Two wunderfull and rare examples, of the vndeferred and present approching iudgement of the Lord our God the one vpon a wicked and pernitious blasphemer of the name of God, and seruaunt to one Maister Frauncis Pennell, gentleman, dwelling at Boothbie in Lincolnshire, three myles from Grantham : the other vpon a vvoman, named Ioane Bowser, dwelling at Donnington, in Leicestershire, to whome the deuill verie straungely appeared, as in the discourse following, you may reade, in Iune last 1581 / vvritten by Phillip Stubbes.

❧ Two wunderfull and rare Examples .

Of the vndeferred and present approching iudgement , of the Lord our God : the one vpon a wicked and pernitious blasphemer of the name of God , and seruaunt to one Maister Frauncis Pennell , Gentleman , dwelling at Boothbie in Lincolnshire , three myles from Grantham .

The other vpon a woman , named Ioane Bowser , dwelling at Donnington , in Leicestershire , to whome the Deuill verie straungely appeared , as in the discourse following , you may reade . In Iune last . 1581.

Written by Phillip Stubbes .

❧ Imprinted at London for William Wright , and are to be solde at his shoppe in the Poultrie : the middle shoppe in the rowe , adioyning to Saint Mildreds Church .

❧ Two rare examples , to mooue all Christians to repentaunce , the one of an odious swearer , the other of a widdow , named Ioane Bowser , &c.

IT is a pittifull case to consider , the inordinate sinnes , wherein the world at this time , is as it were drowned . For where hath not iniquity gotten the vpper hand ? Is not pride , whoredome , swearing , and lying ( by the mallice of the Deuill ) euen in the time of the Gospel , more frequented , and helde in estimation , then at any other time heeretofore ? Howe many counterfeit visors , hath follie practised , to couer all her traines of subtiltie , perswading her immitators , with such madnesse , that modestie is driuen into exyle . Are not the hearts of men so fast lulled , in the cradle of Securitie , that Pittie is forgotten , Chatitie fledde , Mercie exiled , Auarice exalted ▪ good Conscience banished , and the poore vncherished , and the Gospell of Trueth as a shaddowe , with the lyppes professed , but in effect , little followed ? Nay , rather the more is the pittie , Exhortations , Examples , Earthquakes , Comettes , fierie Skies , Inundations , Shipwrackes , vnnaturall birthes , as well in men as beastes , nothing regarded : which thing dooth but foreshowe , that our dayes are the verie same , which the Apostle Paule to Tymothie . 7. Chapter . Dooth so warelie warne vs to take heede off , saying : In the later daies , men shall become loouers of themselues , disobedient , euill speakers , &c. And who can be so blinde that dooth not see these thinges growne , to such corruption , that the Scithe of Gods wrath , is no doubt ready to mowe vs , as vnprofitable brambles from the face of the earth , except we repent ?

And heere deare brethren , I haue to present vnto your eyes , a rare example of the Iustice of God , vpon a great blasphemer of the precious blood of Christe , which came to passe in Lincolnshire , in the moneth of Iune , last past , in a Towne called Boothebie , three myles from Granthame , in the house of a good Gentleman , bothe of woorshippe and credite , named Maister Pennell , who hauing entertained this Seruingman ( for so he was , ) who had styll in his mouth , the vse to sweate , Gods precious blood , and that for verie trifles : Thus notwithstanding , beeing often warned by his freendes , to leaue the taking of the Lords blood in vaine , did notwithstanding , styll persist in his wickednesse : vntyll at the last , it pleased God , to acite him , first with sicknesse , and last , with Death . During which time , of the Lordes visitation , no perswasions could mooue him to repent , his forevsed blasphemies , but hearing the Bell to towle , dyd most hardlie , in the verie anguishe of death , starte vp in his bedde , and sware by Gods blood , this Bell dooth towle for me , wherevppon immediatlie , the blood aboundauntly , from all the ioyntes of his body , as it were in streames , did issue out , most fearefullie , as well , from mouth , nose , wrestes , knees , heeles , and toes , with all other ioynts , not one left free : whereupon he most myserablie yeelded vp the ghost , whose iudgement I leaue vnto the Lord .

