MERCY TRIUMPHING OVERDO ●UDGEMENT OR, A WARNING FOR SABBATH-BREAKERS. Published for God's glory and the benefit of all true Christians. BY me Thomas Jones, Of the City of Hereford. Who for profaning the Lords Day was ●o; t miraculously strucken by the hand of God, and ut●…ly deprived of all my senses, for the space of 4 years; ●…d now by his great mercy (upon my hearty repentance) being perfectly restored to my former health, I as moved to set forth this ensuing Relation, as a testimony of my thankfulness to God for his fatherly chastisement; and that all others by my example, may ●e deterred from so heinous an offence as Sabbath-●reaking. 1 Cor. 10.11. Now all these things happened for examples Therefore remember that ye keep holy the Sabbath day. Exod. 20.8. London Printed by E. P. for john Wright the Younger, dwelling 〈…〉 Go little Book, present thyself. Cum Privilegio. THE PROLOGUE. BEloved Christians, before I was punished for my sins I followed mine own ways, but now I desire to keep the commandments of my God; therefore I will first relate unto ●u in Prose the manner of my chastisement, and what I conceive to be the cause wherefore I was afflicted. Upon the Lords ●ay or Sabbath called Whitsunday, in the year 1624. I disobeyed the Lord, and violated that great day in Cursing, Swearing, Drinking, and keeping of bad company, making an Alehouse, or a worse place my chiefest Sanctuary all that day, from which time my memory was taking from me for seven weeks, that I could never since remember any thing I did, ●eing eight days after that offence committed in perfect health, and cannot conceive how I spent the next Lord's day, but on Trinity-monday riding to a wedding my horse slumbled, in a plain green way, and cast me from off his back upon a stone, where (as I am informed) was scarce another stone to be seen for half a mile, thence was I carried home to the Priory of Brecknock as dead, and lay as one languishing for a week, having a Physician and a Chirurgeon with me, but could not agree where the fracture was, for outwardly there was no wound to be seen, nevertheless the Sirgeon conceiving where the fracture was, (and that I might die within three days if the brain had not vent) immediately made an incision in the Temples on the right side of my head, and cutting all the Vein in that place, I bled by report six or seven quarts of blood before the veins stopped bleeding, yet at the seven week's end I was almost recovered of that desperate wound, and my memory came to me again, but how, when, or where, I was thus chastised, I know not, nor whether I felt any pain, when I was so grievously wounded, and cured, I could not, nor can I remember, only my violating or profaning the Lords day (before declared) I did, and do as yet remember, which made me demand of the Surgeon and others that were about me, at the seven week's end, how long it was since Whitsuntide. And being commanded in a dream to give an account of the Talon which was given me, since I repent for violating the Lords day, I have made bold to present these my endeavours to your charitable censures, not doubting but if the rest of my Talon were manifest to the world it would be pleasing to God and man, most beneficial and useful for this Kingdom, and fit for all young Clerks, Scholars, and Artificers, who understand not the Latin Tongue: which I wanted myself before my Lord and Master corrected me. To the Worshipful and worthily honoured HERBRT PRISE Esquire, one of the Queen's Majesty's Gentlemen Sewers. To his Virtuous, Religious, and Zealous Wife, the Lady Goditha Prise, heretofore one of the maids of her Majesty's privy Chamber, and to their only Child Mistress Henriete Maria Prise, one of her Majesty's GOD Daughters. MOst blessed three, one God, Divinity Protect thy number (sacred Trinity) To whom I prostrate here thy gift, my will, Grant them O Lord the peace of Conscience still, True honours grace (thou know'st) I as a Bird Escaped the Foulers snare when death was feared, My brains being chrusht, my Temples cracked, I fled From thence, and by a blessed Angel led; The Spirit of grace, my faith, my hope revived, And for these seventeen years hath me reprieved From death, to show the world God's gift, this Story, That Sabbath-Breakers might behold my glory; And Gods elect may see the reason why I was so plunged in dreadful misery: The truth it doth declare at large, and how Upon repentance God doth mercy show: This gift is his, which humbly I present, In hope you'll please t'accept the good intent Of him who praise, Your honoured days, May Zealous be, Eternally. His life is yours While heart endures. THOMAS JONES. Anagram Herbert Prise. her ripe Breast. An Acrostic on his name. An Acrostic on his Anagram in the last words of these Lines, invented by the Author. H He made his mother's breast full ripe in Her; Ever she hopes her ripe breast will not Err; Religious Zeal within her breast doth Reign, Breast ripe in him all vice he doth Refrain, every his heart, (most wise) his Faith In crease, Ripe is his Breast, his Soul the heavens would Please: The she ripe breast her Piety Exceeds, Parting her Zeal to him, in him it Breeds: Rule Lord his heart and make his fortunes Rise, In all respects, before great Monarches Eyes: Send him true health, true wealth, and let him See, Each several good descendeth down from Thee. H E E R R B R E I R P T E P B R R I E S S E T The Capitals beginning shows his name, Those in the ends declares his Anagram. Goditha Prise Praise thy God. An Acrostic on her name. An Acrostic on her Anagram. G Great Mountains stoop let Cedars have the Praise, O'er Hills, o'er Dales, God's glory they do Raise, Deep Seas and Floods the Sun doth oft Annoy, In every place the Sun's the Cedar's Joy; Then Praise thy God brave Cedar, truly Send Him thy best sap, his blessings hath not End. All blessed powers, whose Patience man doth Try, Pour down your grace on her, Praise God on Hie, Rare Cedar blest Gods Heavenly shade Entreat, Immortal Tree, most blessed, most high, most Great Spread forth, and Praise thy God, thou art his Own, Extol his name who sends all blessings Down, P O R D A I I T S H E A T P H R I I G S O E D The Capitals beginning shows her name, Those at the ends declares her Anagram. Anagram. Henriete Maria Prise, I remain the aspirer. An Acrostic on her name H Here is that Cedar's Branch whose name aspire, Exalted by a Queen, what Subject higher? Now Praise thy God sweet branches Root again Rejoice in him, his love doth still remain. I saith the Lord, will pour on them my grace, Even I will shield this Branch in every place; Th' immortal life that comes in every bud, Increase her strength, and feed her with thy blood. E N R I E T E M Maintain this Branch aspiring, with thy love, And bless her Days, make her a Turtle Dove: Regard the Zeal of this young Branthers' Steke, Increase their Faith, they are thy sheep, thy Flock; All joyful Trees