereof were given to the Priest that brought the abjuration, the other twentie five were imployed towards the making of a Shryne to put the Eucharist in; then was [Page] he sent home restored to his Dignities; goods, wife, and children: No sooner was hee departed, but he thought hee heard a direfull voyce, saying to him; thou wicked wretch, thou haste denyed mee, thou hast renounced the covenant of thy obedience, thou hast broken thy vow, hence Apostate, beare with thee the sentence of thy eternall damnation: hee trembling and quaking in body and mind, fell down in a swoune; reliefe was at hand for the body, but from that time forwards, he never found [Page] any [...] minde▪ but [...] in uncessant torment [...] professed that he was captived under the revenging hand of the great God: that hee heard continually that fearefull sentence of Christ that just Iudge▪ that hee knew he was utterly undone: that he could neither hope for grace, nor Christs intercessiō wth God the Father in his behalfe: thus was his fault ever heavy on his heart, and ever his Iudgement before his eyes.

Now began his friends [Page] some of them to repent too late of their rash counsell; others not looking so high as the Iudgement of God, laid all the blame upon his Melancholicke constitution; that overshadowing his judgment, wrought in him a kinde of madnesse: every on censured as his fancy led him, yet for remedy all agreed in this, to use both the wholesome helpe of Physicians, and the pious advise of Divines, and therefore thought it meet to convey him to Padua, an Vniversitie [Page] of note, where plenty of all manner of meanes was to be had: this they accordingly did, both with his wife, children, and whole family; others also of his friends accompanying him: and being arrived at the house of one Iames Ardin, in Saint Leonards, Parish, they sent for three Physicians of most note, who upon due observation of the effects, & of other Symptomes of his disease, and some private conference one with another, among themselves, returned their [Page] verdict in this manner, viz. That they could not discerne that his body was afflicted with any danger or distemper originally from it selfe, by reason of the over-ruling of any humour; but that this Maladie of his did arise from some griefe, or passion of his minde, which being overburthened, did so oppresse the spirits, as they wanting free passage, stirred up many ill humours, whereof the body of man is full; & these ascending up into the braine, troubled the fancie; shadowed [Page] the seat of the judgment, and so corrupted it: this was the state of his disease, and that outward part that was visible to the eye of nature, this they endeavoured to reforme by purgation, either to consume, or at least to divert the course of those humors from the braine; but all their skil effected nothing, which Spira noting, said: Alas poore men, how farre wide are you; doe you thinke that this disease is to be cured by potions; beleeve mee there must bee another manner of[Page]medicine, it is neither potions, plaisters, nor drugs, that can helpe a fainting soule cast downe with sense of sinne, and the wrath of God; it is onely Christ that must bee the Physician, and the Gospel the sole Antidote.

The Physicians easily beleeved him, after they had understood the whol truth of the matter, and therfore they wished him to seeke some spirituall comfort. By this time the fame of this man was spred over all Padua, and the neighbour Countrey, partly for that he was a [Page] man of Esteeme, partly because as the disease, so the occasion was especially remarkeable; for this vvas not done in a corner: so as daily there came multitudes of all sorts to see him: some out of curiositie onely to see and discourse: some out of a pious desire to try all meanes that might reduce him to comfort againe, or at least to benefit themselves, by such a spectacle of misery, and of the justice of God. Amongst these, Paulus Vergerius Bishop of Iustinopolis, and [Page] Mattheus Gribauldus, deserve especially to bee named, as the most principall labourers for this mans comfort. They finde him now about fiftie years of age, neither affected with the dotage of old age, nor with the unconstant headstrong passion of youth, but in the strength of his experience and judgment; in a burning heat calling excessively for drinke; yet his understanding active, quicke of apprehension, wittie in discourse above his ordinary manner, and [Page] judiciously opposite: his friends laboured him by all faire meanes to receive some nourishment, which he obstinately gaine-saying, they forcibly infused some liquid sustenance into his mouth, most of which he spit out againe; exceedingly chafing, and in this fretting mood of his, said: As it is true that all things worke for the best to those that love God; Rom. 8. 28. so to the wicked all are contrary: for whereas a plentifull off-spring is the blessing of God, and his reward, being a stay to the weak estate[Page]of their aged parents; to me they are a cause of bitternesse and vexation; they doe strive to make mee tire out this misery; I would faine be at an end; I deserve not this dealing at their hands; O that I were gone from hence, that some body would let out this weary Soule.

His friends saluted him, and asked him, what hee conceived to be the cause of his disease; forthwith he brake out into a lamentable discourse of the passages formerly related, & that with such passionate Elocution, that [Page] hee caused many to weep & most to tremble. They contrarily to comfort him, propounded many of Gods promises recorded in the Scripture; and many examples of Gods mercy: My sinne (said he) is greater then the mercy of God. Nay, answered they, the mercy of God is above all sin; God would have all men to be saved: It is true (quoth he) hee would have all that he hath elected, [...]bee s [...]aved; he would not have damned reprobates to be saved; I am one of that number; I know it, for I[Page]willingly, and against my knowledge denied Christ; and I feele that hee hardens, and will not suffer me to hope.

After some silence, one asked him whether hee did not beleeve that Doctrine (to bee true) for which hee was accused before the Legate; hee answered; I did beleeve it when I denied it, but now I neither beleeve that, nor the Doctrine of the Romane Church; I beleeve nothing, I have no faith, no trust, no hope; I am a Reprobate like Cain, or Iudas, [Page] who casting away all hope of mercy, fell into despaire; and my friends doe mee great wrong, that they suffer me not to goe to the place of unbeleevers as I justly deserve.

