A DIVINE TRAGEDY LATELY ACTED, Or A Collection of sundry memorable examples of God's judgements upon Sabbath-breakers, and other like Libertines, in their unlawful Sports, happening within the Realm of England, in the compass only of two years' last passed, since the Book was published, worthy to be known and considered of all men, especially such, who are guilty of the sin or Arch-patrons thereof.  Psal. 50. vers. 22. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you. Gregorius M. Moralium. lib. 36. c. 18. Deus, etsi quaedam longanimiter tolerat, quaedam tamen in hac vita flagellat, & hîc nonnunquam ferire inchoatur quos aeterna damnatione consumat. Tibullus Elegiarum. lib. 3. Eleg. 7-— Foelix quicunque dolore Alterius disces posse carere tuo. Concil. Paris. 2. lib. 3. c. 5. Salubriter admonemus cunctos fideles, ut diei Dominico debitum honorum & reverentiam exhibeant. Quoniam hujus dehonoratio, & à Religione Christiana valde abhorret, & suis violatoribus animarum perniciem proculdubio generat. Alex. Alensis ex Hieron. P. 3. Q. 32. M. 4. Art. 1. Resol. Quis dubitat Sceleratiùs esse commissum, quod graviùs est punitum? ut Num. 15. 35. ibid. 
Anno M. DC. XXXVI.   

TO THE READER.  
CHristian Reader, it is a true saying of that royal King Solomon Prov. 19 29. judgements are prepared for Scorners: that is, for such who contemn the precepts and admonitions of God, and his faithful Ministers. And as they are thus prepared, so are they oft times executed upon such, even in this present life: that God's power, truth, and justice might be manifested, and wicked men frighted from their evil courses: So the Psalmist: Psalm. 9 16. The Lord is known by the judgement that he executeth; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands: the reason is thus rendered by the Prophet Isay. c. 26. 9 For when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness; though never so indocible and refractory before. Neither doth God so inflict his judgements, 
* As he hath done on the 4. Commandment itself, and on these Infringers of it.  as to have them presently forgotten; but he stamps a Memento on them; having so done his marvellous works (as well of justice, as of mercy) that they ought to be had in remembrance. Psalm. 111. 4. Himself therefore hath vouchsafed to record (even in sacred writ) many notable examples of his avenging justice, both general, national, and personal, for all posterity to contemplate; prefacing some of them with a special Memorandum for our more serious consideration of them; with Luk. 17. 32. Remember Lot's wife: which judgements though executed many thousand years past, yet they remain still fresh upon record, as done but yesterday, even for this very end, that they might be examples unto us, not to last after evil things as they lusted, nor to trace the footsteps of their sinful ways, lest we should incur the self same exemplary punishments as they sustained. 1. Cor. 10. 5. to 12. And as God himself, so holy men of God in all ages, following his example, have carefully observed, and registered to posterity the special most remarkable judgements of God upon obstinate sins and sinners of all sorts, (with which not only ecclesiastical, but even profane Stories, are fully fraught) happened in the ages, and the places wherein they lived: Many whereof M r. john Fox in his Acts and monuments, near the end, M r Raynolds, in his Treatise concerning the miraculous discovery and punishments of murders and Murderers. Dr Thomas Peard in his Theatre of God's judgements, with sundry others, have collected and digested into entire Tractates, the very reading & serious perusal whereof, would no doubt daunt the most professed Atheist, & reclaim the most incorrigible sinner. I therefore desiring to tread in their pious footsteps, having received from good intelligence many memorable precedents of God's avenging justice upon Sabbath-breakers; & the profaners of Sacred times devouted to his service, happening within the compass of our little Island within two years' space, (since the publication of the Declaration for Sports and Pastimes after evening Prayer on the Lord's day, in Parish Churches by diverse (
a Nullam habet spem salutis ager quem ad intemperantiam Medicus hortatur: Sense.  Ministers) hath set open the floudgates to this presumptuous Sin of Sabbath-breaking; thought it a part of my bounden duty to preserve and propagate their memory both for the honour of God's truth and justice; the vindication of the entire sanctification of his sacred day, (which he hath visibly pleaded for from heaven, since men have been audaciously profane, as to plead, and I would I could not say to 
b See the doctrine of the Sabbath; The History of the Sabbath; the treatise of the Sabbath-day and discourse of the Sabbath lately printed: whichthough they condemn the very name of Sabbath, as jewish yet they are all characterised with that name and title.  write and preach against it upon earth) the clearing of those Minister's innocency, who now unjustly suffer through the malice of ungodly persecutors, and raging Prelates, for refusing to join with others in spurring on the people to the greedy pursuit of this crying dangerous Sin, to the ruin of their Souls, their bodies, and shame of our religion, and the monition of this present, and all future ages, to beware of this so dangerous a transgression. How God hath punished this very Sin in former ages, in such who have either by dancing, Sports, Pastimes, orunnecessary Labours and travels profaned his Sacred day, I mean not to record: he that listeth may read store of such examples registered to his hands in the Counsel of Paris, under Lewis and Lotharius anno 829. l. 1. c. 50. (which relates in general; That many present in this Council were eye-witnesses, and others of them had it by relation, that some men upon the Lord's day being about their husbandry, have been slain with thunder, some punished with the contraction of their joints and sins, some even with visible fire have had their bodies and bones burnt up in a moment, and suddenly resolved into ashes, and that many other terrible examples of like nature hath happened and did fall out daily: By WHICH IT WAS DECLARED, THAT GOD IS MUCH OFFENDED WITH THE DISHONOUR OF SO GKEAT A DAI;) Petrus Plessensis in Litania major Sermo 20. In Matthew Paris, Historia Major Anno 1200. p. 194. in Roger Hovenden Anno 1200. p. 822. In Matthew Westminster. Flores Historiarum: Anno 1200. In Vincentius Beluacensis, Speculum Morale l. 3. pr. 9 Distinctio 9 ofdances, In the flower of the Commandments, printed in the beginning of K. Hen. 8. fol. 159. to 163. In Henricus Gran. Distinct. 9 Exemp. 51. in the Magdeburge Centuries Centurie. 12. c. 6. In Dr. bind his doctrine of the Sabbath Edition. 2. p. 252. to 263. the first book: in Mr john Feild his declaration of God's judgements at Paris garden: in Mr Philip Stubs his Anatomy of abuses. p. 185. in the Practice of Piety: 429. to 434. and Dr. Beard his Theatre of God's judgements. All which have registered sundry notable judgements of God upon sundry Sabbath-breakers (which have presumed to dance, work, or travel, on the Lords holy day) of purpose to show the danger of profaning holy times, and to deter men from this common sin, for which so many have smarted from heaven in an exemplary manner. I shall therefore confine myself only to such domestic examples, as have fallen out in sundry corners of this our Realm within these two years, of purpose to refute the 
* 2. Pet. 2. v. 16.  madness of those Prophets, who in the Press and Pulpit; and the profanes of those people, who in their dauncing-greenes, and maypole arbours, have been so audacious, as to affirm, the Profanation of the Lords day by May-games, Dances, Maypoles, Wakes, and common Labour out of time of divine Service, (especially after evening Prayer) to be no sin at all against the 4. Commandment, or any other Law of God or man; but 
c See the History, Treatise, Discourse, & Doctrine of the Sabbath accordingly, and sunday no Sabbath.  necessary and commendable point of true Christian Liberty (they should have said of carnal and heathenish licentiousness rather) from which the people must not be debarred; But let these blind guides, and libertines learn from these examples, to correct this their erroneous judgement, and practise; for fear the Lord make them the next examples in this kind, to teach others to keep his Sabbaths better, and more entirely for the future. And if these tragical spectacles of divine justice will not persuade them, that such profaning of the Lords most Sacred day, is a Sin, yea and a crying Sin too, as all our writers, (yea and our Prelates generally, till now of late have unanimously defined, and the whole State in Parliament in 
d 1. Car. c. 1. 3. Car. c. 1  two late famous Statutes and 
e 1. 27. H. 6. 5. 5. & 6. E. 6. c. 3.  two more ancient Acts, to omit our 
f Of the Time and Place of Prayer. part. 1. Of Disobedience and unlawful Rebellion. part, 3. p. 293. 293.  Homilies 
g The Prayer after the 4. and 10. Commandment.  Common Prayer book, 
h Canon. 13. 163.  Canons, 
i Article 35 of Ireland. 56  Articles, and 
k Queen Elis▪ Injunct: 20.  Injunctions, which conclude the same) I say have adjudged such a presumptuous transgression, as will draw down God's vengeance on men's heads; Our late Sovereign K. james of happy memory and our present gracious Sovereign Lord R. Charles with all the Prelates, Clergy and people of the Realm in the first years of both their Reigns, in the several Books of Common Prayer, and order for the public fasts set out by their royal authorities, and the Bishop's advice, with the Consent and hearty desire of the whole Realm for the abating aversion, and ceasing of those dreadful eating Plagues which then swallowed up many thousands of people every week will inform them; That among other sins, The profaning OF THE SABBATH (So King james his Book styles the sunday) and not keeping holy the Lord's day, was one chief cause why those two great terrible Plagues (and why not also this great Plague which is now begun and spread much abroad) broke in upon us; to the destruction not of some few Particular persons, but of many thousands, and the punishment of the whole Realm, and Nation in general. And because some of these men plead most falsely, that the chiefest writers of the reformed Churches are of their opinion, 
l Homil. 162. in Matth. fol. 308. Hom. 28. in Mar. f. 35. Hom. 56. in Lu. f. 141. Hom. 36. in joan. f. 77. Hom. 88 in Act.  Mr. Rodolphus Gualther, and 
m Comment. in Matth. 12. & 14. p. 376. 423. in joan. 7. f. 293.  Wolfgangus Musculus (men of principal note and learning among them) will both assure them, that the Lords day is not only WHOLLY, ONLY, AND ENTIRELY TO BE SPENT IN RELIGIOUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DUTIES OF GOD'S WORSHIP, AND THAT DANCING, SPORTS, AND PASTIMES, ON IT, ARE SINFUL, AND EXECRABLE; (the constant judgement of all foreign Protestant divines whatsoever, as I am able to prove; what ever 
n History of the Sabbath. part. 2. c. 6. Inst. 9 10.  Dr Helyn or 
o D. ●ooklinghton Sunday no Sabbath p. 8.  others have rashly averred to the contrary; But likewise further inform them; That God may justly revenge the great contempt of his Deity in profaning his Sacred day with dances and such like Revels and discorders, WITH HORRIBLE PUNISHMENTS, NEITHER IS IT TO BE DOUBTED (saith Mr Gualther) THAT THE PROFANATION OF THE LORDS DAY, IS NOT THE LEAST CAUSE OF THE EVILS AND CALAMITIES OF OUR AGE, Yea their own most illustrious Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (whom they almost deify when they do but name him:) is so far a Puritan in this particular, that he not only spends 
p Concio 6. 9 19 20. 21.  4. or 5. whole Sermons against dancing, mummeries, masks, and such like Bacchanals, (which he simply condemns at all times, but especially on sacred festivals and Lords days as most detestable profanations of them;) but likewise professeth; that the practice of them upon sacred times, was the occasion of all the public calamities and judgements which they suffered. But by these Dances, Mummeries, Bacchanels, and discorders (saith he) we pollute the holy days of the Lord: and yet nevertheless do we inquire the reasons why God doth punish us? why we are slain in our very houses? do not the Scriptures cry aloud, Sin maketh a people miserable: And there is no evil in the City, which the Lord hath not done. Therefore these our sins of profaning the holy days of the Lord with dances, revels and bacchanals, have procured us famine, and poverty, and pestilence, and sedition, and ALL PLAGVES AND SCOURGES. And verily (saith he) in another Sermon. I vehemently fear, that if we proceed to celebrate the Bacchanals with mummeries, and masks, and dances, as we do at other times, and to provoke God to wrath, with so many wicked Pastimes, our sin will be grown to the full at last, and the anger of the Lord be so far incensed, that he will utterly destroy us, as we see he hath destroyed many nations, for what I pray hath destroyed Grecia? But even that very thing which we do? They were men exceedingly given to drunkenesses, feasting and DANCING, (and that upon sacred times) as may be known, by the Orations of Basill, and Chrisostome. But what hath God done? because they were addicted to these things, and especially to DANCING, he hath imposed such a severe tyrant (to wit the Turk) upon their necks, that they now groan under the yoke, and are pressed with so heavy a burden, THAT THEY HAVE NEITHER TIME, NOR WILL TO DANCE OR CAPER. Thus Bellarmine to his great admirers shame and refutation. If then this sin of profaning the Lords day, by dancing, May-games, Alice, Pastimes, or unnecessary travel and labour, draw down God's Plagues and vengeance upon whole Kingdoms and Churches, as these authors, (together with Mr. john Feild, in his declaration of the judgement of God, at Paris Garden; and Humphrey robart's in his complaint for the Reformation of diverse vain, and wicked abused exercises, practised on the Sabbath day, which tend to the hindrance of the Gospel, and increase of many abominable vices: printed by Richard jones, London 1580. together with Mr. Philip Stubs, in his Anatomic of abuses, and Mr. john Nortbrooke in his Treatise where in dicing DANCING, vain plays and Interludes, with other idle Pastimes and exercises commonly used on the SABBATH DAY, are by the Word of God, and ancient writers reproved, printed for George Bishop▪ London: 1579.) most punctually testify: and the Practice of Piety dedicated to his Majesty, and 39 times printed by public authority resolves: no wonder if it hath lately caused God to unsheathe his sword of exemplary justice upon these particular persons, (that I speak not of the whole Kingdom in general now scourged with a fresh plague and lately a drought) whose tragical examples I here present unto your view, to deter all others from this Sinne. It is a true saying of Cyprian, Praebentur cunctis Exempla, cum fuerint quibusdam irrogata Supplicia. The Divine Punishments of a few are warnings to all: God grant that these may be so to us. He (saith the same Father) is over audacious, who strives to pass over there, where he hath seen another to have fallen; he is outrageously bead-stronge, who is not struck with fear, when he beholds another perish in that course; which he is running; he only is a lover of his own safety, who takes warning by the Deaths of others: and he alone is a prudent man, who is made wise by the Ruins of other men. God of his mercy vouchsafe that the exemplary deaths of these few here specified (and of thousands more in this time of mortality, occasioned by this Sin of Sabbath-breaking were as the former pests; Together with a Plague in Pope Pelagius the second his time An. Domin. 591. as Petrus Blessensis in his 20. Sermon de Litania majori, records:) may prove life to many; and the judgements on some, become remedies to cure all, who are sick of the selfsame Sinne.  
Amen.   

