A Godly Exhortation, Text
The Lord Ieſus open our hearts, and giuegive vsus true vnderſtanding, that we may feare his iudgements, and profite vnderunder his hand, to tourne from our ſinnes▪ till faith and aſſuraunce be wrought in our heartes, of that euerlaſting kingdome, which he hath freely by his owne bloud purchaſed for vsus. Amen.
THere is no man wil deny, as I ſuppoſe (dearelibeloued in Chriſte) but ye the more a man hath receiued of ye graces and giftes of God, ye more is he bound by duty vntounto his obedience. And ſurely if this bee true of all (as it is moſt certaine) then of all others, hath this little Ilande as a garden of the Lord, beene decked and garniſhed with ſundry moſt gracious and excellent gifts, whether we reſpect thoſe that are temporal or ſpirituall, that the Lord might worke in vsus, both dutie and thankfulneſſe. For concerning both theſe, wher ſhould I firſt begin yt I might reckon them all vp, being ſo infinite both in the one & in the other. And firſt concerning temporall giftes, what is it, that in his rich mercy, either for ye ſuſtentation & maintenance of this life, or for other earthly commodities and pleaſures, that he hath not beſtowed vppon vsus? he hath ſet vsus, as it were in the paradiſe of the world: where euen within our ſelues wee hauehave all good and neceſſary things: he hath giuen vsus the fat of the earth, & ye dew of heauen: he hath made ye earth fruitfull vnderunder vsus, & the heauens beneficial aboue vsus: we hauehave corne, wooll, fleſh, & fiſh in great plenty, ye beaſts of ye earth, & the fouls of ye aire are ours: we hauehave gold, ſiluer Copper, Tinne, Lead and Yron, with other commodious mettals in al plentie. Againe, with theſe earthly commodities and al the reſt, he hath giuē vsus publique peace, protection & quietnes. EueryEvery man enioyeth his wife, Children, goods, Cattell, and poſſeſſions. EueryEvery mā ſitteth vnderunder his own Vine, and heareth the voyce of his children in the ſtreetes. Our young men and our maidens, reioice in publique places, and the noyſe of Muſick is heard in our aſſemblies. We drink in Bowles of golde, and in cuppes of ſiluer: our heads are annoynted with ſweete ointmentes, and our faces are cheereful, becauſe our harts are merry. Our Princes ſit in the gates, and our Nobilitie ride in Charriots and Coches. The voyce of mourning is not heard amongeſt vsus, neither hath terrour and fear amazed vsus. Our weapons are turned into Plowe Shares, and Lions and Lambs do play together without hurting one another.
As for ſpirituall thinges beſtowed vponupon vsus, they are infinite: how ſhould I giuegive but a ſhadowe of them? God hath giuen himſelfe vntounto vsus to be our God, and hath choſen vsus to be his people. He hath giuen vntounto vsus his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt, and with him, all other good things, neceſſary for our ſaluation: he hath giuen him to vsus, his enemies, to take our nature vppon him, to die for our ſinnes, & to vndergo euerlaſting damnation, to ye end he might acquite & deliuer vsus. For this he fulfilled ye law, wraſtled hand to hand with his fathers iudgements, was caſt, condemned, and crucified, & as a man reiected of God, and thrown down into the extreameſt humiliation, became the moſt forelorne of the worlde, that he might recouer happineſſe for vsus. And therfore he aduanced his power, and brake the chaynes of death and of hell, aſcended with glory, making a ſhew of all his enemies, and giuing giftes vntounto men. For all this hee wrought for vsus, and for our redemption, that we might be a peculier people vntounto himſelfe: vppon whome he would powre forth the whole riches of his mercy. And in déede vppon his Church what is there, that he might hauehave more done for her, that hee hath not done. Hee hath purged her by his own bloud out of her bloud, and crowned her with his righteouſneſſe. Hee hath giuen her a place in the higheſt heauens, and ſtrengthened her to triumph ouer all her enemies. He hath forgiuen her her ſinnes, and decked her with ſpeciall ioy, and peace that paſſeth all vnderſtanding: he hath giuen her the goſpell, a tydings of comfort, wherein the riches of his grace are fully diſplaied. Can the heart of man conceiue, the tong vtter, or the pen ſet downe, what God hath done for his people in all times and ages? he did much for his people in Egypt land: but hee hath done more for vsus. He did much for thē being in wildernes: but he hath done more for vsus. He did much for them when hee made ſo many kings to fal before them, when he brought thē to the land of promiſe: but he hath done more for vsus: he hath euercome a mightier army, and made greater Kings to bow vnderunder his ſcepter and brought vsus to a larger inheritance, which can neither▪ wither nor periſh. He fed them with Manna, that corrupted, when they tranſgreſſed the commandment touching the ſabboth: but he hath fed vsus with him ſelf, that our corruption might be put off, and we might be clad with immortallity and euerlaſting glorye. The Iewes were his people, by a conditionall couenant, that