a judgement of God upon him for prophanation of his day and ever after he became a more frequent resorter to the congregation and hearing Gods word At Thornton nigh Worcester upon the publishing of the book of sports on the Lords day the people prepared for a solemn prophanation by ordering purveyors on purpose to provide things fit for it A proper maid went to the Mill on Satterday to fetch home the meal on the Lords day the maid passing by a hedge with the meal upon her head was overtaken with a sudden and sad stroak of Divine Justice for she fell down dead into a ditch there she lay all Sabbath day on Munday she was carried to her grave where all their intended mirth was buried with her c. such a terrour it wrought in the people and such Reformation in the place that no more Summer-Ales were kept they took down the May-pole and none durst set it up again or have to do with the publick prophanation of that day One at Ham nigh Kingstone a scoffer of goodnesse and a common prophaner of the Lords day did on that holy day presume to visit his grounds where finding some cattle grazing which were not his own running to drive them out he fell down and suddenly died upon the place Upon May day being the Lords day a maid in Cripple-gate London being married to one that had three children one of them being at nurse in the Country they did on the Lords day spend the whole afternoon in feasting and dancing but God is just and will be seen in his judgements to warn others for a week after the plague began in the Parish the first house it entered into is this new married couples with which both himself wife and two children were swept away by death These things are not to be scoffed at they are not things of chance or blind fortune no no they are providence and though they are judgements in themselves yet in the issue I hope they will be mercifull warnings to others Not far from Dorchester lived one widow Jones whose Son Richard upon the Lords day notwithstanding her admonitions and perswasions did with his companions go to Stoak to play where after they had done and drank somewhat freely they return home and by the way fell out whereupon John Edwards one of his consorts stabbed him under the left side vvhereof at seven a clock the next night he died One David Price a servant to T. Hill a Grasier offering to drive his cattel from Banbury was dissvvaded by his Landlord and told him he vvould be stopped and forced to satisfie the Lavv to vvhich he replied let me see who will hinder In the morning he set out and not yet out of the Tovvnes end one met him and said What David to day to day he ansvvered not but passed on and although he never complained nor any other saw any signes of the least sicknesse yet in a stones cast of the Town he fell down dead suddenly and was buried in Banbury Church-yard the next day after At Wicks betwixt Colchester Harwich upon Whitsunday last in the after-noon two fellowes meeting at the Foot-ball the one killed the other At Oxford one Lords day one Hawkes a Butcher would needs mend his ditch his wife disswaded him from it on that day but he would and did go but behold the remarkable justice of God! he is struck dead in the ditch a sad example amongst other of Gods terrible Judgements One Mr. Powel upon the Lords day did at Lemster serve a Writ of Sub poena upon one Mr. Shuit a Gentleman which he did on purpose upon that day as is credibly reported as soon as he came out of the Church into the Church-yard to whom Mr. Shuit said I thought you had been an honester man than to do so upon this day who replied I hope I am never a whit the more dishonest which he had no sooner spake but suddenly he fell down dead and never spake word more his wife seeing it was immediately struck with sicknesse May 31. 1635. being the Lords day one Rich. Clark Apprentice to Timothy Donorell of Sherston in Wiltshire was drunk in company with one H. Parrum to whom he said he vvould hang or drown himself desiring to know which was the best who replied that he hoped he would do neither But oh the judgements of the Lord upon the prophaners of this day and upon the sin of Drunkennsse for on Monday morning he was seen going thorough the Town as if he were going about his Masters businesse and having got up upon the midst of a Tree without the Town he there did hang himself At Billericay in Essex one Theo. Pease the Ministers son would needs ring the Bells on the Sabbath day but was hindred by the Officers the next Lords day he had gathered many together and in despite of any would ring and whilst he was ringing a giddinesse surprized him like one drunk of which he fell sick and in three dayes died The Tapster and Chamberlain of Queens Head Southwark rode upon the Lords day to be merry and having been too bold with drink one of them riding homewards fell off his horse and broke his neck Being the Lords day an Apothecaries man in Lime-street London rid with another to Barnet to be merry and being drunk upon their return they met with a man travelling to whom offering some abuse the man strikes one of their horses one of them bid the other run him through which with his Rapier he did through the left breast so that he fell down dead and being both apprehended they confessed and were sent to New-gate At Baildon in Yorkshire two men sitting drinking at a Wake they quarrelled with one another but being parted and one of them sitting by the fire side the other presently falls upon him with a Hatchet and cleaves him down the back insomuch as his bowels fell forth the murderer being hotly pursued leapt into a River and drowned himself Four travelling from London to Maidenhead one of them would needs travel on the Lords day the rest refused spending the Sabbath there this man rode in the morning to Henly and there heard a Sermon after that travelled again in the afternoon and on his way leading his horse down a smooth descent his horse suddenly fell and broke both his fore legs He was suddenly amazed at so strange and unexpected a Providence and could not but attribute it to the immediate hand of God whereupon seeing him past recovery he knockt his horse on the head and so left him The next day being overtaken at Abington by his fellow-travellers they wondering demanded the reason how it came to passe he was no further on his way He smote his breast and related the strange Providence of God towards him saying He had heard many a good Sermon but none of them ever wrought so much upon
dayes of their youth unlesse by blaspheming and cursing it A Noble person of the City of Eflinghen at a losse by gaming began to swear and curse bitterly in which rage and madnesse he mounts his horse for home the Devil meets him pulls him off who with his servants was misguided all the night by evil spirits and in the morning finding themselves not lost they get their Master safe to Bethen-Hansen where in great torment for three dayes he yeilded Justice victor A woman in Marchia being a prophane curser and swearer was justly left by God to Sathan for in sight of many people she is snatched into the air and thrown down again which brake her neck God we see can break us from our sins and lives together if we do not from the first break off by repentance One Margret VVood of Allercleugh in the Parish of Stanhop in the County of Durham was notoriously known for many years upon every slight occasion to use this imprecation I wish I may sink into the earth Upon the last day of August 1655. she with one Elinor Mason of the same Parish being both washing of lead oare to fit it for the Lead-mill and standing upon the same spot of ground where many horses laden with Lead had passed the immediate day before the earth suddenly failed under them and swallowed them both up next day when their dead bodies were digged out Elinor Mason was found with her body erect but Margeret VVood was many yards deeper within ground and her head direct downwards One Elinor Short of the same Parish did frequently use this imprecation I wish my feet may rot off if this or that be not so or so It pleased the Just God about 20 years ago to visit her with a pain in her feet which by degrees did rot quite off as afterwards did her legs also and she is yet alive at this day as a Monument of Gods signal Judgement she creepes upon her hands and thighs and doth often acknowledge Gods just dealing with her Robert Durance Butcher in Carlisle was a known Swearer and Drunkard who about 30 years ago being playing at Cards with some of his companions and having lost all his money except 30 s began fearfully to swear he would be revenged upon himselfe whereupon he run out at the gates of the City towards the River Eden and though he was followed by divers some on Horse-back yet did he destroy himself by leaping into the River in which River hard by the place where he leapt in he lay for the space of four years at the end of which a Fisherman found the lower parts of his body only the other parts being consumed William Knot of Dalston in Cumberland