Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the…Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the…
Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friars, London.Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.
William Gouge 1578–1653London: printed by George Miller for Edward Brewster, 1631
[16], 128, [8], 129-176, [16], 177-436, [12] p. · 148k words · STC 12116 · ESTC S103284
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
TO the fore-mentioned extremity of famine caused in Jerusalem, by reason of enemies blocking them up, it will not be unseasonable to add a relation, out of our Ecclesiastical histories of extreme famine where were no enemies: that we who perhaps do (by reason of our long continued peace) think our selves secure enough from fear of enemies, may notwithstanding fear Gods more immediate revenging hand, even by famine now beginning, after that the plague is mitigated. The history is this.
TO the fore-mentioned extremity of famine caused in Ierusalem, by reason of enemies blocking them up, it will not be unseasonable to adde a relation, out of our Ecclesiasticall histories of extreme famine where were no enemies: that we who perhaps do (by reason of our long continued peace) thinke our selves secure enough from feare of enemies, may notwithstanding feare Gods more immediate revenging hand, even by famine now beginning, after that the plague is mitigated. The history is this.
The inhabitants of the cities of Maximinus, sore pined away with famine and pestilence, so that one measure of 1wheat was sold for two thousand and fifty Attics. An infinite number died throughout the Cities, but more throughout the countries and villages, so that now the sundry and ancient demesnes of husbandmen were in a manner quite done away, for that all suddenly through want of food and grievous malady of the Pestilence were perished. Many therefore sought to sell unto the wealthier sort, for most
slender food, the dearest things they enjoyed. Others selling their possessions by pieces, fell at length into the miserable peril of extreme poverty: others gnawing the small shredded tops of green grass, and withal confusedly feeding on certain venomous herbs, used them for food, whereby
the healthy constitution of the body was perished and turned to poison. Diverse noble women throughout the cities,
⟨p. 169⟩
driven to extreme need and necessity, went a begging into the country, showing forth by their reverend countenance and more gorgeous apparel, an example of that ancient and free manner of feeding: Certain others whose strength was dried up, tottering to and fro, nodding and sliding much like carved pictures without life, being not able to stand, sell down flat in the midst of the streets, grovelling upon the ground, with their faces upward, and stretched out arms, making humble supplication that some one would reach them a little piece of bread: and thus lying in extremity, ready to yield up the ghost, cried out that they were hungry,
being only able to utter these words. Others which seemed to be of the wealthier sort, amazed at the multitude of beggars, after they had distributed infinitely, they put on an unmerciful
the midst of the market place, and throughout narrow lanes, the dead and bare carcasses lay many days unburied, and cast along, which yielded a miserable spectacle to the beholders. Yea many became food unto dogs, for which cause chiefly
such as lived, turned themselves to kill dogs, fearing least they should become mad, and turn themselves to tear in pieces and devour men. And no less truly did the plague
spoil every house and age but specially devouring them whom famine through want of food could not destroy.
The inhabitants of the cities of Maximinus, sore pined away with famine and pestilence, so that one measure of 1wheat was sold for two thousand and fifty Attiques. An infinite number died throughout the Cities, but more throughout the countries and villages, so that now the sundry and ancient demaines of husbandmen were in a manner quite done away, for that all suddenly through want of food and grievous malady of the Pestilence were perished. Many therefore sought to sell unto the wealthier sort, for most 2slender food, the dearest things they enjoyed. Others selling their possessions by peeces, fell at length into the miserable perill of extreme poverty: others gnawing the small shreded tops of greene grasse, and withall confusedly feeding on certaine venomous herbes, used them for food, whereby 3the healthy constitution of the body was perished and turned to poison. Diverse noble women throughout the cities, ⟨p. 169⟩driven to extreme need and necessity, went a begging into the country, shewing forth by their reverend countenance and more gorgeous apparell, an example of that ancient and free manner of feeding: Certaine others whose strength was dried up, tottering to and fro, nodding and sliding much like carved pictures without life, being not able to stand, sell downe flat in the midst of the streets, groveling upon the ground, with their faces upward, and stretched out armes, making humble supplication that some one would reach them a little peece of bread: and thus lying in extremity, ready to yeeld up the ghost, cried out that they were hungry, 4being onely able to utter these words. Others which seemed to be of the wealthier sort, amazed at the multitude of beggers, after they had distributed infinitely, they put on an unmercifull 5and sturdy mind, fearing least they should shortly suffer the like need with them that craved Wherefore in 6the midst of the market place, and throughout narrow lanes, the dead and bare carcasses lay many dayes unburied, and cast along, which yeelded a miserable spectacle to the beholders. Yea many became food unto dogs, for which cause chiefly 7such as lived, turned themselves to kill dogs, fearing least they should become mad, and turne themselves to teare in peeces and devoure men. And no lesse truly did the plague 8spoile every house and age but specially devouring them whom famine through want of food could not destroy.
