Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	apostle_n	day_n	sabbath_n	13,396	5	10.0850	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A78019	A divine tragedie lately acted, or, A collection of sundrie memorable examples of Gods judgements upon Sabbath-breakers, and other like libertines, in their unlawfull sports, hapning within the realme of England, in the compasse onely of few yeers last past, since the book was published, worthy to be known and considered of all men, especially such, who are guilty of the sin or archpatrons thereof. / By that worthy divine Mr. Henry Burton.	Burton, Henry, 1578-1648.; Prynne, William, 1600-1669, attributed name.	1642 (1642)	Wing B6161; Thomason E176_1; ESTC R18494	27,899	47

the fourth Commandment to be Wholly onely and intirely dedicated to God and his true worship as they there teach and so pious as to beleeve that the exercise of vain idle sports pastimes and dauncing on it did much more offend God then ploughing or spinning and provoke his wrath and indignation towards us no wonder if we in the clear sunshine of the Gospel behold so many sad spectacles of his wrath and indignation against the offenders of this commandment in this kinde to teach these blinde Seers and seducing guides as o In his Sermons Bishop Latimer long since named them that God is now as jealous for the sanctification of his day and as much offended with the prophanenesse of it and infringers of the fourth Commandment by unnecessarie labours travell or idle pastimes as he had been in any age if not rather much more in regard of the great light of the Gospel that hath for these many yeers so clearly shined amongst us which if they will not yet beleeve I shall at once close up their mouthes with the resolution of our Homilies ratified by p 13. Eliz. c. 12. which ratifies the 39. Articles Act of Parliament and the 35. Article of our Church to which these Novellers have subscribed and whose Patronage they pretend against all q The treatise and history of the Sabbath novell Sabatarians But alas saith r Part. 1. of the time and place of praier p. 126. the Homily all these notwithstanding and I pray God I may not still say notwithstanding all these fresh examples it is lamentable to see the wicked boldnesse of those that will be counted Gods people who passe nothing at all of keeping and hallowing the Sunday And these people are of two sorts the one sort if they have businesse to do though there be no extreme need they must not spare for the Sunday they must ride journeys on the Sunday they must drive and carry on the Sunday they must come and ferry on the Sunday they must buy and sell on the Sunday they must keep Markets and Fairs on the Sunday finally they use all dayes alike work dayes and holy dayes are all one The other sort is Worse so the Homily against these * Treatise of the Sabbath day p. 231. new masters who make labour in mens callings on the Lords day Worse and more unlawfull then dauncing and Pastimes contrary to the judgement of ſ Tract 3. in Ioh. In Ps 32. 91. de 10. chordis c. 3. Saint Augustine Gregory the great t Apud Alex. Alensis summ Theologiae part 4. q. 11. m. 2. Art 11. Alensis and all u Media villa Peraldus Nider Volaterranus F. Martyr Musculus Stuckius Aretius Hyperius Szegedine Angel de Clavasio Dr bound Dr. Criffith Williams Practise of Piety Osmund Lake and infinite others Writers since who una voce resolve that it is better and more lawfull to plough and spin on the Sabbath day then to daunce for although they will not travell and labour on the Sunday as they do on the work day yet they will not rest in holinesse as God commandeth but they rest in ungodlinesse and filthinesse prauncing in their pride pranking and pricking pointing and painting themselves to be gorgeous and gay they rest in excesse and superfluitie in gluttony and drunkennesse as they do at Wakes Ales and May-poles like rats and swine they rest in brawling and rayling in quarrelling and fighting they rest in wantonnesse and what else is dauncing Moris dauncing may gaming c. in toyish talking in filthy fleshlinesse so that it doth too evidently appear that God is more dishonoured and the devill better served on Sunday then upon all the dayes of the week besides And I assure you that the beasts that are commanded to rest on the Sunday honour God better then this kinde of people for they offend not God they break not their holy dayes Wherefore O ye people of God lay your hands upon your hearts repent and amend this grievous and dangerous wickednesse stand in awe of the commandment of God gladly follow the example of God himself be not disobedient to the godly order of Christs Church used and kept from the Apostles times untill this day fear the displeasure and just plagues of Almighty God if ye be negligent and forbear not labouring and travelling on the a See the Homily ●… times stiles the Lords day and the 3. Homily of rebellion twice Sabbath day and do not resort together to celebrate and magnifie Gods blessed name in quiet holinesse and godly reverence I shall conclude all with the words of the Councell of Paris under Lewis and Lotharius Ann. 829. li. ●… c. 50. li. 3. c. 5. 19. Multa alia terribilia judicia c. Many other terrible judgements have been and hitherto are whereby is declared how much God is offended with the dishonour of this day Wherefore the Imperiall highnesse is specially to be implored of the b Note Priests that this power ordained of God for the honour and reverence of so great a day may put a fear into all men lest none of what condition soever presume on this holy and venerable day to use these and the like sports dauncings and leapings hereafter because while they do these things they both darken the glory of Christianity and give occasion to the blasphemers of Christs name the more to dishonour him We require also and earnestly intreat that in the observation of the Lords day as we have a long time beseeched you you use due care that unlesse great necessity constrain you free your selves on that day as much as may be from worldly cares and sollicitousnesse And that which becometh the honour of so great a day that both you your selves do it and by your example do teach and compell yours to do it We wholsomely admonish all faithfull people that they give due honour and reverence to the Lords day because the dishonour of this day doth both much swarve and abhor from Christian religion and doth without doubt procure the perill of souls to the violaters thereof And with that of the Councell of Burges an 1582. Apud Bach●…llum Decretae Ecclesiae Gall. l. 4. Tit. 7. c. 21. Although