Examples of God's judgements UPON SABBATH-BREAKERS.  
THese Examples of God's judgements hereunder set down, have fallen out within the space of less than two years' last passed, even since the Declaration for sports (tolerated on the Lord's day) was published, and read by many Ministers in their congregations; for hereupon ill disposed people (being as dry fuel, to which fire being put, quickly flameth forth; or as waters, penned up and restrained being let loose, break forth more furiously) were so encouraged, if not enraged, as taking liberty dispensed, thereby so provoked God, that his wrath in sundry places, hath broken out to the destruction of many, would to God to the instruction of any. And the judgements are so much the more remarkable, that so many in number, as here are observed, (besides many more, no doubt which have not come to our ears) should fall within so narrow a compass of time, so thick, and that in so many places: as we read not of such a number of judgements in this kind for this one sin throughout the whole history of time, from the Apostles hitherto: So many there are of them, as, it were too heathenish to impute them to chance, & too much stupidity, and envy of God's glory, not to acknowledge the special hand of God in them, upon such transgressors of his own sacred day: And it were to be wished, that all the examples in this kind, within this compass of time; were diligently collected and compiled into one Narration, for the further illustration of God's glory, and for admonition to all Sabbath-breakers, who if they repent not, nor surcease from such their profaneness, it may justly be feared, that the number of such examples will be daily increased, till they make a heap for all the World, to stand amazed at. In the mean time, who so is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord: Psal. 107. 43. As for the truth of them, I have good testimony under the hands of men, of sufficient credit, for the most of them; and the rest hath come to our ears by credible report. If it shall so fall out, that one or two, or so, should prove otherwise, either for the substance, or circumstance; let not the Reader blame me, who have used my best diligence to inquire out the certain truth of them all, and I am sure the most of the examples are confirmed by witnesses without all exception, and none of them is to me of any suspected credit; So as here are no feigned miracles, nor fabulous stories, nor old Wives tales, for profane Scoffers to jeer at, and play upon, thereby to disgrace and discredit all truths in this kind, as some of late have done (History of the Sabbath. part. 2. chap. 7. pag. 223.) but these examples are such, as will abide the and search of this present age, wherein are yet living so many both ear and eye witness of them.  

EXAMPLE. 19  
A Miller at Churchdowne, near Gloucester, would 
1634.  needs (contrary to the admonitions both of his Minister in private, and generally in public, yea and that very day, and of other christian friends) keep a solemn Whitsun ale, for which he had made large preparation and provision, even of threescore dozen of cheesecakes, with other things proportionable; in the Church-house, half a mile from his mille, his musical instruments were set forth on the side of the Church-house, where the Minister and people were to pass to the Church to evening Prayer. When prayer & Sermon were ended, the Drumbe is struck up, the pieces discharged, the Musicians play, and the rout fall a dancing, till the evening; where they all with the Miller resort to his mille; where that evening before they had supped, about 9 of the cloak on Whitsunday, a fire took suddenly in his house over their heads, and was so brief and quick, that it burned down his house and mille, and devoured with all the greatest of all his other provision and householdstuff. This is confirmed by sundry good testimonies.   

EXAMPLE. 20.  
Richard Benfield an Apparitor in the parish of Hemsteed 
1634. April. 20.  kept an Ale in the Church-house, joining to the Churchyard with dancing and revelling night and day without control: pretending that the Bishop would bear him out) and not unlikely, because at his complaint to the Bishop of his Minister, for preaching against dancing and Maypoles, he was suspended for his labour) It happened that upon the Lord's day at even, being the 20. day of April, that his youngest Son was accused for stealing a purse, and 20. Shillings in it, from a Butcher who lay drunk upon the board or table in the Church-house, for which he was like to be hanged (the purse being found about him.) Upon the 21. day of the said month, Benfield his eldest Son Richard went down into Hempsteeds Pierce, about some business, & his youngest brother with him, where they met with a little boy called Baker (that had been a fishing) having some small fishes in his hand. Benfields youngest Son would have taken these fishes from Baker, whereupon they fell together by the ears. The eldest brother Rich. Benfield went to help his younger brother, being too weak for Baker. This Baker did swear a great oath that he would stab him, if he did meddle with him, upon which words Benfield fell upon Baker, gave him a box or two, and ran away. Baker followed him with his knife in his hand, overtook him, and thrust his knife three inches deep into his body, which wound proved mortal, so that he never spoke more words then these; oh jack Baker hath killed me, and so fell down. Two men being present there, took him up in their arms, brought him up into the Church-house alive, and so soon as they had put him out of their arms upon the Table, he groaned, and died.  
Remarkable it is, that where the Father drew ale upon the Lordsday and so profaned it: In the same place his Son the next day drew his last breath; for that the punishment inflicted was stamped with the resemblance of the sin convicted.   

EXAMPLE. 21.  
At Baunton in Dorcetshire some being at bowls 
1634.  on the Lord's day, one flinging his bowl at his fellowbowler, hit him on the ear, so as the blood issued forth at the other ear, whereof he shortly died. The Murderer fled.   

