having sate awhile the foresaid Christopher Young spied a Gun over the chimney which he supposing not to be charged fondly took down and fell a tampering with it and first levelled at the Maids and after held it up against John Cooper as he sate and unwittingly lifting up the cock it struck fire and the peece discharged and shot the said John Cooper thorow the shoulder so that he died presently being heard onely to say O Lord. Example 34. A young man neer Bowe going to swim in the river on Essex side on the Lords day in the afternoon was drowned Example 35. Two boyes of S. Albons going to Verolanes Ponds a mile off to swim on the Lords day July 19. one of them was drowned and the other hardly escaped Example 36. At Ramsey in Suffolke a tall man on the Lords day going with others to swim and being advertised and warned of a hole in the water he sware that there was no place there could drowne him but by and by on a sudden he was missing being now under water and so drowned Example 37. On September 13. 1635. being the Lords day two young men of the Parish of S. Dunstans in the West London going to swim were both drowned Example 38. At Twiford in Buckinghamshire a fellow playing at cudgels on the Lords day or as some say upon a revell day received a hurt in the face whereof he died the next week Example 39. At Lemster one Master Powel Januar. 1634. on the Lords day serving a Writ of sub poena and that of purpose on that day as is credibly reported upon one Mr. Shuit a Gentleman this he did in the Church yard so soon as they were come out of the Church Mr. Shuit thereupon told him I thought you had been an honester man then so to do this upon this day he replyed I hope I am never a whit the more dishonest or lesse holy for that having spoken this he suddenly fell down dead and spake not a word more his wife seeing this was suddenly struck with sicknesse Example 40. A fellow in Sommersetshire being to make a Tent upon the Lords day for a Faire that was to be kept upon the Munday following said to one on the Saturday that they would reare it to morrow so the next day which was the Lords day being drunk he died the same day roaring Example 41. At Corsham in Wiltshire in the Whitsun week at a Whitsun-ale one Mark Hulbert a lusty young man undertaking to act the fools part was so extreamly drunk and hurt with falls taken in the time of his drunkennesse that shortly he took his bed where he lay very loathsomely in most grievous pain untill the sixt day of June being the Lords day on which he died at 4. of the clock in the afternoon the usuall time for youth to take their liberty and was buried the same day before 9. of the clock and yet he burst before he was laid into his grave See Joh 31. 3. Example 42. At Topudle in Dorcetshire one John Hooper alias Cole upon the promulgation of the said Book was let down into a Well to cleanse it for to brew beer for a Whitson-ale by Francis Laurence alias Smith and Stephen Pope Churchwardens which Well was in the back-side of Richard Laurence alias Smith Which John Hooper fell from the rope into the Well where he died Example 43. At Glassenbury in Sommersetshire at the setting up of a May-pole it miscarrying fell upon a child and slew it it is reported that it was the Churchwardens child who was the chief stickler in the businesse Also when the May pole in the same Town was again the second time a setting up a fire took in the Town so as all the people about the May-pole were forced to leave it and to run to the quenching of the fire Example 44. A May-lord of misrule not far from thence became mad upon it Example 45. Also at Battersey neer London the last yeer a notable example of Gods judgement befell a fidler the youth of the town of both sexes being assembled solemnly to set up a garland upon their May-pole and having got a tabor and pipe for the purpose he with the pipe in his mouth fell down dead and never spake word Example 46. On May 31. 