Lords dayes and holy dayes are instituted onely for this purpose that faithfull Christians abstaining from externall and gainfull works might more freely and with greater piety give themselves to divine worship and to the meditation of the infinite benefits of Gods goodnes towards mankinde and so being wholly taken up with the wholsome duties of religion should diligently beware as Ignatius admonisheth the Philippians that they should not abuse holy dayes with any disgrace or injuries yet notwithstanding in our times it preposterously and usually comes to passe that both solemne and religious dayes are not onely spent in transacting unlawfull and secular businesse but likewise in luxury lasciviousnesse prohibited sports and pastimes Revels and the exercising of other wickednesses whereupon it is not to be doubted that for the greatest part so many calamities wherewith we were so long since confirm●… justly inflicted on us by God who is incensed against us by so great wickednesse To appease whose present anger and likewise to avert his greater indignation hanging over our heads we command all Parish Priests of our Province that they frequently and seriously admonish the people that on Lords dayes they not onely keep themselves from all prohibited works but likewise that they be ex animo cordially and religiously present at all sacred mysteries of the Church and at the preaching of Gods Word and that they preterm it not the works of piety in relieving the poore comforting the afflicted and in doing other pious things wherein Christian profession and charitie do most of all shine forth And we exhort all Magistrates according to their and our duty as far as possibly we may that they would take care that those holy and solemne dayes should be holily and piously celebrated this being principally in their power and belonging to their charge Neither verily can any manner of Governing the Common-wealth be better or more praise-worthie then that which gives the first place and care to divine worship and religion FINIS LONDON Printed for John Wright junior and for Tho. Bates and are to be sold at their shops in the Old Baylie 1642.

A DIVINE TRAGEDIE LATELY ACTED OR A Collection of sundrie memorable examples of Gods judgements upon Sabbath-breakers and other like Libertines in their unlawfull Sports hapning within the Realme of England in the compasse onely of few yeers last past since the Book was published worthy to be known and considered of all men especially such who are guilty of the sin or Arch-patrons thereof By that worthy Divine Mr. Henry Burton Printed in the yeer 1641. many thousand yeers past yet they remain still fresh upon record as done but yesterday even for this very end that they might be examples unto us not to lust after evill things as they lusted nor to trace the footsteps of their sinfull wayes lest we should incur the self same exemplarie punishments as they sustained 1. Cor. 10. 5. to 12. And as God himself so holy men of God in all ages following his example have carefully ob●●●ed and registred to posterity the speciall most remarkable judgements of God upon obstinate sins and sinners of all sorts with which not onely Ecclesiastical but even prophane stories are fully fraught happened in the ages and the places wherein they lived many whereof Mr. Jo. Fox in his Acts and Monuments near the end Mr. Raynolds in his Treatise concerning the miraculous discovery and punishments of murthers and Murtherers Dr. Thomas Beard in his Theatre of Gods judgements with sundry others have collected and digested into intire Tractates the very reading and serious perusall whereof would no doubt daunt the most professed Atheist and reclaim the most incorrigible sinner I therefore desiring to tread in their pious footsteps having received from good intelligence many memorable presidents of Gods avenging justice upon Sabbath-breakers and the prophaners of Sacred times devoted to his service hapning within the compasse of our little Island within two yeers space since the publication of the Declaration for Sports and Pastimes after Evening Prayer on the Lords day in Parish Churches by divers a Nullam habet spem salutis aeger quam ad intemperantiam Meditus hortatur Senec. Ministers hath set open the flood-gates to this presumptuous sin of Sabbath-breaking thought it a part of my bounden duty to preserve and propagate their memorie both for the honour of Gods truth and justice the vindication of the intire sanctification of his sacred day which he hath visibly pleaded for from heaven since men have been audaciously prophane b See the Doctrine of the Sabbath The History of the Sabbath the Treatise of the Sabbath-day and Discourse of the Sabbath lately printed which though they condemne the very name of Sabbath as Iewish yet they are all characterised with that name and title as to plead and I would I could not say to write and preach against it upon earth the clearing of those Ministers innocencie who now unjustly suffer through the malice of ungodly persecuters and raging Prelates for refusing to joyne with others in spurring on the people to the greedy pursuit of this crying dangerous sin to the ruin of their souls their bodies and shame of our Religion and the monition of this present and all future ages to beware of this so dangerous a transgression How God hath punished this very sin in former ages in such who have either by dancing Sports Pastimes or unnecessarie Labours and travels prophaned his Sacred day I mean not to record he that listeth may read store of such examples regist●ed to his hands in the Councell of Paris under Lewis and Lotharius anno 829. lib. 1. ca. 50. which relates in generall That many present in this Councell were eye-witnesses and others of them had it by relation that some men upon the Lords day being about their husbandry have been slain with Thunder some punished with the contraction of their joynts and sins some even with visible fire have had their bodies and bones burnt up in a moment and suddenly resolved into ashes and that many other terrible examples of like nature hath happened and did fall out daily By which it was declared that God is much offended with the dishonour of so great a Day Petrus Plessensis in Latinia major Sermo 20. In Mathew Paris Historia Major Anno 1200. p. 194. in Roger Hovenden anno 1200. p. 122. In Mathew Westminster Flores Historiarum Ann. 1200. In Vincentius Belvacensis Speculum Morale li. 3. pr 9. Distinctio 9. of dances In the flower of the Commandments printed in the beginning of King Hen. 8. fol. 159. to 163. In Henricus Gran. Distinct 9. Exemp 51. in the Magdeburge Centuries Centurie 12. ca 6. In Dr. Bownde his doctrine of the Sabbath Edition 2. p. 252. to 263. the first book in Mr. John Field his declaration of Gods judgements at Paris garden in Mr. Philip Stubs his Anatomie of abuses p. 185. in the Practice of Pietie 429. to 434. and Dr. Beard his Theatre of Gods Judgements All which have registred sundrie notable judgements of God upon sundrie Sabbath-breakers which have presumed to dance work or travell on the Lords holy day of purpose to shew the danger of prophaning holy times and to deter men from this common sin for which so many have smarted from heaven in an exemplarie manner I shall therefore confine my self onely to such domestick examples as have fallen out in sundrie corners of this our Realm within these two yeers of purpose to refute the * 2 Pet. 2. 