bee heard of to lay clayme to the Goods and Estate remayning and if any such found out how shie and fearefull to enter and take possession of the said Goods I know I say the names of such Families the places where they dwelt yea and Nurses and such like keeping-Creatures going away with the best part of such Goods as are left in the Houses whiles Friends and Neighbours hearken after the right Inheritours And who is there remaining in this Citie that hath not a share in the knowledge more or lesse of this Tragedie of those that are dead from vs Now for our Londoners that fled from vs their enterteinment in the Countries about vs and in the seuerall Shires of this Kingdome I must leaue you to those forced and farced if not feigned Relations before specified or rather to their owne Reports by their Letters and at their returnes bad enough and too bad I partly heare it hath beene for which the Countries hard-heartednesse to Citizens extended my Prayer shall be that God haue not a scourge in store for them And so not to trouble farther with Preface I referre and commend you to more purpose to the ensuing TREATISE ⸫ Vale fruere MATER LONDINIA deplorat filijs Civibusque suis I Must begin with the Prophet Jeremies Complaint and wish O that my Head were Waters and mine Eyes a Fountayne of Teares that J might weepe day and night for the manifold Sinnes of my Children the Citizens and Inhabitants of LONDON and for the heauy hand of GODS Plague of the Pestilence thereon for the same I London that haue beene styled by Strangers Emporium celeberrimum totius Orbis The most famous Citie and Market-place of the whole World By others styled Trinobantum 1. Troynovant or New Troy by others Augusta 1. An Imperiall Citie by all euer held Camera Regis 1. The Imperiall and Royall Chamber of the Kings of this Nation the Metropolis of this Land I I say that euen the other day was graced with my Royall Soveraignes Presence and with my Sister Westminsters helpe I contayned not onely the Courts of Iustice for the whole Kingdome but the high Court of Parliament also the Representatiue Body of this whole Kingdome I London I say againe that yesterday also enjoyed all my Children the Citizens their presence with free Commerce Merchandizing and Trading with all Merchants of Christendome yea I may say of the whole World am now become the most forlorne place of the whole Kingdome For by reason of the Contagious Infection of the Pestilence raigning within my Circumference and about my Skirts First my Gracious Soueraigne hath forsaken me and high time it was considering the disasterous accident in his Majesties House at White-Hall that his Sacred Majestie should abandon mee for his Majesties Life and safety is more worth than many Millions of others his Subjects Yea Heavens grant his happie dayes may neuer end Sith on his Life Millions of liues depend But I haue not onely lost his Presence but the presence also of all the Nobilitie and Gentry of this Land also the Termes and Courts of Iustice haue suffered interruption by reason of my Visitation the High Court of Parliament adjourned and remoued farre away from me but all this I must confesse not without just cause That which grieueth me most addeth to my Affliction is my natural Children the Citizens all the wealthier sort who haue sucked the best sap of their Estates from my Breasts haue abandoned me in my greatest Affliction and whom haue they left but the poorest sort to defend and support me And although I will be more charitable than to censure all such as fled from me For I hold it lawfull in time of Infection for men to lessen their Houses and remoue themselues and their Families with moderation Yet as a Learned man hath lately counselled them they shall giue me leaue to aduise them in the same words Let not rich Citizens by fleeing vnlesse they likewise flee from their sinnes thinke to escape scot-free So long as they carry their sinnes with them the Lord will finde them out and his hand will reach them wheresoeuer they are And I adde thus much For mine owne part although I will not deale so harshly with you as St. John the Baptist did in the Gospell in another case with the Multitude in these words O yee generation of Vipers who hath forewarned yee to flee c. Yet because I your Mother haue to deale with a Multitude also let me aduise with you my Children in a milder manner O yee Generation of Citizens beloued Londoners Men Fathers Brethren yea and Sisters too tell mee who hath forewarned you to flee from the Vengeance of the Pestilence Yee may call to minde that Gods Plague of the Pestilence is called in Holy-writ the destroying Angell and I must tell you that Angels haue Wings and can flee faster than any of your Coaches can hurrie or your Geldings can gallop And doth not wofull experience tell