1635. being the Lords day one Richard Clerk an apprentise unto Timothy Denorell shoomaker of Sherston in the countrey of Wiltshire within three miles of Tedbury being drunk at the Church-house in the same Parish told Henry Larrum of the same Parish that was then in the same place drunk likewise with the Church-house ale that he the said Richard would either hang himself or drown himself demanding of the said Henry which of the two was best unto whom he replied that he hoped he would do neither on the day following being Munday in the morning the said Richard Clerk was seen to go through the street without a band as if he had been going about his masters businesse and putting on his band without the Town he got up into the middle of a tree and there did hang himself A miserable effect of carnall liberty and prophane meetings on the Lords day Example 47. The 31. May 1635. the book of recreation was read in the Parish Church of Alvelye in Comit. Salop. in the afternoon after all divine exercises publike ended there fell out a bloody fight betwixt 3. of Alvelye above said and one of Envield of the countrey of Stafford neer adjacent in so much that the man of Envield was sore wounded and had his jaw-bone broken so that he could not eat his meat for the sustaining of nature In his extremity he laid his death to the charge of the other 3. The Churchwardens of the parish of Alvelie abovesaid presented these 4. for prophaning of the Sabbath to my Lord his grace of Canterbury to use the words of the relation being the time of his metropoliticall visitation since which time two of the parties fled the third was committed to prison in Shrewsbury and was the next Assises to come to his answer Example 48. In March betwixt 1634. and 1635. at Billericay in Essex one Theophilus Pease the Ministers son of that Town went to ring the bels on the Sabbath day whom the Church wardens for that time hindred But against the next Sabbath he gathered a company together faying he would ring in despite of the Church wardens While he was a ringing he was taken with a giddinesse like one drunk and so sickned and about three daies after died Example 49. Anno 1635. Januarie or thereabout in Chichester Diocesse one Thomas Perkin a wilfull and usuall prophaner of Gods Sabbath in Hailing South being ringing on a Sabbath day the rope took him up and flinging him about eight foot high he fell down on his head and was taken up dead and so remained long but life at last was gotten into him yet the bruise in his head is so great and
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 Whâ—… 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
g The Praier after the 4. 10 Commandment Common Prayer Book h Canon 13. 163. Canons i Article 35. of Ireland 56. Articles and k Queen Eliz. In unâ—r 20. Injunctions which conclude the same I say have adjudged such a presumptuous transgression as will draw down Gods vengeance on mens heads Our late Soveraign King James of happy memory and our present gracious Soveraign Lord K. Charles with all the Prelates Clergy and people of the Realm in the first yeers of both their Reigns in the severall Books of Common Prayer and order for the publike fasts set out by their royal authorities and the Bishops advice with the consent and hearty desire of the whole Realm for the abating aversion and ceasing of those dreadfull Plagues which then swallowed up many thousands of people every week will inform them That among other sins The prophaning of the Sabbath so King James his Book styles the Sunday and not keeping holy the Lords day was one chief cause why those two great terrible Plagues and why not also this great Plague which is now begun and spread much abroad brake in upon us to the destruction not of some few particular persons but of many thousands and the punishment of the whole Realme and Nation in generall And because some of these men plead most falsly that the chiefest writers of the reformed Churches are of their opinion l Homil. 162. in Matth. fol. 308. Hom. 28. in Mar. f. 35. Hom. 56. in Lu. f. 141. Hom. 36. in Joan. f. 77. Hom. 88. in Act. Mr. Kodolphus Gualter and m Comment in Matth. 12. 14. p. 376. 423. in Joa 7. f. 293. Wolfgangus Musculus men of principall note and learning among them will both assure them that the Lords day is not onely wholly onely and intirely to be spent in religious publike and private duties of Gods worship and that dancing sports and pastimes on it are sinfull and execrable the constant judgement of all forraigne Protestant Divines whatsoever as I am able to prove what ever n History of the Sabbath â—â— 1. 2. â— 6. 〈◊〉 9 10. Dr. Helyn or o D. Pooklinton Sunday no Sabbath p. 8. others have rashly averred to the contrary But likewise further inform them That God may justly revenge the great contempt of his Deity in prophaning his Sacred day with dances and such like Revels and disorders With horrible punishments neither is it to be doubted saith Mr. Gualther that the prophanation of the Lords day is not the least cause of the evils and calamities of our age Yea their own most illustrious Cardinall Robert Bellarmine whom they almost deifie when they do but name him is so far a Puritan in this particular that he not onely spends P Concio 6. 