A godly exhortation, by occasion of the late judgement of God, showed at Paris-garden, the thirteenth day of JANVARIE: where were assembled by estimation; above a thousand persons, whereof some were slain; & of that number, at the least, as is credibly reported, the third person maimed and hurt.  
Given to all estates for their instruction, concerning the keeping of the Sabbath day.  
By john Field Minister of the word of God.  Exodus 20. 8. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holier. Exodus 31. 14. Ye shall therefore keep the Sabbath, for it is holy unto you: he that defileth it, shall die the death: therefore whosoever worketh therein, shall be even cutoff, from among his people. 
Published by Authority.  GOD IS MY HELP. Psal. 7. 11. GOD IS MY HELPER  printer's device of Robert Waldegrave 
AT LONDON; Printed by Robert Walde-graue, dwelling without Temple-bar, and Henry Car in Paul's Churchyard. 1583.   

TO THE RIGHT honourable, the Lord MAYOR, OF THE CITY OF London: & to the worshipful, M. WILLIAM FLEETEWOOD, Esquire, Sergeant at the Law, Recorder of the honourable City of London; and one of the Queen's majesties justices of Peace and Quorum, within her highness said City and Counties, of SURRIE and MIDLESEX: and to the worshipful Aldermen of the said City, john Field wisheth increase of grace, and constancy in the blessed truth of God to the end of their lives. Amen.  
YOu will perhaps marvel (right honourable and worshipful in Christ) that I taking occasion to speak somewhat, by this late and fearful example of God's judgement: do dedicate this poor & sudden labour unto you, as though it should more concern you then others. I profess that I do it advisedly, and my reason is, because it most concerneth you, & such as are in authority. For who are more specially bound to look unto the observation of the laws of God, than the magistrates, who are set up as conductors and leaders of the people, in steed of God? And although you may say that this thing happened out of your jurisdiction whereby you might seem to be cleared: yet forasmuch as they that resorted, unto this profane spectacle (and were justly punished, with their own transgression) were of your city, & you did not restrain them being under your commandment: this transgression must needs also reach to you Is it not a lamentable thing, that after so long preaching of the Gospel, there should be so gteat profanation amongst us? that theatres should be full, and churches be emptier that the streets should be replenished, and the places of holy exercises, left destitute? I write not this simply but in respect, and by comparison. For I know that Churches (thanks be to God) are frequented? But what is this in respect of the multitude? Why should not holy places, in respect of their holy exercises be more frequented, than these places of abuse, that undoubtedly provoke Gods heavy displeasure? For admit that the thing itself were a recreation, lawful by the word of God: yet who will grant it upon the lords Sabbath? upon that day of rest, wherein our exercise should be in spiritual and holy works. If you say that this thing belongeth, not unto you: because that Paris garden, is out of your jurisdiction: yet why are these men suffered to bring their Bears into the city, that thereby they may gather your company unto them? It were duty in you to hinder these, and to take order, that none of the city should repair unto such places: Nay further, you ought to provide that at the time, when by the law of the land, all are commanded to resort to public prayers and reading of the word of God in the church, the same word may be also expounded unto them: so should you both keep the people committed to you of God under her majesty, from wicked abuses of his holy Sabbaths, which provoke his wrath against the City: and also procure them to be godly exercised, to their increase in all obedience to her majesty and to your own authority. But I would▪ to God yourselves were not examples of this disorder▪ For if there be any market, or piece of a Fair, falling out upon the Sabbath, or on the saterdaye afore, any other triumph, Shooting, or show of activity to be showed in it: you spare not to do it less upon this day then upon any other. And though preachers have cried out, from time to time, for the reformation of such profanation, yet there hath been little of no amendment at al. But I beseech you, even in the bowels of Christ, as you have received the glad tidings of your salvation, & do make profession of it: so learn now at length to put it in practice. Be not unprofitable hearers of the word of God any longer, nor dull beholders of God's judgements, neither shut your ears when God crieth out by them so loudly, that their sound goeth not only throughout the land, but also even throughout the whole world, lest you be made also to feel them. God hath spoken to us many ways, his frowning countenance hath appeared by this long & linger visitation, both here and elsewhere: by this unseasonable wether, and by this present judgement, that is yet so green and fresh in memory. I am sure if you lack any necessary help and assistance, for so good and godly a work, you may be, and shall be supported to the uttermost. But hither to neither the word of God by the ministry, and voice of the preachers: the godly and noble advise of their honours, the unspeakable benefit, & comfort of yourselves, your City, and all your wives and children, nor the sundry judgements of God following one another, and threatening more to come, could yet be able to stir you up to any such worthy duty in this behalf, as the Lord no doubt requireth at your haundes. Wherefore I beseech you in time, even in God's fear: consider what belongeth unto your peace, and according to the places, wherein God hath set you, be vigilant and diligent for your own good. It shall be no profit unto others, the gain shall be yours, many disorders shall be stopped, many ignorant & erring minds instructed and reclaimed; God shall be served, the prince better honoured, yourselves obeyed, & every one ranged to keep a happy course towards heaven. Now the Lord jesus establish your hearts in his truth, and give you a sweet feeling and taste of his exceeding mercy, that with true judgement you may discern his judgements, truly turning unto him, & fearing under his hand, that in the end you may be saved. Amen.  
