OH that my eyes were springes of teares , and my head a fountaine of water , that I might weepe sufficiently for the offences committed , by them to whome one parte of my deerest loue is consecrated : I haue in my tytle showen the estate I liue in , and not beene ashamed to manifest what I haue beene , that is , an Apprentise of London , that famous Citie , the mother Citie of this royall Kingdome .

To which Citie & patria & parente , I am beholding , and therefore most of all to it & the inhabitants therein account my selfe bound , being the first place wherin I breathed , and learnt the duties of a childe , a seruant and a subiect : Which duties , considering how some prentises of that Citie haue vtterly forgot , maketh me perforce to breake foorth into teares : and where I striued to keepesilence , my spirite with the Prophet Ieremies was vexed within me , and my speech brake foorth like a flame of fire . And albeit I haue no eloquence to disswade from sedition , or perswade to obedience , yet will I trye what loue , sorrow and pitie can doe , which if they could worke as easilye and earnestly as they be in me exceeding , I should not dout to make all honest minded people to detest , not only the man of sedition , but euery cause that giueth light thereto .

But why talke I of the honest in this case , when not the Heathen led by nature , the Iewe trayned by the commaundements of the lawe , the Christian exercised in the comfortes of the Gospell , the Turke instructed by the confused Alcoron , but haue honored the magistrate with aldutious reuerence , imbracing concorde as chiefe maintainer of euery well guided Common-wealth . Alas how vnworthie is he to carry the image of a man , that seeing the hurt that followeth sedition , and will yet endeuour him selfe to disturbe a peaceable Estate ? He that considereth how much blood must needs be shed , how many shall helpleslye be slaine , what store of houses spoyled , what multitudes of men vndone , how many wiues defiled , virgins rauished in the fury of sedition : but wold detest the Author of it , were it his naturall sonne ? He that bethinketh of the end of all rebellions , when after bloody violence , the streets & fieldes lye scattered here legs , there heads , these deadly wounded , those vtterly dead : is it possible that he can so cast off humanitie , that he had not rather dye himselfe , then liue to see so many miseries ? Do wee punish a fellon with death , not spare a rauisher , a mansleaer or a murderer , and shall we not more vehemently prosecute law against a sower of sedition , a beginner of insurrections , a ringleader to rebellious actions ? whenby his meanes all fellons , rauishers , manslears or murderers , shall haue libertie to steale , defloure , kill , murder , no man resisting , no lawe reproouing ? But it may ( by some ) be here obiected , sedition and rebellion are vnfit tearmes to be vsed in the case I am now to handle : for the Prentises of London had no seditious purpose , no intention of open rebellion . Truely I perswade me , a headlong wilfulnes continued by custome of abused libertie , gaue first fyre to this vnaduised flame : but he that shall dout , that a most trecherous resolution , and dangerous purpose followed , shall make question at a most apparant truthe . For was it not cleerely prooued by the confession of their owne mouthes , that they intended to enter Tower streete , rifle certaine houses , where powder , munition and weapons were in greate aboundance ? did they not scatter Libels , apoint a meeting place , there had they not many conferences ? from thence made they not head to Tower hill , where ( as likewise before in More fieldes , by honest Prentses their intent being opened ) they were preuented of entring Tower streete , and performing their purpose of entring to the store-houses of munition ? Got not they first a piper , then a trumpetter ? resisted not they the officers a long while with stones ? contemnd they not her Maiesties proclamation , by which they were three times charged to auoyd : Haue not since been more Libels scattered , prouoking her Maiestie to iustice , when they should humblie haue sought mercie ? O let me beseech all faithfull subiectes to amend these courses by the example of the offenders ouer sight , who indeed were not all Prentises , but Grant that needs would be the Captaine , was a very idle makshift : of which too many frequent peopled places : Neither ought it to be concealed , but to all England made manifest , that albeit a number of careles boyes ( set on by euill disposed persons ) attempted these thinges : yet the better sorte of Prentises , yea and the greater sorte , neuer stird in these haynous actions , but as faithfull subiectes in euery quarter of the Citie discouered the offenders : and before the seate of iudgement , those good Prentises gaue euidence against the euill , wherein they discharged that dutie , which both the lawe of God and custome of all nations commaundeth and commendeth .