Heere they beganne sharpely to rebuke him; requiring, and charging him that in any wise hee did not violate the mercy of God; to which he answered: The mercy of God is exceeding large and extends to all the elect; but not to mee, or any like to mee, who are sealed up to wrath: Rom. 2. 15. I tell you I deserve it, my owne conscience[Page]condemnes me; what needeth any other Iudge. Christ came (said they) to take away sinne, and calling for a book, they read unto him the passion of Christ, and comming to his nayling to the Crosse, Spira said: This indeed is comfortable to such as are elected, but as for me wretch, they are nothing but griefe and torment, because I contemned them. Thus roaring for griefe, & tossing himself up & downe upon the bed as he lay, he intreated them to read no more: As Gribauldus was comming [Page] to see him, Vergerius said to Spira, deare Sir heere is Doctor Gribauldus, a godly and faithfull friend of yours, come to see you: He is welcome (said he) but hee shall find mee ill: Gribauldus replyed, Sir, this is but an illusion of the divell, who doth what he can to vexe you; but turne you to God with your whole heart, and he is ready to shew you mercy; the earth you know is full of his mercy; it is He that hath said,Ps. 119. that as often as a sinner repents of his sinne, hee will remember his [Page]sinnes no more. Consider this in the example of Peter that was Christs familiar, and an Apostle; and yet denied him thrice with an oath, and yet God was mercifull unto him: consider the theefe that spent his whole life in wickednesse, and for all that, did not God graciously respect him in the last minute of his life? Is the Lords hand now shortned that it cannot save? to this Spira answered;Luk. 27. 61. ‘If Peter grieved and repented, it was because Christ beheld him [Page] with a mercifull eye; and in that he was pardoned, it was not because hee wept, but because God was gracious to him: but God respects not me, and therefore I am a reprobate: I feel no comfort can enter into my heart, there is no place there but onely for torments and vexings of spirit: I tell you my case is properly mine own; no man ever was in the like plight, and therefore my estate is fearefull.’

Then roaring out in [Page] the bitternesse of his spirit, said: It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the living God: the violence of his passion and action sutable, did amaze many of the beholders; insomuch as some of them said with a whispering voyce, that he was possessed; hee over-hearing it, said: Doe you doubt it? I have a whole Legion of divels that take up their dwellings within mee, and possesse me as their owne; and justly too, for I have denyed Christ. Whether did you that willingly [Page] or not (said they) That is nothing to the purpose (said Spira) Christ saith, whosoever denies mee before men, Matt. 10. 33. him will I deny before my Father which is in Heaven: Christ will not bee denied, no not in word; and therefore it is enough, though in heart I never denied him.

They observing his distemper to arise from the sense and horror of the paines of hell, asked him whether he thought there were worse paines then what he endured for the present; he said, that he knew there were far worse [Page]paines then those that hee then suffered:Psal. 1.for the wicked shall rise to their judgement, but they shall not stand in Iudgement: this I tremble to thinke of: yet doe I desire nothing more, then that I might come to that place, where I may bee sure to feele the worst, and to be freed from feare of worse to come.

I but you are to consider (said one) that those opinions for which you were accused before the Legate were impious; and therefore you are not to thinke you denied [Page] Christ, but rather that you confessed him, acknowledging the infallible truth of the Catholike Church. Truly (said he) when I did denie those opinions, I did think them to be true, & yet I did deny them.

Goe to (said others) now then beleeve that they are not. Now I cannot (said hee) God will not suffer mee to beleeve them, nor trust in his mercy: What would you have mee doe? I would faine attaine to this power, but cannot, though I should presently be burnt for it. But [Page] why doe you (said the other) esteeme this so grievous a sinne, when as the learned Legate constrained you to it, which hee surely would not have done, if your former opinions had not beene Erroneous: no, good Francis, the divell besets thee, let not therefore the grievousnesse of thy sin, (if anie such be) amaze thee. ‘You say right (replyed he) the divell hath possest mee, and God hath left me to his power; for I finde I can neither beleeve the Gospel, [Page] nor trust in Gods mercie; I have sinned against the holy Ghost; and God by his immutable Decree, hath bound mee over to perpetuall punishment, without anie hope of pardon;Rom. 9. 11. and Rom. 4. It is true that the greatnesse of sin, or the multitude of them, cannot bind Gods mercie: all those manie sins that in the former part of my life I have committed, then did not so much trouble mee, for I trusted that God would not lay them to my [Page] charge: but now having sinned against the holy Ghost, God hath taken away from me all power of repentance, & now brings all my sins to remembrance,Iam. 2. 10. and thus guiltie of one, guiltie of all. And therefore it is no matter whether my sinnes be great or small, few or many; they are such as Christ's bloud,’ nor Gods mercie ‘belongs to mee:Rom. 9. 18. God will have mercie on whom hee will have mercie; and whom he will he hardneth; this is [Page] it that gnaws my heart, hee hath hardned mee; and I finde that he daily more and more doth harden mee; and therefore I am out of hope: I feele it, and therefore cannot but despaire: I tell you, there was never such a monster as I am; never was man alive a spectacle of so exceeding misery: I knew that justification is to be expected by Christ; and I denied, and abjured it; to the end I might keepe this fraile life from adversitie, and [Page] my children from povertie; and now behold, how bitter this life is to mee; and God only knowes, what shall become of this my family; but surely no good is likely to betide it, but rather daily worse and worse; and such a ruin at the length as that one stone shall not be left on another.’