you already since the beginning of this Visitation of the Pestilence that some of you hauing sent your best-beloued before-hand into the Countrey as Wiues Children meaning to follow after your selues and those your best and dearest beloued haue beene infected with the same Sicknesse before you could come and some against you came vnto them and others of you haue beene your selues arrested and surprised with the same before you could follow How say you Is not this true And was not I say the destroying Angell quicker therein than either you your Coaches or Geldings could bee I say vnto you therefore againe as I said before and I speake to all such as flee hand ouer head without taking counsell of God c. Who hath forewarned you to flee from Gods Vengeance First what warrant haue you to flee And I come vnto you more particularly Art thou a Magistrate Shew me thy warrant to flee and who shall supply thy place to see Iustice executed Art thou a Priuate man rich and wealthy who shall relieue the Poore in thy stead Peraduenture thou wilt answere me that though thy presence be absent yet thy Purse is present and if so thou canst say and say truly it is well But alas how many score I might say Hundreds of you haue gone nor leauing nor sending any succour for the Poore Insomuch that I may say yee haue left in a manner none but the Poore to relieue the Poore 1. The poorer and meaner sort of House-holders many whereof haue need of reliefe themselues to relieue poore aged impotent blinde lame sicke and diseased people who daily die in the fields and streetes for want of succour and sustenance Our Calamitie extendeth yet further For we that remaine in about London being for the most part but poore I say our selues and men of meane estates some of vs hauing had our Houses visited and so shut vp for a long space and others of vs taking no money at all neither for
hath the most odious termes and aspersions to cast vpon them and their doctrine though it be the message of Christ and they the Messengers thereof And for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper a Reuerend and zealous Diuine hath deliuered publikely and is perswaded that this present Pestilence was sent and did begin about Easter last when a multitude of miscreant people came vnprepared and vnworthily hand ouer head to receiue the Sacrament viz. Such as were Swearers and Blaspheamers Sabboth-breakers Common Whoremongers and Whores Panders and Bawdes Drunkards and Epicures or Belly-gods Oppressours and Couetous wretches Contemners and Scoffers of Gods word and his Ministers yea of the Sacrament they came to receiue which they came to receiue only for fashion sake or else because they would not be lyable to the Law penall in that kinde Seuenthly for Pride this Luciferian Sinne hath infected the Citie as much if not more than the Plague at this present And though by the hawtie lookes of Men and Women we may iudge and discerne too much of the Pride of their hearts yet because God is the tryer of the heart I leaue that and come to the horrible Pride and and prodigalitie more apparant in Apparaill For wee haue seene Merchants and their wiues apparelled like Princes wee haue seene ordinary Tradesmen and their wiues like Noblemen and great Ladies Knaues Cheaters and Cunny-catchers clad like Knights Lawyers like Lords Taylours like Theeues Shoomakers in Sattin Tapsters in Taffety Horse-scoursers and Hostlers wearing gold lace Nay I haue seene a Coblers Daughter attyred like a Merchants Daughter a Kitchen-maide wearing a silken Cobweb-lawne Ruffe and it is not ordinary to see Seruingmen in siilken Stockings and Prentices weare farre better clothes than their Masters And this sinne of Pride the premisses considered we may perswade our selues that it is in a higher degree than the Pride of Sodome Which Sin therefore must needs be one speciall cause of drawing downe Gods Vengeance of this present Pestilence And lastly for fulnesse of Bread and Contempt of the Poore because I haue spoken of them in the Premisses though I could speake much more yet I desist to display them further There is another sinne lurking nay too apparant in and about this Citie which is the pride of the Clergie many Ministers and their Wiues who should be Lamps of Humilitie the which I heard a zealous Preacher of Gods word deliuer publikely hee was perswaded was not the least cause of incensing Gods wrath of the Present Pestileuce for me therefore Satis superque In respect of which heynous sinnes before named the Prophet Zephanies Denunciation or Gods by his mouth and complaint may be fitly applied to London in these words following Woe to her that is filthy and polluted to the oppessing Citie Shee obeyed not the voyce Shee receiued not correction Shee trusted not in the Lord Shee drew not neere to her