Far you well this eighteenth of January. 1583. Your humble and bound in Christ. ●ohn field.   

The Lord jesus open our hearts, and give us true understanding, that we may fear his judgements, and profit under his hand, to turn from our sins▪ till faith and assurance be wrought in our hearts, of that everlasting kingdom, which he hath freely by his own blood purchased for us. Amen.  
THere is no man will deny, as I suppose (dearelibeloved in Christ) but the the more a man hath received of the graces and gifts of God, the more is he bound by duty unto his obedience. And surely if this be true of all (as it is most certain) then of all others, hath this little Island as a garden of the Lord, been decked and garnished with sundry most gracious and excellent gifts, whether we respect those that are temporal or spiritual, that the Lord might work in us, both duty and thankfulness. For concerning both these, where should I first begin that I might reckon them all up, being so infinite both in the one & in the other. And first concerning temporal gifts, what is it, that in his rich mercy, either for the sustentation & maintenance of this life, or for other earthly commodities and pleasures, that he hath not bestowed upon us? he hath set us, as it were in the paradise of the world: where even within ourselves we have all good and necessary things: he hath given us the fat of the earth, & the dew of heaven: he hath made the earth fruitful under us, & the heavens beneficial above us: we have corn, wool, flesh, & fish in great plenty, the beasts of the earth, & the fouls of the air are ours: we have gold, silver Copper, Tin, Led and Iron, with other commodious metals in all plenty. Again, with these earthly commodities and all the rest, he hath given us public peace, protection & quietness. Every man enjoyeth his wife, Children, goods, cattle, and possessions. Every man sitteth under his own Vine, and heareth the voice of his children in the streets. Our young men and our maidens, rejoice in public places, and the noise of Music is heard in our assemblies. We drink in Bowls of gold, and in cups of silver: our heads are anointed with sweet ointments, and our faces are cheerful, because our hearts are merry. Our Princes sit in the gates, and our Nobility ride in Chariots and Coaches. The voice of mourning is not heard amongst us, neither hath terror and fear amazed us. Our weapons are turned into Plough Shares, and Lions and Lambs do play together without hurting one another.  
As for spiritual things bestowed upon us, they are infinite: how should I give but a shadow of them? God hath given himself unto us to be our God, and hath chosen us to be his people. He hath given unto us his Son jesus Christ, and with him, all other good things, necessary for our salvation: he hath given him to us, his enemies, to take our nature upon him, to die for our sins, & to undergo everlasting damnation, to the end he might acquit & deliver us. For this he fulfilled the law, wrestled hand to hand with his father's judgements, was cast, condemned, and crucified, & as a man rejected of God, and thrown down into the extremest humiliation, became the most forlorn of the world, that he might recover happiness for us. And therefore he advanced his power, and broke the chains of death and of hell, ascended with glory, making a show of all his enemies, and giving gifts unto men. For all this he wrought for us, and for our redemption, that we might be a peculiar people unto himself: upon whom he would power forth the whole riches of his mercy. And in deed upon his Church what is there, that he might have more done for her, that he hath not done. He hath purged her by his own blood out of her blood, and crowned her with his righteousness. He hath given her a place in the highest heavens, and strengthened her to triumph over all her enemies. He hath forgiven her her sins, and decked her with special joy, and peace that passeth all understanding: he hath given her the gospel, a tidings of comfort, wherein the riches of his grace are fully displayed. Can the heart of man conceive, the tongue utter, or the pen set down, what God hath done for his people in all times and ages? he did much for his people in Egypt land: but he hath done more for us. He did much for them being in wilderness: but he hath done more for us. He did much for them when he made so many kings to fall before them, when he brought them to the land of promise: but he hath done more for us: he hath overcome a mightier army, and made greater Kings to bow under his sceptre and brought us to a larger inheritance, which can neither▪ whither nor perish. He fed them with Manna, that corrupted, when they transgressed the commandment touching the sabbath: but he hath fed us with himself, that our corruption might be put off, and we might be clad with immortality and everlasting glory. The jews were his people, by a conditional covenant, that stood in their obedience: they