Gods judgements upon drunkards, swearers, and sabbath-breakers. In a collection of the most remarkable examples of Gods revealed wrath upon these sins with their aggravations, as well from scripture, as reason. And a caution to authority, lest the impunity of these evils bring a scourge upon the whole nation. By W. L. Hammond, Samuel, d. 1665. 1659 Approx. 187 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 102 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A87056 Wing H623bA ESTC R230554 99896409 99896409 154184

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A87056) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 154184) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2403:14) Gods judgements upon drunkards, swearers, and sabbath-breakers. In a collection of the most remarkable examples of Gods revealed wrath upon these sins with their aggravations, as well from scripture, as reason. And a caution to authority, lest the impunity of these evils bring a scourge upon the whole nation. By W. L. Hammond, Samuel, d. 1665. [64], 128 p. Printed for William London, [London] : 1659. Title page and leaves A2, A6, B3.6, C3-8, F2, and F3 are cancels. Divisional titlepages: Of blaspheming the name of God, by cursed oathes. With the judgements of God upon cursers & swearers (G1r); Of the Sabbath day, with Gods judgements upon the profaners thereof (I1r). In fact, by Samuel Hammond--Wing (CD-ROM edition). Reproduction of original in the Folger Shakespeare Library.

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Written by Wm London a bookseller in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Local Cases. Houghton le Spring Carlisle Stanhope Dalston &c. Cockermouth Callerton

GODS JUDGEMENTS Upon DRUNKARDS, SWEARERS, And SABBATH-BREAKERS. In a collection of the moſt remarkable Examples of Gods revealed wrath upon theſe ſins: with their Aggravations, as well from Scripture, as Reaſon. And a Caution to Authority, leſt the Impunity of theſe evils bring a ſcourge upon the whole Nation.

By W. L.

1 Cor. 10.11.

Now all theſe things happened unto them for Examples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Luke 13.3.

Jeſus ſaid, Suppoſe ye that theſe Galileans were ſinners above all Galileans, becauſe they ſuffered ſuch things? I tell you, Nay, &c.

Printed for William London, 1659.

TO THE Right Worſhipfull, The Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, Sheriffe, and Common-Councell; TOGETHER With the moſt Ingenuous Inhabitants of the Famous and Flouriſhing Town of New-Caſtle upon TINE:

THe Authour in Teſtimony of his ſincere deſires for the Peace and Proſperity of the Town in general, and every perſon in particular, Dedicates this his labour to their kind acceptance.

Chriſtian Reader,

WHen I conſider how the great Moderator of the World, the holy and juſt God is concerned in the Regular or Irregular converſations of men, and how much he hath intereſted himſelf in the providential notice he hath taken of them, I cannot but judge that the brandiſhing of his ſword, the recording of the ſignal Judgments of God; may be both acceptable to the Lord, and uſeful to many an habituated rebellious ſinner, for the allaruming his drowſie conſcience.

Shall a Trumpet be blowne in the City, and the people not be afraid? Amos 3.6. the Lord is known by his judgment which he executeth. Pſal. 9.16. God will not ſuffer the worſt part of the world to ſink into Atheiſme: the wretched Emperour ſhall have claps of Thunder to fright him into ſuſpitions of a deity. Julian the Apoſtate ſhall be made to throw his blood into the ayre with a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Judgments have been one of the uſuall wayes of Gods aſſerting his Authority in the world: and that the uſefulneſſe of the following Treatiſe may be the more diſcovered, I have a few things to intimate about the number of the judgements of God.

1. That Gods judgments are not not like arrows ſhot into the Aire at randome, he does not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , God hath bleſſed ends, either to reclaim the party ſmitten, i judgements ſhort of death ſeize on them, or to be Pillar of ſalt to others, that they may hear, fear, and do n more ſo: thoſe Jews that exemplarily fell in the wilderneſſe; they are ſaid 1 Cor. 10.6. to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , types to future generations; they are engraven characters of divine vengeance, that we ſhould read their puniſhment, and avoid their ſin.

2. Conſider the principles that judgements have to work upon. Bondage, Fear, and Self-love; the one like the Spaniel, forbearing to offend for the Cudgel over it, the other from a principle of ſelf-preſervation, had rather want the bait, then ſwallow the hook; God having left ſome reliques of theſe in the moſt debaucht conſciences, that he might have ſomewhat to treat with in the vileſt ſinners, when his judgements were abroad.

3. Weigh the convictions they leave of an over-ruling Deity; Atheiſm is one of the natural fruits of the firſt Apoſtaſy, and as it is heightned by impenitency, ſo it is ſtrengthned by impunity; now God by his judgements gives ſome evidences of his Being and Soveraignty; he hath, his coecum in mente flagellum, he hath his fulmen in orbe, and fulgur in animo Pharaohs bold challenge of Who is the Lord, ſhall ſhrink into a, Moſes, pray for me when the Lord is in the way of his judgements.

4. He will convince the world that Scripture-threatnings are not only a voyce of words, but when and where the Lord pleaſes, they are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , they are fiery darts, the breakings forth of fiery indignation againſt impenitent ſinners, eſpecially when they meet with ſinnes that do devaſtate conſcience, ſuch as the ſins here witneſſed againſt; Sins that provoke the eyes of Gods glory, which in no Nation, if raigning, he will ſuffer to go unpuniſhed: he is a jealous God, & where his honour is ſo eminently concerned, he will unſheath his wrath, the firſt of theſe in a beſtial Metamorphoſis, ſtrives to raze out his Image, the ſecond to tear his Name, the third to deprive him of his Worſhip; and I cannot but approve and encourage the deſign of the ingenuous Author; who, whilſt theſe crying ſins dare with an open and brazen face, ſo frequently ſhew themſelves, will ſet a brand upon their foreheads, of the notable Judgements of God againſt them and for my own part, I would not be wanting to countenance ſuch publick deſignes for God, for the diſcovering of the eminent judgments of God againſt theſe ſins, may like the Angell to Balaam, ſtop the Career of ſome ſinner, provoke the zeale of thoſe Magiſtrates, and under officers, upon whom God and man, ſo loudly call for a ſevere proceeding againſt theſe ſins, and draw forth from the people of God that glorious confeſſion, Pſal. 58.11. Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. Books of this nature may do much good, where Sermons cannot reach through the prophane abſence of many of thoſe that are moſt guilty of theſe ſins.

I ſhall ſay no more, but recommend the enſuing Treatiſe to thy ſerious peruſall, and ſubſcribe my ſelf one willing to be

A Servant to any deſign for God, J. HAMMOND.
TO THE JƲSTICES of PEACE In the NATION; Eſpecially theſe Northerne Parts. Gentlemen,

THe chief Pillars of a Nation, are the Magiſtracy and Miniſtery; the one for puniſhing Sin, the other for advancement of Righteouſneſſe. Theſe are the Officers of State, which, like the two great Luminaries of Heaven, give Law to all the reſt; and amongſt the Wiſeſt, and Beſt of men, are accounted as uſeful to a Common-wealth, as Caſtor and Polux, to the Mariners in a tempeſtuous night: So that as the flux and reflux of Nile, portends plenty, or dearth; ſo theſe Sword-bearers of God, are pledges of his favour, to that Nation, or Place, where they are Honoured and Reſpected; and great care ought to be had in the due election of ſuch as may be for the promotion of the great end of ſuch Places: for, as one lately ſaid well, They ſhould not be like brambles, which teare the wool off the poor ſheeps backs that come to ſhelter, for protection, under them. The Lacedemonians choſe none into the Senate as Magiſtrates, but onely upon account of Honeſty and Vertue; forgeting the bare conſideration of Riches, Friends, &c. where piety was a ſtranger. And Cicero tells us, A good Magiſtrate is the Common-wealths Phyſitian, Badge of Vertue, Staff of Peace, and Pillar of Honour. I would onely beg leave to break my thoughts to the firſt of theſe: and though to ſome this may ſeem boldneſſe to be free; yet conſidering that A good cauſe teacheth confidence. I think in this caſe I ſhould offend if I preſumed not; and I have taken care ſo to order my flight, as not to ſoare above the Region of Duty and Civility.

Gentlemen, I ſet before you three Grand Impieties, viz Drunkenneſs, Swearing, and Sabbath-breaking, ſins that are opera tenebrarum; It's your work to look to them, they are Rageing, Reigning, Polluting ſins; ſins for which a Land mourns, and the Nation puts on the Sable garments of ſorrow and heavineſſe: theſe ſins beget a controverſie betwixt a people, a place, a perſon, and God, and who is able to abide his indignation? for if once his wrath be but a little kindled, bleſſed are all they that put their truſt in him. Theſe therefore are ſins that ought not to go unpuniſhed, and that without the ſtricteſt ſeverity in a Chriſtian commonwealth.

Magiſtrates are not to beare the Sword in vain; if you do not quarrel with ſin, God will with you; you are, or ſhould e, the Banks of the Commonwealth, to keep us from a Land-flood, and Torrent of confuſion; you are the Hed es to prophaneſſe: The life of the Law is executions; Its a principle in Moral Policy, That not to execute the Lawes, is worſe than to break them, Acts and Ordinances will not beat down prophaneſſe, unleſſe the firſt be throughly acted, and the laſt ſet on fire by authority: many take encouragement by the ſlack execution of Juſtice, which otherwiſe might with care prove a hinderance, not onely from ſin, but puniſhment, nay, it may be, from Eternal flames. I am much afraid that many are guilty of others ſins, more than they dream of, by ſuffering their underſtandings to be darkened in the ſenſe of their duties, thorough the ſight of their Honours; not ſeriouſly weighing what truſt God hath committed to them: They cannot deny preſentments, but think it a work below them to ſearch and find out debaucht houſes, or perſons, or examine who idlely ſtayes from the Word; or take care in publick reſorts, to find out Blaſphemers, Curſers, and Swearers, and puniſh them in the Act. How ſad would it be to us, if we heard the ſad cryes in Torment? it may be ſome ſaying, O that the Magiſtrate had hedged up my way with thorns! had he ſet bounds to my drunken meetings, curſed oathes, and prophane Sabbath-breaking; then had I not been now roaring in anguiſh, under the fury of a Revengful God! The mild puniſhment of obſtinate tranſgreſſors, makes ſin grown to an excreſcency: It feſters a body Politick, as well as Natural, to have the wounds not thoroughly dreſſed; it forces to a relapſe, where the cauſes are not diverted or rooted out.