16. madnesse of those Prophets who in the Presse and Pulpit and the prophanenesse of those people who in their dancing-greens and may-pole arbors have been so audacious as to affirm the Prophanation of the Lords day by Maygames Dances Maypoles Wakes and common Labour out of time of Divine Service especially after Evening Prayer to be no sin at all against the fourth Commandement or any other Law of God or man but c See the History Treatise Discourse and Doctrine of the Sabbath accordingly and Sunday no Sabbath necessary and commendable point of true Christian Libertie they should have said of carnall and heathenish licentiousnesse rather from which the people must not be debarred But let these blinde guides and Libertines learn from these examples to correct this their erronious judgement and practise for fear the Lord make them the next examples in this kinde to teach others to keep his Sabbaths better and more intirely for the future And if these tragicall spectacles of Divine justice will not perswade them that such prophaning of the Lords most sacred day is a sin yea and a crying sin too as all our writers yea and our Prelates generally till now of late have unanimously defined and the whole State in Parliament in d 1. Car. c 1. 3 Car. c. 1. two late famous Statutes and e 1. 27. H. 6. 5. 5. 6. E. 6. c. 3. two more ancient Acts to omit our f Of the Time and Place of Prayer part 1. Of Disobedience and unlawfull Rebellion part 3. p. 292. 293. Homilies

de Litania masori records may prove life to many and the judgements on some become remedies to cure all who are sick of the self same si●ne Amen Examples of Gods Iudgements VPON SABBATH-BREAKERS THese Examples of Gods judgements hereunder set down have fallen out within the space of these few yeers even since the Declaration for Sports tolerated on the Lords day was published and read by many Ministers in their congregations for hereupon ill disposed people being as dry fewell to which fire being put quickly flameth forth or as waters pent up and restrained being let loose break forth more furiously were so incouraged if not imaged as taking liberty dispensed thereby so provoked God that his wrath in sundry places hath broken out to the destruction of many would to God to the instruction of any And the judgements are so much the more remarkable that so many in number as here are observed besides many more no doubt which have not come to our ears should fall within so narrow a compasse of time so thick and that in so many places as we read not of such a number of judgements in this kinde for this one sin throughout the whole history of time from the Apostles hitherto So many there are of them as it were too heathenish to impute them to chance too mûch stupidity and envy of Gods glory not to acknowledge the speciall hand of God in them upon such transgressors of his own sacred day And it were to be wished that all the examples in this kinde within this compasse of time were diligently collected and compiled into one Narration for the further illustration of Gods glory and for admonition to all Sabbath-breakers who if they repent not nor surcease from such their prophanenesse it may justly be feared that the number of such examples will be daily increased till they make a heap for all the world to stand amazed at In the mean time who so is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord Psal 107 43. As for the truth of them I have good testimony under the hands of men of sufficient credit for the most of them and the rest hath come to our eares by credible report If it shall so fall out that one or two or so should prove otherwise either for the substance or circumstance let not the Reader blame me who have used my best diligence to enquire out the certain truth of them all and I am sure the most of the examples are confirmed by witnesses without all exception and none of them is to me of any suspected credit So as here are no fained miracles nor fabulous stories nor old Wives tales for prophane Scoffers to jeare at and play upon thereby to disgrace and discredit all truths in this kinde as some of late have done History of the Sabbath part 2. chap. 7. pag. 223. but these examples are such as will abide the triall and search of this present age wherein are yet living so many both eare and eye witnesses of them Example 1. A woman about Northampton the same day that she heard the book for sports read went immediately and having 3. pence in her purse hired a fellow to go to the next Town to fetch a Minstrel who coming she with others fell a dancing which continued within night at which time she was got with childe which at the birth she murthering was detected and apprehended and being convented before the Justice she confessed it and withall told the occasion of it saying it was her falling to sport on the Sabbath upon reading of the book so as for this treble sinfull act her presumptuous prophaning of the Sabbath which brought her adultery and that murther She was according to the Law both of God and man put to death much sin and misery followeth upon Sabbath-breaking Example 2. Also at Northampton in the last Easter Assises there was a young man who formerly by seeing the example of good people in the due sanctification of the Lords day or Sabbath had begun to reform his former loose kinde of life and to frame his conversation according to Gods Word and that in the well keeping of the Sabbath abstaining therein from sports and pastimes and spending the whole day in the publike and private duties of it but when once he heard of the publishing of the book for sports and pastimes he fell back again to his former wallowing and being taken as he was picking a pocket when the Judges were in the Church upon examination confessed what he had