and Plants about them grow, Palm Trees and Cedars unto them shall Bow: Rare vines shall twist about this Branch, a Tree In Time, but then a Cedar she shall be, Sweet, virtuous, lovely, comely to behold, Each sprig and leaf shall be of beaten Gold. A R I A P R I S E To all true Christians, REAERS and others. Sigh Scholars Toads and Spiders do commend, I hope a Tradesman's Mite cannot offend; Such venomous creatures Christians loathe, or hate, But this my Mite may prove more fortunate; Yet Toads and Spiders serve God in their kind, And doth his will, whereto they are assigned: Each creeping thing's ordained by God's decree, All things were made for man in some degree, The Poison which makes vermin break, or swell, Most precious is, Physicians best can tell: Yet though they loathsome are to mortal eyes, Within this world their shame and sorrow dies: But man who sins on earth continually, Death shall not end his shame, nor misery; Then doth his woe begin, for whom I pray, Although they scorn and hate what now I say, Then shall he know that God caused me to write, The Sabbaths praise, (his gift) or Tradesman's Mite, Then shall proud gallants wish would they had been As weak as I, or vermin void of sin, Sin's therefore worse than death, than Hell, the Devil, And of all sin, Pride is the greatest evil, Pride makes men hate, and loath, and scorn the poor, Yet shall a Tradesman's Mite strike every door, Open therefore and let instruction in, Observe God's day with zeal, abandon sin, Then in this world thou shalt begin true joy, For Death and Hell Christ Jesus did destroy: Though Reprobates this Mite doth discommend, The gift of God my faith shall have no end. Before I declare the manner of that fearful Accident (which I conceive happened to me for profaning the Sabbath of the Lord my God) I will recite unto you the first Verses tha● ever I made, which is the gift of God bestowed on me since h● Chastisement, containing a Dialogue between my Soul an● Body. And in the end of this Pamphlet, you shall see the Praye● which I made when I was deprived of my speech and Senses▪ An Acrostic Elegy on my brother's name, made at th● News of his death, my descent, my own, and wives Anagrams, her descent, an Acrostic on her name, made on th● words she spoke on her Deathbed, I lamentted her death, an● concluded with a thanksgiving and Prayer in Verse. To which Book I have added an Antidote f●r troubled Soule● or the fruit of repentance, which a friend delivered unto me sin● I was recovered of my numbness. The Author's first beginning to make Verses, which strain came naturally to him since his affliction. A Dialogue between his Soul and body. The Argument. I Lay amazed when as I seemed as dead, I thought my Soul was from my Body fled, The wings did take, and through the Clouds did sore, Which made me faint, than God I did implore, To view my doleful, wretched, ghastly plight, Most weak, as dead I seemed in mortals sight: Then 'twas Gods will we should discourse in Verse, ●n these plain terms which now I will rehearse. THE DIALOGUE. SOULE. I Like a Pilgrim wandered to and fro, Twixt heaven & earth, still crossed by man's dread foe, To heaven I fled where blessed Souls remain, The spirit from thence did send me bacl again To earth, to thee from whom amazed I fled, When gapsing on the ground thou layst as dead: Then he who doth by fear his servants prove, Sent me again to testify his love. BODY. Welcome sweet soul thrice welcome unto me, We lived as one, I thought we did agree; I wept, I mourned, since you did me disdain, As dead I lived, which caused me to complain: A sudden death I ever thought a curse, But your departure made mine seem far worse; Yet senseless did I live, I felt no pain, Nor know I when, or how I did complain. SOULE. When from earth's Centre I did mount on high, The damned Fiend pursued me instantly, And there proclaimed what sins I did commit, Which made me quake, and fear, and tremble. Yet My faith, my hope and fear, together strave, Faith hope embraced, but fear no rest could have: Then did my chief commander this decree, That I should redescend to earth in thee. BODY. GOds justice is severe, yet mercy found Me out, when I lay tumbling on the ground, And then I thought th' immortal spirit said, Christ died for him sad soul be not afraid, Return, return, let nothing thee dismay, Christ is thy life, thy health, thy help, thy stay; The Trine that's blest likewise those words he spoke, When death perforce would thy possession take. SOULE. THy faith, thy hope, hath sent me bacl with joy, Abandon fear, Christ will our Foes destroy, Thy faith God saw, thy hope, thy heart, thy zeal, When at his feet I humbly did appeal; His sacred spirit showed thee then his will, 'Cause on his mercy thou dependedst still; Now see, behold, his love hath sent me bacl To thee, his grace therefore we shall not lack. BODY. AS heaven bright Sun doth clear the misti'st morn, So doth my soul refresh my heart forlorn, As heavenly dews the parched earth do cherish, So doth my soul my heart, who thought to perish; As Cynthia's beams makes clear the sable night, So bright my soul doth shine, to me most light; As heaven and earth obeys our God the chief, So would my heart, his will be done in brief. SOULE. THy hapless fall a happy chance did prove, Thy faith, thy hope hath gained thy Saviour's love That sudden fearful spectacle most strange, Declares thy faith, which scorns for fear to change; God turneth grief and fear to happy ends; Most happy they who on his aid depends, Such is thy faith, thy grief, thy fear also, Which shows God's love and mercy after wo. BODY. LO, where Gods dreadful stream did run, there grows Faith, hope & zeal, his mercy it o' reflows, My shield is Christ, the Trinity I praise, Whose love and mercy hath prolonged my days; With ardent zeal I will on God depend, Sweet soul revive, my sorrows here shall end: Let mutual love in us again be seen, More strong, more firm, then heretofore hath been. SOULE. ALthough thy foul frail spotted sins did draw God's direful wrath on thee, observe his Law: Th' Apostle Paul Christ's Gospel did deny, The Prophet jonas thought from God to fly, Yet God in mercy did their sins forgive, And they eternally with him shall live: Therefore O Lord keep us from Satan's claws, And hunger starve his guts and greedy jaws. SOULE and BODY. HEre on the earth again in one we live, heavens grant we may no more offend, nor grieve, Blessed be the night when fear did make her us part, Blessed be that day when God did prove my heart, Blessed be him who did God's wrath appease, Blessed be him who doth my faith increase: Bless me ye powers divine, (three one most wise,) Make all my thoughts and deeds please thy blessed eyes. A WARNING FOR Sabbath-Breakers. When as the Allseeing God of Gods did give The Reins to me, I carelessly did live, For on his great and Sacred day of rest, His Sabbath made for man, which he hath