A divine tragedie lately acted, or A collection of sundry memorable examples of Gods judgements upon Sabbath-breakers, and other like libertines, in their unlawfull sports, happening within the realme of England, in the compass only of two yeares last past, since the booke was published worthy to be knowne and considered of all men, especially such, who are guilty of the sinne or arch-patrons thereof.

Examples of Gods judgments VPON SABBATH-BREAKERS.

THese Examples of Gods judgements hereunder set downe, have fallen out within the space of lesse then two yeares last past, even since the De∣claration 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, breake forth more furious∣ly) were so incouraged, if not inraged, as taking liber∣ty 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 eares) should fall within so narrow a compasse of time, so thick, and that in so many places: as we read not of such a num∣ber

of judgements in this kinde for this one sin through∣out 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 much stupidity, and envy of Gods glorie, not to acknowledge the speciall hand of God in them, upon such transgressors of his owne 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 fur∣ther illustration of Gods glory, and for admonition to all Sabbath-breakers, who if they repent not, nor sur∣cease from such their profanesse, it may justly be feared, that the number of such examples will be daily increa∣sed, till they make a heape for all the World, to stand amazed at. In the meane 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 proove otherwise, either for the substance, or circumstance; let not the Reader blame me, who have used my best diligence to inquire 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 ould Wives tales, for profane Scoffers to ieare at, and play upon, thereby to disgrace and discredit all truthes 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

and search of this present age, wherein are yet li∣ving so many both eare and eye witnesse of them.

EXAMPLE. 19.

A Miller at Churchdowne, neere Glocester, would needs (contrary to the admonitions both of his Minister in private, and generally in publicke, yea and that very day, and of other christian friends) keepe a solemne Whitson ale, for which he had made large preparation and provision, even of threescore dozen of cheescakes, with other things proportionable; in the Church-house, halfe a mile from his mille, his musical instruments were sett forth on the side of the Church-house, where the Mi∣nister and people were to passe to the Church to evening Prayer. When prayer & Sermon were ended, the Drumbe 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 mille; where that evening before they had supt, about 9. of the cloke on Whitsun∣day, a fire tooke suddainly in his house over their heads, and was so briefe and quicke, that it burnt downe his house and mille, 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 Hem∣steed 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

beare him out) and not unlikely, because at his complaint to the Bishop of his Minister, for preaching against daun∣cing and Maypoles, he was suspended for his labour) It happened that upon the Lords day at even, being the 20. day of Aprill, that his youngest Sonne was accused for stealing a purse, and 20. Shillings in it, from a Butcher who lay drunke upon the board or table in the Church∣house, for which he was like to be hanged (the purse be∣ing found about him.) Vpon the 21. day of the said mo∣neth, Benfield his eldest Sonne Richard went downe in∣to Hempsteeds Peirse, about some busines, & his youngest brother with him, where they mett with a litle boy called Baker (that had beene a fishing) having some small fishes in his hand. Benfields youngest Sonne would have taken these fishes from Baker, whereupon they fell to∣gether by the eares. The eldest brother Rich. Benfield went to helpe his yonger brother, being too weake for Baker. This Baker did sweare a great oath that he would stabbe him, if he did meddle with him, upon which words Benfield fell upon Baker, gave him a boxe or two, and ranne away. Baker followed him with his knife in his hand, overtooke him, and thrust his knife three inches deepe into his body, which wound prooved mortall, so that he never spake more words then these; oh Iack Baker hath killed me, and so fell downe. Two men being pre∣sent there, tooke him up in their armes, brought him up into the Church-house alive, and so soone 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 Lordsday and so profaned it: In the same place his Sonne the next day drew his last breath; for that the punishment inflicted was stamped with the resemblance of the sinne convicted.

EXAMPLE. 21.

At Baunton in Dorcetshire some being at bowles on the Lords day, one flinging his bowle at his fellow∣bowler, hit him on the eare, so as the bloud issued forth at the other eare, whereof he shortly died. The Murthe∣rer fledd.