ſtoode in their obedience: they were the apple of his eye, and ſignet of his ſcale, to whome he gaue peculier bleſſinges: and yet becauſe they were vnthankful, and knew not the day of their viſitation, they hauehave no part by reaſon of their vnbeliefe, in the promiſes that were made to Abraham and the reſt of the Patriarks, to their ſéede and poſteritie: but wee are his people adopted, aſſured in a new couenant, ſealed in the blood and obedience of Ieſus Chriſte, the end of all the promiſes: whoſe ſaluation is nowe wrought and perfourmed, if hee be in vsus & we in him; if his glorious grace and mercy hauehave not appeared in vaine vntounto vsus. What could the Lord hauehave done more for his people then he did for them, & yet Iſay the Prophet vpbraided them for their ingratitude, ſo many excellent bene fits of God being beſtowed vponupon thē? I wyl ſing to my Iſay. 5.beloued a ſong of my beloued of his vyneyard. My beloued had a vineyeard in a very fruitful hil, he hedged it about, and gathered out the stones of it, he planted it with the best plants, & buylt a Tower in the mydest of it, & made a winepres in it. He looked that it ſhold hauehave broght forth grapes, but it brought forth wyld grapes. O Inhabitants of Ieruſalem, & men of Iudah▪ Iudge therefore, between me & my vineyard. What could I hauehave done more to my vineyard, that I hauehave not done vntounto it? Why hauehave I looked that it shuld bring forth grapes, and it bryngeth forth wylde Grapes? Now I wyll tell you, what I wyll do to my Vyneyard, I wyll take away the hedge therof, & it shalbe eaten vp, I wyll break downe the Wall▪ and it shalbe troden vnderunder foote. And I wyll lay it waste, it shall not be cut nor digged, but Bryars and thornes shal grow vp: I wyl alſo command the clouds that they rayne no rayne vppon it.
You ſee how the Prophet ſetteth forth the large liberalitie and goodneſſe of God towards his people: and againe their vnthankfulnes, with thoſe iudgments that it drewe vponupon them: The benefits no doubt that God had beſtowed vppon them were excellent, but their abuſe was like wiſe intollerable, and therefore for the one, there is threatned the taking of them away, and for the other, what horrible punniſhments he would bring vponupon, them He taketh his occaſion, from a plaine parable, becauſe it ſhold be vnderſtod: leaning down to their capacitie, euen as our ſauiour Chriſt did in his documentes and inſtructions. And yet I ſuppoſe he coulde hauehave ſoared as high in the clouds as any other. So Paule vſed ſimilitudes taken from huſbandry, from building, from running1. Cor. 14. 18. 19. Ioh. 15. 14. and from fighting and ſuch like. Moſes in a plaine ſtile applieth himſelfe to the capacitie of the rude people, in the higheſt hiſtorie that euer was written, concerning the creation of the world. This is againſte his beloued, his ſpouſe and Church, euen to his beloued the ſpouſes friend.
The ſituation of this vineyarde 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 preſſe in it. Theſe were rare and excellent benefites, and yet inſtead of grapes, it brought forth wilde grapes. The like in eueryevery reſpect agreeth with vsus. Hee hath giuen vsus a lot in a pleaſant and good place, wheras he might hauehave ſet vsus in one more barren. He hath in mercy planted his vineyeard amōgſt vsus, hedged it about and built a Tower of defence, and a wine preſſe in it, to gather the fruite of it: this was not done by our owne arme, nor by our owne election, but in his good mercy: And as he waited for fruit, in great patiēce before his iudgments were executed, ſo he hath wayted vponupon vsus theſe many yeares: he ſits looking to that tree mentioned in the Goſpell, which long ſince had beene plucked vp by the rootes, had nothe in a wonderful patience expected our conuerſion and better fruites. But alacke it was ill with them, it is worſe with vsus, they brought foorth wylde grapes, but ours are ſcarce grapes. They were taxed with many ſinnes, but ours are multiplied as the ſande of the ſea, and as the drops of heauen. We are come to the dotage of the world, ſet on miſchiefe, and growing to worſe and worſe iniquity, as our Sauiour ſaith is multiplied, and the nearer he hath approched vntounto vsus, the faſter and further of doth the worlde flye from him. It is ſo laden with ſins and abhominations, that greuous is ſhipwracke, when a ſhip is lefte to the winds to be toſſed, and without a guyde, it muſt needes be drowned. Euen ſo, muſte this tottering worlde come to vtter deſtruction. OnelyOnly they ſhall be preſerued that walke with God, to beleeue his promiſes, and to feare his iudgements: They ſhall be preſerued that are his, of all tymes: whome he hath loued, choſen, called, iuſtified, ſanctified and ſaued, in Ieſus Chriſt his ſonne. Theſe ſhall not abuſe his patience, but tremble at his iudgements, and be carefull to walke in all dutifull obedience. They ſhall make haſt to meete him, when fire is come foorth from him, but the wicked ſhall ſcorne his wonderfull and mercifull long ſufferaunce▪ to their owne deſtruction.