were the apple of his eye, and signet of his scale, to whom he gave peculiar blessings: and yet because they were unthankful, and knew not the day of their visitation, they have no part by reason of their unbelief, in the promises that were made to Abraham and the rest of the patriarchs, to their seed and posterity: but we are his people adopted, assured in a new covenant, sealed in the blood and obedience of jesus Christ, the end of all the promises: whose salvation is now wrought and performed, if he be in us & we in him; if his glorious grace and mercy have not appeared in vain unto us. What could the Lord have done more for his people than he did for them, & yet isaiah the Prophet upbraided them for their ingratitude, so many excellent been fits of God being bestowed upon them? I will sing to my 
isaiah. 5.  beloved a song of my beloved of his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill, he hedged it about, and gathered out the stones of it, he planted it with the best plants, & built a Tower in the midst of it, & made a winepres in it. He looked that it should have brought forth grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. O Inhabitants of jerusalem, & men of judah▪ judge therefore, between me & my vineyard. What could I have done more to my vineyard, that I have not done unto it? Why have I looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it bringeth forth wild Grapes? Now I will tell you, what I will do to my vineyard, I will take away the hedge thereof, & it shallbe eaten up, I will break down the Wall▪ and it shallbe trodden under foot. And I will lay it waste, it shall not be cut nor digged, but Briars and thorns shall grow up: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.  
You see how the Prophet setteth forth the large liberality and goodness of God towards his people: and again their unthankfulness, with those judgements that it drew upon them: The benefits no doubt that God had bestowed upon them were excellent, but their abuse was like wise intolerable, and therefore for the one, there is threatened the taking of them away, and for the other, what horrible punishments he would bring upon, them He taketh his occasion, from a plain parable, because it should be understood: leaning down to their capacity, even as our saviour Christ did in his documents and instructions. And yet I suppose he could have soared as high in the clouds as any other. So Paul used similitudes taken from husbandry, from building, from running 
1. Cor. 14. 18. 19 joh. 15. 14.  and from fight and such like. Moses in a plain style apply himself to the capacity of the rude people, in the highest history that ever was written, concerning the creation of the world. This is against his beloved, his spouse and Church, even to his beloved the spouses friend.  
The situation of this vinyeard was in an open and fruitful place: It had a notable Tower in it, to defend it, it had a hedge round about it, and a wine press in it. These were rare and excellent benefits, and yet instead of grapes, it brought forth wild grapes. The like in every respect agreeth with us. He hath given us a lot in a pleasant and good place, whereas he might have set us in one more barren. He hath in mercy planted his vineyard amongst us, hedged it about and built a Tower of defence, and a wine press in it, to gather the fruit of it: this was not done by our own arm, nor by our own election, but in his good mercy: And as he waited for fruit, in great patience before his judgements were executed, so he hath waited upon us these many years: he sits looking to that tree mentioned in the Gospel, which long since had been plucked up by the roots, had nothe in a wonderful patience expected our conversion and better fruits. But alack it was ill with them, it is worse with us, they brought forth wild grapes, but ours are scarce grapes. They were taxed with many sins, but ours are multiplied as the sand of the sea, and as the drops of heaven. We are come to the dotage of the world, set on mischief, and growing to worse and worse iniquity, as our Saviour saith is multiplied, and the nearer he hath approached unto us, the faster and further of doth the world fly from him. It is so laden with sins and abominations, that grievous is shipwreck, when a ship is left to the winds to be tossed, and without a guide, it must needs be drowned. Even so, must this tottering world come to utter destruction. Only they shall be preserved that walk with God, to believe his promises, and to fear his judgements: They shall be preserved that are his, of all times: whom he hath loved, chosen, called, justified, sanctified and saved, in jesus Christ his son. These shall not abuse his patience, but tremble at his judgements, and be careful to walk in all dutiful obedience. They shall make haste to meet him, when fire is come forth from him, but the wicked shall scorn his wonderful and merciful long sufferance▪ to their own destruction.  