EXAMPLE. 22.

One good man Paul neere Stoke in Dorcetshire, rejoycinge much at the erection of a summer-pole, at a Parish cald Simsbury in Dorcetshire, & saying before one his Neighbours, he would goe see it, though he went na∣ked through a quickset hedge: which is a cōmon proverb they use: Going with wood in his armes to cast into the bonfire, where he lived, and using these words: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory, O Lord: he was presently smitten by the Stroke of God, and within 2. or 3. dayes dyed, and his wife with him. These two last examples are testifieth by a Minister in his letter to a brother Minister.

EXAMPLE. 3.

A Mayd at Enfield neere London, hearing of the liberty, which was given by the booke, which was published for sports, would needs goe daunce, with others on the Lords day, saying shee would goe daunce, so long as shee could stand on her leggs; shee daunced so long, that thereof within 2. or 3. dayes shee dyed.

EXAMPLE. 23.

In the edge of Essex neere Brinkley, two fellowes working in a chalke pitt, the one was boasting to his

fellow, how he had angred his Mistrisse with staying so late at their sports the last sunday night, but he sayd he would anger her worse the next Sunday. He had no soo∣ner sayd this, but suddainly the earth fel downe upon him, and slew him out right, with the fall whereof his fellowes limbe was broken, who had been also partner with him in his jollity on the Lords day, escaping with his life, that he might tell the truth, that God might be glorified and that by this warning he might repent of his sin and re∣forme such his profanesse, and remaine as a pillar of salt, to season others with feare by his example.

EXAMPLE. 24.

The last Spring a Miller hard by Wootton in Wor∣cestershire, went on the Lordsday to a wake, whence returning home againe, the same day at night found his Mill and house all on a fier; this was testified by a Mini∣ster (in a Reply to another Minister) who was an eye wit∣nes.

EXAMPLE. 25.

At Woolston in the same Country, where the sayd Ministers father had beene Minister 40. yeares, and by Gods blessing upon his labours, had reformed things ve∣ry well, yet upon the publication of this booke in printe, many of the inhabitants the springe following, were im∣boldned to set up Maypoles, Morrice daunce, and a Whitson ale, continuing their rude revelling a weeke together, with many affronts to their ancient and reve∣rent Pastor: but it pleased God, that not long after, a sparke from a smithes shop, caught in that roome where

the ale was brewed, and though meanes were ready at hand, yet it could not be quenched, but set the house on fire, and presently flew to the barne in which their disor∣der was, and burnt the same with 13. dwelling houses more, most of whose inhabitants were actors or abetters in the same: This is testifieth by many.

EXAMPLE. 12.

At Topudle in Dorceshiere, one Iohn Hooper aliàs Cole, upon the promulgation of the sayd Booke, was let downe into a Well to cleanse it, for to brew beere for a Whitson ale, by Francis Laurence, aliàs Smith, and Ste∣phen P••pe Churchwardens, which Well was in the backe side of Richard Laurence aliàs Smith. Which Iohn Hoo∣perfel•• from the rope into the Well, where he dyed.

EXAMPLE. 26.

Richard Iones son of Widdow Iones, Iul. 1634. not farre from Dorchester, being severely admonished by his Mother, when shee understood he had a purpose on sat∣turday night, to goe on the Lords day with other com∣panions to Stoake to play at a sport, called fiues, but per∣sisting in his resolution, and going the next day, accor∣dingly being the Lords day at Stoake, where he played at the said sport, at night returning home with his com∣panions, W^m. Burges, W^m. Hill, Iohn Edwards, after they had there wel drunke, they fall first a justling one another in the way, then to boxes, and in the end Edwards stab∣bing Iones under the left side, he dyed thereof, the mon∣day night following about seaven of the Clocke. Behold here a terrible example of disobedience, to Gods holy commandements, not only the fourth, but the fifth also.

