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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	age_n	write_v	year_n	1,957	5	4.7409	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17298	A divine tragedie lately acted, or A collection of sundry memorable examples of Gods judgements upon Sabbath-breakers, and other like libertines, in their unlawfull sports, happening within the realme of England, in the compass only of two yeares last past, since the booke was published worthy to be knowne and considered of all men, especially such, who are guilty of the sinne or arch-patrons thereof.	Burton, Henry, 1578-1648.	1636 (1636)	STC 4140.7; ESTC S115279	33,687	58

belonging to their charge Neither verily can any manner of Governing the common wealth be better or more praise worthy then that which gives the first place and care to divine worship and religion FINIS Christian Reader as these examples have beene displaced so one of them hath beene omitted in the printing which because it is notable and worthy consideration I shall here adde for a conclusion M r. William Noy that great Gamaliel of the Law his Majesties late Aturney generall as he had a great hand in compiling and republishing the late Declaration for pastimes on the Lords day thrust out by his and a great Prelates practise to thwart Iudge Richardsons good order for the suppressing of Wakes and Revels in Somersetshire and the Iustices of that Shires Petition to his Majesty for the continuance of it and to make way for a Starchamber censure against M r. Prynne so he eagerly persecuted this wel-deserving Gentleman of his own Profession and Society to whom he was formerly a friend in appearance but an inveterate enemy in truth for his Histrio-Mastix compiled onely out of the words and sentences of other approved Authors of all sorts against the use and exercise of Stage-plaies Enterludes Morisdances Maygames May-poles Wakes lascivious mixt Dancing and other Ethnick pastimes condemned in all ages without any thought or suspition of giving the least offence either to the Kings most excellent Majesty the Queene or State as he averred in his Answer upon Oath And although this book was written 4. yeares licensed almost three printed fully off a quarter of a yeare and published 6. weekes before the Queenes Majesties Pastorall against which it was falsely voiced to have beene principally written diligently perused and licensed by M r. Thomas Buckner the then Archbishop of Canterbury his Chaplaine both before and after it came from the Presse entred in the Stationers Hall under the Wardens hand printed publikely in three authorized Printing-houses without the least controll and published by the said Licensers direction who would have nothing new-printed in it as appeared upon oath at the hearing and although M r. Noy himselfe to whom he presented one of the Bookes upon the first reading of it commended it thanked him for it oft affirmed that he saw no hurt in it and at the hearing confessed that the worst and most dangerous phrase and passage in it might have a good and faire construction and Schollers would all take it in a good sence yet he handled the matter so by suppressing the Gentlemans exhibits and defence wresting his words and meaning refusing to discover the particulars of the booke on which he would insist though ordered so to doe by the Court it being else impossible to instruct Counsell how to make a reply and by tampering under hand with some of his Counsell by no meanes to make any justification or defence to cleare his innocency though the party earnestly intreated and gave them instructions to the contrary that the poore Gentleman at last received the heaviest censure that this latter age hath knowne all circumstances considered being expelled the Vniversity of Oxford and Lincolnes Inne thrust from his profession in which hee never offended fined 5000. pound to the King ordered to stand on two severall Pillories and there to lose both his eares his bookes to be there burned before him and to suffer imprisonment during life besides Which Sentence thought by most that heard the cause to bee meant only in terrorem without any intention at al of execution being respited for above three moneths space and in a manner remitted by the Queenes most gracious mediation was yet by this Atturnies and a great Prelates importunity beyond all expectation suddenly and severely executed without any the least mitigation few of the Lords so much as knowing of it The Gentleman hereupon is set on the Pillory at Westminster and there lost an eare Mr. Noy like a joyfull Spectator laughes at his sufferings and this his great exploit he had brought to passe which divers there present observed and condemned in him The Gentleman like an harmelesse Lambe tooke all with such patience that hee not so much as once opened his mouth to let fall any one word of discontent Yet that just God and Soveraigne Lord of heaven and earth Who beholdeth mischiefe and spite to requite it with his hand and avengeth the innocent bloud of his servants took this his mirth and malice so hainously that the same day as some about him and of his owne society reported he who thus shed his