God Her Princes within her are roaring Lyons Her Judges are raeuening Wolues they gnaw not the bones till to morrow Her Prophets are light and treacherous persons her Priests haue polluted the Sanctuary they haue done violence to the law J haue cut off their Nations their Towres are desolate I made their Streets waste that none passed by their Citie is destroyed so that there is no Man no Inhabitant J said surely they will feare me thou wilt receiue instruction so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoeuer J punished them but they rose earely and corrupted all their doings The Prophet Jsaiahs saying and accusation may also bee verified and applyed to this Citie in these words following How is the faithfull Citie become an Harlot It was full of judgement Righteousnesse lodged in it but now Murthers Thy Siluer is become drosse thy Wine mixt with Water Thy Princes are rebellious and companions of Theeues Euery one loueth Guifts and followeth after Rewards they judge not the Fatherlesse neither doth the cause of the Widow come vnto them Therefore saith the Lord the Lord of Hosts the mightie one of Israel Ah J will ease me of mine aduersaries and avenge me of mine Enemies And J will turne my hand vpon thee and purely purge away all thy Sinne. And J will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellers as at the beginning afterward thou shalt bee called the Citie of righteousnesse the faithfull Citie And the same Prophet Isaiah prosecuteth his Complaint which wee may still apply to London in these words following The Lord will enter into judgement with the Ancients of his people and the Princes thereof For yee haue eaten vp the Vineyard the spoyle of the Poore is in your Houses What meane yee that yee beat my people to pieces and grinde the faces of the Poore saith the Lord God of Hosts Moreouer the Lord saith because the Daughters of Zion London are haughtie and walke with stretched forth Neckes and wanton Eyes walking and mincing as they goe and making a tinkling with their feete c. And so vnto the latter end of that third Chapter obseruable and worthy your reading with Chapter endeth in these words And her Gates shall lament and mourne and shee being desolate shall sit vpon the ground And now let mee come againe to yee beloued Londoners that fled from me your Mother Tell me haue not yee your parts and shares in these reigning sinnes of this Citie before named Surely such of you as haue not and haue your Consciences to beare you witnesse that you are guiltlesse it is well for you But then tell me which of you euen the best of you can say but you haue beene slacke and backwards in performance of Holy duties to God and just duties to your Neighbour If there bee any such amongst you I dare pronounce them guiltlesse and Righteous Persons that need no Repentance But otherwise yee that did and are runne away must all ioyne with vs that remaine in Repentance and Humiliation to God before wee can looke that God will with-hold his hand and cease the Plague wholly To which end take this Counsell in briefe from me your indulgent Mother following Let him and her that hath beene accustomed to Swearing sweare no more but rather let your yea bee yea and your nay nay and so let euery one speake truth to his Neighbour And consider who hath said The Curse of God shall not depart from the House of the Swearer Let euery Sabboth-breaker learne from him that hath commanded it to keepe holy the Sabboth day that you may be the better prepared to celebrate an euerlasting Sabboth with God in his Kingdome Let all Adulterers Fornicatours Whoremongers and Whores learne to possesse their Vessells in Chastitie considering your bodies are or ought to be the Temples of the Holy Ghost and remember who hath said Whoremongers and Adulterers the Lord will surely Iudge Let all Drunkards and Gluttons leaue their Drunkennesse and Gurmandizing considering who it is that hath denounced Woe to them
that rise early and sit vp late to drinke and that are mightie to drinke Wine and strong drinke And remembring what became of the rich Glutton in the Gospell Let euery Oppressour and Grinder of the Faces of the Poore repent them of their sinnes and consider the third Chapter of Jsaiah before recited and with Zacheus let them learne to make Restitution and consider who hath said Let him that hath stolne steale no more c. And for Viperous and gryping Vsurers let them often reade and meditate on the 15. Psalme Let all Contemners of Gods Word his Sacraments and faithfull Ministers thereof repent and learne to receiue the Food which is able to saue their Soules with all meekenesse and to haue the Ministers thereof in due reuerence for their Message sake Let all Proud and high-minded People learne of St. Paul Coloss 3. 