The Cry and Revenge of Blood, Chapter 3
CHAPTER. 3.
Of the particular Murther at Halsworth. And first of the occasions and causes thereof. 2 Of the Actors and Accessaries therein. 3 Of the Parties that were Murthered. 4 Of the Manner and Circumstances how they were made away. 5 Of the Meanes to conceale the Murther beeing committed. 6 And diuerse obseruations considerable on either side.
HAuing thus discoursed of the Nature of Murther in generall, It now remaineth that we examine the Particular instance that hath occasioned this Discourse. Namely, the Murther that was lately discouered and conuicted at the Last Assize at Berry.
Wherein first offers it selfe to our consideration such circumstances as occasioned and drew out this sinne. The Maine Roote, and ground whereof, was this.
One M. Norton dwelling in the Towne of Halsworth in high Suffolke, being a man (though of faire possessions) yet of a very foule and euill fauour: Both in regard of his Profession, as being no better then a Church-Papist, the most dangerous subiect the Land hath: As also in regard of his practise being sutable to his profession, and therefore of necessity debosht and desolate, hauing his neighbours vineyard lying by him, cast his eye vponupon it; and hauing got some hold in the Land of his Neighbour, Widdow Leeson, either beeing morgaged vntounto him, or forfeited vponupon the morgage, that he might cléere the land wholly to himselfe from the widow and her Issue. First attempted by cunning sleights, and secret oppressions: yea, by feined kindnesses, as feeding them with money, and to draw the widow, and her children to his Lure: or else to inwrap them so in his snares, that vponupon any occasion he might either curbe them, or make pray of them. To this end when otherwise he could not bring them to his bent, vponupon a pretended Action, he cast the eldest of them into Prison, that so his misery might terrifie the rest: where either by some secret stratagem, or else (as the most credible report is) being debarred of necessary sustenance, his friends not being suffered to minister vntounto him, and his (Iaylor happily beeing feed to restraine him thereof) he pined euen through want, and so perished in the Goale.
This was the first Scoene of this bloudy Tragedy.
Whereon, before we go further, let vsus pause a little, and obserue somewhat thereout for our better instruction, both to iustifie the former discourse of Murther, as also to preuent the like ends in our selues, laying to our hearts such things, as may be gathered hence.
First obserue we the Roote, and foundation of this misery, and that the rather, because it is not our owne conceit, but the sensure of the right Honorable and thrice Reuerend Iudge, who vponupon Nortons appearing at the Barre, did so diuinely challenge him, that he was the roote, of this practise, the other, that were his instruments therein, were but the branches springing vp there-from, he was the sword that cut those innocents liues asunder, his agents were but the hands to execute therewith. This roote thus branded and layd open in his colours. Obserue we further therein these Particulars, 1 his inward condition, as being a Papist in heart, and so, as making no bones of any sinne, so especially lesse sticking at the sinne of blood, as being the glory of his Idol, and prop to maintaine the same: & therefore honoured with no lesse then the imputation of merit. And yet withall being a Protestant in shew, that so hee might the better colour and shuffell vp his sinne, and with the harlot wipe his mouth, as if he had done no iniquitie, whereby 1 wee may take the true scantling of a branded Papist, that though hee be humble like the lambe, his pretence be saluation, yet he Reuel. 13. 11.speakes like the dragon, nothing but blood and fire, when he cannot deceiue otherwise, he pretendeth like the harlot, offerings of peace and payment of vowes, yet her wayes go Pro. 7.downe to hell, and her pathes to destruction. And so wee may be aduised to looke for no better at their hands, who eate of our bread and go vp into the house of God with vsus, thē as Dauid complained of such treacherous friends, euen to Psal. 55.lift vp the heele against vsus, and if they can doe it finely, euen to Poyson vsus with the host which they hauehave consecrated for our welfare. And therefore of all other to bee most iealous of such hollow friends.
