The life and death of Mr. Tho. Wilson, minister of Maidstone, in the county…

CHAP. XVIII. The Reformation which was wrought by his means and Ministry in Maidstone.

Maidstone was formerly a very profane Town, insomuch that I have seen Morris dancing, Cudgel playing, Stool-ball, Crickets, and many other sports openly and publicly on the Lords Day; I have heard them jeer, and deride, and mock at those who professed Godliness, and went to hear a Sermon on the Lords Day abroad, when they had none at home. Commonly after the Evening Service, many of them went to the Ale-house, many to walk idly in the Fields. It was their constant custom to ply the conduits on the Lords Day for the drawing of water. The former vain sinful customs of sports were reformed before his coming, but by his preaching he prevailed with them to forebear vain walking, idling at their doors, also to draw their water on Saturday night, which they should have occasion for on the Lords Day. Though the Town was large and full of people, yet you should hardly see one person in the street after the Sermons on the Lords Day, and I have known when the Mayor hath searched the Inns and Ale-houses ⟨p. 41⟩he hath scarce found one of the Town there. One of the Judges at an Assize was pleased to say, That in all his Circuit he never came to a Town where the Lords Day was so strictly observed. I must say that I scarce ever knew any man so strict as Mr. Wilson in the Sanctification of the Lords day. He so much wrought upon the people there, that in the house where I lived, all Pot herbs were gathered and made ready on the Saturday night, and whatsoever for their Dinners put into a readiness, for the fire on the day before, not a Rose or Flower suffered to be gathered on the Lords Day. He was much of the mind of the primitive Christian, who being asked Servasti Dominicum, answered Christianus sum, omittere non possum. The Sanctification of that day is exceeding useful to keep up the power of Godliness in our hearts and lives. And as God on that day bestoweth great blessings on them, that humbly and reverently worship him on that Queen of days, that Market day of our souls, Isa. 58. 13, 14. So he hath inflicted dreadful Judgements on the profaners of that day, and when men have neglected to punish them, he hath taken the Sword into his own hand, and done it himself. One example whereof there was in Maidstone when I lived there: In former time