A Warning for Swearers,
By the Example of Gods Judgments shewed upon a Man Born near the Town of Wolver-
hampton, in Stafford-shire, who had Stolen a Bible; and being Examined before a Justice, denyd the
Fact, and falsly forswore it; wishing he might Rot, if he were Guilty of the Theft; which (accor-
ding to his Desire) immediatly fell upon him; and is at this time, a sad Spectacle to Hundreds
that have beheld him:
Also, A Relation of Gods Judgments shewed upon a Woman, who Lived in Worcester-shire; who
falsly forswore her self, and D[y]d in a short time after, being immediately struck Dumb.
J. C.
Tune, Aim not too High.
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ALL you that do desire to hear and know,
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of wonders strange, the which the Lord doth shew,
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Give good attention to what I shall declare,
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the strangest thing that ever man did hear.
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My heart doth tremble, and my hand doth shake,
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to think what I at present undertake,
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For to declare what here I have begun
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enough to melt a heart as hard as stone:
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To see how people take delight in Sin,
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and for to mend their lives will not begin,
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Until Gods Judgments do them overtake,
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they never strive their Sins for to forsake.
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We rather seek to run in Sin the more,
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while Satan seekes our Souls for to devour;
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Lets strive in time to break his subtil snare,
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and of our Souls and Bodies have a care.
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To see how many they do swear and curse,
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surely they think not of a God so just,
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That hears or sees, their actions that are done;
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yes, at the last, besure he will strike home.
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As for example now in Stafford-Shire,
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theres a sad Judgement, as it doth appear
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On forsworn wretches: there a man doth ly
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in woful state and grievous misery.
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He stole a Bible as it is well known,
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and being taxt, the same he did disown:
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He prayd unto God his hands might Rot
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and so a Judgment on himself he brought.
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In a small time he had his full desire,
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and what he of the Lord did then require,
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His hand-wrists rot away most wofully:
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his hands are dead and black as black may be.
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The joynts ofs knees do rot in the same sort,
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as several hundred people can report,
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That daily goes to see and take a view,
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and witness can, the same for to be true.
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Upon the ground he stinks, as he doth lie,
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none can endure for to stand him nigh:
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Lord grant that each good Christian may take care,
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how they themselves, so falsly do forswear.
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He doth declare, and also doth confess,
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its Gods just Judgment for his wickedness,
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For stealing of this holy Bible book
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and following Sin, and so Gods laws forsook.
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But now alas within this world theres few,
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theyl ask and question if this same be true:
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But God is witness of his misery,
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let us poor Sinners warning take hereby.
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You men that hear these lines, I pray forbear,
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take heed how wilfully you Curse and Swear,
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Too many use it now in every place:
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more is the pitty, tis for want of grace.
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ANd now you maids and wives take notice all
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see that you serve the Lord, and on him call:
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Take heed of worldly pride and vanity,
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for often-times no good doth come thereby.
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And at a certain place in Worcester-shire
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of late there livd a woman as I hear,
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In prime of youth she livd in height of pride,
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which in this world doth now too many abide.
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And what of her, I here have to declare,
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I do desire all women to give eare,
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And not to scorn at what I shall unfold,
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for why? good counsels better far than gold.
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She being married, as it doth appear,
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perhaps for want, she chanct to sell her hair,
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A friend did tax her with it presently,
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and she the same most stoutly did deny.
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But flesh is frail, her faith it being weak,
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she prayd to God that she might never speak:
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But in so doing she did not do well:
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Then see your smallest hair you do not sell.
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These words being spoke, she went home presently,
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where as tis said, she no long time did lie,
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But dyd, and never after spake one word:
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Oh, these are judgments sent down from the Lord!
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To let us Sinners rightly understand,
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tis he that with one word can us command
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To live or perish to Eternity,
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let all poor Christians warning take hereby.
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And now my Song, for to conclude, and end,
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abroad into the world I do it send,
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That all poor Sinners may in time amend,
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and have a care how they the Lord offend.
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