Seeing Drunkenneſſe hath ſo great confidence, as if Authority led it by the hand, let me ſtrike at the bowels of it, that hath ſo many thouſands crawling out of it; Oh that we might ſee this ſin reel with the Drunkard! that there were a frequent viſiting of Ale-houſes, and none ſuffered, under the greateſt engagements, Not to ſuffer any to be drunk, or drink to exceſſe! and methinks, as I travel theſe Northern parts, eſpecially about (I had almoſt ſaid in) the Metropolis of theſe Counties, its ſcarce poſſible to paſſe without infection, the ſtreets are lined with theſe Peſt-houſes; the greateſt wonder is, that they are under the roof of Authority, and yet ſuffered to breath. Oh down with diſordered Ale-houſes, that rove the Hell and Damnation f many a poor ſoul! where many poor wretches ſit ſecurely, and there drown their families bread in Drunkenneſſe! where many a perſon of reſpect, buyes the ruin of his families honour, together with his own at a vaſt expenſe! One ſaid, If it were not for ſecret Drunkenneſſe, they might bar up their doors; Oh, ſet a Barica do to the entrance of ſuch impieties and villanies, which flow hither as the humours to the ſtomack! Baniſh theſe fire ſhips from the Coaſts of Chriſtian Common-wealth, o we ſhall be ſet on fire from hell then your Towns, Counties Cities, and the whole Nation will move in a Regular Orbe, & Congregations be well filled We may ſay, it would be a wonder in England if it were in any great Town, as it was in Rome, where there was a ſtreet called Vicus Sobrius, becauſe there was not an Ale-houſe in it. What if ſome have no other living? the queſtion is, can they live no otherwiſe, than by making men drunk? I admire the neglect of this foundation of Reformation in this place, which ſo oft by the faithfull Servants of God hath been reiterated in our Congregations! If theſe corners of Hell were blown down with the breath of Authority, all the traine of Attendants, like a great Courtiers, would fall with himſelf; as Curſing, Swearing, Blaſpheming, the Holy Name of God, Murthers, Adulteries, and all other ſuch wickedneſſes, for which the hand of the Lord is ready with his judgements to reach us: till this be done, till we ſee the Sword of Juſtice make ſin ſtagger, and like that mighty wind that came from the Wilderneſſe upon Jobs children, blow down the four corners of theſe places of iniquity; I ſay, till this come to paſſe, every moment will thrive towards a diſmal no one, the minutes of time will ſwell into ages, and thoſe into eternity of puniſhments, if not prevented.

If Gods wrath and anger be the evils that compaſſe theſe ſins about, like ſparks of our own kindling, and if the reformation of ſin, be the removing of Judgement? what need then to ſtrike at the root of iniquity? If Ahabs Humiliation, and the Ninevites Sackcloth and Aſhes, cauſed God to let the reſolution of his Judgements run backwards; If Phineas Zeal ſtayed the plague, and ſaved many thouſands; I ſay, if outward reformation tyes Gods hands from outward plagues, what need then to look about and reform? leſt we that are left of ſo many thouſands lately ſwept away by ſickneſſe, diſeasſes &c. be made examples becauſe we learn not to beware.

I could inſtance many Examples of Gods ſeverity, to ſuch as were ſlack in their Duties; as Eli, whoſe impunity to his ſons impiety, ſhrunk him under the heavy ſtroke of Juſtice; but I had rather lead you by examples of Piety and Juſtice, than drive you by thoſe of Judgements. Look to Nehemiah, he ſets ſervants at the Gates of the City, and laid hands on ſuch as prophaned the Lords Day. Its worthy Obſervation, what Ambroſe ſayes to Theodoſius; That he was more earneſt and careful, to obſerve the things of God as a Magiſtrate, than himſelf as a man. The Lacedemonians had their Ephori; Magiſtrates that took care to all manner of intemperance and exceſſe in the City, and if any were found, they were beaten publickly. The Carthaginians made a Law, That no Magiſtrate ſhould drink wine; ſuch was their care to avoid this beaſtly ſin 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, Epiſtle to Mr. Murcots Wo. 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 Mayor of Exceter. Mr. Jourdain, of whom it might be ſaid as of David, That the zeal of Gods houſe had eaten him up! Mr. Mantons Epiſt. to his life & death. 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 Suſpected to favour Puritans. 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. Ile end with one pretty paſſage recorded of King James, VVilſons. K. 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-hea of Zeal, without a regular and proportioned mixture of Knowledge, give me liberty to clear my ſelf, and leav my thoughts behind me, th •• I may not be found guil 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. Ʋpon 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 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 vice be ſet, they have a bad foil; Ye I muſt needs ſay, they ough to have more allowance that common perſons; eſpecially if they be ingenious (as alas many that are moſt ingenious moſt often fall into the ſnar 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, which cannot have over good a reliſh, unleſſe ſweetned with a kinde of ſubmiſſion; and therefore when drink or paſſion is departed, then to write or ſend to them: Yet where civillity and meekneſſe will not allure, to that juſt decency and order, which holds conformity to the wholeſome Lawes of the Nation, then Currat lex. All which I could wiſh were done without Malice, Prejudice, Revenge, a ſpirit of domineering, or to be accounted ſome petty ſome body; but with a principle, that may not onely approve the integrity of a mans ſoul to act for the glory of God, but alſo a not expecting your reward from popularity, or any other ſecret advantage below the truth and intent of the action; guided by the beſt principles both Divine and Moral.

Now, Gentlemen, to you that are guilty, or may be found in theſe diſorders; If Lawes were not, we had as good live amongſt Salvages; you could not ſay your lives were your own, if another through fear of the Lawes, were not kept from murdering you; if we had none to puniſh tranſgreſſors, we had as good be without Lawes: for your own honours therefore, beware you involve not your reputations to the puniſhment of every mean officer; be not angry at Juſtice which is more the Honour of the Gentry, then any; becauſe they are looked upon as patrons of it: be rather like King Henry the fourth, who thanked God, that Juſtice was executed, though it lighted upon one of his own loyns. To conclude, Are not theſe ſins fitter (if for any in any ſenſe) for Brutes, Beaſts, Beggars, and the ſcum of a Nation, than for Gentlemen or Chriſtians? for ſhame then, you that are in any degree guilty of ſuch foul ſpots of diſhonour, to the Nation, to Chriſtianity, to your Families, good Names, and your own Souls, let theſe wicked, debauched, beaſtly, prophane ſins, be abandoned from your thoughts and actions, and hate it in others, that the Nation (the Gentry firſt leading the van) may make iniquity and ſin bluſh, and even ſhame theſe vild courſes to the eternal Honour of England.

And now Gentlemen, to whom I have been bold to Dedicate my paines, I beg you to look upon the Work, in that which you ſee it doth drive at, and not at the unworthineſſe of the Authour, whoſe deſire in it is nothing leſſe, than may be concluded in this wiſh: That by your Good Government, they that are to come, may bleſſe your remembrance, and we preſent, may together with your ſelves, live a comfortable, peaceable, and quiet life, and that in all godlineſſe and honeſty.

So prayes Your humble ſervant W. L.
TO THE READER.

WHen I weigh my owne unworthineſſe in the ballance with any thing that may be called a work for God, I am extremely diſcouraged to adventure; wondring more that the Lord ſhould not rather make me a warning to others, by his Judgements upon me for my own ſin, then to write examples of others; In the deep ſence whereof, I cannot ſay that I was conſtrained to this work, purely from thoſe noble and divine principles, which ſhould move in the wheeles of all undertakings for the glory of God and good of others, leſt I deceive my own ſpirit; though deſire a heart for both; Fo upon a ſtrict ſcrutiny, it will be found a difficult, and more then common attainment though moſt men are loath but in all their deſignes to plume themſelves with theſe fair feathers; ſo that in modeſty I chooſe to be rather jealous it is not ſo, then boaſt it as a reaſon that it is, I can indeed ſay and that truly, that I am an honourer, and lover of Order, Decency, and good Government in a Nation, City, or Town; and from a naturall and moral principle, do deteſt theſe three ſins of Drunkenneſſe, Swearing, and Sabbath-breaking, as they ſtrike at the Honour of Order, Government: and the Reputation of a Nation, place or perſon: and I wiſh this principle were wrought in ſuch ingenuous perſons, as otherwiſe are not perſwaded of a greater evill in theſe ſins; they are evills that wound the glory of God, honour of a Chriſtian ſtate, and the good of a civill Government; yet have I been wound up to more then a common hatred of theſe notorious ſinnes, ſince I have ſeen the face of them in the glaſſe of Gods Judgements.

I have obſerved Drunkenneſſe, Swearing, and the ſlight obſervance of the Lords day, with the profanation of it, to grow the more by oppoſition, which I think is, becauſe but ſlenderly punniſhed, like the Seas, where but bounded with weak banks, rages and roares the more, when they are broken down; I have likewiſe obſerved, that that which ſhould be our greateſt honor, is turned into ſin, in that they which are under the ſtricteſt tye to Chriſtianity by profeſſion, ſhould ſo profane the Lords day, and keep it with leſſe exactneſſe, then the Heathens do their dayes of worſhiping the Devil, whilſt we in troops runne to the profanation of God and his holy Ordinances, by more then the one halfe of moſt Pariſhes abſenting themſelves from the Congregation, and either prophane the day by drinking, or, which is as ſad, by a more then Heatheniſh idleneſſe and ſloathfull contempt of their own ſalvation; nay, and this is ſo common, that it ſeems not otherwiſe, then if it were turned into a Law to contemne the meanes of ſalvatien, and ſlight, and abuſe ſuch as would turn them aſide from hell and eternal damnation; and by this meanes they ſlight the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, that labour night and day for the good of our ſoules, which I account the firſt ſtep to Apoſtaſy from the ways of God.

I have likewiſe obſerved the ſlack execution of lawes, by Juſtices not performeing their duties, diſcourageing under Officers, and leaving them a ſcorn and a reproach to wicked and ungodly men; and if it pleaſe not the Lord to ſtir up the hearts of Juſtices of the Peace themſelves, to ſearch diligently, to go about and find out diſordered houſes, (the plagues of the Nation) and hunt men out of their houſes to the congregation, ſin will grow impudent, and bold; If I ſay they do not ſhew their faces, to encourage and ſet a rate upon others under them; men will be hardened in their wayes, and be taught to grow worſe by the faintneſſe of juſtice; and this I account a duty, which a good conſcience rightly principled cannot ſhift, nor excuſe before God or their own conſciences.

The conſideration of theſe things, with the tendency of all to ruine, where theſe evills are not redreſſed, put me upon this, (I hope uſeful, and may I not ſay neceſſary?) work; eſpecially conſidering the uſe of Judgements; their Energy if pondered in a ſober and deliberate mind; they walk not alone, the cauſes and ends are to be examined; nor are they only limited to the perſons or ſins they puniſh, but for warning others from the like ſins, or any other ſinnes whatſoever. And we ſee how God loves to warne before he ſtrike, ſo he did to Nineve and Belſhazar, and uſed very much of long-ſuffering and patience to Pharaoh, whoſe heart at laſt not taking warning, he ardened; what are examples of Gods Judgements upon others for, if not to keep us from being the examples our ſelves?

And though Precepts in 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 hea their ſins ript open in a Soul 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 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 on that was ſuddenly ſtruck dead; went home, and admoniſhed his friends to repent, and turne from their evill wayes, and wa himſelf a famous Chriſtian 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 eye 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:Tit. 2.11, a 2. 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's more ſtrictly viſit him, it's charity to viſit the ſick. I take him to be no man; God indeed made him one, but that ſtamp and ſuperſcription of God ſet upon him to diſtinguiſh him from other creatures is ſo defaced, that if all other of Gods creatures had done the like, who could have traced in the ſearch of the knowledge o God in his creatures? If then he be n man, he is no beaſt; for in this ſence they are ſober, content with the liberty of Natures choyce; if neither Man, nor Beaſt, then ſure God never made him; his ſoul is drowned, ſo n man; his ſence is loſt, ſo no beaſt; If we grant he have a rational being, it is like thoſe Idols mentioned, that have eyes and ſee not, eares and hear not, neither do they perceive any thing the man is turned out of poſſeſſion; here lies the Cabinet, the jewel's loſt. He is Antipode to all other creatures, nay to God himſelf; if you will have him a Beaſt, he muſt be a beaſt of Prey, whoſe belly is the very Sepulcher of Gods Creatures, as if his life were but poteſtas vivendi ut velis; Like him that mourned, becauſe his ſences were not incorporated into that one of taſting; which pleaſure he wiſhed had been ſpread over all his body, whereby he might have ranged over all the ſweets of nature, with a prolonged delight. Hannah gives the fitteſt name to him, in her Anſwer to Eli, Count not thine handmaid a daughter of BELIAL. In a word, he is a poor dead creature, a Lazarus, whom God in mercy raiſe to life again; that out of this Chaos of inſenſible beſtiality, God would pleaſe to ſpeak a word of power, another Fiat, even a voyce ſaying; Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and ariſe from the dead, and Chriſt will give thee light.