brothers and companions bloud by the just hand of God fell a voyding and pissing out his owne which so amazed him that he used all meanes he could to smother it from the world charging his Laundres and those about him not to speake of it refusing to acquaint his Physicians with it hereupon hee growes very palid and ill the Physicians wonder at it he complaines to them onely of the gravell and stone in his kidnies till at last he grew so ill with this divine stroke that he was forced to disclose his griefe to them yet so as they must faithfully promise to disclose it to no man for feare people should say it were a just judgement of God on him for shedding Mr. Prynnes blood But God would not have this secret long concealed his Laundres men some Gentlemen of his society discover and talke of it he much vexed in mind in stead of repenting of what he had done and seeking to right the party wronged for his irreparable dammage like a Hart or Beast once mortally wounded proceeds on in his former fury seeks to bring the poore distressed Gentleman into fresh trouble a further censure brings him Oretenus into the Starchamber reviles him with all maner of uncivell words moves to have him close prisoner among the rogues in Newgate sels his Chamber as forfeited to the House by his expulsion seiseth his books and when as the Court would not grant his unreasonable malitious motion above 5. weeks after in the long vacation when most of the Lords were gone and his Majesty in his progresse drawes up an order of his own making in Starchamber for the Gentlemans close imprisonment the last order he ever made caused the register to enter it and sends it to the Tower to be executed the same day he went to Tunbridge waters without the Lords or Courts privity The day following drinking of those waters he was in miserable torture in so much that most dispaired of his life and some reported he was dead and hearing there that his disease of voyding bloud was then publikely known and talked of in London he was so vexed at it that hee fell out with his Physicians and servants rayling on them like a frantick man as if they had betrayed him and disclosed his secrets Yea it so fretted and gnawed his heart conscience that it made his very heart intrails to perish and

and died Remarkable it is that where the Father drew ale upon the Lordsday and so profaned it In the same place his Sonne the next day drew his last breath for that the punishment inflicted was stamped with the resemblance of the sinne convicted EXAMPLE 21. At Baunton in Dorcetshire some being at bowles on the Lords day one flinging his bowle at his fellowbowler hit him on the eare so as the bloud issued forth at the other eare whereof he shortly died The Murtherer fledd EXAMPLE 22. One good man Paul neere Stoke in Dorcetshire rejoycinge much at the erection of a summer-pole at a Parish cald Simsbury in Dorcetshire saying before one his Neighbours he would goe see it though he went naked through a quickset hedge which is a cōmon proverb they use Going with wood in his armes to cast into the bonfire where he lived and using these words Heaven and earth are full of thy glory O Lord he was presently smitten by the Stroke of God and within 2. or 3. dayes dyed and his wife with him These two last examples are testifieth by a Minister in his letter to a brother Minister EXAMPLE 3. A Mayd at Enfield neere London hearing of the liberty which was given by the booke which was published for sports would needs goe daunce with others on the Lords day saying shee would goe daunce so long as shee could stand on her leggs shee daunced so long that thereof within 2. or 3. dayes shee dyed EXAMPLE 23. In the edge of Essex neere Brinkley two fellowes working in a chalke pitt the one was boasting to his fellow how he had angred his Mistrisse with staying so late at their sports the last sunday night but he sayd he would anger her worse the next Sunday He had no sooner sayd this but suddainly the earth fel downe upon him and slew him out right with the fall whereof his fellowes limbe was broken who had been also partner with him in his jollity on the Lords day escaping with his life that he might tell the truth that God might be glorified and that by this warning he might repent of his sin and reforme such his profanesse and remaine as a pillar of salt to season others with feare by his example EXAMPLE 24. The last Spring a Miller hard by Wootton in Worcestershire went on the Lordsday to a wake whence returning home againe the same day at night found his Mill and house all on a fier this was testified by a Minister in a Reply to another Minister who was an eye witnes EXAMPLE 25. At Woolston in the same Country where the sayd Ministers father had beene Minister 40. yeares and by Gods blessing upon his labours had reformed things very well yet upon the publication of this booke in printe many of the inhabitants the springe following were imboldned to set up Maypoles Morrice daunce and a Whitson ale continuing their rude revelling a weeke together with many affronts to their ancient and reverent Pastor but it pleased God that not long after a sparke from a smithes shop caught in that roome where the ale was