A Students Lamentation that hath sometime been in London an Apprentice, for the rebellious tumults lately in the city happening: for which five suffered death on Thursday the 24. of july last.  Obedientia servi Corona. 
 depiction of a male figure being hanged from a gibbet or gallows, and a second male figure on a ladder with a noose being held over his head; nearby groups of soldiers and men on horseback, and a fire  
Printed at London for William Blackwall, and are to be sold 〈…〉   

To the Christian Reader.  
GENTLE Reader, when Solon made laws, he left out a punishment for Parricides, and being demanded why he had omitted a penalty for so heinous an offence, he had only this to answer: It was vnnecessarye to name such a sin, because he thought no child so unnatural: or if there were, he utterly disliked that either the name of so vile a person, or the nature of his crime, should to posterity be remembered. From whence, diuers wise Magistrates haue observed, that sundry capital offenders, haue had their names obscured with their deaths. But seeing this age( abounding in all iniquity) affordeth more example of wilful liberty, than ever any other: I think it necessary all persuasions and examples should be used to persuade to good and deter from evil. Therfore haue I made bold to imprinte this little Pamphlet, being a Students lamentation, that was born, fostered, and hath sometime been a prentice in this city, which I am persuaded in the zeal of his heart he writ, to everichone all young men from wilfulnes to faithful obedience, orderly life, and gentle behaviour. To the well minded, he doubteth not his good will wilbe acceptable: the other that are rude and inconsiderate, he less regardeth, though he would willingly lay down his life to see them live as beseemerh honest seruants. His pains& my expense are here included: If it win any one to do well our desire is satisfied.  
Thine ever. W. B.   

A Students lamentation, that hath in London been sometime an apprentice: for the unruly tumults, lately in that city happening.  
OH that my eyes were springs of tears, and my head a fountain of water, that I might weep sufficiently for the offences committed, by them to whom one parte of my dearest love is consecrated: I haue in my title shown the estate I live in, and not been ashamed to manifest what I haue been, that is, an apprentice of London, that famous city, the mother city of this royal kingdom.  
To which city & patria& parent, I am beholding, and therefore most of all to it& the inhabitants therein account myself bound, being the first place wherein I breathed, and learnt the duties of a child, a seruant and a subject: Which duties, considering how some prentices of that city haue utterly forgot, maketh me perforce to break forth into tears: and where I strived to keepesilence, my spirit with the Prophet Ieremies was vexed within me, and my speech broke forth like a flamme of fire. And albeit I haue no eloquence to dissuade from sedition, or persuade to obedience, yet will I try what love, sorrow and pity can do, which if they could work as easily and earnestly as they be in me exceeding, I should not doubt to make all honest minded people to detest, not only the man of sedition, but every cause that giveth light thereto.  
But why talk I of the honest in this case, when not the Heathen lead by nature, the Iewe trained by the commandments of the lawe, the Christian exercised in the comforts of the gospel, the turk instructed by the confused Alcoron, but haue honoured the magistrate with aldutious reverence, embracing concord as chief maintainer of every well guided Common-wealth. Alas how unworthy is he to carry the image of a man, that seeing the hurt that followeth sedition, and will yet endeavour himself to disturb a peaceable Estate? He that considereth how much blood must needs be  shed, how many shall helpleslye be slain, what store of houses spoyled, what multitudes of men undone, how many wives defiled, virgins ravished in the fury of sedition: but would detest the Author of it, were it his natural son? He that bethinketh of the end of all rebellions, when after bloody violence, the streets& fields lie scattered here legs, there heads, these deadly wounded, those utterly dead: is it possible that he can so cast off humanity, that he had not rather die himself, then live to see so many miseries? Do wee punish a felon with death, not spare a rauisher, a mansleaer or a murderer, and shall we not more vehemently prosecute law against a sour of sedition, a beginner of insurrections, a ringleader to rebellious actions? whenby his means all felons, ravishers, manslears or murderers, shall haue liberty to steal, deflower, kill, murder, no man resisting, no lawe reproving? But it may( by some) be here objected, sedition and rebellion are unfit terms to be used in the case I am now to handle: for the prentices of London had no seditious purpose, no intention of open rebellion. truly I persuade me, a headlong wilfulness continued by custom of abused liberty, gave first fire to this unadvised flamme: but he that shall doubt, that a most treacherous resolution, and dangerous purpose followed, shall make question at a most apparent truth. For was it not clearly proved by the confession of their own mouths, that they intended to enter Tower street, rifle certain houses, where powder, munition and weapons were in great abundance? did they not scatter Libels, appoint a meeting place, there had they not many conferences? from thence made they not head to Tower hill, where( as likewise before in More fields, by honest Prentses their intent being opened) they were prevented of entering Tower street, and performing their purpose of entering to the store-houses of munition? Got not they first a piper, then a trumpeter? resisted not they the officers a long while with stones? contemnd they not her majesties proclamation, by which they were three times charged to avoid: Haue not since been more Libels scattered, provoking her majesty to iustice, when they should humbly haue sought mercy? O let me beseech all faithful subiectes to amend these courses by the example of the offenders over sight, who indeed were not all prentices, but Grant that needs would be the captain, was a very idle makshift: of which too many frequent peopled places: Neither ought it to be concealed, but to all England made manifest, that albeit a number of careless boyes( set on by evil disposed persons) attempted these things: yet the better sort of prentices, yea and the greater sort, never stirred in these heinous actions, but as faithful subiectes in every quarter of the city discovered the offenders: and before the seat of iudgement, those good prentices gave evidence against the evil, wherein they discharged that duty, which both the lawe of God and custom of all nations commandeth and commendeth.  
