and
Sigonius of Charles the Third and his wife Richarda, _an._ 887, that was so
purged with hot irons. Pausanias saith, that he was once an eyewitness of
such a miracle at Diana's temple, a maid without any harm at all walked
upon burning coals. Pius Secund. in his description of Europe, _c. 46._
relates as much, that it was commonly practised at Diana's temple, for
women to go barefoot over hot coals, to try their honesties: Plinius,
Solinus, and many writers, make mention of [6150]Geronia's temple, and
Dionysius Halicarnassus, _lib. 3._ of Memnon's statue, which were used to
this purpose. Tatius _lib. 6._ of Pan his cave, (much like old St.
Wilfrid's needle in Yorkshire) wherein they did use to try, maids,
[6151]whether they were honest; when Leucippe went in, _suavissimus
exaudiri sonus caepit_ Austin _de civ. Dei lib. 10. c. 16._ relates many
such examples, all which Lavater _de spectr. part. 1. cap. 19_ contends to
be done by the illusion of devils; though Thomas _quaest. 6. de polentia_,
&c. ascribes it to good angels. Some, saith [6152]Austin, compel their
wives to swear they be honest, as if perjury were a lesser sin than
adultery; [6153]some consult oracles, as Phaerus that blind king of Egypt.
Others reward, as those old Romans used to do; if a woman were contented
with one man, _Corona pudicitiae donabatur_, she had a crown of chastity
bestowed on her. When all this will not serve, saith Alexander Gaguinus,
_cap. 5. descript. Muscoviae_, the Muscovites, if they suspect their wives,
will beat them till they confess, and if that will not avail, like those
wild Irish, be divorced at their pleasures, or else knock them on the
heads, as the old [6154]Gauls have done in former ages. Of this tyranny of
jealousy read more in Parthenius _Erot. cap. 10._ Camerarius _cap. 53. hor.
subcis. et cent. 2. cap. 34._ Caelia's epistles, Tho. Chaloner _de repub.
Aug. lib. 9._ Ariosto _lib. 31. stasse 1._ Felix Platerus _observat. lib.
1._ &c.

MEMB. III.
_Prognostics of Jealousy. Despair, Madness, to make away themselves and
others_.

Those which are jealous, most part, if they be not otherwise relieved,
[6155]"proceed from suspicion to hatred, from hatred to frenzy, madness,
injury, murder and despair."

[6156] "A plague by whose most damnable effect.
Divers in deep despair to die have sought,
By which a man to madness near is brought,
As well with causeless as with just suspect."

In their madne