Being a most strange and true relation of the resolute life, and mi∣serable death of Thomas Miles, who did forsweare himselfe, and wished that God might shew some heavie example upon him, and so it came to passe for as hee sate at his Meate hee choked himselfe, and died in short space after, which hapned the 8. of August last, 1635. and being ript up by the Chirurgions of S. Bartholomewes Hospitall, was found to have a gub of meate sticking fast in his throate, which was the cause of his death. Written to warne all rash Swearers to forsake their evill wayes, which God grant we may.
LOoke downe O Lord upon this sinfull Land,
Guyde, and defend us with thy mighty hand,
Against the fiery Darts of Satans power,
Which seekes our Soules and Bodies to devoure.
This World is full of envy and debate,
Neighbour to neighbour beares a deadly hate:
Brother 'gainst Sister, friend against each friend,
Which shewes the World is very neare an end.
Vile blasphemie is us'd against the Lord,
By old and young at every trifling word:
Some in their angry moode will Curse & Sweare,
As if they would their God in pieces teare.
But let them know that doe the Lord provoke
By cursed oathes, on them to strike the stroke:
Know that all though he suffers them a space,
He will at last confound their wicked race.
As for example▪ here I meane to tell
A strange relation which of late befell,
Of one a forsworne wretch as is well knowne,
On whom the Lord a wonder great hath showne.
This wretched man of whom these lines are pend,
Deni'd a truth, a bad cause to defend:
And rashly wish'd in place whereas he stood,
That he might never eate meate to doe him good.
Now marke Gods Iudgements how they strangly fell,
A short time after, griefe it is to tell:
Hée with some others more to Dinner went,
To give their hungry stomackes some content.
But as they sate at Table with their meate,
Having made bargaine for't they fell to eate:
This forsworne wretch Tom Miles call'd by name,
Fed very greedily upon the same.
And thrusting in a bit that would not passe
Quite downe his throate, his lucklesse hap it was
To choke himselfe, the very truth was so,
While all the rest behel'd him with great woe.
Vnto a Surgent then he ranne with spéede,
Desiring him to helpe him in his néede:
But all in vaine, no helpe for him could be.
His breath was stopt, and he dy'd presently.