EXAMPLE. 22.  
One good man Paul near Stoke in Dorcetshire, 
1634.  rejoycinge much at the erection of a summer-pole, at a Parish called Simsbury in Dorcetshire, & saying before one his Neighbours, he would go see it, though he went naked through a quickset hedge: which is a common proverb they use: Going with wood in his arms to cast into the bonfire, where he lived, and using these words: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory, O Lord: he was presently smitten by the Stroke of God, and within 2. or 3. days died, and his wife with him. These two last examples are testifieth by a Minister in his letter to a brother Minister.   

EXAMPLE. 3.  
A Maid at Enfield near London, hearing of 
1634.  the liberty, which was given by the book, which was published for sports, would needs go dance, with others on the Lords day, saying she would go dance, so long as she could stand on her legs; she danced so long, that thereof within 2. or 3. days she died.   

EXAMPLE. 23.  
In the edge of Essex near Brinkley, two fellows working in a chalk pit, the one was boasting to his fellow, how he had angered his Mistress with staying so late at their sports the last sunday night, but he said he would anger her worse the next Sunday. He had no sooner said this, but suddenly the earth fell down upon him, and slew him out right, with the fall whereof his fellow's limb was broken, who had been also partner with him in his jollity on the Lord's day, escaping with his life, that he might tell the truth, that God might be glorified and that by this warning he might repent of his sin and reform such his profaneness, and remain as a pillar of salt, to season others with fear by his example.   

EXAMPLE. 24.  
The last Spring a Miller hard by Wootton in Worcestershire, went on the Lordsday to a wake, whence returning home again, the same day at night found his Mill and house all on a fire; this was testified by a Minister (in a Reply to another Minister) who was an eye witness.   

EXAMPLE. 25.  
At Woolston in the same Country, where the said Ministers father had been Minister 40. years, and by God's blessing upon his labours, had reform things very well, yet upon the publication of this book in print, many of the inhabitants the springe following, were emboldened to set up Maypoles, Morris dance, and a Whitsun ale, continuing their rude revelling a week together, with many affronts to their ancient and reverend Pastor: but it pleased God, that not long after, a spark from a smith's shop, caught in that room where the ale was brewed, and though means were ready at hand, yet it could not be quenched, but set the house on fire, and presently flew to the barn in which their disorder was, and burned the same with 13. dwelling houses more, most of whose inhabitants were actors or abetters in the same: This is testifieth by many.   

EXAMPLE. 12.  
At Topudle in Dorceshiere, one john Hooper alias Cole, upon the promulgation of the said Book, was let down into a Well to cleanse it, for to brew beer for a Whitsun ale, by Francis Laurence, alias Smith, and Stephen P●pe Churchwardens, which Well was in the back side of Richard Laurence alias Smith. Which john Hooperfel● from the rope into the Well, where he died.   

EXAMPLE. 26.  
Richard jones son of Widow jones, jul. 1634. not far from Dorchester, being severely admonished by his Mother, when she understood he had a purpose on satturday night, to go on the Lord's day with other companions to Stoake to play at a sport, called five, but persisting in his resolution, and going the next day, accordingly being the Lords day at Stoake, where he played at the said sport, at night returning home with his companions, Wm. Burges, Wm. Hill, john Edwards, after they had there well drunk, they fall first a justling one another in the way, then to boxes, and in the end Edward's stabbing jones under the left side, he died thereof, the monday night following about seven of the Clock. Behold here a terrible example of disobedience, to Gods holy commandments, not only the fourth, but the fifth also.   

EXAMPLE. 27.  
At Ovendeane in Sussex about 9 or 10. miles from Alfriston, alias Ason, one john Arcold, of the age of one or two and twenty years, eldest son to john Arcold, a blacksmith dwelling in Ason, with other younkars would needs fall a ringing of the bells on a Sabbath day, presuming the Book for Sports gave them full liberty so to do. One of the Churchwardens Robert Kenward hindered them from their jangling; whereupon the said Arcold, and his companions fell in some contestation with him, telling him that though he hindered them now, yet they would ring the next Sunday, whether he would or no. But the said john Arcold the ringleader before the next Sunday came, was struck with a sickness, in which he continued a fortnight or 3. weeks till he died, in which time Robbert Kenward the Churchwarden, repairing to him, and putting him in mind of his bold affronting of him, he seemed to be sorry for it, and promised, if God would be pleased, to restore him again to his health, he would never do the like. God make his surviving companions, and all others, wise by his example.   

EXAMPLE. 28.  
At Walton upon Thames in Surrey, not far from 
1634.  oatland's, in the last great frost 3, young men on the Lord's day, after they had been at the Church in the forenoon, where the Minister pressing the words of his text, out of 2. Cor. 5. 10. that we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ etc. they the while whispering one to another, as they sat. In the afternoon they went together over the Thames, upon the Ice, unto a house of disorder, and gaming, where they spent the rest of the Lords day, and part of the night also in revelling, one of them in a Tavern merrily discoursing the next day of his Sabbath-acts, and voyage over the Ice; but on the Tuesday next after, these three returning home wards, and attempting to pass again over the ice, they all sank down to the bottom as stones, whereof one only of them was miraculously preserved, but the other two were drowned. Rejoice, O young man, in 
Eccl. 11. 9  thy youth, and let thy hart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy hart, and in the sight of thine eyes: But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee unto judgement.   

EXAMPLE. 29.  
In the year of our Lord 1633. Octob. 26. after the book for sports was known to be published in print, David Price a Welshman, servant to one Thomas Hill, a known Grazier of that Country, coming to Banbury with his drove on Saturday night, declared his purpose of driving them the next day, early in the morning being the Sabbath or Lords day: his Host where he lodged, dissuaded him, because it was the Sabbath day, and told him that he would certainly be stopped, and made to pay for it according to the Statute. He answered that he would drive them, and let me see (saith he) who will hinder me. So in the morning two other accompanying him, he went to fetch the cattle out of the ground, one that knew him, met him at the Town's end (not yet oUt of the Town) and admonished him, saying, What, David, today, today? he made no answer, but went onward, and though for any thing, that appeared to any other, or that himself complained of, he was then in good health, as ever he was, yet within little more than a stones cast of the Town, he fell down dead suddenly, and was buried in Banbury Church-yard the next day after; None could discern, any sensible or evident cause of so sudden a surprisal; and himself gave no sign of any pain, weakness, or illness, till the instant time that he gave up the ghost.   

EXAMPLE. (5.)  
On jan. 25. 1634. being the Lords day, in the time of the last great Frost 14. young men presuming to play at football upon the ice on the river Trent, near to Ganisborrow, coming altogether in a scuffle, the ice suddenly broke, and they were all drowned.   

EXAMPLE. 30.  
At Wicks a Town betwixt Colchester and Harwich in Essex, upon Whitsunday last in the afternoon two fellows meeting at the football, the one killed the other.   

EXAMPLE. 31.  
At Oxford this last Summer on the Sabbathday, one baly Hawks a Butcher, would needs go into his field with an hatchet and showell to mend his ditch: his Wife dissuaded him what she could, being the Sabbathday, but he said he would go and make an end of his work, which he did, for suddenly he was struck dead in his ditch, and so made an end of his work, and his life together.   

EXAMPLE. 32.  
Also at Oxford a carpenter undertaking to mend a Stage in S. john's Colleidge on the Saturday night, for the finishing whereof he must of necessity spent some part of the Lords day morning, that the Stage might be ready against the Monday following, he that night fell backward from the Stage, being not far from the ground, and broke his neck, and so ended his life in a fearful Tragedy.   

EXAMPLE. 33.  
At ivy Hinckley a mile from Oxford (about the time when Maypoles are set up) on the Lord's day after evening Prayer, when most of the Town were at the Maypole, one john Cooper, servant to master Tinmore of the said Town, going along the street, a Maid out of a window in john Nicols his house, not far from the Maypole, called him to come in thither; where also was another Maid, and a young man named Christopher young, servant to Master Willis of the said Town; john Cooper at first refused to come to them, but the maid earnestly entreating him, he yielded to her, and being come in, sat down by the other two, where having sat a while, the foresaid Christopher young spied a Gun over the chimney, which he supposing not to be charged, fond took down, and fell a tampearing with it, and first leveled at the maids, and after held it up against john Cooper, as he sat, and unwittingly lifting up the Cock, it struck fire, and the piece discharged, and shot the said john Cooper through the shoulder, so that he died presently, being heard only to say, O Lord.   

EXAMPLE. (6.)  
At Dover the very same Lord's day, that the book 
1635.  was read, one in S. james Parish that played on a kit, went and played, and thereby called together a sort of wenches and young men: But he was thereupon that very day struck by divine hand, so as within two days he died.   

EXAMPLE. 34.  
A young man near Bow, going to swim in the river on Essex side, on the Lord's day in the afternoon, was drowned.   

EXAMPLE. 35.  
Two boys of S. Albon, going to Verolanes Ponds, a mile off to swim on the Lord's day, july 19 one of them was drowned, and the other hardly escaped.   

EXAMPLE. 36.  
At Ramsey in Suffolk, a tall man on the Lord's day going with others to swim, and being advertized and warned of a hole in the water; he swore that there was no place there could drown him, but by and by on a sudden he was missing, being now under water, and so drowned.   

EXAMPLE. 37.  
On September 13. 1635. being the Lords day, two young men of the Parish of S. Dunstan's in the West, London, going to swim, were both drowned.   

EXAMPLE. (7.)  
At Thurlow in Suffolk, one making a Feast to his friends on the Sabbath day, for joy of the publishing of the Book for sports, was the next day pressed to death, by the sudden fall of a faggot stack.   