Let's now ſee how much this ſinne contributes to the breach of Natures Lawes, and how much condemned and rooted out by Heathens. Temperance and Sobriety, thoſe juſt Stewards are diſmantled of their Authority, whilſt this ſin with Schollars, ſhut the door againſt their Maſter when they rebell; it forces Nature to run the Gant-lope, which without violence would beſt provide for her ſelf, if ſhe could but ſpread her own table; Go to the Crib you that are given up to Ebriety, who cares for no more than what juſtly relieves the urgency of Nature: I am too much afraid that it may juſtly be ſaid of us, as it was once of Philoſophy; That it was taught at Athens, but practiſed in Sparta. Temperance and ſobriety is taught in England, but practiſed in Turkie; Alphonſus King of Aragon, alwayes tempered his wine with water, leaſt it ſhould flie above his underſtanding, and betray his reaſon. It was a Chriſtian reply of Alcamen to his frugal reprovers; ſaying, That Gods bleſſings ſhould prompt us to live up unto reaſon, and moderation, not of uſt, by turning Gods mercies to a wanton liberty of exceſſe: The wicked man, ſayes Plutarch, liveth to eat and drink, but the good man, eateth and drinketh to live: And Saluſt ſaid, Nothing can be more abject and hurtful than to be a ſlave to thy mouth and belly: Gorgius being demanded how he came to live in health, to ſo great an Age; Anſwered, By forbearing to eat or drink through pleaſure.

There is a breach of this temperance, A power to drink to a greater exceſſe in meaſure, and abuſe of Gods creatures, than many a weaker conſtitution can endure, without being drunk with the fourth part of other's riot: to drown and force Nature beyond her due proportion, is a drunkenneſſe before God, though thou beeſt never overtaken with the power of it to the ſight of the Law. If a Heathen could ſay, It becomes not a King to extinguiſh that by exceſſe of drink, which ſuports the name of an Emperour: How much ought a Chriſtian to value his profeſſion at a higher rate? How ſweet and comely a thing is it for men to live ſoberly, wiſely, and temperately, by mixing our enjoyments with an equal proportion and meaſure of ſobriety? The oppoſite was that which ſtained the glory of Great Alexander.

The Lawes of Heathens and former Nations, condemn our impunity and cheapneſſe of this ſin: we do as it were ſell drunkenneſſe; for where forfeitures bite not above the pleaſure of it, men will be content to pay for it.

The Ancient Romans baniſhed all Epicures out of their Cities, accounting them the plagues of youth. Romulus made a Law to puniſh drunkenneſſe in women with death. Minos King of Creet, ſuffered none to drink one to another unto drunkenneſſe, without the cenſure of the Law. Severer Lawes are not in the World againſt this ſin, than in Turkie; A ſtory whereof I remember of one, that at a Feſtival time, had been too liberal with his cups,Turkiſh Hiſt. and being carried before the Grand Vizier, had lead poured into his mouth and eares, and ſo died: not that one act needed ſuch ſeverity, ſo much as to ſuppreſſe the growth and progreſſe of ſin: The Law rather intends Reformation than Puniſhment, if the one might be without the other; for Lex non Iraſcitur.

Let's ſee the ſpiritual evils of this ſin; A Drunkard wounds his own ſoul, his heart is like mare mortuum, where no grace can live, he drowns the voice of Nature, and Conſcience, the two great lights which God ſets up in every man; He ſells himſelf with Ahab, to work wickedneſſe: Tell him of God, he replies as the Cyclops in the Tragedy to Ʋlyſſes; I know no other God but my belly: Or like that Monk mentioned, who upon the news that all Abbies were voted down, and yet his maintenance continued for life, ſtroaked his belly with theſe words, Modo hic, ſit bene; his care was paſt, ſo long as his camp was victualled: with Solomons fool, Come let's drinks, for to morrow we ſhall die; but Remember, Poſt mortem nulla voluptas.

Is it not a ſad thing, to ſee men drown body and ſoul together? men may play with their eternal eſtates, and dance about the flames, and never ſee their danger till irrecoverable. How many like Amnon, die drunk, carry their own condemnation with them;Wilſon. K. Ja. That as Sir Gerviſe Elloway ſaid; His own hand which he took ſuch a pride in, appeared to his condemnation, when nothing elſe could have wrought it: and ſuch judgements are heavy, ſeeming as if the execution were alike intended againſt the ſoul, as well as the body; They ſpend their dayes in Mirth, and ſuddenly they go down to Hell, Job 31.13.

What art thou guilty of that occaſions this ſin? which is accompanied with ſo great tokens of Gods ſore diſpleaſure? thou that in company forceſt down drink, or takeſt pleaſure in thy ſad profit, by ſuffering them in thy houſe: read the Prophet, Wo to him that giveth his neighbour drink, that putteth the bottle to him, and maketh him drunken alſo.

It ſwells greater yet, as its the fountain of other ſins; As Nero wiſhed the people of Rome had but one neck, that with one ſtroke, he might cut it off: ſo the Devil, makes up all his compounds of this one ſin; this he makes the onely rode to the breach of all Gods Commandments at once: as one well ſaid; Prove a man ungrateful, and he is every thing that is evil: So let a man be a Drunkard, and Ile ſecure, he ſhall not ſtick at the vileſt Murther, Rape, or whatever miſchief come in his way. This ſin is without a guard, and though it be the King of other ſins, yet it hath not ſo much as a life-guard: for ſome kill their deareſt friend, who when ſober, account him according to that wiſe ſtandard of Solomons, friendſhip; better than a Brother: others their Father, Siſter, and the Wife of their boſom. Cyrillus was ſlaine by his drunken ſon, who not content with his Fathers blood, ſends his Mother with child to another world, in a bloody winding-ſheet; wounds one of his Siſters, and deflowers another. Uncleanneſſe eſcapes not this beaſtly ſin, any more than Murder, an example whereof is recorded of one, that tempted to Adultery, Murder, or Drunkenneſſe, choſe the laſt, as the leaſt, but proved the greateſt; it was all of them: for now drunk, he commits Adultery with one, whoſe Husband at the ſame time coming in, he murders: the ſin of uncleanneſſe is the channel wherein Drunkenneſſe runneth: Nunquam ego ebrium caſtum putabo, ſayes one: I will never believe that chaſtity lodgeth in the Drunkards bed: As its ſaid of Pumming-ſtones amongſt the Mediterranean Iſlands, that they are produced of the ſcum of thoſe Seas; ſo I may ſay of uncleanneſſe, that it is the froth of drunkenneſſe. Wine is to moſt men the milk of Venus; he can never have a pure ſoul in a chaſt body, that ſucks at theſe breaſts, that frequents the ſociety of this Baude of luſt. It is the furnace of luſt, the forge on which the devil frames all other ſins upon.

As in Nature all things ſpring from the Root, ſo all ſins are incorporated into this one of drunkenneſſe; As our natures contain the ſeeds of all impiety, and there lie for mintage: ſo when once a man is drunk, he is ready to coine any miſchief, and ſet the devils ſtampe on every action. I pray God keep every man from this ſin.

The outward evils are not few thy Eſtate, Family, Relations, ſmart for thy drunken exceſſe; and when thou art under the extremity, what thinkeſt thou is the greateſt ſmart, but to conſider, that thy diſtraction is of thy ſelf? If a ſeverer judgement prevent not, this miſery of want and need n old age, will be the inſeparable ghoſt of this ſin.

A Drunkard makes himſelf the living tomb of his Anceſtors, travelling from luxury to neceſſity, never till now writes an omnia vanit as upon his extravagancies. This ſin, ſayes one, is like gun-powder, which blowes up many a faire fortune. And, no doubt, that which cuts ſore, is, To conſider, not onely my own miſery and poverty, but that my poor and innocent relations, ſhould come to miſery, thorough the road of my ſin; that thorough want, they ſhould be put upon ſuch rocks of ſin and temptation, as poſt them out of the World with lamentation and woes, againſt ſuch courſes, the guilt whereof lyeth at my door. This is the vinegar, and gall.

The next evil is, the miſerable eſtate of their bodies; ſome mens ſins run before to judgement, and ſome come after: This ſin, I think, is foremoſt in every thing; for whereas God ſayes, I will deſtroy both the meat, and the belly; he cries, No, no, I will not ſtay ſo long, Ile deſtroy my ſelf by Rhumes, Dropſies, Gouts, Inflammations, Apoplexies; who ſees no complexions altered, countenanc changed? how many deſtroyed by violent death? infinite numbers drowned, ſome broken in pieces by falling into pits, fall off horſe-back dead fareing with them as it is ſaid of tha Pope whom the Devill carried away with him in the very act of Adultery Intemperance is a root proper to every diſeaſe; ſayes Plato: and ſickneſſe is the chaſtiſement of Intemperance. Seneca Who hath woe? Who hath ſorrow who hath contention? who wound without cure?Prov. 23.29. thoſe that ſtay long a the wine, ſaith the Royall Phyloſopher. He is next a ſhame to his relations, his ſervants ſcorn and ſlight him ſo cheaply doth he part with his honour, and authority, that his groom i his Maſter; Is any thing in the world ſo much the ſubject of folly and laughter, to the meaneſt perſons, even to the boyes in the ſtreet? As once at a meeting, R. Junius. a company of perſons having a tempeſt in their heads, by reaſon of a Sea o drink, verily thought the houſe a Pinnace at Sea, and the ſtorm ſo vehement, that they unladed the veſſel, throwing all they could get hold of, out of the windowes, inſtead of over-board, cal •• ng the Conſtable Neptune; ſome got under the Tables, as under the Hatches, Another holds a great pot for the Maſt, hinking that that which once threw him down, might now hold him up; all of them crying out, what pitty it was o many brave Gentleman ſhould be •• ſt, and founderd at Sea! that could not find the way home by land; not uch unlike a Gentleman of no mean rts, attending a funerall in the hurch, pulled out his keyes, and hockt at the pue door, calling of the •• awer for a reckoning: or him that ught his horſe in every Inne, when he me on foot to the Town. The moſt remarkable ſtory I find recorded, is of one hom the Duke of Burgundy found dead unk, and carried to the Pallace; diſ •• bed of his own apparell, and equiped the Court mode; as ſoon as he a aked, the Dukes attendants wait upon •• m, perſwade him he is ſome great ince: They ſerve up dinner with e ſame ſtate as to the Duke himſelf, t a word ſpoke, all in ſilence, to the eat aſtoniſhment of the poor man, and ſmall recreation of the Duke and dies: after ſupper they began to revell it in his preſence, the muſick play and dances begin, with a great ſhew much ſplendor, according to the cuſto of the Court; which done, they fill b belly as full of drink, as his head w empty of wit and reaſon, ſo convey him to the place where he was foun putting on his own apparell; The m when recovered, when inveſted wi reaſon, made better ſport with his ow imagination; the jeſt being all the ear eſt of his confuſed conceptions, w now had his underſtanding as farre ſeek in purſuit of his own information as when he was drunk; hardly believin but that now he was drunk, if thought it any thing above a pleaſa •• and delightful dream; this he reſolve that a viſion he had ſeen, and could n by any means be diſſwaded from i Thus are the ſences beſotted, the m mory that Noble Recorder loſt, an reaſon it ſelfe more ſtupified, then any capacity to uſe it. This is the evi •• of it, that let him do the greateſt evil he remembers it not.