EXAMPLE. 27.

At Ovendeane in Sussex about 9. or 10. miles from Alfriston, aliàs Ason, one Iohn Arcold, of the age of one or two and twenty yeares, eldest sonne to Iohn Arcold, a blacksmith dwelling in Ason, with other younkars would needs fall a ringing of the bells on a Sabbath day, presuming the Booke for Sports gave them full liberty so to doe. One of the Churchwardens Robert Kenward hindred them from their jangling; whereupon the said Arcold, and his companions fell in some contestation with him, telling him that though he hindred them now, yet they would ring the next Sunday, whether he would or no. But the said Iohn Arcold the ringleader before the next Sunday came, was strucke with a sicknesse, in which he continued a fortnight or 3. weekes till he died, in which time Robbert Kenward the Churchwarden, re∣pairing to him, and putting him in minde of his bold af∣fronting of him, he seemed to be sorry for it, and promi∣sed, if God would be pleased, to restore him againe to his health, he would never doe the like. God make his survi∣ving companions, and all others, wise by his example.

EXAMPLE. 28.

At Walton upon Thames in Surrey, not farre from Oatlands, in the last great frost 3, youngmen on the Lords day, after they had beene at the Church in the fore∣noone, where the Minister pressing the words of his text, out of 2. Cor. 5. 10. that we must all appeare

before the judgement seat of Christ &c. they the while whispering one to another, as they sate. In the afternoone they went together over the Thames, upon the Ice, unto a house of disorder, and gameing, where they spent the rest of the Lords day, and part of the night also in revel∣ling, one of them in a Tauerne merrily discoursing the next day of his Sabbath-acts, and voyage over the Ice; but on the Tewsday next after, these three returning home wards, and attempting to passe again over the yce, they all sanke downe to the bottome as stones, whereof one only of them was miraculously preserved, but the other two were drowned. Rejoyce, O younge man, in thy youth, and let thy hart cheare thee in the dayes of thy youth, and walke in the wayes of thy hart, and in the sight of thine eyes: But know thou, that for all these things God will bringe thee unto judgement.

EXAMPLE. 29.

In the yeare of our Lord 1633. Octob. 26. after the booke for sports was known to be published in print, David Price a Welshman, servant to one Thomas Hill, a knowne Grasier of that Country, coming to Banbury with his drove on Satturday night, declared his purpose of driving them the next day, early in the morning being the Sabbath or Lords day: his Host where he lod∣ged, 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. Hee answered that he would drive them, and let me see (saith hee) who will hinder me. So in the morning two other accom∣paning him, he went to fetch the Cattell out of the

ground, one that knew him, mett him at the Townes end (not yet oUt of the Towne) and admonished him, saying, What, David, today, today? he made no an∣swere, but went onward, and though for any thing, that appeared to any other, or that himselfe complained of, he was then in good health, as ever he was, yet within little more then a stones cast of the Towne, he fell downe dead suddainly, and was burried in Banbury Church-yard the next day after; None could discerne, any sensible or evident cause of so suddaine a surprizall; and himselfe gave no signe of any paine, weakenesse, or illnesse, till the instant time that he gave up the ghost.

EXAMPLE. (5.)

On Ian. 25. 1634. being the Lords day, in the time of the last great Frost 14. younge men presuming to play at football upon the yce on the river Trent, neere to Ga∣nisborrow, comming alltogether in a scuffle, the yce suddainly brake, and they were all drowned.

EXAMPLE. 30.

At Wicks a Towne betwixt Colchester and Har∣wich in Essex, upon Whitsunday last in the afternoone two fellowes meeting at the football, the one killed the other.

EXAMPLE. 31.

