XXIII.—Anent a great Doctor of Divinity that rose out of the Bier, and spake to all that were present.
It is written in the life of one Bruno, that a doctor of great note for learning and godliness, being dead, was brought to the church to be buried; and while they were in their popish devotions, and came to these words, Responde de mihi, the corps arose in the bier, and with an extremely terrible voice cried out, Justo Die judicio accusatus sum, “I am accused at the just judgement of God.” At which voice the people ran all out affrighted. On the morrow, when they came again to perform the obsequies, to the like words as before, the corpse arose again, and cried with a hideous voice, Justo Die condemnatus sum. “I am judged at the righteous judgement of God.” Whereupon the people ran away amazed. The third day almost all the city came together; and when they came to the same words as before, the corps rose again, and cried with a more doleful noise than before, Justo Dei judicio condemnatus sum. “I am condemned at the righteous judgment of God.” The consideration whereof, that a man reputed so upright, should yet by his own confession, be damned, caused Bruno and the rest of his companions to enter into the strict order of Carthusians. The author and relator makes this use of it: “If the voice of the dead man could affright them unto superstition, should not the warning of God affright unto true doctrine?”