dayes of their youth unlesse by blaspheming and cursing it A Noble person of the City of Eflinghen at a losse by gaming began to swear and curse bitterly in which rage and madnesse he mounts his horse for home the Devil meets him pulls him off who with his servants was misguided all the night by evil spirits and in the morning finding themselves not lost they get their Master safe to Bethen-Hansen where in great torment for three dayes he yeilded Justice victor A woman in Marchia being a prophane curser and swearer was justly left by God to Sathan for in sight of many people she is snatched into the air and thrown down again which brake her neck God we see can break us from our sins and lives together if we do not from the first break off by repentance One Margret VVood of Allercleugh in the Parish of Stanhop in the County of Durham was notoriously known for many years upon every slight occasion to use this imprecation I wish I may sink into the earth Upon the last day of August 1655. she with one Elinor Mason of the same Parish being both washing of lead oare to fit it for the Lead-mill and standing upon the same spot of ground where many horses laden with Lead had passed the immediate day before the earth suddenly failed under them and swallowed them both up next day when their dead bodies were digged out Elinor Mason was found with her body erect but Margeret VVood was many yards deeper within ground and her head direct downwards One Elinor Short of the same Parish did frequently use this imprecation I wish my feet may rot off if this or that be not so or so It pleased the Just God about 20 years ago to visit her with a pain in her feet which by degrees did rot quite off as afterwards did her legs also and she is yet alive at this day as a Monument of Gods signal Judgement she creepes upon her hands and thighs and doth often acknowledge Gods just dealing with her Robert Durance Butcher in Carlisle was a known Swearer and Drunkard who about 30 years ago being playing at Cards with some of his companions and having lost all his money except 30 s began fearfully to swear he would be revenged upon himselfe whereupon he run out at the gates of the City towards the River Eden and though he was followed by divers some on Horse-back yet did he destroy himself by leaping into the River in which River hard by the place where he leapt in he lay for the space of four years at the end of which a Fisherman found the lower parts of his body only the other parts being consumed William Knot of Dalston in Cumberland being a common swearer when he was a servant to Alderman Grey of York he fell into a lead full of boyling liquor by which means in ten days he dyed John Prestman of Weighton in Cumberland A Sheriffes Bayliffe being accounted a common swearer one night when he was drunk at Carlisle went out in the night and notwithstanding the perswasion of his Landlord leapt over the Bridge with his horse and was drowned in the River Caude One Hudson of Dalston in Cumberland did wager with another man who should swear more oathes by God the other man was by the just judgment of God struck dead ere he parted Hudston was struck dumb to his dying day and though he lived many years after yet could speak nothing but swear by God which he did upon every occasion Oh the justice of God to some and the patience and forbearance to others waiting to be gracious let such as swear by the name of God look upon this example this sad example On May Eve 1634. one Troe of Gloceâ—ter a Carpenter in the Parish of St. Michael being demanded by some whether he would go with them and fetch the May-pole swore by the Lords wounds he would go though he never went more But mark the justice of God on May day morning as he was working on the May-pole before it was finished he was by a Divine stroke of Justice smote with such a lamenesse and swelling in all his limbs that he could neither goe nor lift his hand to his mouth to feed himselfe but was forced to keep his bed for half a year together and to this day goeth lame May 4. 1636. OF THE SABBATH DAY WITH GODS JUDGEMENTS UPON THE PROFANERS thereof OF THE SABBATH DAY With GODS JUDGEMENTS upon the profaners thereof I Am now to treat with the Sabbath-breaker who for many reasons will appear to be lesse excusable before God for this sin then either the Drunkard or Swearer Here is a double sin profaneing it and neglecting that which is ordained by God for the eternall good of our soul besides it is a premeditated act and goes along with a great aggravation as we shall see in a word presently It is now become so great a custome to prophane the Lords day that he almost becomes a scoffe to others that offers to reform or punish it and that men may not so much slight it I have collected a few reasons to perswade men to observe it and disswade from the profanation of it for God will not be mocked That we may know this day is no mock-day The Lord that made heaven and earth That great Jehovah stiles himself Lord of the Sabbath and the Lord hath in a more speciall manner singled out this Commandement with a memento Remember by no meanes forget the Sabbath for the Lord rested that day and he blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it It 's a great consideration to make us weigh the duty of keeping it for six dayes the Lord made heaven and earth and when the seventh day came he rested on it The Lord as it were hasted to finish the world in six dayes that he might himself be an example to lead us to the understanding of the great weight which God himself put upon this day And that we may see it is no ordinary nor common thing to break this day see how strictly God in his holy Word commands it This is that which the Lord hath said To morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord six dayes may work be done but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest Holy to the Lord he that works shall be put to death that soul shall be cut off from amongst the people it shall be observed throughout their Generations for a perpetual Covenant The Lord threatens sore Judgements and why Because they have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am prophaned amongst them Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it It 's called by the Prophet the Holy of the Lord Honourable there might be many more places quoted but these few are enough to let people see that it is not a trifling matter to profane the day and that we