At Oxford this last Sommer on the Sabbathday, one Bally Hawkes a Butcher, would needs goe into his feild with an hatchet and showell to mend his ditch: his Wife disswaded him what shee could, being the Sab∣bathday,

but he said he would goe and make an end of his worke, which he did, for suddainly he was struck dead in his ditch, and so made an end of his worke, and his life together.

EXAMPLE. 32.

Also at Oxford a carpenter undertaking to mend a Stage in S. Iohns Colleidge on the Satturday night, for the finishing wherof he must of necessity spent some part of the Lords day morning, that the Stage might be ready against the Munday following, he that night fell back∣ward from the Stage, being not farre from the ground, and brake his neck, and so ended his life in a fearefull Tragedy.

EXAMPLE. 33.

At Iuye Hinckley a mile from Oxford (about the time when May-poles are sett up) on the Lords day after evening Prayer, when most of the Towne were at the May-pole, one Iohn Cooper, servant to master Tinmore of the said Towne, going along the street, a Mayd out of a windowe in Iohn Nicols his house, not farre from the May-pole, called him to come in thither; where also was another Mayd, and a young man named Christopher younge, servant to Master Willis of the sayd Towne; Iohn Cooper at first refused to come to them, but the mayd earnestly intreating him, he yeilded to her, and being come in, sate downe by the other two, where having sate a while, the foresaid Christopher younge spied a Gun over the chimney, which he suppo∣sing not to be charged, fondly tooke downe, and fell a

tampearing with it, and first levelled at the mayds, and after held it up against Iohn Cooper, as he sate, and un∣wittingly lifting up the Cocke, it strucke fire, and the peece discharged, and shot the said Iohn Cooper through the shoulder, so that he dyed presently, being heard only to say, O Lord.

EXAMPLE. (6.)

At Dover the very same Lords day, that the booke was read, one in S. Iames Parish that played on a kitt, went and played, and thereby calld together a sort of wenches and young men: But he was thereupon that very day struck by divine hand, so as within two dayes he dyed.

EXAMPLE. 34.

A young man neere Bow, going to swimme in the river on Essex side, on the Lords day in the afternoone, was drowned.

EXAMPLE. 35.

Two boyes of S. Albons, going to Verolanes Ponds, a mile off to swimme on the Lords day, Iuly 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 swimme, and being advertized 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 suddaine 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 swimme, were both drowned.

EXAMPLE. (7.)

At Thurlow in Suffolke, one making a Feast to his freinds on the Sabbath day, for joy of the publishing of the Booke for sports, was the next day pressed to death, by the suddaine fall of a faggot stack.

EXAMPLE. 38.

At Twiford in Buckinghamshire, a fellow playing at cudgels on the Lords day (or as some say, upon a re∣vell day) receaved a hurt in the face, whereof he dyed the next weeke.

EXAMPLE. 39.

At Lemster, one Master Powel, Ian. 1634. on the Lords day serving a writt of sub poena (and that of pur∣pose on that day as is credibly reported) upon one

Master Shuit a Gentleman, this he did in the Church∣yard, so soone as they were come out of the Church: Master Shuit thereupon told him, I thought you had beene an honester man then so, to doe 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 suddainly fell downe dead, and spoke not a word more, his wife see∣ing this, was suddainly struck with sicknesse.

EXAMPLE. 40.

A fellow in Sommersetshire being to make a tente upon the Lords day, for a faire that was to be kept upon the Munday following, sayd to one on the Satturday, that they would reare it to morrow, so the next day which was the Lords day, being drunk, he dyed the same day roaring.

EXAMPLE. 43.

At Glassenbury in Sommersetshire, at the setting up of a May-pole, it miscarrying fell upon a child, & slew it, and it is reported that it was the Churchwardens child, who was the cheefe stickler in the businesse. Also when the May-pole in the same Towne, was againe the second time a setting up, a fire tooke in the Towne, so as all the people about the May-pole were forced to leave it, and to runne to the quenching of the fire.

EXAMPLE. 44.