2 From the inward condition of this bitter Roote, also proceed we further to his outward estate. And that first in regard of his meanes, being of faire reuenew, sufficient if hee could hauehave bene content to his bountefull mantenance, yet if we cōsider withal his abuse of this large portion, by royoting and prodigality, wee may easily discerne euen great feare of want in much aboundance, and thereby imagine what such feare of want may prouoke vntounto, euen an vnlawfull desire of what is not our owne, as a iust punishment for the abuse of our owne, and so as opportunity and power is on our hand, such an effecting our desires, as by the close conuayance thereof, may be free from blame or shame. Behold here then the causes and prouocations to this bloody sin, Luxurie threatens want, and feare of want breeds couetousnesse, couetousnesse leads vsus blindfold to make pray where we fasten first, and opposition begets murther to conceale, or Iustifie the same. Thus Ahabs prodigality in maintayning Baals Priests, prouokes him through diuine iustice to couet his Neighbours vineyard, yt so his violation of Gods honor might be iustly auenged by the crie of ye innocent blood, which he so cruelly spilled, and that hee might cloake and iustifie his deuouring thereof, the blood of Naboth must write the deed, and pretence of religion, and iustce must peale and confirme the same. And thus our Ahabs prodigality in maintayning happily such croaking frogges as runne vp and downe the world to make combustions and massacres, prouokes him to couet his Neighbour Leesons vinyard, that lay pat for his tooth, and that he might more securely make pray thereof, the blood of her children must confirme the same, when otherwise by cunning & fairer meanes they will not be brought thereto, and pretence of law, & equity must colour the fact, that so it may passe currant with men, what is abhominable in the sight of God. Whereby we may learne, as to walke frugally in that competency which God hath allowed vsus, least otherwise a great deale, may proue too little, and that in smallest measure we may be content, remember we that our liues consists not in aboundance, but in the blessing of God, who makes a small thing sufficient, where he affords no more, labouring Math. 6. Psal. 37.with all dilligence to husband that little we hauehave, that so in the hand of the diligent may be plenty, whereas the reuenues of the sluggard do soone fade and molter away. A thing of very fearefull experience, for the most part in our Gentry, that as no reuenue will vsually serue their luxurie and excesse, so they are so fine fingred that they cannot labour, and so high minded they are, that they are ashamed to begge, and therefore their last refuge is either to turne Cheators in gaming, or huntsmen on the high way, or Pandors to baudy houses, or which is the fayrest, Laysie Abby-lubbers, I should say Almes-men, to be fatted vp in the sty, and hardned to destruction.
Before I passe this first Scoene, obserue wee yet one thing more in this bitter roote, namely, his manner of proceeding in this Bloody Tragedy. At the first very Fayre, and charitable to the outward shew, féeding them with money, and feasting them with good cheere, sorting them with boone companions, to passe the time away mercily, but indeede, to cheat them of their money, and make them secure: At the next bout, more roughly yet conuayed with great cunning, and secrecy, vnderunder pretence of Law, casting into prison, and if this will not doe the feat, then at the last, murther & confusion: iust so dealt Pharaoh with the Israelits, and so this bloudy Pharaoh dealt with these Widdowes children, and surely such are all the wayes of sinne, such and no Vse.better, is the successe of all sinners, though the wine bee pleasant in the cuppe, and sweete in the going downe, yet in the end it bites like a serpent, and kils like a Coskatrice, Pro. 23.though Iael inuite Sisera into her Tent, and lull him asleepe, yet in the end shee fastens him with a naile to the ground. Looke we therefore to the end of sinne, and so the sweete beginning shall not deceiue vsus, and distrust wee then the wicked most, when they most fawne vponupon vsus, because though their lips drop hony, yet swords are in their hearts, and they may be sheathed in our bowels, before wee are aware of them.
Thus of the first Scoene of this Bloody Tragedy.
The second followes, more bloody and desperate. The next sonne, Iohn Leeson, laying claime to his Inheritance, hath his mouth stopped with a good round summe of money, and withall, a guard is set vponupon him, of bloudy and desperate villaines, yet masked vnderunder pretence of good fellowes and acquaintance, both to fléece him of his money, and make him sure enough from making Hugh-and-cry after them. By these hee is encountred, and trayned to an Ale-house vp at the Mill-hill, a place remote from much cō pany, and so fit to doe mischiefe, here his head is filled with drinke, and his mind secured by sports and gaming, from feare of danger, here hee is detained by these meanes till the night, and then he is knockt on the head, and stript of his money, and his body is dragd to a great pond, not farre off, & is fastned in the deepest part thereof with a stake and block thereupon, that so it might not rise vp to discouer the wickednesse.
