A Warning for Swearers,  
By the Example of God's Judgments shewed upon a Man Born near the Town of Wolverhampton, in Stafford-shire, who had Stolen a Bible; and being Examined before a Justice, denied the Fact, and falsely forswore it; wishing he might Rot, if he were Guilty of the Theft; which( according to his Desire) immediately fell upon him; and is at this time, a sad Spectacle to Hundreds that have beholded him:  
Also, A Relation of God's Judgments shewed upon a Woman, who Lived in Worcester-shire; who falsely forswore her self, and L●… in a short time after, being immediately struck Dumb.  J. C. 
Tune, Aim not too High.  

 depiction of man lying down  

ALL you that do desire to hear and know,  
of wonders strange, the which the Lord doth show,  
Give good attention to what I shall declare,  
the strangest thing that ever man did hear.   

My heart doth tremble, and my hand doth shake,  
to think what I at present undertake,  
For to declare what here I have begun  
enough to melt a heart as hard as ston:   

To see how people take delight in Sin,  
and for to mend their lives will not begin,  
until Gods Iudgments do them overtake,  
they never strive their Sins for to forsake.   

We rather seek to run in Sin the more,  
while Satan seeks our Souls for to devour;  
Let's strive in time to break his subtle snare,  
and of our Souls and Bodies have a care.   

To see how many they do swear and curse,  
surely they think not of a God so just,  
That hears or sees, their actions that are done;  
yes, at the last, besure he will strike home.   

As for example now in Stafford-Shire,  
there's a sad Iudgement, as it doth appear  
On forsworn wretches: there a man doth ly  
in woeful state and grievous misery.   

He stolen a Bible as it is well known,  
and being taxed, the same he did disown:  
He prayed unto God his hands might Rot,  
and so a Iudgment on himself he brought.   

In a small time he had his full desire,  
and what he of the Lord did then require,  
His hand-wrists rot away most woefully:  
his hands are dead and black as black may be.   

The joints of's knees do rot in the same sort,  
as several hundred people can report,  
That daily goes to see and take a view,  
and witness can, the same for to be true.   

Vpon the ground he stinks, as he doth lye,  
none can endure for to stand him nigh:  
Lord grant that each good Christian may take care,  
how they themselves, so falsely do forswear.   

He doth declare, and also doth confess,  
it's Gods just Iudgment for his wickedness,  
For stealing of this holy Bible book  
and following Sin, and so Gods law's forsook.   

But now alas within this world there's few,  
they'l ask and question if this same be true:  
But God is witness of his misery,  
let us poor Sinners warning take hereby.   
 depiction of open bible surrounded by candle, heart, and eye within sun 
The Old Testament  
The New Testament.   

You men that hear these lines, I pray forbear,  
take heed how wilfully you Curse and Swear,  
Too many use it now in every place:  
more is the pitty, 'tis for want of grace.    


ANd now you maids and wives take notice all  
see that you serve the Lord, and on him call:  
Take heed of worldly pride and vanity,  
for often-times no good doth come thereby.   

And at a certain place in Worcester-shire  
of late there lived a woman as I hear,  
In prime of youth she lived in height of pride,  
which in this world doth now too many abide.   

And what of her, I here have to declare,  
I do desire all women to give ear,  
And not to scorn at what I shall unfold,  
for why? good counsel's better far than gold.   

She being married, as it doth appear,  
perhaps for want, she chanc't to sell her hair,  
A friend did tax her with it presently,  
and she the same most stoutly did deny.   

But flesh is frail, her faith it being weak,  
she prayed to God that she might never speak:  
But in so doing she did not do well:  
Then see your smallest hair you do not sell.   

These words being spoken, she went home presently,  
where as 'tis said, she no long time did lye,  
But died, and never after spake one word:  
Oh, these are judgments sent down from the Lord!   

To let us Sinners rightly understand,  
'tis he that with one word can us command  
To live or perish to Eternity,  
let all poor Christians warning take hereby.   

And now my Song, for to conclude, and end,  
abroad into the world I do it sand,  
That all poor Sinners may in time amend,  
and have a care how they the Lord offend.     

London Printed for W. Thackeray, T. Passenger, and W. Whitwood.