How full is the scripture of commandment and example that subiectes should obey authority? Was not miriae strooken with leprosy for murmuring against Moses? Corah, Dathan,& their company swallowed quick for their rebellion? did not Absalom perish in the prime of his yeares? Sheba in the greatest of his strength, for their rebellion. Did not Shimei fall in old age dishonourably even for reviling the magistrate when he was young? Doth not Christ and his apostles warn us to be subject to the higher powers even for conscience sake knowing that the sword is not born in vain? yea whether it be to the King, or those in authority under him: and shall boys, shall seruants, that are subjecteth under mean subiectes presume against the higher powers, be law-makers that know not law, be institutors of orders, and will not themselves be ordered: No God forbid that ever that confusion should come among vs.  
To show examples foreign what hurt hath come by sedition, and what misery hath fallen the seditious, needs not greatly? seeing our own Chronicles are full: yet for decorum sake I will induce some. jerusalem the beauty of the world besieged by the Romans, felt more misery within by civil sedition, than vexation without by the common enemy, their store houses were fixed, famine followed, the mother eat her child: the seditious entred houses, where they found meate they beat them, where none they beate them, saying to the one they had and hide it, to the other they were worthy of stripes for that they gave it not vnaskt. Lastly that famous City came to helpless desolation, sedition being the onely mean of her destruction. Did not sedition overthrow Athens, Corinth, Lacedaemon, Thaebes and made all Greece subject to the Romaines? was not Rome it self even ruined, and the whole world pestered with the factions of Silla and Marius, caesar, Pompey and such like? In later yeares, hath not the greater part of christendom, as Constantinople, all Greece, the middle earth islands, and sundry other Christian kingdoms been brought to Turkish slavery, onely by sedition? Did not caesar first conquer England furthered by sedition? did not Canutus enter England, aided by sedition? O cruel sedition, O venomous hatred, O unlucky debate, O pernicious dissension, O spiteful rancour, O blind and ever hurtful envy, O seldom well ending malice: why dost thou in one hour mar more than in an hundred yeres can be restored? What folly, what madness is this, to make a hole in the ship thou saylest?  
For the seditious themselves: how miserable perished Eleazar, Iehochanan and Schimeon in jerusalem? In Rome howended Catiline? how Pompey and caesar after all their factions? In Greeces ancient government, what end had Themistocles, Nicias, Alcibiades, and others? In Greeces latter government, what end had the factious States against their Emperour Constantine the last? Haue not all these perished, being otherwise famous Captaines, Princely and Nobly born, and shall vulgar people, nay inconsiderate boyes haue any hope to prosper in tumultuous riots? No assuredly, for as the great escape not, the base cannot choose but perish. Of jack Straw, Will Waw, Wat Tiler, Tom Miller, Hob Carter and a number more such seditious inferior ringleaders to seditions and conspiracies most notable, what hath been the end? Misery, destruction, and shane. All these at the beginning would be Reformers,& wrongs forsooth they went about to right: but when they had got head, what wrong did they not count right? sought they not to roote out Learning? drew they not honest Citizens to death? slay they not noble Councellors? Put they not the royal person of the King oft times in fear and jeopardy? made they not even this city London a shambles, a place of horror, yea, almost of desolation? Is there any in England, that hath not heard of palm sunday field, black Heath field, and many other? how many widows made they? how many fatherless children? Both these beginning by such deformed Reformers. O hateful ambition, even of folly itself to bee derided: when the scholar shall attempt to correct his master, the child the father.  