Behold here first the progresse and encrease of sinne, Vse.if secret oppression will not preuaile, if cunning will not carry it, then open violence shall: if there be no remedy, then blood must quench the thirst. Thus Dauid when hee had abused Vriah, by taking away his wife, howsoeuer hee would faine hauehave spared his seruants life, by making him an instrument to conceale his Adultery, calling him from the Campe to that end, giuing him wine to make him forward to his liberty: yet when he saw these meanes would not preuaile, then his last refuge was to take away Vriahs life, that so in his end, his sinne also might séeme to dye, which indéede, was the onelyonly meanes to make it crye loud for vengeance. And let this aduise sinners to preuent the beginnings of sinne, lest when they would, they cannot stay the rage thereof. If yet through carnall wisedome, they will still goe forward, hoping by one sinne to hide another, let them know, that their wisedome will prooue their confusion, séeing while they thus ripen their sinnes, they in the end cry loud in the eares of the Lord for vengeance, who will in due time recompence innocent bloud vponupon the shedders thereof: so Dauids Children re-payd the price of the Blood of his seruants, and Nortons blood is like to answer for the bloud of his neighbours children, as Lands hath done already. Lastly, obserue we heere, the Iustice of God in making partakers in sinne Instruments to punish each other. For to speake a little of those, that were conuicted of this murther, what were Land & Worlish any other, then Prophane and loose persons, hauing sold them to doe wickednesse, euen to any that would hire them thereunto: As for Land, why, he was Nortons Instrument from time to time, to serue his Writs, and bring any into his snares and cruel clutches: nay, he was the Diuels Factor, to draw fooles from drunkennesse to shame and spoyle, as himselfe confessed euen vponupon the Gallowes. To speake more sparingly of Worlish, because the Lord hath yet respited him to repentance, in hope that he will further discharge his conscience and satisfie the world, in the more full discouery of what yet lies in darkenesse: Yet as there is sufficient to condemne him at least, as an accessary, euen out of his owne mouth, as shall héereafter appeare: so were he not guilty of this sinne: yet, as he confessed on the Gallowes, his loose and prohane life were sufficient to bring him to that shamefull end. Such were these parties that are hitherto conuicted of the murther, whereof the one is already executed, the other onelyonly respited for his owne, and the publick good. And what were they that fell into their bloody hands? surely fit companions for such Copesmates, brethren in euill, companions in prophanenesse, drunkards, and what not; and therefore iustly dying in their owne sinnes, howsoeuer vniustly, in regard of the instruments and manner thereof, yet iustly, I say, by the righteous doome of the Lord, who makes brethren in euill, instruments of each other punishment, that as Land and Worlish were the meanes to bring them to their ends, so their deaths hath, and will be the ouerthrow of their murtherers.
Thus of the second Scoene of this cruell Tragedy.
The third followes yet more fearefull and bloody.
About two yeares after a third sonne renues the suite Thomas Leeson.for the Land, and hauing procured a suppena to bring the Oppresser into the Chancery, carries his sister a long with him to serue the same, where being discouered hanging the same at Nortons doore, because he either could not, or durst not meete his person, as being through former guilt become more iealous and outragious, they were both seased on, (I hope you may imagine by the former bloody hands) and so (as the pond hath now discouered) being cruely made away, were cast thereunto and staked downe therein, as their brother was, that so the fact might bee buried with them for euer: so vnsatiable is the thirst of blood, when once the sweet thereof is tasted, that still the wicked must bee drinking deeper thereof: so desperate is the estate of sinners, that they must plunge themselues still more deepely in wickednes, so foolish is sinne to mend it selfe by the encrease thereof, yea herein most foolish, when it seemes to be most wise, that while it seekes to preuent most securely it discouery, that so it may ease the conscience of the guilt thereof, the more it encreaseth the guilt, by the secret conuayance of sin, euen as the fire the more it is suppressed the more it striueth to breake out, yea the more man in wisedome labours the hiding of sin, and flatters himselfe in the security thereof, the more he prouokes the Lord to discouer his skirts, the more he hastens himselfe to righteous vengeance, that so the Lord may hauehave the only glory of his discouery & confusion, who out of his secret conuayance spares not to chalenge ye prouidence of God, as if he saw them not or could not disappoint them. Thus while the wicked say peace and safety we hauehave made all sure, then shall a suddaine destruction come vponupon them as the trauaile vponupon a woman 1. Thes. 5. 