stand as a monument of Gods severity A Noble-man that used to hunt on the Lords day had a child born unto him with a head like a Dog with eares and mouth crying like a Hound which was a very remarkable judgement of God Reports of an Husband-man that went to plough on the Lords day and cleansing his plough with an Iron it stuck so fast in his hand for two years that he carried it about with him as a signal tostimony of the Lords just displeasure against him Another that gathered corn into his barn upon the Lords day had it all with fire from heaven consumed together with the house At Kimstat in France 1559. there lived a woman that neither would go nor suffer others of her family to go to Church on the Lords day as she was drying flax fire issued out of itâ— but burnt it not she taking no notice next Sabbath day as she was busie with it miraculously again fire proceeds out of it and burnt it but was put out this poor creature was â— blind as not to see or take warning by these foot-steps of Gods mercifull providences but the third Sabbath day when she was busied about her flax as before it fires of it self and could not be quenched till she and two of her children were burnt to death And in the year 1126. One grinding corn upon the Lords days it took fire and gave him timely warning not to break the Sabbath day by the works of his calling In Helvetia nigh Belessina three men were playing at Dice on the Lords day one called Vlrick Schraeterus having hopes of a good cast because being crost to the losse of much money before he now expected fortune or rather the Devill to favour his desire and therefore he uttered these horrid words If fortune do dececeive me now I will thrust my dagger into the Body of God as farre as I can O the cursed frames of our naturall tempers if once God cast the reins into our own wills the Dice favours him not and presently he drawes his dagger and with a powerful force throws it up towards heaven which never was seen more and immediately five drops of blood falls before them all upon the Table and as suddenly comes the Devill amongst them carries away this vile wretch with such a terrible and hideous noyse as the whole City was astonished at it Those two remaining alive endevoured to wipe off the blood but to so little purpose that the more they rub'd the more the drops of blood were perspicuous Report carries it all over the City multitudes flock to see this wonder who found only the Sabbath profaners rubbing the blood to get it out these two by decree of the Senate of the City were bound in Chains and as they were led to the prison one of them was suddenly struck dead from out of whose body a wonderful number of wormes and vermin was seen to crawle The City thus terrified with Gods judgements and to the intent that God might be glorified and a future vengeance averted from the place caused the third to be forthwith put to death And the Table with the drops of blood on it preserved as a monument of Gods wrath upon this sin not only of Sabbath-breaking but swearing and wicked gameing O the depth of the knowledge of God How unsearchable are his judgments and his wayes past finding out January 13. 1583. At the Bear-garden in Southwark on a Sabbath day afternoon many people pressing on the Scaffolds to see the sport forced it suddenly down with which fall eight were killed and many spoyled in their bodies who lived not long after Much like to it was that at Risley in Bedfordshire 1607. where many people rather then resort to hear the the word of the Lord by the mouth of his Minister came in great numbers to see a Stage-play on the Lords day the Chamber floor fell down and as a judgment of God upon this sad wilful sin many were killed and wounded thus we see when the works of piety and mercy are neglected to prosecute sinne and wickednesse Gods judgements are swift to overtake us thereby endeavouring to hedg up our way with thornes which examples may push us back from the like impiety and vengeance of an angry God A sad example of Gods severity in â—is hot and sore displeasure against â—abbath-breakers is recorded of Feverton in Devonshire which place saith he , was frequently admonished of the profanation of the Lords day by a Market kept the day following which without reformation would inevitably pluck down divine vengeance A little after the Ministers death upon the third of April 1598. A sudden fire from heaven consumeth the whole Town in lesse than half an hour excepting only the Church Court-house and Almes-house where was consumed in this fire of Gods wrath four hundred dwelling houses and fifty soules destroyed Who will not say this was a sad and immediate hand of the Lord but alas what will not poor creatures do that follow sin with greedinesse The same Town fourteen years after on the fifth of August 1612. for the same sin was wholly consumed except some thirty poor peoples houses School-house Almes-houses these Judgements are not recorded for Historical Perusall but to consider of and remember those on whom the Tower of Shilo fell At Alcester in Warwick-shire where the Authour lived there were of his own knowledge four remarkable Judgements of God One that upon the publishing of the Declaration for sports and pastimes upon the Lords day A young woman on this day comes to the Green and sayes She would dance as long as she could stand and dancing in the midst of her sin God struck her with such a violent disease that in two or three dayes she died in misery as an example to all that delight more in serving their own pleasures and sinfull desires then to wait upon God and delight in his wayes The other of a young man of the same place and not long after the other who on the Lords day immediately after the evening exercise was finished brings into the street a pair of Cudgells layes them down nigh unto the Ministers house and invited divers to play with him who refusing at length comes one and taking up the Cudgels sayes Though I never played in my life yet I will play one bout now A little after sporting with a young woman he takes up a Birding-piece charged saying Have at thee the piece goes off and murders her immdiately for which as a deserved judgement he suffered the Law Another of a Miller at Wootton in the same County who going forth to a Wake and coming home at night found his House Mill and all that he had burnt down to the ground A fourth upon Mr. Clarks own knowledge is of many wicked and prophane persons at Woolston in the same County who on the Lords day met at a Whitsun-Ale in a