But how ever I grieve on the one side at the presuming folly of such witless prentices, as haue offended: I rejoice many times more at the faithfulness of those prentices that revealed their offence. For what greater proof of their fidelity could bee had, than in a case so dangerous as this was like to prove, to deal so faithully in the disclosing thereof? What hope shall all good men haue of these young men( if strangers should invade) that haue not spared their own companions, in a case of insurrection. Surely, by them hath London no little cause of ioy, That her majesty and the nobility are assured, there are in her such prentices, as prefer no familiarity before faithful duty, accounting those friends foes, that seek to disturb Englands peace. Bee joyful, you resolute and well governed young men, whom her majesty taketh for faithful Subiects and dutiful Prentices: and hath indeed so found you. Let them be sorry that haue deserved sorrow. Bee you sorry onely for this, that these offenders haue caused her majesty to strive with hir merciful nature, and commit them to Iustice.  
O consider young men, how it grieveth her, and forget not what would haue befallen you, though you think little of such a mischief? There are in England hollow hearted traitors that wait such times as these, and would gladly set in foot to see your parents murdered, your sisters ravished, your own throats cut, and think you hear England in her own person, thus lamenting for Londons young mens disobedience. Why do ye divide yourselves within me? are ye not all mine? Shall the hand tear out the eye, the foot put the neck in jeopardy? you are my weapons, will ye fight against me? my sustentation, will ye famish me? part of my strength will ye strive to weaken me. London is the beauty of my eye, the ancient honor of my signiory, famoused through all lands for plenty and peaceable government: and will you seek to ruin her good report by wilful stubbornness? Hath my sovereign mistress, our careful sovereign, honoured your city so often with her royal presence, delights she to be near you ever? and haue you no delight but in disturbing her? Remember your own mothers, how tender they were over you in your infancy, not suffering neighbours children nay not your own brethren and sisters to abuse you: and think you her sacred majesty kind mother of all true English children, taketh your violence in good part? No, I assure ye? your wilful offending and obstinate continuance in guilt, hath more grieved her Princely heart, than if an host of enemies had bent their power to invade my bosom. For her excellency may say( which I too certainly feel): No marvel if spain( the common scourge of all christendom) attempt to disturb our peaceful government, when our own subiects( meanly conditioned, of low and inferior calling) will presume to assail our Presidents, resist their Gouernours, kindle a sedition in the heart of our realm, even in London: which we tender as the apple of our eye.  
Thus might England( could shee speak) utter her grief. Be then ashamed you neglectfulll young men, I am ashamed to call you prentices: for how can I call you by that name which you despise. For prentices indeed are those, that bewrayed your practices: such, as being seruants know how to obey, that being masters they may be obeied: for it is as great praise for a subject to obey dutifully, as a governor to rule well. bethink yourselves, you wild youths, what fear through all England is spread for your faults. How many doubtful parents in shires far off from London tremble to hear these evil news, least their children should be guilty of this same tumultuous riot: be resolute to do well( if there be any among you doubtful) and bee not discouraged at the punishment of those that haue deservedly suffered: but be rather confirmed in well doing. For as sweet flowers prosper best when the Gardener hath cast forth unwholesome weeds, so shall you bee sent-pleasing blossoms, when these corrupt ones are removed from you. And remember here the law hath been executed with all mercy and favour: for those that were first punished, the shane was onely seen, the correction not felt. Those that had more capitally in case of treason offended, their correction was with all pity, their members not distributed on gates but buried in their graues. O never ending pitty of our royal sovereign: how often hath she winked at great riots committed by the youth of this city, and now when their offence is proved rebellion by statute law, she hath pitty that she must punish, and in their punishment her royal pity more appeareth, O you that are already criminate: humble your hearts before the throne of heaven. Be ashamed that you haue moved so gracious a princess to just displeasure: and you untouched that are stubborn hearted, learn to submit. For onely submition winneth mercy, wilfulness hasteth iudgement. If any trecheous insinuater go about to entice you to insurrection: if any idle headed libeler scatter papers amongst you, win never dying praise by detecting them, for undoubtedly you shall to God do acceptable service, to her majesty the duties of faithful subiects, of this city in your young daies bee accounted preservers, and you shall make all trechors afraid to reveal their seditious practices. As for you that are guilty, haue mercy on your own souls by confessing your sins with heart sorrow, and make satisfaction by advising other, least they fall into like