being a common swearer when he was a servant to Alderman Grey of York he fell into a lead full of boyling liquor by which means in ten days he dyed John Prestman of Weighton in Cumberland A Sheriffes Bayliffe being accounted a common swearer one night when he was drunk at Carlisle went out in the night and notwithstanding the perswasion of his Landlord leapt over the Bridge with his horse and was drowned in the River Caude One Hudson of Dalston in Cumberland did wager with another man who should swear more oathes by God the other man was by the just judgment of God struck dead ere he parted Hudston was struck dumb to his dying day and though he lived many years after yet could speak nothing but swear by God which he did upon every occasion Oh the justice of God to some and the patience and forbearance to others waiting to be gracious let such as swear by the name of God look upon this example this sad example On May Eve 1634. one Troe of Gloceâ—ter a Carpenter in the Parish of St. Michael being demanded by some whether he would go with them and fetch the May-pole swore by the Lords wounds he would go though he never went more But mark the justice of God on May day morning as he was working on the May-pole before it was finished he was by a Divine stroke of Justice smote with such a lamenesse and swelling in all his limbs that he could neither goe nor lift his hand to his mouth to feed himselfe but was forced to keep his bed for half a year together and to this day goeth lame May 4. 1636. OF THE SABBATH DAY WITH GODS JUDGEMENTS UPON THE PROFANERS thereof OF THE SABBATH DAY With GODS JUDGEMENTS upon the profaners thereof I Am now to treat with the Sabbath-breaker who for many reasons will appear to be lesse excusable before God for this sin then either the Drunkard or Swearer Here is a double sin profaneing it and neglecting that which is ordained by God for the eternall good of our soul besides it is a premeditated act and goes along with a great aggravation as we shall see in a word presently It is now become so great a custome to prophane the Lords day that he almost becomes a scoffe to others that offers to reform or punish it and that men may not so much slight it I have collected a few reasons to perswade men to observe it and disswade from the profanation of it for God will not be mocked That we may know this day is no mock-mock-day The Lord that made heaven and earth That great Jehovah stiles himself Lord of the Sabbath and the Lord hath in a more speciall manner singled out this Commandement with a memento Remember by no meanes forget the Sabbath for the Lord rested that day and he blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it It 's a great consideration to make us weigh the duty of keeping it for six dayes the Lord made heaven and earth and when the seventh day came he rested on it The Lord as it were hasted to finish the world in six dayes that he might himself be an example to lead us to the understanding of the great weight which God himself put upon this day And that we may see it is no ordinary nor common thing to break this day see how strictly God in his holy Word commands it This is that which the Lord hath said To morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord six dayes may work be done but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest Holy to the Lord he that works shall be put to death that soul shall be cut off from amongst the people it shall be observed throughout their Generations for a perpetual Covenant The Lord threatens sore Judgements and why Because they have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am prophaned amongst them Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it It 's called by the Prophet the Holy of the Lord Honourable there might be many more places quoted but these few are enough to let people see that it is not a trifling matter to profane the day and that we
Smiths Barn and though it grieved the holy man of God who was Minister of the place as the Sodomites did Lot yet he could not help it but in their profanenesse they proceeded not long after a fire kindles in the place of this impiety and burnes down not onely his House Shop and Barn but rages so vehemently as it reaches many other houses with ruin all being chief actors in this horrid profanenesse In the year 1634. upon a Lords day when the River Trent was frozen over fourteen young men were at foot-ball upon the Ice near Gainsborough and meeting all in a cluster together the wrath of God met with them and suddenly the Ice broke and they were immediately drowned Oh the justice of the Lord upon the prophaners of his Holy day The same painful and useful Author of Gods examples relates a sad one of Gods Judgements upon two fellows in Essex near Brinkely that were working in a Chalk-pit one of them boasting that he had vext his Mistresse by coming so late in from his Sabbath-dayes Sports and Recreations ◠but sayes he I will anger her worse next Sabbath day which words were no sooner out but Justice seizes upon him for the Earth falls upon him and he never stirred more to his Sabbath prophanesse his fellowes limbs were broken both being sharers in the sin of the Sabbath are made also to be so in their sufferings and punishments The Lord will be known in the paths and wayes of his Judgements to such as will not be led and allured by his tender mercies And of one Mr. Ameredith a Gentleman of Devonshire being recovered from a pain which he had suffered in his feet one of his friends saying he was glad to see him so nimble the Gentleman replies He hoped his hopes should not be frustrated of the great expectations he had to dance about the May-Pole the next Sunday But behold the Lord in a just punishment for such impious and wicked resolutions and no doubt also for his former prophanesse on that day smites him suddenly with feeblenesse and faintnesse of heart ere he stirred from the place and with such a strange dizzinesse in the head that he was forc't to be led home and from thence to his last home before the Lords Day shined upon him Now tell me any that can what little hopes the poor souls thus ushered to the chambers of death have to keep an eternal Sabbath with God that will not keep his Sabbath from prophaning on earth Truly these are sad symptoms of Gods heavy displeasure against soul as well as body his mercy if any be in such dismal dispensations are occult and hidden the Lord in mercy warn poor sinners to avoid the wrath of such an Infinite God that such as will not be intreated to keep the Lords day as they ought may be terrified from prophaning of it Another as severe he relates which together with the three former are attested by sufficient witnesses At Walton upon Thames in Survey upon a great frost in the year 1634. three young men having in the forenoon heard a Sermon from 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the Judgement-seat of Christ c. they went over the Ice into an house of disorder and gaming where they prophanely spent away the rest of the Lords day and night also in revelling and drinking the one of them next day boasting merrily of his pleasure upon the Sabbath day and his adventure over the Ice All three on Tuesday return the way they went and upon the Ice suddenly sunk to the bottom like stones one of them onely miraculously preserved These judgements may be mercies to some that are yet prophaners of the Lords day if God please At Burton upon Trent Mr. Abberly a godly Minister often took occasion to reprove and threaten such as make no conscience of the Lords day by prophaning it in a more peculiar manner such as bought and sold meat upon this day which it seems was a sin as great and as commonly practised in this place as it was lately at Buntingford where in my journey some Gentlemen of Newcastle being my fellow-travellers we took occasion after Sermon to acquaint the Minister withal I pray God it may not be so still lest such a judgement befal the place as did this prophane wretch which was thus A Taylor being a nimble and active man dwelling at the upper end of the Town must needs in a bravado go to the further end to buy some meat before morning-prayer but coming home with both his hands full in the midst of the street he fell down stark dead I was sayes Doctor Teate an eye-witnesse both of his fall and burial and that it wrought a reformation in the place both among the Butchers and others It was a remarkable Providence and I wish I say that other places may be reformed of this bold and impudent sin or truly they may repent of it when it s too late A Pious Divine sayes he The Lord hath spoken so loud from heaven against Sabbath-sinners that I cannot be silent We hereabout have had in a short time terrible tokens of God severe vengeance upon such as mind not the service of his Day amongst our selves a sad example A Townsman going to gather Cherries on the Lords Day fell from the tree and in the fall was so battered and bruised that he never spake more but lay