EXAMPLE. 38.  
At Twiford in Buckinghamshire, a fellow playing at cudgels on the Lord's day (or as some say, upon a revel day) received a hurt in the face, whereof he died the next week.   

EXAMPLE. 39  
At Lemster, one Master Powel, jan. 1634. on the Lords day serving a writ of sub poena (and that of purpose on that day as is credibly reported) upon one Master Shuit a Gentleman, this he did in the Churchyard, so soon as they were come out of the Church: Master Shuit thereupon told him, I thought you had been an honester man than so, to do this upon this day; he replied, I hope I am never a whit the more dishonest, or less holy for that: having spoken this, he suddenly fell down dead, and spoke not a word more, his wife seeing this, was suddenly struck with sickness.   

EXAMPLE. 40.  
A fellow in Sommersetshire being to make a tent upon the Lord's day, for a fair that was to be kept upon the Monday following, said to one on the Saturday, that they would rear it to morrow, so the next day which was the Lord's day, being drunk, he died the same day roaring.   

EXAMPLE. 43.  
At Glassenbury in Sommersetshire, at the setting up of a Maypole, it miscarrying fell upon a child, & slew it, and it is reported that it was the Churchwardens child, who was the chief stickler in the business. Also when the Maypole in the same Town, was again the second time a setting up, a fire took in the Town, so as all the people about the Maypole were forced to leave it, and to run to the quenching of the fire.   

EXAMPLE. 44.  
A May-Lord of misrule, not far from thence became mad upon it.   

EXAMPLE. 45.  
Also at Battersey near London, the last year a notable example of God's judgement befell a fiddler, the youth of the town of both sexes, being assembled solemnly to set up a garland upon their maypole, and having got a Taber and Pipe for the purpose, he with the pipe in his mouth, fell down dead and never spoke word.   

EXAMPLE. 41.  
At Corsham in Wiltshire in the Whitsunweeke, at a whitson-ale, one Mark Hulbert, a lusty young man, undertaking to act the fool's part, was so extremely drunk and hurt with falls taken in the time of his drunkenness, that shortly he took his bed, where he lay very loathsomely, in most grievous pain, until the sixth day of june, being the Lordsday, on which he died at 4. of the clock in the afternoon (the usual time for youth to take their liberty) and was buried the same day before 9 of the clock, & yet he burst, before he was laid into his grave. See job. 31. 3.   

EXAMPLE. 46.  
On May 31. 1635. being the Lords day, one Richard Clerk (an apprentice unto Timothy Denorell shoemaker of Sherston in the Country of Wiltshire, within 3. miles of Tedbury,) being drunk at the Church-house in the same Parish, told Henry Larrum of the same Parish, that was then in the same place drunk likewise with the Church-house ale, that he the said Richard, would either hang himself, or drown himself, demanding of the said Henry which of the two was best; unto whom he replied, that he hoped he would do neither; on the day following, being monday in the morning, the said Richard Clerk was seen to go through the street, without a band, as if he had been going about his master's business, and putting on his band without the Town, he got up into the middle of a tree, and there did hang himself. A miserable effect of carnal liberty and profane meetings on the Lord's day.   

EXAMPLE. 47.  
The 31. May 1635. the book of recreation was read in the Parish Church of Alvelye in Comit. Salop, in the afternoon, after all divine exercises public ended, there fell out a bloody fight betwixt 3. of Alvelye above said, and one of Envield of the Country of Stafford near Adjacent, in so much that the man of Envield was sore wounded, and had his jawbone broken, so that he could not eat his meat for the sustaining of nature; In his extremity he laid his death to the charge of the other 3. The Churchwardens of the Parish of Alvelye above said, presented these 4. for profaning of the Sabbath to my Lord his grace of Canterbury (to use the words of the relation) being the time of his metropolitical visitation, since which time two of the parties fled; the third was committed to prison in Shewsbury, and was the next assizes to come to his answer.   

EXAMPLE. 48.  
In March, betwixt 1634. and 1635. at Billericay in Essex, one Theophilus Pease, the Minister's son of that town, went to ring the bells on the Sabbath day, whom the Churchwardens for that time hindered; But against the next Sabbath, he gathered a company together, saying he would ring in despite of the Churchwardens. While he was a ringing, he was taken with a giddiness like one drunk, and so sickened, and about three days after died.   

EXAMPLE. 49.  
Anno 1635. januarie or there about in Chichester Diocese, one Thomas Perkin, a wilful and usual profaner of God's Sabbath in Hailing South, being ringing on a Sabbath day, the rope took him up, and flinging him about 8. foot high, he fell down on his head, and was taken up dead, and so remained long, but life at last was gotten into him, yet the bruise in his head is so great and dangerous as death is expected, and little hope of life remaineth.   

EXAMPLE. 50.  
At Crays, two miles from Billerikey, a servant of Master Holdsworth Minister there, ringing on the Sabbath, his Master sent to forbid him: but he would ring still, and before he had done ringing, he was struck sick, and a while after died. This was a little after the book for sports was publicly read in the Church.   

EXAMPLE. 51.  
In june 1635. on the Lords day, the Tapster and Chamberlain of the Queen's head in Southwark, rid into Kent to be merry, and having drunk liberally, riding homewards, the one of them fell from his horse, and broke his neck.   

EXAMPLE. 52.  
Also in june 1635. and as some report the very same Lord's day, in Southwark at the red lion, near S. George's Church, in the afternoon, a man with another sat drinking so long, that the other about six of the clock departing, fell a sleep so, that he never awaked again.   

EXAMPLE. (8.)  
At Hellingsby 5. or 6. miles from Ason in Sussex, the book being read on the Lord's day, in the Church by the Minister, on the next day being Monday, an honest man, one Tomkins being on his way, a neighbour overtakes him, and scoffingly asks him, if he would go dance with him the next Sunday; to whom the man aswered, take heed that thou be not dancing in hell before that day come, or before it be long; By the next week God's hand fell on this Scoffer, that himself and two more of his family died.   

EXAMPLE. 53.  
In the month of july 1634. one Master Quince the Chirurgeon of the Tower of London, having an horse to sell, & meeting with a chapman, went to Coleman-street, where the horse was kept, to see and contract for him, on the Lord's day in the afternoon; the horse being saddled, M. Quince gets upon his back, to show his chapman how well he would place; which done, as he was a lighting of his back, his foot, which lighted on the ground slipped, the other foot hung in the stirrup, so as he fell to the ground, and with the fall broke his thighbone short off, so that he was carried from the place to an house near adjoining, where he lay in great pain, and agony for 8▪ weeks space or more, almost despairing of his life, and never stirring out of his bed: at last it pleased God, by degrees to recover and restore him to the use of his leg again, he having little use of it, (& that with great pain) for half a years space and more. His son had dissuaded him from riding, because it was the Lord's day; and himself hath since acknowledged it a just judgement of God upon him for profaning that sacred time, which hath made him more carefully to frequent the Church, and to avoid the profanation of the Lords day ever since. This the party himself, and most of the Tower can testify.   

EXAMPLE. (9)  
On February 9 1634. being the Lords day, an Apothecary's man in Limestreat London, rid to Barnet with another companion, to make merry, who returning home drunk, near high gate, met a Tinker, and offering him some abuse, the Tinker strikes one of their horses, whereat the one bid the other run him through; who drawing his rapier, ran the Tinker through the breast, that he fell down dead: thereupon being by and by apprehended, and confessing the fact, they were both sent to Newgate.   

EXAMPLE. 10.  
At Thorneton near Westchester, the people there, 
1634.  upon the first publishing of the book prepared for a solemn summer ale. The bringing in of their Lady flora should have been guarded with a Marshal troop: the lustiest wench, and stoutest young man in the town were chosen to be the purveyors for cakes, and for ribbons for favours, the solemnity was to be on the monday, but the preparation on the Lord's day; this lusty tall maid, on the satturday before went to the mill, to fetch home the meal for cakes on her head, she being strong and able for the purpose: but in the way, passing by a hedge, she was suddenly struck by a divine stroke, and fell into the ditch, where she was found dead; she was suffered to lie abroad in that pickle all the Lords day, till monday morning, when the Coroner being send for, she was thence carried to her grave immediately, where all her solemnity was buried with her, & all her vain thoughts in that very day, wherein the great solemnity should have been. And see what a good effect this wrought in the whole town; First, all their mirth was turned into mourning, no summer ale kept, and besides that, they being moved by the dreadful stroke of God, took their maypole down, which they had before set up, and never after would presume to set it up again, or to have any more summer-ales, or may-games. God grant they continue in their sober minds, and that all other would learn to be wise by their example.   

EXAMPLE. 11.  
In Yorkshire at a Wake, in the Parish of Oteley at 
1634.  Baildon, on the Lords day, two of them sitting at drink, late in the night, fell out and being parted, the one a little after finding his fellow, sitting by the fire with his back towards him, comes behind him, and with a hatchet chines him down the back, so as his bowels fell out; the murderer flying immediately, and being hotly pursued, leapt into a river, and so drowned himself. O fearful fruits of carnal liberty!   

EXAMPLE. 18.  
One in Glocestershire being very forward to advance a solemn sommer-meeting, wherein his son was to be a chief stickler, went himself in great jollity to see it, and there beholding it, he fell down suddenly, and so died.   

EXAMPLE. 12.  
One at Ham near Kingston, being a scoffer of all 
1635.  goodness, and a common profaner of the Sabbath, going abroad to see his grounds on the Lord's day, and finding some neighbour's cattle to have broken in, he runs to drive them out, and that with such eagerness, that he fell down dead instantly upon the place.   

EXAMPLE. 13.  
One Wright at Kingston, being a scoffer of Religion, and rejoicing much at the suspending of his Minister, and others, for not reading the book of sports in their Churches, saying, he hoped to see them also served shortly: was within a day or two after struck with a dead Palsy, all over the one side, and with blindness and dumbness, that he could neither go, see, nor speak, and so lay in a miserable manner for a fortnight, and then died.   