blest, I with the vulgar ran and did transgress His chief command, which here I will express: On Whitsunday that's past was sixteen year, I grossly sinned, eschewing grief and fear, For in the morn when from the bed I risen, The world, the flesh, the Devil did dispose Of me, and made me rave, disdain and swear, My heart was vexed, which made me then forbear To go to Church, to ease my troubled mind, But in an Alehouse thought more ease to find, Where I Tobacco took, and healths did drink, Of Whitsunday I never once did think, Nor of God's will, that morn I thus did spend, Till Divine prayers, and Sermon both did end; Then in that Alehouse I my dinner took, God's word, his House, that day my heart forsook, Yet after noon I to my Master went To wait on him to Church, but my intent Was crossed by sloth, for by the way I met His spouse and him, and children all complete, Then with his servants did I go along Unto the Church, but from that zealous throng I did departed, and I again did go Unto those jovial lads, whose zeal I know For my return did stay, among them there I tippled still, God's wrath we did not fear. But when I asked if Evening prayer were done, A Maid replied that Sermon was begun. Then up we stood, a health we did begin, A Frolic called, no thought that day of sin, But when we thought that Sermon was ne'er ended, To Church we did repair, yet I attended Still at the door, as if at Church I was With zeal devout, but this I brought to pass When from God's House we all departed home, I privately desired my Master's groom To help me to a horse, that I might go 〈…〉 To visit her, whom he too well did know; Which he with speed performed cause sick he lay, There did I spend the rest of God's blessed day; But how or when I did return again, Or where the horse I rid on did remain, Or eight days after being sound and well, What then I did, I never since can tell: But by report of honest worthy men, On Trinity monday next that followed then, A special friend reposed trust in me, To gain a Licence for him speedily: Then to my friend the Register I went, Who instantly petformed my intent, He forthwith brought the Licence sealed to me, ●or which I paid to every Clerk his fee; That Antidote I thought with speed to bring, ●o ease their hearts who felt blind Cupid's sting; ●ut they who thought each hour, I stayed a day, With all their friends began to lead the way: Cause Evening came, and far they had to ride Unto the house who for them did provide, Then after them I rid with joy and speed, To show my love I brought them what they need, Their Licence 'twas, for which they long had stayed, The sight of it did make their hearts paid; When they the same received I went on still, Till Phoebus' light was clouded with a hill; Then from them did I part, with many more, Who thought with me to Brecknock back to go, But mark the end, when we were at a stand, A Glow-worm came and lighted on my hand, Then did I ride before when it was night, And bragging said, that God had sent me light, With that I fell from of my horses bacl, And on a stone, my scull I there did crack; My friends amazed stood, I lay as dead, No wound they saw, but inwardly I bled, Which stroke my friends and fellows in a fear, Some grieved & sighed, and some their hair did tear Far from a house it was where I did lie, What comfort could they have if I should die, Upon their hands? each to their friends did go, And my disaster told, their fear, my woe. Then God awaked a friend who heard the matter, He ran with speed and brought me his strong-water, His daughters followed him, they did repair Where I did lie, thither they brought a chair, His water did my heart and soul revive, And made both life and death begin to strive In me; within the chair was I laid, And to his house I gently was conveyed; And by relation there of many a one, In half a mile was scarce another stone, For to be seen, save that whereon I fell, Yet where or how it was I cannot tell: The Groom more bold and venturous than the rest, Unto my Master rid, and him possessed, By break of day what dire mischance I had Who risen with speed and came to me (most sad) By that time came a Surgeon unto me To view my corpse, but he no wound could see, With him my Master stayed four hours and more, And they with all my friends did God implore To save my life, I scarcely then had breath, Which they perceived, and gave me over for death; My Master then returning, news was spread, What chance I had, and how I lay as dead: Which made my friends lament, and fear, and grieve Yet some that sudden news would scarce believe; Most of that Country wide, and ne'er about, Came thither to see, and to resolve their doubt, My Master riding home again did find, The Bailiff of Brecknock and the Townsmen kind, To me they came, he met them by the way And gave them thanks, they for my life did pray: But sure said he, my Man is dead ere this, He cannot live, or else I aim amiss. Therefore you need not take such pains in vain, Then all (as one) replied to him again, We hope he'll live as yet this many a year, Yet home he went, and thither sent a bier, To carry me upon when I was dead, Whereon they placed me, underneath my head A Scholar of mine, whom I did teach to write, Thus I as dead did lie in doleful plight, Then on men's shoulders was I carried home, To Breknocke Priory, brought into that room, Wherein I lay full four years and more, A Covenant servant in that house before, There I no sooner was laid down, but strait A Surgeon, and Physician, both did wait To view my mortal corpse, and rueful fate, For fear least help and skill should come too late. Two days they did consult and feel my head, But disagreed; then I being almost dead, The 'ternall just who kills, and doth restore To life made them consult no more: And then the Surgeon found the Brain-pans rend, Who an incision made to give it vent; The fracture in the Temples he had found, Where he did make a bloody wound, There he the veins did cut, then as a flood Did issue thence, abundance of my blood, In streams it ran, till I had lost my breath, Then all men feared that I should bleed to death: Yet after I six quarts, or seven did bleed, My blood did stop, and I from pain was freed: Then did my worthy Master send again, To divers Shires a Surgeon to obtain Who had more skill, for I was grown most weak, Languish I did, they thought I could not speak: Thus I remained, a week (they say) and more, In woeful case, impatience made me roar, With me the Surgeon and Physician stayed, Expecting still to have more skilful aid; Now when 'twas thought that I was almost spent, A skilful Surgeon unto me God sent Out of, Glamorganshire, from thence he came By chance, john Nichols was the Surgeon's name, Who when he saw how ghastly I did lie, He said I was past hopes to live, but die I should ere it were long, and thought it best For to withhold his skill, and not molest My lingering life, which