He knowes not what a ſecret i though it concern his own life or ſtate; and this is the reaſon that i ſome Courts they tempt Embaſſado to ebriety, knowing that he will then be as leaky at the mouth, as an old ſhip at Sea; all he knowes, comes up with as much eaſe, as his drink went down; It is juſt with a Drunkard, as it is ſaid of a Spaniard, and a Frenchman; That all the drugges in Egypt, is not able to purge a ſecret out of the former, which is a ſickneſſe and puniſhment for the latter to retain.

I could have ſaid much more of the evill effects of this ſin, but I affect brevity, though I fear to be tedious. We ſee it is a wofull, doleful ſinne; damnes the ſoul without repentance, deſtroyes Body, Eſtate, Reputation of a good name; In a word, undoes in this life, and that which is eternall. Me thinks I ſee the whole Nation reel under the depreſſion of this ſin, as in that though often cut, yet like quick hedges grow again; Hydra-like, increaſes by his wounds; but if once cut at the Root the Cedars as well as the Shrubs would fall to the ground; So long as the tall Okes ſtand to ſhelter the ſtorms of Authority from the Brambles; lets never expect a hopefull Reformation of this Abuſe. For as Gondamar ſaid at a Councel at Madrid, Never let's expect good from the Netherlands, ſo long as England feeds the Humours; let's begin at the cauſe, and the effects will follow; ſo I ſay if exhortations, threatenings, nor civility, will ſerve to find out common ingenuity from the great ones, let a handle be cut out of the Bowels of greatneſſe it ſelf, to lop of theſe exuberant branches of wickedneſſe, which hinder the buddings o vertue, and promote the worſt of vices; but becauſe I account my ſelf ſtrictly related to wiſh them well, give m leave to treat civilly with the Gentry.

And oh that I could perſwade ſom Gentlemen from this fooliſh ſordid and unmanly trade of Drinking! ſome few there are, and I hope but few, tha think it an honour to be drunk, ſwear and roar with debaucht company; Many there are in theſe Counties as wel as other, which bear the remarks of exemplary piety; perſons, who for their vertues, are the Honour of their country, whoſe converſations alone ſet a brand upon debauchedneſs; of ſuch I be the honour to honour them: but ſuch as are addicted to this ſin, I would diſtill better perſwaſions into their minds eſpecially to ſuch as in all points ſave this, are extreamely ingenuous; and ſuch as through their too much ingenuity cannot reſiſt temptations, I pity their eaſie natures, and wiſh their temperatures had been more ſteril and moroſe! Oh that I could reach the moſt inward part, and there plant the force of perſwaſion if it were but to a Moral and Philoſophical kind of life! that in the ſight of this debauched and beaſtly cuſtom of exceſſe, and riot, they might live like ſober and diſcreet men, rather glorying in their ſobriety like Chriſtians, than mpiety like beaſts. Mirth, chearfulneſſe, and ſobriety, may be nouriſhed without the fooliſh cuſtom of Drinking healths, on purpoſe to be drunk. As Lord Bacon in his Speech in Star-Chamber, upon the conſideration of hat cruelty acted againſt Sir Tho. verbury, by impriſonment ſaid; Its are in the Iſland of Brittain, its neither of our Country, nor Church; In ome and Italy there is a Religion for 〈◊〉 ; if it ſhould come amongſt us, it were tter living in a VVilderneſſe, than a court. May I not wiſh, that Drunken eſſe were a ſin rare in the Iſland of Britain? This, I ſay, Let other Nations have a Religion to be debauched and drunk, let it be to other Nations as their natures; but let England account it ſelf a Wilderneſſe o wild beaſts, when this ſin reigns: le us ſay, Its better to live amongſt Salvages, than ſuch beaſts as Adam never found, nor God never created.

This ſin formerly was practiſe onely by Tinkers, Beggars, &c. it wa a ſhame to a Gentleman to be drunk but alas! how many now glory i their ſhame, inſtead of being (b their moderation, knowledge, and ſobriety) a glory to their Country Would but ſhame attend this ſin, would ſoon be left, but this boaſtin of ſuch a dayes meeting, wipes off ſhame; ſo that men grow hardned their iniquity. He that tempts me paſſe the bounds of moderation, a ſobriety, does but civilly invite to a fever, or ſome ruinous diſtemp Ile Drink my own health, L. Bacon. ſayes a w man, D. Taylor. and pray for the Kings. Wh intollerable madneſſe ſayes a Learn •• Divine, hath ſeized upon great porti •• of mankind, that this folly ſhould poſſ •• the greateſt ſpirits, the wittieſt men! beſt company! the moſt ſenſible of the word Honour! the moſt jealous of looſing the ſhadow, but throw away the thing! Thou hadſt better give away thy eſtate, than ſay thy belly was the grave of thy Patrimony. Is it not a horrid thing, that a Wiſe, Learned, or Noble Perſon, ſhould loſe his honours, become an Apellative of ſcorn, a Scene of abuſes, a diſhonour to that party for which he with thers have ſuffered? That which I eplore, ſayes he, is, that moſt men pre er a cauſe before their life, and by one Drunken meeting, ſet it further backward in its hopes, and bleſſings, than a whole year of counſells and arms can epair.

Indeed the Nation would hardly luſh, if onely the ſcum and froth of t were tainted; but for this diſeaſe o fall upon the vitals, its a dye in rain, a ruine to honour without a emedy. I hope there are ſparkes of ngenuity yet remaining in ſome, as well as this ſin, which if once they take re, from the conſideration, either of hreatnings, judgements, reaſon, honour, eputation, or a good name, this de auchedneſſe would ſoon be blown nto the aire; and if once the Gentry left it, then it would become a ſhame indeed in the very Nation: But I fear the habit and cuſtom of this ſin, will force us at laſt to the ſordid practiſe of ſome Nations, where its not accounted friendly entertainment, if men be not drunk before they part; I wiſh it may not be found a practiſe in ſome Gentlemens houſes in this Nation!

Let me conclude with lamenting, and perſwading; Is it not a great pity, that men of the greateſt Honour, and expectations of the Nation for Gentility, Breeding, Learning, &c. ſhould ſuffer the ſhipwrack of every thing that can be called good! That ſuch ſhould be ſo ſadly ruined in this ſe of drunkenneſſe! which like a Hericane, ſpareth none, but ſuch as feel a leſſe puniſhment than ruine it ſelf. A one ſaid, he could willingly loſe half his learning, to redeem his health; ſo many may lament and wiſh half their knowledge and learning which once they had! May I perſwade you, let me tell you, its as much below Gentility, as a Gentleman is above other by birth, and that which ſhould diſtinguiſh him from other more peaſantly deportments. Can there be no medium in your mirth and chearfull repaſts, below this ſinne of Diſhonour, Beaſtly, and Debaucht behaviour? Let me beg you to hate it, and remember that nothing more ennobles a Gentlemans name, or blazons forth his Honour and Reputation, but ſtudying an Aptitude for his Countries ſervice, purchaſed not by drunkenneſſe, and beaſtlineſſe; but by Learning, Parts, Knowledge, Wiſdom, Sobriety, Temperance, Ʋrbanity, and all which, this ſin deſtroyes, if you eſcape with the ſhipwrack of a good conſcience: Let Solomons inſtruction be remembred; My ſon, be not among the wine bibbers, for the Drunkard and the Glutton ſhall come to poverty.

If perſwaſions built upon the prin iples of Reaſon, the ſad fruits of it, ame, diſhonour, &c. Gods threatning muſt nextly have place, which indeed are not ſmall, and yet will but ake way for his more ſevere diſpenſations in his Judgements.

Wo to the Drunkards of Ephraim; Eſay 28.1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 19. he Lord as a mighty and ſtrong one, which as a tempeſt of haile, and a detroying ſtorme, as a flood of mighty waters and overflowing, ſhall pull down the pride of the Drunkard; for with wine they have erred, and with ſtrong drink have gone out of the way: thy are ſwallowed up of wine; for all Tables are full of vomit, and filthineſſe: for which the overflowing ſcourge is threatned, as a juſt reward for ſo great a ſin; together with famine, which ſaith the Prophet in the laſt verſe, cometh forth from the Lord of Hoſts. Chap. 22.12, 13, 14. And again, the Lord calleth for weeping, howling, and lamentation, which ſhall come upon Gluttony and Drunkenneſſe; and the Lord of Hoſts, ſaith the Prophet, hath revealed it in mine eare, that this iniquity ſhall not be purged from you, Chap. 5.22. till y die.

In another place. VVo to them tha are mighty to drink wine, and men o ſtrength to mingle ſtrong drink; for the fire devoureth the ſtubble, and th flame conſumeth the chaff, ſo their root ſhall be rottenneſſe, and the bloſſom ſhall go as duſt; therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled, and hath ſmitten them and the Hills did tremble, and their carcaſes torn in the midſt of the ſtreets If theſe denunciations were deliberately weighed, how would the ver joynts of ſinners tremble, and ſmite one againſt another, as Beltſhazars, when he ſaw the hand-writing upon the wall. Hear the Prophet Joel. Joel 1.5. Awake ye Drunkards, and weep and howle all ye Drinkers of wine. God oft comes when we are aſleep, and many poor ſouls have never awakened from their Drunkenneſſe, till in Hell with Dives; this is a ſad awakening. Go to, weep and howl, ſayes St. James, ye have lived in pleaſure and wantonneſſe, and nouriſhed your hearts as in a day of ſlaughter.

If yet all will not warne, what muſt Gods appearances then be when he comes in terrour and wrath, by his viſible examples of judgement, which I have collected from Scripture, Hiſtory, and Modern experience.

Elah, King of Iſrael, was murdered by Zimri, in the midſt of his cups,1 King. 16.9, 10. as a judgement of God upon his exceſſe. Ammon, when his heart was merry with wine, was murdered by Abſoloms ſervants. Righteous Lot, 2 Sam 13.28. by this ſin commits inceſt with his own daughters; and as one well obſerves,Gen. 9.21. made a Sodom of his own Family.

The heavy curſe, that to this day lieth upon Noah's ſon, Cham's Poſterity, was through this ſin, whereby he diſcovered his own ſhame. Holofernes, having too much exceeded in wine, loſt both wit and head at once.

Alexanders ſorrow after his ſin, will tell us the ſad fruits of it; for ſeldom ſome or other of his dear friends eſcaped his fury when he was drunk.

Cleomena, King of Lacedemonia, at a time being drunk, was never ſober after; Peards. Theatre. but as a judgement of the Lord, he loſt his ſenſes for not having judgement to keep them. Another is as juſtly rewarded with the fruit of the vine, Anacreon, that grand engulpher of wine, was choaked with an empty grape.

The Earl of Aſpermont drained his eſtate ſo dry by his exceſſe in this ſin, as he juſtly died in miſery; for at a meeting, he drunk ſo deep, as he could never riſe again; for he died with it.