1Euseb Eccles. Hist l 9. c. 8. Niceph. Eccles. Hist. l. 7. c 28. Famine and Plague together.
2Dearest things sold for slender food.
3Unwholesome things eaten. Noble women forced to beg.Vnwholsome things eaten. Noble women forced to beg.
4Cries of the starved.
5Famine makes unmerciful.Famine makes unmercifull.
6Dead lie in streets.
7Men food for dogs.
8Plague kills such as are kept from famine.Plague kils such as are kept from famine.
Therefore the rich, the Princes, the Presidents, and many of the Magistrates, as fit people for a pestilent disease (because they were not pinched with penury) suffered a sharp and most swift death. All sounded of lamentation, throughout every narrow lane, the market places and streets. There was nothing to be seen but weeping, together with their wonted pipes, and the rest of Minstress noise. Death after this (waging battle with double armour, to wit, with famine and pestilence) destroyed in short space whole families.
Therefore the rich, the Princes, the Presidents, and many of the Magistrates, as fit people for a pestilent disease (because they were not pinched with penury) suffered a sharpe and most swift death. All sounded of lamentation, throughout every narrow lane, the market places and streets. There was nothing to be seene but weeping, together with their wonted pipes, and the rest of Minstress noise. Death after this (waging battell with double armour, to wit, with famine and pestilence) destroyed in short space whole families.
TO other instances of great famines let me add such as have happened in England: that thereby we may the better discern what we in this our own country are subject unto.
TO other instances of great famines let me adde such as have hapned in England: that therby we may the better discern what we in this our owne country are subject unto.
In King William the Conquerors days there was such a 1dearth through all England, especially through Northumberland, and the countries next adjoining, that men were fain to eat horse-flesh, cats, dogs, and mans flesh. For all the land that lay betwixt Durham and York lay waste without Inhabitants, and people to till the ground for the space of nine years, except only the territory of Beverlake.
In King William the Conquerours daies there was such a 1dearth thorow all England, especially thorow Northumberland, and the countries next adjoyning, that men were faine to eate horse-flesh, cats, dogs, and mans flesh. For all the land that lay betwixt Durham and Yorke lay waste without Inhabitants, and people to till the ground for the space of nine yeares, except onely the territory of Beverlake.
1Stow in his general Chron of Engl. In the 5. year of W. Conq. 1069.Stow in his generall Chrō of Engl. In the 5. yeare of W. Conq. 1069.
In King Henry the thirds reign was a great dearth and pestilence: so that many poor folks died for want of victuals: 1and the rich men were stricken with covetousness, that they would not relieve them. Amongst these is to be noted Walter Grey, Arch-Bishop of York, whose corn being five years old, doubting the same to be destroyed by vermin, he commanded to deliver it to the husbandmen that dwelt in his manors, upon condition to pay as much new corn after harvest; and would give none to the poor for Gods sake. But when men came to a great stack of corn nigh to the town of Ripon belonging to the said Arch-bishop, there appeared in the sheaves all over the heads of worms, serpents, and toads. And the Bailiffs were forced to build an high wall round about the corn, and then to set it on fire, least the venomous worms should have gone out and poisoned the corn in other places.