A May-Lord of misrule, not farre from thence be∣came madd upon it.

EXAMPLE. 45.

Also at Battersey neere London, the last yeare a no∣table example of Gods judgement befell a fidler, the youth of the town of both sexes, being assembled solemn∣ly to set up a garland upon their may-pole, and having gott a Taber and Pipe for the purpose, he with the pipe in his mouth, fell down dead and never spake word.

EXAMPLE. 41.

At Corsham in Wiltshire in the Whitsunweeke, at a whitson-ale, one Marke Hulbert, a lusty young man, un∣dertaking to act the fooles part, was so extreamly drunke and hurt with falls taken in the time of his drunkenesse, that shortly he tooke his bed, where he lay very loath∣somly, in most grieuous paine, until the sixth day of Iune, being the Lordsday, on which he dyed at 4. of the clocke in the afternoone (the usuall time for youth to take their liberty) and was burried the same day before 9. of the clocke, & yet he burst, before he was layd into his grave. See Iob. 31. 3.

EXAMPLE. 46.

On May 31. 1635. being the Lords day, one Richard Clerke (an apprentise unto Timothy Denorell shoomaker of Sherston in the Country of Wiltshire, within 3. miles of Tedbury,) being drunke at the Church-house in the same Parish, told Henry Larrum of the same Parish, that was then in the same place drunke likewise with the Church∣house

ale, that he the said Richard, would either hange himselfe, or drowne himselfe, demanding of the sayd Henry which of the two was best; unto whom he replyed, that he hoped he would do neither; on the day following, being munday in the morning, the said Richard Clerke was seene to goe through the streat, without a bande, as if he had beene going about his masters businesse, and putting on his band without the Towne, he gott up into the middle of a tree, and there did hang himselfe. A mi∣serable effect of carnall liberty and profane meetings on the Lords day.

EXAMPLE. 47.

The 31. May 1635. the booke of recreation was read in the Parish Church of Alvelye in Comit. Salop, in the afternoone, after all divine exercises publicke ended, there fell out a bloody fight betwixt 3. of Alvelye above said, and one of Envield of the Country of Stafford neere Adjacent, in so much that the man of Envield was sore wounded, and had his jaw-bone broken, so that he could not eate his meat for the sustaining of nature; In his ex∣tremity he layd his death to the charge of the other 3. The Churchwardens of the Parish of Alvelye above said, presented these 4. for profaning of the Sabbath to my Lord his grace of Canterbury (to use the words of the re∣lation) being the time of his metropoliticall visitation, since which time two of the parties fledd; the third was committed to prison in Shewsbury, and was the next assises to come to his answere.

EXAMPLE. 48.

In March, betwixt 1634. and 1635. at Billericay in Essex, one Theophilus Pease, the Ministers sonne of that towne, went to ring the bells on the Sabbath day, whom the Churchwardens for that time hindered; But against the next Sabbath, he gathered a company together, saying he would ringe in dispite of the Churchwardens. While he was a ringing, he was taken with a giddinesse like one drunke, and so sickned, and about three dayes after dyed.

EXAMPLE. 49.

Anno 1635. Ianuarie or there about in Chichester Diocesse, one Thomas Perkin, a willfull and usuall pro∣faner of Gods Sabbath in Hailing South, being ringing on a Sabbath day, the rope tooke him up, and flinging him about 8. foot high, he fell downe 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 dangerous as death is expected, and little hope of life remaineth.

EXAMPLE. 50.

At Craies, two miles from Billerikey, a servant of Master Holdsworth Minister there, ringing on the Sab∣bath, his Master sent to forbid him: but he would ring still, and before he had done ringing, he was strucke sicke, and a while after dyed. This was a little after the booke for sports was publikely read in the Church.

EXAMPLE. 51.

In Iune 1635. on the Lords day, the Tapster and Chamberlaine of the Queenes head in Southwarke, ridd into Kent to be merry, and having drunke liberally, ri∣ding homewards, the one of them fell from his horse, and broke his necke.