How full is the scripture of commaundement and example that subiectes should obay authority ? Was not Miriam stroken with Leprosie for murmuring against Moses ? Corah , Dathan , & their companie swallowed quicke for their rebellion ? did not Absalom perish in the prime of his yeares ? Sheba in the greatest of his strength , for their rebellion . Did not Shimei fall in old age dishonorably euen for reuiling the maiestrate when he was yong ? Doth not Christ and his apostles warn vs to be subiect to the higher powers euen for conscience sake knowing that the sword is not borne in vaine ? yea whether it be to the King , or those in authority vnder him : and shall boies , shall seruants , that are subiected vnder meane subiectes presume against the higher powers , be law-makers that know not law , be institutors of orders , and will not themselues be ordered : No God forbid that euer that confusion should come among vs.

To shew examples forraine what hurt hath come by sedition , and what misery hath faln the seditious , needes not greatly ? seeing our owne Chronicles are full : yet for decorum sake I will induce som . Hierusalem the beauty of the world besieged by the Romans , felt more misery within by ciuill sedition , than vexation without by the common enemy , their store houses were fixed , famine followed , the mother eate her child : the seditious entred houses , where they found meate they beat them , where none they beate them , saying to the one they had and hid it , to the other they were worthy of stripes for that they gaue it not vnaskt . Lastly that famous City came to helplesse desolation , sedition beeing the onely meane of her destruction . Did not sedition ouerthrow Athens , Corinth , Lacedaemon , Thaebes and made all Greece subiect to the Romaines ? was not Rome it selfe euen ruyned , and the whole world pestred with the factions of Silla and Marius , Casar , Pompey and such like ? In later yeares , hath not the greater part of Christendome , as Constantinople , all Greece , the middle earth Ilands , and sundry other Christian Kingdomes been brought to Turkish slauery , onely by sedition ? Did not Cesar first conquer England furthered by sedition ? did not Canutus enter England , ayded by sedition ? O cruell sedition , O venemous hatred , O vnluckie debate , O pernitious dissention , O spiteful rancour , O blind and euer hurtfull enuie , O seldome well ending malice : why dost thou in one houre marre more than in an hundred yeres can be restored ? What folly , what madnes is this , to make a hole in the ship thou saylest ?

For the seditious themselues : how miserably perished Eleazar , Iehochanan and Schimeon in Ierusalem ? In Rome howended Catiline ? how Pompey and Casar after all their factions ? In Greeces ancient gouerment , what end had Themistocles , Nicias , Alcibiades , and others ? In Greeces latter gouernment , what end had the factious States against their Emperour Constantine the last ? Haue not all these perished , being otherwise famous Captaines , Princely and Nobly borne , and shall vulgar people , nay inconsiderate boyes haue any hope to prosper in tumultuous riots ? No assuredly , for as the great escape not , the baser cannot choose but perish . Of Iacke Straw , Will Waw , Wat Tiler , Tom Miller , Hob Carter and a number more such seditious inferiour ringleaders to seditions and conspiracies most notable , what hath been the end ? Misery , destruction , and shame . All these at the beginning would be Reformers , & wrongs forsooth they went about to right : but when they had got head , what wrong did they not count right ? sought they not to roote out Learning ? drew they not honest Citizens to death ? slew they not noble Councellors ? Put they not the royall person of the King oft times in feare and ieopardie ? made they not euen this Citie London a shambles , a place of horror , yea , almost of desolation ? Is there anie in England , that hath not heard of Palme sunday field , Blacke Heath field , and manie other ? how manie widowes made they ? how manie fatherlesse children ? Both these beginning by such deformed Reformers . O hatefull ambition , euen of folly it selfe to bee derided : when the scholler shall attempt to correct his master , the childe the father .

But how euer I greeue on the one side at the presuming folly of such witlesse Prentises , as haue offended : I reioyce manie times more at the faithfulnes of those Prentises that reuealed their offence . For what greater proofe of their fidelitie could bee had , than in a case so dangerous as this was like to prooue , to deale so faithully in the disclosing thereof ? What hope shall all good men haue of these young men ( if Straungers should inuade ) that haue not spared their owne companions , in a case of insurrection . Surely , by them hath London no little cause of ioy , That her Maiestie and the Nobilitie are assured , there are in her such Prentises , as preferre no familiaritie before faithfull dutie , accounting those frends foes , that seeke to disturbe Englands peace . Bee ioyfull , you resolute and well gouerned young men , whom her Maiestie taketh for faithfull Subiects and dutifull Prentices : and hath indeede so found you . Let them be sorrie that haue deserued sorrow . Bee you sorrie onely for this , that these offenders haue caused her Maiesty to striue with hir mercifull nature , and commit them to Iustice .