brewed and though meanes were ready at hand yet it could not be quenched but set the house on fire and presently flew to the barne in which their disorder was and burnt the same with 13. dwelling houses more most of whose inhabitants were actors or abetters in the same This is testifieth by many EXAMPLE 12. At Topudle in Dorceshiere one Iohn Hooper aliàs Cole upon the promulgation of the sayd Booke was let downe into a Well to cleanse it for to brew beere for a Whitson ale by Francis Laurence aliàs Smith and Stephen P●pe Churchwardens which Well was in the backe side of Richard Laurence aliàs Smith Which Iohn Hooperfel● from the rope into the Well where he dyed EXAMPLE 26. Richard Iones son of Widdow Iones Iul. 1634. not farre from Dorchester being severely admonished by his Mother when shee understood he had a purpose on satturday night to goe on the Lords day with other companions to Stoake to play at a sport called fiues but persisting in his resolution and going the next day accordingly being the Lords day at Stoake where he played at the said sport at night returning home with his companions W m. Burges W m. Hill Iohn Edwards after they had there wel drunke they fall first a justling one another in the way then to boxes and in the end Edwards stabbing Iones under the left side he dyed thereof the monday night following about seaven of the Clocke Behold here a terrible example of disobedience to Gods holy commandements not only the fourth but the fifth also EXAMPLE 27. At Ovendeane in Sussex about 9. or 10. miles from Alfriston aliàs Ason one Iohn Arcold of the age of one or two and twenty yeares eldest sonne to Iohn Arcold a blacksmith dwelling in Ason with other younkars would needs fall a ringing of the bells on a Sabbath day presuming the Booke for Sports gave them full liberty so to doe One of the Churchwardens Robert Kenward hindred them from their jangling whereupon the said Arcold and his companions fell in some contestation with him telling him that though he hindred them now yet they would ring the next Sunday whether he would or no. But the said Iohn Arcold the ringleader before the next Sunday came was strucke with a sicknesse in which he continued a fortnight or 3. weekes till he died in which time Robbert Kenward the Churchwarden repairing to him and putting him in minde of his bold affronting of him he seemed to be sorry for it and promised if God would be pleased to restore him againe to his health he would never doe the like God make his surviving companions and all others wise by his example EXAMPLE 28. At Walton upon Thames in Surrey not farre from Oatlands in the last great frost 3 youngmen on the Lords day after they had beene at the Church in the forenoone where the Minister pressing the words of his text out of 2. Cor. 5. 10. that we must all appeare before the judgement seat of Christ c. they the while whispering one to another as they sate In the afternoone they went together over the Thames upon the Ice unto a house of disorder and gameing where they spent the rest of the Lords day and part of the night also in revelling one of them in a Tauerne merrily discoursing the next day of his Sabbath-acts and voyage over the Ice but on the Tewsday next after these three returning home wards and attempting to passe again over the yce they all sanke downe to the bottome as stones whereof one only of them was miraculously preserved but the other two were drowned Rejoyce O younge man in thy youth and let thy hart cheare thee in the dayes of thy youth and walke in the wayes of thy hart and in the sight of thine eyes But know thou that for all these things God will

and that by the Ministers themselves For was it not the judgement and confession of King Iames of famous memory and of the whole state and Kingdome in an exhortation published in that great plague beginning with his raigne 1603 where are these words The Lords Sabbath is not kept holy but polluted c. and therefore the cause is apparent why the plague is broken in amongst us And was not the same exhortation afterwards republished by our gracious King Charles whom God long preserve a religious and righteous Governour over us in the first yeare of his raigne with the approbation of the whole Parliament where the same is acknowledged of that other great Plague in the beginning of his Raigne 1625. namely that one principall speciall cause thereof was the not keeping holy but polluting the Lords day And if this were a principall cause of those great plagues then why not of this which now we suffer yea what Plague upon plagues may we not justly expect to breake forth upon us in these dayes wherein we have increased surpassed our fathers sins and that in such a height as they reach up to heaven to pull downe flames and flakes of vengeance upon our heads And so much the more sith upon the publishing of the said booke so manyfold mischiefes have attended and followed as never any age since Christ much lesse such a Christian state as we professe to be hath seene or ever heard the like For besides the open violation of Gods holy commandement the 4. Morall acknowledged in our Homily to be the ground of our Christian Sabbath day as it is there no