EXAMPLE. 14.  
In moorefield's near London, sundry youths playing 
1635.  at Cat on the Lord's day, two of them fell out, and the one hitting the other under the ear with his cat, he therewith fell down for dead in the place, the other was sent to prison: but the dead for the time, by God's mercy recovering, the prisoner was released; which may be a warning both to them, and all other youth, to take heed how they so profane the Lords day.   

EXAMPLE. 1.  
A woman about Northampton, the same day that she heard the book for sports read, went immediately, and having 3. pence in her purse, hired a fellow to go to the next Town to fetch a Minstrel, who coming, she with others fell a dancing, which continued within night; at which time she was got with child, which at the birth she murdering, was detected and apprehended, and being convented before the justice, she confessed it, and with all told the occasion of it, saying it was her falling to sport on the Sabbath, upon the reading of the book, so as for this treble sinful act, her presumptuous profaning of the Sabbath: which brought her adultery & that murder. She was according to the Law, both of God and man, put to death, much sin and misery followeth upon sabbath-breaking.   

EXAMPLE. 2.  
Also at Northampton, in the last Easter assizes, there was a youngman who formerly, by seeing the example of good people, in the due sanctification of the Lords day or Sabbath, had begun to reform his former loose kind of life, and to frame his conversation, according to God's word, and that in the well keeping of the Sabbath, abstaining therein from sports and pastimes, and spending the whole day in the public and private duties of it; but when once he heard of the publishing of the book for sports, and pastimes, he fell back again to his former wallowing, and being taken as he was picking a pocket, when the judges wear in the Church, upon examination confessed what he had formerly been, and how he had been reform, and that upon the publishing of the said book, he was encouraged to run riot a fresh, by which means he fell into this impiety and iniquity, for the which he suffered death.   

EXAMPLE. 15.  
April 1●. 1635. being Saturday, one travelling with three others from London to Maidenhead, he (the rest spending the Sabbath there) would travel on his way, the next day being the Lord's day, contrary both to God's commandment, and also of the Lady whom he served: who had given him strict charge; to observe the Sabbath, and not to travel on it. He road in the morning to Henly, and there heard the Sermon, after that he fell to travail in the afternoon, but as he went in the way, leading his horse in his hand gently down a plain descent, and even way, his horse suddenly fell, and broke both his fore legs, the man sore aghast at this not more sudden, then strange disaster, which he could not but attribute to the immediate hand of God, and being past all hope of recovery was forced himself to knock his horse in the head, and so to leave him, and being the next day overtaken at Abington by his company, whom he had left the day before, and they ask him how it fell out, he was no further on his way, he smote his breast, and told them how it had befallen him in the way, saying that he had heard many a good Sermon, yet none of them or any thing else did so work upon his conscience, as this thing did; and that this example should be a warning unto him for ever travailing on the Sabbathday again. This is testified under the hands of those 3. which had travailed with him, and over took him.   

EXAMPLE. 16.  
At Dartmouth 1634. upon the coming forth and publishing of the book for sports, a company of younkers on May-day morning before day, went into the Country, to fetch home a Maypole with Drum and Trumpet; whereat the neighbouring▪ inhabitants were affrighted supposing some enemies had landed to sack them, the Pole being thus brought home and set up, they began to drink healths about it, and to it, till they could not stand so steady as the pole did, whereupon the Major and justice bound the ringleaders over to the Sessions, whereupon these complaining to the Archbishop's Vicar General, then in his visitation he prohibited the justices to proceed against them in regard of the King's book. But the justices acquainted him, they did it for their disorder, in transgressing the bounds of the book, hereupon these libertines scorning at Authority, one of them fell suddenly into a 
‡ Deut. 28. 22.  Consumption, whereof he shortly after died; now although this revelling was not on the Lord's day, yet being upon any other day and especially May-day, the Maypole set up thereon, giving occasion to the profanation of the Lords day the whole year after it was sufficient to provoke God, to send plagues and judgements among them.   

EXAMPLE. 17.  
In the same year 1634. and in the same Shire, one Edward Amerideth a Gentleman, having been pained in his feet, and being upon his recovery, whereupon one said unto him, he was glad to see him so nimble. Amerideth replied, that he doubted not, but to dance about the Maypole the next Lord's day: But behold the hand of the Lord, for before he moved out of that place, he was smitten with such a feebleness of hart, and dizsines in his head, that desiring help to carry him to an house, he died before the Lord's day came; so fearful it is to fall into the hands of the living God.   

EXAMPLE. 54.  
Many more examples might here be added, not only such as have fallen out within these two years last passed, since the said book was published by the Ministers in their Churches, but also, since the book was first of all printed and published, the very bruit whereof, without being read by Ministers, was enough, and to much to embolden youth to take their liberty in profaning the Lords day, but for the present, I will add but one more. At Chidlington upon the edge of Hertfordshire, not far from Hitchin, a company of fellows upon a holy day being to play a match at foot ball, one of them was tolling the bell, to assemble the rest, some being come into the Church the randevoze of their meeting, suddenly it thundering was seen a black ball come tumbling down a hill near by: which took its course directly into the Church, there it flew into the bell free and first slew him, that tolled the bell, than it flustered about the Church and hurted diverse of them, and at last bursting; left a filthy stink like to that of brimstone, and so left a terror to all such spend thrifts of precious time, and especially such as is dedicated to sacred uses, who so is wise and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. Psal. 107. 43.   

EXAMPLE. 4.  
Upon May day last, being the Lords day, a maid of 
1634.  the Minister of the Parish, Cripplegate, London, was married to a Widower having 3. children, the youngest being at Nurse in the Country; upon this day they kept their feast in the Church-house joining to the Church, where they spent all the afternoon in dancing: but within one week after, the Plague began in that Parish in the new married man's house, where within a month it took away the man and his wife, and his two children that were in the house. And thus was the Plague brought first into that Parish this year.  
To this we will add another example, because it fell within the same month, in the same city. A Minister, Rector of a Church in London, on the saturday would go with two of his neighbours, boon companions, to be jovial the next day, being the Lord's day, they conditioning that he should bestow a Sermon upon them. They on the Lord's day, being now in the country, spent the forenoon idly: in the afternoon they go to visit another London Minister, who had another benefice there in the Country; he puts his brother to preach: which done invites him, with his companions, to a bottle of Sack. They drank so long, that the two neighbour's tongues began to fail them. Home to their lodging within a few miles they betake them. That night their Minister could not sleep; and raising early to walk abroad, he returned with such a coldness upon him, that he looked, and felt like cold pale death; the two neighbours much dismayed, and with much ado get him home to London, where in that case continuing, he dyeth before the next Sabbath day.   

EXAMPLE. 55.  
Upon May-Eve Thomas Trow of Gloucester, Carpenter 
1634.  in the Parish of S. Michael, some coming unto him, and ask him, whether he would go with them to fetch the Maypole, he swore by the Lords wounds, that he would, though he never went more. Now while he was working on the Maypole on May day morning, before he had finished his work, the Lord smote him with such a lameness and swelling in all his limbs, that he could neither go, nor lift his hands to his mouth, to feed himself, but kept his bed for half a year together and still goes lame to this day; May 4. 1636.   

EXAMPLE. 56.  
About a year since 1635. in Ashton under the Hill, in the Parish of Beckford, in the Country of Gloucester, the Minister there Master Blackwell, having occasion in his Sermon in the afternoon on the Lordsday to reproove the profaning of that day by sports &c. as soon as the Sermon was done, a youngman of that place used these words, Now Master Blackwell hath done, we'll begin; and so taking the Cudgels, plays with them; and at the second or third bout, he received a thrust in one of his eyes, that thrust it quite out, so as it hanged by, and could never recover it again.    

