A Godly Exhortation

The Lord Jesus open our hearts, and give us true understanding, that we may fear his judgments, and profit under his hand, to tourne 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 (dearelibeloued in Christ) but y ^e the more a man hath received of y ^e graces and gifts of God, y ^e 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 Ilande 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 y ^t 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 y ^e 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 our selves we have all good and necessary things: he hath given us the fat of the earth, & y ^e dew of heaven: he hath made y ^e earth fruitful under us, & the heavens beneficial above us: we have corn, wool, flesh, & fish in great plenty, y ^e beasts of y ^e earth, & the fouls of y ^e air are ours: we have gold, silver Copper, Tinne, Lead and Yron, with other commodious metals in all plenty. Again, with these earthly commodities and all the rest, he hath givē us public peace, protection & quietness. Every man enjoyeth his wife, Children, goods, Cattle, and possessions. Every mā 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 Bowles of gold, and in cups of silver: our heads are annointed with sweet ointmentes, and our faces are cheereful, because our harts are merry. Our Princes sit in the gates, and our Nobility ride in Chariots and Coches. The voice of mourning is not heard amongst us, neither hath terror and fear amazed us. Our weapons are turned into Plowe 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 y ^e end he might acquit & deliver us. For this he fulfilled y ^e law, wrestled hand to hand with his fathers judgments, was cast, condemned, and crucified, & as a man rejected of God, and thrown down into the extremist humiliation, became the most forlorn of the world, that he might recover happiness for us. And therefore he advanced his power, and brake 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 pour 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 thē 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 thē to the land of promise: but he hath done more for us: he hath euercome a mightier army, and made greater Kings to bow under his scepter and brought us to a larger inheritance, which can neither▪ wither 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 then he did for them, & yet Isaiah the Prophet upbraided them for their ingratitude, so many excellent been fits of God being bestowed upon thē? I will sing to my beloved a song of my beloved of his vyneyard. 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 mydest of it, & made a winepres in it. He looked that it should have brought forth grapes, but it brought forth wyld 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 Vyneyard, I will take away the hedge thereof, & it shall be eaten up, I will break down the Wall▪ and it shall be 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 judgments 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 punnishments 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 savior Christ did in his documentes 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 and from fighting and such like. Moses in a plain style applieth 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 vineyard 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 wyne 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 defense, 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 judgments 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 alacke 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 Savior 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 judgments: 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 judgments, and be careful to walk in all dutiful obedience. They shall make hast 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 staid by the prayers and humiliations of his servants: that in contrite harts how down before him: the wicked insulte 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 brought a swifte and a sudden destruction: And yet the greatest Okes are cut down with a little blast from him & the highest buildings cannot stand if he do but shake them. For he is just, even as he is merciful, and he loveth justice to punish the wicked, & to maintain the godly. If the thrones of earthly princes, must stand upon these pillars, no doubt the throne of y ^e highest, y ^t is Judge of the whole world must be founded thereon, that as the Prophet saith. He may do Justice, and show mercy and judgment 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, slain by the hand of Aod, and also with the army of Iabine king of Ason, that had oppressed Israel by the space of twenty years. Gideon 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 Sampson: they lastly received a just judgment meet for their iniquity. what should I speak of Saul and Agag, of huge Goliath, of Ahab, of Hazael, of Sennacherib, of Balthasar, of Antiochus, Herod & all the like: because they were cruel, were they exempt from judgments? No no, he found them out, and he will find out all his enemies. He will strike them upon the hearie scalpes, and their cheek bones shall be broken, he will • owe their backs, and his judgments 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 Godles in their sins, that he may be glorified in his just judgments. But where are the wise to mark these things, and to make their profit? Who taketh a note of his judgments shown against our unthankfulness, that we might be moved to repentance? Our benefits have been greater, then 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, without which, we must stray? And is it not the food of the soul, without 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 inhabitauntes 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 them selves: 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 then our conscience? If our own heart condemn us, is not God greater then 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 ende to draw us to speedy repentance.

True it is, y ^t our partialities, though we would flatter our selves, & could be so impudent to do it, that cannot stain his judgments, but even as he took away the hedge of his vineyard, showing him self a just judge, in being avenged upon their unthankfulness, so he will deal with us. That which he hath built 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 ouertourned 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 w ^t thorns & briers. 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 haste sit as a Lady & Queen over thy neighbor 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 another place, a more fruitful soil: what shall be come of thee? Is God more bound unto thee, then he was unto his own people? Hast y ^u any greater privilege, then they who were once so precious in his sight? And if he spared not them, will he spare thee, that doest pass them in all abominations? they regarded not the holy commandments of God, to keep them and observe them, no more doest thou. They were Idolaters and followed the God's of the Nations, everyone rearing up an Idol in his own heart, and following his own will, and so doest 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 everywhere, in swearing, forswearing, and lying, thinking, speaking, and practicing superstitiously & wickedly of it. And as for the Lord's Sabbath, as in times past they did defile it, did not consecrate 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 willes, 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 practice holy doctrines: we come as they did in the Prophets times, with lame sacrifices, having served first our selves, & 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 y ^t leadeth to repentance, nor hearty turning unto our God. We come to sit before the ministers, as y ^e people then 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 judgments, 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 loose and sinful dais? Howe 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 loose 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 honor 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 dycing house, bowling alley, or Theater, that can be found empty. Those flagges of defiaunce against God, and trumpets that are blown to gather such company, will sooner prevail to fill those places, then the preaching of the holy word of God, the Catechizing and instructing of Children and Seruauntes, 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 it self 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 Gallerie maketh a yearly stipend. Every dog hath a collar, & every Bear a prize.