Because he cutteth not down the tree at once, being stayed by the prayers and humiliations of his servants: that in contrite hearts how down before him: the wicked insult and are more encouraged, and as it were fleshed in their sins and wickedness, even to despite him, (as Pharaoh and other tyrants did) upon whom yet he 
Exod 5. etc. Exod. 17. Num. 21. 31.  brought a swift and a sudden destruction: And yet the greatest Oaks are cut down with a little blast from him & the highest buildings can not stand if he do but shake them. For he is just, even as he is merciful, and he loveth justice to punish the wicked, & 
Psal. 1●.  to maintain the godly. If the thrones of earthly princes, must stand upon these pillars, no doubt the throne of the highest, that is judge of the whole world must be founded thereon, that as the Prophet saith. He may do justice, and 
jere. 9  show mercy and judgement upon the earth. So he made Amalecke an example of his wrath, Canaen the king of Arad, Sehon of the Amor●its: and Ogg of Basan, So he met with Eglon of Moab, 
judg. 3. judg. 4.  slain by the hand of Aod, and also with the army of jabine king of Ason, that had oppressed Israel by the 
judg. 7.  space of twenty years. Gedeon was his hand against the Madianit●s, and though Oreb and Zeb fled away, yet they were afterwards taken and killed.  
The Princes of the Phylistims though they were many and mighty, and thought themselves in safety and assurance in their Temple of Dagon: yet his hand found them out, and in mocking of Samson: they lastly received a just judgement meet for their iniquity. what should I speak of Saul 
judg. 17. 2. Sam. 15. 17  and Agag, of huge Goliath, of Achab, of Hazael, of Senacharib, of Balthasar, of Antiochus, Herod & all the like: because 
1. King. 20.  they were cruel, were they exempt 
2. Kin. 6. 7. 8.  from judgements? No no, he found them out, and he will find out all his enemies. He will strike them upon the hairy scalps, and their cheek bones shall be broken, he will ●owe their backs, and his judgements shall declare his justice, from generation to generation. The lives of the wicked are not in their own hands, but the Godly are the cause of their prosperity. These from whom they seek to take l●●e, goods, and limbs, are in cause, that they are spared for a time in the world. And hereby as God calleth his to repentance, so he hardeneth the Godless in their sins, that he may be glorified in his just judgements. But where are the wise to mark these things, and to make their profit? Who taketh a note of his judgements showed against our unthankfulness, that we might be moved to repentance? Our benefits have been greater, than ever were bestowed upon any Nation excepting one or other: and do we walk worthy of them? Is there thankfulness in us▪ to return unto him the praise of his mercies. He hath given unto us his word, which is an incomparable jewel, in respect of which the psalmograph saith: He hath not dealt so with every nation: but do we bring forth the fruits of it. Nay do we not rather tread it under our feet, as it were in despite of the author of it? Is it not a lantern unto our feet, with out which, we must stray? And is it not the food of the soul, with out which we must starve: and yet who doth either seek unto it, or feel the sweet comfort of it? If the prophet appealed to the inhabitants of jerusalem, and to the men of judah, to judge this cause, being come to an issue, in the assurance of it, committing it even to themselves: shall not our own mouths, in the testimony of our conscience pronounce sentence against us? who seek his grace to late, and stay until his irrevocable sentence is passed? He that hath ears to hear let him hear, while God speaketh unto us. He that might have been both judge and accuser, will have us both to judge and accuse our selves, that we may understand, how greatly we have displeased him. And if our conscience pronounce against us, is not God greater than our conscience? If our own heart condemn us, is not God greater than our heart? We are wont to be partial in our own causes, because our senses are dull to perceive our own iniquities: and yet he committeth this to our selves, to the end to draw us to speedy repentance.  