formerly been and how he had been reformed and that upon the publishing of the said book he was incouraged to run riot a fresh by which means he fell into this impiety and iniquity for the which he suffered death Example 3. A Maid at Enfield neer London 1634. hearing of the libertie which was given by the book which was published for sports would needs go daunce with others on the Lords day saying she would go daunce so long as she could stand on her legs she daunced so long that thereof within two or three dayes she died Example 4. Vpon May day last 1634. being the Lords day a Maid of the Minister of the Parish Cripplegate London was married to a Widower having three children the youngest being at Nurce in the countrey upon this day they kept their feast in the Church-house joyning to the Church where they spent all the afternoon in dauncing but within one week after the Plague began in that Parish in the new married mans house where within a moneth it took away the man and his wife and his two children that were in the house And thus was the Plague brought first into that Parish this yeer To this we will adde another example because it fell within the same moneth in the same Citie A Minister Rector of a Church in London on the Saturday would go with two of his neighbours boon companions to be joviall the next day being the Lords day they conditioning that he should bestow a Sermon upon them They on the Lords day being now in the countrey spent the forenoon idly in the afternoon they go to visit another Minister who had another benefice there in the Countrey he puts his brother to preach which done invites him with his companions to a bottle of Sack They drank so long that the two neighbours tongues began to fail them Home to their lodging within a few miles they betake them That night their Minister could not sleep and rising early to walk abroad he returned with such a coldnesse upon him that he looked and felt like cold pale death the two neighbours much dismaid and with much a do get him home to London where in that case continuing he dieth before the next Sabbath day Example 5. On Jan. 25. 1634. being the Lords day in the time of the last great Frost 14. young men presuming to play at football

upon the ice on the river Trent neer to Ganisborow coming all together in a scuffle the ice suddenly brake and they were all drowned Example 6. At Dover the very same Lords day 1635. that the book was read one in S. James Parish that played on a kitt went and plaied and thereby called together a sort of wenches and young men But he was thereupon that very day struck by divine hand so as within two daies he died Example 7. At Thurlow in Suffolke one making a Feast to his friends on the Sabbath day for joy of the publishing of the Book for sports was the next day pressed to death by the sudden fall or a faggot stack Example 8. At Hellings by five or six miles from Af●● in Sussex the book being read on the Lords day in the Church by the Minister on the next day being Munday an honest man one Tomkins being on his way a neighbour overtakes him and scoffingly asks him if he would go daunce with him the next Sunday to whom the man answered Take heed that thou be not dauncing in hell before that day come or before it be long By the next week Gods hand fell on this Scoffer that himself and two more of his family died Example 9. On February 9. 1634. being the Lords day an Apothecaries man in Limestreet London rid to Barnet with another companion to make merry who returning home drunk neer High-gate met a Tinker and offering him some abuse the Tinker strikes one of their horses whereat the one bid the other run him thorow who drawing his Rapier ran the Tinker thorow the breast that he fell down dead thereupon being by and by apprehended and confessing the fact they were both sent to Newgate Example 10. At Thornton neer Westchester 1634. the people there upon the first publishing of the book prepared for a solemn summer-ale The bringing in of their Lady flora should have been guarded with a Marshall troop the lustiest wench and stoutest young man in the town were chosen to be the purveyors for cakes and for ribbons for favours the solemnity was to be on the Munday but the preparation on the Lords day this lusty tall maid on the Saturday before went to the mill to fetch home the meal for cakes on her head she being strong and able for the purpose but in the way passing by a hedge she was suddenly struck by a divine stroke and fell into the ditch where she was found dead she was suffered to lie abroad in that pickle all the Lords day till Munday morning when the Coroner being sent for she was thence carried to her grave immediately where all her solemnity was buried with her and all her vain thoughts in that verie day wherein the great solemnity should have been And see what a good effect this wrought in the whole town First all their mirth was turned into mourning no summer ale kept and besides that they being moved by the dreadfull stroke of God took their May-pole down which they had before set up and never after would presume to set it up again or to have any more summer-ales or may-games God grant they continue in their sober mindes and that all other would learn to be wise by their example Example 11. In Yorkshire at a Wake in the Parish of Otley at Baildon 1634. on the Lords day two of them sitting at drink late in the night fell out and being parted the one a little after finding his fellow sitting by the fire with his back towards him comes behinde him and with a hatchet chines him down the back so as his bowels fell out the murtherer flying immediately and being hotly pursued lept into a river and so drowned himself O fearfull fruits of carnall liberty Example 12. One at Ham neer Kingston being a scoffer of all goodnesse 1635. and a common prophaner of the Sabbath going abroad to see his grounds on the Lords day and finding some neighbours cattell to have broken in he runs to drive them out and that with such eagernesse that he fell down dead instantly upon the place Example 13. One Wright at Kingston being a scoffer of Religion and rejoycing much at the suspending of his Minister and others for not reading the book of Sports in their Churches saying he hoped to see them all so served shortly was within a day or two after struck with a dead Palsey all over the one side and with blindnesse and dumbnesse that he could neither go nor see nor speak and so lay in a miserable manner for a fort-night and then died Example 14. In Moorefields neer London 1635. sundry youths playing at Cat on the Lords day two of them fell out and the one hitting the other under the eare with his Cat he therewith fell down for dead in the place the other was sent to prison but the dead for the time by Gods mercy recovering the prisoner was released which may be a warning both to them and all other youth to take heed how they so prophane the Lords day Example 15. April 18. 