groaning in his blood until the next day and then died Another man not far from this place in Cherry-time as he was gathering fruit fell from the tree and with the fall was so hurt that he lay in anguish and dreadful dolour all the week till Sabbath day and then ended his miserable life And of a young man that on the Lords Day in a place nigh unto Mr. Goodwins scrambling with others for Peares thrown out in the Church-yard broke his main thigh-bone and the bone of his leg on the same side which was so miserably and strangely broken as that the Bone-setter who was a godly man told Mr. Goodwin though he had seen many yet he never saw the like God here dealt in mercy as well as in judgememt in that he 〈◊〉 him space to repent and see his sin The Lord warn us all by these examples A company of prophane young men in 1635. near Salisbury upon the Lords Day morning went to Clarington Park to cut down a May-Pole and having loaden the Cart with the tree and themselves with the bitter fruits of sin they are severely punisht by the hand of God For entring into the City of Salisbury through a place called Milners Bars unawares the Cart gives a turn and the end of the tree struck one of the Sabbath-breakers such a mortal blow that his brains flew out and there on the place he yeilded himself a conquered sinner by the Just hand of the Lord lying there as a sad spectacle of Gods indignation and sayes Mr Clark I enquired of
the truth of this at my first coming to Sarum and very many godly persons in my hearing attested it to be true upon their own sight and knowledge And further Doctor Teate he gives a second example upon his knowledge thus To my knowledge at Compton-Chamberlin in VViltshire at the house of Sir J. Penruddock a dancing match was held on the Lords Day where a stranger ushers in to act his part and after a few turns about and a few capers he in the midst of the sin falls dead to the ground before all the company Here was a sad dispensation of Providence from Gods immediate hand as many else besides are here was no instrument to take off any of the most severe vengeance of God and such examples in my mind should be taken as pregnant testimonies to let all men know this day ought to be kept as Holy Oh take heed of slighting this day that God so severely punishes in his sore displeasure And Mr. Clark upon his own testimony brings in a sad relation thus When I lived in Cheshire there was one Sir T. S. a Papist and at that time a Favorite at Court who at his appearance in the Country was very much feasted and entertained by the Gentry once amongst the rest he was invited to a Knights house on the Lords day where many accompanied him towards evening the proper time for the deeds of darknesse they fell to dancing but look to the finger of God and see what fell upon their sinful prophanesse In the midst of their sport there was one Sir J.D. had a blow given him on his leg by some invisible hand for none was seen to touch him as was attested by all the company and thus he went lame for a good while after It may be it set him upright in his practise and conversation ever after if it did it was a good providence that saved him from a more severe Judgement One Sabbath day in the afternoon a match at Football was made in Bedfordshire as two of the company was tolling a Bell to summon the rest together some that sat in the Porch of the Church suddenly hear a terrible clap of Thunder and saw a flash of Lightning coming through an obscure lane which flasht in their faces to their great terrour and fear so passing on to these that were tolling it trips up the heels of the one and leaves him stark dead the other so blasted that he died also in few dayes These are the swift Messengers of God which overtake poor sinners in the way of their sins before resolution can be proud of any actions God will be seen in his wrath and terrour to all wilfull and impenitent sinners At Tidworth on the Lords day many were met in the Church-yard to play at football where one of this wicked company had his legge broken which by a secret judgment of the Lord so fester'd that it turned to a Gangrene in despight of all means whereof he speedily died Stratford upon Sluon was no lesse then twice consumed by the fire of Gods wrath for this sin of Sabbath-breaking and on one and the same day twelve-moneth besides they were great contemners and slighters of the Word of God by his Minister A sin that is commonly followed with hardnesse of heart if no visible judgement get before it It is recorded of Pompey that he shrunk under the depression of Gods sore displeasure for profaning Gods Sabbath and Sanctuary That which God consecrates must be kept holy or woe to the profaners of it And of Herod who profaned Gods name by his wickednesse and that when for some treasure which he supposed to be hid he caused the Sepulcher of Gods Saints to be pluckt up The Lord in Judgement caused a fire to breake forth of the earth and destroyed those that he imployed which when he saw he desisted and durst go no further Nov. 26. 1621. One Richard Bourn servant to Gasper Burch of Ely was so accustomed to travell on the Lords day that he made no conscience of it seldom or never coming to the Assembly to hear the Word of God on that day but went to St. Ives Market where he stayed and spent the day wher being drunk he was overtaken by Gods Justice for coming home fraught with commodities he fell into the River and was drowned a just reward of other sinnes in the punishment of one In the year 1635. A Miller at Church-down nigh Gloucester would needs make a Whitsun-Ale notwithstanding the private and publick admonitions of the Ministers and of his Christian friends large provision was made and musick was set out as the Minister and people in the afternoon went to Church when prayer and Sermon was ended the Drum beat up Musick played and the people fell a dancing till evening at which time they all resorted to the Mill but O the Justice of God! before they had supped at 9 of the clock a sudden fire seized on the house which was so sharp that it burned down his House and Mill and the most of all his other provision and houshold-stuffe At Baunton in Dorcetshire some being at Bowles on the Lords day one threw his Bowle at his fellow and hit him on the ear whereupon blood issuing out at the other ear he died he that threw it fled At Simsburg in Dorsetshire one rejoycing at the erection of a Summer-pole on the Lords day said He would go see it though he went through a quickset hedge A Proverb here Going with wood in his arms to cast into the Bonfire profanely uttered these words Heaven and earth are full of thy glory O Lord He was immediately smitten by the stroak of God and in two or three days died and his wife also At Dover the same day that the Book of sports was read in St. James Parish one profanely went to play upon a Kit which drew a rude multitude of the younger sort together But oh the terrour of the Lord He was struck with a divine hand and in two dayes died Two Boyes of St. Albans going into Verolans pond to swim upon the Lords day one of them was drowned the other narrowly escaped as a warning to others Two young men of St Dunstans in the West London going to swim on the Lords day in September 1635 were both drowned A fellow in Sommerset-shire being to make a Tent on the Lords day for a Fair which was to be on the day following said on the Satterday that he would make it on the morrow which was the Lords day and being drunk he died the same day roaring One Mr. Prince Chyrurgion of the of the Tower of London did on the Lords day ride upon his horse to pace him for a Chapman but see the justice yet mercy of God he broke his leg and lay in great pain and anguish eight weeks His son had disswaded him from so great a sin which now he acknowledged as
