THE ARMINIAN Haltered, Who halting between two Religions, the Protestants and the Papists, fell headlong into despair.  
OR The Wicked life and Tragical Death of John Hobson Bachelor in Divinity, and late Prebend of ELY.  
Being one of the greatest Arminians in this Kingdom, who miserablely hanged himself, the twelfth of july at Lyn in the County of NORFOLK 1641.  
With a copy of verses which he writ a little before his death.  
Also a Postscript to Advertise all true Christians to embrace the truth of the GOSPEL.  
Written By T S.  
Printed Anno Domini 1641.   

The life and death of john Hobson Bachelor in Divinity who miserablely hanged himself July the twelfth near Lyn in NORFOLK'S.  
THe distractions of these times are not unknown to be caused by the copiousness of Sects, Religions I cannot term them, lest I should disallow of that Axomatike of King james of Blessed memory, for he acknowledged but two Religions, the good and the bad, and those were the Protestants and the Papists, the Protestant the true, and the Papists the false, But there are a company of humorous opinions crept in amongst us, 29. not long since were divulged to the view of the whole World, but yet some were omitted, as the Libertines and the Atheists, which are a Sect as well as the rest, although no Religion, but to define them more punctually, they are neither Sect or Religion because they acknowledge no God, but I desire not to be prolixious in circumstance, but will treat of that which most concerns me; There was a proud Arminian which lately hanged himself by name called john Hobson, once a Student of the University of Oxford in Trinity College.  
A long time was he a perfect Protestant in being ruled by the Real Scriptures Alphabet, not wresting it to his own ends or purpose, But he perceiving the times to be altered he would needs exercise the changes, and be a dancer in the figure, his sole ambition was to make his bad opinion good by antiquity, but at last his antiquities deceived him.  
England growing to a Reformation, he had so fare studied in that diabolical practice, that maugre all piety, he would still persist in his own opinion, although it were as vain as his own Carriage, which was none of the best, as I shall instantly declare unto the gentle Reader, which being done, judge the man by his works.  
This man lived in Norfolk nigh unto Lyn, where he had means good store, as was approved by his Kinfolks and neighbours there about, to the value of two hundred pounds per annum, besides he was one of the prebend's of Ely, what that came to it is better known to D. Wren, if without offence I may so term him, then to myself, Doctor Cousins was always his intimate friend, nichols, for the title of a Gentleman I will not bestow upon him, by the reason in the Master's Lodge of Trinity College in Cambridg, he did hold argument, that the Pope of Rome's prerogative in ecclesiastical affairs and Civil was more than our King could claim to his prerogative, D. Cousins at that time was Vice-chancelor, and at that time did sup with D. Cumber, before named, (a man not guilty of temporising faction) he being in company withstood his argument, which Dr. Cousins perceiving, could do no otherwise for his own safety, but commit him to safe custody, notwithstanding in a small space he was delivered, Justice being not prosecuted against him, by whose power, judicious Reader thou mayst imagine, I do not fear to say, it was by Doct. Cousins command that arch Arminian, whose Chapel instead of sound Doctrine, is adorned with Romish Superstitions, Crosses, Ave Maria's, these he more delighted in, then to preach in the University Church of S. Mary's, but to come to the purpose, this nichols was an intimate friend of this john Hobson, or rather damnable foe, for since it hath apparently proved, he was the blinder of him, and the causer of his intellectual tenebrosity: This John Hobson was so much by his allurements brought astray, that at length with persecuting Paul, he was not fearful to hold the garments of those which should stone godly Stephen, true hearted, religious, and pious affected Protestants I mean, the Bishop of Camerbury, he honoured as a God upon earth, and accounted his Doctrine to be as pure as Paul's was after his conversion, which me thinks he should not, Paul being a pains taking man to convert the Gentiles, and the other such a one who desired nothing more but to convert the truth. But I conclude in speaking of him, insomuch as the Tower locks are strong enough to bar him, from corrupting any more cathedrals by making them Altarwise. Occasions still obviously have met me, that as yet I have not writ scarce any thing to my theme, but now I shall begin to be more seriously intended.  
This John Hobson long time was a persecutor of those which were zealously affected, if bowing would argue a man not to be proud, I might truly affirm him to be humble, but the Arminian sent lately made a distinction, wherefore I must upon force hold the negative part, at length this Dotard, (for I can give him no better Title) the times being altered, he began to perceive his own perverseness, and being left to him, was persuaded no remission could be afforded, his offences were so heinous, that he chose rather to die in despair with Judas, then at the Cocks crowing, (the sign of the most happy Reformation, by this wise Parliament) to repent with Peter, wherefore most miserably contemplating within himself, it was probably affirmed by his Wife which overheard him, that he not long before his death spoke these words.  
Long time against my conscience, have I preached and disputed against my knowledge, and have withheld them which were of an erroneous opinion like to myself, and now I perceive the mutability of times is at hand, Articles will be preferred against me, and then to be hanged shall I be sure for seducing of the King's Liege people, to die at the Gallows will be a very great shame unto me, wherefore I will rather choose to die with Judas, then to be hanged with saul's sons, which words being spoken, he went hastily out of his study, and told his wife he was going to walk, because he intended to preach on Sunday, notwithstanding she feared the worst, and would not have suffered him, he smiled at her, and desired her to let him go, she thinking (notwithstanding his former words) he was going to study, she suffered him.  
He feigned as if he had been going to the Garden, but went a contrary way to his Barn, so soon as he came, as it was conjectured, he plucked out of his pocket these Verses,  

The Verses he writ before his death.  

Long have I lived, too long my neighbours say:  
Death I do owe a debt, which now I'll pay.  
But yet before I die I'll meditate,  
Whether for death, I may cause my fate.  
My fate said I, rather my faults, for they  
Not Pluto's furies, can my poor soul slay,  
Was I not cursed, for to believe the times,  
Am I not damned for affecting crimes,  
Which I am guilty of, yes, yes, I know,  
My soul in hell will make a gallant show,  
My sin against the holy Ghost it was,  
Wherefore I am damned, I am damned alas,  
Who can help it, accursed world adieu,  
I'm posting hence the Stygian flames to view.   
These were the last lines he made.  

Before I'm cut down, let my lines be read,  
Then shall you know the reason here I fled  
For this my death, let no man dare to weep,  
But learn by me, in false Sects not to creep.   
These Verses he spread abroad under the place where he hanged himself, which was with his Canonical Girdle.   

A Postscript.  
O gentle Reader, mark his dismal fall,  
Learn to be pious, and on thy God call,  
That he may give thee grace, not to affect,  
Those which the purest doctrine do reject,  
Let Scripture rule thee not each foolish man,  
But imitate (I pray) the dying Swan  
Which sings before her death, not that you die,  
But that you lived true and piously.    
FINIS.