made my Master grieve, And thence return; and say, he cannot live If he no skill will show, he needs must die, But if his best he doth, what remedy? Then when my Master's grief and fear was past, Unto the Surgeon he thus said at last, Be pleased I pray to let him die with skill, That's all I crave, for God must have his will. The Surgeon then unto my Chamber turned, Where many feared, and hoped, and wept, and mourned, Then did he raise me up; small hopes I have Saith he, death I do smell, his life I cannot save. Yet in the name of God he did begin, To view the wound which I had for my sin: God out of ill draws good, and who doth know If unto him the Lord will mercy show, While that he breathes (saith he) in hope I live, That God in mercy will assistance give To what I undertake, I must confess, Ten thousand in the world are killed with less; A stroke upon the Temples of the head, Without a wound or fracture strikes men dead, Therefore my brother Surgeon showed his skill, Whose aid I crave, I shall applaud him still: If in the head the fracture were not found Before this time he had been in the ground: In Brecknockeshire he lives, one of his name Did live in Hereford, and died with fame, He was a noted Surgeon of account, Who to the seat of justice there did mount, When I a Schoolboy was, he then was Mayor, And o'er the City swayed in justice chair, His name was Thomas Williams, there approved For knowledge, wit and skill, of all beloved. My Surgeon here is of that name, and nature, Ordained of God, to make me live God's creature, And here on earth his servant would I be, To blaze his love and mercy unto me, This dreadful news to Hereford did come, Which struck my brother, friends, and mother dumb, Then she who never thought to visit Wales, God did appoint to mount those hills and dales, If any were within that sad short way, She did not them respect, with delay: She and my brother came with speed to see, What dire mischance had happened unto me. Oh! for my sins is was on God blest day, For which my Conscience makes me fast and pray, His Sabbath I profaned sundry times, But specially I grieve for all those crimes, I did on Whitsunday (declared before) Which caused the Lord to punish me so sore: Wherefore with heart and soul I daily pray, That I may truly keep his Sabbath day. Lord make the world detest that great offence, And let all Christians have that spiritual sense. The Surgeon whom God sent began to try, His hopeful skill, my wound he did untie, The sharp incision made, he open laid, Which made (my friends) the lookers on afraid, Saying with fear, if more blood this man spill, He needs must die, yet doth he die with skill; Then he replied, think you my skill so small, What ere I do there shall not much blood fall From him, my flesh he scared as he thought good, And with his fingers still he stopped the blood, My skin he flaid, and did raspe out that bone Which in my temples cracked upon a stone; But by God's providence and Surgeon's skill, A spoonful more of blood he did not spill, The bone wraspt up it smelled egregiously, And o'er the brain he said three skins did lie, ●f each of them were putrified, than he May linger yet, but long he cannot be Alive, two taint, where the third was not With putrefaction stained, blemish, or spot; Whereat my friends and Surgeon did rejoice, ●n hope the Lord my God did hear the voice Of some that prayed, yet they an alteration Feard, which fell beyond man's expectation; For God himself which did my flesh torment, Revived my soul, and made my heart repent, Then in the morn before the break of day, The Surgeon sent to see how quiet I lay, My loving friends who watched with me that night, With courteous words again did him requite, Surely said they the Surgeon hands are blest, For since his fall he took not so much rest: The former Surgeon his attendance gave, And all things brought which he desired to have, Their care, their pains, their love did still abound, They grieved, they feared, they hoped I mercy found With God, and when they hopes of life did see, They praised the Lord, and each one prayed for me, Then did they view my dreadful wound again, And order gave what meats I should refrain, And when my grievous wound they view and dressed, The Surgeon (God did send) made this request, 'Cause I have many patients here, and there, And my long absence might put them in fear, I pray be pleased sigh fear of death is past, That unto them again I now may hast; His brother Williams he would leave with me, For under God he saved your life said he, Had not he found the fracture in the head, And an incision made, you had been dead Before this time, therefore you live to God, All comes from him, he smote you with his rod; These words my Masters pleased my friends also, Who said to him, you know your time to go, Let us not hinder you, go when you please, For God appointed you to give him ease, After which time he two days more did stay, But then with speed he seemed to post away; The former Surgeon then his skill did show, But how this wound I had I did not know; For after I abused the Sabbath day, I did remain in health a week (they say) And more, but all that time I cannot tell What ere I did, being then both sound and well, Nor six weeks after I was hurt (alas) Nothing I know, nor how it came to pass, But by relation I will make it known, Wherefore God's judgement was upon me shown, It was for mine offence seven weeks before, Which still I do remember, but no more, Saving those things I did on Whitsunday, For than I know from God I went astray: Within six weeks the Surgeon came again To me, but then (they said) I told him plain, I knew him not, wherefore he did reply, Your brains I felt when you were like to die, Witness this bone which then I took from you, My friends did say (alas) it's too too true, He under God did save your life on earth, And gave a being to your second birth; Then as a child I did begin to go, And senseless lived of grief, of pain, of woe; My mother and my friends newly did grieve, And prayed, that I so simple might not live, They of a wedding speak, where I had been, Wishing that I those parties ne'er had seen; Whereat I mused, for I had clean forgot The same, alas said I, I know it not, Hath not the Lord new moulded me again, And makes me now a spectacle for men To gaze upon: but 'tis my maker's pleasure, Which I embrace, as worldlings do their treasure, His Sabbath I profaned, not once, nor twice, But too too oft, for which I Sacrifice These sighs of mine, my wound it fairly healed, Which pleased my Surgeon well, yet he appealed To God, he could not make me speak again, Yet I but half a year did so remain, Nay in a month or two my health I had, Though weak and feeble, melancholy sad, But then my Mother she my double nurse, Departed home, whereat I grieved, far worse To think my faculties from me were gone, Which made me sigh and pray to God alone For grace, and