ease him. Never pleaded
any man so well for himself, as this man did against himself, and so he
desperately died. Springer, a lawyer, hath written his life. Cardinal
Crescence died so likewise desperate at Verona, still he thought a black
dog followed him to his death-bed, no man could drive the dog away,
Sleiden. _com. 23. cap. lib. 3._ Whilst I was writing this Treatise, saith
Montaltus, _cap. 2. de mel._ [6747]"A nun came to me for help, well for all
other matters, but troubled in conscience for five years last past; she is
almost mad, and not able to resist, thinks she hath offended God, and is
certainly damned." Felix Plater hath store of instances of such as thought
themselves damned, [6748] forsaken of God, &c. One amongst the rest, that
durst not go to church, or come near the Rhine, for fear to make away
himself, because then he was most especially tempted. These and such like
symptoms are intended and remitted, as the malady itself is more or less;
some will hear good counsel, some will not; some desire help, some reject
all, and will not be eased.

SUBSECT. V.--_Prognostics of Despair, Atheism, Blasphemy, violent death,
&c._

Most part these kind of persons make [6749]away themselves, some are mad,
blaspheme, curse, deny God, but most offer violence to their own persons,
and sometimes to others. "A wounded spirit who can bear?" Prov. xviii. 14.
As Cain, Saul, Achitophel, Judas, blasphemed and died. Bede saith, Pilate
died desperate eight years after Christ. [6750]Felix Plater hath collected
many examples. [6751]A merchant's wife that was long troubled with such
temptations, in the night rose from her bed, and out of the window broke
her neck into the street: another drowned himself desperate as he was in
the Rhine: some cut their throats, many hang themselves. But this needs no
illustration. It is controverted by some, whether a man so offering
violence to himself, dying desperate, may be saved, ay or no? If they die
so obstinately and suddenly, that they cannot so much as wish for mercy,
the worst is to be suspected, because they die impenitent. [6752]If their
death had been a little more lingering, wherein they might have some
leisure in their hearts to cry for mercy, charity may judge the best;
divers have been recovered out of the very act of hanging and drowning
themselves, and so brought _ad sanam mentem_, they have been very penitent,
much abhorred their former act, confessed that they have repented