of Drunkennesse Solons Law was death to a Prince that was drunk In Carthage Lacedemon and Creet this sin was so abominable that all which were found guilty of it were thrust out of the Senate and dismantled of all manner of liberty to bear any office in their Cities What zeal was here in Heathens against this odious sin And this may not unfitly be accounted as the reason why a woman reflected upon King Philips unrighteous sentence of Judgement by desiring to have her cause removed from Drunken Philip to King Philip Sober and it may be this sin of his was the cause of his death which by a Lacedemonian Gentleman was executed by a thrust in his body because he refused to do Justice We read of Lewis King of France upon reading Psal. 106.3 Blessed are they that keep judgement and he that doth righteousnesse at all times was so wrought upon that he presently said He that doth not punish sin is the patron of it These sins I speak of are grown now so bold by impunity as if Justice were afraid to look them in the face like the Snake in the Fable rise up against the greatest and most noble Ingenuity possible Its severity must subdue them When true zeal bends the bow and draws the arrow of Justice to the head then it strikes sin to the heart it flyes home to the life of the Law and death of the offence A Modern example we have of an Irish Lord who lodged at West-Kirby waiting for his passage and being a prodigious Swearer the Officers serve a warrant upon him at which he rages with Curses and Oathes but they seize upon his horses and forced him to pay 20 pound to the use of the poor of the Parish and all the while he stayed there his tongue was held as with a bit and bridle This is the true effect of Justice which looks not asquint upon any man like Aristides who without an eye of favour to father or friend or malice to his enemies distributed alike to all so that he purchased the deserved name of Aristides the Just In the Areopagite Judicature they onely heard the Cause and never saw the persons giving judgement in the night that all might have equall Justice I cannot omit the example of one * Mr. Jourdain of whom it might be said as of David That the zeal of Gods house had eaten him up for when the Book of Sports came forth he sent an expostulatory Letter to the King inclosed to the Bishop of Exceter who carefully conveyed it to his Majesty who reading said in a rage He should be hanged that wrote it The Bishop fell on his knees and begged pardon saying That God had not a better servant nor his Majesty a better subject The Bishop after being visited by Mr. Jourdain said Ah! Mr. Jourdain would you put me upon so hot service knowing how many eyes * are upon me who replied Yea my Lord the eyes of God and his holy Angels are upon you to see how you discharge your office and duty By his justice upon Swearers he brought such an awe and dread upon men adicted to that sin that many Citizens observed that in places of Publick resort they heard not an oath sworn for many years together I le end with one pretty passage recorded of King James who being upon Removal to Theobalds his Majesties Carriages went out of the City upon the Lords Day which the Lord Mayor hearing of commanded them to be stopt which affront was represented to the King with as great asperity as men in Authority crossed in their humours could expresse The King swears He thought there had been no more Kings in England but himself but when it may be he thought there was a King in Heaven he sent a warrant to the Lord Mayor whom with these words he obeyed While it was in my power I did my duty but being taken away by a higher power it is my duty to obey which afterward it 's said the King took well and thanked him for But least I be taken for one transported with an over-heaâ— of Zeal without a regular and proportioned mixture of Knowledge give me liberty to clear my self and leavâ— my thoughts behind me thâ—â— I may not be found guilâ— of that asperse which some men pressed with a fiery zeal vented more in passion than discretion which fixes a scandal to Justice more than it promotes Gods Honour or Reformation of men were to consult with the prudent part of our duties mannaging punishment to such as are drawn aside by temptation c. with reproof and that secretly But to incorrigible transgressors such as are so accustomed to do evil as if they professed debauched courses let the severity of the Law proceed for to such onely the Law strikes to such as will not be warned who can they blame but themselves if they smart And if I should here plead for respect to be had to persons it may by some be thought to be out of the way but however I am much for it and do account it no lesse than a Grand Master-piece of Prudence for if such as seem to lead others by their example be won from prophanesse the fruits cannot be bad If therefore there be any of the better ranke which digresse from the good orders of Government either of the Nation or themselves we are to use such with all the winning respect imaginable and if the Law be satisfied not to provoke their displeasure the Law aimes more at Reformation than punishment and to persons of Quality whose reputations in the beame of Honour weighs down the rate of their punishment we ought to deal with candid behaviour and to extend meeknesse and respect as far as the greatest Civility and favour of Law will reach Vpon this ground no Question was that prudent Piece of Administration of Justice performed by a chief Magistrate upon a Person of Quality not long ago by sending a Letter begging his excuse and hoping as â—e was a Gentleman he would not be angry at the Administration of Justice which was his honour demanding satisfaction which was due by Law for so many oathes which in such a place he had sworn The Gentleman with a High acknowledgment of civility freely submitted I would not be thought a favourer of debauchedness in any much less in the Gentry in whom if such viceâ— be set they have a bad foil Yeâ— I must needs say they oughâ— to have more allowance that common persons especially if they be ingenious as alas many that are most ingenious most often fall into the snarâ— of temptations A little liberty they expect more than others and as much as is not an affront to the Law let them have because its fit to win such by civility which the Law cannot by force do without a Rape upon their honours and reputations and one great reason is because many times inferiour persons are the inflictors of punishment
Belshazar and used very much of long-suffering and patience to Pharaoh whose heart at last not taking warning he â—ardened what are examples of Gods Judgements upon others for if not to keep us from being the examples our selves And though Precepts inâ—eed are very binding yet they never shine so much as when set in examples We are all acquainted how little hold reproofs admonitions and exhortations from the Pulpit take of men therefore it is that I have great hopes that these examples may do good for as one in another case sayes A Verse may find him whom a Sermon flyes And turn delight into a Sacrifice So such as come not to heaâ— their sins ript open in a Soulâ— searching Sermon may by reading or hearing these examples be frightened at the voyce of Gods Judgements To consider the severity of God to those that fell may well make us think with our selves shall I that am guilty as much as others be yet in the land of the living will not the Patience Goodnesse and Long-suffering of God lead us to repentance I say examples are of more force to move nay to instruct then the Arguments and proofs of Reason or their precise Precepts for they shew things not onely â—n the Theory but in the practice and execution It 's reported of one Waldus in France that at the sight of Gods Judgement upon onâ— that was suddenly struck dead went home and admonished his friends to repent and turne from their evill wayes and waâ— himself a famous Christianâ— from whom also sprang the name of the Waldenses Examples mix so with the Apprehensions as they force the mind to a deeper understanding and search of the ends and causes of them What I have collected are not of common examples which daily present themselves before our eyeâ— but such as are the most notorious and remarkable and I question not but authentick those of modern and more late experience I have taken from such Authours as are living and who from their own knowledge have given testimony to the truth of them Now what am I that should undertake to direct others in that wherein I am to seek my self by walking below the strictnesse of what I prescribe to others and short of my own duty having it may be that found upon my trencher which I disswade others from as pernicious yet I consider the advantages of the undertaking and it may be this may be one to my self that these strict limits to others will girt me more straitly within the compasse of my own duty and though this hath been strugling for a Birth a long time yet now the truth and integrity of my intentions have prevailed to launch into a Sea of censures and if I aim at the good of others in the reformation of their minds and manners I am sure it cannot be any hurt to them or my self and this is the Rock on which I hope to stand against the proud assaults of envy or detraction for if any thing in the ayme or intention be good it 's made of more value by the diffusive Quality of it in disaffecting that humour of Aspendius who delighted to play on his Harp so that none should heare but himselfe I shall conclude in the words of the Apostle and pray That the love of God which hath appeared unto all men may teach us to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world W. L. THE CONTENTS of the whole THe Character of Drunkards Page 1.2.3 Drunkennesse a sin against the lawes of Temperance and Sobriety and the practice of Heathens against it 4.5 The strict lawes of Heathens against Drunnkennesse 6. The spiritual evils of Drunkennesse 7. Drunkennesse the fountain of other sins 8.9 The outward evils which accompany this sin of Drunkennesse consumption of estate ruine of relations losse of health a shame to friends scorn to servants derision to boyes losse of sences