And nowe I will proceede , to shewe one other , as straunge a Iudgement , happening in Leicestershire , in a Towne called Donnington , where dwelled a poore man , named Iohn Twell , who deceased , owing vnto one Oswald Bowcer , the summe of fiue shilling , which the sayde Oswalde did forgiue the sayde man , before named , as he lay vpon his death bedde : but the sayde Oswaldes wife , called Ioane , would in no wise forgiue the sayde Twell , as long ( she sayde ) as she had day to liue . Wherevpon , not long after , the Deuill appeared vnto her , in the forme of the sayd Twell deceased , expressing all the lyneamentes , of the body of the dead man , which might well be , for we reade in the Bible , in the like order , did Sathan counterfeit the body of Samuell . But to proceede to the matter , this euill spirit , vttered vnto her these speeches , & sayd , he had brought her mony from Iohn Twell deceased , and willed her incontinent , to disburse the sayd money , vnto her husband , for his paines : Which she , with as couetous a desire , receyued , saying , God thanke you . She had no sooner named God , but the money consumed away , from betweene her handes , as it were a vapour , or smoake , tyll it was all consumed : wherwith , the Deuill giuing her a most fearefull , and sore stroke , vanished out of her sight .

Wherewith her whole body , became as blacke as pitche , replenished all ouer with a moste filthy scurffe , and other thinges which was so odious , as heere my pen for modesties sake , leaueth to wright , referring you to the verses heereafter ensuing . But to proceede , her body was most straungely benummed , and her eyes closed vp from the benefite of the light . Thus remayning a certaine space , she confessed the hardnesse of her heart , and with great patience , thanked God for his iudgementes , bestowed on her . Wherevpon to be breefe , it pleased God , seeing her repentaunce , to reuoke his Iustice , and to restore her vnto her former health , where she remayneth , praysing the name of God , for his great mercies bestowed vpon her . And I beseech the Lord Iesus , that these examples , may not onely be read , but warily marked , to the amendment of our most sinfull and wicked liues , and that blasphemers may beware and take heede , how they more reuerentlie , in their communication vse the name of God : and that these harde hearted people , who will not forgiue their brethren , be the debt neuer so small : But as it is well mentioned in the Gospell , will for a hundreth pence , catch their poore brethren by the throate , forgetting howe many debtes , our heauenlie Father hath forgiuen vs , and washed vs in his blood . To whome be all honour and glorie : Amen .