that he would be pleased to see, My doleful case, my fear, infirmity. In mercy then my memory he sent Again, and gave me grace for to repent, Then on the Sabbath day my thoughts did run, I grieved, I mourned, to think what I had done On Whitsunday before declared, (alas) For which I fear the heavens brought this to pass On me, and makes me to the world relate The cause, that mortal man that sin may hate, My heart condemns me still for that offence, 'Cause seven weeks after, I had lost each sense, My memory failed in all things that I knew Before that time, which I before did show, Then in my grief I slept, and in my sleep The Angel spoke that did my body keep. Yet four, and thou shalt be as thou hast been, Which made me hope at four week's end t'have seen It come to pass, but that night in a Dream The Angel spoke again, four years I mean, With that I waked, and praised the God of might, Who in my sleep resolved my doubt that night, Which made my heart rejoice, then as I prayed, The spirit spoke again, and thus it said, God's sacred Book take thou and understand His will, read it, and mark what he commands, Do not despair, he knows thy judgement's weak, Thy heart he knows, & what thy tongue would speak Observe, and note his mercies manifold To heinous sinners, our fore-forefathers old; Which Book in time I read, in hope, in fear Yet speechless I remained for half a year, After that dreadful accident most strange; But then my desperate thoughts to faith did change Now when the Idol of vain pleasure, she Whom on the Lord's day I did ride to see, Was of her sickness late recovered quite, Her lewd temptation made my soul affright; But than I found God was displeased likewise With her, the Loadstone to my miseries, For on his blessed day, his day of rest, His word I loathed when she my heart possessed. To her I rid, who likewise did profane God's day; for which (offence) she came to shame. That year, she from those parts disgraceful fled, And in another shire was brought to bed; The child being borne, of it she was bereft By death, ere since her native place she left, Therefore I pray as God converted me, Do so O Lord to her where ere she be: Then from my mother speedily I heard, My father in law lay sick, his death she feared, Which made me strive to write my mind again To her, and then I wished her to refrain To grieve excessively if he should die, God would provide enough for her and I, After which time, eight days he lived (the most) Then as they say, he yielded up the ghost: Which when I heard I grieved, yet than I thought that God did look on me again, And for my mother's good this chance befell, That after ages may this Story tell; When she was married to that second man, I then being Apprentice from my Master ran, Because I grieved at her unlucky fate, I feared her choice would prove unfortunate, Which soon did come to pass: his gains did slip Still through his hands by too oft suretyship, Which made my mother vex, she wept, she grieved, Yea small content she had while here he lived: Wherefore this dire mischance the Lord did send To me, that she in Wales might me attend, But when to Hereford she was returned Within eight days she for her husband mourned, Whose unexpected death perplexed her heart; But than Man's chief protector took her part; On her my thoughts did run, I could not rest Until she yielded to my small request; Which only was that she would live with me, The which the powers divine did first decree. With me my father's name she had again, 'Cause I her son as husband did remain, Two years being past and gone in hope I lived, At Bath to gain my speech, for which I grieved, Which made me often to be vexed and crossed, For all my faculties and speech I lost; At Bath I stayed nine days in expectation, Not as brave gallants do for recreation, But I with Faith and hope my time did spend, Then as from Bath I rid, at the Towns end My horse did stumble at a heap of stones, Whereon I fell, there might I break my bones, My foot within the Srirrop hung to show, My life, my soul, my all to God I own, He made my horse afraid to stir or move, From thence, until my foot I did remove Out of the Stirrup than my friend came in And held my horse, who saw that I had been delivered safe from harm, but fearful sad, Which made me think upon a dream I had, Two years before, my heart did then perceive God might my brains dash out, and me bereave Of life; because I did mistrust that he At four year's end would make me be As I had been, Lord pardon me for it, And I shall wait until thou thinkest it fit To make me sound, yet I in Bristol stayed At that new well, till I was there afraid Of Gods allseeing power, than did I grieve, Because my faith would not a dream believe; And I returned home again with speed, Where for my secret sins my heart did bleed, Then did I call to mind what God had penned, There I observed God's mercies hath no end; (Made known by's Prophets and Apostles grave) Which did increase my faith, and comfort gave, To me, yea there I marked what fearful sin, Our forefathers did too too much run in, God's mighty wrath they often did provoke, Yet soon it vanished as the Airy smoke: But most severe he hath been unto those, Who did his Sabbath break when they might choose, Witness the man who for a small offence On God's blessed day, death was his recompense, He only gathered sticks to serve his need, But from neglect or sloth it did proceed; God seven days did make, and did exempt But one for his own use, now in contempt If man abuse his Sabbath which he blest, And from his worldly labours will not rest. Or if we lewdly spend the Sabbath day, Or carelessly his sacred will obey; Or if that day our duties we neglect, For that offence we may the like expect, But he that gathered sticks and I have been, Thus plagued, that others may abhor that sin. Praised be God for it, though I have been Ere since perplexed in mind; yet hath he seen Me daily on my knees for mercy praving, And with repentant tears always am saying, O Lord, my God, my faith, my hope increase, My weak petitions grant, when thou shalt please: Yet all those faculties which I enjoyed, For seven years, the Lord my God annoyed. But I with faith and hope did always pray Unto him still, whose mercy doth o'resway His justice great, for in all ages past, God's dreadful wrath did but a moment last: And his chastisement which in mercy fall, The greater blessings do attend them all, Witness the Thief that died with our Saviour, His faith upon the Cross, his last behaviour, Made him with Jesus Christ to live for ever, And with the Saints he laud's th'Almighty giver Of Heaven and Earth, of joy, of Peace, of Rest, (The only man that at his Death was blest) Now seeing in mercy God chastised me, With faith I hope, my life was his decree, (He turned my tears to smiles, and in my sleep The Spirit that spoke true promise than did keep) For long before the time was at