The Apprentices warning-piece.
TO heare good counsell is not sufficient, but to make use of it is the thing which is required of al men. Here is example prescribed for al yongmen, that they may learne to rule themselves according to Gods holy Statutes; let them marke well the relation of this penitentiall confession, and by him which made it bee sure to take warning. But first of his parents, which are a very sufficient couple; their chiefe delight was in him their sonne Peter Moore. Whilst he was young they sent him to Schoole, where he proved an indifferent good proficient. At length he grew to such ripenesse of yeares, that they bound him as an Apprentice to Master Humphrey Bidgood, an Apothecary in Exeter; with whom for a certaine space hee lived very well, and was willing to obey their commands in every thing. But the devill (which doth envy the happinesse of all mankinde) was vext to see him tread the paths to goodnesse, wherefore [Page] he by his alluring bait, called pride, provoked him to forsake piety, and imbrace iniquity; as you shall now perceive by his confession writ with his owne hand.
The confession of Peter Moore at the place of Execution.
BEing brought to the common place of execution upon a sledge, bowing his body to the people round about him so wel as he could, he spake after this manner.
‘All you good Christian people which are come hither to see me dye, let me desire you to give attention to what I shall now declare, who hath now scarce one quarter of an houre to live: my parents are scarce unknowne to any here present: but as for my unhappy master, (the more wretch I for making him so) he was better knowne to you. I was an Apprentice to Master Humphry Bidgood, Apothecary, too good a master for so ungracious a servant; notwithstanding, for a time my service was not disliked of, neither had it still, had I not wanted grace. Being in the prime of my youth, the devill by his allurements and wicked inticing, made me partaker of each damned vice, so that my heart being puffed up with ambition, I began to scoffe at Gods holy Ministers, prophaning Sabbaths, and taking Gods holy name in [Page] vaine. But yet still was I provoked further to evil courses, so much alas, that you could scarce name a sinne wherein I had not beene an actor. Pride waxed daily more and more strong in me, in so much that I beganne to kicke at service, my time seeming too long and tedious to me, wherefore in all haste I did run to my parents, that they out of hand might buy out my time, which they rebuking me denyed, saying, I made more haste then good speed, in so much as I had not skill enough as yet to manage a shop of any consequence. Then went I againe to my master, seeming to be contented to serve out my Apprenticeship, and so had done, had not my mistresse beene too cruell toward me; never permitting me to remaine quiet; for daily she was cause of such strife, that I grew desperate, and as one weary of life which makes me now to pray that never any young man may have so bad a mistris as she was to me.’
‘Dayly was my heart more and more filled with discontent, still meditating of nothing but mischiefe, which at length thus did worke my fatall overthrow, for being still greedy to bee freed from my Apprentiship, I acted a deed which now doth make each Artery to quake, and totall body to tremble: for I seeing a messe of pottage about dinner time provided for my Master, I most unnaturall servant put powdred [Page] white Mercury into it, so privately that no man could perceive me, which so soone as he good man had tasted, presently began to swel, and a while after died.’
‘Thus Iudas like traterously did I betray my master unto death, but yet was not found out, but yet the Lord whose judgments are alwaies just and true, caused many towards me to have a great mistrust, and layd the fault to my charge, which I most impudently denyed, which so soone as my father and mother did heare, upon their knees weeping with brinish teares came and desired mee to confesse the truth, which I denied, notwithstanding my conscience told mee that I lyed; in the same minde I went to my fathes house and received the Sacrament, still denying the hainous murder committed upon my Master, but God at last revealed it, and I was sent to prison, to answer for the Death of my Master, where I thought my selfe to be secure from being found out, because I did the act unseene. All the while I lay in prison, I had the keies thereof in my owne custody, with which I might have both freed my selfe and others; the divell daily tempted me to runne away, but God hee would not have it so, for to goe thence I had not the least of power, untill such time as the Assizes did begin, that I should answer the death of my Master, where I was most justly [Page] judged to die, my conscience still telling mee no man did the deed but I. One there is in this City whom I pray that the Lord may forgive, God hee knowes that I speake nothing concerning him at this present for any malice I beare to him, but to cleare my owne conscience.’
‘His name is White a Papist, who did oftentimes seduce me to abuse Gods Ministers, and to spend my time in that Diabolicall study of reading Magicke, in which I tooke too much delight, which now doth very much oppresse my soule: All young men which are here present, and did behold me drawne hither upon a sledge, take warning by me, and let your study be, first, to please your heavenly Master, and then your Masters upon earth.’
‘Contemne the divell, despise the world, and abhore lust; Hence, hence, with pride which is the divels darling, away with lust which is the divells chiefe attendant, away with magicke spells which lead unto the divell.’
‘When I am dead let the cause of my dying bee engraved upon a stone that all may know wherefore I did die, and thereby take example. Pray, pray for my soule good christian people, that notwithstanding my horrid offence, the gate of heaven may not be barred against me : Againe, againe, and againe I earnestly intreat your prayers.’
[Page] ‘Now farewell dear father, a thousand times farewell O mother, also farewel to all my dear friends and kinsfolks.’
‘Wipe, wipe your eyes, and each one cease his mourning, for I am now exchanging a lump of mortall clay, for immortall blisse; which that I may receive, grant, grant most mercifull father. O receive me, receive me into thy bosome, for behold, I come, I come, I come;’ so soone as which words were spoken he was turned off the ladder and so died.