Non ut vivat fed ut bibat.The Emperour Bonoſius, through his cuſtom in this ſin, was ſaid, not to be born ſo much to live, as to drink. This was he that would force drink into Ambaſſadours, the better to pump up their ſecrets: He was ſhamefully hanged with this Epitaph. This is a Tun, and no man.

Zeno, Emperour of the Eaſt, became ſo hateful by his intemperance, that none could endure to ſee him; his wife Ariadne one day when he lay ſenſeleſſe (as he oft did) caſt him into a Tomb, and buried him alive, as a juſt reward of his drunkenneſſe.

Auguſt 18. 1629.Mr. Nealſon, Miniſter, his Letter to Mr. Taylor in Theatre of Gods Judgements. Tho. VVilſon labourer, a known Blaſphemer, and Curſer, by oathes, &c. was alſo given up to this beaſtly ſin of Drunkenneſſe; who through the juſtice of God, againſt both ſins, in an angry paſſion ſtab'd himſelf with his own knife, and ſo died in the midſt of many neighbours.

May 10. 1629. John Bone of Ely, Coachman to Mr. Balnum of Beenham, was a very vild Swearer, and Drunkard; who on a Sabbath day, in Sermon-time, being drunk, and not able to ſit in the Coach-box, fell under the horſes feet, and was troden to death. You Sabbath-breakers, and Swearers, hearken to this doleful example of Gods immediate hand.

Nov. 16. 1618. one Tho. Alred of Godmancheſter Butcher, being very prophane, and given to this ſin, was deſired by a neighbour to unpitch a load of hay, and being drunk, let his pitchfork fall, and ſtooping to reach it, ſtanding with the forks upwards, fell upon it, that it run into his body, and ſo fell down dead, as a warning to others.

July 16. 1628. One John Vintner of Godmancheſter, being a known drunkard, and given (eſpecially in his drink) to ſcoff at Religion and godly people, fell from the top of a Peare-tree, and broke his neck, and ſo died under the hand of juſtice: an example for all prophane drunkards, and ſcoffers of God and his people.

A Gentleman of good reputation, and demeanour, being not addicted to this ſin, was through temptation overtaken with this ſnare;Mr. Ward, his Wo to Drunkards. but lo, juſtice will be ſatisfied on ſome, to be an example and terrour to others; for riding home, his horſe threw him, and beat out his brains: He being void of reaſon, and ſo not capable of advice, would follow no way but his own, which led to deſtruction; for without fear or ſenſe, he ſpurred his horſe over all ſorts of croſſe and deſperate wayes, till he thus fell under the ſtroak of Divine wrath.

About the year 1630. nigh Maldon, five or ſix notorious Drunkards had plotted a meeting, and laid in beer for their prophane drinking healths: But (Divine Juſtice that can with his breath blaſt all our undertakings) did ſo juſtly give them up to exceſſe in this ſin and meeting, as they never met more, but all yielded up their ſpirits to the Juſtice of that God, whom they abuſed by his creatures.

A man coming home drunk, would needs ſwim in a Mill dam, which his ſervants and wife diſſwaded him from, becauſe he could not ſwim, and once got him out after he was in, but he gets in again, and by the juſt hand of God there periſhed. I was, ſays my Authour, at the houſe to enquire of the truth thereof, and found it too ſadly true. And one of Aliſham in Norfolk, a notorious drunkard, was drowned in a ſhallow brook, with his horſe ſtanding by him.

A Butcher in Haſlingfield, ſcoffing at the Preacher for his reproving of this ſin, was in the inſtant of his railing, choaked by ſomewhat that ſtuck in his throat, which could by no means be got up or down; but ſtrangled him. Oh the Divine Juſtice! how Righteous and Juſt is the Lord in all his wayes! how are his judgements paſt finding out!

At Tillingham in Eſſex, 3 young men meeting to drink, one fell down dead, and never roſe again; the other two eſcaped through mercy (by the gates of much ſickneſſe) that they might repent, and if not, to be the leſſe excuſable, if God followed them by the like ſeverity.

At Bungey in Norforlk, three drunken companions coming out of an Ale-houſ in a dark evening, ſwore they thought hell was not darker; but obſerve the end of Juſtice; one fell over a Bridge, and was drowned; the ſecond ſlain with a fall from his horſe: a third ſleeping by the River ſide, was found frozen to death.

At Hedly, a Bayliffe being drunk, got upon his Mare, ſaying, ſhe would carry him to the Devill; ſhe indeed caſts him off, and broke his neck. This Juſtice was the more remarkable, being upon the Lords day.

A company meeting in an Ale-houſe in Harwich at night, over againſt Mr. Ruſſels houſe, was once or twice deſired to depart and avoyd ſuch wickedneſſe; but they would not: he comes to the place himſelf, and apprehends one of them, and offering to carry him to priſon, he drawes his knife, and made his eſcape; But oh the Juſtice of the Lord! the ſtrange and wonderfull wayes of his Providence! this man was not heard of for three dayes, and at laſt was taken out of the Sea with his knife in his hand, juſtified by Mr. Ruſſell himſelf, who was the Mayor of the place.

At Tenby in Pembrokeſhire, A common and frequent Drunkard, in the midſt of this ſin, fell from a high Rock, and was broke in pieces; and four other inſtances, my Authour ſayes he could relate wallowing and tumbling in their drink, ſlain by Carts, &c. But being the common wayes of Gods Juſtice, he forbeares them in the midſt of ſo many extraordinary and remarkable paſſages of Gods Juſtice and power, and indeed innumerable might be ſuch inſtances, which the experience of every place prevents in this. A Glaſier in Chancery Lane London, having ſome ſparks of profeſſion, but falling from them, fell into this ſin; who being often reproved by his Chriſtian friends, and no better: God hardened his heart againſt them, and once being drunk, by the violence of vomiting, broke a vein, continued two dayes in extremity of Anguiſh and torment, not without great conflicts and diſtreſſe of mind, his conſcience being awakened, and God in much mercy breathing ſome comfort to his diſtreſſed ſoul, he yielded up his ſoul to God, as he had done his body to Sathan, atteſted by a kinſman of his own to my Authour. O that, if it had been Gods will, all examples of juſtice were accompanied with ſuch ſweetneſſe and mercy, as to give any hope of the ſafety of the ſoule, when the body in the act of ſin is deſtroyed.

A Knight given to this wicked ſin of Drunkenneſſe, did ſometimes order pailes of drink into the fields to make people drunk. On a time drinking with company, a certain woman comes in, and giveth him a Ring with this poſie; Drink and die; which he accepted of and wore; and in ſix dayes died through exceſſe of drink, juſtified by a Miniſter dwelling within a mile of the place.

Two children my Authour ſayes, he hath known to murther their Mother in drink; and another that attempted to kill his Father, of which being fruſtrated, he ſet fire of his barn, and afterward came to the Gallowes.

In Broad-ſtreet London, Many Gentlemen drinking healths to their ſole Lords on whom they depended, one wicked wretch takes up a Pottle pot of Sack, ſweares a deep oath, ſaying, will none drink a health to my Noble Lord and Maſter? and without any more words he begunne himſelfe, and drank up the pot full to the bottome, and ſuddenly fell as if dead, ſnorting, but not ſpeaking; he is layd by as one overcome, and covered with cloathes, till they drink as large a proportion, as their inſatiate appetites would take in; when done, expecting their friend ſhould riſe, they found him dead indeed. Oh ſad to go to Eternity ſwearing and drunk! who would not dread the Iſſue?

At Barnwell nigh Cambridge, a young man and a woman, with a hundred more in company, met at the ſign of the Plough, agreeing to drink off a Barrell of Beer, which they did; but will not examples of others warn us? then let's expect to be monuments to others; three of them died in twenty four houres, the fourth eſcaped with great ſickneſſe, and by the gates of death had life given him, witneſſed by a Juſtice of Peace of the County near by.

D.T. Taylor.Two ſervants of a Brewers in Ipſwich, whilſt I was Miniſter there, ſaid my Authour, drinking for a Rump of a Turky, in their drink they ſtrugled for it, and both fell into a ſcalding Caldron, the one died preſently, the other in Torment and Anguiſh pined away.

Mr. Beadles Diary.At a Tavern in Eſſex, a Conſtable was threatned by a drunken Serving-man, to be forced out of the houſe by his oathes and curſes, if he would not be gone, and in his drink purſuing one of his company to force him to drink off a pint of Sack, he fell down ſtairs, and immediately fell under the ſtroke of divine vengeance; oh! you ſwearers and curſers, remember theſe examples of God! let them be examples to you; will not the wrath of God revealed ſtand in our way, and encompaſſe us about with terrour and fear? Oh be not proud of your ſtrength, to devour and engroſſe the creatures of God to ſatisfy your luſts! It is recorded of a Noble-man coming to Ipſwich to viſit his Kinſman in that Univerſity, that demanded how he profited in his ſtudies, to whom they reply very well, and that amongſt one thouſand five hundred, he had the garland given him for the ableſt drinker. Gods Judgements will find us ſooner or later.

In Salisbury, Mr. Clerks Examples one in the midſt of his drink began a health to the devill, ſaying, if he would not pledge him, he would not believe there was either God or devill, his aſſociates being terrified at his words, with fear runne away; the Vintner hearing a hideous noyſe, and ſmelling, and unuſual and noyſom ſavour, ran up to the chamber, but his gueſt was gone, & the 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.

Mr. Young.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.

Mr. Stubs Anatomy of abuſesRemarkable 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!

Mr. Young.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: Ʋt 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.

Its 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 cup of poiſoned liquor, intreating to drink his Majeſties recovery: they had been ſo often uſed to this ſinful cuſtom, as it would have ſeemed ridiculous to refuſe it; but the Kings health coſt them all theirs, to the utter ruine of the Polonian Race. But this Juſtice of God upon Health-drinkers, ceaſes not in their deaths; but after alſo, for (to admiring of Juſtice) from theſe poiſoned bodies, ſuch infinite troopes and ſwarmes of Rats and Mice proceed, as purſued the King, Queen, and Family, from place to place, from land to ſea, and from ſea to the ſtrong Caſtle of Cracovia, where they were forced to flie, and nevertheleſſe al arts were uſed, all oppoſition made, by Guards and Garriſons, Water-works and Fire-works, yet were they eaten up, and deſtroyed by theſe Rats and Mice. The Lord I hope will awaken ſome to ſee the evil of ſin, by that o puniſhment.

Doctor Beards Theatre.At Keſgrave nigh Ipſwich, three Serving-men taking their leave, the woman of the houſe would needs perſwade them to drink wit, money, and her Ale out; but oh! that this wonderful example of Gods Judgement upon her, may warn all people, not to ſuffer, much leſſe to provoke, any to this ſin under their roofe; for this woman ſtands with Lots Wife, a Pillar and Statue of Gods wrath: ſhe no ſooner approaches with the pot in her hand, but was ſuddenly deprived of her ſpeech; her tongue (that ſmooth oratour of the Devil to perſwade to ſin and wickedneſſe) ſwells in her mouth, and without a word more died. Sir Anthony Felton Juſtice, and others, ſayes my Author, related it to me, as a thing they were eye-witneſſes of:

And within theſe few years, ſayes he, upon mine own knowledge, three being drunk nigh Huntington, were all undone and deſtroyed by a water, which paſſing, they were forced into the ſtream and drowned; leaving behind them the remarks of Gods Righteous Judgements.