an end, A married wife from London God did send, Unto her husband who in Brecknock lived, Where he with sickness was long vexed, and grieved, Now in this second M●trymoniall knot, God's love and mercy shall not be forgot, For when the Sick-man's means was almost gone, It was increased (past hopes) by God alone, Who made his wife return to ease his heart, And from her gold most freely she did part, She travailed, far and near, by day, and night, To gain Physicians aid if that she might, No cost she spared, no physic did he lack, But all in vain, for death at crushed his back, Yet God did make their love again more strong, Then ere it was, which death did cross ere long, For Atropo's stole with his direful knife, And suddenly did cut his thread of life: Before his death she dreamed by her relation Unto their friends, beyond man's expectation, She being with child was often sick with fear, Then in a dream her Uncle did appear To her, and to her comfort thus he said: Think on Christ Jesus, be not thou dismayed, On wednesday thou shalt ease and comfort have, But when she waked the man was in his grave; In dust and ashes he was long before, For he had then been dead six years and more. Her husband being in tombed within the earth, Two children strove in her to have their birth, Then two months after upon Friday night, Strong throws and labour did her soul affright, Yea day by day she was in mortal pain, Until that hopeful wednesday came again, The Midwife and her friends this counsel gave, To cut her womb, that she her life might save, But she replied, nay, God forbidden that I, Should rip my womb, no, rather let me die; But on the wednesday morn that followed next, Her grief increased, and she was more perplexed, Then from her womb a sweet girl there did spring, Which did increase her faith, not fear death's sting; Yet than her throws increased, she had more pain, Till from her womb a dead child sprung again, Which was a boy, the girl on earth did live Eleven days. Then Christ her soul did give To God, and all her friends with one accord, Did humbly praise th'eternal mighty Lord, Who such a wonder on a stranger wrought, The like was never seen in Wales 'tis thought, God saved her life past hopes, and made her know The day, that his great mercy he would show To her, her friends thus said, she was beloved Of God, for God her faith and patience proved, She was chastised to show that she was blest, God spared her life, her faith the heavens increased, Her love, her care of him who caused her woe, Doth show her faith, yet she (they said) must do The like (no doubt), Gods glory she must raise, For which she lives, to gain eternal praise; Cease doting Muse in vain thou setst her forth, God knows her heart, let heavens make known her worth; She being restored to her health again, Among her husband's friends she did maintain Herself, according to her rank and blood, In modest sort, during her widowhood She taught, to sow, to wash, to starch, to read, Her love, her fame in divers shires did spread, From whence the Gentry did their children send To her, her breeding they did still commend, Her pains, her care, her love gave all content, The heaven of heavens did know her true intent: Then did she dream again as 'twas reported, A Painter to her company resorted, He gained her love, to him she married was, But thought that it would never come to pass When she awaked, but in the morning she Did ask what Painters here in Wales might be, Her friends replied, truly we know not well, But in this Town there's one we all can tell: This night said she, a Painter won my love, A black haired man, of him I did approve, But now the Painter I have lost, my love Is God, who did my faith, and patience prove. Then when she was grown strong, she did return Unto that house where she began to mourn, For her late husband dead, but when again She came, my mother near her did remain, Where they close neighbours for a twelve month lived, And oft discoursed, sometimes wherefore they grieved, My mother finding her most loving, courteous kind, Of good conditions, and a zealous mind, They both were intimate, and lived together More dear than neighbours; for I knew not whether Greater affection bore unto each other: Then for her kind respects unto my Mother, In commendations of her blessed name, I these unpolisht lines did frame, Marry a Virgin God and Man did bear, Who conquered Death for those in thraldom were, And you in name and nature blest also, For health unto the Virgin's Son did go, Your love, your faith, your hope in God your joy, Brought you to him, who did death, hell, destroy: Then when the Spirits promise did grow near, Fresh hopes revived my heart, as shall appear, My senses all benumbed, my drooping mind, My tongue, my limbs did alteration find, (For when my speech and faculties I lost, Upon deep despairs tomb my heart was tossed) And now the heavens who life doth still presage, Bound up my wounds, and bids me cherish age, What cares, what fears then harboured in my breast, Is known to him who matrimony blest. He made me go unto my Mother's friend, That faithful widow whom she did commend; Our hearts we linked in one, we did agree When that our Nuptial day should be, Which now I note 'twas just four days before The four years were expired and no more, Upon which day she said, for you I tarried, My life God spared for you, yet was I married A twelve month since, unto an Artist kind, Unto a black haired Painter, but I find Dreams are but fantasies, they're seldom true. Then I replied, that dream perhaps comes now, For I a Painter am, or would be so Though I of late no faculty could show, And Doctor Laud the Lord Archbishop's grace Of Canterbury, being Bishop of this place Saint Davies called, his Lordship promise made That by Commission I should use that trade, Throughout his Diocese, to beautify The House of God, by his authority; And though of late he be translated hence, Your dream my hopes revive without offence, Then when the next Lord Bishop there did come, For to succeed the Lord Archbishops room, That's now, in my behalf my Master spoke To him, who nobly for my Master's sake The like Commission caused to be made For me, I his assistance had, and aid; Then with my men Gods house I did adorn, Although before I seemed as one forlorn, But riding on the Sabbath day again, My soul and conscience grieved, and did complain Against my heart, God now the umpire is Who will not suffer man to do amiss; Then as I rid I thus resolved the doubt, It is God's house which makes me ride about; Therefore I know I do not God offend, With that my heart did faint, because the end Was for my gain, and not to rectify The house of God, which I did beautify, Then my Commission close two years I stayed, Because my greedy heart made me dismayed, My wife being then with Child, that night when she Did hope by her account her Child to see, At midnight she fell in a