Becauſe hee cutteth not downe the trée at once, being ſtaid by the praiers and humiliations of his ſeruantes: that in contrite harts how downe before him: the wicked inſulte and are more incouraged, and as it were fleſhed in their ſinnes and wickedneſſe, euen to diſpite him, (as Pharaoh and other tyrants did) vponupon whom yet heExod 5. &c. Exod. 17. Num. 21. 31. brought a ſwifte and a ſudden deſtruction: And yet the greateſt Okes are cut down with a little blaſt from him & the higheſt buildings can not ſtand if hee doe but ſhake them. For he is iuſt, euen as he is mercifull, and hee loueth iuſtice to puniſh the wicked, &Pſal. 1…. to mayntain the godly. If the thrones of earthly princes, muſt ſtand vppon theſe pillers, no doubt the throne of ye higheſt, yt is Iudge of the whol world muſt be founded thereon, that as the Prophet ſayth. He may doe Iustice, and Iere. 9.shewe mercy and iudgement vppon the earth. So he made Amalecke an example of his wrathe, Canaen the king of Arad, Sehon of the Amor…its: and Ogg of Baſan, So he met with Eglon of Moab, Iudg. 3. Iudg. 4.ſlaine by the hande of Aod, and alſo with the army of Iabine king of Aſon, that had oppreſſed Iſraell by theIudg. 7. ſpace of twenty yeeres. Gedeon was his hand againſt the Madianit…s, and though Oreb and Zeb fled awaye, yet they were afterwardes taken and killed.
The Princes of the Phylistims though they were many and mightie, and thought themſelues in ſafety and aſſurance in their Temple of Dagon: yet his hand founde them out, and in mocking of Sampſon: they laſtly receiued a iuſt iudgemente méete for their iniquity. what ſhould I ſpeak of Saul Iudg. 17. 2. Sam. 15. 17and Agag, of huge Goliah, of Achab, of Hazael, of Senacharib, of Balthaſar, of Antiochus, Herod & al the like: becauſe1. King. 20. they were cruell, were they exempt2. Kin. 6. 7. 8. from iudgementes? No no, he found them out, and he will finde out all his enemies. He will ſtrike them vppon the hearie ſcalpes, and their cheeke bones ſhall be broken, he will …owe their backes, and his iudgements ſhal declare his iuſtice, from generation to generation. The liues of the wicked are not in their owne hands, but the Godly are the cauſe of their proſperitie. Theſe from whom they ſeeke to take l…e, goodes, and limmes, are in cauſe, that they are ſpared for a time in the world. And hereby as God calleth his to repentance, ſo he hardneth the Godles in their ſinnes, that hee may be glorified in his iuſte iudgementes. But where are the wyſe to marke theſe thinges, and to make their profit? Who taketh a note of his iudgementes ſhewed againſt our vnthankfulneſſe, that we might be moued to repentance? Our benefits hauehave beene greater, then euer were beſtowed vponupon any Nation excepting one or other: and do we walke worthy of them? Is there thankfulneſſe in vsus▪ to retourne vntounto him the praiſe of his mercies. He hath giuen vntounto vsus his worde, which is an incomparable iewell, in reſpect of which the pſalmograph ſayth: He hath not delt ſo with eueryevery nation: but doe we bring foorth the fruits of it. Nay doe we not rather treade it vnderunder our feete, as it were in diſpite of the author of it? Is it not a lanterne vntounto our feete, with out which, we muſt ſtray? And is it not the food of the ſoule, with out which we muſt ſtarue: and yet who doth either ſeeke vntounto it, or feele the ſweet comfort of it? If the prophet appealed to the inhabitauntes of Ieruſalem, and to the men of Iudah, to iudge this cauſe, being come to an iſſue, in the aſſurance of it, committing it euen to them ſelues: ſhall not our owne mouthes, in the teſtimonie of our conſcience pronounce ſentence againſt vsus? who ſeeke his grace to late, and ſtay vntill his irreuocable ſentence is paſſed? He that hath eares to heare let him heare, while God ſpeaketh vntounto vsus. He that might hauehave been both iudge and accuſer, wil hauehave vsus both to iudge and accuſe our ſelues, that we may vnderſtande, how greatly we hauehave diſpleaſed him. And if our conſcience pronounce againſte vsus, is not God greater then our conſcience? If our owne heart condemne vsus, is not God greater then our heart? We are wont to be partiall in our owne cauſes, becauſe our ſenſes are dull to perceiue our own iniquities: and yet he committeth this to our ſelues, to the ende to drawe vsus to ſpeedy repentance.