lesse then 8. severall times distinctly stiled as also in another Homily twice which by the way makes me wonder at the audacious insolence arrogant ignorance of some new Masters in these dayes and in particular of D r. Poch in his Sunday no Sabbath who is not ashamed to avouch with open mouth that the name of Sabbath was never given to the Lords day untill it was brought in by Iohn Knox others of the Puritan faction in the yeare 1554. What saith he then to the Homilies of our Church which were set forth in K. Edw. 6. his Raigne and so I am sure before 1554. by 3. or 4. yeares now these to omitt innumerable testimonies more both out of ancient Fathers and the Prelates of this Land too large to be comprehended in a Parenthesis being now to furnish a pretty Treatise these our Homilies I say so frequently and clearly called the Lords day the Sabbath day before Iohn Knox called it so 1554. And the same Homilies being set forth a fresh by Queene Elizabeth 1562. will Dr. P. dare to charge the learned and pious compilers of them a pack of Puritans or as some other NOVELL SABBATARIANS But this by the way by which violation I say of the Sabbath or Lords day God is intolerably dishonoured and his Religion disgraced through outragious libertinisme What an invention of Antichristian tyranny hath broken in at the opening of this great sluice What havock is made in our Church by sundry of the Hierarchy in suspending godly Ministers depriving them of their liberty livelyhood and Freeholds against all Lawes of God and man so as they their wives and children are exposed to beggery and all misery and their flocks to be devoured of the wolves and to become a prey to that roaring Lion and all this because they dare not offer violence to their consciences in doing that which should dishonour God indanger their owne and their peoples soules abase before God and man the authority and dignity to their Ministry condemne the innocent people of God and call the wicked righteous teach inferiours rebellion to their Superiours and in a word hasten the pulling downe of vengeance from heaven upon the Land O ye heavens stand amazed at this sight Tell it not in Gath nor publish it in the Streets of Askelon least the daughters of the Philistims rejoyce least the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph What could the Pope have done more then some of our Prelates have done in this kind for the darkening of the glory of Christs Kingdome and for the setting up of Antichrists throne againe in this Land But our Lord sayth Ye shall know them by their fruits Besides what impudency and impiety hath broken out from sundry aëry and ambitious spirits who have dared in their late published bookes upon bookes to belch out their blasphemies against God and the power purity and profession of the Religion established amongst us for so many yeares Nor only is the floodgate of all profanenesse and impiety broken up in the violation of the 4. commandement but of the 5. also when as by occasion of the publishing of the sayd booke which inhibits Magistrates and superiours to restraine or punish youth for taking such liberty on the Lords day as the booke alloweth and which all other books writings monuments of Fathers Councells Kings Emperours Divines ancient and moderne Protestants and Papists have universally with one vote and voyce cryed downe till now but yesterday a new generation of Maleferiati hath risen up out daring and defining the whole world and God himselfe inferiour persons exalt themselves in high contempt against their Superiours as the common vulgar against the Magistrate and Minister servants against their Masters children against their Parents and wanton wives against their husbands which hath caused such outcryes and complaints of masters for their servants unbridled and uncontrowled outrage on the Lords day which must also in-jure them with pride and presumption of spirit the whole weeke after and so their whole life while like untamed colts they have thus learned to take the bitt betweene their teeth and so to runne a gallop into all excesse of riot So as if the booke be not all the sooner called in and the authors of those late books against the sanctification of the Lords day condignly punished and a speedy reformation hereofset on foot how can we looke for a stay of the plague untill the Land be consumed Now the Lord make us wise to lay these things to heart least he teare in peeces and there be none to deliver For as never any Christian Church hath produced such monstrous impieties so never any Church hath bene the theater of such tragicall examples of divine wrath as our Land is like to be if we speedily repent not Vnlesse therefore we repent we shall all likewise perish as these examples have done before us Now for these so many so markable examples of Gods judgements inflicted upon the violaters and profaners of the Lords day and that in so short a time even since the booke for such sports was published we may thus argue and conclude That for which the Lord inflicteth and executed so many notorious and severe judgements must needs be a notorious and hainous sin and so a breach of his holy commandement But for the violation and