Smiths Barn and though it grieved the holy man of God who was Minister of the place as the Sodomites did Lot yet he could not help it but in their profanenesse they proceeded not long after a fire kindles in the place of this impiety and burnes down not onely his House Shop and Barn but rages so vehemently as it reaches many other houses with ruin all being chief actors in this horrid profanenesse In the year 1634. upon a Lords day when the River Trent was frozen over fourteen young men were at foot-ball upon the Ice near Gainsborough and meeting all in a cluster together the wrath of God met with them and suddenly the Ice broke and they were immediately drowned Oh the justice of the Lord upon the prophaners of his Holy day The same painful and useful Author of Gods examples relates a sad one of Gods Judgements upon two fellows in Essex near Brinkely that were working in a Chalk-pit one of them boasting that he had vext his Mistresse by coming so late in from his Sabbath-dayes Sports and Recreations ◠but sayes he I will anger her worse next Sabbath day which words were no sooner out but Justice seizes upon him for the Earth falls upon him and he never stirred more to his Sabbath prophanesse his fellowes limbs were broken both being sharers in the sin of the Sabbath are made also to be so in their sufferings and punishments The Lord will be known in the paths and wayes of his Judgements to such as will not be led and allured by his tender mercies And of one Mr. Ameredith a Gentleman of Devonshire being recovered from a pain which he had suffered in his feet one of his friends saying he was glad to see him so nimble the Gentleman replies He hoped his hopes should not be frustrated of the great expectations he had to dance about the May-Pole the next Sunday But behold the Lord in a just punishment for such impious and wicked resolutions and no doubt also for his former prophanesse on that day smites him suddenly with feeblenesse and faintnesse of heart ere he stirred from the place and with such a strange dizzinesse in the head that he was forc't to be led home and from thence to his last home before the Lords Day shined upon him Now tell me any that can what little hopes the poor souls thus ushered to the chambers of death have to keep an eternal Sabbath with God that will not keep his Sabbath from prophaning on earth Truly these are sad symptoms of Gods heavy displeasure against soul as well as body his mercy if any be in such dismal dispensations are occult and hidden the Lord in mercy warn poor sinners to avoid the wrath of such an Infinite God that such as will not be intreated to keep the Lords day as they ought may be terrified from prophaning of it Another as severe he relates which together with the three former are attested by sufficient witnesses At Walton upon Thames in Survey upon a great frost in the year 1634. three young men having in the forenoon heard a Sermon from 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the Judgement-seat of Christ c. they went over the Ice into an house of disorder and gaming where they prophanely spent away the rest of the Lords day and night also in revelling and drinking the one of them next day boasting merrily of his pleasure upon the Sabbath day and his adventure over the Ice All three on Tuesday return the way they went and upon the Ice suddenly sunk to the bottom like stones one of them onely miraculously preserved These judgements may be mercies to some that are yet prophaners of the Lords day if God please At Burton upon Trent Mr. Abberly a godly Minister often took occasion to reprove and threaten such as make no conscience of the Lords day by prophaning it in a more peculiar manner such as bought and sold meat upon this day which it seems was a sin as great and as commonly practised in this place as it was lately at Buntingford where in my journey some Gentlemen of Newcastle being my fellow-travellers we took occasion after Sermon to acquaint the Minister withal I pray God it may not be so still lest such a judgement befal the place as did this prophane wretch which was thus A Taylor being a nimble and active man dwelling at the upper end of the Town must needs in a bravado go to the further end to buy some meat before morning-prayer but coming home with both his hands full in the midst of the street he fell down stark dead I was sayes Doctor Teate an eye-witnesse both of his fall and burial and that it wrought a reformation in the place both among the Butchers and others It was a remarkable Providence and I wish I say that other places may be reformed of this bold and impudent sin or truly they may repent of it when it s too late A Pious Divine sayes he The Lord hath spoken so loud from heaven against Sabbath-sinners that I cannot be silent We hereabout have had in a short time terrible tokens of God severe vengeance upon such as mind not the service of his Day amongst our selves a sad example A Townsman going to gather Cherries on the Lords Day fell from the tree and in the fall was so battered and bruised that he never spake more but lay groaning in his blood until the next day and then died Another man not far from this place in Cherry-time as he was gathering fruit fell from the tree and with the fall was so hurt that he lay in anguish and dreadful dolour all the week till Sabbath day and then ended his miserable life And of a young man that on the Lords Day in a place nigh unto Mr. Goodwins scrambling with others for Peares thrown out in the Church-yard broke his main thigh-bone and the bone of his leg on the same side which was so miserably and strangely broken as that the Bone-setter who was a godly man told Mr. Goodwin though he had seen many yet he never saw the like God here dealt in mercy as well as in judgememt in that he 〈◊〉 him space to repent and see his sin The Lord warn us all by these examples A company of prophane young men in 1635. near Salisbury upon the Lords Day morning went to Clarington Park to cut down a May-Pole and having loaden the Cart with the tree and themselves with the bitter fruits of sin they are severely punisht by the hand of God For entring into the City of Salisbury through a place called Milners Bars unawares the Cart gives a turn and the end of the tree struck one of the Sabbath-breakers such a mortal blow that his brains flew out and there on the place he yeilded himself a conquered sinner by the Just hand of the Lord lying there as a sad spectacle of Gods indignation and sayes Mr Clark I enquired of