1635. being Saturday one travelling with three others from London to Maydenhead he the rest spending the Sabbath there would travell on his way the next day being the Lords day contrary both to Gods commandment and also of the Lady whom he served who had given him strict charge to observe the Sabbath and not to travell on it He rode in the morning to Henley and there heard the Sermon after that he fell to travell in the afternoon but as he went in the way leading his horse in his hand gently down a plain descent and even way his horse suddenly fell and broke both his fore legs the man fore agast at this not more sudden then strange disaster which he could not but attribute to the immediate hand of God and being past all hope of recovery was forced himself to knock his horse on the head and so to leave him and being the next day overtaken at Abington by his company whom he had left the day before and they asking him how it fell out he was no further on his way he smote his breast and told them how it had befallen him in the way saying that he had heard many a good Sermon yet none of them or any thing else did so work upon his conscience as this thing did and that this example should be a warning unto him for ever travelling on the Sabbath day again This is testified under the hands of those three which had travelled with him and overtook him Example 16. At Dartmouth 1634. upon the coming forth and publishing of the book for sports a company of younkers on May-day morning before day went into the countrey to fetch home a May pole with Drumme and Trumpet whereat the neighbouring Inhabitants were affrighted supposing some enemies had landed to sack them the Pole being thus brought home and set up they began to drink healths about it

reformed things very well yet upon the publication of this book in print many of the inhabitants the Spring following were imboldned to set up Maypoles Morrice daunce and a Whitson ale continuing their rude revelling a week together with many affronts to their ancient and reverend Pastor but it pleased God that not long after a spark from a Smiths shop caught in that roome where the ale was brewed and though means were ready at hand yet it could not be quenched but set the house on fire and presently flew to the barn in which their disorder was and burnt the same with thirteen dwelling houses more most of whose Inhabitants were actors or abetters in the fame This is testified by many Example 26. Richard Jones son of Widow Jones July 1634. not far from Dorchester being severely admonished by his mother when she understood he had a purpose on Saturday night to go on the Lords day with other companions to Stoake to play at a sport called Fives but persisting in his resolution and going the next day accordingly being the Lords day at Stoke where he played at the said sport at night returning home with his companions William Burges William Hill John Edwards after they had there well drunk they fall first a justling one another in the way then to boxes and in the end Edwards stabbing Jones under the left side he died thereof the Munday night following about 7. of the clock Behold here a terrible example of disobedience to Gods holy Commandments not onely the fourth but the fifth also Example 27. At Ovendean in Sussex about nine or ten miles from Alfriston alias Ason one John Arcold of the age of one or two and twenty yeers eldest son to John Arcold a Blacksmith dwelling in Ason with other younkars would needs fall a ringing of the bels on a Sabbath day presuming the Book for Sports gave them full libertie so to do 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 John Arcold the ringleader before the next Sunday came was struck with a sicknesse in which he continued a fortnight or three weeks til he died in which time Robert 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 again to his health he would never do the like God make his surviving companions and all others wise by his example Example 28. At Walton upon Thames in Surrey 1634. not far from Oatlands in the last great Frost three young men on the Lords day after they had been at the Church in the forenoon where the Minister pressing the words of his text out of 2. Cor. 5. 10. that we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ c. they the while whispering one to another as they fa●e In the afternoon they went together over the Thames upon the ice unto a house of disorder and gaming where they spent the rest of the Lords day and part of the night also in revelling one of them in a Tavern merrily discoursing the next day of his Sabbath-acts and voyage over the Ice but on Tuesday next after these three returning homwards and attempting to passe againe over the Ice they all sanke downe to the bottome as stones whereof one onely of them was miraculously preserved but the other two were drowned Eccl 11. 9. Rejoyce O young man in thy youth and let thy heart chear thee in the dayes of thy youth and walk in the wayes of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes But know thou that for all these things God will bring thee unto judgement Example 29. In the yeer of our Lord 1633. Octob. 26. after the book for sports was known to be published in print David Price a Welshman servant to one Thomas Hill a known Grasier of that countrey coming to Banbury with his drove on Saturday night declared his purpose of driving them the next day early in the morning being the Sabbath or Lords day his Host where he lodged disswaded him because it was the Sabbath day and told him that he would certainly be stopped and made to pay for it according to the Statute He answered that he would drive them and let mee see saith he who will hinder me So in the morning two other accompaning him he went to fetch the Cattell out of the ground one that knew him mett him at the Townes end not yet one of the Towne and admonished him saying What David to day to day he made no answere but went onward and though for any thing that appeared to any other or that himself complained of he was then in good health as ever he was yet within little more then a stones cast of the Town he fell down dead suddenly and was buried in Banbury Church-yard the next day after None could discern any sensible or evident cause of so sudden a