EXAMPLE. 52.

Also in Iune 1635. and as some report the very same Lords day, in Southwarke at the red lion, neere S. Georges Church, in the afternoone, a man with another sate drinking so longe, that the other about sixe of the clocke departing, fell a sleepe so, that he never awaked againe.

EXAMPLE. (8.)

At Hellingsby 5. or 6. miles from Ason in Sussex, the booke 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 askes him, if he would goe daunce with him the next Sunday; to whom the man aswered, take heed that thou be not dauncing in hell before that day come, or before it be longe; By the next weeke Gods hand fell on this Scoffer, that himselfe and two more of his family dyed.

EXAMPLE. 53.

In the moneth of Iuly 1634. one Master Quince

the Chirurgiō of the Tower of London, having an horse to sell, & 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 afternoone; the horse being sadled, M. Quince gets upon his back, to shew his chapman how well he would pace; which done, as he was a lighting of his backe, his foote, which lighted on the ground slipped, the other foote hung in the stirrup, so as he fell to the ground, and with the fall brake his thighbone short off, so that he was carried from the place to an house neere adjoyning, where he lay in great paine, and agonye for 8▪ weekes space or more, allmost despairing of his life, and never stirring out of his bedde: at last it pleased God, by degrees to recover and restore him to the use of his legge againe, he having little use of it, (& that with great paine) for halfe a yeares space and more. His sonne 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 profaning that sacred time, which hath made him more carefully to frequent the Church, and to avoyd the profanation of the Lords day ever since. This the party himselfe, and most of the Tower can testify.

EXAMPLE. (9.)

On February 9. 1634. being the Lords day, an Apothecaries man in Limestreat London, rid to Barnet with another companion, to make merry, who returning home drunke, neere highe gate, met a Tinker, and offring him some abuse, the Tinker strikes one of their horses, whereat the one bid the other run him through; who drawing his rapier, ran the Tinker through the

breast, that he fell downe dead: therupon being by and by apprehended, and confessing the fact, they were both sent to Newgate.

EXAMPLE. 10.

At Thorneton neere Westchester, the people there, upon the first publishing of the booke prepared for a so∣lemne summer ale. The bringing in of their Lady flora should have been guarded with a Marshall troope: the lustiest wench, and stoutest young man in the towne 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 mayd, on the satturday before went to the mill, to fetch home the meale for cakes on her head, shee being stronge and able for the purpose: but in the way, passing by a hedge, shee was suddainly struck by a divine stroke, and fell into the ditch, where shee was found dead; shee was suffered to lye abroad in that pickle all the Lords day, til munday morning, when the Coroner being send for, shee was thence carried to her grave immediately, where all her solemnity was burried with her, & all her vaine thoughts in that very day, wherein the great solemnity should have been. And see what a good effect this wrought in the whole towne; First, all their mirth was turned into mourning, no summer ale kept, and besides that, they being moved by the dreadfull stroke of God, tooke their may-pole downe, which they had before sett up, and ne∣ver after would presume to set it up againe, or to have any more summer-ales, or may-games. God grant they continue in their sober mindes, and that all other would learne to be wise by their example.

EXAMPLE. 11.

In Yorkshire at a Wake, in the Parish of Otley at Baildon, on the Lords day, two of them sitting at drinke, late in the night, fell out and being parted, the one a little after finding his fellow, sitting by the fire with his backe towards him, comes behinde him, and with a hatchet chines him downe the backe, so as his bowells fell out; the murtherer flying immediately, and being hotly pursued, lept into a river, and so drowned him∣selfe. O fearefull fruits of carnall liberty!

EXAMPLE. 18.

One in Glocestershire being very forward to ad∣vance a solemne sommer-meeting, wherein his sonne was to be a cheefe stickler, went himselfe in great jolli∣ty to see it, and there beholding it, he fell downe sud∣dainly, and so dyed.