True it is, that our partialities, though we would flatter ourselves, & could be so impudent to do it, that cannot slain his judgements, but even as he took away the hedge of his vineyard, showing himself a just judge, in being avenged upon their unthankfulness, so he will deal with us. That which he hath builded amongst us, he will overthrow again. That which he hath compassed about from foreign force, from oppression of enemies, to keep out unclean beasts, that he might have received a large crop, he will lay open and waste. The wall and tower, shall be overturned within, beasts, dogs and hogs without shall fall upon it, devour and trample it under their feet. One stone shall bruise another, & the clouds shall not rain, to make it fruitful but to make it rank with thorns & briars. O England repent, thou that hast tasted of so many blessings, and yet hast provoked God with so many sins. O London repent, thou that hast sit as a Lady & Queen over thy neighbour Cities, to whom the Lord hath given besides temporal blessings these precious jewels: sending thee many messengers to warn thee, to preach unto thee, and to comfort thee: but thou hast not regarded the day of thy visitation. If thy hedge be taken away, if thou be laid open and waste for thy horrible sins. If the Lord plant his vineyard in an other place, a more fruitful soil: what shall be come of thee? Is God more bound unto thee, than he was unto his own people? Hast thou any greater privilege, than they who were once so precious in his sight? And if he spared not them, will he spare thee, that dost pass them in all abominations? they regarded not the holy commandements of God, to keep them and observe them, no more dost thou. They were Idolaters and followed the Gods of the Nations, every one rearing up an Idol in his own heart, and following his own will, and so dost thou: thou art as far from the true spiritual worship of God, belonging to such a majesty, even as they were. His precious name is profaned & abused every where, in swearing, forswearing, and lying, thinking, speaking, and practising superstitiously & wickedly of it. And as for the lords Sabbath, as in times past they did defile it, did not consecrat it to God, to rest from sin and to follow his will, but gave him only a ceremonial & outward service, defiled with following their own wills, even so dost thou. This day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: that is to say: a day consecrated to his glory, wherein, all solemn assemblies of God's saints should be occupied in hearing his word, in giving themselves to prayer, in receiving his sacraments, in meditating of his wonderful works, and putting in practice of holy duties: but we contrariwise, even from the highest to the lowest, break this Sabbath of the Lord our God, whither we come or do not come to the place appointed: For if we come, we come with profane minds, divided from God, for custom and fashions sake, without any preparation for so spiritual a service, there hearing we hear not, to make any conscience to learn our duties to grow in knowledge and carefully to practise holy doctrines: we come as they did in the Prophet's times, with lame sacrifices, having served first ourselves, & as they did in their solemn fasts: We bow down our heads like Bull rushes, and perhaps have torn garments, we put on the countenance of sorrow, and our faces are not anointed: but there is in us no sorrow that leadeth to repentance, nor hearty turning unto our God. We come to sit before the ministers, as the people than did before the prophets, to hear the word preached, as some pleasant song: but when they have said they have done: we go our ways, and they pass through our judgements, but the word is passed as a dream. And if these sins be found, in all sorts of our comers, what shall we think of them that come not at all, who through covetousness and profanation despise these holy assemblies: either following their worldly chaffaire and business, or else thinking that the sabbath is well enough kept, if they give God some little piece thereof, othersome i● they be idle, following their pleasures, and wicked pastimes with all greediness. O Lord what shall become of these lose and sinnful days? How many profane persons are there in this realm, both in City and Country, that having taken a muster of all the holidays in the year, urge the keeping of them, and will lose no jot of tune, that they may follow their vain delights, and yet know not truly how to keep one holy or Sabbath day to the praise and honour of God? Both in Summer and Winter, they can find occasions, to bereave themselves of spiritual comforts, either to run out into the country with their bags and bottles, or else being at home to follow wicked exercises. Every door hath his stake, and the streets are full of blazers of iniquity. There is gadding to all kind of gaming, and there is no Tavern or Alehouse, if the drink be strong, that lacketh any company: There is no dicing house, bowling alley, or Theatre, that can be found empty. Those flags of defiance against God, and trumpets that are blown to gather such company, will sooner prevail to fill those places, than the preaching of the holy word of God, the Catechizing and instructing of Children and Servants, can be to fill Churches.  
Nothing can stop them from the same: neither fear of danger, loss of time, corruption of manners, infection of diseases, expense of money, suspi●ion of honesty and such like. But to the other, where to they should come with great joy and cheerfully, as to the house of the Lord, nothing in a manner can allure or draw them, neither their own necessity, the sweetness and comfort of true doctrine, the reformation of manners, the holiness and obedience that by the grace of God, is wrought in his Children, by such exercises: nor the hope and assurance itself of faith and salvation. Here three pence, six pence, a shilling or two a quarter, is a great matter and a wonderful burden, much humming and hawing about it, but pounds and hundreds can be well enough afforded, in following these least pleasures, every door hath a payment, and every Gallery maketh a yearly stipend. Every dog hath a collar, & every Bear a prize.  