12. Nay let them learne of a greater than Paul euen of our Sauiour Christ himselfe Matth. 11. 29. To conclude let all sorts of Men and Women Rich and Poore old and young forsake their sinfull courses and striue to finde out the Plague in their owne hearts whether sinnes of heart or sinnes of life sinnes of commission or omission and turne vnto the Lord with true Repentance according to Iohn Baptists Counsell Bring forth fruits meet for Repentance Yea let vs with the Apostles in the Gospell cry Is it I Lord Is it I c. Nay let vs euery one say Is it not I Lord Js it not J c. And so hand in hand Let vs all approach the Throne of Grace by heartie and feruent Prayer and neuer giue ouer importuning the Lord vntill he be pleased to hold the hand of the destroying Angell and cause him to sheath his Sword and so this grieuous fearefull and deuouring Sicknesse of the Pestilence as it is wonderfully asswaged shall cease from this Citie To which end I your indulgent Mother haue collected these ensuing Platformes of Prayers to helpe those that cannot otherwise poure out their soules vnto Almightie God in Prayer Which I wish may yield some profit and comfort to euery honest-hearted Christian that shall view and make vse of them in these sad times of Mourning and Humiliation Amen And aboue all beware of Securitie now GOD hath for the time so much and mercifully withdrawne his hand PRIVATE PRAYERS appropriated to the present perplexed times A Prayer of Thankesgiuing vpon the decreasing and ceasing of the Contagious Sicknesse O Almightie Iehouah who as thou art the GOD of Iudgement so thou art the Father of Mercy And in the dayes of olde diddest in thy just Iudgement drowne the whole vnrepentant World by thy Deluge of Water except thy Seruant Noah and his Family and yet at length thou didst remember Mercy and ceased the Floud and sent drie Land And in the dayes of thy Seruant Dauid for his and his Peoples sinne didst destroy a mightie Multitude with thy Plague of Pestilence and yet at length didst also remember Mercie commanded the Destroying Angell to sheath his Sword and cease And in the time of thy Seruant Ionah didst remoue the deserued Destruction of Niniueh remembring thy Mercy Thou art the same God of Iustice still and we doe confesse wee haue most iustly deserued thy Wrath and prouoked thee by our infinite sinnes to send this present Pestilence amongst vs which hath swept away so many Thousands of vs And seeing thou remembring thy wonted Mercy hast heard the Prayers of some Noah some Dauid some Ionah thy Seruants remaining and hast begun to shew vs fauour insomuch that first the tops then the midst and lastly the whole Mountaines of thy Mercies haue appeared and doe appeare vnto vs after this thy great Deluge of Destruction by the hand of the Destroyer wee doe vpon the bended knees of our sorrowfull soules returne vnto thy mercifull Maiestie all possible and heartie praise and thanksgiuing most humbly beseeching thee for thy Christs sake still to shew vs thy fauourable Countenance in withdrawing more and more this thy heauy hand and Visitation of the Pestilence and withall make vs so thankfull for this and thy many other fauours that we that remaine may reioyce in thy Saluation and praise thee in the Congregation of the liuing O Lord as thou hast permitted the Blacke Horse of the Pestilence to trample on vs in so great a measure so thou hast giuen vs a glimpse of the Pale Horse of Famine and no lesse of the Red Horse of Warre Wherefore furthermore O blessed God wee doe most earnestly intreate thee to be yet more mercifull vnto vs and remoue and auert all or any other thy Iudgements which doe deseruedly hang ouer our heads and when thou hast with-drawne the Pestilence from vs let not as bad or a worse Plague ouertake vs But Lord wee pray thee looke mercifully vpon vs and Lord if it be thy will let the Cup of thine indignation and wrath passe from vs of this Citie from this Land wherein we liue although wee doe confesse that the crying sinnes of this Land yea of this Citie doe deserue that thou shouldest vtterly destroy vs from off the Earth yet we know that thou art a God that canst not forget to be mercifull therefore we beseech thee to spare vs oh spare vs good God for thy infinite mercies sake and in sparing vs giue vs grace to redeeme the time because the dayes be euill that so wee our Wiues Children and Seruants that remaine aliue may blesse and laud thee in the Land of the liuing euen now and all the dayes of our liues and to that end giue vs wee humbly craue health of body and peace of Conscience that so wee may daily grow vp from grace to grace in this world and hereafter reigne with thee in the Kingdome of Grace and Glory where thou reignest with thy Sonne our Sauiour and the Holy Ghost a God of Eternitie Indiuiduall Immortall and the only wise God