T [...]e forwardness of people in these dayes (by [...]heir Coveousness; doth, and hath often­times caused the untimely end of many, who doubtless might upon due and seaso­nable time of funeral, have out-lived those who have ben the cause of their untimely end, as might have been seen to appear in him who we are here to treat of, had not his Landlady ob­structed it by her greedy desire of gain by his untimely and much to be lamented burial.

The truth of this horrid act was in brief as followeth, viz.

That the pe [...]son that was thus inhumanly dealt of was by name Lawrence Corddial, by Trade a Butcher of London, im­ployed at several Slaughter-houses both at Smithfield Barrs, and also in the Shambles, and by report a man that hath had many fits of the Falling-sicknesse, which he hath been trobled several years.

Upon Thuysday last being the 21 of this present month, he being late out, at length came home full of drink to his Lodging which was at one William Cook's house a Chandler in Pill-cock Lane, near adjacent to the Shambles at Newgate Market, and there was entertained very jocundly by Jeze­bel his fat Landlady; who to raise her one stock by the sins of the people was always willing to keep her tap going to a­ny such noble Customers as he, who was easily perswaded to spend all in her service.

But when he had received as much of the creature, nay none then he could well bear, he took his way to bed, yet in such a condition that he was unable to help himself, for he could not make himself unready, but when one Stocking was off, he could not pull off the other, so he was fain to ly in it all night.

On Fryday Morning Mris Impudence his fat Land-lady, not finding him up to give her a mornings draught, was in­quisitive to know where he was, and going to his chamber he seemed to be dead, but yet withal somewhat warm, yet she strongly reported that he had no life in him, (which doubt­less was her desire) to effect which she bought a Coffin, for which she was well paid with the mony he left; nevertheless to blind the world she sold his cloths the very same Fry­day.

This being done the Searchers came to see the Corps, and feeling him warm said, There is life in him yet, therefore we wish you to forbear the buirl of him for the present. So did [Page 3]the poor honest man her husband desire her, That she would not bury him so soon b [...] let him ly till next day.

All this would not prevaile with her, for she [...]old him, that her neighbours advised her otherwise, therefore she would bury him out of hand.

Thus having the better of him by wearing the B [...]iches, she like a Mr. of Mis-rule invited whom she [...]eas [...]d to the b [...]ry­al, which was in the afternoon performed with what se [...]esie she possibly could, neither of his Sister [...] being invited [...] it, or any friend of his whatsoever so much as acquainted there­with till the Sunday at night following, that they heard of it by the report of the people that heard the rumour about it in Christ-Church.

Thus this wicked piece of Moatality thought to have smo­thered this her wicked enterprise. But yet the crying sin of blood could not be hid, though it lay obscure all the Satur­day following; for upon Sunday the three and twentieth instant, several people coming from Christ-Church towards the place of Burial, they heard a sad noise as it were the groanings of a dying man, about the place where the said Lawrence Corddel was buried, upon which the multitude encreased, several people approaching to the place, to hear this doleful sound.

The people listning diligently heard lamentable Screeks, sad crys and a rumbling noise, and after inquiry who was bu­ryed there, it was declared to be the Butcher that lay at Mr. Cooks in Pil cock Lane.

Whereupon night drawing on the multitude decreased, but some of them spake to the Sexton to dig up the Grave, but he told them he could not without order, wherefore they all went home for that night, by this means his sisters came to understand the sad and lamentable suffering of their bro­ther, who lay in this miserable torture till the next Morn­ing to the great grief of them, and the wonderful amaze­ment of some who lived near the Church-yard, to whose rest­less ears the sad groans of their poor brother did ascend that night.

Yesterday being Monday several persons living about Christ Church, gave further information that they heard (in the night sea [...]g several groans and lamentable screeks, ma­king g [...]eat complaint that he was not taken up that he might if poss [...]ble be preserved.

Whereupon order being given for opening the grave, one George Day the grave-maker at St. Gile [...]es Cripplegate, did with much d [...]ligence (by the assistance of some othe [...]s) take up the Corps, and laid it ready for the view of the Crowners many hundreds of people flocking thither to see the same, which indeed was a sad and lamentable spectacle to the eye of each Spectator.

For in the grave he had so mo [...]tified himself that hardly a place was free in his body from bruises, his head wounded, his Face beaten flat, his Arms, bruised, his belly, back sides and Leggs and feet were sad to behold for any one that had but the lest spark of Christianity.

The horrioness of this inhumane burial being taken into consideration, Messengers were sent to Pil-cock lane, who were not backward in a work of so high conce [...]nment, but did with all expedition hasten thither, and seased on his barba­rous [...]and-lady, who with Mr. Cook her husband was brought before the Lord Mayor, and being examined why he buried him so soon, he answered, That he would not have had his wife bury him till Saturday, but she would be Master whether he would or no. And after examination their Mittimus was made, and immediatly they were conveyed by the Offi­cers to New-gate, upon suspicion of murthering the said But­cher.

In which place she is to continue till the next Sessions, at which time if she do not give a better account then she hath done, no doubt but justice will be inflicted according to her deserts.

The house he lay in hath an ill report amongst neighbours, it being a place frequented by many persons of little or no credit, and a house of ill Orders and ill hours, which adds somewhat more to this horrid act.

This is a true account of the barbarous and inhumane buri­all of this poor man whose horrid murther cry'd aloud for vengeance, and may well be a warning to all covetous min­ded muck-worms, that they be careful hereafter how they e­ver hereafter have a hand in the death of any such person, by putting them in the ground so soon after their departure; for nothing can be so secretly done, but their is an omnipo­tent power that will make it known, though by such means as cannot be imagined by us poor mortals. The sin of blood being a crying sin, that will surely be repay'd, and fall heavy on the heads of those that shall conceale such horrid cruel­ties.

Therefore it behoves all men to be careful how they are mastered [...]y their wives, and are silent in such cruelties, least they suffer for their inhumane practises, from doing which the Lord oeliver all good Christians.