his conscience as this Providence of God did and since it was no worse it should be an example and a warning to him for ever after Oh that it might be so to others that may heare of it or read it In the year 1644. was a Beer-Brewer dwelling in Giles-Criplegate London nigh unto the white Horse that usually followed the sinful practise of Brewing upon the Lords Day for which he was warned and told of the greatnesse of the sin and how severe God was to such sinful practises but he reformed not Once upon a Lords day at noon the Reverend M. T. VVeld Lecturer of the said place from whom I had the Relation went into the house and taking them at work lovingly yet sharpely admonished them to whom they promised to do so no more within a Sabbath or two after the same servant of the house which before was taken in the act was now again found guilty of the same sin but mark the Justice of the Lord for setting fire to the Copper when it was scalding hot he fell over into it and was immediatly scalded to death Another which I had from the same hand A Cook in the same Parish using to make it his trade on the Lords day to heat Ovens and bake meat whereby all the family was imployed as on other dayes without regard to the Lords day unlesse to his own profit never or seldom frequenting the Word preached was often admonished yet went on in his sin One Christmas day which fell upon the Lords day as he was working and labouring as if no time were unlawful to gain the world though he neglected his eternal soul he was consumed to death by fire A Vintner that was a great swearer and drunkard as he was standing at his own door upon the Lords day with a pot in his hand to invite his guests was by the wonderful justice and power of God carried into the aire with a whirlwind and never seen nor heard of more Much might be said but my Work swells upon the Loome yet have I left many example to have the choice I shall conclude with one word and that is to pray us to consider that God blessed that is say Divines with intention of bestowing favours and benefits this day O let 's then labour for Gods blessing above all things Read those Promises in Esay 56.4 5 6 7. Jer. 17.24 25. let us labour for hearts to attend with delight to his Lawes and Ordinances when once we leave off Ordinances I durst almost say we are in a more sure way to ruin than the most outward prophane They are mercies not so much prized as they would if we wanted them A confluence brings a glut and that a disgust of the most relishing mercies A ten or five mile Sermon formerly tasted sweeter than now greater opportunities of grace and mercy nigher hand and within our reach I say let us set a high value upon the favour and means of conveyances let 's love and honour the faithful Ministers of the Word to love them is to love to hear them Hate thy Minister and then follows contempt of the Word and so hardnesse of heart this is commonly the sad effect of this sin Scoffers of Religion the Ministers of his precious Gospel and people have been made spectacles of Gods anger Judgements are prepared for scorners Prov. 19.29 They are blessed that sit not in their seat Psal. 1.1 One present in this Congregation sayes a Reverend Divine was an eye-witnesse of a woman scoffing at another for piety immediately she had her tongue strucken with a palsie and in two dayes died thereof Value therefore I say thy Minister for he is set over thee for to watch for the good of thy soul the love of the Minister and the Word is no small help to the keeping of the Lords day I conclude with the Psalmist Consider this all ye that forget God lest he teare you in pieces and there be none to deliver you Reader These following sad Examples came to my hand since the Printing of the former part of the Treatise which I thought good to insert here On Thursday in the last week save one of June 1620. A house was burnt down at Hether set in Norfolk there being a jar in the morning between the man and his wife as is said The woman wished that her husband going out might never return to his house which was burnt down e're he came home On the 22th of July 1627. at Barnham-broom some would needs draw up a Bell it being the Lords day into his place that it might be ready against the Bell-founder came on Friday that so they might not hinder their businesse Some went unwillingly to it but others went forewarned and did it when it was up he that was one of the readiest W. Baynes setting his foot on a board that brake or slipped fell and beat out his braines and miserably ended his dayes Aug. 6. 1627. At Scolebridge a man drunken being fastned on a Cart the horse turning suddenly overthrew the Cart into the River loaden with lime upon the drunken man where he was drowned and fearfully burnt with lime In the former part of Summer a man being drunk at VVimondham fell into a watery miry place and was drowned Another Drunkard vomiting a Sow followed him and eat up his vomit at last falling from his horse the Sow pulled out his throat and so he miserably died reported by the Judge at the Assizes FINIS Amos 3.6 Psal. 9.16 Epistle to Mr. Murcots Wo. * Mayor of Exceter Mr. Mantons Epist. to his life death * Suspected to favour Puritans VVilsons K. James Tit. 2.11 a 2. Turkish Hist. Wilson K. Ja. Prov. 23.29 R. Junius L. Bacon D. Taylor Esay 28.1 2 3 7 8 19. Chap. 22.12 13 14. Chap. 5.22 Joel 1.5 1 King 16.9 10. 2 Sam 13.28 Gen. 9.21 Peards Theatre Non ut vivat fed ut bibat Mr. Nealson Minister his Letter to Mr. Taylor in Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Ward his Wo to Drunkards D.T. Taylor Mr. Beadles Diary Mr. Clerks Examples Mr. Young Mr. Stubs Anatomy of abuses Mr. Young Doctor Beards Theatre Mr. Trapp M. L. marg Math. 5.34 Prov. 6.34 Levit. 24.14 Hosea 2.4 marg Psal. 109.13 Neh. 13 2. Mal 3 4. Mr. Beadles Diary Mr. Ridsley Serm. R. Junius Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Bolton Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Clerks examples Theatre of Gods Judgements Luthers Colloquia Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Terry's East-India voyage Theatre of Gods Judgements Theatre of historâ— Theatr. Gods Judgements Stow. Cron. Theatre of God Judgements Fox Acts Theatre Histo. Theatr. of Gods Judgements Wilson K. James Sin stigmatised Sword against Swearers Dr. Williams true Church Mr. Nowel These two I have from a reverend Divine of this County The Relation from his Brothers own mouth now alive 1645. 1627. Mr. Burtons Tragedy c. Mat. 12.8 Exod. 20. Exod. 16.23 31.15 35.3 Ezech. 22.26 Isay 56.2 58.13 Rom. 10 14 17. Mr. Goodwin Mr. Cawdry Jer. 17 27. Neh. 13.18 Ezek. 22.26 31. Theatrâ— of History Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Clarks examples Rom. 11.33 Theatre of Gods Judgements Luke 13.4 Mr. Clarks Examples 1657. Mr. P. Goodwin Dies dominicus redivivus 117. Mr Clarks Examples Dr. Twiss on Sabb. Dr. Beards Theatre C. Tacitus Josephus Mr. Nelson Minister his letter to Mr. Taylor in Theatre of Judgements 1634. 1634. 1635. July 19. 1635. July 1654. 1634. July 1634. Octoct 1633. 1634. 1634. January 1634. March 1634. June 1635 Feb. 9. 1634. April 18. 1635. Mr. Weld Mr. Clark 2 King 1. 2 King 2 Mr. Greenhill on Ezekiel Psal. 50.22