c. 10.11.12 c. A friendly exhortation to such Gentlemen as are tempted to this sin especially to the most learned and ingenuous persons 16.17 c. Gods threatnings aginst Drunkennesse 21.22 Gods righteous and terrible Judgements upon such as take not warning in a collection of the most choyce examples such only as bear the strongest remark of Gods displeasure 23.24 to 45. Some few disswasives from this sin of drunkennesse 46.47 Of profane taking the Lords name in vain by cursed oathes c. 51. The several aggravations of this sin of cursing and swearing 52. Swearing a sinne directly against God himself ibid. It 's a sin of high ingratitude 53 The sin of the Devils in Hell 54 No profit by it ibid Heathens detest it 55 Dissuasives from it 56.57 The severity of former lawes and time against wicked swearing 57. Gods threatnings against it 58. Gods severity in his just Judgements upon such as practised it in a few sad and doleful examples 59 60. to 59. The sin of profaningg the Sabbath day a great sin 83.84 The strict command of God himselfe to observe it 85. Gods own practice for our example to keep one day in seven from labour c. 84. Gods end in commanding us to observe it is for our own good 88. The reasonablenesse of Gods command for one in seven 89. The breach of this day a great sin by many high aggravations of it c. 90. A sin against Gods daily blessings and mercy to us 91. A word to such as sit idly at home on the Lords day 92. A word to such as profane it by playing drinking c. 91. Perswasions to hear the Word and attend Ordinances as the greatest advantages to our soules 93.94 Objections answered 95. Gods threatenings against Sabbath-breakers 96.97 Gods severe examples of Judgement and Justice upon the profaners of the Sabbath day 98.99 to 125. Conclusion 125.126.127.128 OF DRUNKENNESSE AND GODS JUDGEMENTS UPON DRUNKARDS THe sin of Drunkenesse being the womb of all others I chuse first to speak of by shewing What a loathsome creature a Drunkard is how it 's condemned by the lawes of Nature as well as Nations the sad consequences of it to soul to body by setting a full point to his life when nature hath not yet made a Comma Ruining his family and relations leaving himself at last a prey to necessity and scorne to fooles The Aggravation of this sin to the Gentry who by their Birth Estates Parts c. are seated above the reach of such vulgar rudenesse and therefore should soare so high with a Noble mind as to scorne to prey upon such garbage as is only fit to feed swine with The threatnings of God against this sin with his Judgements for it First then A Drunkard may be called a Monster such as entred not into the Ark unlesse you account Noah one who fell through temptation he made no practice of it yet smarted for his pregnant curiosity to make an assay upon the unruly spirit of wine but let
windows broken the Iron barres of the windows bended and bloody and the poor wretch never more heard of These are sad instances of Gods displeasure if he would please in mercy to set them home upon some poor sinners In the year 1551. in Bohemia five drunkards were met together to drink who seeing a picture painted upon the wall for the devill drank healths to him the next night they were all found dead with their necks broken and their bodies crusht in pieces blood running out of their mouthes nostrils ears c. In the County of Cavan in Ireland a Gentleman of Castle-terra was much given to delight in drunken company wherein healths went down swiftly and glasses broke against the walls at every health by this sin he was so much addicted to wickednesse and impenitency as his sport was to repeat the Ministers Sermons in scorn and derision especially at one time having heard a Sermon upon faith demanded of the Minister if he could remove mountaines else he would not believe he had faith This Gentleman is by Gods hand struck with the small pox which gets into his throat in such extremity that he could not swallow any meat or drink to cool and refresh the violence of his internall heat that throat that had been the gutter and channel of many a pounds worth of drink could not now in torment like Dives suffer one drop to refresh him In this sad and bitter conflict he breaks out into these expressions to an honest man standing by Oh Thomas would I could now receive one of those glasses of drink which formerly I profusely and profanely have thrown against the walls And growing worse and worse without hopes of life perceiving no remedy but death for all his soares he breaks out again in his agony and torment oh that now I had but as much faith as a grain of Mustard-seed and so expired the 57. year of his Age I pray and cordially desire that such sinners as parallel this example may not be reacht with the like Justice Many there are in this Nation grown up to a height of Malice and Rage against Gods Ministers and some in this place boyled up to a proportion of envy ready to break The Lord break their hearts and humble their soules under that two-edged sword of his word that they may be saved in the day of the Lord A Gentleman of Quality being drunk and rising to urine evacuating that into the fire that prepared fuell for himself he fell into the fire and not being able to rise again his belly was gathered together like a piece of Lether the chamberlain coming in helped in that could not pity or help himself and though in great torture and pain through the piercing anguish of Gods Judgement yet he called for and drank off two and twenty double Jugs of Beer and so in this sad and lamentable estate died Roaring and Crying that he was damned for breaking his vow of Reformation Oh that the Lord would work a Reformation indeed that poor creatures may not thus fall under divine Justice too much to be feared as well to soul as body Remarkable is the example of that tragical story of two Drunkards who the fourth of July 1580. at Nekershofew in Almain came into an Inne called for bread and wine and drinking to an infinite excesse at last one of them drinks a health to God demanding what wine God would pledg him in and reaching forth his arm with a cup full sayes God I know not what wine thou likest best but this I think is too good for thee unlesse thou hadst sent better but such as it is I give thee take it pledge me presently and carouse it off every drop as I have done to thee or thou dost me wrong Here 's a piece of blasphemy which I am confident the most wretched creature in the world durst not speak sober Oh this sad sin we little know what the fruits of one drunken hour may produce This vile wretch no sooner ended his hellish courtesie but that just and wise God who must be provoked before he will execute his severe Judgements whom he had blasphemed pledged him with a witnesse for he left him as a pledge to the world of his wrath and displeasure against this sin His arme which he stretched out was never able to be pulled in again his body stupified as well as his senses not able to stirre from the place continuing a long time in this sad condition his eyes rolling to and fro in a terrible manner his breath and speech lost yet seemed to all alive The people flock in droves to see this sad spectacle of fury and vengeance some offer to remove him but could not horses are tied to him but could not stir him they put fire to him which would not take hold so perswaded God had set him there as a warning to Drunkards they left him so and to this day sayes my Author he stands as a Pillar and Mark to bid others avoid the like wickednesse least they participate of Gods wrath which though it moves a slow pace will in the end light heavier in as much as Gods patience provoked turns to the most irresistable punishment His companion who had escaped the imediate hand of God fell into the hands of Justice also for as the other died a terrible so this a shamefull death being hanged by the common people before the door of the house where the sin was committed O that you would consider this ye that forget God least he teare you in pieces and there be none to help At one of Alexanders great meetings appointed for his Officers and Favourits no lesse died with excesse of drink than 41. and after many a health Promachus at the bottom of four gallons of wine found the prize and jewel appointed for the Conquerour Another time he ended his own health and life by drinking a health out of Hercules Cup which to effect 35. drunk their last also These are direful and pregnant testimonies of Gods Judgements upon this impious custom of drinking healths Against that good law of the Spartans Vt bibat abitrio pocula quisque suo Every man to his own liberty Or that of the Goths where it was death to drink or force a health It s placed in the Records of time that Popelus second King of Poland doubting the fruits of his male-government to be the peoples deposing him by his Queens counsel faines himself sick sends for twenty of the Elective Princes out of Pomerania intreating their visit who as well now as at other times came and for their just reward and punishment of their great excesse in drink and custom of healths they now drunk their last without being drunk at all The King makes a Speech intreates his Son may be elected Heir to the Crown after his departure which they promise if the Nobility consented to their resolves The Queen to seal the bargaine brings a