9 19 20. 2â— foure or five whole Sermons against dancing mummeries masks and such like Bacchanals which he simply condemnes at all times but especially on sacred festivals and Lords dayes as most detestable prophanations of them but likewise professeth that the practise of them upon sacred times was the occasion of all the publike calamities and judgements which they suffered But by these Dances Mummeries Bacchanels and disorders saith he we pollute the holy dayes of the Lord and yet neverthelesse we do inquire the reasons why God doth punish us why we are slain in our very houses do not the Scriptures cry aloud Sin maketh a people miserable And there is no evill in the Citie which the Lord hath not done Therefore these our sins of prophaning the holy dayes of the Lord with dances revels and bacchanals have procured us famine and pover y and pestilence and sedition and all plagues and scourges And verily saith he in another Sermon I vehemently fear that if we proceed to celebrate the Bacchanals with mummeries and masks and dances as we do at other times and to provoke God to wrath with so many wicked pastimes our sin will be grown to the full at last and the anger of the Lord be so far incensed that he will utterly destroy us as we see he hath destroyed many nations for what I pray hath destroyed Grecia but even that very thing which we do They were men exceedingly given to drunkennesse feasting and dancing and that upon sacred times as may be known by the Orations of Basil and Chrysostome But what hath God done because they were addicted to these things and especially to Dancing he hath imposed such a severe tyrant to wit the Turke upon their necks that they now groane under the yoke and are pressed with so heavy a burthen that they have neither Time nor Will to Dance or Caper Thus Bellarmine to his great admirers shame and refutation If then this sin of prophaning the Lords day by dancing Maygames Ales Pastimes or unnecessary travell and labour draw down Gods Plagues and vengeance upon whole Kingdomes and Churches as these authors together with Mr. John Field in his declaration of the judgement of God at Paris Garden and Humphrey Robarts in his complaint for the Reformation of divers vain and wicked abused exercises practised on the Sabbath day which tend to the hindrance of the Gospel and increase of many abominable vices printed by Richard Jones London 1580. together with Mr. Philip Stubs in his Anatomie of abuses and M. John Northrook in his Treatise where in Dicing Dancing vain playes and Enter ludes with other idle Pastimes and exercises commonly used on the Sabbath day are by the Word of God and ancient Writers reproved printed for George Bishop London 1579. most punctually testifie and the Practice of Piety dedicated to his Majestie and 39. times printed by publike authority resolves no wonder if it hath lately caused God to unsheath his sword of exemplarie justice upon these particular persons that I speak not of the whole kingdome in generall now scourged with a fresh plague and lately a draught whose tragicall examples I here present unto your view to deterre all others from this sin It is a true saying of Cyprian Praebentur cunctis Exempla cum fuerint quibusdam irrogata Supplicia The Divine punishments of a few are warnings to all God grant that these may be so to us He faith the same Father is over audacious who strives to passe over there where he hath seen another to have fallen he is patragiously head strong who is not struck with fear when he beholds another perish in that course which he is running he onely is a lover of his own safety who takes warning by the Deaths of othes and he alone is a prudent man who is made wife by the Ruins of other men God of his mercie vouchsafe that the exemplarie deaths of these few here specified and of thousands more in this time of mortality occasioned by this sinne of Sabbath-breaking were as the former pests Together with a Plague in Pope Pelagius the second his time An. Dom. 591. as Petrus Blessensis in his 20. Sermon
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. anâ—… 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. chordlâ—… 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 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 Å¿ 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 â—… 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. â—… 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 Bachâ—…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 confirmâ—… 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.