On November 14. 1650. ſaith a Divine of this Nation, Mr. Trapp. a company of odious drunkards met at a houſe, and one coming home was drowned in a ſhallow ditch, his body not yet buried; concluding, oh! thoſe Ale-houſes the peſt of the Nation!

M. L.Another as ſad, from a Reverend Divine alſo, of the ſame County, who at my requeſt, gave it me under his hand, which he could have done many others of falling off Horſeback; into Rivers, &c. but I onely aime at ſuch as are moſt remarkable, knowing that the ſad experience of moſt places, gives intelligence ſufficient of ſuch examples, which indeed are ſad enough though the commonneſſe take away the ſenſe of them.

The example thus. About the year 1621. There dwelt in Houghton on the Spring, in the County of Durham, one Chriſtopher Hull, a Taylor who kept an Ale-houſe in the ſaid Town, and at Weſt Herrington in the ſame Pariſh, lived one Mr. Punſhon, a moſt infamous and notorious Drunkard, and every way moſt wretchedly prophane; He being a frequent haunter of Hulls houſe, did one day fall out with him, and coming out of the door ſaid, If ever I come within theſe doors, the Devil ſhall bring me in: ſome few dayes after, Punſhon, going up the ſtreet of Houghton, Hull ſtood at the door, and ſaid to him, Will you not come in? No, ſaid he, for I have ſworn the Devil, &c. Then ſaid Hull, I will be the Devil for this time; ſo taking Punſhon on his back, carried him in, where they drank one another drunk, and quareling, Hull ſtab'd Punſhon in the throat, who immediately died: Hull was cleared at Durham Aſſizes by the favour of his Clergy, but ſoon after died, and, as its reported, very penitent.

In the year 1624. a Blackſmith in Oxford, being a very frequent drunkard, after he had continued ſo ſome dayes together, did in a deſperate manner, cut his own throat, yet lived ſome dayes, during which time, ſome Schollars and others, came to viſit him; he often thruſt his hand into the wound, and pulling out handfuls of blood, did ſpread it before the company, crying out, See here Gentlemen the fruits of Drunkenneſſe. This was affirmed by a Gentleman of the County of Durham, who ſaw and heard it.

In the year 1649. James Fairburne, in the Town of Mellerſton, nigh the River Tweed, died in a moſt miſerable, and roaring condition, through exceſſe of drink.

On Eaſter Monday, 1656. One Tho. Foſter, Carrier of Carliſle, being drunk, rode out of Town, and had not rode above a quarter of a mile from the Town, but in the very High road, fell off his horſe, and in a water, not above a quarter of a yard deep, he miſerably periſhed.

In the year 1651. James Bouch of Cockermouth, being a moſt notorious Drunkard and Swearer, being drunk at Roſley Faire, did quarrel with two Troopers, who there killed him, as a judgement of God upon his former and preſent drunkenneſſe and ſwearing.

Robert Copeland, a Butcher in Carliſle, being a common Drunkard, and prophaner of Gods Name, by curſed oathes, being drunk, did in the year 1651. break his neck in a ſtable hard by the Caſtle.

1632. John Emerſton of Dalſton, in Cumberland, was a very notorious Drunkard for many years, and one time in an Ale-houſe, died ſuddenly with a cup of drink in his hand.

In the year 1656. One Mr. Herridge, who formerly was a Linnen-Draper in Colcheſter, now living in this place, being too often found in the ſin of drunkenneſſe, was at laſt overtaken with Juſtice; for coming on horſeback from Sunderland, full of drink, he fell off his horſe; and there died, without ſpeaking one word. God will be glorified in his Judgements, where mercy and patience will not perſwade and allure.

Anno 1654. One John Coultred of Orton Pariſh nigh Carliſle, coming drunk out of an Ale-houſe from Thursby, fell from his horſe, not far from the Ale-houſe, and died immediately.

1650. VVilliam Howe, who kept an Ale-houſe in Carliſle, one time was drunk with two of his gueſts that were borderers, and going to convey them over the bridge, did all three fall into the River Caud; the two gueſts were drowned, Howe eſcaped by means of ſome buſhes, and was taken up alive: which may be as a warning to ſuch as keep drink, to beware of other mens blood; I would be loath to be ſo guilty, though I might eſcape with my life: its a ſad thing to be a means of any mans outward ruine, but to have a hand in mens dying in their ſins, its much more to be accounted for.

Theſe are ſad examples of Gods Severity and Juſtice, Who can ſtand before a conſuming fire? when once his anger is but a little kindled, bleſſed are all they that truſt in him. Our Judges find in their Circuit, few that are arraigned, which are not brought to it by this ſin, like ſlaves to the Judgement-ſeat; and are ſent quick, from their ſins to judgement, forcing charity it ſelf to cenſure their eternal eſtates; the eccho of whoſe ſins, reſounds in their puniſhments with vengeance from heaven.

Were I to preſcribe prophilacticks, I would intreat thee to bleſſe thy ſelf from this ſin: none knows whither the wind of a diſtempered brain will hurry thee, or whither this ſpirit of Bacchus will drive thee: if once thou put thy foot into the ſtirrup to mount his ſaddle, when thou art up, thou muſt needs run when the Devil drives thee. Play not with healths; if thou loveſt thy own, drink not other mens: flie evil ſociety; they are the Devils Trapanners: be afraid with the Fuller in the Fable, who for fear of infection, durſt not entertain the Collier, leſt he ſhould make that black, which he made white. Be in this like the River Danube, that will not mixe it ſelf with the muddy ſtreams of Sava. Evil fruit grows in bad company; they have no Autumn: wickedneſſe withers not; the miſchiefs attending them are like the Spaniſh Indies, which the Ambaſſadour told the Venetian, had no bottom.

Epheſ. 5.16. Be not drunk with wine wherein is exceſſe.

OF BLASPHEMING THE NAME of GOD, By Curſed OATHES. With the Judgements of God upon ƲRSERS & SWEARERS.

OF BLASPHEMING THE NAME of GOD, By Curſed OATHES: With the Judgements of God upon CƲRSERS & SWEARERS.

THis curſed and crying ſin of taking the Lords Name in vain by wicked Oathes, hath like the River Nile, ſo overflowed the banks of Authority, that many who ſhould reſtrain the fury and rage of ſo horrid an Impiety, are too ſadly guilty of it. This ſin, to the ſad experience of this Nation, doth ſwarm in all corners of it; A man can hardly negotiate in the World, unleſſe he reſolve it no ſin to hear the holy Name of God, that God that made us, blaſphemed by all ſorts of people; Amongſt poor people its common, and for Gentlemen its ſadly accounted Generous and Valorous.

That it is a ſin againſt God, I hope ſo few doubt it, as I may be ſpared to prove it; the moſt forcible argument againſt it, lieth open in the poſſitive Command of God Almighty, which made Heaven and Earth.

Thou ſhalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; and the reaſon is a terrible one, by way of threatning; For the Lord will not hold him guiltleſſe: Which Commandment is ſeconded by Chriſt in his Sermon upon the Mount; Swear not at all, neither by heaven nor earth, Math. 5.34. but let your yea be yea, and your nay nay.

The aggravations of this ſin are great, if parallel'd with the little reaſon for it, or profit by it: It muſt needs be a horrid ſin that can propound nothing as the object, but God himſelf: we may in this ſin confeſſe with David, Againſt thee onely have I ſinned, and done wickedly. All the creatures he hath made bow to him, and to the remembrance of him: Shall that mouth that ſucks breath from God that made and daily preſerveth thee, breath out oathes and curſes againſt him? Oh impiety in the greateſt dimenſions! wickedneſſe with an Emphaſis! Would not ſuch ingratitude look odious in vulgar friendſhip? to ſit at thy friends Table, and there receive daily food at his care and coſt for thee, and for thee to make him the ſubject of thy malice and rage, and that to manifeſt it againſt his good name; Is not this ſay, monſtrous ingratitude? would not this ſwell provocation to the greateſt latitude of revenge? Is not the Lords Name as the Apple of his e? A thing he is jealous of:Prov. 6.34. If alouſie be the rage of a man, which he ill not ſpare in the day of venge •• ce, nor wil regard any ranſom; What nſt thou expect from the Eternal od, with whom is terrible Majeſty?

It muſt be preſumed, thou knoweſt to be a ſin; How inexcuſable then ſt it be unto thee, whoſe conſci •• ce is convinced thereof? It is a therefore with the full conſent of will, and for want of due care over thy heart and lips. Oh man, what is it can provoke thee, unleſſe the height of a Reprobate mind by blaſpheming the bleſſed Name of God! How canſt thou expect that blood to expiate thy ſins, and to waſh away thy iniquities, that hath ſo often ſpit his blood and wounds out of thy mouth? I think I ſhould not be guilty of over-raſh cenſure, if I ſay to ſuch as are given up to this horrid impiety; that its but as an earneſt of that curſed condition in torment, and that the Devil teaches thee in this world, that thou mayeſt be the more ready to blaſpheme God in the world to come; elſe what can be the meaning of mens giving up themſelves to this wickedneſſe? Conſidering

The little profit got by it, A fa advantage God knowes! no more than to rob out of ſport, not need and be puniſhed for it. What profit have you of thoſe things wherein one day you ſhall be aſhamed? Is it becauſe God forbids, that we will ſwear like that man of Venice, who for nine years, never ſtept out of the City, b when on occaſion he was commanded upon forfeiture of his life not to ſti then he was ſeen abroad: Much like that of the Apoſtle, Sin took occaſion by the Commandment. How canſt thou call on the Name of that God in the time of calamity and diſtreſſe, which thou haſt ſo often curſed and blaſphemed? He that will mention the Name of God, muſt depart from iniquity. Shall I, ſaith Polycarpus, that have ſerved God to ſuch an old age, prophane his ſacred and bleſſed name, that ſo lovingly hath preſerved my life unto this day? And being urged by the Proconſul to ſave his life, onely replyed, Know I am a Chriſtian. It is indeed a ſin that makes men leſſe believed. A Heathen could ſay, He was unwiſe that put truſt in the words of a common ſwearer. And another Philoſopher ſayes, Virtue is never in that heart, which breaths out curſes and oathes. He is accounted by all ſober men, to be a prophane, wicked, and ungodly man, and its the greateſt height of prophanneſſe that can be; Its the onely ſin and practiſe of devils in hell, to curſe, ſwear, and blaſpheme God. The godly have this Character given them, That they fear an oath; but the wicked are not afraid of a world of oathes. The common excuſe of this ſin is the cuſtom of it, which is ſo ſlender, that it ſtrengthens it, and indeed aggravates it; for cuſtom in ſin by degrees hardens the heart from the fear of God.

This ſin indeed is hatcht in the bowels of paſſion, which boiling to a height, vomiteth up all the corrupt filth and ſcum of the ſoul, caſting it in the face of God. Beware therefore of paſſion, which through the depravedneſſe of our natures make us like mad dogs, that run at every thing in their way, they bark at the Moon: To ſee a man rage againſt God becauſe his neighbour hurteth him, is a perfect madneſſe in reaſon. Strive againſt the cuſtom of this ſin, thou wilt loſe thy ſenſes elſe, and the ſenſe of it, which is the height of ſin; Its Gods giving up a ſoul to ſin, when it loſes the ſenſe that it is a ſin. Beware of little ones, they are the ſpawn of greater, Faith and Troth, are the livery of Gods Wounds and Blood, and God damn thee. We damn our ſouls by this ſin at a low rate, if we conſider the little, either pleaſure or profit of it.