O consider yong men , how it greeueth her , and forget not what would haue befalne you , though you thinke little of such a mischiefe ? There are in England hollow harted traitors that wayt such times as these , and would gladly set in foote to see your parents murdered , your sisters rauished , your owne throats cut , and think you heare England in her owne person , thus lamenting for Londons yong mens disobedience . Why doo yee deuide your selues within me ? are yee not all mine ? Shall the hand teare out the eye , the foote put the neck in ieopardy ? you are my weapons , will yee fight against me ? my sustentation , will yee famish me ? part of my strength will yee striue to weaken mee . London is the beauty of my eye , the ancient honor of my signiory , famoused through all lands for plenty and peaceable gouernment : and will you seeke to ruyne her good report by wilfull stubbernesse ? Hath my soueraigne mistresse , our careful Soueraigne , honored your Citie so often with her royall presence , delights she to be neare you euer ? and haue you no delight but in disturbing her ? Remember your owne mothers , how tender they were ouer you in your infancie , not suffering neighbours children nay not your owne brethren and sisters to abuse you : and thinke you her sacred Maiestie kind mother of all true English children , taketh your violence in good part ? No , I assure ye ? your wilfull offending and obstinate continuance in guilt , hath more greeued her Princely heart , than if an hoast of enemies had bent their power to inuade my bosome . For her Excellencie may say ( which I too certainly feele ) : No meruayle if Spaine ( the common scourge of all Christendome ) attempt to disturbe our peacefull gouernment , when our owne subiects ( meanly conditioned , of low and inferiour calling ) will presume to assaile our Presidents , resist their Gouernours , kindle a sedition in the heart of our Realme , euen in London : which we tender as the apple of our eye .

Thus might England ( could shee speake ) vtter her greefe . Be then ashamed you neglectfulll yong men , I am ashamed to call you Prentises : for how can I call you by that name which you despise . For Prentises indeed are those , that bewrayed your practises : such , as being seruants know how to obay , that being masters they may be obeyed : for it is as great praise for a subiect to obay dutifully , as a Gouernour to rule well . Bethinke your selues , you wylde youths , what feare through all England is spred for your faults . How manie doubtfull parents in Shyres farre off from London tremble to heare these euill newes , least their children should be guiltie of this same tumultuous ryot : be resolute to doo well ( if there be anie among you doubtfull ) and bee not discouraged at the punishment of those that haue deseruedly suffered : but be rather confirmed in well dooing . For as sweete flowers prosper best when the Gardener hath cast foorth vnwholesome weedes , so shall you bee sent-pleasing Blossomes , when these corrupt ones are remooued from you . And remember here the law hath beene executed with all mercy and fauour : for those that were first punished , the shame was onely seene , the correction not felt . Those that had more capitally in case of treason offended , their correction was with all pity , their members not distributed on gates but buryed in their graues . O neuer ending pitty of our royall Soueraigne : how often hath she winked at great riots committed by the youth of this Citty , and now when their offence is proued rebellion by statute law , she hath pitty that she must punish , and in their punishment her royall pittie more appeareth , O you that are already criminate : humble your hearts before the throne of heauen . Be ashamed that you haue moued so gracious a princesse to iust displeasure : and you vntoucht that are stubberne hearted , learne to submit . For onely submition winneth mercy , wilfulnes hasteth iudgement . If any trecheous insinuater goe about to intice you to insurrection : if any idle headed libeller scatter papers amongst you , winne neuer dying praise by detecting them , for vndoubtedly you shall to God doo acceptable seruice , to her maiestie the duties of faithfull subiects , of this Citty in your yong daies bee accounted preseruers , and you shall make all trechors afraide to reueale their seditious practises . As for you that are guilty , haue mercy on your owne soules by confessing your sinnes with heart sorrow , and make satisfaction by aduising other , least they fall into like calamity . Weep for your offences , and we will weepe with you : pray , and we will pray with you : that the example and sorrow of you and your other fellows , may terrifie : and intreate all subiects and seruants , that they obaye her Maiesties Proclamations in their most headlong time of folly : for he that contemneth authoritie , contemneth the ordinance of God : which who euer disobeyeth , hasteneth to himselfe heauie and sodaine iudgement . Which God , though sometime in his righteous vengeance , he send iust warre to punish vniust people : yet neuer are subiects counted Gods instruments that lift their hands against their Superiours , as I haue alreadie prooued : For if Ioseph to Pharaoh , Dauid to persecuting Saul , Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar , our Sauiour to Tiberius Nero , Paul and the Apostles to vniust Annas and the Romane Presidents , the Fathers of the Primitiue Church to tyrannous Tormentors , all whose examples Christians ought to follow . How vnworthie is he of a Christians name , nay of a mans name , that against his naturall Souereigne , a mercifull a peace maintaining Princesse will offer to lift his hand ? Looke into Fraunce , long troubled with ciuill warres : into the Low Countries , whose earth hath manie yeares been drunke with blood . It was not thought at the beginning , this miserie would haue been . But now they are so exercised to dissention , that they haue no yere of rest , but Warre like a Lion rageth , men of one Nation either deuouring other . And if in Fraunce it is no small obseruaunce , that if their children on eeuenings meete , casting themselues into companies and fight , it is held with them for anominous presage of greater insuing mischiefe . What shall be thought in London , when not children in strength , though verie babes in wit , shall meete , conspire , complot against reuerent Magistracie . Well , Mercie hath taken Iustice by the hand , and they that compassion cannot intreate , compulsion will inforce . Remember , remember your selues , you yong men of London : is not libertie better than imprisonment : the fauour of her Maiestie more pleasing , than her heauie displeasure ? Remember all the insolent follies she hath graciously forgiuen the Prentises of this Citie : remember your Parents , how glad they would bee of your wel dooing , how sorrowfull to heare of your owne sought for destruction . And lastly bethinke ye of what I first vrgde : how manie sorrowes follow sedition , as murder , massacring , rape , robberie , all outrage : the father wounding the sonne sprung from his owne seede , the sonne murdring the father cause of his first beeing . O imbrace peace , you that haue been borne in peace : and crie to God for peace on earth , with that diuine Poet ,