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 siâ—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 Afâ—â— 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
and to it till they could not stand so steady as the Pole did whereupon the Major and Justice bound the ring leaders over to the Sessions whereupon these complaining to the Archbishops Vicar Generall then in his visitation he prohibited the Justices to proceed against them in regard of the Kings book But the Justices acquainted him they did it for their disorder in transgressing the bounds of the book hereupon these libertines scorning at Authority one of them fell suddenly into a * Deut. 28. 22. Consumption whereof he shortly after died now although this revelling was not on the Lords day yet being upon any other day and especially may-May-day the May-pole set up thereon giving occasion to the prophanation of the Lords day the whole yeer after it was sufficient to provoke God to send plagues and judgements among them Example 17. In the same yeer 1634. and in the same Shire one Edward Amerideth a Gentleman having been pained in his feet and being upon his recovery whereupon one said unto him he was glad to see him so nimble Amerideth replied that he doubted not but to daunce about the May-pole the next Lords day But behold the hand of the Lord for before he moved out of that place he was smitten with such a feeblenesse of heart and dizsinesse in his head that desiring help to carry him to an house he died before the Lords day came so fearfull it is to fall into the hands of the living God Example 18. One in Glocestershire being very forward to advance a solemne sommer-meeting wherein his son was to be a chief stickler went himself in great jollity to see it and there beholding it he fell down suddenly and so died Example 19. A Miller at Churchdown neer Glocester would needs contrary to the admonitions both of his Minister in private and generally in publike yea and that very day and of other Christian friends keep a solemn Whitson ale for which he had made large preparation and provision even of threescore dozen of cheesecakes with other things proportionable in the Church-house half a mile from his Mil his musicall instruments were set forth on the side of the Church-house where the Minister and people were to passe to the Church to Evening Prayer When Prayer and Sermon were ended the Drumme is struck up the peeces discharged the Musicians play and the rowt fall a dauncing till the evening where they all with the Miller resort to his Mill where that evening before they had supt about nine of the clock on Whitsunday a fire took suddenly in his house over their heads and was so brief and quick that it burnt down his house and mill and devoured with all the greatest of all his other provision and housholdstuffe This is confirmed by sundry good testimonies Example 20. Richard Benfield an Apparitor in the Parish of Hemsteed kept an Ale in the Church-house joyning to the Church-yard with dauncing and revelling night and day without controule pretending that the Bishop would bear him out and not unlikely because at his complaint to the Bishop of his Minister for preaching against dauncing and Maypoles he was suspended for his labour It happened that upon the Lords day at even being the 20. day of April that his youngest son was accused for stealing a purse and 20. shillings in it from a Butcher who lay drunk upon the board or table in the Church-house for which he was like to be hanged the purse being found about him Vpon the 21. day of the said moneth Benfield his eldest son Richard went down into Hempsteeds Peirse about some businesse and his youngest brother with him where they met with a little boy called Baker that had been a fishing having some small fishes in his hand Benfields youngest sonne would have taken these fishes from Baker whereupon they fell together by the eares The eldest brother Rich. Benfield went to help his younger brother being too weak for Baker This Baker did swear a great oath that he would stab him if he did meddle with him upon which words Benfield fell upon Baker gave him a box or two and ran away Baker followed him with his knife in his hand overtook him and thrust his knife three inches deep into his body which wound proved mortall so that he never spake more words then these Oh Jack Baker hath killed me and so fell down Two men being present there took him up in their armes brought him up into the Church-house alive and so soon as they had put him out of their armes upon the table he groaned and died Remarkable it is that where the Father drew ale upon the Lords day and so prophaned it In the same place his son the next day drew his last breath for that the punishment inflicted was stamped with the resemblance of the sin convicted Example 21. At Baunton in Dorcetshire some being at bowls on the Lords day 1634. one flinging his bowl at his fellow-bowler hit him on the eare so as the blood issued for that the other eare whereof he shortly died The murtherer fled Example 22. One good man Paul neer Stoke in Dorcetshire rejoycing much at the erection of a summer pole 1634. at a Parish called Simsbury in Dorcetshire and saying before one of his neighbours he would go see it though he went naked through a quickset hedge which is a common proverbe they use Going with wood in his armes to cast into the bonfire where he lived and using these words Heaven and earth are full of thy glory O Lord he was presently smitten by the stroke of God and within two or three daies died and his wife with him These two last examples are testified by a Minister in his letter to a brother Minister Example 23. In the edge of Essex neer Brinkley two fellows working in a chalkpit the one was boasting to his fellow how he had angred his Mistresse with staying so late at their sports the last sunday night but he said he would anger her worse the next Sunday He had no sooner said this but suddenly the earth fell down upon him and slew him out right with the fall whereof his fellows limbe was broken who had been also partner with him in his jollitie on the Lords day escaping with his life that he might tell the truth that God might be glorified and that by this warning he might repent of his sin and reform such his prophanenesse and remain as a pillar of salt to season others with fear by his example Example 24. The last Spring a Miller hard by Wootton in Worcestershire went on the Lords day to a wake whence returning home again the same day at night found his Mill and house all on a fire this was testified by a Minister in a Reply to another Minister who was an eye witnesse Example 25. At Woolston in the same countrey where the said Ministers father had been Minister fourty yeers and by Gods blessing upon his labours had
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 faâ—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