shivering fit, Whom I awaked and asked the cause of it, This night saith she, when I expected ease, My spirit or guardian angel, which you please, To me did speak, whereat I was affrighted; Think not (its said) that you shall yet be lighted, On All Saint's day God hath decreed that you Shall then be brought to bed, alas it's now Full six weeks hence, (saith she) alas that I Must so long yet endure this misery, Yet 'tis Gods will she said, his name I'll praise, His will be done, he hath prolonged my days. Then in the morn she heart of grace did take, All grief, all fear distrust she did forsake, On All Saint's eve her labour then begun, Sad gripes and throws in every part did run, But by the break of day on that blessed morn That followed next, a man child she had borne Into the world, wherefore she praised the Lord, Blessing his name who hath performed his word, With her, and said I most unworthy am To know thy will or call upon thy name. Then I another course of life did undertake, And for a time all Painting did forsake, Because a friend of mine was Sheriff there, And his Recorder made me for that year, I by that place experience still did gain, There I with credit did my charge maintain, My son by promise by my wife's relation, God blest with virtue, beyond expectation: He being a twelve month old or somewhat more, His mother dreamed again as heretofore, When Mistress Prise of Brecknock Priory lay Most dangerous sick, expecting every day The time she would this wretched life departed, Cause all Physicians failed with skill and Art, To cure her long disease, yet if she played With her young child, a voice unto her said, She should be eased of each sick tedious fit, But wished my household not to speak of it, Lest she should there be made a laughing stock, For dreams are fancies which do most men mock: Still Mistress Prise lay sick as heretofore, After that time a month I know and more, About which time my wife did ride to see Her mother, friends and kindred, God's decree That morn she went from home one privately Revealed her dream, but told it secretly To Mistress Prise, who for my child did send To see if after that her grief would end, The child being brought to her, with him she played, And him Physician called, but thus she prayed, Lord if it be thy will that I shall live, And hast ordained this means I praises give, Unto thy sacred name, for this thy love, Bless this sweet child with grace, that he may prove Thy Servant here on earth, and in the end, Make his sweet soul unto thy Throne ascend. After the child's being there she mended still, And did recover her health, God's sacred will, His mother scarce a week from home did stay, After the child with Mistress Prise did play, But God was pleased before my wife came home, To make my Mistress walk about her room: Then God restored her to her health again, And ever since in health she doth remain, She can declare the truth which I have Writ, To show the gift of God I thought most fit, I having now discharged in Brecknockshire, The Shire-Clerks place, which held but for a year, It pleased the Judges there my will to grace, And did confer on me another place, They made me an Attorney at th'Assise, Which office there my fortunes did not rise, Because my Client's they were Welsh-men bred, And when they spoke, I knew not what they said, Then I a Prentice took and thought it fit, To teach him all things that was requisite, But when I found he Welsh and English spoke, I thought with him I should more profit make, If he and I with my Commission went T'adorn the House of God: then my intent And purpose I began, yet still I prayed My God, my Lord, who made my soul afraid, T'assist my good desire, Lord send me skill Again t'adorn thy house, he knew my will, He was my aid, though he chastised me, He makes me cautious of his blessed decree. Though I did once profane his day of rest, Henceforth I hope t'observe his Sabbath blest, For on that day within his sacred Book, My heart and soul for profit there shall look, His grace and favour I have found again; He with his blessings doth my life sustain. Still he is pleased t'assist me with his grace, Which doth my mind content in every place, Yet every day my sorrows did increase, Because my special friends did still decrease, Death strikes them here too fast, ah me I grieve, To see strong Oaks cast down and brambles live: Then when I left my Church-work every night, I still would take a Pen, and thus did write. We Painters err to picture death still blind, For I observe he sees the best to find, But meager death thy Dart hath done them good, Thrice happy they wherein thy sting hath stood, Thou art deceived, their souls to heaven fly, Though in the earth their bodies rotting lie, Thy ghastly pale grim face makes friends to weep, When thy sharp dart makes friends in earth to sleep, Yet nought thou canst with all thy hate or love, Save what's decreed by that three-one above, Then let me spare to rave and be content, He is commanded by th'Omnipotent: He doth command the world, and him also, Therefore let us prepare with death to go, Let those alas who too too oft have stood, More for the Church goods than the Churches good, Repent and grieve for it with awful fear, Praising his name who doth his rod forbear, And let those great ones next who seem most strong, Can hardly offer right or suffer wrong: Let them with humble hearts and souls confess, That heretofore they weakly did transgress; Let every one make privy search within, And with repentance root out damned sin, Let's firmly love, yea with a tender heart, All envy, malice, discord set apart, Such sins as those, and others not much less, Is th'only cause of grief and heaviness, 'twas not their sins alone which bred our woe, But ours with theirs, and many sinners more, We are the cause alas, as well as they, For which our friends so soon do rot in clay, We oft speak fair and love is daily feigned, Gold some do make their God, ungodly gained. When men grow rich they then grow insolent, Scorning the poor and harmless innocent, God's wrath we do provoke, he oft doth threat, With bitter tears let's humbly him entreat To save the rest, and turn his wrath away, Oh! turn us Lord, I'm bold myself to pray, For, for our sins, and for our wicked crimes, Thou tak'st away the godly oftentimes: God takes from us in my conceit the best, My faithful friends with death he did arrest; Thus I my heart did ease at idle times, With making such unpleasant doleful lines; Six sheets of Paper closely did I write, The more I grieved bewailed the more I might, Of them I only here have given a touch, To Critics ears I know it's too too much: Therefore I'll cease, and hold on my discourse, In praise of God, which may perhaps seem worse To them; when I had gone through Brecknockshire, And Painted most of all the Churches there, My Prentice did desire his friends to see, And with his father rid to Mountgom'ry, That