EXAMPLE. 12.

One at Ham neere Kingston, being a scoffer of all goodnesse, and a common profaner of the Sabbath, going abroad to see his grounds on the Lords day, and finding some neighbours cattell to have broken in, he runnes to drive them out, and that with such eagernesse, that he fell downe dead instantly upon the place.

EXAMPLE. 13.

One Wright at Kingston, being a scoffer of Reli∣gion, and rejoycing much at the suspending of his

Minister, and others, for not reading the booke of sports in their Churches, saying, hee hoped to see them allso served shortly: was within a day or two after struck with a dead Palsy, all over the one side, and with blindnesse and dumnesse, that he could neither goe, see, nor speake, and so lay in a miserable manner for a fort∣night, and then dyed.

EXAMPLE. 14.

In Moorefields neere London, sundry youths playing at Catt on the Lords day, two of them fell out, and the one hitting the other under the eare with his catt, he therewith fell downe 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 profane the Lords day.

EXAMPLE. 1.

A woman about Northampton, the same day that shee heard the booke for sports read, went immediately, and having 3. pence in her purse, hired a fellow to goe to the next Towne to fetch a Minstrell, who comming, shee with others fell a dauncing, which continued within night; at which time shee was got with child, which at the birth shee murthering, was detected and apprehen∣ded, and being convented before the justice, shee con∣fessed it, and with all told the occasion of it, saying it was her falling to sport on the Sabbath, upon the reading of

the booke, so as for this treble sinful act, her presumtuous profaning of the Sabbath: which brought her adulte••y & that murther. Shee was according to the Law, both of God and man, put to death, much sinne and misery fol∣loweth upon sabbath-breaking.

EXAMPLE. 2.

Also at Northampton, in the last Easter assises, there was a youngman who formerly, by seeing the ex∣ample of good people, in the due sanctification of the Lords day or Sabbath, had begun to reforme his former loose kind of life, and to frame his conversation, accor∣ding 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 booke for sports, and pastimes, he fell backe againe to his former wallowing, and being taken as he was picking a pocket, when the Iudges weare in the Church, upon ex∣amination confessed what he had formerly beene, and how he had been reformed, and that upon the publishing of the sayd booke, he was incouraged to run riot a fresh, by which meanes he fell into this impiety and iniquity, for the which he suffered death.

EXAMPLE. 15.

Aprill 1••. 1635. being Satturday, one travel∣ling 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 commandement, 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 travail in the afternoone, but as he went in the way, leading his horse in his hand gently downe a plaine descent, and even way, his horse suddain∣ly fell, and broke both his fore leggs, the man sore agast at this not more suddaine, then strange disaster, which he could not but attribute to the immediate hand of God, and being past all hope of recovery was forced him∣selfe to knocke his horse in 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 worke upon his conscience, as this thing did; and that this ex∣ample should be a warning unto him for ever travailing on the Sabbathday againe. This is testified under the hands of those 3. which had travailed with him, and over tooke him.

EXAMPLE. 16.

At Dartmouth 1634. upon the comming forth and publishing of the booke for sports, a com∣pany of younkers on May-day morning before day, went into the Country, to fetch home a May∣pole with Drum and Trumpett; whereat the neigh∣bouring▪

inhabitants were affrighted supposing some ene∣mies had landed to sacke them, the Pole being thus brought home and set up, they began to drinke healthes about it, and to it, till they could not stand so steady as the pole did, whereupon the Major and Iustice bound the ringleaders over to the Sessions, whereupon these com∣plaining to the Archbishops Vicar Generall, then in his visitation he prohibited the justices to proceed against them in regard of the Kings booke. But the justices ac∣quainted him, they did it for their disorder, in trans∣gressing the bounds of the booke, hereupon these liber∣tines scorning at Authority, one of them fell suddainly into a ‡ Consumption, whereof he shortly after dyed; now allthough this revelling was not on the Lords day, yet being upon any other day and especially May-day, the May-pole set up thereon, giving occasion to the profa∣nation of the Lords day the whole yeare after it was suf∣ficient to provoke God, to send plagues and judgements among them.