THese Examples of divine justice, so notorious, so remarkableboth for number and variety, having fallen out in so narrow a compass of time, and so dispersed over the whole Land, as every particular place, and country might take special notice thereof: if they will not take, and make impression in our stony hearts, to move us to speedy repentance (as for many other enormities, and crying sins, so in special) for this our ring-leading sin of the heathenish profanation of the Sabbath, or Lords day: what plea can we make for ourselves, why the Lord of the Sabbath, should not send some universal, epidemical sweeping calamity uponthe land, sparing neither small nor great? And now, that the plague and pestilence begins to break forth, and spreeds itself much amongst us, the Lord shooting these his terrible venomous arrows, from which not even Princes nor Prelates palaces can secure themselves, from becoming his butts and marks: What can we more impute it unto, as the cause thereof, then to this grand sin, of the profanation of the Sabbath or Lords day, occasioned so much the more by the publishing of the late book for sports, and that, by the Ministers themselves? For was it not the judgement and confession of King james of famous memory, and of the whole state and Kingdom in an exhortation published in that great plague, beginning with his reign, 1603, where are these words: The Lord's Sabbath is not kept holy, but polluted etc. and therefore the cause is apparent, why the plague is broken in amongst us? And was not the same exhortation afterwards republished by our gracious King Charles (whom God long preserve a religious and righteous Governor over us) in the first year of his reign, with the approbation of the whole Parliament, where the same is acknowledged of that other great Plague, in the beginning of his Reign 1625. namely, that one principal & special cause thereof, was the not keeping holy, but polluting the Lords day? And if this were a principal cause of those great plagues then, why not of this which now we suffer? yea what Plague upon plagues may we not justly expect to break forth upon us in these days, wherein we have increased & surpassed our father's sins, and that in such a height, as they reach up to heaven, to pull down flames and flakes of vengeance upon our heads. And so much the more, sith upon the publishing of the said book, so manifold mischiefs have attended and followed, as never any age since Christ, much less such a Christian state as we profess to be, hath seen, or ever heard the like. For besides the open violation of God's holy commandment, the 4. Moral, acknowledged in our 
‡ Homily of the time and place of Prayer. Part. 1. pag. 124. 125. 126.  Homily to be the ground of our Christian Sabbath day (as it is there, no less than 8. several times distinctly styled; as also in another 
* Hom. against Rebellion part. 3. pag. 292.  Homily twice, which by the way makes me wonder at the audacious insolence, & arrogant ignorance of some new Masters in these days, and in particular of Dr. Poch. in his Sunday no Sabbath, who is not ashamed to avouch with open mouth, that the name of Sabbath was never given to the Lords day, until it was brought in by john Knox, & others of the Puritan faction in the year 1554. What saith he then to the Homilies of our Church, which were set forth in K. Edw. 6. his Reign, and so I am sure before 1554. by 3. or 4. years; now these (to omit innumerable testimonies more, both out of ancient Fathers, and the Prelates of this Land; too large to be comprehended in a Parenthesis, being now to furnish a pretty Treatise) these our Homilies (I say) so frequently and clearly called the Lords day the Sabbath day, before john Knox called it so, 1554. And the same Homilies being set forth a fresh by Queen Elizabeth, 1562. will Dr. P. dare to charge the learned and pious compilers of them, a pack of Puritans, or (as 
* Doctor Wh. Bp. of Ely.  some other) NOVEL SABBATARIANS? But this by the way) by which violation (I say) of the Sabbath or Lords day, God is intolerably dishonoured, and his Religion disgraced through outrageous libertinism: What an invention of Antichristian tyranny hath broken in at the opening of this great sluice? What havoc is made in our Church by sundry of the Hierarchy in suspending godly Ministers, depriving them of their liberty, livelihood, and Freeholds, against all Laws of God and man, so as they, their wives and children are exposed to beggary and all misery, and their flocks to be devoured of the wolves, and to become a prey to that roaring Lion; and all this, because they dare not offer violence to their consciences, in doing that, which should dishonour God, endanger their own, and their people's souls, abase before God and man the authority and dignity to their Ministry, condemn the innocent people of God, and call the wicked righteous, teach inferiors rebellion to their Superiors, and in a word hasten the pulling down of vengeance from heaven upon the Land? O ye heavens, stand amazed at this sight! Tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in the Streets of Askelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. What could the Pope have done more, than some of our Prelates have done in this kind, for the darkening of the glory of Christ's Kingdom, and for the setting up of Antichrists throne again in this Land? But our Lord saith, Ye shall know them by their fruits. Besides, what impudence and impiety hath broken out from sundry aery and ambitious spirits, who have dared in their late published books upon books, to belch out their blasphemies against God, and the power, purity, and profession of the Religion established amongst us for so many years. Nor only is the floodgate of all profaneness and impiety broken up, in the violation of the 4. commandment, but of the 5. also, when as, by occasion of the publishing of the said book (which inhibits Magistrates and superiors, to restrain or punish youth for taking such liberty on the Lord's day, as the book alloweth, and which all other books, writings, monuments of Fathers, Counsels, Kings, Emperors, Divines ancient and modern, Protestants and Papists, have universally with one vote and voice cried down, till now but yesterday a new generation of Maleferiati hath risen up, out daring and defining the whole world, and God himself) inferior persons exalt themselves in high contempt against their Superiors, as the common vulgar against the Magistrate and Minister, servants against their Masters, children against their Parents, and wanton wives against their husbands, which hath caused such outcries and complaints of masters, for their servants unbridled and uncontrowled outrage on the Lord's day; which must also in-jure them with pride and presumption of spirit the whole week after, and so their whole life, while like untamed colts they have thus learned to take the bit between their teeth, and so to run a gallop into all excess of riot. So as if the book be not all the sooner called in, and the authors of those late books against the sanctification of the Lords day condignly punished; and a speedy reformation hereofset on foot: how can we look for a stay of the plague until the Land be consumed? Now the Lord make us wise, to lay these things to heart, lest he tear in pieces, and there be none to deliver. For as never any Christian Church hath produced such monstrous impieties: so never any Church hath been the theatre of such tragical examples of divine wrath, as our Land is like to be, if we speedily repent not. Unless therefore we repent, we shall all likewise perish, as these examples have done before us.  
Now for these so many, so markable examples of God's judgements inflicted upon the violaters and profaners of the Lords day, and that in so short a time, even since the book for such sports was published, we may thus argue and conclude.  
That, for which the Lord inflicteth and executed so many notorious and severe judgements, must needs be a notorious and heinous sin, and so a breach of his holy commandment.  
But for the violation and profanation of the Lords day by sports and pastimes, or by servile works, the Lord inflicteth and executeth many notorious and severe judgements, as of late we have seen. Erg. the violation & profanation of the Lords day is a notorious and heinous sin, and so a breach of God's holy commandment.  
The Major Proposition is a Maxim in Divinity. God punisheth no man, but for sin: and sin is a transgression of God's law: 1. joh. 3. 4. For the Minor proposition, it is so clear, as it cannot be denied, except men will be senseless and blind Atheists But they that fear God, shall declare the work of God, for they shall wisely consider of his doing; as Ps. 64. 9 Now if the violation or profanation of the Lords day be a sin, and so a transgression of God's holy commandment: then of what holy commandment, but of the 4. And if of the 4. then the holy keeping of the Lords day for the Christian Sabbath, is grounded upon the 4. commandment, and commanded in it, as God hath abundantly testified by his many remarkable judgements, even within this two years, as hath been showed.  
Ob. But here some may object: God may punish men for the breach of humane ordinances, which are not the express commandments of God. So in this instance, God may punish the violation or profanation of the Lords day by such sports, or wakes, as being a breach of a humane ordinance, or Ecclesiastical institution.  
Answ. I answer it is true, all humane ordinances, being not against God's word, are to be observed for conscience sake of God's commandment, commanding subjection to all ordinances of men for the Lords sake.  
And if it were a humane ordinance, to dedicate this day of holy rest to God by a perpetual vow and Decree: then the greater is their sin, that devour that which is sanctified, and after the vow make inquiry, how it may be violated. So as they lie under the wrath of God, for so doing, and are liable to the like judgements, without repentance.   