be no medium in your mirth and chearfull repasts below this sinne of Dishonour Beastly and Debaucht behaviour Let me beg you to hate it and remember that nothing more ennobles a Gentlemans name or blazons forth his Honour and Reputation but studying an Aptitude for his Countries service purchased not by drunkennesse and beastlinesse but by Learning Parts Knowledge Wisdom Sobriety Temperance Vrbanity and all which this sin destroyes if you escape with the shipwrack of a good conscience Let Solomons instruction be remembred My son be not among the wine bibbers for the Drunkard and the Glutton shall come to poverty If perswasions built upon the prinâ—iples of Reason the sad fruits of it â—ame dishonour c. Gods threatning must nextly have place which indeed are not small and yet will but â—ake way for his more severe dispensations in his Judgements Wo to the Drunkards of Ephraim the Lord as a mighty and strong one which as a tempest of haile and a detroying storme as a flood of mighty waters and overflowing shall pull down the pride of the Drunkard for with wine they have erred and with strong drink have gone out of the way thy are swallowed up of wine for all Tables are full of vomit and filthinesse for which the overflowing scourge is threatned as a just reward for so great a sin together with famine which saith the Prophet in the last verse cometh forth from the Lord of Hosts And again the Lord calleth for weeping howling and lamentation which shall come upon Gluttony and Drunkennesse and the Lord of Hosts saith the Prophet hath revealed it in mine eare that this iniquity shall not be purged from you till yâ— die In another place VVo to them thaâ— are mighty to drink wine and men oâ— strength to mingle strong drink for â— the fire devoureth the stubble and the flame consumeth the chaff so their root shall be rottennesse and the blossom shall go â— as dust therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled and hath smitten them and the Hills did tremble and their carcases torn in the midst of the streets If these denunciations were deliberately weighed how would the verâ— joynts of sinners tremble and smite one against another as Beltshazars when he saw the hand-writing upon the wall Hear the Prophet Joel Awake ye Drunkards and weep and howle all ye Drinkers of wine God oft comes when we are asleep and many poor souls have never awakened from their Drunkennesse till in Hell with Dives this is a sad awakening Go to weep and howl sayes St. James ye have lived in pleasure and wantonnesse and nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter If yet all will not warne what must Gods appearances then be when he comes in terrour and wrath by his visible examples of judgement which I have collected from Scripture History and Modern experience Elah King of Israel was murdered by Zimri in the midst of his cups as a judgement of God upon his excesse Ammon when his heart was merry with wine was murdered by Absoloms servants Righteous Lot by this sin commits incest with his own daughters and as one well observes made a Sodom of his own Family The heavy curse that to this day lieth upon Noah's son Cham's Posterity was through this sin whereby he discovered his own shame Holofernes having too much exceeded in wine lost both wit and head at once Alexanders sorrow after his sin will tell us the sad fruits of it for seldom some or other of his dear friends escaped his fury when he was drunk Cleomena King of Lacedemonia at a time being drunk was never sober after but as a judgement of the Lord he lost his senses for not having judgement to keep them Another is as justly rewarded with the fruit of the vine Anacreon that grand engulpher of wine was choaked with an empty grape The Earl of Aspermont drained his estate so dry by his excesse in this sin as he justly died in misery for at a meeting he drunk so deep as he could never rise again for he died with it The Emperour Bonosius through his custom in this sin was said not to be born so much to live as to drink This was he that would force drink into Ambassadours the better to pump up their secrets He was shamefully hanged with this Epitaph This is a Tun and no man Zeno Emperour of the East became so hateful by his intemperance that none could endure to see him his wife Ariadne one day when he lay senselesse as he oft did cast him into a Tomb and buried him alive as a just reward of his drunkennesse August 18. 1629. Tho. VVilson labourer a known Blasphemer and Curser by oathes c. was also given up to this beastly sin of Drunkennesse who through the justice of God against both sins in an angry passion stab'd himself with his own knife and so died in the midst of many neighbours May 10. 1629. John Bone of Ely Coachman to Mr. Balnum of Beenham was a very vild Swearer and Drunkard who on a Sabbath day in Sermon-time being drunk and not able to sit in the Coach-box fell under the horses feet and was troden to death You Sabbath-breakers and Swearers hearken to this doleful example of Gods immediate hand Nov. 16. 1618. one Tho. Alred of Godmanchester Butcher being very prophane and given to this sin was desired by a neighbour to unpitch a load of hay and being drunk let his pitchfork fall and stooping to reach it standing with the forks upwards fell upon it that it run into his body and so fell down dead as a warning to others July 16. 1628. One John Vintner of Godmanchester being a known drunkard and given especially in his drink to scoff at Religion and godly people fell from the top of a Peare-tree and broke his neck and so died under the hand of justice an example for all prophane drunkards and scoffers of God and his people A Gentleman of good reputation and demeanour being not addicted to this sin was through temptation overtaken with this snare but lo justice will be satisfied on some to be an example and terrour to others for riding home his horse threw him and beat out his brains He being void of reason and so not capable of advice would follow no way but his own which led to destruction for without fear or sense he spurred his horse over all sorts of crosse and desperate wayes till he thus fell under the stroak of Divine wrath About the year 1630. nigh Maldon five or six notorious Drunkards had plotted a meeting and laid in beer for their prophane drinking healths But Divine Justice that can with his breath blast all our undertakings did so justly give them up to excesse in this sin and meeting as they never met more but all yielded up their spirits to the Justice of that God whom they abused by his creatures