But why should you (said Gribauldus) conceit so deepely of your sinne, seeing you cannot but know that manie have denied Christ, yet never [Page] fell into despaire? ‘Well (said hee) I can see no ground of comfort for such, neither can I warrant them from Gods revēging hand in wrath; though it pleaseth God yet to suffer such to bee in peace: and besides, there will a time of change come, and then they shall be throughly tryed: and if it were not so, yet God is just in making mee an Example to others; and I cannot justly complain: there is no punishment so great but I have deserved [Page] it, for this so heinous offence: I assure you it is no small matter to denie Christ; and yet it is more ordinary then commonly men doe conceive of: it is not a deniall made before a Magistrate as it is with mee; for as often as a Christian doth dissemble the knowne truth, as often as hee approves of false worship, by presenting himselfe at it, so often as hee doth not things worthy of his calling, or such things as are unworthy [Page] of his calling: so often hee denies Christ: thus did I, and therefore am justly punished for it.’

Your estate (quoth Gribauldus) is not so strange as you make it; Iob was so farre gone, that hee complained God had set him as a marke against him: and David that was a man after Gods owne heart, complained often that God had forsaken him, and was become his enemy; yet both received comfort againe comfort your selfe therefore, [Page] God will come at length, though hee now seeme farre off.

‘O Brother (answered Spira) I beleeve all this; the divels beleeve and tremble; but David was ever elected and dearely beloved of God; and though he fell, yet God tooke not utterly away his holy Spirit; and therefore was heard when he prayed, Lord take not thy holy Spirit from mee: but I am in another case, being ever accursed from the presence of God: neither [Page] can I pray as he did, because his holy Spirit is quite gone, and cannot be recalled; & therefore I know I shall live in continuall hardnesse so long as I live: O that I might feele but the least sense of the love of God to mee, though but for one small moment, as I now feele his heavie wrath that burnes like the torments of hell within mee, and afflicts my Conscience with pangs unutterable; verily desperation is hell it selfe.’

[Page] Heere Gribauldus said, I doe verily beleeve, Spira, that God having so severely chastised you in this life, correcteth you in mercie heere, that he may spare you hereafter, and that he hath mercies sealed up for you in time to to come.

Nay (said Spira) hence doe I know that I am a reprobate, because he afflicteth mee with hardnesse of heart: Oh that my body had suffered all my life long, so that hee would bee pleased to release my soule, and ease my Conscience, this burthened Conscience.

[Page] Gribauldus being desirous to ease his minde from the continuall meditation of his sinne; as also to sound how for the present he stood affected to the Romish Church; asked him what hee thought became of the soules of men so soone as they departed out of the bodie, to which hee answered.

Although this bee not so fully revealed in Scripture; yet I verily beleeve that the soules of the Elect goe presently to the Kingdome of glory; and not that sleep with [Page] the bodie as some doe imagine.

Verie well; said one of the spectators, why doe the Scriptures then say, that God brings downe to hell,1 Sam. 2. 6. and raiseth up; seeing it cannot be meant of the estate of the soule after death, which as thou sayest, either goeth to heaven without change, or to hell without redemption: it must be understood of the estate of the soule in this life; like that wherein thou art at this present: and oftentimes wee see that God [Page] suffers men to fall into the jawes of despaire, and yet raiseth them up again, and therefore despaire not, but hope; it shall bee even thus with thee in his good time.

This is the worke, (quoth Spira) this the labour; for I tell you, when I at Venice did first abjure my profession, and so, as it were, drew an Indenture, the Spirit of God often admonisht mee; and when at Cittadella, I did, as it were, set to my seale; the Spirit of God often suggested to mee, Doe not write Spira, do not seale; [Page] yet I resisted the Holy Ghost, and did both; and at that very present I did evidently feele a wound inflicted in my very will, so although I can say, I would beleeve; yet can I not say I will beleeve; God hath denied mee the power of will; and it befalls mee in this my miserable estate, as with one that is fast in irons, and his friends comming to see him, doe pitie his estate, and doe perswade him to shake off his setters, and to come out of his bonds; which God knows hee would faine doe, but cannot, this is my very case; [Page] you perswade me to beleeve: how faine would I doe it, but cannot? O now I cannot. Then violently grasping his hands together, and raising himselfe up: Behold (said he) I am strong, yet by little and little I decay and consume, and my servants would faine preserve this weary life; but at length the will of God must be done, and I shall perish miserably as I deserve: rejoyce yee righteous in the Lord;Psal. 32. 11. blessed are you whose hearts the Lord hath mollified.

Then after some pause; It is wonderfull, I earnestly [Page] desire to pray to God with my heart, yet I cannot; I see my damnation, and I know my remedy is onlie in Christ, yet I cannot set my selfe to laie hold on it; such are the punishments of the damned; they confesse what I confesse, they repent of their losse of heaven, they envie the Elect, yet their repentance doth them no good, for they cannot mend their waies.

As he was thus speaking, hee observed divers flies that came about him, and some lighted on him: Behold (said hee) now [Page] alsoSignifies the god of flies. Belzebub comes to his banquet, you shall shortly see my end, and in mee an example to manie of the justice & judgement of God.

About this time came in two Bishops with divers Schollers of the Vniversity, one of them being Paulus Vergerius, having observed Spira more then any other, beeing continually conversant with him, told him his estate was such, as rather stood in need of Prayer then advice; and therefore desired him to pray with him in the Lords [Page] Prayer; Spira consented, and he began.