Here is no fear of infection, nor any inconvenience or discommodity that can let them. Is not this think you to keep the Sabbath? the laws of the land have Godly provided, that all the people of all sorts, shall repair to the public places of God's worship, then to be taught and instructed in the wholesome word of salvation, and there is a penalty set upon it: but how this is looked unto throughout the land, I leave it to them to consider that are wise and in authority. The Lord blessed the sabbath day, and sanctified it, because in it he rested from all the works of his hand, that hereby we might learn, to rest from sin and iniquity, and consecrate ourselves to his spiritual service. And this he instituted for man's commodity, that all flesh might come to worship before his face: He gave them double food in respect of this, that it might abide with them, and that none might come out of their place, but might rest in his provision and providence: So that it appeareth, he would not have them occupied in making provision for the belly, to gather sticks, to tread the press, or to carry burdens, either upon their own shoulders, or upon their beasts The commandment for the observing of it, is so often set down in the scripture, as nothing more. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: Thou shalt do no manner of work in it, neither thou, nor thy Son or Daughter, thy man servant or thy maid, thy Cattle and the stranger that is within thy gates. Keep my sabbath, for it is holy unto you: He that shall defile it, shall die the death: He that shall work on that day, his soul shall be cut off, from the midst of his people.  
Now to work, is to do things of our own, that are profane or wicked: And because the commandments of God are moral, the equity of this commandment belongeth unto us. In deed there was some thing peculiar to the jews, in respect of the ceremony, and the day: But there is yet a day to be kept, because intermissions from the travails of this life, are necessary both for the soul and body: That both the one and the other may be provided for, the Soul to be fed, and the body to rest, ourselves and our servants, (yea our very cattle) are to be favoured in this behalf, because of this solemn consecration to God. And therefore the king of Niniveh, commanded, that that solemn Fast should be extended even to the Ox within the stall, and to the Horse in the stable, and to every beast of the field.  
Blessed (saith I say) is the man that 
isaiah. 56. 2.  doth this, and the Son of that man that layeth hold of this, taking heed, that be defile not my Sabbath, and keeping his 
isaiah. 58. 13.  hands that they do no evil: If thou shalt turn thy foot from my Sabbath, do not that thou delightest in, on my holy day: If thou shalt call it, thy delight holy to jehovah and honourable, and shall honour it, not in exercising thine own ways, not in performing that which thou delightest in, not in speaking a vain word, than I will advance thee, delighting in the Lord, upon the high places of the Earth: and thou shalt enjoy the possession of jacob thy father, because the mouth of the Lord speaketh it.  
So God speaketh by the Prophet 
jere. 17. 21.  jeremy also: Take beede unto yourselves and bear not burdens upon the Sabbath day, neither bring those things into the 
Ezec. 20. 20.  gates of jerusalem. etc. The Prophets are very vehement in this behalf: & therefore our sin standeth at the door, that have made no regard of these things. For we do worse than bear burdens.  
Not only our carriers post up and down, but men travail all most with out conscience in every quarter, yea we do things that are nought, and therefore the wrath of God, must needs be powered out against us.  
And yet God hath showed us within these few years, many fearful signs and tokens of his heavy anger and displeasure, and one judgement doth even overtake another, and yet nothing can move us.  
He hath spoken to us from Heaven by Comettes, Ecclypses, and fiery impressions, he hath set Stars in unwonted places, & sent upon the world, strange tempests. He hath rumbled in the bowels of the earth far and wide: and hath loosed the deepest and strongest foundations. The earth hath quaked at his presence, and the very creature hath fled from before his face. He hath opened the windows of heaven, and covered the earth with his displeasure. He hath made bare the roots of the corn, and fed the fowls with our nourishment. He hath sent out the pestilence, and burning fire from before his feet, that they might waste and devour the inhabitants of the earth. Many men have received short summons, to appear before him, & to render account of their doings. They have perished (as job saith) by the blast of his mouth, and by the breath of his 
job. 4. 9 10.  nostrils they are consumed. By the roaring of the Lion, and by the voice of the fierce lion. and w●th the teeth of the lions whelps, they are ground to powder.  
And yet notwithstanding all these judgements and many more, that I can not reckon up, who turneth to the Lord, who leaveth his wickedness: and forsaketh the company of fools? Who is wise to understand the plagues at home and the miseries that are abroad, that he may be prepared to a better Kingdom? Who looketh to the keeping of the Sabaoth, and considereth this fearful example, fallen out amongst us?  