Avoid evil ſociety, curſers, and ſwearers, are not to be aſſociated with, leſt partaking of their ſin, thou taſte of their puniſhment. If a Maſter of a Family; or School-Maſter; deſtroy it there, nip it in the bud, and reſolve with David, that none ſuch ſhall be under thy roof. I conclude with Pſal. 25. Let them be confounded that ſin without a cauſe.

If reaſon prevail not, remember the penalties of the Lawes, which though ſevere at this day, yet ſhort both in the greatneſſe and execution of former times. Philip King of France, made a Law; That whoſoever blaſphemouſly ſwore ſhould be drowned: And Max. the Emperour; That every vain ſwearer ſhould pay 13 ſhillings 4 pence, or if he refuſed, to be executed. In Hen. the fifth's time, A Law was made againſt prophane and vaine ſwearing; The forfeiture for a Duke 40 ſhillings, a Barron 20 ſhillings, a Knight or Eſquire 10 ſhilling, a Yeoman 3 ſhillings 4 pence, and a ſervant, to be whipt; and this Law was ſo well executed, that all the Nation over, very few were heard to ſwear an oath. Theſe were times of leſſe light, than we pretend unto, yet a ſpirit of Reformation for God, was much more above our Age we live in.

If ſtill we will not forbear, ſee Gods threatnings againſt this ſin. In the Law ſtoning to death was the loweſt puniſhment:Levit. 24.14. Bring him forth, that all the people may ſtone him.

In that black and forlorne band of ſinners,Hoſea 2.4. the Swearer leads the Van, which together with other ſins, maketh blood to touch blood, and the land to mourn. In Zachariah 5.3. The thief and the ſwearer are linked together, againſt whom the flying Roll, with the curſe of God is threatned to the conſumeing of their Houſe, Timber, Poſts, and Stones. As he clothed himſelf with curſing, Pſal. 109.13. ſaith the Pſalmiſt; So let it come into his bowels like water, and like oyle into his bones. There is nothing more uſual and certain, then for the arrows of this curſed Quiver, to reverberate and fly back upon a mans own face. God will be a ſwift witneſſe againſt ſuch as diſhonour his holy name by profane ſwearing.Neh. 13, 2. Mal 3 4.

Now thoſe that will not be warned by the nature of this ſin, nor danger to ſoule and body, nor be diverted from it by Gods threatnings; let ſuch harken to his juſt Judgements in theſe following examples, which are not only as a cloud of witneſſes againſt profaneneſſe, hut alſo ſtand as a Pillar of Salt to warn thee from diſobedience, and wilfull running in a carreer, of ſin to thy eternal ruine.

Earl Goodwin having ſlain Alfred, wiſhed at the Kings Table, if it were ſo, that the bread he was eating might choak him, which God in Juſtice ſuffered, ere he ſtirred.

A Fiſherman (known to the Authour) coming with a Boat of Mackarell to a Town in Suffolke, Mr. Beadles Diary and being the firſt that came that year, the people preſſed hard to be firſt ſerved; one ſteps into his Boat, he preſently taketh up a ſtone, ſwearing by God he would make them ſtand farther off; which was no ſooner ſaid, but he fell down and died preſently: How many have I heard ſwear by God as commonly as ſpeak? Oh take heed of Gods judgement! conſider what a mercy it is to thy ſoul, that thou art not thus judged.

A Gentleman in Edward the ſixths time riding with other Gentlemen,Mr. Ridſley Serm. being reproved for ſwearing, opened his mouth wider, and raged worſe and worſe; Mr, Haines Miniſter, tells him mildly the danger of it, and that at the great day an account muſt be rendred; he with Solomons fool refuſes inſtruction, bids him prepare, and take care for his own eſtate. Mr. H. replies, repent and amend, for death is as ſure as uncertain. But raging and roaring with curſed oathes, he ſayes; Gods wounds, take no care for me; and and coming to a Bridge, his horſe leapt over with him; who like an impenitent wretch ended his dayes. As he had lived, crying, Horſe, and man, and all to the Devill.

R. Junius.In Lincolnſhire, there lived a Servingman, who was ſo accuſtomed to ſweare, as at every ſmall occaſion he uſed Gods blood in his mouth, his friends mildly warne him from the evill of thoſe wayes, leſt vengeance follow at the heels of his impiety; but he takes no notice of friendly admonition, being viſited by the hand of God, his friends again adviſe him to repent of his wickedneſſe, but God intended not that affliction to have ſo ſanctifying a vertue in it, as to ſoften his obdurate heart; who by his accuſtomed oathes had forfeited the patience and long-ſuffering of God, and turned his mercy into fury; He grows worſe, and nigher to the chambers of death; and hearing the Bell toll for him, ſtarts up; and under the pains and violence of death, cryes, Gods wounds the Bell tolls for me, but he ſhall not have me yet. Suddenly the blood from his Noſe, Mouth, Wriſts, Knees, and all the joynts of his body flowes out in abundance, that he became a ſpectacle of Gods wrath, and died. O the dreadfulneſſe of Gods Judgements.

There was a man in Germany ſo much accuſtomed to uſe the Devill in his mouth; that if he did but ſtumble,Theatre of Gods Judgements. the devill was uppermoſt; he was often reprehended for it, to no purpoſe, except to make his ſin the leſſe excuſable; which he continuing in, coming to a Bridge, ſtumbled and fell down; ſaying, Hoyſt up with a hundred Devils, inſtantly the Devill appears, and carried him quite away, that he was never heard of after.

One who was given much to curſing & wearing, being on his death-bed, Mr. Bolton. moſt wickedly deſired thoſe that ſtood by, to help him with oathes: and to ſwear for him and himſelf, ſwearing ſo faſt, as one would think there was little need of any other then himſelf in the world, that could ſo quickly find out a way for to blaſpheme God, and damn his own ſoul.

Theatre of Gods Judgements.In the City of Savoy, There lived one, who after much exhortation and reproof, hardened his neek againſt all admonition; the plague breaking out light upon him, he with his family retires to a garden, the words of reproof by the mouth of Gods Miniſters follow him, that if poſſible the plague of his heart might not at the ſame inſtance, together with Gods outward hand, contribute to the eternal ruine of his ſoul, with that of his body, but all in vain; as good turn the courſe of the Sun, as his ſoul accuſtomed to ſin, at laſt ſwearing and curſing, with the Devill in his mouth, the Devill ſuddenly hurries him away into the ayre, in ſight of his wife and Kinſwoman, who ſaw the Devil flying with him over their heads; his cap fell off his head, and was found at Koſne, but himſelfe was never heard of to this day. The Magiſtrate at the noyſe of this exemplary piece of Gods juſt Judgement, repaires to the witneſſes of it, who teſtify, with a ſad relation; their woful experience, no leſſe horrid then true.

Three ſouldiers travelling through a wood in the Coutrey of Samurtia, Mr. Clerks examples. A tempeſt of thunder and lightening aroſe, one of them breaks into his uſual oathes, and in the inſtant of ſwearing, the violence of the wind (no doubt directed by God) throwes a tree upon him, whereof he preſently was cruſhed to pieces.

Another that was very much habituated to ſwear by Gods Armes, had his own arm hurt with a knife, and could find no remedy, but it feſtered daily, till it rotted and mouldred away gradually, and he through Anguiſh and Torment died,

And one Michael a Jewiſh Rabbin, as he was ſwearing by the Name of Jeſus, fell down and broke his neck.

A boy at Tubing in Germany, invented ſtrange and unuſual oathes, but God ſent a Canker, that eat out his tongue; theſe are ſignal tokens of Gods anger; they are ſo immediate from himſelf, that none can ſee leſſe then a wonderful hatred in God of them.

At Benevides, a village in Spain, a whirlwind aroſe; two young men being in a field, apprehending the approaching danger, fall down upon the ground, leſt the violence of it might carry them into the ayre; when it was paſt, the one ariſes in great amazement; the other being a very notorious curſer, and ſwearer, lyes dead; his bones ſo cruſht, that his joynts turned every way, his tongue rooted out, and could not be found.

In June 1649. A ſouldier at Warre, goeth with others to waſh in a ſhallow river, asked whether there was a deeper to ſwim in, and they anſwered there was one nigh hand, but dangerous, by reaſon it was a deep pit, who replies, God damne me, if it be as deep as hell I will in; he was no ſooner in, but ſunk to the bottom, and never roſe again; which, ſayes Mr. Clark, was atteſted by good witneſſes.

And God met with that ſwearer and curſer in France, a Citizen of Paris, whom Lewis 9. ordered to have his lips ſeared together with a hot Iron, ſaying; I would to God that with ſear ng my own lips, with a hot Iron, I could aniſh out of my Realm all abuſe of athes!

A ſouldier falling ſick in his jour ey through Marchia, in Almain, Theatre of Gods Judgements. ſtay d in his Inne; and when recovered, emanded of his Landlady the mony e gave her to ſecure for him, but con ulting with her husband; reſolved ot to confeſſe any; ſo denied it: the ontroverſie aroſe to a contention, till he Landlord interpoſed, and juſtifi d his wife, and thruſt him out of his ouſe; the ſouldier drawes, and ruſting at the door, the Landlord ries, theeves! the ſouldier is impri oned, and ready for Judgement: The ay of pronunciation of death, the devil •• ters into priſon, tells him, he is con emned, but if he will reſign up ſoul and •• dy to him, he would free him; he like a hriſtian, repells thoſe fiery darts ith a ſtrong denial; which the de •• ll ſeeing, perſwades him when called the Bar, to intreat the Judge to •• ant him the man in a blew cap to ead his cauſe, for he was, (and that was) innocent of the crime brought •• ainſt him. The poor ſouldier being arraigned, had this blew-cap't Attourney allowed him for his Advocate, who affirmed this poor man to be much abuſed, relating all the circumſtances of the money, with the place where it was laid, the Landlord denied all with an imprecation, wiſhing the devill might take him, if it were true! The devill looking for this advantage, took this poor man, and carried him up into the ayre; who was never more heard of: Oh that the Lord would open ſome mens eyes to ſee Gods mercy to them, that though they have often been guilty, yet God in mercy ſpared them! tremble at the juſtice of God, and let theſe warning be ſo to us.

A certain Prieſt in Ruthnerwall wiſhed if Luthers doctrine were true a thunderbolt might deſtroy him! a ter three dayes a Tempeſt, with lightning and thunder, ſo terrified him that he run to Church, and at his devotion was ſtruck down; who recovering, and led homewards, a flaſh o lightening burnt him to death, a black as hell it ſelf.

One in France, of ſome knowledge and profeſſion in Religion, in paſſion wiſht the Devill to take one of his children! the child immediately was poſſeſſed, and, though the prayers of the Church prevailed with God for the releaſe from this evill ſpirit, yet, dyed of it.

A man in anger, wiſhing his wife to the Devil! ſhe was forthwith poſſeſſed, and never recovered it.

A young Courtier at Mansfield, whoſe cuſtomary aſſeveration was, the Devill take me. The Devill when he was aſleep, took him indeed, and threw him out of a window, where though he was not ſlain, Luthers Colloquia. yet he learnt to curb that unruly member of the tongue, by eſcaping the danger of a ſeverer puniſhment.

At a Horſe-race, where divers Noble-men were preſent, ſome cries, the Devill take the laſt, which happened o be a Horſe that broke looſe, which the Devill carriad away, and was never ſeen more. Theſe examples may artle us, and not only to warn us, ut alſo as a Lanthorn of the Lord to direct our feet from theſe paths of ſin nd Ruine.Theatre of Gods Judgements.