calamity. Weep for your offences, and we will weep with you: pray, and we will pray with you: that the example and sorrow of you and your other fellows, may terrify: and entreat all subiects and seruants, that they obey her majesties Proclamations in their most headlong time of folly: for he that contemneth authority, contemneth the ordinance of God: which who ever disobeyeth, hasteneth to himself heavy and sudden iudgement. Which God, though sometime in his righteous vengeance, he sand just war to punish unjust people: yet never are subiects counted Gods instruments that lift their hands against their superiors, as I haue already proved: For if joseph to Pharaoh, david to persecuting Saul, Daniel to nabuchadnezzar, our saviour to Tiberius Nero, Paul and the Apostles to unjust Annas and the roman Presidents, the Fathers of the primitive Church to tyrannous Tormentors, all whose examples Christians ought to follow. How unworthy is he of a Christians name, nay of a mans name, that against his natural sovereign, a merciful a peace maintaining princess will offer to lift his hand? look into france, long troubled with civil warres: into the Low Countries, whose earth hath many yeares been drunk with blood. It was not thought at the beginning, this misery would haue been. But now they are so exercised to dissension, that they haue no year of rest, but war like a Lion rageth, men of one Nation either devouring other. And if in france it is no small observance, that if their children on eeuenings meet, casting themselves into companies and fight, it is held with them for anominous presage of greater ensuing mischief. What shall be thought in London, when not children in strength, though very babes in wit, shall meet, conspire, complot against reverent magistracy. Well, mercy hath taken Iustice by the hand, and they that compassion cannot entreat, compulsion will enforce. Remember, remember yourselves, you young men of London: is not liberty better than imprisonment: the favour of her majesty more pleasing, than her heavy displeasure? Remember all the insolent follies she hath graciously forgiven the prentices of this city: remember your Parents, how glad they would bee of your well doing, how sorrowful to hear of your own sought for destruction. And lastly bethink ye of what I first vrgde: how many sorrows follow sedition, as murder, massacring, rape, robbery, all outrage: the father wounding the son sprung from his own seed, the son murdering the father cause of his first being. O embrace peace, you that haue been born in peace: and cry to God for peace on earth, with that divine Poet,  Nulla salus bello, pacem te precimus omnes. 
Which God of his mercy soften the stubborn harts of all the wilful, confirm the better sort in their obedience: bless England from outward, but especially from inward Enemies: increase his Church, preserve our sovereign( under God) chief cause of our peace and prosperity: and hasten their destruction that wish the contrary.   

A brief Admonition to those idle persons living about London, whose sloth makes them apt for any sin: being but certain gathered notes from Grants example.  
YOU flumbring idle persons, whose life about this city is vayner than a dream: whose deaths are very likely to be shameful and desperat: to you, to you( if you would hear) should be said, but your hearts are fat as brawn, stony as flint, impenitrable as Adamant: therfore many words needs not, or at least boot not: yet some will I bestow, either to note your folly, or give others warning by your fault.  
The roote of all evil is idleness, and idleness is your only exercise, except unlawful game, an exercise woorsse( if woorsse may be) than idleness itself. For besides the damnable blasphemy among you used, beggary and want hourly awaiteth ye, which you through impatience cannot bear, but following Iobs wives wicked counsel, curse God, and thereby seeking others destruction, hasten your own deaths. Of you there are two sorts, neither tolerable, but one especially intolerable: The most to be favoured of two bad, are those whose parents( by too much cockering) hindered their youth from any honest employment, and now in age they think it shane to learn. But the other[ vilest of all vile people] are those that haue handicrafts or other means to live and yet daily follow dicing houses, while their careful wives, weeping children, and hunger-bitten familyes, suffer heart sorrow for their lost time and loose expense. Saint Paul calleth such, infidels, how the Heathen haue punished such, many stories testify: Lord roote them from this city and Suburbs, and put in the Magistrates heads to punish them with more and more severity: For these and their companions are causes of all mutinies: and it is miraculous they haue not long since wrought some great mischief, such a malcontent was Grant, by loose life grown to poverty: and to raise his state, what course takes he, but to be a ring-leader of rebellion, and to entice young men and prentices to his faction. Well God hath cut him off, and will undoubtedly cut you all off that intend so ill: therfore in a word I entreat ye, that haue no sciences to live by, serve honourably for your Prince and Country, and die not infamously among your familiars. To the other I will use no entreaty, for that which wife and childrens tears cannot obtain, onely authority must compel. Which God strengthen, for the conversation or confusion of the evil.  
FINIS.