THE EPILOGUE.  
THus have I presented you with a large scene of late several examples of God's judgements upon Sabbath-breakers, and such 
a So the Statute of 1. Caroli c. 1. styles them.  disorderly people, who have been so presumptuous as to profane the Lords own sacred day, against the monitions of Gods faithful Ministers, with unnecessary labour, vain sports and idle pastimes. To which I might annexmany ancient Precedents of like nature which I pretermit, only one excepted, which is remarkable. In the year of our Lord 1583. in the famous Metropolis of this our Land, the City of London, two Citizens the one leaving his wife, the other her husband, and committing adultery together on the Lordsday, it pleased God to strike them dead with fire from heaven, whilst they were in in the very act of uncleanness, their bodies being left dead in the place half burnt up, sending out a most loathsome savour, for a spectacle of God's avenging justice unto others, to teach them both to shun the sin of adultery and of Sabbath-breaking too, and to take heed how they commit any sin or wickedness at any time and especially on God's sacred day, or how they follow dancing, may-games, morisdaunces, ales, and such lascivious pastimes, 
b Vincentius Volnacensis Spec. moral. li. 3. ps. 9 Distin. 6. Master Northbrooke Stubs, Brant Lovel, and others in their Treatises against dancing.  which commonly end in whoredom, adultery as being strong allurements thereunto, this judgement was so famous and remarkable, that Laurentius Bayenlinke, a foreign Historian, in his Opus Chronologicum orbis universi Antwerp. 1611. p. 110. hath thought good to register it to posterity; if any deem those judgements strange, or that God should inflict such punishments on this sin, which some now justify, as a part of Christian liberty, both in the Pulpit & in 
c The late Treatise, history and discourse of the Sabbath, sunday No Sabbath, Doctor Pri. and a sovereign Antidote against Sabbatarian novelties.  printed works. I shall only entreat such to remember, that the whole Convocation house, all the Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's, and greatest Clerks of England in their book entitled THE INSTITUTION OF A CHRISTIAN MAN, subscribed with all their names, and dedicated to K. Hen. 8. an. 1537. and K. Hen. 8. himself in his own book inscribed A necessary doctrine and erudition for any Christian man set forth by the King's Majesty of England, with the advice and approbation of the Lords spiritual and temporal, and Nether house of Parliament, an. 1543. and by the King himself, dedicated under his name and title to all his faithful and loving subjects, and published by virtue of the Statute, of 32. H. 8. c. 26. in the exposition of the 4. Commandment, have in the very dawning of Reformation enjoined all Bishops and Preachers diligently to instruct and teach the people, committed to their spiritual charge (and I wish that some Bishops would now do it) that against this commandment generally do offend all they, which having no lawful impediment, do not give themselves upon the holy day to hear the word of God to remember the benefits of God, to give thanks for the same, to pray, to exercise such holy works both publicly in the Church, and privately in their houses, as be appointed for such holy days: but (as commonly is used) pass the time either in idleness, in gluttony, in riot or other vain and idle pastime, DO 
* Ergo it is in force and the profaning of the Lords day a sin against it.  BREAK THIS COMMANDMENT. For surely such keeping of holy day, is not according to the intent & meaning of this commandment, (as some new 
* As the Treatise history discourse of the Sabbath.  Doctors now dogmatise) but after the usage & Custom of the jews, (though some late Rabbis would make the world believe that the strict sanctification of the Lords day, and the restraining of vain Sports and Pastimes on it, is jewish, when 
a Epist. 6. ad magnesianes.  Ignatius, 
b Tract. 3. in joh. de 10. chordis. c. 3. In Ps. 32. 91. De consensu Euang. li 2. c. 77.  Augustine, 
c In joh. Euang. li. 8. c. 5.  Cirillus, Alexandrinus, 
d Homily de festis diebus.  Ephraim, Syrus, 
e Eccl. Hist. l. 7. c. 13.  Socrates, Scholasticus, 
f Codicis Theodosij li. 15. tit. 5. lex. 5.  Theodosius the Emperor, 
g Enare in Ps. 91.  Beda, Vincentius Belvacensis, and generally all authors since, have branded dancing, sports, and recreations on the Lord's day both as jewish and heathenish▪ and 
i Edit. 5. Lon. 1624. Sect. 38 n. 1. p. 110. Se. 43. digr. 46. n. 6. p. 165. 186.  Dr john White in his way to the true Church, defended & published by his elder brother, Dr Fr. White now Bp. of Ely, 
k In 4. preceptum.  Mr Zanchie, 
l In john E●. c. 7. fol. 273.  Wolfg. Musculus, 
m Proposition for the Christ. Sabbathd. p. 4.  Mr john Sprint, as Popish and licentious; tending to the overthrow of piety, and desolation of public Government,) and doth not please God, but doth much more offend him, and provoke his indignation and wrath towards us. For as 
n In johan. tract. 3. in Ps. 32▪ & 91. de 10. chordis c. 3.  S. Augustine saith of the jews, they should be better occupied, labouring in the fields, and to be at plough, 
(h) Speculun morale li. 3. part. 9 c. 6.  then to be idle at home. And women should better bestow their time in spinning of wool, then on the Sabbath-day to lose their time in leaping or dancing, and other idle wantonness. Now if the whole Clergy, King, State, and Parliament were so quicksighted as in those times of darkness to see a Lords day Sabbath in the 4. commandment, to be Wholly, only and entirely dedicated to God and his true worship, as they there teach; and so pious as to believe, that the exercise of vain idle sports, Pastimes, and dancing on it, did much more offend God, then ploughing or spinning, and provoke his wrath and indignation towards us; no wonder if we in the clear sunshine of the Gospel behold so many sad spectacles of his wrath, and indignation against the offenders of this commandment in this kind, to teach these blind Seers, and seducing guides (as 
o In his Sermons.  Bp. Latimer long since named them) that God is now as jealous for the sanctification of his day, and as much offended with the profaneness of it, and infringers of the fourth Commandment, by unnecessary labours, travel, or idle pastimes, as he had been in any age, if not rather much more, in regard of the great light of the Gospel, that hath for these many years so clearly shined amongst us, which if they will not yet believe, I shall at once close up their mouths with the resolution of our Homilies ratified by 
p 13. Eliz. c. 12. which ratifies the 39 Articles.  Act of Parliament, and the 35. Article of our Church, to which these Novellers have subscribed, and whose Patronage they pretend against all 
q The treatise and history of the Sabbath.  novel Sabbatarians: But alas (saith 
r Part. 1. of the time and place of prayer. p. 126.  the Homily) all these notwithstanding (and I pray God, I may not still say notwithstanding all these fresh examples) it is lamentable to see the wicked boldness of those, that will be counted God's people who pass nothing at all of keeping and hallowing the Sunday. And these people are of two sorts, the one sort, if they have business to do, though there be no extreme need, they must not spare for the Sunday, they must ride journeys on the Sunday, they must drive and carry on the Sunday, they must come and ferry on the Sunday, they must buy and sell on the Sunday, they must keep markets and fairs on the Sunday, finally they use all days alike, work days and holy days are all one. The other sort is WORSE (so the Homily against these 
‡ Treatise of the Sabbath-day. p. 231.  new masters, who make labour in men's callings on the Lord's day WORSE and more unlawful than dancing & Pastimes, contrary to the judgement of 
s Tract. 3. in joh. In Ps. 32. & 91. de 10. chordis c. 3.  S. Augustine, Gregory the great 
t Apud Alex. Alensis sum. Theologiae part. 4. q. 11. m. 2. Art. 11.  Alensis and all 
u Media villa Peraldus Nider Volaterranus F. Martyr, Musculus, Stuckius, Aretius, Hyperius, Szegedine, Angel. de Clavasio. Dr▪ Bound, Dr Criffith, William's Practice of Piety, Osmund Lake, and infinite others▪  writers since who unavoce resolve, that it is better and more lawful to plough and spin on the Sabbath-day, then to dance:) for although they will not travel and labour on the Sunday, as they do on the work day, yet they will not rest in holiness as God commandeth; but they rest in ungodliness and filthiness, prancing in their pride, pranking and pricking, pointing and painting themselves to be gorgeous and gay, they rest in excess and superfluity, in gluttony and drunkenness (as they do at wakes, Alice, and Maypoles) like rats and swine, they rest in brawling and railing, in quarrelling and fight, they rest in wantonness (and what else is dancing, moris-dauncing, maygaming &c.) into-ish talking, in filthy fleshlines, so that it doth too evidently appear, that God is more dishonoured and the devil better served on Sunday, then upon all the days of the week beside. And I assure you, that the beasts that are commanded to rest on the Sunday, honour God better than this kind of people, for they offend not God, they break not their holy days. Wherefore, O ye people of God, lay your hands upon your hearts, repent and amend this grievous and dangerous wickedness, stand in awe of the commandment of God, gladly follow the example of God himself, be not disobedient to the godly order of Christ's Church used and kept from the Apostles times until this day, fear the displeasure and just plagues of Almighty God if ye be negligent, and forbear not labouring and travailing on the 
* See the Homily 8. times styles the Lords day and the 3. homily of rebellion twice.  SABBATH DAY, and do not resort together to celebrate and magnify God's blessed name in quiet holiness and godly reverence. I shall conclude all with the words of the Council of Paris under Lewis and Lotharius. Anno 829. li. 1. c. 50. &. li. 3. c. 5. & 19 Multa alia terribilia judicia etc. Many other terrible judgements have been, and hitherto are, whereby is declared how much God is offended with the dishonour of this day. Wherefore the Imperial highness is specially to be implored of the 
‡ Note.  Priests, that this power ordained of God for the honour and reverence of so great a day, may put a fear into all men, lest none of what condion soever presume on this holy and venerable day to use these and the likesports, dance and leapings hereafter, because while they do these things, they both darken the glory of Christianity, and give occasion to the blasphemers of Christ's name the more to dishonour him.  
We require also, and earnestly entreat, that in the observation of the Lords day, as we have a long time beseeched you, you use due care that unless great necessity constrain you, free yourselves on that day, as much as may be from worldly cares and solicitousness. And that which becometh the honour of so great a day, that both you yourselves do it, and by your example do teach and compel yours to do it.  
We wholesomely admonish all faithful people, that they give due honour and reverence to the Lords day, because the dishonour of this day doth both much swerve and abhor from Christian religion, and doth without doubt procure the peril of souls to the violaters thereof; And with that of the Council of Burges, an. 1582. apud Bachellum Decreta Ecclesiae Gall. l. 4. Tit. 7. c. 21. Although Lords days and holy days are instituted only for this purpose, that faithful Christians abstaining from external and gainful works, might more freely and with greater piety give themselves to divine worship, and to the meditation of the infinite benefits of God's goodness towards mankind, and so being WHOLLY taken up with the wholesome duties of religion, should diligently beware as Ignatius admonisheth the Philippians, that they should not abuse holy days with any disgrace or injuries, yet notwithstanding in our times, it preposterously and usually comes to pass, that both solemn and religious days are not only spent in transacting, unlawful and secular business, but likewise in luxury, lasciviousness, prohibited sports and pastimes Revels, and the exercising of other wickednesses, whereupon it is not to be doubted, that for the greatest part, so many calamities wherewith we are so long since consumed are justly inflicted on us by God, who is incensed against us by so great wickedness. To appease whose present anger and likewise to avert his greater indignation hanging over our heads: we command all Parish Priests of our Province, that they frequently and seriously admonish the people, that on Lords days they not only keep themselves from all prohibited works, but likewise that they be ex animo cordially and religiously, present at all sacred mysteries of the Church, and at the preaching of God's word, and that they pretermit not the works of piety in relieving the poor, comforting the afflicted, and in doing other pious things, wherein Christian profession and charity do most of all shine forth. And we exhort all Magistrates according to their and our duty, as far as possibly we may, that they would take care, that those holy and solemn days should be holily and piously celebrated, this being principally in their power, and belonging to their charge. Neither verily can any manner of Governing the common wealth, be better or more praise worthy then that which gives the first place and care to divine worship and religion.  
FINIS.   