Our Father which art in heaven,) then breaking forth into teares, he stopped; but they said, it is well, your griefe is a good signe: ‘I bewaile (said he) my miserie, for I perceive I am forsaken of God, and cannot call to him from my heart,’ as I was wont to doe; yet let us goe on, said Vergerius.

Thy Kingdome come;) ‘O Lord (said Spira) bring mee also into this Kingdome; I beseech [Page] thee shut mee not out.’ Then comming to those words; Give us this day our daily bread; he added; ‘O Lord, I have enough and abundance to feed this carkeise of mine; but there is another bread, I humbly begge the bread of thy grace; without which, I know I am but a dead man.’

Leade us not into temptation;) ‘seeing Lord that I am brought into temptation, helpe mee Lord that I may escape; the enemie hath overcome; helpe mee, I beseech [Page] thee, to overcome this cruell Tyrant.’

These things hee spake with a mournfull voyce, the teares trickling down abundantly; and expressing such affection and passion, as turned the bowels of those there present, with griefe and compunction; they then turning to Spira, said: You know that none can call Christ Iesus the Lord, but by the Holie Ghost: you must therefore think of your selfe according to that soft affection, which you expresse in your [Page] prayers, inferring thereby that God hath not wholly cast you off; or bereaved you of his Spirit utterly.

I perceive (said Spira) that I call on him to my eternall damnation; for I tell you againe, it is a new and unheard of example that you finde in me: If Iu, das (said they) had but outlived his dayes, which by nature hee might have done; hee might have repented, and Christ would have received him to mercie; and yet hee sinned most grievously [Page] against his Master, which did so esteeme of him, as to honour him with the dignitie of an Apostle, and did maintaine and feed him: Hee answered, ‘Christ did also feed and honour mee, neither yet is my fault one jot lesse then that of his; because it is not more honour to bee personally present with Christ in the flesh, then to bee in his presence now by illumination of his holy Spirit: and besides, I denie that ever Iudas could have repented, [Page] how long soever he had lived; for grace was quite taken from him, as it is now from mee.’

O Spira (said they) you know you are in a spirituall desertion; you must therefore not beleeve what Satan suggests; hee was ever a lyar from the beginning, and a meere Impostour, and will cast a thousand lying fancies into your minde, to beguile you withall; you must rather beleeve those whom you judge to be in a good estate, and more able to discerne of you then your [Page] selfe; beleeve us, and wee tell you, that God will be mercifull unto you.

O here is the knot (said Spira) I would I could beleeve; But I cannot.

Then he began to reckon up what fearefull dreames and visions, hee was continually troubled withall; that hee saw the divels come flocking into his Chamber, and about his bed, terrifying him with strange noises; that these were not fancies, but that hee saw them as really as the standers by; and that [Page] besides these outward terrours, hee felt continually, a racking torture of his minde, and a continuall butchery of his conscience, being the very proper pangs of the damned wights in hell.

Cast these fancies (said Gribauldus) these are but illusions, humble your selfe in the presence of God, and praise him.

‘The dead praise not the Lord (answered he) nor they that goe down into the pit:Psal. 6. 5. wee that are drowned in despaire, are dead and [Page] are already gone downe into the pit: what hell can there be worse then desperation; or what greater punishment? the gnawing worme, unquenchable fire, horrour; confusion, and (which is worse then all) desperation it selfe continually tortures me; and now I count my present estate worse then if my soule (separated from my body) were with Iudas and the rest of the damned; and therefore, I now desire rather to be there, [Page] then thus to live in the body.’

One being present, repeated certaine words out of the Psalmes: Psal. 89. 30. If thy children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments; I will visite their transgressions with rods, and their iniquities with stripes; neverthelesse my loving kindnesse I will not utterly take from them, nor suffer my faithfulnesse to faile: Marke this, O Spira, my Covenant I will not breake.

These promises (said Spira) belong onely to the [Page] elect, which if tempted, may fall into sin, but are againe lifted up and recovered out: as the Prophet saith, though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast downe, for the Lord uphouldeth him: Therefore Peter could rise, for he was Elected, but the reprobate when they fall cannot rise againe, as appeares in Cain, Saule, and Iudas: God deales one way with the Elect, and another way with Reprobates.

The next day hee prayed with them in the Latine tongue, and that with excellent affection, as outwardly [Page] appeared, blessed bee God (said Vergerius) these are no signes of eternall reprobation: you must not O Spira, seeke out the secret counsels of Gods election and reprobation, for no man can know so long as hee lives, whether by his good or bad deeds, hee bee worthy of Gods love or anger:Eccles. 9. 1. Psal. 88. 14. doe you not know that the Prophet David complained, that God had cast off his Soule.

I know all this (quoth Spira) I know the mercies [Page] of God are infinite, and doe surpasse the sinnes of the whole world, and that they are effectuall to all that beleeve, but this faith, and this hope, is the gift of God; O that hee would give it mee; but it is as impossible as to drinke up the Sea at a draught: as for that of Solomon, if hee had ever tried that which I feele by woefull experience; hee would never have spoken as he did; but the truth is, never had mortall man, such an evident experience of Gods anger and hatred against him, as I have; you that are in a [Page] good estate, thinke repentance and faith to be workes of great facilitie, and therefore you thinke it an easie matter to perswade a man to beleeve; the whole need not the Physician; and hee that is well, can soone give counsell to such as are ill; but this is the hell to mee, my heart is hardned, I cannot beleeve; many are called, but few are chosen.

Vpon what grounds (said they) doe you conceive so ill an opinion of your selfe?