ought to give all diligence and respect to this day as a day greatly valued prised and esteemed of by God himself Anno 1647. there was a deplorable accident a tremendous instance of the justice of God upon a person a â—armer in a Village called Little-â—allerton in the County of Northumberland about six miles distant from New-Castle The Relation is thus The Minister teaching upon that Scripture 1 Epist. Pet. 2. cap. 2. latter part Who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous light and in the fore-noon Sermon insisting upon the spiritual darknesse and blindnesse of unregenerate men and aggravating the many evills attending upon that condition in this life and asserting the wofull condition period state and conditon of such as should die in that estate of spiritual darknesse how that to such is resreveâ— the blacknesse of darknesse which was occasionally improved to discoveâ— the miserable condition of the damned in hell by reason of their separation from God called utter darknesse Mat. 22.13 and 8.42 25 1â— At the ending of the first Sermon this miserable man accompanied others of his neighbours to the Alâ— house for refreshment the time of râ—paire to the second Sermon beinâ— come some of them moved him to return with them to whom he replyeâ— that the Minister was preaching upoâ— darknesse and he would not hear hiâ— till he should treat upon the light and so continued drinking in the Alehouse with some other profane souldiers and by having immoderately taken Ale and Hot Waters was in the height of his drunkennesse carried to bed in the Ale-house where after a short time he ended his miserable life dying in the very act of sin without any visible act of Repentance This Relation is inserted verbatim as I have it from a godly Minister of the Gospel in the same County and not farre from the same place and is indeed a sad example of Gods Judgement not only against the sin of profaning the Lords day but also of drunkennesse and contempt of the Gospel Now because I observe this day so greatly neglected by the generality of the Nation not onely neglecting to hear the Word preached which is able to save their soules but also violating of it by profanation give me a word and that only to such as professe the observance of it as lawfull for if such a slighting of this day grow we shall from it run to Atheisme by contempt of Gods holy Ordinances and Commandments Let us first consider the end of God in the Sabbath which is chiefly for sanctification of his name and what creature dare say he is not strictly tyed by all the obligations expressable It is a day of liberty not of bondage God can be sanctified without us he shineth not with borrowed lights these tapers that burne from mortall breach can adde no glory to God but as in his great mercy and condescention he is pleased to accept of us Then the intent of this day as to our advantages it 's for the eternall good of our soules that the Lord may by this occasion reach our slow understanding and with his Word preached that he may dwell with the humble and contrite spirit We are not only to avoyd profaning it by not Working Drinking Playing Idlenesse Travelling c but we ought to frequent the publick worship of God in the Assemblies of his people and there to hear his word with Godly reverence and fear The reasonablenesse of one day in seven for God and our own souls may convince us in a great measure of this day that is a sin less excusable that 's so reasonable that we may have the lesse to say for our excuse he gives us 6 for our outward affairs oh then who can grudge the 7th especially when God links in our immortal happinesse together with his own glory It was the custom of Christians in Trajan the Emperours time to meet on the Lords Day morning sing a Psalm receive the Sacrament and covenant to flie sin on that day and when Christians were summoned before the Heathen Governours and demanded Dost thou believe the Lords Day the answer was I am a Christian Take away the Sabbath sayes a Reverend Divine and Religion will soon wither and decay The Indians might as well have been chosen the subjects of this profitable Obedience and we in their conditions keeping instead of a Sabbath to God every day to the Devil It will be more tollerable I am afraid for them at that Great day than for us If we had been left to our own choice What squarer division of time could have been thought upon than one day for our souls and another for our bodies one for the World another for Heaven This had been the reasonable rule of proportion it s more grace than reason that God should desire but one day in seven and that day also to be for our eternal good Oh how inexcusable will it be for us that prophane it or neglect the advantages of it Is refraining from labour a toil to us Is to be eased of sin a burden Lord then let me be burdened for Lord thy yoke is easie and thy burden is light What is a more unspeakable mercy than for souls to have communion with God as well as our own hearts And as Divines say glory is but grace perfected So that eternal Sabbath of rest is but as I may say this perfected This sin is accompanied with many aggravations and this is none of the least that we have a will given us to refuse to prophane it Besides its a deliberate act of the mind it s not sudden as an oath or murder but in the very act it self thou canst not but know thou art sinning against the light of thy conscience it s the greatest sin that is accompanied with time to consider an enlightened mind to understand the evil to purpose to evil is an aggravation as high as the sin If aggravations face not this sin with a dreadful countenance consider and in reason think Is it not just with God to suffer thy frail composure of corruption to shrink under his heavy judgements that at night Gods protection should leave us as in our graves when we are in our beds Or canst thou expect any blessing upon thy outward estate when it is in the power of God to dispose of life being health estate and all Is it not just if we travel on this day that God should judge us with sudden death in the like severity as he hath made others examples of to all Ages Yet if God do suffer thy corn wine and oil to encrease fear a curse under the Strawberry leaves of thy enjoyments for a blessing is not the shadow of sin it will not follow thee in the wayes of wickednesse rather fear some judgement will overtake thy swift motion to impiety A word to two sorts First those that prophane it contemning not onely Gods Lawes but the Lawes of the Nation
know that what is lawful on other dayes are sins on this day and such of you as need not by Gods blessings in a full estate toil all the week whereby you cannot plead a wearinesse to waite on God upon his own day you turn his blessings into a curse if you prophane it you play all the six dayes it s a sin with a witnesse if you play away the seventh also You that cannot close this Holy Day without an evening sacrifice to Bacchus instead of prayers to the Lord that made Heaven and Earth Gods Judgements sleep not you are preparing your selves as fuell for the fire of Gods vengeance and displeasure Nextly to you that sit idly at home never dreaming how to escape that wrath to come methinks I read your sad conditions in your conversations That never think of God all the week you cannot for your callings you will not for your pleasures on the Lords Day if there be any difference betwixt you and Heathens it is that you know your condemnation before it come you will be at the Great Day witnesses for God against your selves To see so many idly sit at home and never mind to hear the Word methinks I am amongst the Indians It s a very heavy thing to consider in some places half the Parish at home in idlenesse or walking abroad in Sermon-time nay I have heard it credibly affirmed from the mouth of a Minister in this County that of some thousands in a Parish there hath not been sometimes a hundred at a Sermon nay not fifty nay not twenty shall I say not ten Is not this a sad case to be in a Christian Common-wealth Nay it s the sad experience of this place where I live and I may speak it to my own knowledge that three quarters of the people able to come of this populous place do idly stay at home or walk abroad not a family of ten but the most of them are at home in idlenesse if not at play or drinking Upon this account I would conclude with one word Good people let me perswade you to serve God rather than gratifie the Devil with your own damnation Is your labour lesse to sit at home than in the Congregation Do you think you have no souls to save nor to lose you had better be working than idle for