5.with child, and they shall not be able to escape. Thus when Babilon saith, shee sits as a Queene and shall see no euill, then her plagues shall come vponupon her in one day, so righteous is the Lord that iudgeth the whore. Well thus these poore soules are now buried in the pond, yea a block is layd vponupon them yt they shall not rise againe. The murtherers they sing care away, and reuell with their spoyle, the world is at rest, no notice taken of them, no missing them by their Freinds, who were informed that Ireland had receiued them, no seeking them by their enemies, who knew well enough where they were. If guilt of sinne troubled, yet feare of discouery bit it in, and policy sought to drown the conscience by surfeiting in sin: that so Peace might be at home, as all was quiet abroad. And so foure yeares are passed ouer in great iollity and security. And by this time euen the memory of these murthered soules was buried with them. What now remained? Surely, where man vsually ends, there God beginneth: and while the wicked slept securely, the vengeance of God was bestirring it selfe. Behold, saith the Prophet, when the Lord makes inquisition for blood, hee remembers Psal. 9. 13. 14.it, and forgets not the complaint of the poore: The blood of these murthered soules cried loud in the eares of the Lord. from the bottome of the Pond for vengeance, euen while the bloud-suckers sang a requiem to their soules. And the Lord awakened at length out of the sleepe of his patience, discouering the murthered by his owne Immediate Arme, and by their discouery, discouered also the murtherers, and so brought them in due season to their iust triall and confusion, as shall appeare most wonderfully in the next Chapter. Which before we enter into for conclusion of this present, and preparation to the discouery. A speciall Case of Conscience comes heere to bee discussed, and resolued.
Namely, that seeing murther is so crying a sinne, that it calls for speedy and continuall vengeance in the eares of the Lord, how notwithstanding it comes to passe, that the Lord differs the discouery and recompen…e thereof, many yeeres; yea, ages after. That the Lord doth thus deferre this discouery and execution, is not onelyonly apparant by the cry of those soules vnderunder the Alter, slaine for the Word of God, How long Lord, holy and true, doest thou not iudge Reuel. 6. 9and auenge our blood on them that dwell vponupon the earth. But also by the reuenge vponupon Sauls Posterity, for his slaughter of the Gibeonites, which was not executed many yeeres after, and the histories of our age doe witnesse no lesse, that many murthers hauehave laine hid, some 20. some ten yeeres, some more, some shorter time: If wée desire to bée satisfied in the true reasons of this Diuine prouidence, 1 some may be giuen in respect of the murtherers: 2 others in regard of the murthered: 3 some concerne the Information of the World: and 4 some immediately concerne God himselfe.
Concerning the murtherers, the prouidence of God is wonderfull in deferring the discouery of their sinne, euen to a long time after, for these Reasons:
Some tending to their good.
Others tending to their further condemnation.
Those that tend to their good, are
First, that by the patience of God, in deferring their discouery and vengeance, they might be prepared meane while to repentance, and so be better fitted to what end the Lord hath appoynted, Rom. 4. 2.
Secondly, By the patience of the Lord towards them, if they will not make vse of it for themselues, yet hereby they may bée further seruiceable for the common good, in those places and callings wherein God hath set them: as for education of their Posterity, for the maintaining of peace and order abroad, yea happily for the sauing of others, howsoeuer themselues are reprooued. So was Iudas a long time concealed from others, though long before knowne to his Master, for the execution of his calling, and seruing his Lord therein.
Reasons tending to the condemnation of these bloodsuckers, are,
1 That the Lord forbeares the discouery of them, not onelyonly to make them Instruments of his further Iustice, in peruerting and hardening others, but also,
2 This forbearance is a meanes to harden them in their sinne, and drowne them in se…urity, that so their surprizall being more suddaine, may prooue more deadly and fatall to them.
3 Hereby they are also nourished in their Atheisme and contempt of Gods prouidence, and so prouoke the Lord in due time to auenge himselfe in their confusion.