True it is, yt our partialities, though we would flatter our ſelues, & could be ſo impudent to do it, that cannot ſtain his iudgementes, but euen as he tooke away the hedge of his vineyard, ſhewing him ſelfe a iuſt iudge, in being auenged vponupon their vnthankfulnes, ſo he will deale with vsus. That which he hath builded amongſt vsus, he wil ouerthrow againe. That which he hath compaſſed about from forrein force, from oppreſſion of enemies, to keepe out vncleane beaſtes, that he might hauehave receiued a large croppe, he will lay open and waſte. The wall and tower, ſhall be ouertourned within, beaſtes, dogges and hogges without ſhall fall vponupon it, deuour and trample it vnderunder their feete. One ſtone ſhall bruiſe another, & the cloudes ſhall not raine, to make it fruitful but to make it ranck wt thorns & briers. O England repent, thou that haſt taſted of ſo many bleſſinges, and yet haſt prouoked God with ſo many ſinnes. O London repent, thou that haſte ſit as a Lady & Queen ouer thy neighbour Cities, to whom the Lord hath giuen beſides temporall bleſſinges theſe precious iewels: ſending thee many meſſengers to warne thee, to preach vntounto thee, and to comfort thee: but thou haſt not regarded the day of thy viſitation. If thy hedge be taken awaye, if thou be laide open and waſte for thy horrible ſinnes. If the Lord plant his vineyeard in an other place, a more fruitful ſoyle: what ſhall be come of thee? Is God more bound vntounto thee, then he was vntounto his owne people? Haſt yu any greater priuiledge, then they who were once ſo precious in his ſight? And if he ſpared not them, will he ſpare thee, that doeſt paſſe them in all abhominations? they regarded not the holy commandementes of God, to keep them and obſerue them, no more doeſt thou. They were Idolaters and followed the Gods of the Nations, eueryevery one rearing vp an Idoll in his owne heart, and following his owne will, and ſo doeſt thou: thou art as far from the true ſpirituall worſhippe of God, belonging to ſuche a maieſtie, euen as they were. His precious name is prophaned & abuſed eueryevery where, in ſwearing, forſwearing, and lying, thinking, ſpeaking, and practiſing ſuperſtitiouſly & wickedly of it. And as for the Lordes Sabboth, as in times paſt they did defile it, did not conſecrat it to God, to reſte from ſinne and to followe his will, but gaue him onelyonly a ceremonial & outward ſeruice, defiled with following their owne willes, euen ſo doſt thou. This day is the ſabboth of the Lorde thy God: that is to ſay: a daye conſecrated to his glorye, wherein, all ſolemne aſſemblies of Gods ſayntes ſhoulde bee occupied in hearing his worde, in giuing themſelues to prayer, in receiuing his ſacraments, in meditating of his wonderfull workes, and putting in practiſe of holy duties: but we contrarywiſe, euen from the higheſt to the loweſt, break this Sabboth of the Lord our God, whither we come or do not come to the place appointed: For if we come, wee come with prophane minds, deuided from God, for cuſtom and faſhions ſake, without any preparation for ſo ſpirituall a ſeruice, there hearing we heare not, to make any conſcience to learne our duties to grow in knowledge and carefully to practiſe holy doctrines: wee come as they did in the Prophets times, with lame ſacrifices, hauing ſerued firſt our ſelues, & as they did in their ſolemne faſts: We bowe down our heads like Bull ruſhes, and perhaps hauehave torn garmentes, wee put on the countenance of ſorrowe, and our faces are not annointed: but there is in vsus no ſorrow yt leadeth to repentaunce, nor hearty turning vntounto our God. Wee come to ſit before the miniſters, as ye people then did before the prophets, to heare the word preached, as ſome pleaſaunt ſong: but when they hauehave ſayde they hauehave done: we go our wayes, and they paſſe through our iudgementes, but the worde is paſſed as a dreame. And if theſe ſinns be found, in al ſorts of our commers, what ſhall we think of them that come not at all, who through couetouſnes and prophanation diſpiſe theſe holy aſſemblies: eyther following their wordly chaffaire and buſines, or elſe thinking that the ſabboth is well ynough kept, if they giuegive God ſome little peece thereof, otherſome i… they bee idle, following their pleaſures, and wicked paſtimes with al gréedines. O Lord what ſhall become of theſe looſe and ſinnful dais? Howe manye prophane perſons are there in this realme, both in City and Country, that hauing taken a muſter of all the holidays in the yeare, vrge the keeping of them, and wil looſe no iot of tune, that they may follow their vayn delights, and yet know not truly how to keepe one holy or Sabboth day to the prayſe and honour of God? Both in Sommer and Winter, they can finde occaſions, to bereaue themſelues of ſpirituall comfortes, eyther to runne out into the countrie with their bagges and bottels, or els beeing at home to follow wicked exerciſes. EueryEvery dore hath his ſtake, and the ſtreetes are full of blazers of iniquitie. There is gadding to al kind of gaming, and there is no Tauerne or Alehouſe, if the drinke be ſtrong, that lacketh anye company: There is no dycing houſe, bowling alley, or Theater, that can be found emptie. Thoſe flagges of defiaunce againſt God, and trumpets that are blowne to gather ſuch company, will ſooner preuaile to fill thoſe places, then the preaching of the holy worde of God, the Catechizing and inſtructing of Children and Seruauntes, canne be to fill Churches.