day from Herefordshire a message came, To me, (and said, that there God spread my fame) I thither must make haste without delay, And there resolve a month or two to stay, To teach young Gentlemen to write with speed, Whom Doctor Rogers in his house did breed, To them I went, where I did find such love, As if the powers divine had from above Decreed, that to my native place I must return, And for the good of others am I borne. My Prentice then returned to me no more, Wherefore my Church Commission I gave over. Now was my first borne son on All Saint's day ●ust five years old; and as my friends did say, About that time, the day, the hour of's birth, His blessed soul forsook this mortal earth, Then on the morrow when I heard that news, 〈◊〉 came unto my house where I did use, 〈◊〉 job like patiented mind, and praised the Lord, Not doubting but his mercy would afford Me grace to be content, than did I write And make this Epitaph, his father's mite, On All Saint's day thou didst draw vital breath, On All Saint's day God sent for thee by death On All Saint's morn 'twas five years since that time, Thou first unto thy mother's papes did climb▪ God called thee hence; twice all the Saints did show, Thou wast a jewel which God himself did owe, God did decree that all the Saints should bring Thee to the earth, and fetch thee to their King: Who so is borne to day and dies to morrow, Loseth few days of mirth but months of sorrow. Then when some mournful days for him were passed, To Herefordshire again I did make haste, Unto my Scholars there, but by the way I at a zealous house was forced to stay, Whose sons that Doctor did instruct, and I Their want in th'art of writing did supply; And as I bacl returned home again, At that religious house, I did remain All night, and on the Sabbath day I went From thence, (unknown) because I would prevent The time, for riding to and fro so far, My expectation it did seem to bar, But when I came to them again I heard, A mild discourse, which made my soul afeard: 'Cause I again had trespassed on God's day, For which offence I wept, and thus did pray, Be pleased O Lord to make me recompense, My weak desire and wilful ignorance, With zeal devout, Lord shield me every where, From bold presumption, grief, despair, and fear; Then as through Hereford I often past, The Free Schoolmaster, and his friends at last, With many a Townsman there did speak to me, That in their City I sometimes would be To teach to write. For in your native Town Said they, where you once lived, your fame is blown, Their kind persuasion soon impression took, In me, for Wales I instantly forsook And all preferments there, to Hereford I came, whose Church and College will afford, A pensive man true comfort in distress, True food for souls and men in heaviness. Now in this City can I scarcely gain Sufficient means, yet do I still maintain Myself, my family, taxations pay, And all God sends, to whom I fast and pray. Grant me thy grace O God, contentment still, Lord my ambition is to do thy will, Thou knowst that's all the wealth I wish on earth, Which is thy gracious gift (my second birth.) My heart, my soul shall on my God rely, His name I bless, I praise, I magnify, Which is the cause that I this Mite have writ, To show my zeal, but not to blaze my wit Which is but weak, a Tradesman weak I am, Whom Christ I hope hath called t'adore his name. THE PRAYER. O Lord God everlasting, Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, glorious, holy and merciful art thou in all thy works, of thy goodness and mercy thou maa'st me of the dust of the earth, breathing in me the breath of life, to the intent I should continually serve thee, but I a miserable and wretched sinner, following the steps of my first parents, transgressed thy commandments, and have been often inveigled by the world the flesh and the devil to break thy Sabbath, for which my conscience persuades me (by many infallible reasons) that thou in mercy hast afflicted me for the same, yet upon my weak humiliation thou wast pleased (after thy chastisement) to comfort my heart with the remembrance of thy fatherly love declared in thy sacred word, for thou causedst thine only Son Christ jesus to descend from thy throne of Majesty into this vale of woe and misery, who became as it were a sinful man and suffered the most shameful death of the Cross for my sins, and for the sins of all Mankind, he being spotless and righteous; nevertheless I still erred and procured thy wrath and indignation against me, yet in mercy thou only afflicted sime for my sins & offences, piercing my conscience for profaning thy Sabbath, for which thou mightest justly have consumed me, and rooted me out from the face of the earth, but thy mercy overswayed thy justice, for thou sparedst my life when all that saw me or heard of me said I was either dead, or past hopes of recovery, verifying in me the Apostles words, This is the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes, and what thy Servant David said is true in me, Lord thou hast chastised and corrected me, but hast not given me over to death; therefore my heart and soul and all my vital spirits shall magnify thy great name, beseeching thee for jesus Christ's sake, if it be thy blessed will and pleasure, to restore me to my former stoength, speech, health, memory and faculties, that I may hereafter walk faithfully before thee, all the days of this my earthly pilgrimage, doing, and performing diligently, (with faith hope and zeal) those things which thou commandest me, banishing from my heart presumption and despair. Lord forgive me my former sins and iniquities which I ungraciously (and partly thorough ignorance) have committed against thee. Thou knowest O God my simpleness, and what I need, better than I can ask or crave, therefore in all humility I refer my will to thy blessed pleasure, beseeching thee O most gracious Father to continue, multiply and increase thy love and favour bestowed on me, that I never offend thee in thought, word, deed, or consent, and when it shall please thee to call for this my wretched body out of this miserable world, that my Saviour may present it spotless unto thee amongst thine elect, notwithstanding the wickedness of my corrupt nature: which blessing I humbly beg at thy merciful hands for the merits of thy only Son Christ jesus my Saviour, redeemer, and advocate O immortal, eternal, and everliving God from the bottom of my heart and soul I bless magnify and adore thy sacred name, beseeching thee again and again for jesus sake, to accept of these my humble petitione, although my hand is not able to write, nor heart conceive the praises due unto thee, neither can any tongue declare thy love, goodness, and mercy Wherefore I conclude this my humble desire, praise, and thanksgiving with that absolute prayer which thy Son my advocate jesus Christ hath taught us saying, Our Father which art in Heaven; etc. FINIS.