‘I once did know God to bee my Father, not [Page] onely by creation; but by regeneration, I knew him by his beloved Sonne, the authour and finisher of our Salvation; I could pray to him, and hope for pardon of sinnes from him; I had a taste of his sweetnesse, peace, and comfort: now contrarily, I know God not as a Father but as an enemy; what more? my heart hates God, and seekes to get above him: I have nothing else to flie to but terrour & despaire.’

Belike you thinke then [Page] (said they) that those who have the earnest and first fruits of Gods Spirit, may notwithstanding fall away?

‘The judgements of God are a deepe abisse, (said he) wee are soone drowned if we enter into them; he that thinks he standeth, let him take heed lest hee fall: as for my selfe, I know I am falne backe; and that I once did know the truth; though it may be not so throughly: I know not what else to say, but that I am one of [Page] that number, which God hath threatned to teare in pieces.’

Say not so (answered they) for God may come, though at the last houre; keepe hold therefore, at the least by hope.

‘This (quoth he) is my case I tell you I cannot, God hath deprived mee of hope; this brings terror to my minde, and pines this hodie which now is so weake, as it cannot performe the severall offices thereof:Rom. 8. 16. for as the Elect have the Spirit testifying that [Page] they are the sonnes of God, so the Reprobates even while they live, do often feele a worme in their conscience, whereby they are condemned already, and therefore as soone as I perceived this wound inflicted on my minde and will, I I knew that I wanted the gifts of saving grace, and that I was utterly undone;1 Cor. 11. 33. God chasteneth his children with temporarie afflictions,Rom. 1. 28. that they may come as gold out of the fire; but pupunisheth the wicked [Page] with blindnesse in their understandings, & hardnesse of heart; and woe be to such, from whom God takes his holie Spirit.’

Here one rebuked him, and told him, he gave too much credit to sence, that hee was not to beleeve himselfe, but rather him that was in a good estate, and I testifie to you (said he) that God will be mercifull to you.

Nay (answered he) for because I am in this ill estate; therfore can I beleeve nothing but what is contrarie [Page] to my salvation and comfort; but you that are so confident of your good state, looke that it bee true, for it is no such small matter to be assured of sinceritie: a man had need bee exceeding stronglie grounded in the Truth, before hee can bee able to affirme such a matter as you now doe; it is not the performance of a few outward duties, but a mightie constant labour, with all intention of heart and affection; with full desire and endeavour, continually to set forth Gods glorie; there must bee neither feare of Legates, [Page] Inquisitors, Prisons, nor anie death whatsoever; manie thinke themselves happie that are not; it is not every one that saith, Lord, Lord; that shall goe to heaven.

They came another day and found him with his eyes shut, as if hee had beene drowzie, and verie loath to discourse; at which time there came in also a grave man from Cittadella; who demanded of Spira, if hee knew him,Matth. 7. 22. or not; he lifting up his eye-lids and not suddenly remembring him, [Page] the man said to him; I am Presbiter Antonie Fontanina; I was with you at Venice, some 8. weeks since: ‘O cursed day (sayd Spira) O cursed day: O that I had never gone thither, would God I had then died.’

Afterwards came in a Priest called Bernardinus Sardoneus: bringing with him a booke of Exorcismes, to conjure this divell: whom when Spira saw, shaking his head he said:

‘I am verily perswaded [Page] indeed, that God hath left mee to the power of the divells: but such they are, as are not to be found in your Letanie: neither will they be cast out by spels:’ The Priest proceeding in his intended purpose; with a strange uncouth gesture, and a loud voice, adjured the Spirit to come into Spira's tongue, and to answer: Spira deriding his fruitlesse labour, with a sigh turned from him. A Bishop being there present, said to Spira, [Page] brother God hath put vertue into the Word and Sacraments: and wee have used the one means, and find not that effect which we desire: shall we trie the efficacie of the Sacraments, surely if you take it as a true Christian ought to receive, the body and bloud of Christ, it will proove a soveraigne medicine for your sicke soule.

‘This I cannot do (answered hee) for they that have no right to the promises, have [Page] no right to the seales: the Eucharist was appointed onely for beleevers: if wee have not faith, we eate and drinke judgement to our selves:1 Cor. 11. 29. I received it about a moneth since, but I did not well in so doing, for I tooke it by constraint, and so I tooke it to my deeper condemnation.’