But that it may be remembered the better to do us good, that by the harms of other, we may make our profit I will set it down as plainly as I can, and as truly as can be gathered from the examination of those same common evidenses, that have fallen out: weighing some circumstances that shall teach thee, that it was not the work of any man, but the finger even of God himself, to warn us to turn and especially from these sins that we commit in that behalf, for profaning of the Sabaoth, which are too horrible  
You shall understand therefore (dear Christians) that upon the last lords day being the thirteen day of the first month, that cruel and loathsome exercise of baiting Bears being kept at Parrisgarden, in the after none, in the time of common prayers, and when many other exercises of Religion, both of Preaching and Catechizinge were had in sundry places of the City, divers Preachers having not long before also cried out against such prophanatious: yet (the more pity) there resorted thither a great company of people of all sorts and conditiones, that the like number, in every respect (as they say) had not been seen there a long time before.  
Being thus ungodlily assembled, to so unholy a spectacle and specially considering the time: the yard, standings, and Galleries being full fraught, being now amidst their jollity, when the Dogs and Bear, were in their chiefest battle. Lo the mighty hand of God upon them. This Gallery that was double, and compassed the yard round about, was so shaken at the foundation, that it fell flat to the ground, without post or piece, that was left standing, so high as the stake whereunto the Bear was tied.  
Although some will say (& it may be truly) that it was very old and rotten and that therefore a greater weight of people, being planted upon it then was wont: that it was no marvel that it failed: and would make it but a light matter. Yet surely if this be considered, that no one piece of post, board or stock was left standing; though we urge it net as a miracle, yet it must needs be considered as an extraordinary judgement of God, both for the punishment of these present profaners of the Lords day, and also to in form and warn others.  
In the fall of it, there wear slain five men and two women, that are come to knowledge who they were and where they dwelled, to wit. Adame Spencer a Fell-monger, in Southwarke, William Cockram a Baker, dwelling in Shoreditch, john Burton Clerk, of S. Marie Wolmers in Lombard street. Matthew Mason, servant with Master Garland, dwelling in Southwarke: Thomas Peace, servant with Robert Tash●r, dwelling in Clerken well. The Maidons names Elice White servant to a Pursmaker without Cripplegate: and Marie Harison, daughter to john Harison waterbearer, dwelling in Lombard street. There is to be considered in the quality and condition of these persons: whom God hath thus laid along amidst their vanity, to be an example unto us, how commonly these of such sort are affected & disposed. For if these in the state of poor men had feared God, and in the hearing of gods words had upon such short summons been called to appear before God: yet had they left an undoubted testimony, of their religion and piety unto others. And therefore I do exhort all men to take heed of such follies. Let them learn always to be prepared for death, seeing that death is so certain, though no man know of the bower. If God have set them in a mean state, let them not follow rudeness, nor hunt after such vain pleasures, but seek the best things, and those that are most precious. Let them heard the comfortable word of salvation that shall comfort them against poverty, and other afflictions whereunto we are subject in this life.  
And for servants, let masters, see them better employed upon these days that are consecreated to holy exercises that they may be free from their blood, and let servants think it no bondage, to be restrained from such vanities: But alack the world is now grown to that wickedness, that the masters being profane themselves, the servants are trained up in all profanation: yea servants will indent afore hand, to have their liberty upon such days to go to the Devil freely: & thereof spring infinite corruptions and sins not to be named. If these servants had had masters, that would have called them to a reckoning how they had spent that day (as good masters ought to have done) and have had an account what they had learned, they might have had less cause to sorrow, because they had performed good duties. But O you servants that fear God, return from such filthiness Live to God faithfully in your vocation, and think it a great mercy that in peace, you may possess such a bounty. You see in these, fallen before you, an example to make you seek better things that you may walk as in the sight of God faithfully to do your duties: you see the vanity of pleasures: that our life is but a puff: to the end you may learn always to be in a readiness. You have heard that the father bringing his child alive thither, carried it home again dead, which came not to pass by chance but by God's providence.  
Now beside these that were thus killed outright, with the flat fall of the Galleries, strangely wrung in pieces at it were by God himself, it could not be but in such confusion, there must needs come great hurt to many. How many carried away death, as it were in their bosoms, that died the same night, or some little time after, the Lord knoweth.  
