Woman with childe and they shall not escape 1 Thess. 5. 3. And if some of this untoward and wicked Generation do drop away without a remarkable temporal destruction God will make his righteousness evident to them in the other World when he claps up their souls close Prisoners in the lowest dungeon of Hell appointing black Devils to be their Jaylors flames of fire to be their cloathing hideous terrours and woe to be their food Cain Iudas and other damned tormented spirits to be their companions where they must lye bound in chains of darkness till the judgment of the great day and when the general assize is come and the Angels have blown the last Trumpet and gathered the elect to the right hand of Christ then they will be sent with the Keys of the bottomless Pit and the Prison will be opened for a while and like so many Rogues in Chains they shall together with all their fellow sinners be brought forth and finde out the dirty flesh of their bodies which like a nasty ragg they shall then put on and with most rufull looks and trembling joynts and horrible shreeks and unexpressible confusion and terrour they shall behold the Lord Jesus Christ whom in life time they despised and affronted come down from Heaven in flaming fire to take vengeance upon them who will sentence them to the flames of eternal fire and drive them from his Throne and presence into utter darkness where they must take up their lodging for evermore Then Then there will be a clear revelation of the righteous and dreadful judgments of this great God unto the world and upon this accursed generation But more fully to clear up the reason of London's judgments and the righteousness of God herein God hath indeed spoken very terribly but he hath answered us very righteously London was not so godly as some speak by way of scoff no! If London had been more generally godly and more powerfully godly these judgments might have been escaped and the ruins of the City prevented No! it was the ungodliness of London which brought the Plague and fire upon London There was a general Plague upon the heart a more dangerous infection and deadly Plague of sin before there was sent a Plague upon the body there was a fire of divers lusts which was enkindled and did burn in the bosome som tâ—mes issuing out flames at the door of the mouth and at the windows of the eyes of the inhabitants before the fire was kindled in the City which swallowed up so many habitations We have fallen thousands of persons into the grave by the Plague thousands of houses as a great monument upon them by the fire and whence is it we are fallen by our iniquities Hosea 14. 1. the Crown is fallen from our heads and what is the reason because we have sinned against the Lord. Lam. 5. 16. God hath spoken terribly but he hath answered righteously as he gives great and especial mercies in answer unto prayer so he sendeth great and extraordinary judgments in answer unto sin there is a voice and loud cry especially in some sins which entreth into the ears of the Lord of Sabbath 1 Sam. 5. 4. When God speaks by terrible things he makes but a righteous return to this cry And though these Judgments of Plague and Fire are National judgments and may be the product of National sins and I verily am perswaded that God was more highly provoked by some that dwelt out of the City than with those which dwelt in it I mean the profane and ungodly generation who chiefly did inhabit more remotely and that God being so provokt was the more ready to strike and let his hand fall so heavy upon London yet since many of the ungodly crew were got into the City it self and most in the City that were not of them did not dare to commit their impieties yet made themselves guilty by not mourning for them and labouring in their place what they could after a redress and since London it self hath been guilty of so many crying sins as I shall endeavour to shew Gods righteousness in the terrible things of London will be evident especially if we consider 1. That God hath punished London no more than their iniquities have deserved 2. That God hath punished London less than their iniquities have deserved 1. God hath punished London no more than their iniquities deserved Great sins deserve great Plagues and have not the sins of London been great Let us make an inquity after Londons sins Here I shall offer some sins to consideration and let London judge whether she be not guilty and whether the Lord hath not been plaguing her and burning her and possibly yea probably will bring utter ruin and desolation upon her except she see and mourn and turn the sooner It is out of dear and tender love to London with whom I could willingly live and die that I write these things to put them in mind of their sins that they might take some speedy course for a redress and turning away the fierce anger of the Lord which is kindled against them for sin lest he next proceed to bring utter ruin upon them surely they have not more reason to think that Gods anger is turned away since the fire than they had to think it was turned away after the Plague but rather they may conclude that though the fire of the City bee quenched yet the fire of Gods anger doth burn still more dreadfully than the other fire and that his hand is stretched out still to destroy Therefore O all yee inhabitants about Londâ—n open your eyes and ears and hearts and suffer a word of reproof for your sins and deal not with this Catalogue of your sins as Iehojakim did with Ieremiah's roll who burnt it in the fire not being able to bear his words but do with it as Iohn did with his little book eat it and digest it though it be bitter in the mouth as well as in the belly it is bitter Physick but necessary for the preservation of a sick languishing City which is even ready to give up the Ghost And here I shall begin with more Gospel-sins which though natural conscience is not so ready to accuse of yet in the account of God are the most heinous sins And I would have a regard not only to latter but also to former sins which possibly may now be more out of view and forgotten and which some may be hardned in because the guilty have not been so particularly and sensibly punished though Gods sparing of them hath been in order to their repentance or their punishments in some kinde hath been accounted by them no punishments or their punishments have been mistaken and their hearts have swelled against instruments made use of by God therein instead of accepting of the punishment of their iniquity and humbling themselves deeply before the Lord. I say I would call to remembrance former sins as well as