EXAMPLE. 17.

In the same yeare 1634. and in the same Shire, one Ed∣ward Amerideth a Gentleman, having bene pained in his feet, and being upon his recovery, whereupon one sayd unto him, he was glad to see him so nimble. Amerideth replyed, 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 hart, and dizsines in his head, that desiring helpe to carry him to an house, he

dyed before the Lords day came; so fearefull it is to fall into the hands of the living God.

EXAMPLE. 54.

Many more examples might here be added, not on∣ly such as have fallen out within these two yeares last past, since the sayd booke was published by the Mini∣sters in their Churches, but also, since the booke was first of all printed and published, the very bruite whereof, without being read by Ministers, was enough, and to much to imbolden youth to take their liberty in profa∣ning the Lords day, but for the present, I will add but one more. At Chidlington upon the edge of Hertford∣shire, not farre from Hitchin, a company of fellowes 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, suddainly it thundering was seene a blacke ball come tumbling downe a hill neere by: which tooke 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 loving kindnesse of the Lord. Psal. 107. 43.

EXAMPLE. 4.

Vpon May day last, being the Lords day, a mayd of the Minister of the Parish, Cripplegate, London, was married to a Widower having 3. children, the youngest being at Nurce in the Country; upon this day they kept their feast in the Church-house joyning to the Church, where they spent all the afternoone in dauncing: but within one weeke after, the Plague began in that Parish in the new married mans house, where within a moneth it tooke 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 yeare.

To this we will adde another example, because it fell within the same moneth, in the same city. A Minister, Rector of a Church in London, on the saturday would goe with two of his neighbours, boon companions, to be joviall the next day, being the Lords day, they conditio∣ning that he should bestow a Sermon upon them. They on the Lords day, being now in the country, spent the forenoone idly: in the afternoone they goe to visit an∣other London Minister, who had another benefice there in the Country; he puts his brother to preach: which done invites him, with his companions, to a bottle of Sacke. They drank so long, that the two neighbours ton∣gues began to faile them. Home to their lodging within a few miles they betake them. That night their Minister could not sleepe; and raising early to walke abroad, he re∣turned with such a coldnesse upon him, that he looked, and felt like cold pale death; the two neighbours much dismayd, and with much adoe get him home to

London, where in that case continuing, he dyeth before the next Sabbath day.

EXAMPLE. 55.

Vpon May-Eve Thomas Troe of Glocester, Car∣penter in the Parish of S. Michaell, some comming unto him, and asking him, whether he would goe with them to fetch the May-pole, he swore by the Lords woundes, that he would, though he never went more. Now while he was working on the May-pole on May day morning, be∣fore he had finished his worke, the Lord smote him with such a lamenesse and swelling in all his limbes, that he could neither goe, nor lift his hands to his mouth, to feed himselfe, but kept his bed for halfe a yeare together and still goes lame to this day; May 4. 1636.

EXAMPLE. 56.

About a yeare since 1635. in Ashton under the Hill, in the Parish of Beckford, in the Country of Glocester, the Minister there Master Blackwell, having occa∣sion in his Sermon in the afternoone on the Lords∣day to reproove the profaning of that day by sports &c. as soone as the Sermon was done, a youngman of that place used these words, Now Master Blackwell hath done, we'le begin; and so taking the Cudgells, 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 againe.

Notes

• 1634.
• 1634. Aprill. 20.
• 1634.
• 1634.
• 1634.
• 1634.
• Eccl. 11. 9.
• 1635.
• 1634.
• 1634.
• 1635.
• 1635.
• ‡

  Deut. 28. 22.
• 1634.
• 1634.