for euermore Amen A devout and feruent Prayer to bee vsed by all Londoners and members of the Citie in time of and during the contagious Pestilence VVHither shall wee goe O Lord in the day of our Affliction but onely vnto thee Thou alone canst saue and out of thy hands none is able to giue deliuerance Heauy at this time is thy hand vpon vs in this Citie and fearefull is the Disease with which thou hast afflicted vs Wee are euen afraid one friend and neighbour of anothers breath nothing is before vs but present Death Scarcely can wee looke forth but we may see some one or other amongst vs carried away to the Graue and the Mourners going about the Streets We must needs confesse that though this bee grieuous yet it is the smallest part of our desert It is just with thee to smite vs with Botches and Scabs that cannot bee healed and to make the Pestilence euen to cleaue vnto our loynes and to sweepe vs away from off the Earth euen as a man sweepeth
away dung till all bee gone For how haue wee multiplied our iniquities before thee and to what a shamelesse and intollerable measure are our sinnes increased Many warnings haue beene giuen vs by thy Ministers thou hast risen earely and late and sent vnto vs by them yet we haue made our hearts as Adamant stones and haue put farre from vs the Euill-day perswading our selues that their Sermons were but winde and that they did but commend vnto vs their owne fancies Thus haue wee encouraged our selues in Euill and haue set thy judgements at naught euery one turning to his owne course as the Horse rusheth into the Battaile adding Drunkennesse to thirst and falling away from thee more and more But O Lord giue vs now at the last remorsefull and repentant hearts make vs as it were to smite vpon our thighes as a signe that wee see our wandrings and that we are ashamed of our sinnes Embolden vs in the name of Christ to come into thy Presence and in all earnestnesse of spirit to cry vnto thee Take away our Iniquities and receiue vs gratiously Teach vs as well to feare sinne the cause of this wasting Sicknesse as we doe the Sicknesse itselfe which is the fruit of Sinne. Comfort vs according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs and let the sweet feeling of the gracious testimony of thy Spirit speaking Peace vnto our Soules preuaile against all other sadnesse or cause of griefe or sorrow whatsoeuer Say O Lord vnto the destroying Angell It is sufficient hold thy hand Or if it bee thy pleasure to stretch thy hand yet further and to take vs or any of vs away also O prepare vs to thine owne purpose endue vs with a holy patience to endure the vtmost Tryall and grant that whatsoeuer befall our earthly Tabernacles yet our soules may be alwaies acceptable vnto thee and all this for Christ Iesus his sake who hath loued vs and giuen himselfe to be a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauour vnto thee Amen A Zealous Prayer in time of the Plague to bee vsed by all Londoners that are fled from the Citie and all others that are sensible of the Cities Calamitie wheresoeuer O LORD GOD our onely helper and Defender who amongst all other Euils hast promised to deliuer thy People from the noysome Pestilence Wee beseech thee take this thy heauy Plague away from vs and especially withhold thy hand from off the Citie of London the Metropolis of this Kingdome where thy Name is daily called vpon And let our humble Supplications which at this time vpon our knees wee make vnto thee in the name of CHRIST IESVS procure our happie Release and appease thy Wrath which wee haue justly procured against vs thorow sinne Lord wee being heartily sorry for our sinnes fully purposing by the assistance of thy holy Spirit to amend our liues doe humbly intreat thee to haue mercy vpon vs to take away this Plague from vs and not to suffer vs to perish after so miserable a sort Wee thanke thee O Lord that thou hast not left vs altogether comfortlesse nor cast vs off without hope but hast somewhat withdrawne thy heauy hand and spared many of vs wee pray thee to continue thy fauour daily more and more towards vs to deale with vs in Mercy not in Iustice to blesse vs all those that depend on vs To set thy sauing Marke vpon our Houses as thou diddest for the Jsraelites in AEgypt To giue order to the Destroyer that hee hurt vs not to put thy strength to our Medicines to let thy good blessing make the preseruatiues of Physicians effectuall and to make our shifting places for more securitie profitable vnto vs. Giue vs grace O Lord not to trust too much on outward meanes but only on thy Mercy Protect vs alwaies in all our wayes haue pitie vpon our destressed Brethren and Sisters whether in London or else-where Comfort the desolate Widow prouide for all Orphanes and Fatherlesse Children gather vs together againe that