In King Henry the thirds raigne was a great dearth and pestilence: so that many poore folks died for want of victuals: 1and the rich men were striken with covetousnesse, that they would not relieve them. Amongst these is to be noted Walter Grey, Arch-Bishop of Yorke, whose corne being five yeares old, doubting the same to be destroyed by vermine, he commanded to deliver it to the husbandmen that dwelt in his mannours, upon condition to pay as much new corne after harvest; and would give none to the poore for Gods sake. But when men came to a great stack of corne nigh to the towne of Ripon belonging to the said Arch-bishop, there appeared in the sheaves all over the heads of wormes, serpents, and toads. And the Bailiffes were forced to build an high wall round about the corne, and then to set it on fire, least the venomous wormes should have gone out and poysoned the corne in other places.
1Ibid. H. 3. 18. 1234. Vermin in corn horded up in time of dearth.Ibid. H. 3. 18. 1234. Vermine in corne hoorded up in time of dearth.
In King Edward the second his days a great dearth increased 1through the abundance of rain that fell in harvest, so that a quarter of wheat was sold before Mid-summer for 30 shillings, and after, for 40 shillings. An high rate in those days. The beasts and cattle also, by the corrupt grass whereof they fed, died: whereby it came to pass, that the eating of flesh was suspected of all men. For flesh of beast not corrupted was hard to find. Horse-flesh was counted ⟨p. 171⟩great delicates. The poor stole fat dogs to eat. Some (as it was said) compelled through famine in hid places, did eat the flesh of their own children: and some stole others which they devoured. Thieves that were in prison did pluck in pieces those that were newly brought amongst them, and greedily devoured them half alive.
In King Edward the second his daies a great dearth increased 1through the abundance of raine that fell in harvest, so that a quarter of wheat was sold before Mid-sommer for 30 shillings, and after, for 40 shillings. An high rate in those daies. The beasts and cattell also, by the corrupt grasse whereof they fed, died: whereby it came to passe, that the eating of flesh was suspected of all men. For flesh of beast not corrupted was hard to find. Horse-flesh was counted ⟨p. 171⟩great delicates. The poore stole fat dogs to eate. Some (as it was said) compelled thorow famine in hid places, did eat the flesh of their owne children: and some stole others which they devoured. Theeves that were in prison did plucke in peeces those that were newly brought amongst them, and greedily devoured them halfe alive.
1Ibid. Edw. 2. 9. 1315. Dearth through abundance of rain in harvest. Horses, dogs, children, men eaten.Ibid. Edw. 2. 9. 1315. Dearth thorow abundance of raine in harvest. Horses, dogs, children, men eaten.
When Henry 6. reigned, scarcity and dearness of corn 1forced men to eat beans, pease, and barley, more then in an hundred years before. Bread-corn was so scarce in England, that poor people made them bread of Fern-roots,
When Henry 6. raigned, scarcity and dearenesse of corne 1forced men to eate beanes, pease, and barley, more then in an hundred yeares before. Bread-corne was so scarce in England, that poore people made them bread of Fern-roots,
In the time of King Henry the eight there fell such rain in November and December, as thereof ensued great floods, 1which destroyed corn-fields, pastures, and beasts. Then was it dry till the 12 of April: and from that time it rained every day and night till the third of June, whereby corn failed sore in the year following.
In the time of King Henry the eight there fell such raine in November and December, as thereof ensued great flouds, 1which destroyed corn-fields, pastures, and beasts. Then was it dry till the 12 of Aprill: and from that time it rained every day and night till the third of Iune, whereby corne failed sore in the yeare following.
1Ibid. H. 8. 18. 1527. Famine caused by much rain.Ibid. H. 8. 18. 1527. Famine caused by much raine.
Again in the time of the said King, such scarcity of bread was in London, and in all England, that many died for 1default thereof, The King of his goodness sent to the City of his own provision 600. quarters, or else for one week there had been little bread. The bread-carts coming from Stratford-Bow towards London, were met at Mile-end by the Citizens: so that the Major and Sheriffs were forced to go and rescue the said carts, and to see them brought to the markets appointed.
Againe in the time of the said King, such scarcity of bread was in London, and in all England, that many died for 1default thereof, The King of his goodnesse sent to the City of his owne provision 600. quarters, or else for one weeke there had beene little bread. The bread-carts comming from Stratford-Bow towards London, were met at Mile-end by the Citizens: so that the Major and Sheriffs were forced to go and rescue the said carts, and to see them brought to the markets appointed.