Which God of his mercie soften the stubborne harts of all the wilfull , confirme the better sort in their obedience : blesse England from outward , but especially from inward Enemies : encrease his Church , preserue our Souereigne ( vnder God ) chiefe cause of our peace and prosperitie : and hasten their destruction that wish the contrary .

YOU flumbring idle persons , whose life about this Citie is vayner than a dreame : whose deathes are very likely to be shameful and desperat : to you , to you ( if you would heare ) should be said , but your hearts are fatte as Brawne , stony as flint , impenitrable as Adamant : therfore many woords needes not , or at least boote not : yet some will I bestowe , either to note your folly , or giue others warning by your fault .

The roote of all euil is idlenes , and idlenes is your only excercise , except vnlawfull gaming , an excercise woorsse ( if woorsse may be ) than idlenes it selfe . For besides the damnable blasphemy among you vsed , beggery and want howerly awayteth yee , which you through impatience cannot bear , but following Iobs wiues wicked counsaile , cursse God , and thereby seeking others destruction , hasten your owne deathes . Of you there are two sortes , neither tollerable , but one especially intollerable : The moste to be fauored of two bad , are those whose parents ( by too much cockring ) hindred their youth from any honest imployment , and now in age they thinke it shame to learne . But the other [ vylest of all vyle people ] are those that haue handy-crafts or other meanes to liue and yet dayly follow dicing houses , while their carefull wiues , weeping children , and hunger-bitten familyes , suffer heart sorrow for their lost time and loose expence . Saint Paul calleth such , infidels , how the Heathen haue punished such , many storyes testifye : Lord roote them from this Citie and Suburbs , and put in the Magistrates heads to punish them with more and more seueritie : For these and their companions are causes of all mutinies : and it is miraculous they haue not long since wrought some great mischiefe , such a malcontent was Grant , by loose life growen to pouertie : and to raise his state , what course takes he , but to be a ring-leader of rebellion , and to intice yong men and Prentises to his faction . Well God hath cut him off , and will vndoutedly cut you all off that intend so ill : therfore in a woord I intreat yee , that haue no sciences to liue by , serue honorably for your Prince and Country , and dye not infamously among your familiars . To the other I will vse no intreatie , for that which wife and childrens teares cannot obtaine , onely authority must compell . Which God strengthen , for the conuersation or confusion of the euill .