¶ A fearefull and terrible example of God iuste iudgement , executed vpon a lewde fellow , who vsually accustomed to sweare by Gods blood , which may be a Caueat to all the whole world , that they blaspheme not the name of their God by swearing . O Mortall men , which in this world , for time haue your repast : Approch , the fearefulst thing to heare , that euer happened erst . Yea such a thing as dooth importe , the Lord our God on hye : Through swearing by his blessed name , offended for to be . Which straung euent , whilst that I doo , perpend and to minde call , My Penne ( in trothe ) is readie prest , out of my hand to fall . My hart also dooth quaile in brest , my eyes distill a pace : The Saulte and brinish teares also , do trickle downe my face . But yet good Pen hould on thy course , to write , doo thou not linne : For I the truthe to prosecute , hereof will now beginne . There is a towne in Lincolneshire , which Bothbie hath to name : Iust thrée miles distant from Grantam , a towne of auncient fame . Wherein there dwels a Gentleman , the truthe for to decyde : Who Frauncis Penell called is , this may not be denyed . It pleased God this Gentleman , into his house did hyre : A Seruingman t'atende him on , borne in Worstershire . Which sayd youngman inclyned was , vnto a thing not good : As for to sweare by Christ his flesh , and by his precious blood . So musled vp hearein he was , that leaue it he ne could : But at each woord , which he should speake , by Gods blood , sweare he would . This 〈…〉 was was his vsuall kinde of oath ( O Sathanist most vile : ) 〈…〉 erewith he did his loouing God , pollute , and eke defile . 〈…〉 dooth you sée , transnature vs , and bringeth vs to wracke : Yea , makes a Metamorphosis , of vs , behinde our backe . Wherefore let vs estraunge our selues , from rustomes that be naught ▪ Hauing regard vnto our soules , which Iesus Christe hath bought . Now Christe our Lord and Father déere , in iudgement dooth procéede : Hurling at this miscreant vile , his thunderbolts of dread . Meaning , in Iustice for to make , this viper , Uarlet he : A terrour vnto all the world , of swearing for to be . Wherefore , our Lord commaunded death ; at him to shoote his darte : Who straight without protract of time , gored him vnto the harte . Now , when that he the panges of Death , did féele , and eke sustaine : Than he began as you haue heard , Gods name for to blaspheme . And neuer ceased for to sweare , by Iesus Christe his blood : Untyll his soule , at the last gaspe , foorth of his body yood . And in this cruell extasie , he passionate did lie : The space of thrée or fowre whole weekes , styll swearing bytterlie Now when that he had languished , the spare that I haue sayde : The people they perceyuing it , of force he would be dead . Caused the Bell for to be tolde , that all for him might pray : Beséeching God , his soule to kéepe , against the dreadfull day . But when that he had heard this Bell , knolling most drerilie : He rushing vp , sayd , by Gods blood , this Bell it tolles for me . He had no sooner spoke these wordes , which I haue shewed to you : But that a pace , his heart blood did , foorth of his body flowe . For why , out of his singers endes , his blood did streame full faste : So did it foorth , at his toes endes , which made them all agaste . And yet the Lord procéeded foorth , this trayterous wight to scorge : The blood gusht out , yea , at his wrests , much like the foming surge . So did it also at his nose , runne foorth aboundantlie : With other filthie excrements , which man dooth lothe to sée . Thus died he , commmitting his soule , to the furies fell : Which doo possesse th' infernall gulfe , and Laberinth of hell . Than was his body straight interde , although ( in trueth ) forlorne : For whome it had béene better farre , if he had not béene borne . Whose heart is now so obdurate , that hearing of this thing . Will not permit out of the same , great floods of teares to spring ? Or whose minde is so fastinate , or eke so lulde on sleepe : That for to heare héerof will not , constrained be to wéepe . And that for feare he should his God , through swearing thus offend : And thereby purchase to him selfe , like dyre and rufull end . O you that sweare at euerie word , repleate with deuilrie : For to abstaine from swearing vile , let this a caueat be . For sure you are as guiltie of , the death of Christe Iesu : As euer were the curssed Iewes , which on the Crosse him slew . But ( oh alas ) so farre are we , from leauing of this vice : That we will not expung the same , but therein doo reioyce . We count that man heroicall , and of a courage good : Who can lashe out the greatest oathes , by Iesus Christe his blood . And he that will not weare at all for feare of punishment : He counted is a softishe foole , and eke a mere Peasant . But now me thinkes , I heare these Dogs , t' expostulate with me : And say they haue their God in minde , when that they sweare him bie . But to you men most Serpentine , the Lord dooth say againe : Thou shalt not take the name of me , the Lord thy God in vaine . Also the Lord dooth thée commaund , in Mathew this is plaine : ●hat thou at all from swearing should , for euer to abstaine . Prouing that , what procéedeth more , than this , yea , yea , no , no : Dooth come from the infernall Prince , our mortall deadly foe . Th' apostle Iames dooth vs instruct , by wordes effectuall : Saying to vs , O brethren déere , doo you not sweare at all . By other places infinite , of holie Scripture pure : We are restrained we should not sweare , at all , by no Creature . For that is vile Idolatrie , farre from a learned lore : Which thing we ought at all assayes , to lothe and to abhorre . Wherefore I héereof doe conclude , without remorse or grudge : That all vaine oathes vnlawfull are , not made before a Iudge . For sure I am , we neuer ought , at any time to sweare : Except the Christian Magistrate , by lawe doo it require . And if before him we doo sweare , in trueth and holinesse : The Lord him selfe acknowledgeth , he thereby honoured is . And thus I end , beséeching God , of his especiall grace : That we all sinfull swearing may , abandone in each place . Elizabeth our noble Quéene , good Lord preserue and shéeld : That shée thy chaste and faithfull Spowse , may still maintaine & build . Make her , O Lord , a Mother olde , in Israell thy owne hill : Graunt that shée may in all respectes , obey thy godlie will . Good Lord protect her royall Grace , and blesse her with long life : That this thy Realme , may long remaine , in peace , voide of all strife . Let her , O Lord , be placed farre , distant from cruell death : And all that will not say , Amen ▪ would God they had no breath . Phillip Stubbes . FINIS .