At S. Gallus in Helvetia 1556. A man that made foul linnen clean, and coming out of a Tavern drunk, wiſhed the Devill to take him if ever he followed his Trade more! next day being ſober, he regards not his oaths, the devill appears to him in the likeneſſe of a tall man, and told him of his promiſe, preſently ſmiting him upon the ſhoulders, ſo that his feet and hands preſently were dryed up, and he trembling with horror; yet God gave the devill no farther power, that it might be an example both to himſelf and others.

Mr. Terry's Eaſt-India voyage.Relates of a Taylor, that whilſt the Fleet was engaged in fight with a Portugal Galleaſs, he cometh running out of the Cabbin with his Gooſe in his hand, ſwearing, he would never follow his Trade more, throwing the Gooſe into the Canon mouth; ſuddenly came a Bullet from the enemy, and ſhot him to pieces.

Theatre of Gods Judgements. Henry Earl of Schwartburg, by frequent and wicked wiſhes, was at laſt anſwered in his own coyn, for at every common occaſion, he deſired he might be drowned in a Privy, if ſuch a thing were not ſo or ſo! which God in Juſtice anſwered; for he died that filthy death.

A very remarkable ſtory is recorded of a woman in the Dutchy Megalopole, Theatre of hiſtor . at a village called Oſter, who gave her ſelfe to the devill by her frequent curſings, and wicked oathes; and at a wedding ſhe was publickly reproved, and dehorted from her ſins; but taking no warning, the Devill, when they were all merry, came in perſon, and with horrid cries and roarings, mounted her into the ayre, before the face of all the company, and hovering over the Town, the people that ſaw it were extremely perplexed with fear; ſhe is torn into four parts, which are let fall into as many high wayes; as directions to avoyd the road to hell. The Devill returns to the Feaſt, and before the Mayor, and all the company, threw her intralls upon the Table, ſaying. Behold theſe diſhes of meat belong to thee, whom the like deſtruction wayteth, if thou doſt not amend thy wicked life. This is teſtified by Mr. Herman Miniſter of Oſter; the Mayor and all the Town; who deſired it to e communicated to poſterity for an example, and land-mark to avoyd eternall deſtruction.

Theatr. Gods Judgements.A Gentleman of Gorlitz, having invited many friends to ſupper, who failed him; in a rage, wiſhed, That all the Devils in Hell would come: preſently his Table is furniſhed as well with gueſts as meat, whom he welcomed, but perceiving clawes inſtead of hands, it was not time to bid him be gone; his Wife follows him, leaving in the houſe onely a child and a fool, by the fire ſide, who through mercy were not hurt. We are by theſe, bid to beware of raſh imprecations to our ſelves or others.

Stow. Cron.Its freſh, the ſtory of Hacket o Oundle in Northamptonſhire, who (159 in the Raign of Queen Eliz. the 3 year) in his common diſcourſe uſe to ſay: If it be not true, then let a v ſible confuſion come upon me: and h had his deſire; for being delivered u of God to Sathan, he fell foul off many errours, that at laſt he arrive to the height, and called himſelf Chriſt: with himſelf he ſeduced to Gent. Coppinger, and Arthington, w believed all Hacket ſaid; and wh he bid them proclaim, That Chriſt u come with his fan in his hand, to Ju •• the Earth; they did, through 〈◊〉 City; and in Cheapſide, got upon two Carts, Crying Repent, repent! for Chriſt Jeſus is come to judge the VVorld; they affirmed alſo, that Hacket preſented Chriſt, by taking his Glorified body, &c. Hacket hereupon is apprehended, brought before the Lord Mayor of London, and at laſt, hanged on a Gibbet in Cheapſide, uttering to the laſt horrid blaſphemies againſt God. This was a viſible confuſion indeed.

Before Mr. Luther and others:Theatre of God, Judgements. A woman at VVeteburg, whoſe Daughter was poſſeſſed, did confeſſe; that ſhe in fury wiſhed the Devil to take her! who inſtantly poſſeſſed her, with an evil ſpirit, to their great terrour and fear.

John Peter, ſon to the cruel Keeper of New-gate London, Fox Acts. was a horrid ſwearer and curſer, uſually ſaying, If it be not ſo, I pray God I may rot ere I die? and ſo he did with great miſery.

In Miſina, Sep. 11. 1552.Theatre Hiſto. A child not quick enough to diſpatch his fathers will as he ought, provoked the fathers rage into this imprecation; That he might never ſtir from that place! its preſently granted, his ſon ſticks immoveable, for his body could not be moved or bent: Some godly people meet and pray for him, whereby his anguiſh is aſſwaged: yet he continued three years ſtanding with a poſt at his back; and four years he continued ſitting, and then ended his life; yet this was a mercy to him, For that he doubted not of the mercy of Jeſus Chriſt to ſave him: and being demanded how he did? frequently replyed: That he was there faſtened of God, and his mercy onely could releaſe him. Here was a living example of raſh oathes.

At Neoburg in Germany, a curſed mother, wiſhing ſhe might never ſee her ſon alive again, was anſwered; for the child was drowned the ſame day.

Theatr. of Gods Judgements.In Aſtorga, A woman curſed her ſon, wiſhing the Devils of Hell to take him from her preſence! with many horrible execrations: it being late at night, the child was afraid of her anger, retiring to a little court behind the houſe, to whom appeared men of grim aſpects, and large compoſures, who carried him into the aire with ſuch ſwiftneſſe, as was not poſſible to believe, and alighting amongeſt ſome buſhes, trailed him, to the great torturing of his body, and tearing of ſundry parts thereof. The boyes thoughts being better fixt than his mothers, craved aid of God, and ſo was delivered. The devils bringing him back through the aire, put him in at a little window in a chamber, and there he was found almoſt out of his wits, and ſadly tortured and mangled, in his face, hands, legs, &c.

That penitent Gentleman,Wilſon K. James. Sir Gerviſe Ellowis, being drawn in to be a partaker in the ſad death of that poor Gent. Sir Tho. Overbury, in the Tower; was at laſt brought as a ſufferer to Tower-Hill, acknowledging the juſt hand of God againſt his raſh and unpreſerved vow, which a great loſſe at Cards one time occaſioned; in the ſenſe whereof, clapping his hands upon his breaſt, he vowed ſeriouſly betwixt God and his own ſoul; That if ever he played again, he wiſhed he were hanged! and being upon the ladder, Now, ſayes he, God in Juſtice hath made me keep my imprecation, and paid my vow, by this juſt, though violent, death; and ſo wiſhed all to take warning by his ſad example!

Sin ſtigmatiſed.Mr. Young reports of Nichanor, who for his blaſphemous curſing and ſwearing, had his tongue cut out, and in ſmall pieces thrown to the fowls.

Sword againſt Swearers.A young Couple in love together, ſolemnize their private promiſes alone, the maid being rich, and the young man poor, ſhe to aſſure him of her love, promiſes that unlikeneſſe of fortunes ſhall not diſoblige her engagements, nor diſinherit her of that loyalty which ſhe hoped grace as well as good nature, had planted in her; which he, though before earneſtly fearful, that ſhe might be as changeable as others; did now nevertheleſſe content himſelf in the ſtrength of this aſſurance, and ſo at the giving their faith one to another, ſhe with many more imprecations tied her ſelf moſt ſtrongly with this, That the Devil would take her away that day ſhe married to another. She marries another, and on the Wedding-day two gueſts uninvited, come well mounted to the door, and dine with them, and were made welcome; after dinner, one of them complements the Bride, and borrows her hand to lead the Dance, and after a turn or two, lead a Dance which none could follow; for in preſence of all her friends, he carries her out of doors, and notwithſtanding her crying for help, ſhe is mounted into the aire, and with his companion and horſes, was never ſeen more. See the fruits of raſh vows, oathes, and imprecations, they are not to be ſlightly dealt withal; for God takes notice of our own deſires, when we never think of our words, how we muſt give an account of them.

Two prophane young men ſtriving who ſhould be moſt exquiſite in oathes,Dr. Williams true Church. were met with by Gods Judgement in Juſtice; for he that out-vied the other in ſwearing was immediately diſtracted.

Alſo he relateth of two young men, delighting themſelves in ſwearing; ſporting with oathes, as the flie with the flame, are overtaken with Gods Judgement, the one is ſtruck dumb, and never ſpake word more, the other was diſtracted: both of them ſtanding to the example of all young men, that do not remember their Creator in the dayes of their youth, unleſſe by blaſpheming and curſing it.

Mr. Nowel.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.

Theſe two I have from a reverend Divine of this County.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.The Relation from his Brothers own mouth now alive.

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, 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 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.1645. 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.

1627. 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, Mr. Burtons Tragedy, &c. 1634. one Troe of Gloce 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-day, The Lord that made heaven and earth, Mat. 12.8. 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, Exod. 20. 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,Exod. 16.23. & 31.15. & 35.3. 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, Ezech. 22.26. 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, Iſay 56.2. & 58.13. 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 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 armer in a Village called Little- 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 reſreve the blackneſſe of darkneſſe, which was occaſionally improved to diſcove the miſerable condition of the damned in hell, by reaſon of their ſeparation from God, called utter darkneſſe. Mat. 22.13. and 8.42 & 25.1

At the ending of the firſt Sermon this miſerable man accompanied others of his neighbours to the Al houſe for refreſhment: the time of r paire to the ſecond Sermon bein come, ſome of them moved him to return with them, to whom he replye that the Miniſter was preaching upo darkneſſe, and he would not hear hi 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; its 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, its 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: its 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, its 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; Its 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 its 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,Rom. 10, 14, 17. 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, Mr. Goodwin. Mr. Cawdry. 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,Jer. 17, 27. 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?Neh. 13.18. 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. Ezek. 22.26. & 31. 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.

Theatr of Hiſtory.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,

Theatre of Gods Judgements.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 it 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 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, Mr. Clarks examples. three men were playing at Dice on the Lords day, one called Ʋlrick 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, Rom. 11.33.

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, Theatre of Gods Judgements. 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 is hot and ſore diſpleaſure againſt 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,Luke 13.4 but to conſider of, and remember thoſe on whom the Tower of Shilo fell.

Mr. Clarks ExamplesAt 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 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 football 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, 1657. 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 its too late.

A Pious Divine: ſayes he, The Lord hath ſpoken ſo loud from heaven againſt Sabbath-ſinners, Mr. P. Goodwin. Dies dominicus redivivus. 117. 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 Churchyard, 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.

Mr, Clarks 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.

Dr. Twiſs on Sabb.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, Dr. Beards Theatre. 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, C. Tacitus, 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.

Joſephus.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.

Mr. Nelſon Miniſter, his letter to Mr. Taylor in Theatre of Judgements. 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, 1634. 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, 1634. 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.

1635.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.

July, 19. 1635.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.

July, 1654.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 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, 1634. 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.

July, 1634.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, Octoct. 1633. 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, 1634. betwixt Colcheſter & Harwich, upon Whitſunday laſt in the after-noon, two fellowes meeting at the Foot-ball, the one killed the other.

1634.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,

January 1634. 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, March, 1634. 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, June 1635 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, Feb. 9. 1634. 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.

April 18. 1635.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 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.

Mr. Weld.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, Mr. Clark. 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,2 King. 1. 2 King. 2: 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,Mr. Greenhill, on Ezekiel. immediately ſhe had her rongue 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.Pſal. 50.22 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 22 th 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.