that is a sin in it self and is made greater on this day You live more like the brute beasts that are fed by the senses onely How can you be saved if you will not come unto him that you may have life Are you Christians or Infidels Do you professe to worship God or Mahomet How shall you believe on him of whom you have not heard how can you hear without a Preacher not to hear that Blessed Gospel which Christ hath sent into our Coasts our Houses is to do as the Gadereans did drive Christ from our Habitations Such as followed Christ and his Apostles were converted I read of few else and such onely as lay at the Pool were healed To see people flocking to hear the Word like Doves to the windows it is a blessed sight But instead hereof we have some that entertain Quakers meetings in their houses on the Lords Day They have a sad account to give I hear some excusing their staying at home sometimes by their going other times these are common excuses But thou knowest not but that day thou stayest from the Ministery of the Word God may have intended thy eternal salvation and that with Zacheus God might have said This day salvation is come into thy house But I read good books That thou mayest do when thou canst not hear good Sermons and though it be good to read yet here its a sin and a temptation because thou neglect'sta greater good The Word stirs the soul under it and commonly cometh with power and demonstration of the Spirit and I know ther 's great difference between hearing and reading and the later is no lesse an evil thus used than the ejection of different thoughts in prayer from the subject and nature of the duty is an evil by consequence But I do no body hurt I am not playing nor drinking nor swearing so that I need not fear Gods judgements What judgement dost thou think a hard heart is which commonly is the fruit of the neglect of Gods Ordinances is it not the worst of judgements for thou mayst be destroyed with bodily punishment as Eli and others were and yet thy soul be saved but thou canst not have a judicial hardnesse of heart upon thee and be saved therefore take heed of this sin and fear lest a worse judgement befal thee than an outward destruction for how canst thou escape if thou neglect so great salvation My design is not to direct others to the keeping this day so much as to keep from prophaning it yet if any be perswaded to look to the keeping of it by way of sanctifying it I refer them to such Learned Divines as have spent their labour in it To those that are not moved by reason nor perswaded by their own advantages from polluting this Holy day by their wickednesse debauchednesse idlenesse or playing at Cards c. Read Gods threatnings that his judgements may appear to be more just by his forewarning us from the sin as well as the punishment If you will not hearken to me to hallow the Sabbath then will I kindle a fire in the gates of Jerusalem and it shall devour the Palaces thereof and shall not be quenched Fire in the Palace sayes a Divine is ment fire in the seats of Justice and the ornaments of a City fire in the Palace no going in fire in the Gates no going out because Justice was not executed upon Sabbath-breakes therefore the place of Justice shall be destroyed those gates that suffered any co come in to profane the Lords day must be now on fire that none shall escape his Judgements If we should see our Towns flaming with the wrath of God and the fire of his indignation taking hold of our habitations it is then in vain to offer to quench it it hath been thus in our Nation as in the examples following If such a judgment be threatned against such as keep not this day what must be the fearful looking for of Judgment by the profaners of it Did not God bring all this upon us in this City yet bring you more wrath upon Judah by profaning the Sabbath sayes the Prophet Ezekiel mentions the sin of the Sabbath and therefore have I powred my indignation upon them I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath and in the 23. Chapter is threatned Plagues and Judgements and v. 18. the Reason for they have profaned my Sabbaths If these serve not the end intended take a prospect of Gods terrible examples which stand as Beacons to warn us from the like sins The poor man that did but gather sticks on the Sabbath day may
stand as a monument of Gods severity A Noble-man that used to hunt on the Lords day had a child born unto him with a head like a Dog with eares and mouth crying like a Hound which was a very remarkable judgement of God Reports of an Husband-man that went to plough on the Lords day and cleansing his plough with an Iron it stuck so fast in his hand for two years that he carried it about with him as a signal tostimony of the Lords just displeasure against him Another that gathered corn into his barn upon the Lords day had it all with fire from heaven consumed together with the house At Kimstat in France 1559. there lived a woman that neither would go nor suffer others of her family to go to Church on the Lords day as she was drying flax fire issued out of itâ— but burnt it not she taking no notice next Sabbath day as she was busie with it miraculously again fire proceeds out of it and burnt it but was put out this poor creature was â— blind as not to see or take warning by these foot-steps of Gods mercifull providences but the third Sabbath day when she was busied about her flax as before it fires of it self and could not be quenched till she and two of her children were burnt to death And in the year 1126. One grinding corn upon the Lords days it took fire and gave him timely warning not to break the Sabbath day by the works of his calling In Helvetia nigh Belessina three men were playing at Dice on the Lords day one called Vlrick Schraeterus having hopes of a good cast because being crost to the losse of much money before he now expected fortune or rather the Devill to favour his desire and therefore he uttered these horrid words If fortune do dececeive me now I will thrust my dagger into the Body of God as farre as I can O the cursed frames of our naturall tempers if once God cast the reins into our own wills the Dice favours him not and presently he drawes his dagger and with a powerful force throws it up towards heaven which never was seen more and immediately five drops of blood falls before them all upon the Table and as suddenly comes the Devill amongst them carries away this vile wretch with such a terrible and hideous noyse as the whole City was astonished at it Those two remaining alive endevoured to wipe off the blood but to so little purpose that the more they rub'd the more the drops of blood were perspicuous Report carries it all over the City multitudes flock to see this wonder who found only the Sabbath profaners rubbing the blood to get it out these two by decree of the Senate of the City were bound in Chains and as they were led to the prison one of them was suddenly struck dead from out of whose body a wonderful number of wormes and vermin was seen to crawle The City thus terrified with Gods judgements and to the intent that God might be glorified and a future vengeance averted from the place caused the third to be forthwith put to death And the Table with the drops of blood on it preserved as a monument of Gods wrath upon this sin not only of Sabbath-breaking but swearing and wicked gameing O the depth of the knowledge of God How unsearchable are his judgments and his wayes past finding out January 13. 1583. At the Bear-garden in Southwark on a Sabbath day afternoon many people pressing on the Scaffolds to see the sport forced it suddenly down with which fall eight were killed and many spoyled in their bodies who lived not long after Much like to it was that at Risley in Bedfordshire 1607. where many people rather then resort to hear the the word of the Lord by the mouth of his Minister came in great numbers to see a Stage-play on the Lords day the Chamber floor fell down and as a judgment of God upon this sad wilful sin many were killed and wounded thus we see when the works of piety and mercy are neglected to prosecute sinne and wickednesse Gods judgements are swift to overtake us thereby endeavouring to hedg up our way with thornes which examples may push us back from the like impiety and vengeance of an angry God A sad example of Gods severity in â—is hot and sore displeasure against â—abbath-breakers is recorded of Feverton in Devonshire which place saith he , was frequently admonished of the profanation of the Lords day by a Market kept the day following which without reformation would inevitably pluck down divine vengeance A little after the Ministers death upon the third of April 1598. A sudden fire from heaven consumeth the whole Town in lesse than half an hour excepting only the Church Court-house and Almes-house where was consumed in this fire of Gods wrath four hundred dwelling houses and fifty soules destroyed Who will not say this was a sad and immediate hand of the Lord but alas what will not poor