But this is evident, that some are▪ since dead, and namely a Pewterer's wife, that dwelled in Limestréete, who being therefore wounded, is now dead, and divers others. Of all the multitude there, which must needs be far above a thousand, it is thought by the judgement of most people, that not the third person escaped unhurt: and by some that have made search, they esteem that there were sore hurt and maimed, one hundred and fifty persons, some their legs and arms broken, some their backs, their bodies being sore bruised, so that every way into the city from that time till towards nine of the clock and past: and specially over London bridge, many were carried in Chairs, and led betwixt their friends, and so brought home with sorrowful and heavy hearts.  
They say also that at the first, when the scaffold cracked (as it did once or twice) there was a cry of fire, fire, which set them in such a maze as was wonderful, so that as destitute of their wits, they stood still, and could make no shift for themselves, till the Scaffold was overturned.  
But as in the execution of God's judgements, we shall often mark the miraculous providence & mercy of God towards many, even so fell it out with divers of these, that when as they had justly deserved not only to be hurt and wounded, but even to be killed, yet God as a most merciful Corrector rather seemed to have shaken a rod towards them., then to have touched them. For amongst the rest it is credibly reported that thore was one Woman; that being in the Gallery, threw down her child before her, & leapt after herself: & yet thanks be to God neither of both had any manner of hurt, so was it with divers others. But it should appear▪ that they were most hurt and in danger, which stood under the Galleries on the ground, upon whom both the weight of Tymbre and people fell. And sure it was a miraculous work of God, that any one of those should have escaped.  
But here also God showed his power for one man falling down into a hole, it pleased God that it was the mean of his deliverance, so as all things that sell upon him did not touch him, and by that he was preserved, whereas two of tother, were slain of each side of him.  
Now what we have to learn of these judgements sufficiently hath been touched before, and therefore for a conclusion: A beseech all Magistrates by the mercies of God in jesus Christ, that by this occasion, they take good heed to look to the people committed to their charge, that they take order especially on the Sabaoth days that no Citizin or Citizens servants, have liberty to repair unto any of those abused places, that albeit the place be without the City, & by that means, they have not to deal with them, yet that they keep their Bears out, and their straggling Wantoness in, that they may be better occupied. And as they have with good commendation so far prevailed, that upon Sabaoth days these Heathenish Interludes and Plays are banished, so it will please them to follow the matter still, that they may be utterly rid and taken away. For surely it is to be feared, besides the destruction both of body and soul, that many are brought unto, by frequenting the Theatre, the Curtin and such like, the one day those places will likewise be cast down by God himself, & with them a huge heap of such contemners, & profane persons utterly killed & spoylod in their bodies. God hath given them as I have heard many fair warnings already.  
And as I pray Magistrates, so I beseech Ministers, my faithful brethren, that they perform this faithful work that God hath committed unto them, that they call upon the people more earnestly to keep the Lords Sabaoth, and that they employ themselves in teaching, exhortation, and doctrine, in Catechizing and training up their people and youth, that they may know to detest such corruptions: that being occupied in such holy exercises, they may be their crown whom they shall win to Christ and to this obedience.  
And lastly I beseech you my brethren all, of what estate or condition so ever you be: Faint not in the happy course of the Gospel so freely and in so great mercy offered unto you. Love the assemblies of God's Saints, that you may feel the hope and assurance of a better life. Be ashamed to follow vanities, which when you have fed yourselves with as full as you can, can work nothing in you but loathsomeness, vexation, and sorrow of spirit. Pleasures are like unto sweet poisons, when the sweetness is past, they work tortures & torments. Keep the Lords Sabaothes. If you be Masters be patterns unto your servants of diligence in hearing, and of true godliness, in putting holy doctrines in practice. If you be servants and youth, learn in the days of your youth, before age and death come upon you, that there is no felicity but in the faith of Christ, there is no faith without the ministry of the word, there is no ministry of the word unless gifts be given unto men of God, and they be reared, up to teach you, and to lead you in the ways of God, and lastly▪ when these ordinary means are neglected, dyspised, and resisted, than we can have no certainty or comfort of our salvation.  
Now the Lord jesus who by his death and passion, resurrection and asse●tion into heaven, wrought full satisfaction to his Father for our redemption and salvation, give us faith and sanctify us throughout, both bodies and souls: that we serving him in a spiritual service in both, may feel it to be our greatest happiness: may despise this vain and tottering world, may detest all vanities, and specially accursed profanations: and having faith and a good conscience, may walk on with good courage in the hope of that everlasting inheritance which he hath s● dearly purchased for us.  
Amen. january. 17. 1583. I, F.