Alden, J: Alden's Cyclopedia of Universal Literature, Vol. 1

Excerpt from Alden's Cyclopedia of Universal Literature, Vol. 10: Presenting Biographical and Critical Notices, and Specimens From the Writings of Eminent Authors of All Ages and All Nations

The friars and brethren of other Orders cease not to preach fervently against him: arising at last into such high and malicious in¿amma tion, that one of the disciples of Savonarola, and one of the Friar Minors, agreed to enter into the fire in the presence of the whole people, to the end that the disciple of Savo narela either being burned or preserved, the people might be left satisfied, and certain whether Savonarola were a prophet or an abuser: seeing that at times afore he had af firmed in his sermons, that for the justification of the truth of his prophecies, he could in all necessities obtain of God the grace to pass without hurt, through the middest of a ¿aming fire. And yet notwithstanding grieving not a little with the resolution made without his privity touching a present experience, he labored to break it with all his devices and diligence. But the matter being so far pro ceeded of itself, and earnestly solicited by cer tain citizens desiring to have the town delivered of so great troubles, it was necessary at last to pass further: insomuch as the two religious brethren, accompanied with all their brother hood, came at the day appointed to the place afore the public palace, where was not only a general concourse of the people of Florence, but universal assemblies of the cities adjoining. There the Friar Minors were advertised that Savonarola had ordained, that his disciple and brother entering the fire, should bear in his hand the Sacrament: which device they ini pugned greatly, alleging that there was sought by that means to put in danger the authority f Christian faith, which in the minds of the ignorant Would not a little decline if that holy llost should be burned: which contention, Savonarola being there present, and persever ing in his resolution, there arose such fae tions and disagreements, that the action of experience proceeded no further, the same.

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