Here is no fear of infection, nor any inconvenience or discommoditie 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 sortes, 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 lande, 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 our selves 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 seruannt 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, our selves and our Seruanntes, (yea our very cattle) are to be favored in this behalf, because of this solemn consecration to God. And therefore the king of Nineveh, commanded, that that solemn Fast should be extended even to the Ox within the staule, and to the Horse in the stable, and to every beast of the field.

Blessed (saith I say) is the man that doth this, and the Son of that man that layeth hold of this, taking heed, that be defile not my Sabbath, and keeping his 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 honorable, and shall honor it, not in exercising thine own ways, not in performing that which thou delyghtest in, not in speaking a vain word, then 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 Jeremiah also: Take beede unto yourselves and bear not burdens upon the Sabbath day, neither bring those things into the gates of Jerusalem. &c. The Prophets are very vehemente in this behalf: & therefore our sin standeth at the door, that have made no regard of these things. For we do worse then bear burdens.

Not only our carriers Poste up and down, but men travail all moste without conscience in every quarter, yea we do things that are naught, and therefore the wrath of God, must needs be poured out against us.

And yet God hath shown us within these few years, many fearful signs and tokens of his heavy anger and displeasure, and one judgment 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 vnwoonted places, & sent upon the world, strange tempests. He hath rumbled in the howels of the earth far and wyde: and hath loosed the depest and strongest foundations. The earth hath quaked at his presence, and the very creature hath sled 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 wast and devour the inhabitauntes 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 nostrils they are consumed. By the roaring of the Lyon, and by the voice of the fierce Lyon. and w • th the teeth of the Lions whelps, they are ground to powder.

And yet notwithstanding all these Iudgementes and many more, that I cannot 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 keepinge 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 y ^e 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 euidenses, that have fallen out: waying 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 Lord's day being y ^e thirteen day of the first month, that cruel and loathsome exercise of baiting Bears being kept at Parrisgarden, in y ^e 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, diverse Preachers having not longe before also cried out against such prophanatious: yet (the more pity) there resorted thither a great company of people of all sortes and conditions, that the like number, in every respect (as they say) had not been seen there a long time before.

Being thus vngodlilie assembled, to so unholy a spectacle and specially considering the time: the yearde, standinges, and Galleries being full fraught, being now amiddest their iolitie, when the Dogs and Bear, were in their chiefest battle. Loe the mighty hand of God vpō them. This Gallerie that was double, and compassed the yarde 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 surly if this be considered, that no one piece of post, borde or stock was left standing; though we urge it net as a miracle, yet it must needs be considered as an extraordinary judgment of God, both for y ^e punishment of these present profaners of the Lord's 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 Felmonger, in Southwarke, William Cockram a Baker, dwellinge in Shordich, John Burton Clarck, of S. Marie Wolmers in Lombard streate. Matthew Mason, servant with Master Garlande, dwellinge in Southwarke: Thomas Peace, servant w ^t 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. Ther is to be considered in the quality and condition of these persons: whō God hath thus laid alonge amiddest 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 appere 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 y ^t 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 vpō these days that are consecreated to holy exercises that they may be free frō their blood, and let servants think it no bondage, to be restrained from such vanities: But alacke 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 accompt 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 se 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 y ^e 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 wrunge in pieces at it were by God himself, it cold not be but in such confusion, there must needs come great hurt to many. Howe 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 euydent, that some are▪ since dead, and namely a Pewterers wife, that dwelt in Limestreete, who being therefore wounded, is now dead, and diverse others. Of all the multitude there, which must needs be far above a thousand, it is thought by the judgment 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 fyftye 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 Chayres, and led betwixt their friends, and so brought home with sorrowful and heavy hearts.

They say also that at the first, when the Scaffolde 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 them selves, til the Scaffold was overturned.

But as in the execution of God's judgments, we shall often mark the miraculous providence & mercy of God towards many, even so fell it out with diverse 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 moste 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, & leaped after her self: & yet thanks be to God neither of both had any manner of hurt, so was it with diverse 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 we • ghte 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 shown his power for one mā falling down into a hole, it pleased God that it was the mean of his deliverance, so as all things that sel upon him did not touch him, and by y ^t he was preserved, whereas two of the other, were slain of ech side of him.

Now what we have to learn of these judgments sufficiently hath been touched before, and therefore for a conclusion: A beseech all Maiestrates 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 Citizins 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 Wantons in, that they may be better occupied. And as they have with good commendation so far prevailed, that upon Sabaoth days these Heathnish Interludes and Plaies 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 Theater, the Curtin and such like, y ^e one day those places will likewise be cast down by God himself, & with thē a huge heap of such contempners, & profane persons utterly killed & spoylod in their bodies. God hath given them as I have heard many fair warnings already.

And as I pray Maiestrates, so I beeseeche Ministers, my faithful brethren, that they perform this faithful work that God hath committed unto them, that they call upon y ^e people more earnestly to keep the Lord's 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: Faynt 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 lothsomnes, vexation, and sorrow of spirit. Pleasures are like unto sweet poisons, when the sweetenes is past, they work tortures & torments. Keep y ^e Lord's 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 y ^e ways of God, and lastlye▪ when these ordinary means are neglected, dyspised, and resisted, then 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 satisfactiō 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 totring world, may detest all vanities, and specially accurssed profanations: and having faith and a good conscience, may walk on with good courage in y ^e hope of that everlasting inheritance which he hath s • dearly purchased for us.