The Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Atten. These are provoking things.

Wise. So they are: but God doth not altogether let such things go unpunished in this life. Something of this I have showed you already, and will here give you one or two Instances more. ⟨p. 295⟩There lived, saith one, in the year 1551. in a City of Savoy, ¹a man who was a monstrous Curser and Swearer, and though he was often admonished and blamed for it, yet would he by no means mend his manners. At length a great plague happening in the City, he withdrew himself into a Garden, where being again admonished to give over his wickedness, he hardened his heart more, Swearing, Blaspheming God, and giving himself to the Devil: And immediately the Devil snatched him up suddenly, his wife and kinswoman looking on, and carried him quite away. The Magistrates advertised hereof, went to the place and examined the Woman, who justified the truth of it. Also at Oster in the Duchy of Magalapole, (saith Mr. Clark) a wicked Woman, used in her cursing to give her self body and soul to the Devil, and being reproved for it, still continued the same; till (being at a Wedding-Feast) the Devil came in person, and carried her up into the Air, with most horrible outcries and roarings: And in that sort carried ⟨p. 296⟩her round about the Town, that the Inhabitants were ready to dye for fear: And by and by he tore her in four pieces, leaving her four quarters in four several high-ways; and then brought her Bowels to the Marriage-feast, and threw them upon the Table before the Major of the Town, saying, Behold, these dishes of meat belong to thee, whom the like destruction waiteth for, if thou dost not amend thy wicked life.

Wise. So they are: but God doth not altogether let such things goe unpunished in this life. Something of this I have shewed you already, and will here give you one or two Instances more. ⟨p. 295⟩