Nothing can ſtoppe them from the ſame: neyther feare of daunger, loſſe of tyme, corruption of maners, infection of diſeaſes, expence of money, ſuſpi…ion of honeſtie and ſuche like. But to the other, where to they ſhould come with great ioye and cheerefully, as to the houſe of the Lord, nothing in a maner can allure or draw them, neyther theire owne neceſſitie, the ſweetnes and comforte of true doctrine, the reformation of maners, the holyneſſe and obedience that by the grace of God, is wrought in his Children, by ſuch exerciſes: nor the hope and aſſuraunce it ſelfe of fayth and ſaluation. Here three pence, ſixe pence, a ſhilling or two a quarter, is a great matter and a wonderfull burthen, much humming and hawing about it, but poundes and hundreds can be well ynough afforded, in following theſe leaſt pleſures, eueryevery dore hath a payment, and eueryevery Gallerie maketh a yearely ſtipend. EueryEvery dog hath a coller, & eueryevery Beare a priſe.
Here is no feare of infection, nor anie inconuenience or diſcommoditie that can let them. Is not this thinke you to keepe the Sabboth? the lawes of the land hauehave Godly prouided, that all the people of all ſortes, ſhall repayre to the publique places of Gods worſhip, then to be taught and inſtructed in the wholeſome word of ſaluation, and there is a penaltie ſet vponupon it: but how this is looked vntounto thorowout the lande, I leaue it to them to conſider that are wyſe and in authoritie. The Lorde bleſſed the ſabboth daye, and ſanctified it, becauſe in it hee reſted from all the workes of his hande, that hereby we might learne, to reſt from ſinne and iniquitie, and conſecrate our ſelues to his ſpiritual ſeruice. And this he inſtituted for mans commoditie, that al fleſh might come to worſhippe before his face: He gaue 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 prouiſion and prouidence: So that it appeareth, he woulde not hauehave them occupied in making prouiſion for the bellie, to gather ſtickes, to treade the preſſe, or to carry burthens, either vppon their owne ſhoulders, or vppon their beaſtes The commaundement for the obſeruing of it, is ſo often ſet downe in the ſcripture, as nothing more. The ſeuenth day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God: Thou shalt do no maner of worke in it, neither thou, nor thy Sonne or Daughter, thy man ſeruannt or thy mayde, thy Cattle and the straunger that is within thy gates. Keepe my ſabboth, for it is holy vntounto you: He that shall defile it, shall dye the death: He that shall worke on that daye, his ſoule shall be cut off, from the middest of his people.
Nowe to worke, is to doe thinges of our owne, that are prophane or wicked: And becauſe the commaundementes of God are morall, the equity of this commaundement belongeth vntounto vsus. In deed there was ſome thinge peculiar to the Iewes, in reſpect of the ceremonie, and the day: But there is yet a day to be kept, becauſe intermiſſions from the trauailes of this life, are neceſſarie both for the ſoule and bodye: That both the one and the other may be prouided for, the Soule to be fedde, and the bodye to reſt, our ſelues and our Seruanntes, (yea our very cattle) are to be fauoured in this behalfe, becauſe of this ſolemne conſecration to God. And therefore the king of Niniuie, commaunded, that that ſolemne Faſt ſhoulde be extended euen to the Oxe within the ſtaule, and to the Horſe in the ſtable, and to eueryevery beaſt of the field.
Bleſſed (ſaith I ſay) is the man that Iſay. 56. 2.doth this, and the Sonne of that man that layeth hold of this, taking heed, that be defile not my Sabboth, and keeping his Iſay. 58. 13.handes that they doe no euyll: If thou shalt turne thy foote from my Sabboth, doe not that thou delightest in, on my holy day: If thou shalt call it, thy delight holy to Iehouah and honorable, and shall honour it, not in exerciſing thine owne wayes, not in performing that which thou delyghtest in, not in ſpeaking a vayn word, then I wyl aduaunce thee, delighting in the Lord, vppon the hygh places of the Earth: and thou shalt enioy the poſſeſſion of Iacob thy father, becauſe the mouth of the Lorde ſpeaketh it.