offended with Hypocrites what good will a Form do you without the Power of godliness what good will showes do you without sincere and substantial service what benefit will you get by counterfeit Graces if your Graces be not reall if your Repentance and Faith and Love and the like be feigned how uneffectual will they be to procure pardon and peace and salvation are you content to lose all your Bodily Exercise and to have all your heartless lifeless Duties rise up one day in Judgement against you What advantage will you get by a bare Profession of Religion especially in such times when profession if it be strict is discountenanced and Professors if their Lamp shine with any brightness and they carry any great sail expose themselves to danger And if you have not Sincerity which alone can yield you the true and sweet fruits of Religion you are like to lose all and of all others to make your selves most miserable you may suffer from Men because you have a Profession and you will suffer from God because you have no more than a Profession What then should you cast off your Profession No so you would turn Apostates and may fall into the sin against the Holy Ghost which will bring upon you inevitable Damnation but lay aside your hypocrisie and become sincere be that in truth which you are in show labour for sincerity in regard of your State and labour for sincerity in regard of your Duties Sinners God calls upon all of you to turn from your evil wayes by his thundering Voice Turn presently let the time past be sufficient wherein you have fulfilled the desires of the flesh and the minde go not a step forward in the way of sin least you meet with destruction suddenly and perish without remedy Turn universally say not of any sin as Lot did of Zoar It is a little one cast away all your transgressions and let no iniquity have dominion over you for the future Turn heartily from an inward Principle of hatred to sin and love to God and not from outward Considerations and meerly upon the account of sins dreadfull consequents Turn constantly and with full purpose of heart never to return unto your evil wayes of sin any more 10. The Lord doth expect after such Iudgements that London should seek him That they should not only turn from their evil wayes but also that they should turn unto him that hath smitten them and seek the Lord of Hosts Isa. 9. 13. We read Am. 5. 2. The Virgin of Israel is falen she is forsaken and none to raise her up whereupon God calls to this duty v. 4 5 6 8. Thus saith the Lord to the house of Israel Seek ye me and ye shall live but seek not Bethel c. seek the Lord and ye shall live least he break forth like fire in the house of Joseph and devour and there be none to quench seek him who made the seven Stars and Orion and turneth the shadow of death into the morning c. the LORD is his Name and it follows v. 15. It may be the Lord will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph And when this Duty is neglected see the Threatning v. 16. Wailing shall be in all streets and they shall say in all the high wayes Alas alas and they shall call the Husbandmen to mourning and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing And now London is fallen doth not the Lord call upon them that they would call upon him and as they would turn away his anger and prevent their utter ruine that they would seek him who can turn the shadow of death into the Morning and the blackest night of affliction into a day of Prosperity and Rejoycing London seek the Lord that ye may live that there may be a reviving after the years of such death and ruines seek the Lord before the decree bring forth some other Judgement and ye pass away like Chaffe before the Whirlwinde in the day of the Lords fierce anger it may be the Lord will be gracious to the remnant of this great City God expects that London should now pray at another rate than heretofore they have done It is said Dan. 9. 13. All this evil is come upon us yet made we not our prayer unto the Lord our God and when God had consumed Israel because of their iniquities the Prophet complains Isa. 64. 7. There is none that calleth upon thy Name that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee Had the Prayers of London been such as they should have been such as they have been the Desolations of London might have been prevented God expects that London under such Chastisements should pour out Prayers before him Isa. 26. 16. God hath spoken terribly unto them he expects that they should cry mightily unto him God expects that London should meet him in the way of his Judgements not only with weepings for their sins that they have provoked him unto so great displeasure but also with Supplications for his Mercies When Iacob was devoured and his dwelling-place laid waste Psal. 79. 7. you have their prayer v. 8 9 c. O Remember not against us former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us for we are brought very low Help us O Lord God of our salvation for the glory of thy Name deliver us and purge away our sins for thy Names sake And the Church under desolating Judgements doth in prayer express her self very pathetically Isa. 63. 15 c. Look down from Heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and thy glory where is thy zeal and thy strength the sounding of thy bowels and thy mercies are they restrained Doubtless thou art our Father c. We are thine return for thy servants sake c. and chap. 64. 9. Be not wroth very sore O Lord neither remember iniquity for ever behold see we beseech thee we are all thy people God hath been pleading and contending with London by his Judgements and God doth look that London should plead with him in prayer for his Mercies London seek the Lord of Hosts who hath come forth against you in battel and wounded you with his sharp arrows and yet hath not laid down his weapons get to your knees hang about Gods feet and arms fill your mouths with arguments to stay him in the course of his Judgements let not the Apple of your eye cease from weeping that you have displeased him and let not your tongue cease from humble and earnest Entreaties that he would pardon you and remove his displeasure from you Seek the Lord humbly put your mouths in the dust if so be there may be any hope God hears the Cry of the Humble and will not despise their Prayer Psal. 10. 17. Psal. 102. 17. Seek the Lord diligently He hath promised to be found of all them that diligently seek him Heb. 11. 6. God looks for earnest hearty fervent Prayer There is a sweet Promise which God makes