A fearefull and rare example , of Gods iust iudgement , which he executed vpon an obstinate woman , who would not forgiue her brother his debt , the Deuill appearing to her in most dreadfull manner , and afflicting her body in pittifull wise , and which may be a lesson admonitory to all the world , to mooue them to repentaunce , and one to forgiue an other . THe workes of God are wonderfull , as you by this shall heare : Wherefore attentiue eare I craue , to hearken to my leyre . Good Penne prepare thy selfe to write , those things I shall require : Which happened in Donington , a Towne of Lestershire , A Towne truly of auncientie , and of renownted fame : For otherwise to speake thereof , in troth I were to blame . But as the Towne it famous is , and worthy so to be : So are the people ineffrenate , peruerse in each degrée . In Donington the foresayd Towne , there dwelt an honest man : Whose name in truthe was Iohn of Twell , so néere as I can scan . Which sayd Iohn Twell arested was , by Death that cruell wight : T' appeare before our Souerigne Lord , the Peareles King of might . So called hence ( iwis ) he was , he owing shillings fiue : Unto one Oswalde Bowser sure , an honest man , and blyue . Which Bowser he forgaue it him , vppon his death bead thoe : But Ioan Bowser , wife to him , in no wise would doo so . But spoke and sayd , yea blas●e abrode , for this is veritie : ) I neuer will forgiue it him , vntill the time I die . Now whilst that she persisted thus , in her pestiferous state : It pleased God , the Diuell should , her corps infatuate . For as she was disposde to sléepe , towards the euening tyde : When Phaebus with his glistering beames towards the west can glide . The Diuell he appearde to her , in such an vgly shape : As forste she was in euery parte , to tremble and to quake . And then she lysting vp her eyes , which now doo giue her light : Saw one before her for to stand , as black as is the night . Which thing she sayde ( what so it was ) that vnto her was sent : Did portraie forthe the sayd Iohn Twell , in corporall lyneament . Farther she sayd he had bleard eyes , as had the foresayde Twell , Resembling him in eache respect , 〈…〉 as the fell . This 〈…〉 Serpentine , spake thus the woman till Receaue this mony , which I bring to satisfy thy wyll ▪ And sée that thou disburse the same , vnto thy husband well : And say that I doo send it him , as due for his trauell Then she tooke vp the monie sure , with ioy and comfort fraught : For that she had so luckily , this Masse if monie caught . Thus she with ioy inebriate , in all and euery part , Brust foorthe and saide , now God you thanke , oh sir with all my hart . Now 〈…〉 God Iehouah hie , Th● monie 〈…〉 did vade away . And he withalt vanishd away , and that in fearefull sight : She still persisting sore perplext , and in a wofull plight . But yet before he did depart , he smit her with his hand : Yea such a deadly blow he gaue , as vnneth could she stand . And straight way then , her corpes he came inn part as blacke as Pitche , Replenished with filthy scurffe , as ( almost ) none is such . And other dregges most fettulent , issued from her then , Which modestie , and reason eke , commaunds me not to penne And from that time vntill of late , her body it was lame : Not able sure , to put in vse the practise of the same For in goodsoothe , her body was , benumde , and eke betakte : The space of thrée or foure whole wéekes , all comfort her forsakte . Her eyes also were closed vp , of sight she was made blinde : Thanking her God , who too her had his prouidence assignde . Now when the Diuell had disgorgde his stinking poysoned brest : Of all the mallice that she could , her body to infest . It pleased God , that she should be , to health againe restoedt By whom all sinne and wickednes , God graunt may be abhord . And now she liueth honestly , and 〈…〉 showe , Unto the world , the workes of God , perfected heere belowe . Who graunt to vs his grace deuine and pardon thée so frée : That vnto vs in heauen blisse , a guerdon it may be ▪ This woman she was plagued full sore and heereby you may view : The same t'ourselues let vs applie , that we may finde astkew . For if that we stifnecked be , and loathe for to remitts : Th' offences which to vs are due , a thing bothe good and fit . Then is the Lord as able as was euer heretofore : To plague vs all with tortures , foreuer to indure . And in his holy woord most pure ; he dooth vs all commaunde That we th' offences to be done , too forgiue should not stand . Proouing that God our Father 〈…〉 forgiue us all ▪ Our manifolde inormities , when that on him we call . Unleast that we be ready prest , each other to forgiue : The synnes , and eke th' offences all , of these that doo vs grieve . Wherefore let vs ( déere Christians , ) mauger the Deuils head ) Forgiue them all that doo offend vs , before we be dead . Or els we neuer can be saued , by Iesus Christ his death : A sacrifice saluificall , to them that liue by faithe . For after death it is too late , his mercy to desire , Because we would not them forgiue , which did offend vs heare . No doubt these wonders from abooue , to vs belowe are sente : To subiugate our hautie lookes , and mooue vs to repent . Therefore thou Towne of Donington , I read thée to repent : For by procrastination , in trothe thou mayst be shent . Thinke thou this a presagie , of Gods fearce wrath to thée : If that thou cleaue not to his woord , and eke repentant be . God hath thée warned now by this , and that in fréendly sorte : To leaue thy whoredome and thy pride , and all thy filthy sporte . Abandon then out of thy streates , all mirthe and minstrelsie , No Pipers , nor no Dauncers vile , in thée let extant be . Remember thou thy lately plague , of blayne , of Botche and Bile , Whereby thy God , did scourge thée sore , least synne should thée defile . O Donington fall not againe , vnto thy vomite old , In filthy scurrile bawdie talke , doo not thy selfe vphold . Ne yet with vaine and bloody othes , doo not thy selfe imbrew : For than the Lord will throwe thée downe , amid the Deuils crew . Flie from all worldly vanities , the woord of God imbrase : Set not abroche opinions vile , the same for to deface . And in this lyuing thou shalt be , safe from all worldly foes : And in the world that is to come , shalt haue aye lasting ioyes . To write hereof at this time more , my Penne I doo suspend : Beséeching God that we may haue , heauen at our last end . And now O gentle Donington , be mindefull yet of me : Who haue with paines contriued this same , for looue I beare to thée . Requite me not with wrath againe , that were disloyaltie : But sée that thou accept hereof , as best beséemeth thée . And as a pledge of my goodwill , let this be vnto thée : Desiring God that I thy state , in health and wealth may sée . Our noble Quéene Elizabeth , in health and honour eke : Good Lord preserue to Nestors dayes , that she thy truthe may keepe . From bloody hands of forraine foes , good Lord her saue and shend : Graunt that at all assayes she may , by thee still be defend . And when thou shalt her royall grace , in mercie to thee call : Graunt ( Lord ) that she with thee may haue , thy ioyes celestiall . Amen . Phillip Stubbes . FINIS .