So God ſpeaketh by the ProphetIere. 17. 21. Ieremy alſo: Take beede vntounto your ſelues and bear not burdens vppon the Sabboth day, neyther bring thoſe thinges into the Ezec. 20. 20.gates of Ieruſalem. &c. The Prophets are very vehemente in this behalfe: & therefore our ſinne ſtandeth at the dore, that hauehave made no regarde of theſe thinges. For we do worſe then beare burdens.
Not onelyonly oure carriers Poſte vppe and downe, but men trauaile all moſte with oute conſcience in euerye quarter, yea wee doe thinges that are naught, and therefore the wrath of God, muſt néedes be powred out againſt vsus.
And yet God hath ſhewed vsus within theſe fewe yeeres, many fearfull ſignes and tokens of his heauye anger and diſpleaſure, and one iudgemente dothe euen ouertake another, and yet nothing can mooue vsus.
Hee hathe ſpoken to vsus from Heauen by Comettes, Ecclypſes, and fiery impreſſions, he hath ſet Starres in vnwoonted places, & ſent vponupon the world, ſtrange tempeſts. He hath rumbled in the howels of the earth farre and wyde: and hath loſed the depeſt and ſtrongeſt foundations. The earthe hath quaked at his preſence, and the very creature hath ſled from before his face. He hath opened the windowes of heauen, and couered the earth with his diſpleaſure. He hath made bare the rootes of the corne, and fedde the foules with our nouriſhment. Hee hath ſent out the peſtilence, and burning fire from before his feete, that they might waſt and deuoure the inhabitauntes of the earth. Many men hauehave receiued ſhort ſummons, to appeare before him, & to render account of their doinges. They hauehave perished (as Iob ſaith) by the blast of his mouth, and by the breath of his Iob. 4. 9. 10.nostrils they are conſumed. By the roaring of the Lyon, and by the voyce of the fierce Lyon. and w…th the teeth of the Lyons whelpes, they are ground to pouder.
And yet notwithſtanding all theſe Iudgementes and manye more, that I can not reckon vp, who turneth to the Lord, who leaueth his wickednes: and forſaketh the companie of fooles? Who is wiſe to vnderſtand the plagues at home and the miſeries that are abroade, that he may be prepared to a better Kingdome? Who looketh to the kéepinge of the Sabaoth, and conſidereth this feareful example, fallen out amongſt vsus?
But that it may be remembred the better to doo vsus good, that by ye harmes of other, we may make our profite I will ſet it downe as plainly as I can, and as truely as can be gathered from the examination of thoſe ſame common euidenſes, that hauehave fallen out: waying ſome circumſtances that ſhall teach thée, that it was not the worke of any man, but the finger euen of God himſelfe, to warne vsus to turne and eſpecially from theſe ſinnes that we cō mit in that behalfe, for prophaning of the Sabaoth, which are too horrible
You ſhall vnderſtande therefore (deare Chriſtians) that vponupon the laſte Lordes day being ye thirtéen day of the firſt monethmonth, that cruell and lothſome exerciſe of bayting Beares being kept at Parriſgarden, in ye after none, in the time of common prayers, and when many other exerciſes of Religion, both of Preaching and Catechizinge were had in ſundrie places of the Cittie, diuers Preachers hauing not longe before alſo cried out againſte ſuch prophanatious: yet (the more pittie) there reſorted thether a greate company of people of all ſortes and conditiones, that the like nomber, in eueryevery reſpecte (as they ſay) had not béene ſéene there a long time before.
Being thus vngodlilie aſſembled, to ſo vnholy a ſpectacle and ſpecially conſidering the time: the yearde, ſtandinges, and Galleries beinge full fraught, being nowe amiddeſt their iolitie, when the Dogs and Beare, were in their cheefeſt battell. Loe the mightie 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 poſte or peece, that was left ſtanding, ſo high as the ſtake whereunto the Beare was tyed.
Although ſome will ſay (& it may be truly) that it was very olde and rotten and that therefore a greater waight of people, beinge planted vponupon it then was wont: that it was no maruell that it failed: and woulde make it but a light matter. Yet ſurelie if this be conſidered, that no one péece of poſte, borde or ſtocke was left ſtandinge; though wee vrge it net as a miracle, yet it muſt néeds be cōſidered as an extraordinary iudgemēt of God, both for ye puniſhment of theſe preſent prophaners of the Lords day, and alſo to in forme and warne others.