surprizall and himself gave no signe of any pain weaknesse or illnesse till the instant time he gave up the ghost Example 30. At Wicks a Town betwixt Colchester and Harwich in Essex upon Whit sonday last in the afternoon two fellows meeting at the football the one killed the other Example 31. At Oxford this last Summer on the Sabbath day one Bally Hawks a Butcher would needs go into his field with an hatchet and shovell to mend his ditch his wife disswaded him what she could being the Sabbath day but he said he would go and make an end of his work which he did for suddenly he was struck dead in his ditch and so made an end of his work and his life together Example 32. Also at Oxford a Carpenter undertaking to mend a Stage in S. Johns Colledge on the Saturday night for the finishing whereof he must of necessity spend some part of the Lords day morning that the Stage might be ready against the Munday following he that night fell backward from the stage being not far from the ground and brake his neck and so ended his life in a fearfull Tragedie Example 33. At Ivye Hinckley a mile from Oxford about the time when May-poles are set up on the Lords day after Evening Prayer when most of the Town were at the May-pole one John Cooper servant to master Tinmore of the said Town going along the street a maid out of a window in John Nicols his house not far from the May-pole called him to come in thither where also was another maid and a young man named Christopher Young servant to Master Willis of the said Town John Cooper at first refused to come to them but the maid earnestly intreating him he yeelded to her and being come in sate down by the other two where

dangerous as death is expected and little hope of life remaineth Example 50. At Craies two miles from Billerikey a servant of M. Holdsworth Minister there ringing on the Sabbath his Master sent to forbid him but he would ring still and before he had done ringing he was struck sick and a while after died This was a little after the book for sports was publikely read in the Church Example 51. In June 1635. on the Lords day the Tapster and Chamberlain of the Queens head in South warke rid into Kent to be merry and having drunk liberally riding homewards the one of them fell from his horse and broke his neck Example 52. Also in June 1635. and as some report the very same Lords day in Southwarke at the red Lion neer S. Georges Church in the afternoon a man with another sate drinking so long that the other about six of the clock departing fell a sleep so that he never awaked again Example 53. In the moneth of July 1634. one Mr. Quince the Chirurgion of the Tower of London having an horse to sel and meeting with a chapman went to Coleman-street where the horse was kept to see and contract for him on the Lords day in the afternoon the horse being sadled Mr. Quince gets upon his back to shew his chapman how well he would pace which done as he was a lighting off his back his foot which lighted on the ground slipped the other foot hung in the stirrup so as he fell to the ground and with the fall brake his thigh-bone short off so that he was carried from the place to an house neer adjoyning where he lay in great pain and agonie for eight weeks space or more almost despairing of his life and never stirring out of his bed at last it pleased God by degrees to recover and restore him to the use of his leg again he having little use of it and that with great pain for half a yeers space and more His son had disswaded him from riding because it was the Lords day and himself hath since acknowledged it a just judgement of God upon him for prophaning that sacred time which hath made him more carefully to frequent the Church and to avoid the prophanation of the Lords day ever since This the party himself and most of the Tower can testifie Example 54. Many more examples might here be added not onely such as have fallen out within these few yeers last past since the said book was published by the Ministers in their Churches but also since the book was first of all printed and published the very bruit whereof without being read by Ministers was enough and too much to imbolden youth to take their liberty in prophaning the Lords day but for the present I will adde but one more At Chidlington upon the edge of Hertfordshire not far from Hitchin a company of fellows upon a holy day being to play a match at Foot-ball one of them was tolling the bell to assemble the rest some being come into the Church the randevoze of their meeting suddenly it thundring was seen a black ball come tumbling down a hill neer by which took its course directly into the Church there it flew into the Bell-free and first slew him that tolled the bell then it flustered about the Church and hurted divers of them and at last bursting left a filthy stinke like to that of brimstone and so left a terror to all such spend thrifts of precious time and especially such as is dedicated to sacred uses Who so is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the leving kindnesse of the Lord. Psal 107. 43. Example 55. Vpon May Eve Thomas Tree of Glocester Carpenter in the Parish of S. Michael some coming unto him and asking him whether he would go with them to fetch the May-pole he swore by the Lords wounds that he would though he never went more Now whiles he was working on the May-pole on May day morning before he had finished his work the Lord smote him with such a lamenesse and swelling in all his limbs that he could neither go nor lift his hands to his mouth to feed himself but kept his bed for half a yeer together and stil goes lame to this day May 4. 