by these meanes are dispersed Send vs Health Peace with men vpon Earth and peace of Conscience towards thee through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer for our gracious King Charles O Thou mightie Jehouah whose habitation is in the highest Heauens who rulest all things euery where by that same wisdome by which thou didst first create them euen thou the Lord of Lords exalted farre aboue the Princes of the Earth who haue no power rule nor Authoritie but what is giuen them from thee For by thee Kings Reigne and Princes Rule Forasmuch as thou hast commanded by thy Apostle Paul that we shall make Jntercessions for Kings as being a thing good and acceptable in thy sight Wee are bold vpon this Warrant to appeare before thy Throne of Grace and to present thee with a Prayer and Supplication in the behalfe of our Dread Soueraigne and Liege Lord King Charles for whom wee thy Seruants his most loyall and faithfull Subiects by thy appointment doe most humbly Supplicate that seeing thou hast chosen him as thou hadst appointed it long before to be now a King to vs thy people and a Iudge of thy Sonnes and Daughters and hee knowing that the Throne on which he sitteth as King in thy stead is thy Throne may bee illuminated with thy Spirit of Vnderstanding and all Princely knowledge from aboue fully replenished with that Wisdome which sitteth by thy Throne So doe according to Equitie and Righteousuesse and execute Iudgement with an vpright heart For he thus enabled by thee shall know how to goe out and in among thy people whom he is to judge being now in the midst of them Kindle rherefore in his heart which is in thy hands as the Riuers of Waters a true and constant zeale of godlinesse which may argue in him a sound and perfect knowledge of thy heauenly Will that so principally and aboue all things seeking and procuring th' aduancement of thy glory hee may be vnto thy people a Noursing Father to defend maintaine and preserue thy Church against all Enemies Forraine Domesticall Atheist or Papist open or secret which trecherously seeke to disturb the peace of it and of his Kingdomes For the better maintenance whereof as also for establishing a common tranquilitie in his State politique in thy feare giue him the wise heart of Moses thy Seruant to obey the godly Counsell of some Iethro cause him to prouide Ministers vnder him such as are men of courage fearing Thee his and their God dealing truly hating Couetousnesse And grant O Lord that these so ordained and constituted Magistrates vnder him for his ease For who is able to ouercome such a People alone as Iethro speaketh may bee as his Eyes Eares and Hands to see and looke cleerely in all parts of his Kingdomes with a sincere and single sight heare the Causes and Controuersies of his people with an Eare of Wisdome and vnderstanding deale righteously in all matters with euery Man and his Brother and
our Wares nor worke the whole Countrie and Kingdome in a manner baulking vs and refraining to send or buy any Wares of vs and all this while wee hauing our selues wiues children and seruants to care for and to maintaine and besides sitting at great Rents yea and many of vs hauing vnmercifull Landlords and hauing no Rents nor Reuenewes our selues nor other meanes to helpe vs besides our manuell Trades Occupations and Shopkeeping All which considered was not and is not our case lamentable And as a further Addition to our present Affliction There are a Generation of Iustices of Peace who deuised an vniust and vnpeaceable way to famish vs that remained For first they hindred our London Butchers to come into their adjacent Townes and Hamlets to fetch Cattell for our food Secondly they made Decrees Orders and Inhibitions which they caused to be read publikely in Churches and this their fact because publike will purchase either fame or infamie to posteritie that our Market-folke of the same Townes and Hamlets be restreyned vpon penalties to bring vs into London fresh Victuals as Mutton Veale Butter Egges and the like for our Moneyes whiles they themselues drinke their Wine and strong Beere in Bowles little thinking on the Affliction of Ioseph follow their sports as Hawking Hunting Gaming Bowling and the like and faring deliciously euery day but let them take heed it fare not with them hereafter as it did with the rich Glutton in the Gospell who certes was a Countrie Iustice of Peace for this their inconsiderate Crueltie Insomuch that were it not for the wonderfull prouidence of God who feedeth the Rauens yea all the World beyond the comprehension of their grosse capacities many thousands in and about this Citie that remaine might haue famished and starued I doubt not but after this great Mortalitie some of vs shall Vuruiue to make our complaint vnto his most Excellent Maiestie of this