In the fall of it, there weare ſlaine fiue men and two women, that are come to knowledge who they were and where they dwelled, to wit. Adame Spencer a Felmonger, in Southvvarke, William Cockram a Baker, dwellinge in Shordich, Iohn Burton Clarck, of S. Marie Wolmers in Lombard streate. Mathevv Maſon, ſeruant with Maiſter Garlande, dwellinge in Southvvarke: Thomas Peace, ſeruant wt Robert Taſh…r, dwelling in Clerken vvell. The Maidons names Elice White ſeruaunt to a Purſmaker withoute Cripplegate: and Marie Hariſon, daughter to Iohn Hariſon waterbearer, dwelling in Lombard ſtreet. Ther is to bée conſidered in the qualitie and condicion of theſe perſons: whō God hath thus laid alonge amiddeſt their vanitie, to be an example vntounto vsus, how commonly theſe of ſuch ſorte are affected & diſpoſed. For if theſe in the ſtate of poore men had feared God, and in the hearing of gods words had vppon ſuch ſhorte ſummons bene called to appere before God: yet had they lefte an vndoubted teſtimonie, of their religion and pietie vntounto others. And therefore I doo exhorte all men to take héede of ſuch follies. Let them learne alwaies to be prepared for death, ſeing yt death is ſo certaine, though no man know of the bower. If God hauehave ſette them in a meane ſtate, let them not followe rudeneſſe, nor hunte after ſuch vaine pleaſures, but ſéeke the beſt thinges, and thoſe that are moſt precious. Let them heard the comfortable worde of ſaluation that ſhall comforte them againſt pouertie, and other afflictions whereunto we are ſubiect in this life.
And for ſeruauntes, let maiſters, ſee them better imployed vpō theſe dayes that are conſecreated to holy exerciſes that they may bee frée frō their bloode, and lette ſeruauntes thinke it no bondage, to be reſtrained from ſuch vanities: But alacke the worlde is nowe grown to that wickedneſſe, that the maiſters being prophane themſelues, the ſeruauntes are trained vp in all prophanation: yea ſeruaunts will indent afore hand, to hauehave their libertie vppon ſuch dayes to goe to the Deuill fréelie: & thereof ſpring infinite corruptions and ſinnes not to be named. If theſe ſeruaunts had had maiſters, that would hauehave called them to a reckoning how they had ſpent that daye (as good maiſters oughte to hauehave done) and hauehave had an accompt what they hadde learned, they might hauehave had leſſe cauſe to ſorrow, becauſe they had performed good duties. But O you ſeruantes that feare God, returne from ſuch filthines Liue to God faithfully in your vocation, and thinke it a great mercy that in peace, you may poſſeſſe ſuch a bountie. You ſe in theſe, fallen before you, an example to make you ſéeke better things that you may walke as in the ſight of God faithfully to doo your duties: you ſée the vanitie of pleaſures: that our lyfe is but a puffe: to the end you may learne alwaies to bee in a readineſſe. You hauehave hearde that ye father bringing his chylde alyue thether, caryed it home againe deade, which came not to paſſe by chaunce but by Goddes prouidence.
Nowe beſide theſe that were thus killed outright, with the flat fal of the Galleries, ſtrangely wrunge in peces at it were by God himſelfe, it cold not be but in ſuch confuſion, ther muſt néeds come greate hurt to many. Howe many carried away death, as it were in theyr boſomes, that dyed the ſame night, or ſome little tyme after, the Lord knoweth.
But this is euydent, that ſome are▪ ſince dead, and namely a Pewterers wyfe, that dwelt in Limeſtréete, who being therefore wounded, is nowe dead, and diuers others. Of al the multitude there, which muſte néedes be farre aboue a thouſande, it is thought by the iudgement of moſt people, that not the third perſonne eſcaped vnhurt: and by ſome that hauehave made ſearche, they eſteme that there were ſore hurt and maymed, one hundred and fyftye perſons, ſome theyr legs and armes broken, ſome theyr backes, theyr bodies being ſore bruſed, ſo that eueryevery waye into the cittie from that time till towardes nine of the clocke and paſt: and ſpecially ouer London bridge, many were carried in Chayres, and ledde betwixte theyr friendes, and ſo brought home wyth ſorrowfull and heauy hartes.
They ſay alſo that at the firſt, when the Scaffolde cracked (as it did once or twiſe) there was a crye of fire, fire, which ſet them in ſuch a maze as was wonderfull, ſo that as deſtitute of theyr wits, they ſtode ſtyll, and could make no ſhifte for them ſelues, til the Scaffold was ouerturned.