creatures do that follow sin with greedinesse The same Town fourteen years after on the fifth of August 1612. for the same sin was wholly consumed except some thirty poor peoples houses School-house Almes-houses these Judgements are not recorded for Historical Perusall but to consider of and remember those on whom the Tower of Shilo fell At Alcester in Warwick-shire where the Authour lived there were of his own knowledge four remarkable Judgements of God One that upon the publishing of the Declaration for sports and pastimes upon the Lords day A young woman on this day comes to the Green and sayes She would dance as long as she could stand and dancing in the midst of her sin God struck her with such a violent disease that in two or three dayes she died in misery as an example to all that delight more in serving their own pleasures and sinfull desires then to wait upon God and delight in his wayes The other of a young man of the same place and not long after the other who on the Lords day immediately after the evening exercise was finished brings into the street a pair of Cudgells layes them down nigh unto the Ministers house and invited divers to play with him who refusing at length comes one and taking up the Cudgels sayes Though I never played in my life yet I will play one bout now A little after sporting with a young woman he takes up a Birding-piece charged saying Have at thee the piece goes off and murders her immdiately for which as a deserved judgement he suffered the Law Another of a Miller at Wootton in the same County who going forth to a Wake and coming home at night found his House Mill and all that he had burnt down to the ground A fourth upon Mr. Clarks own knowledge is of many wicked and prophane persons at Woolston in the same County who on the Lords day met at a Whitsun-Ale in a
his conscience as this Providence of God did and since it was no worse it should be an example and a warning to him for ever after Oh that it might be so to others that may heare of it or read it In the year 1644. was a Beer-Brewer dwelling in Giles-Criplegate London nigh unto the white Horse that usually followed the sinful practise of Brewing upon the Lords Day for which he was warned and told of the greatnesse of the sin and how severe God was to such sinful practises but he reformed not Once upon a Lords day at noon the Reverend M. T. VVeld Lecturer of the said place from whom I had the Relation went into the house and taking them at work lovingly yet sharpely admonished them to whom they promised to do so no more within a Sabbath or two after the same servant of the house which before was taken in the act was now again found guilty of the same sin but mark the Justice of the Lord for setting fire to the Copper when it was scalding hot he fell over into it and was immediatly scalded to death Another which I had from the same hand A Cook in the same Parish using to make it his trade on the Lords day to heat Ovens and bake meat whereby all the family was imployed as on other dayes without regard to the Lords day unlesse to his own profit never or seldom frequenting the Word preached was often admonished yet went on in his sin One Christmas day which fell upon the Lords day as he was working and labouring as if no time were unlawful to gain the world though he neglected his eternal soul he was consumed to death by fire A Vintner that was a great swearer and drunkard as he was standing at his own door upon the Lords day with a pot in his hand to invite his guests was by the wonderful justice and power of God carried into the aire with a whirlwind and never seen nor heard of more Much might be said but my Work swells upon the Loome yet have I left many example to have the choice I shall conclude with one word and that is to pray us to consider that God blessed that is say Divines with intention of bestowing favours and benefits this day O let 's then labour for Gods blessing above all things Read those Promises in Esay 56.4 5 6 7. Jer. 17.24 25. let us labour for hearts to attend with delight to his Lawes and Ordinances when once we leave off Ordinances I durst almost say we are in a more sure way to ruin than the most outward prophane They are mercies not so much prized as they would if we wanted them A confluence brings a glut and that a disgust of the most relishing mercies A ten or five mile Sermon formerly tasted sweeter than now greater opportunities of grace and mercy nigher hand and within our reach I say let us set a high value upon the favour and means of conveyances let 's love and honour the faithful Ministers of the Word to love them is to love to hear them Hate thy Minister and then follows contempt of the Word and so hardnesse of heart this is commonly the sad effect of this sin Scoffers of Religion the Ministers of his precious Gospel and people have been made spectacles of Gods anger Judgements are prepared for scorners Prov. 19.29 They are blessed that sit not in their seat Psal. 1.1 One present in this Congregation sayes a Reverend Divine was an eye-witnesse of a woman scoffing at another for piety immediately she had her tongue strucken with a palsie and in two dayes died thereof Value therefore I say thy Minister for he is set over thee for to watch for the good of thy soul the love of the Minister and the Word is no small help to the keeping of the Lords day I conclude with the Psalmist Consider this all ye that forget God lest he teare you in pieces and there be none to deliver you Reader These following sad Examples came to my hand since the Printing of the former part of the Treatise which I thought good to insert here On Thursday in the last week save one of June 1620. A house was burnt down at Hether set in Norfolk there being a jar in the morning between the man and his wife as is said The woman wished that her husband going out might never return to his house which was burnt down e're he came home On the 22th of July 1627. at Barnham-broom some would needs draw up a Bell it being the Lords day into his place that it might be ready against the Bell-founder came on Friday that so they might not hinder their businesse Some went unwillingly to it but others went forewarned and did it when it was up he that was one of the readiest W. Baynes setting his foot on a board that brake or slipped fell and beat out his braines and miserably ended his dayes Aug. 6. 1627. At Scolebridge a man drunken being fastned on a Cart the horse turning suddenly overthrew the Cart into the River loaden with lime upon the drunken man where he was drowned and fearfully burnt with lime In the former part of Summer a man being drunk at VVimondham fell into a watery miry place and was drowned Another Drunkard vomiting a Sow followed him and eat up his vomit at last falling from his horse the Sow pulled out his throat and so he miserably died reported by the Judge at the Assizes FINIS Amos 3.6 Psal. 9.16 Epistle to Mr. Murcots Wo. * Mayor of Exceter Mr. Mantons Epist. to his life death * Suspected to favour Puritans VVilsons K. James Tit. 2.11 a 2. Turkish Hist. Wilson K. Ja. Prov. 23.29 R. Junius L. Bacon D. Taylor Esay 28.1 2 3 7 8 19. Chap. 22.12 13 14. Chap. 5.22 Joel 1.5 1 King 16.9 10. 2 Sam 13.28 Gen. 9.21 Peards Theatre Non ut vivat fed ut bibat Mr. Nealson Minister his Letter to Mr. Taylor in Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Ward his Wo to Drunkards D.T. Taylor Mr. Beadles Diary Mr. Clerks Examples Mr. Young Mr. Stubs Anatomy of abuses Mr. Young Doctor Beards Theatre Mr. Trapp M. L. marg Math. 5.34 Prov. 6.34 Levit. 24.14 Hosea 2.4 marg Psal. 109.13 Neh. 13 2. Mal 3 4. Mr. Beadles Diary Mr. Ridsley Serm. R. Junius Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Bolton Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Clerks examples Theatre of Gods Judgements Luthers Colloquia Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Terry's East-India voyage Theatre of Gods Judgements Theatre of historâ— Theatr. Gods Judgements Stow. Cron. Theatre of God Judgements Fox Acts Theatre Histo. Theatr. of Gods Judgements Wilson K. James Sin stigmatised Sword against Swearers Dr. Williams true Church Mr. Nowel These two I have from a reverend Divine of this County The Relation from his Brothers own mouth now alive 1645. 1627. Mr. Burtons Tragedy c. Mat. 12.8 Exod. 20. Exod. 16.23 31.15 35.3 Ezech. 22.26 Isay 56.2 58.13 Rom. 10 14 17. Mr. Goodwin Mr. Cawdry Jer. 17 27. Neh. 13.18 Ezek. 22.26 31. Theatrâ— of History Theatre of Gods Judgements Mr. Clarks examples Rom. 11.33 Theatre of Gods Judgements Luke 13.4 Mr. Clarks Examples 1657. Mr. P. Goodwin Dies dominicus redivivus 117. Mr Clarks Examples Dr. Twiss on Sabb. Dr. Beards Theatre C. Tacitus Josephus Mr. Nelson Minister his letter to Mr. Taylor in Theatre of Judgements 1634. 1634. 1635. July 19. 1635. July 1654. 1634. July 1634. Octoct 1633. 1634. 1634. January 1634. March 1634. June 1635 Feb. 9. 1634. April 18. 1635. Mr. Weld Mr. Clark 2 King 1. 2 King 2 Mr. Greenhill on Ezekiel Psal. 50.22