Here Vergerius began to importune him earnestly to beware, that he did not wilfully resist grace, & put himself out [Page] of haven: charging him vehemently, by all the love that was betweene them: by the love which hee bare to his children, yea to his owne soule: that he would set himselfe seriously, to returne to that faith and hope, which once hee had in the death of Christ, with many such like words: Spira having heard much of the like matter formerlie: & being somewhat moved, said, ‘You do but repeat Vergerius, what should I hope? why [Page] should I beleeve? God hath taken faith from mee: shew mee then whither I shall goe: shew mee a haven whereto I shall retire: you tell mee of Gods mercy, when as God hath cast mee off: you tell mee of Christs intercession, I have denied him: you command mee to beleeve, I say I cannot: you bring mee no comfort: your command is as impossible for me to obey, as to keep the Morall Law: if [Page] you should perswade one to love God, with all his heart, soule and strength; and God gives him not the power, can he performe your desire? doth not the church teach us to sing; direct us, O Lord, to love thy commandements: hypocrites say that they love God with all their heart, but they lye: for my part, I will not lye, but tell you plainely; such is my case, that though you should never so much [Page] much importune mee to hope or beleeve, though I desire it, yet I cannot: for God (as a punishment of my wickednesse) hath taken away from me all his saving graces; faith, hope, and all: I am not the man therefore that you take mee for: belike you thinke I delight in this estate; if I could conceive but the least sparke of hope of a better estate hereafter, I would not refuse to endure the [Page] most heavie weight of the wrath of that great God; yea, for twenty thousand years, so that I might at length attaine to the end of that misery, which I now know will bee eternall; but I tell you, my will is wounded: who longs more to beleeve then I doe? but all the ground-worke of my hope is quite gone; for if the testimonies of holy Scripture bee true (as they are most certainly [Page] true) is not this as true: whosoever denies mee before men, him (saith Christ) will I denie before my Father which is in heaven? is not this properly my case, as if it had purposely beene intended against this very person of mine? & I pray you, what shall become of such as Christ denieth; seeing there is no other Name under heaven, whereby you looke to bee saved? what saith Saint Paul to the [Page] Hebrewes? Heb. 6. It is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, & were made partakers of the Holie Ghost, if they fall away, to be renued to repentance: what can be more plaine against me? Is not that Scripture also; if wee sinne wilfully after wee have received the Knowledge of the truth,and 10. 26. there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinne; but a certaine looking for of judgement: [Page] the Scripture speakes of mee, Saint Paul means me, S. Peter tels me,Pet. 2. 21. it had been better I had not knowne the way of Righteousnesse, then after I have knowne, to turne from the holy commandement: if it had beene better I had not known, and yet then my condemnation had beene most certaine: doe you not see evidently, that I have wilfully denied the known truth; may justly expect not [Page] onely damnation, but worse, if worse may be imagined: God will have mee undergoe the just punishment of my sinne, and make mee an example of his wrath for your sakes.’

The company present, admired his discourse, so grievously accusing himselfe of his fore-past life; so gravely and wisely dilating, concerning the judgements of God, that they then were convinced, that it was not frenzie or[Page]madnesse, that had possessed him: and being as it were, in admiration of his estate, Spira proceeded againe in this manner, Take heed to your selves, it is no light or easie matter to bee a Christian; it is not baptisme, or reading of the Scriptures, or boasting of faith in Christ (though even these are good) that can proove one to be an absolute Christian: you know what I said before, there must be a conformity in life; a Christian must bee strong, unconquerable, [Page] not carrying an obscure profession, but resolute; expressing the image of Christ, and holding out against all opposition to the last breath: hee must give all diligence by righteousnesse, and holinesse, to make his calling and election sure; many there are that snatch at the promises in the Gospel, as if they undoubtedly did belong to them, and yet they remaine sluggish, and carelesse, and beeing flattered by the things of this present world, they passe in their course in quietnesse and [Page] securitie, as if they were the onely happie men; whom neverthelesse the Lord in his providence hath ordained to eternall wrath; as you may see in S. Lukes rich man,Luk. 16. thus it was with mee, therefore take heed.

Then came one of his Nephews and offered him some sustenance, which he disdainfully refusing, so moved the youngmans choler, that hee charged him with hypocrisie and dissimulation, or frenzie; to whom Spira gravely answering, said:

[Page] You may interpret the matter as you will; but I am sure, I am not only the Actor, but the argument, and matter of the Tragedy; I would it were frenzie, either fained or true; for if it were fained, I could put it off at pleasure; if it were a reall frenzy, yet there were some hope left of Gods mercie, whereas now there is none; for I know that God hath pronounced mee an enemie, and guiltie of high Treason against his Majestie; I am a cast-away, a vassaile of wrath: yet dare [Page] you call it dissembling and frenzie; and can mocke at the formidable example of the heavie wrath of God, that should teach you feare and terrour; but it is naturall to the flesh, either out of malice or ignorance, to speake perversly of the workes of God, the naturall man discerneth not of the things that are of God, because they are spiritually discerned.

How can this be (said Gribauldus) that you can thus excellently discourse of the judgements of God, and of [Page] the graces of his holie Spirit, that you finde the want of them, and earnestly desire them; and yet you thinke you are utterly deprived of them.

Take this for certaine (said hee) I want the maine grace of all, and that which is absolutely necessarie; and God doth many times extort most true and strange testimonies of his Majesties justice and mercie; yea out of the mouthes of verie reprobates, for even Iudas, after hee had betrayed his [Page] Master,Mat. 27. 4. was constrained to confesse his sinne, and to justifie the innocencie of Christ; and therefore if I doe the like, it is no new or strange matter: God hath taken faith from mee, and left mee other common gifts, for my deeper condemnation; by how much the more I remember what I had, and heare others discourse of what they have, by so much the more is my torment, in that I know what I want, and how there is no way to bee relieved.

Thus spake hee, the [Page] teares all the while trickling downe; professing that his pangs were such, as that the damned wights in hell endure not the like miserie; that his estate was worse, then that of Cain or Iudas; and therefore hee desired to die: yet behold (saith hee) the Scriptures are accomplished in mee; Rev. 9. 6. they shall desire to die, and death shall flie from them; and verily, hee seemed exceedingly to feare, lest his life should bee drawne out to a longer thread: and [Page] finding no ease, or rest, ever and anone cried out: O miserable wretch; O miserable wretch; then turning to the Company; hee besought them in this manner.

O Brethren, take a diligent heed to your life; make more account of the gifts of Gods spirit then I have done, learne to beware my misery, thinke not you are assured Christians, because you understand something of the Gospel; take heed you grow not secure on that ground; be constant and immoveable [Page] in the maintaining of your profession, confesse even untill death if you be called thereto: he that loveth father,Luk. 14. 26. mother, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, kindred, houses, lands, more then Christ, is not worthie of him.