little ones they are the spawn of greater Faith and Troth are the livery of Gods Wounds and Blood and God damn thee We damn our souls by this sin at a low rate if we consider the little either pleasure or profit of it Avoid evil society cursers and swearers are not to be associated with lest partaking of their sin thou taste of their punishment If a Master of a Family or School-Master destroy it there nip it in the bud and resolve with David that none such shall be under thy roof I conclude with Psal. 25. Let them be confounded that sin without a cause If reason prevail not remember the penalties of the Lawes which though severe at this day yet short both in the greatnesse and execution of former times Philip King of France made a Law That whosoever blasphemously swore should be drowned And Max. the Emperour That every vain swearer should pay 13 shillings 4 pence or if he refused to be executed In Hen. the fifth's time A Law was made against prophane and vaine swearing The forfeiture for a Duke 40 shillings a Barron 20 shillings a Knight or Esquire 10 shilling a Yeoman 3 shillings 4 pence and a servant to be whipt and this Law was so well executed that all the Nation over very few were heard to swear an oath These were times of lesse light than we pretend unto yet a spirit of Reformation for God was much more above our Age we live in If still we will not forbear see Gods threatnings against this sin In the Law stoning to death was the lowest punishment Bring him forth that all the people may stone him In that black and forlorne band of sinners the Swearer leads the Van which together with other sins maketh blood to touch blood and the land to mourn In Zachariah 5.3 The thief and the swearer are linked together against whom the flying Roll with the curse of God is threatned to the consumeing of their House Timber Posts and Stones As he clothed himself with cursing marg saith the Psalmist So let it come into his bowels like water and like oyle into his bones There is nothing more usual and certain then for the arrows of this cursed Quiver to reverberate and fly back upon a mans own face God will be a swift witnesse against such as dishonour his holy name by profane swearing Now those that will not be warned by the nature of this sin nor danger to soule and body nor be diverted from it by Gods threatnings let such harken to his just Judgements in these following examples which are not only as a cloud of witnesses against profanenesse hut also stand as a Pillar of Salt to warn thee from disobedience and wilfull running in a carreer of sin to thy eternal ruine Earl Goodwin having slain Alfred wished at the Kings Table if it were so that the bread he was eating might choak him which God in Justice suffered ere he stirred A Fisherman known to the Authour coming with a Boat of Mackarell to a Town in Suffolke and being the first that came that year the people pressed hard to be first served one steps into his Boat he presently taketh up a stone swearing by God he would make them stand farther off which was no sooner said but he fell down and died presently How many have I heard swear by God as commonly as speak Oh take heed of Gods judgement consider what a mercy it is to thy soul that thou art not thus judged A Gentleman in Edward the sixths time riding with other Gentlemen being reproved for swearing opened his mouth wider and raged worse and worse Mr Haines Minister tells him mildly the danger of it and that at the great day an account must be rendred he with Solomons fool refuses instruction bids him prepare and take care for his own estate Mr. H. replies repent and amend for death is as sure as uncertain But raging and roaring with cursed oathes he sayes Gods wounds take no care for me and and coming to a Bridge his horse leapt over with him who like an impenitent wretch ended his dayes As he had lived crying Horse and man and all to the Devill In Lincolnshire there lived a Servingman who was so accustomed to sweare as at every small occasion he used Gods blood in his mouth his friends mildly warne him from the evill of those wayes lest vengeance follow at the heels of his impiety but he takes no notice of friendly admonition being visited by the hand of God his friends again advise him to repent of his wickednesse but God intended not that affliction to have so sanctifying a vertue in it as to soften his obdurate heart who by his accustomed oathes had forfeited the patience and long-suffering of God and turned his mercy into fury He grows worse and nigher to the chambers of death and hearing the Bell toll for him starts up and under the pains and violence of death cryes Gods wounds the Bell tolls for me but he shall not have me yet Suddenly the blood from his Nose Mouth Wrists Knees and all the joynts of his body flowes out in abundance that he became a spectacle of Gods wrath and died O the dreadfulnesse of Gods Judgements There was a man in Germany so much accustomed to use the Devill in his mouth that if he did but stumble the devill was uppermost he was often reprehended for it to no purpose except to make his sin the lesse excusable which he continuing in coming to a Bridge stumbled and fell down saying Hoyst up with a hundred Devils instantly the Devill appears and carried him quite away that he was never heard of after One who was given much to cursing â—wearing being on his death-bed most wickedly desired those that stood by to help him with oathes and to swear for him and himself swearing so fast as one would think there was little need of any other then himself in the world that could so quickly find out a way for to blaspheme God and damn his own soul In the City of Savoy There lived one who after much exhortation and reproof hardened his neek against all admonition the plague breaking out light upon him he with his family retires to a garden the words of reproof by the mouth of Gods Ministers follow him that if possible the plague of his heart might not at the same instance together with Gods outward hand contribute to the eternal ruine of his soul with that of his body but all in vain as good turn the course of the Sun as his soul accustomed to sin at last swearing and cursing with the Devill in his mouth the Devill suddenly hurries him away into the ayre in sight of his wife and Kinswoman who saw the Devil flying with him over their heads his cap fell off his head and was found at Kosne but himselfe was never heard of to this day The Magistrate at the noyse