1636. Example 56. About a yeer since 1635. in Ashton under the Hill in the Parish of Beckford in the countrey of Glocester the Minister there Mr. Blackwell having occasion in his Sermon in the afternoon on the Lords day to reprove the prophaning of that day by sports c. as soon as the Sermon was done a young man of that place used these words Now Mr. Blackwell hath done we 'le begin and so taking the cudgels playes with them and at the second or third bout he received a thrust in one of his eyes that thrust it quite out so as it hanged by and could never recover it again THese Examples of divine justice so notorious so remarkable both for humber and variety having fallen out in so narrow a compasse of time and so dispersed over the whole land as every particular place and countrey might take speciall notice thereof if they will not take and make impression in our stony hearts to move us to speedy repentance as for many other enormities and crying sins so in speciall for this our ring leading sin of the heathenish prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day what plea can we make for our selves why the Lord of the Sabbath should not send some universall epidemicall sweeping calamity upon the land sparing neither small nor great And now that the plague and pestilence begins to break forth and spreads it self much amongst us the Lord shooting these his terrible venemous arrows from which not even Princes nor Prelates palaces can secure themselves from becoming his buts and marks What can we more impute it unto as the cause thereof then to this grand sin of the prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day occasioned so much the more by the publishing of the late book for sports and that by the Ministers themselves For was it not the judgement and confession of King James of famous memory and of the whole State and Kingdome in an exhortation published in that great plague beginning with his reign 1603. where are these words The Lords Sabbath is not kept holy but polluted c. and therefore the cause is apparant 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 Governor over us in the first yeer of his reign with the approbation of the whole Parliament where the same is acknowledged of that other great plague in the beginning of his Reigne 1625. namely that one principall and 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 break forth upon us in these dayes wherein we have increased and surpassed our fathers sins and that in such a height as they reach up to heaven to pull down flames and flakes of vengeance upon our heads And so much the more sith upon the publishing of the said book so manifold mischiefs have attended and followed as never any age since Christ much lesse such a Christian state as we professe to be hath seen or ever heard the like For besides the open violation of Gods holy commandment the 4th Morall acknowledged in our * Homily of the time and place of Praier Part. 1. p. 124. 125. 126. 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 * Hom. against Rebellion par 3. pag. 292. 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 Dr. Poc. k 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 John Knox and others of the puritan faction in the yeer 1554. What saith he then to the Homilies of our Church which were set forth in K. Edw. 6. his Reign and so I am sure before 1554. by three or foure yeers now these to omit innumerable testimonies more both out of ancient Fathers and the Prelates of this land too large to be comprehended in a Parenthesis being enow to furnish a pretty Treatise these our Homilies I say so frequently and clearly called the Lords day the Sabbath day before John Knox called it so 1554. And the same Homilies being set forth afresh by Queen Elizabeth 1562. will Dr. P. dare to charge the learned and pious compilers of them a pack of Puritans or as * Doctor Wh●… Bp. of Ely 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 livelihood and Freeholds against all Laws 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 pray to the roaring Lion and all this because they dare not offer violence to their consciences in doing that which should dishonour God indanger their own and their peoples souls abase before God and man the authority and dignity to their Ministery condemne the innocent people of God and call the wicked righteous teach inferiours rebellion to their superiours and in a word hasten the pulling down 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 lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoyce lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph what could the Pope have done more then some of our Prelates have done in this kinde for the darkning of the glory of Christs kingdome and for the setting up of Antichrists throne again in this Land But our Lord saith Ye shall know them by their fruits Besides what impudencie and impiety hath broken out from sundry aierie and ambitious spirits who have dared in their late published books upon books to belch out their blasphemies against God and the power purity and profession of the Religion established amongst us for so many yeers Nor onely is the floodgate of all prophanenesse and impiety broken up in the violation of the fourth commandment but of the fifth also when as by occasion of the publishing of the said book which inhibits Magistrates and superiors to restrain or punish youth fortaking such liberty on the Lords day as the book alloweth and which all other books writings monuments of Fathers Councels Kings Emperors Divines ancient and modern Protestants and Papists have universally with one vote and voice cried down till now but yesterday a new generation of Maleferiati hath risen up outdaring and defining the whole world and God himself inferiour persons exalt themselves in high contempt against their Superiors 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 outcries 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 week after and so their whole life while like vntamed colts they have thus learned to take the bit between their teeth and so to run a gallop into all excesse of riot So as if the book be not all the sooner called in and authors of those late books against the sanctification of the Lords day condignly punished and a speedy reformation hereof set on foot how can we look for a stay of the plague untill the Land be consumed Now the Lord make us wise to lay these things to heart lest 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 been the theatre 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 prophaners of the Lords day and that in so short a time even since the book for such sports was published we may thus argue and conclude That for which the Lord inflicteth and executeth so many notorious and severe judgements must needs be a notorious and hainous sin and so a breach of his holy commandment But for the violation and prophanation of the Lords day by sports and pastimes or by servile works the Lord inflicteth and executeth many notorious and severe judgements as of late we have seen Erg. the violation and prophanation of the Lords day is a notorious and hainous sin and so a breach of Gods holy commandment The major Proposition is a Maxime in Divinity God punisheth no man but for sin and sin is a transgression of Gods law 1. Joh. 3. 4. For the Minor proposition it is so clear as it cannot be denied except men will be senselesse and blinde Atheists But they that fear God shall declare the work of God for they shall wisely consider of his doing as Psal 64. 9. Now if the violation or prophanation of the Lords day be a sin and so a transgression of Gods holy commandment then of what holy commandment but of the fourth And if of the fourth then the holy keeping of the Lords day for the Christian Sabbath is

