Now when we hear of as strange a thing as this to have fallen out not long since in Bedfordshire; as namely, a match at Foot-ball, being appointed on the Lords day in the afternoon; while two were in the Belfry, and one of them tolling a bell to call the company together, there was heard a clap of thunder and lightning, seen by some sitting in the Church-porch, as it came through a dark lane towards the Church, and flashed in their faces who sate in the Church-porch, and scared them; thence it went into the Church, and turning into the Belfry, tripped up his heels who was tolling the bell, and struck him stark dead; and the other with him blasted in such manner, that shortly after he dyed; we do not call this a miracle, though we count it a remarkable judgement ⟨p. 30⟩of God, and such as deserves to be considered, and seriously laid unto heart by all, to admonish them to take heed, that they be not found in like manner profaners of the Lords day. In like sort when upon fresh relation we hear of the like sport at Foot-ball on the Lords day, at a place called Tidworth, after Evening prayer in the Church-yard, and that therein one had his leg broken, which thereupon gangrened, so that forthwith he died thereof; we do not call this a miracle; only it calls to our mind that of the Prophet, The Lord hath so done his marvellous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance. And we find that such like judgements have been observed by Christian Emperors, thereupon moved more strictly to give in charge the observation of the Lords day, as Ludovicus Pius by name, as thus, Didicimus quosdam in hoc die opera ruralia exercentes fulmine intèremptos, quosdam artuum contraction multatos, quosdam visibili igne absumptos, subito in cincrē resolutos, poenaliter occubuisse. Proinde necesse est, ut primum Sacerdotes, Reges, & Principes, cunctique fideles huic dici debitam observationem atque reverentiam devotissimè exhibeant; We have known some busied in works of husbandry on this day, to have been slain with lightning, some punished with the contraction of their limbs, some with visible fire consumed, on a sudden turned into ashes, and so to have perished, as by way of punishment. Wherefore it is a necessary duty that in the first place Priests, then Kings, Princes, and all faithful persons, most devoutly exhibit due observation and reverence unto this day.
Now when we heare of as strange a thing as this to have fallen out not long since in Bedfordshire; as namely, a match at Foot-ball, being appointed on the Lords day in the afternoone; while two were in the Belfrey, and one of them tolling a bell to call the company together, there was heard a clap of thunder and lightning, seene by some sitting in the Church-porch, as it came thorow a darke lane towards the Church, and flasht in their faces who sate in the Church-porch, and scared them; thence it went into the Church, and turning into the Belfery, tript up his heeles who was tolling the bell, and struck him starke dead; and the other with him blasted in such manner, that shortly after he dyed; we doe not call this a miracle, though we count it a remarkable judgement ⟨p. 30⟩of God, and such as deserves to be considered, and seriously laid unto heart by all, to admonish them to take heed, that they be not found in like manner profaners of the Lords day. In like sort when upon fresh relation we heare of the like sport at Foot-ball on the Lords day, at a place called Tidworth, after Evening prayer in the Church-yard, and that therein one had his legge broken, which thereupon gangrened, so that forthwith he died thereof; we doe not call this a miracle; only it calls to our mind that of the Prophet, The Lord hath so done his marvellous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance. And we find that such like judgements have been observed by Christian Emperours, thereupon moved more strictly to give in charge the observation of the Lords day, as Ludovicus Pius by name, as thus, Didicimus quosdam in hoc die opera ruralia exercētes fulmine intèremptos, quosdam artuum contractione multatos, quosdam visibili igne absumptos, subito in cincrē resolutos, poenaliter occubuisse. Proinde necesse est, ut primum Sacerdotes, Reges, & Principes, cunctique fideles huic dici debitam observationem atque reverentiam devotissimè exhibeant; We have knowne some busied in workes of husbandry on this day, to have beene slaine with lightning, some punished with the contraction of their limbes, some with visible fire consumed, on a sudden turned into ashes, and so to have perished, as by way of punishment. Wherefore it is a necessary duty that in the first place Priests, then Kings, Princes, and all faithfull persons, most devoutly exhibite due observation and reverence unto this day.