of this exemplary piece of Gods just Judgement repaires to the witnesses of it who testify with a sad relation their woful experience no lesse horrid then true Three souldiers travelling through a wood in the Coutrey of Samurtia A tempest of thunder and lightening arose one of them breaks into his usual oathes and in the instant of swearing the violence of the wind no doubt directed by God throwes a tree upon him whereof he presently was crushed to pieces Another that was very much habituated to swear by Gods Armes had his own arm hurt with a knife and could find no remedy but it festered daily till it rotted and mouldred away gradually and he through Anguish and Torment died And one Michael a Jewish Rabbin as he was swearing by the Name of Jesus fell down and broke his neck A boy at Tubing in Germany invented strange and unusual oathes but God sent a Canker that eat out his tongue these are signal tokens of Gods anger they are so immediate from himself that none can see lesse then a wonderful hatred in God of them At Benevides a village in Spain a whirlwind arose two young men being in a field apprehending the approaching danger fall down upon the ground lest the violence of it might carry them into the ayre when it was past the one arises in great amazement the other being a very notorious curser and swearer lyes dead his bones so crusht that his joynts turned every way his tongue rooted out and could not be found In June 1649. A souldier at Warre goeth with others to wash in a shallow river asked whether there was a deeper to swim in and they answered there was one nigh hand but dangerous by reason it was a deep pit who replies God damne me if it be as deep as hell I will in he was no sooner in but sunk to the bottom and never rose again which sayes Mr. Clark was attested by good witnesses And God met with that swearer and curser in France a Citizen of Paris whom Lewis 9. ordered to have his lips seared together with a hot Iron saying I would to God that with searâ—ng my own lips with a hot Iron I could â—anish out of my Realm all abuse of â—athes A souldier falling sick in his jourâ—ey through Marchia in Almain stayâ—d in his Inne and when recovered â—emanded of his Landlady the mony â—e gave her to secure for him but conâ—ulting with her husband resolved â—ot to confesse any so denied it the â—ontroversie arose to a contention till the Landlord interposed and justifiâ—d his wife and thrust him out of his â—ouse the souldier drawes and â—rusting at the door the Landlord â—ries theeves the souldier is impriâ—oned and ready for Judgement The â—ay of pronunciation of death the devil â—â—ters into prison tells him he is conâ—emned but if he will resign up soul and â—â—dy to him he would free him he like a â—hristian repells those fiery darts â—ith a strong denial which the deâ—â—ll seeing perswades him when called â— the Bar to intreat the Judge to â—â—ant him the man in a blew cap to â—ead his cause for he was and that â— was innocent of the crime brought â—â—ainst him The poor souldier being arraigned had this blew-cap't Attourney allowed him for his Advocate who affirmed this poor man to be much abused relating all the circumstances of the money with the place where it was laid the Landlord denied all with an imprecation wishing the devill might take him if it were true The devill looking for this advantage took this poor man and carried him up into the ayre who was never more heard of Oh that the Lord would open some mens eyes to see Gods mercy to them that though they have often been guilty yet God in mercy spared them tremble at the justice of God and let these warningâ— be so to us A certain Priest in Ruthnerwall wished if Luthers doctrine were true a thunderbolt might destroy him aâ—ter three dayes a Tempest with lightning and thunder so terrified him that he run to Church and at his devotion was struck down who recovering and led homewards a flash oâ— lightening burnt him to death aâ— black as hell it self One in France of some knowledge and profession in Religion in passion wisht the Devill to take one of his children the child immediately was possessed and though the prayers of the Church prevailed with God for the release from this evill spirit yet dyed of it A man in anger wishing his wife to the Devil she was forthwith possessed and never recovered it A young Courtier at Mansfield whose customary asseveration was the Devill take me The Devill when he was asleep took him indeed and threw him out of a window where though he was not slain yet he learnt to curb that unruly member of the tongue by escaping the danger of a severer punishment At a Horse-race where divers Noble-men were present some cries the Devill take the last which happened â—o be a Horse that broke loose which the Devill carriad away and was never seen more These examples may â—artle us and not only to warn us â—ut also as a Lanthorn of the Lord to direct our feet from these paths of sin â—nd Ruine At S. Gallus in Helvetia 1556. A man that made foul linnen clean and coming out of a Tavern drunk wished the Devill to take him if ever he followed his Trade more next day being sober he regards not his oaths the devill appears to him in the likenesse of a tall man and told him of his promise presently smiting him upon the shoulders so that his feet and hands presently were dryed up and he trembling with horror yet God gave the devill no farther power that it might be an example both to himself and others Relates of a Taylor that whilst the Fleet was engaged in fight with a Portugal Galleass he cometh running out of the Cabbin with his Goose in his hand swearing he would never follow his Trade more throwing the Goose into the Canon mouth suddenly came a Bullet from the enemy and shot him to pieces Henry Earl of Schwartburg by frequent and wicked wishes was at last answered in his own coyn for at every common occasion he desired he might be drowned in a Privy if such a thing were not so or so which God in Justice answered for he died that filthy death A very remarkable story is recorded of a woman in the Dutchy Megalopole at a village called Oster who gave her selfe to the devill by her frequent cursings and wicked oathes and at a wedding she was publickly reproved and dehorted from her sins but taking no warning the Devill when they were all merry came in person and with horrid cries and roarings mounted her into the ayre before the face of all the company and hovering over the Town the people that saw it were extremely perplexed with fear she is torn into four parts which