These words (said they) doe not sound like the words of a wicked Reprobate.

I doe but herein imitate (said Spira) the rich Glutton in the Gospel, who though in hell; yet was carefull that his brethren should not come to that [Page] place of torment: and I say to you Brethren, take heed of this miserable estate wherein I am.

Then turning himselfe to certaine young men that were present, hee desired them to conceive him aright: ‘I doe not speak this, to derogate from the certaintie of saving faith, and the promises of the Gospel, for they are most sure; but take heed of relying on that Faith that works not a holy and unblameable life, worthy [Page] of a beleever; credit mee, it will faile, I have tried it: I presumed I had gotten the right faith, I preached it to others, I had all places of Scripture in memorie, that might support it: I thought my selfe sure, and in the meane time, living impiously and carelesly, behold, now the judgements of God have overtaken mee, not to correction, but to condemnation; and now you would have mee [Page] to beleeve, but it will not bee; for I feele too late; that good things belong onely to such as are good; whose sinnes are covered with Christs death and bloud, as with a vaile, and guarded with his righteous merits from the floud of Gods warth, even as with a mightie wall; left miserable mortals should bee swallowed up with the greatnesse of their sinnes: But as for mee, I have as it were [Page] wilfully with mine hands pulled downe this rampire; behind which I might have rested in safetie; and now are the swelling waters come even to my soule: and I am cast away.’

One of his familiar friends chanced to say, that certainly he was overcome with melancholy; which being overheard, Spira answered:

‘Well, bee it so, seeing you will needs have it so; for thus [Page] also is Gods wrath manifested against me in that hee hath taken from mee the use of mine understanding and reason, so as I can neither rightly esteeme and judge of my distemper, nor hope of remedie: you see Brethren, what a dangerous thing it is, to stoppe or stay in things that concerne Gods glorie: especially to dissemble upon anie termes: what a fearefull thing is it to be neare, and almost a [Page] Christian; never was the like example to this of mine: and therefore if you bee wise, you will seriously consider therof; Oh that God would let loose his hand from me; that it were with me now, as in times past; I would scorn the threats of the most cruell Tyrants, beare torments with invincible resolution, and glorie in the outward profession of Christ, till I were choked in the flame, and my [Page] body consumed to ashes.’

You say you are desperate, O Spira (said they) why then doe you not strive with some weapon or other, violently to make an end of your life, as desperate men use to doe? Let mee have a sword (sayd Spira) why what would you doe with it (quoth they) I cannot tell you (said hee) what this minde would move me to upon occasion; nor what I would doe.

They perceiving smal [Page] effect of all this their labour; but rather that he grew worse: for the avoiding of concourse of people; for everie day seldome fewer then 20▪ continued with him, & to stop the course of fame, which was continually blowne abroad of him; they consult to carry him backe againe into his owne countrey: and those his friends that came to comfort him, began to take their leaves of him: Vergerius among the rest, required that at their [Page] parting they might pray together with him: Spira hardly consented, and as unwillingly performed: for hee said, ‘My heart is estranged from God, I cannot call him Father from my heart; all good motions are now quite gone, my heart is full of malediction, hatred, and blasphemy against God; I finde I grow more and more hardned in heart, and cannot stoope nor helpe my selfe; your prayers for mee shall [Page] turne to your owne benefit, they can doe mee no good.’

Vergerius came to take his leave of him, whom Spira embracing, said, ‘Although I know that nothing can bring any benefit to mee a Reprobate; but that every thing shall tend to my deeper condemnation; yet I give you most hearty thankes, for your kinde office of love and good will; and the Lord returne it unto you with a [Page] plentifull increase of all good.’

The next day being brought downe to his intended Iourney, by the way looking round about him with a ghastly looke, he saw a knife lying on a Table, to which he running hastily snatched hold of; as intending to mischiefe himselfe; but his friends laying hold of him, stopped him in his purpose: whereupon with indignation, hee said, ‘I would I were, above [Page] God, for I know hee will have no mercy on me.’

Thus went he homewards, often saying, that the envied the condition of Cain and Iudas: hee lay about 8. weekes in this case, in a continuall burning, neither desiring, nor receiving any thing but by force, and that without disgestion: so spent, that hee appeared a perfect Anatomie; expressing to the view, nothing but sinewes and bones; [Page] vehemently raging for drinke; ever pining, yet fearefull to live long; dreadfull of hell, yet coveting death; in a continuall torment, yet his own tormentour: and thus consuming himselfe with griefe and horrour, impatience, & despaire; like a living man in Hell; hee represented an extraordinary example of the justice and power of God: and thus (as farre as appeareth) within a few dayes after his arrivall at his [Page] owne home, he departed this present life. Yet an occasion to make us remember, that secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but charitie to man, to teach him to hope all things.