As for the Murthered, there may bee some Reasons of Gods silence and Patience, euen in regard of them. 1 That the crying of bloud from the earth so long deferred to vengeance, may be a Simbole vntounto them, of an answer from God at length, because no crie shall be in vaine, which he hath warranted in this word. 2 That the cry of Bloud, though a long time deferred, yet at length answered, may Type vntounto them, their resurrection from the dead. The case herein being much alike. That as the bloud though consumed, yet hath a loude cry for vengeance, and shall in due time be recompenced; so the bodies, though rotten in the graue, yet because they rest in hope, doe therefore in their Manner cry for their raising vp againe, and so in due time shall obtaine their desire. Euen as the creature made subiect vntounto vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that hath subiected the same in hope, doth therefore earnestly waite Rom. 8. 19 20.for the Reuelation of the sonnes of God, that it also may be deliuered from her bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the Children of God.
Touching the World. This Patience of God respecteth it also. And that, to try it affection to Gods Iustice, and such as are taken away, whither they find any want of them, whither they thinke the World is not well rid of them, and that they may be heard of no more, and such like.
But the maine ground of this Prouidence is in regard of God himselfe: and that in these respects.
As first to Iustifie his great Patience, to such horrible sinners: whom he is so farre from taking in their sinnes, that he respites them many times to commit greater euils, that so he may make them more inexcuseable in the day of vengeance.
2 His wisedome is herein magnified, that by respiting the wicked in such horrible sinnes, the guilt of the conscience is hereby so encreased, and at length enraged, that though all other meanes fayle, yet their owne tongues shall be forced to bewray them, to ease the inward pangs, and so to Iustifie the Lord euen out of their owne mouthes.
3 Lastly, hereby the Lord reserues vntounto himselfe alone the glory of his Iustice: that when all sides are husht, ye murtherers secure, the murthered forgotten, the world carelesse, all hope past: Then doth the righteous Lord make himselfe knowne by executing of vengeance, to the stopping of the mouth of Atheisme, that saith, There is no God, because the wicked scape scot-frée, and to the opening of the mouthes of his children in that gratious acknowledgment, Verily there is a reward for the righteous, doubtlesse there is a God that Psa. 58. 12.iudgeth the earth.
4 And doth not the Lord discouer herein his absolute power? that seeing the times and seasons are onelyonly in his hands: and therefore when he seeth a conuenient time he will execute vengeance: that it may appeare, his thoughts, are Psal. 75. 2.not our thoughts, therefore howsoeuer we may thinke eueryevery moment too much, wherein vengeance is deferred: Yet the Lord, will deferre the time, that it may appeare to be at his dispose, and yet will do it in the most conuenient time, which may make most for his glory, and affecting of a secure and faithlesse generation.
And this may serue for the resoluing of this case of Conscience.
And thus farre of this third Scaene of this bloudy Tragedy.
Concerning (as the two former) the Parties that were Murthered, together with the manner thereof, and meanes to conceale the same.
Wherein howsoeuer all was done, that carnall wisedome could deuise: and the patience of God for six whole yeares together, seemed to applaud, and subscribe thereunto. So that now it might seeme, the Tragedy was finished, and all further expectation preuented: Yet as this was the Lords time to put to his owne hand for the discouery of this horrible crime: So when he began once, each creature in his place ministred gratiously vntounto him, for the full manifestation and conuiction thereof. Attend therefore in the feare of God, Three other Scaenes of this Tragedy. Wherein now the Murtherers are to play their parts vponupon the Stage of Iustice. And if euer thou desirest to be …tisfied in the wonderful Prouidence of God, both in the discouery of Murther, and challenging of the murtherers, by a strange and secret hand: if euer thou wouldst obserue a full and Honorable tryall of so foule a crime: attend I say in the Name of God, to that which followeth, and if thou beest not fully satisfied in all these, I must needes conclude, that either thou wantest vnderstanding to discerne the Power and Wisedome of the Lord, or thou wantest an heart, to adore, and magnifie the same. OnelyOnly my desire is, that thou woldst not stumble at my weake handling thereof, thereby, to challenge so excellent matter, but rather hereby to prize the worth thereof, as if it could not be sufficiently handled. And if thou discernest any sparke of true light amidst so great darknesse and corruption, any power of God in so great infirmity, my earnest desire is, that hereby thou wouldst ascribe vntounto God the glory of his mercy, that so thou mayst begin, where I hauehave ended, and still informè and inflame thy heart with such wonderfull workes of God.