ought to give all diligence and respect to this day as a day greatly valued prised and esteemed of by God himself Anno 1647. there was a deplorable accident a tremendous instance of the justice of God upon a person a â—armer in a Village called Little-â—allerton in the County of Northumberland about six miles distant from New-Castle The Relation is thus The Minister teaching upon that Scripture 1 Epist. Pet. 2. cap. 2. latter part Who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous light and in the fore-noon Sermon insisting upon the spiritual darknesse and blindnesse of unregenerate men and aggravating the many evills attending upon that condition in this life and asserting the wofull condition period state and conditon of such as should die in that estate of spiritual darknesse how that to such is resreveâ— the blacknesse of darknesse which was occasionally improved to discoveâ— the miserable condition of the damned in hell by reason of their separation from God called utter darknesse Mat. 22.13 and 8.42 25 1â— At the ending of the first Sermon this miserable man accompanied others of his neighbours to the Alâ— house for refreshment the time of râ—paire to the second Sermon beinâ— come some of them moved him to return with them to whom he replyeâ— that the Minister was preaching upoâ— darknesse and he would not hear hiâ— till he should treat upon the light and so continued drinking in the Alehouse with some other profane souldiers and by having immoderately taken Ale and Hot Waters was in the height of his drunkennesse carried to bed in the Ale-house where after a short time he ended his miserable life dying in the very act of sin without any visible act of Repentance This Relation is inserted verbatim as I have it from a godly Minister of the Gospel in the same County and not farre from the same place and is indeed a sad example of Gods Judgement not only against the sin of profaning the Lords day but also of drunkennesse and contempt of the Gospel Now because I observe this day so greatly neglected by the generality of the Nation not onely neglecting to hear the Word preached which is able to save their soules but also violating of it by profanation give me a word and that only to such as professe the observance of it as lawfull for if such a slighting of this day grow we shall from it run to Atheisme by contempt of Gods holy Ordinances and Commandments Let us first consider the end of God in the Sabbath which is chiefly for sanctification of his name and what creature dare say he is not strictly tyed by all the obligations expressable It is a day of liberty not of bondage God can be sanctified without us he shineth not with borrowed lights these tapers that burne from mortall breach can adde no glory to God but as in his great mercy and condescention he is pleased to accept of us Then the intent of this day as to our advantages it 's for the eternall good of our soules that the Lord may by this occasion reach our slow understanding and with his Word preached that he may dwell with the humble and contrite spirit We are not only to avoyd profaning it by not Working Drinking Playing Idlenesse Travelling c but we ought to frequent the publick worship of God in the Assemblies of his people and there to hear his word with Godly reverence and fear The reasonablenesse of one day in seven for God and our own souls may convince us in a great measure of this day that is a sin less excusable that 's so reasonable that we may have the lesse to say for our excuse he gives us 6 for our outward affairs oh then who can grudge the 7th especially when God links in our immortal happinesse together with his own glory It was the custom of Christians in Trajan the Emperours time to meet on the Lords Day morning sing a Psalm receive the Sacrament and covenant to flie sin on that day and when Christians were summoned before the Heathen Governours and demanded Dost thou believe the Lords Day the answer was I am a Christian Take away the Sabbath sayes a Reverend Divine and Religion will soon wither and decay The Indians might as well have been chosen the subjects of this profitable Obedience and we in their conditions keeping instead of a Sabbath to God every day to the Devil It will be more tollerable I am afraid for them at that Great day than for us If we had been left to our own choice What squarer division of time could have been thought upon than one day for our souls and another for our bodies one for the World another for Heaven This had been the reasonable rule of proportion it s more grace than reason that God should desire but one day in seven and that day also to be for our eternal good Oh how inexcusable will it be for us that prophane it or neglect the advantages of it Is refraining from labour a toil to us Is to be eased of sin a burden Lord then let me be burdened for Lord thy yoke is easie and thy burden is light What is a more unspeakable mercy than for souls to have communion with God as well as our own hearts And as Divines say glory is but grace perfected So that eternal Sabbath of rest is but as I may say this perfected This sin is accompanied with many aggravations and this is none of the least that we have a will given us to refuse to prophane it Besides its a deliberate act of the mind it s not sudden as an oath or murder but in the very act it self thou canst not but know thou art sinning against the light of thy conscience it s the greatest sin that is accompanied with time to consider an enlightened mind to understand the evil to purpose to evil is an aggravation as high as the sin If aggravations face not this sin with a dreadful countenance consider and in reason think Is it not just with God to suffer thy frail composure of corruption to shrink under his heavy judgements that at night Gods protection should leave us as in our graves when we are in our beds Or canst thou expect any blessing upon thy outward estate when it is in the power of God to dispose of life being health estate and all Is it not just if we travel on this day that God should judge us with sudden death in the like severity as he hath made others examples of to all Ages Yet if God do suffer thy corn wine and oil to encrease fear a curse under the Strawberry leaves of thy enjoyments for a blessing is not the shadow of sin it will not follow thee in the wayes of wickednesse rather fear some judgement will overtake thy swift motion to impiety A word to two sorts First those that prophane it contemning not onely Gods Lawes but the Lawes of the Nation