grounded upon the fourth Commandment and commanded in it as God hath abundantly testified by his many remarkable judgements even within these two yeers as hath been shewed Ob. But here some may object God may punish men for the breach of humane ordinances which are out of the expresse commandments of God So in this instance God may punish the violation or prophanation of the Lords day by such sports or wakes as being a breach of a humane ordinance or Ecclesiasticall institution Answ I answer it is true all humane ordinances being not against Gods word are to be observed for conscience sake of Gods commandment commanding subjection to all ordinances of men for the Lords sake Aud if it were a humane ordinance to dedicate this day of holy rest to God by a perpetuall vow and Decree then the greater is their sin that devoure that which is sanctified and after the vow make inquirie how it may be violated So as they are liable to the like judgements for so doing without repentance THE EPILOGVE THus have I presented you with a large Scene of late severall examples of Gods judgements upon Sabbath-breakers and such a So the Statute of 1. Caroli c. 1. stiles them disorderly people who have been so presumptuous as to prophane the Lords own sacred day against the monitions of Gods faithfull Ministers with unnecessarie labour vain sports and idle pastimes To which I might annex many ancient Precedents of like nature which I pretermit onely one excepted which is remarkable In the yeer of our Lord 1583. in the famous Metropolis of this our Land the City of London two Citizens the one leaving his wife the other her husband and committing adulterie together on the Lords day it pleased God to strike them dead with fire from heaven whilest they were in the very act of uncleannesse their bodies being left dead in the place half burnt up sending out a most loathsome savour for a spectacle of Gods avenging Justice unto others to teach them both to shun the sin of adultery and of Sabbath-breaking too and to take heed how they commit any fin or wickednesse at any time and especially on Gods sacred day or how they follow dauncing may-games Morisdaunces Ales and such lascivious pastimes b Vincentius Volnacensis Spec. moral li. 3. Ps. 9. Dist 6. Mr. Northbrook Stubs Brant Lovel and others in their Treatises against dauncing which commonly end in whoredome adultery as being strong allurements thereunto this judgement was so famous and remarkable that Laurentius Bayenlinke a forrain Historian in his Opus Chronologicum orbis universi Antwerp 1611. p. 110. hath thought good to register it to posterity if any deem those judgements strange or that God should iustice such punishments on this sin which some now justifie as a part of Christian liberty both in the Pulpit and in c The late Treatise History and Discourse of the Sabbath Sunday No Sabbath Doctor Pri. and a soveraigne Antidote against Sabbatarian Novelties printed works I shall onely intreat such to remember that the whole Convocation house all the Arcbbishops Bishops Archdeacons and greatest Clerks of England in their book intituled The Institution of a Christian Man subscribed with all their names and dedicated to King Hen. 8. an●… 1537. and King Hen. 8. himself in his own book inscribed A necessarie doctrine and erudition for any Christian man set forth by the Kings Majestie of England with the advise and approbation of the Lords spirituall and temporall and Nether house of Parliament ann 1543. and by the King himself dedicated under his name and title to all his faithfull and loving Subjects and published by vertue of the Statute of 30. H. 8. c. 26. in the exposition of the fourth Commandment have in the very dawning of Reformation injoyned all Bishops and Preachers diligently to instruct and teach the people committed to their spirituall charge and I wish that some Bishops would now do it that against this commandment generally do offend all they which having no lawfull impediment do not give themselves upon the holy day to hear the Word of God to remember the benefits of God to give thanks for the same to pray to exercise such holy works both publikely in the Church and privately in their houses as be appointed for such holy dayes but as commonly is used passe the time either in idlenesse in gluttony in riot or other vain and idle pastime Do * Ergo it is in force and the prophaning of the Lords day a sin against it break this Commandment For surely such keeping of holy day is not according to the intent and meaning of this Commandment as some new * As the Treatise History Discourse of the Sabbath Doctors now dogmatize but after the usage and custome of the Jews though some late Rabbies would make the world beleeve that the strict sanctification of the Lords day and the restraining of vain sports and pastimes on it is Jewish when a Epist 6. ad magnefianos Ignatius b Tract 3. in Iob. de 10. chordis c. 3. In Ps 32. 91. De consensu Evang li. 2. c. 77 Augustine c In Iob. Evang li. 8. c. 5. Cirillus Alexandrinus d Homily de festis diebus Ephraim Syrus e Eccl. Hist l. 7. c. 13. Socrates Scholasticus f Codicis Theodosit l. 15. tit 5. lex 5. Theodosius the Emperour g Enare in Ps 91. Beda Vincentius Belvacensis and generally al Authors since have branded dauncing sports and recreations on the Lords day both as Jewish and heathenish and i Edit 5. Lon. 1624. Sect. 38. n. 1. p. 110. Se. 43. digr 46. n. 6. p. 165. 186. Dr. John White in his way to the true Church defended and published by his elder brother Dr. Fr. White now Bishop of Ely k In 4. preceptum Mr. Zanchie l In Iohn Eu. c. 7. fol. 273. Wolfg. Musculus m Proposition for the Christian Sabbath p. 4. Mr. John Sprint as Popish and licentious tending to the overthrow of piety and desolation of publike Government and doth not please God but doth much more offend him and provoke his indignation and wrath towards us For as n In Iohan. tract 3. in Ps 32. 91. de 10. chordl●… c 3. St. Augustine saith of the Jews they should be better occupied labouring in the h Speculum morale li. 3. part 9. c. 6. fields and to be at plough then to be idle at home And women should better bestow their time in spinning of wooll then on the Sabbath day to loose their time in leaping or dauncing and other idle wantonnesse Now if the whole Clergy King State and Parliament were so quick-sighted as in those times of darknesse to see a Lords day Sabbath in