¶ An admonition to the Christian Readers , inferred vpon the two straunge Stratagems before passed .

WE may beholde ( Christian Reader ) with no lyttle gréefe of minde , the great looue of our God , and the lyttle regarde of our selues , his fatherlie motions , and in vs no signe of amendment . Referring the innumerable examples , happening not onely to our Fathers , but in our tyme also : let vs onely consider these twaine , the one of an abhominable swearer , the other of a wicked Woman , that would not forgiue . If we consider the wickednesse of the time , growen into a contumely , bothe of God & good things . we may enter into a secrete conferring with our selues , how , or by what meanes , we shall lay claime to the mercie of God , béeing altogether voide , and shewing no signe of humilitie , wherby he may perceiue any sorrow for our sinnes , or in vs any desire to be pardoned . We abuse his name daylie , in euerie lyght and trifling matter : we goe to heare his woord , rather for a fashion , then any affection we beare to it . Looue is exiled amongst vs , neighbourhood nothing regarded , pitty vtterly subuerted , and remorse of conscience nothing estéemed , what shall become of vs ? Remember we not , there is a life to come , a ioy , a blisse , a crowne of glorie ? Would we be partakers thereof ? no , if we would enioye that heauenlie happinesse , our life and conuersation , would shewe some meanes , how we séeke to deserue it . And shall we then wilfully lose it ? oh no , take holde of Faith , embarce Repentaunce ▪ humble your soules to the throne of mercie : that albeit the Lord perceyue we are vnprofitable labourers in his Uineyard : Yet that he may beholde in vs a desire , a good will , and a faithfull intention , to put our selues foorth : and though sinne so gréeuouslie presse vs downe ( that our weaknesse cannot resist him , ) yet that we are armed with Faith , and entire Hope , in that swéete Sacrifice once offered vp for vs all , euen the precious body and blood of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus , in his merites , to foyle our enemie , comfort our féeble soules : and with a repentaunt heart , enter into the bosome of rest , prepared for vs , since the beginning of the world . To the which that we may come , and leaue this wickednesse of lyfe : Assist vs most mercifull Father , with thy continuall grace , and arme our soules with faithfull patience , so shall we triumphe ouer our foe , and reioyce in glory world without end : which God graunt vs , for Christes sake . Amen .

FINIS .