But as in the execution of Gods iudgements, we ſhall often marke the miraculous prouidēce & mercy of God towardes many, euen ſo fell it out with diuers of theſe, that when as they had iuſtly deſerued not onelyonly to be hurt and wounded, but euen to be killed, yet God as a moſte mercifull Corrector rather ſéemed to hauehave ſhaken a rodde towardes them., then to hauehave touched them. For amongſt the reſt it is credibly reported that thore was one Woman; that being in the Gallery, threwe downe her childe before her, & leaped after her ſelfe: & yet thankes be to God neyther of both had any maner of hurt, ſo was it with diuers others. But it ſhould appeare▪ that they were moſt hurte and in danger, which ſtoode vnderunder the Galleries on the grounde, vponupon whom both the we…ghte of Tymbre and people fell. And ſure it was a miraculous worke of God, that any one of thoſe ſhould hauehave eſcaped.
But here alſo God ſhewed his power for one mā falling downe into a hole, it pleaſed God that it was the meane of his deliuerance, ſo as al things that ſel vponupon him did not touch him, and by yt he was preſerued, whereas two of thother, were ſlaine of ech ſide of him.
Nowe what wee hauehave to learne of theſe iudgemēts ſufficiently hath bene touched before, and therefore for a concluſion: A beſéeche all Maieſtrates by the mercies of God in Ieſus Chriſt, that by this occaſion, they take good héede to looke to the people committed to their charge, that they take order eſpecially on the Sabaoth dayes that no Citizin or Citizins ſeruantes, hauehave liberty to repayre vntounto any of thoſe abuſed places, that albeit the place be without the Citie, & by that meanes, they hauehave not to deale with them, yet that they keepe their Beares out, and their ſtraggling Wantons in, that they may be better occupyed. And as they hauehave with good commendation ſo far preuailed, that vppon Sabaoth dayes theſe Heathniſh Enterludes and Plaies are baniſhed, ſo it will pleaſe them to followe the matter ſtill, that they may be vtterlye rid and taken away. For ſurely it is to be feared, beſides the diſtruction both of bodye and ſoule, that many are brought vntounto, by frequenting the Theater, the Curtin and ſuch like, ye one day thoſe places wyl likewiſe bée caſt downe by God himſelfe, & with thē a huge heape of ſuch contempners, & prophane perſons vtterly killed & ſpoylod in their bodies. God hath giuen them as I hauehave heard manye faire warnings already.
And as I praye Maieſtrates, ſo I béeſéeche Miniſters, my faithfull brethren, that they performe this faithfull woorke that God hath committed vntounto them, that they call vponupon ye people more earneſtly to kéepe the Lords Sabaoth, and that they employ themſelues in teaching, exhortation, and doctrine, in Catechizing and trayning vp their people and youth, that they may know to deteſt ſuch corruptions: that being occupyed in ſuch holy exerciſes, they may be their crowne whom they ſhall winne to Chriſt and to this obedience.
And laſtly I beſéeche you my brethren all, of what eſtate or condition ſo euer you be: Faynt not in the happie courſe of the Goſpell ſo freely and in ſo great mercye offered vntounto you. LoueLove the aſſemblies of Gods Saints, that you may féele the hope and aſſuraunce of a better lyfe. Be aſhamed to followe vanities, which when you hauehave fedde your ſelues with as full as you can, can worke nothing in you but lothſomnes, vexation, and ſorrow of ſpirite. Pleaſures are like vntounto ſwéete poyſons, when the ſwéetenes is paſt, they worke tortures & tormē ts. Kéepe ye Lords Sabaothes. If you be Maiſters be patternes vntounto your ſeruantes of diligence in hearing, and of true godlines, in putting holy doctrines in practiſe. If you be ſeruauntes and youth, learne in the dayes of your youth, before age and death come vppon you, that there is no felicitie but in the faith of Chriſt, there is no fayth wythout the miniſterye of the word, there is no miniſtery of the worde vnleſſe giftes be giuen vntounto men of God, and they be reared, vp to teach you, and to lead you in ye wayes of God, and laſtlye▪ when theſe ordinarie meanes are neglected, dyſpiſed, and reſiſted, then we can hauehave no certainty or comfort of our ſaluation.
Now the Lord Ieſus who by his death and paſſion, reſurrection and aſſe…tion into heauen, wrought full ſatiſfactiō to his Father for our redemption and ſaluation, gyue vsus fayth and ſanctifie vsus throughout, both bodies and ſoules: that we ſeruing him in a ſpirituall ſeruice in both, may féele it to be our greateſt happineſſe: may diſpiſe this vaine and totring world, may deteſt all vanities, and ſpecially accurſſed prophanations: and hauing faith and a good conſcience, may walke on with good courage in ye hope of that euerlaſting inheritance which he hath ſ… dearely purchaſed for vsus.
Amen. Ianuary. 17. 1583. I, F.
End of the text · John Field, A Godly Exhortation (1583)