[Page] EXtraordinary examples of Divine Iustice, God never intended for a nine dayes wonder: else would hee when hee exemplifi'd Lots wife have turned her into a statue of melting snow, not of lasting salt; which stood as Iosephus tells us, till his age, after the destruction of Ierusalem: and as some Travellers report, till at this day: ut quoddam[Page]hominibus praestaret condimentum quo sapiant unde illud caveatur exemplum; Aug. de. civit. Dei. lib. 16. c. 30. for a season against corruption, a preservative against Apostacie. This Tragedy, when fresh and new, was the conversion and confirmation of sundry Worthies: Vergerius a daily spectator thereof, forsaking a rich Bishopricke of Iustinopolis, and tents of Antichrist; went to Basil, and dyed a [Page] worthy Protestant: many Nations had Eyewitnesses of their owne Students, then in the Vniversitie of Padua who penned the Story, the Copies wherof are frequently revived: our English ones were very defective, and now worne out of shoppes and hands, sundry manuscripts of this abroad imperfect; which moved mee to compare this labour of a worthy Gentleman (who faithfully translated it out of [Page] Italian, French, and Dutch Letters) with the Latine of Caelius Secundus, Curio, Mattheus Gribauldus, professors of the Civill Law in Padua: Sigismund Gelous a Transilvanian, Henricus Scotus, all daily visitors of Spira, and finde it accord with them. Touching Spiraes person, I finde (most learned writers) to incline to the right, and hopefull hand: moved by his sweet, humble, and charitable speeches: some few desperate ones excepted, [Page] that fell from him in some little agonies, which kept him fasting and watching about six moneths space, eating nothing but what was forced downe his throat. The sum of Calvins and Borrhaus their their counsels (who writ largely of the use of this pattern) is that all learne to take heed of backe-sliding, which Gods soule abhorres; and not to dally with Conscience, and hell on earth, if justly incensed; more to be feared [Page] then the Spanish Inquisition, or all the Strappadoes and torments in the world; and to take heed of Spira's principall Errors; which were to dispute with Satan over busily in time of weakenesse: especially to reason, and conclude from present sense: to Gods past Reprobation, and future Damnation: both which is hard, if possible for any man to determine in his owne, much more in others cases: so commending [Page] thee to his grace who is able to establish thee to the end: I bid thee farewell, and hope well, while the space of Grace lasteth, Dum spiras spera: so mayest thou take good and no hurt, by the reading of this terrible example.

FINIS.

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A RELATION OF THE FEAREFVLL ESTATE OF Francis Spira, in the yeare, 1548.

The backeslider in heart shall be filled with his owne waies,

Prov. 14. 14.

LONDON, Printed by I. L. for Phil. Stephens, and Christoph. Meredith, at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard. 1638.

A Preface.

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FOR truth of this History ensuing, besides circumstances of place, person, time, occasion, so exactly observed; I referre my selfe to the Relation of those Godly men, who in severall languages have manifested to the world the severall passages thereof: and although I am not ignorant, that at the first they were not only not credited, but also discredited and slandered, by such as found them to bee a Blur to the Romane Profession, yet they lost not their lustre thereby, but being acquitted by many Compurgators of severall Nations, and some of the Romish Religion, being all of them spectators of this Tragedie. It occasioned [Page] not only a further manifestation and confirmation of the truth, but also a large & more frequent confluence, to see that which they had formerly only heard of. This partly appeareth out of the succeeding Story; but more fully out of an Apology written by Vergerius Bishop of Iustinople, who was accused for dispersing the fame of this Example to the staine of Popery, in which Apology to N. Rottan, Suffragen of Padua, is shortly and plainly declared, what was said, what was done, and who were present. If that it be demanded, what mooved mee to compile this Treatise; Spira—tell them that it should teach feare and reverence, and indeed among all those that come to see him, few or none returnes unshaken. Vergerius in his first Epistle saith; I would faine goe see him again, but I exceedingly [Page] feare and tremble, and in his Apologie saith, it is such a rare example, as I would willingly goe to the furthest parts of the world to heare or see the like. The Lady Iane to her Fathers Chaplaine (that had falne into Spira's sinne) saith, remember the lamentable estate of Spira. I acknowledge that there hath beene formerly a Booke published in our Mother tongue, concerning this subject, but as farre as I can learne (for I could never yet obtaine to see any one of them) it was nothing so large and various as this present Treatise, and as I have heard, a translation of onely one of the Tractates, from whence I have gathered this present Discourse in part. Concerning my care and fidelitie in this businesse, it is such as I may truely say without changing of colour, that there is not one sentence of all this Worke attributed [Page] unto the person of Spira, but it hath it warrant, either from the Epistles of Vergerius and Gribaldus, Professours of the Law in Padua, or from the Discourses of Henry Scringer a Scotish man, Sigismund Gelons a Transilvanian, and Martin Bocha a Divine of Basill: neither have I taken any other Libertie then as a Relation to weave the aforesaid Discourses one within another, so as those which under severall Writers, were before counted severall, are now by my indeavours reduced into one intire History, connexed by due succession of time and occasion, as punctually as could be aimed at, by the circumstances noted in the Writings of those holy and learned men before named.

N. B. Imprimatur Tho: Wykes.

April. 5. 1638.

Decemb. 2. 1637.

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Imprimatur Tho▪ Wykes. R. P. Episc. Lond. Cap. Domest.

Information about this book

Title statement

A relation of the fearefull estate of Francis Spira in the yeare, 1548.

Bacon, Nathaniel, 1593-1660.

Edition statement

1638

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A01647

ID [STC]

STC 1178.5

ID [STC]

ESTC S118976

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99854183

ID [PROQUEST]

99854183

ID [VID]

19592

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01647)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 19592)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1126:16)

Source

— A relation of the fearefull estate of Francis Spira in the yeare, 1548., Bacon, Nathaniel, 1593-1660..

Extent

[8], 134, [4] p.

Printed by I. L[egat] for Phil. Stephens, and Christoph. Meredith, at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard,. London :: 1638.. (Preface signed: N.B. (i.e. Nathaniel Bacon).) (Printer's name from STC.) (Running title reads: A relation of Francis Spira.) (Identified as STC 1178 on UMI microfilm.) (The final leaf is blank.) (Signatures: A-F¹² .) (Reproduction of the original in the Yale University. Library.)

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