Christian Reader, as these examples have been displaced, so one of 
Examp. 57  them hath been omitted in the printing, which because it is notable and worthy consideration, I shall here add for a conclusion. Mr. William Noy, that great Gamaliel of the Law, his Majesty's late Aturney general, as he had a great hand in compiling and republishing the late Declaration for pastimes on the Lord's day (thrust out by his, and a great Prelates practise, to thwart judge Richardsons' good order for the suppressing of Wakes and Revels in Somersetshire, and the justices of that Shires Petition to his Majesty for the continuance of it, and to make way for a Starchamber censure against Mr. Prynne) so he eagerly persecuted this well-deserving Gentleman of his own Profession and Society, (to whom he was formerly a friend in appearance, but an inveterate enemy in truth) for his Histriomastix, compiled only out of the words and sentences of other approved Authors of all sorts, against the use and exercise of Stage-plays, Interludes, Morisdances, May-games, Maypoles, Wakes, lascivious mixed Dancing, and other Ethnic pastimes, condemned in all ages, without any thought or suspicion of giving the least offence, either to the Kings most excellent Majesty, the Queen, or State, as he averred in his Answer upon Oath. And although this book was written 4. years, licenced almost three, printed fully off a quarter of a year, and published 6. weeks before the Queen's Majesty's 
* One of the actors whereof and he who first showed his Book to the King within few months after came to be his fellow prisoners in the Tower for a real commentary on his misapplyed text  Pastoral, against which it was falsely voiced to have been principally written; diligently perused and licenced by Mr. Thomas Buckner the then Archbishop of Canterbury his Chaplain, both before and after it came from the Press, entered in the Stationer's Hall under the Wardens hand, printed publicly in three authorized Printing-houses, without the least control, and published by the said Licensers' direction, who would have nothing new-printed in it, as appeared upon oath at the hearing: and although Mr. Noy himself (to whom he presented one of the Books) upon the first reading of it, commended it, thanked him for it, oft affirmed that he saw no hurt in it, and at the hearing confessed, that the worst and most dangerous phrase and passage in it, might have a good and fair construction, and Scholars would all take it in a good sense; yet he handled the matter so (by 
* The judge who upon his reference suppressed these exhibits contrary to law & promise to the Gentleman, was himself not long after unexpectedly thrust out of his place before he knew of it.  suppressing the Gentleman's exhibits and defence, wresting his words and meaning, refusing to discover the particulars of the book on which he would insist, though ordered so to do by the Court, it being else impossible to instruct Counsel how to make a reply, and by tampering under hand with some of his Counsel by no means to make any justification or defence to clear his innocency though the party earnestly entreated, and gave them instructions to the contrary) that the poor Gentleman at last received the heaviest 
y The great Lord that began this censure lost his Lady in childbed some three days after, who much grieved at this sentence and blamed him for it. Which Lord riding the last Christ-tide into the Country to keep his Christmas on the Lord's day, his Coach and honour in the plain street at Brainford were both overturned and laid in the dirt, himself sore bruised, and thereupon forced to keep his chamber a good space, there being some doubt of his recovery for a time.  censure that this latter age hath known, all circumstances considered, being expelled the University of Oxford and Lincoln's Inn, thrust from his profession in which he never offended, fined 5000. pound to the King, ordered to stand on two several Pillories, and there to lose both his ears, his books to be there burned before him, and to suffer imprisonment during life beside. Which Sentence thought by most that heard the cause to be meant only in terrorem, without any intention at all of execution, being respited for above three months space, and in a manner remitted by the Queen's most gracious mediation; was yet by this Attorneys and a great Prelate's importunity, beyond all expectation suddenly and severely executed, without any the least mitigation, few of the Lords so much as knowing of it. The Gentleman hereupon is set on the Pillory at Westminster and there lost an ear; Mr. Noy like a joyful Spectator laughs at his sufferings, and this his great exploit he had brought to pass, which diverse there present observed and condemned in him. The Gentleman like an harmless Lamb took all with such patience, that he not so much as once opened his mouth to let fall any one word of discontent. Yet that just God and Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, 
z Psal. 10. 14.  Who beholdeth mischief and spite to requite it with his hand, and avengeth the innocent blood of his servants, took this his mirth and malice so heinously, that the same day (as some about him, and of his own society reported) he who thus shed his brothers and companions blood, by the just hand of God fell a voiding and pissing out his own: which so amazed him, that he used all means he could to smother it from the world, charging his Laundres, and those about him, not to speak of it, refusing to acquaint his Physicians with it: hereupon he grows very palid and ill, the Physicians wonder at it; he complains to them only of the gravel and stone in his kidneys, till at last he grew so ill with this divine stroke, that he was forced to disclose his grief to them, yet so as they must faithfully promise to disclose it to no man, for fear people should say it were a just judgement of God on him for shedding Mr. Prynnes blood: But God would not have this secret long concealed; his Laundres, men, & some Gentlemen of his society discover and talk of it: he much vexed in mind, in stead of repenting of what he had done, and seeking to right the party wronged for his irreparable damage, like a Hart or Beast once mortally wounded, proceeds on in his former fury, seeks to bring the poor distressed Gentleman into fresh trouble & a further censure, brings him Oretenus, into the Starchamber, reviles him with all manner of uncivell words, moves to have him close prisoner among the rogues in Newgate, sells his Chamber as forfeited to the House by his expulsion, seizeth his books: and when as the Court would not grant his unreasonable malicious motion, above 5. weeks after in the long vacation, when most of the Lords were gone, and his Majesty in his progress, draws up an order of his own making in Starchamber for the Gentleman's close imprisonment (the last order he ever made) caused the register to enter it, and sends it to the Tower to be executed the same day he went to Tunbridge waters, without the Lords or Courts privity. The day following drinking of those waters he was in miserable torture, in so much that most dispaired of his life, and some reported he was dead: and hearing there, that his disease of voiding blood was then publicly known and talked of in London, he was so vexed at it, that he fell out with his Physicians and servants, railing on them like a frantic man, as if they had betrayed him, and disclosed his secrets; Yea it so fretted and gnawed his heart & conscience, that it made his very heart & entrails to perish: and about a fortnight after brought him to his end. Being opened after his death, there was not a drop of blood found in his body, for he had voided all out before, his false malicious hard heart with inward fretting & vexing was so consumed & shrinked up, that it was like an old rotten leather purse or mere scurf, the Physicians never seeing the like before, his flesh and kidneys were as black as an hat, his entrails (except his lungs only) all putrid; and his carcase a miserable spectacle, but no stone that could trouble him was found about him: his funeral according to his desire was so private, that there were hardly Gentlemen enough to carry him to his grave, but that some came in by accident. His clients the Players, for whom he had done knight-service, to requite his kindness, the next Term following make him the subject of a merry Comedy, styled; A Projector lately dead; wherein they bring him in his Lawyer's robes upon the Stage, and openly dissecting him, find 100 Proclamations in his head, a bundle of old motheaten records in his maw, half a barrel of new white soap in his belly, which made him to scour so much, and yet, say they, he is still very black & foul within. And as if this voiding of all his own blood, & public disgrace on the Stage were not sufficient to expiate the wronged Gentleman's blood & infamy: himself in his last will lays a brand on his own son and heir: bequeathing all his goods and lands not therein given to others, to Edward his eldest son to be scattered and spent, nec de eo melius speravi: enough to make a dutiful child turn unthrift, & a sign of a despairing man. Which son of his upon his own challenge & rashness hath since been slain in a duel in France by Captain Byron, who escaped scotfree and had his pardon. Thus hath God punished blood with blood: thus hath he dealt with one of the chief occasioners of this 
* The occasion of most of these tragical examples.  Declaration, & burner of that book, which learnedly manifested the unlawfulness of the several sports and pastimes countenanced in it, especially on the Lords own sacred day out of old and new Writers of all sorts, & specified diverse judgements of God upon the authors, actors, & spectators of them, not unworthy consideration in these sable times of plagues and judgements. O consider this & all other the foregoing examples, ye impious Prelates, that so far forget the Lord, as still to silence, excommunicate & persecute godly Ministers for not reading this Declaration (though there be no Canon, Statute, Law or Precept extant that requires it) to the ruin, not so much of them, as their poor innocent people's souls: ye that in these doleful days of Plague and pestilence suppress, neglect all public fasting, preaching and praying, which now if ever should be cried up & practised, and in stead thereof give yourselves over to 
* Neh. 13. 17. 18.  dancing, feasting, playing, 
* Bishops saith Augustine Cont. Btil. l. 3. c. 6.) were all wont vain dances to reprove, But now they are so far from it, that they to dance do love. Thomas Lovel his Dialogue. Witness their late Oxford pro fane plays and dances.  Sabbath breaking, to draw down more wrath and plagues upon us. You who oppress & maliciously persecute godly men, for crossing you in your delights of sin, lest ye now perish as these have done, & so much the rather, because you have all these precedents to admonish you, and yet will not be warned. Well, if you will not be admonished but proceed as you have done, if you perish, thank yourselves; I can say no more to you but this: 
* Virgil.  Discite justitiam moniti & non temnere divos.   

Courteous Reader, I pray correct with thy pen these mistakes and omissions of the Printers, ere thou read the Books, Errata and Omissions.  
In the Title page, l. 17. r. inchoat. l 18. r. cansummat In the Epistle, p. 2. l. 3. for with. r. as l. 15. r. happening. p. 3. l. 4. r. so audaciously. l. 24. f. sins, r. sinews. l. 27. f. hath, r. have. l. 31 r. In Petrus Blesensis. p 4. ●. 29. r. points. p 5. l. 13. r. and such p. 8. l. 31. f. were as, r. as were In the examples, p. 11. Exam. 5. l. 8 were all drowned: add this omission: as some letters report: Others say they were only in great danger of drowning, a spring tide breaking the Ice, but with much labourwer at last saved after 2. or 3. hours' space by the help of hotes. p. 15 l. 13. f. rear, r rear p. 28. l. 1. f. 1634 r. 1636 l. 2. r. Parish of S. Giles p. 32. l. 1. f. now, r. enough. l 6. r. Dr. H. l. 11. f. invention, r. inundation. l. 23. f. to, r. of. p. 33. l. 19 f. defining, r. defying. p. 38. l. 31. profaneness, r. prophaners. p. 39 l 1. had, r. hath. l. 18. come, r. row. p. 40 l. 30. this, r. his. l. 32. none. r. any. p. 41. l. 20. r. Bochellum. p. 36, in the marg. r. Beluacensis.   
Psal. 119. 120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgements. Levit. 26. 27. 28. 
And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me:  
Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury, and I, even I will chastise you seven times more for you sins.   

An advertisement to the Reader, COURTEOUS READER.  
Be pleased to understand, that thorough some oversight at the press, the foregoing Examples are not orderly placed. Indeed it was the author's mind that they should have been otherwise to wit, 1. 2. 3. and so all the rest, in order one after another, as they are numbered in the book, and to this end gave direction, but the same was not considered of these who where employed for the printing, until it was to late. Now this we thought good to certify thee of, that so the mistake may be imputed, to the parties deserving it, and not to the Author, who it blameless herein.