their cruell Plot but I doubt they will not easily answer it The Prophet Isaiah hath a shrewd sentence against such vnjust Iustices the words are these Woe vnto them that decree vnrighteous Debrees and that write grieuousnesse which they haue prescribed And howsoeuer because they cannot restraine vs from Charitie We will and doe with our Sauiour Christ pray Father forgiue them they know not what they doe and with holy St. Stephen Lord lay not this Crueltie vnto their Charge And now let me your Mother come and condole with you my Children the Citizens and Inhabitants that remained in and about the Citie resoluing to endure the heat of the Day of Gods Visitation and againe I wish the Prophet Jeremies Wish For goe we into the Suburbs what doe wee heare but lamentable voyces and cryings of the visited Poore O we are sicke and we die wee perish for want of reliefe meanes and looking to goe wee into the Fields-here lies one sicke and fainting with the same crie as before there lies another dead Come wee backe into the heart of the Citie in one house sits one lamenting O I haue lest my deare wife and fellow helper dead of this heauy sicknesse in on other O I haue lost my deare Husband the staffe and stay of my life and of my Childrens in an other Father and Mother lamenting the losse of their childe their children nay I know some Rachels mourning for their children and will not be comforted in another helplesse children lamenting the losse of both their Parents in another place whole Families swept away Parents Children Seruants and all and at least-wise in what street or Familie can we come but we heare a voyce of mourning for one kinsman or kinswoman or other in this or that place deceased of this deuouring disease Sure I am that euen I the writer hereof who euer I am am not without my share of cause of mourning in this kinde But come we againe to the State of this Citie In the day time what else heare we almost but Bells ringing of Knells and in the night season when we should take our rest we are interrupted by the continuall tolling of Passing-Bells and anon the ringing out of the same In the day time also how many both men and women haue beene seene suddenly to sinke downe in the streetes and there drawe their last breathes yea some of them of good ranke and fashion All which compelleth me and I can no longer forbeare mee to borrow the very words of the Prophet Ieremies Complaint How doth the Citie sit solitarie that was full of people and how is she become as a widow she that was great among the Nations and Princesse among the Prouinces how is she become tributarie shee weepeth sore in the night and her Teares are on her cheekes among all her louers shee hath none to comfort her all her friends haue dealt treacherously with her they are become her enemies And againe The wayes of Syon do mourne because none come to the solemne Feasts all her Gates are desolate her Priests sigh her Virgins are afflicted and shee is in bitternesse and further let vs but turne the Name Ierusalem into London how fitly doth the Prophets prosecution of the Complaint serue vs viz. London remembred in the dayes of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the dayes of old when her people fell into the hand of the Enemie and none did helpe her the Aduersaries saw her and did mocke at her Sabbaths Againe London hath grieuously sinned and therefore shee is remoued all that honour her despise her because they haue seene her nakednesse yea she fighteth and turneth backward Her filthinesse is in her skirts shee remembreth not her last end therefore shee came downe wonderfully shee had no comforter c. It is worth your reading to reade ouer that first chapter of the Lamentations when you thinke vpon the present estate of desolate London especially haue recourse vnto the 20. verse and the latter end thereof I cannot yet forget the want of you my Children the Inhabitants of London for whose absence still the crie of the Poore ringeth the lowdest peale in mine eares Put the case that the Magistrates now in place of Gouernment for this yeare whose liues are as deare vnto them as any of yours I meane the right Honourable the Lord Maior and the Right Worshipfull the Sheriffs should flee from my Confines as yee haue done what Ryots Rapines and vproares would be committed in and about the Citie by a multitude of Sharkes Shifters Decoyes Roarers and Robbers that continually liue and lie lurking about the Citie vpon the Ruines of other men And may we not well remember euen since the beginning of this Visitation and no longer agone but the last Trinitie Terme what a horrible Ryot was begun in Holborne when a companie of Swaggerers had combined to rescue a Gentleman bearing the name of L. L. a Nobleman out of the Vnder-Sheriffs house and what a deale of