him who hath been so long filled with joys in the heavenly mansions I might speak of the carriage of the master in his sickness under the apprehensions of death when the spots did appear on his body he sent for me and desired me to pray with him told me he was now going home desired me to write to his friends and let them know that it did not repent him of his stay in the City though they had been so importunate with him to come away but he had found so much of Gods presence in his abode here that he had no reason to repent he told me where he would be buried and desired me to preach his funeral Sermon on Psal. 16. ult In thy presence there is fulness of joy and at thy right hand there is pleasures for evermore But the Lord raised him again beyond the expectation of himself friends or Physician Let him not forget Gods mercies and suffer too much worldly business to croud in upon him choak the remembrance and sense of God's goodness so singular but let him by his singularity in meekness humility self-denial and love zeal and holy walking declare that the Lord hath been singularly gracious unto him But when I speak of home concernments let me not forget to look abroad the Plague now increaseth exceedingly and fears there are amongst us that within a while there will not be enough alive to bury the dead and that the City of London will now be quite depopulated by this Plague Now some Ministers formerly put out of their places who did abide in the City when most of Ministers in place were fled and gone from the people as well as from the disease into the Countreys seeing the people crowd so fast into the grave and eternity who seemed to cry as they went for spiritual Physicians and perceiving the Churches to be open and Pulpits to be open and finding Pamphlets flung about the streets of Pulpits to be let they judged that the Law of God and nature did now dispense with yea command their preaching in publick places though the Law of man it is to be supposed in ordinary cases did forbid them to do it Surely if there had been a Law that none should practise Physick in the City but such as were licenc'd by the Colledge of Physitians and most of those when there was the greatest need of them should in the time of the Plague have retired into the Country and other Physitians who had as good skill in Physick and no license should have staid amongst the sick none would have judged it to have been breach of Law in such an extraordinary case to endeavour by their practise though without a license to save the lives of those who by good care and Physick were capable of a cure and they could hardly have freed themselves from the guilt of murther of many bodies if for a nicety of Law in such a case of necessity they should have neglected to administer Physick the case was the same with the unlicensed Ministers which stayed when so many of the licenc'd ones were gone and as the need of souls was greater than the need of bodies the sickness of the one being more universal and dangerous than the sickness of the other and the saving or losing of the soul being so many degrees beyond the preservation or death of the body so the obligation upon Ministers was stronger and the motive to preach greater and for them to have incurred the guilt of soul-murther by their neglect to administer soul-physick would have been more hainous and unanswerable that they were called by the Lord into publick I suppose that few of any seriousness will deny when the Lord did so eminently own them in giving many seals of their Ministry unto them Now they are preaching and every Sermon was unto them as if they were preaching their last Old Time seems now to stand at the head of the Pulpit with its great Sithe saying with a hoarse voice Work while it is called to day at night I will mow thee down Grim Death seems to stand at the side of the Pulpit with its sharp arrow saying Do thou shoot Gods arrows and I will shoot mine The Grave seems to lie open at the foot of the Pulpit with dust in her bosome saying Louden thy Cry To God To Men And now fulfill thy Trust Here thou must lye Mouth stopt Breath gone And silent in the Dust. Ministers now had awakning calls to seriousness and fervour in their ministeriall work to preach on the side and brink of the Pit into which thousands were tumbling to pray under such neer views of eternity into which many passengers were daily entring might be a means to stir up the spirit more than ordinary Now there is such a vast concourse of people in the Churches where these Ministers are to be found that they cannot many times come neer the Pulpit doors for the press but are forced to climb over the pews to them And such a face is now seen in the Assemblies as seldome was seen before in London such eager looks such open ears such greedy attention as if every word would be eaten which dropt from the mouths of the Ministers If you ever saw a drowning Man catch at a rope you may guess how eagerly many people did catch at the Word when they were ready to be overwhelmed by this over-flowing scourge which was passing thorough the City when death was knocking at so many doors and God was crying aloud by his judgments and Ministers were now sent to knock cry aloud and lift up their voice like a Trumpet then then the people began to open the ear and the heart which were fast shut and barred before How did they then hearken as for their lives as if every Sermon were their last as if death stood at the door of the Church and would seize upon them so soon as they came forth as if the arrows which flew so thick in the City would strike them before they could get to their houses as if they were immediately to appear before the Barr of that God who by his Ministers was now speaking unto them Great were the impressions which the Word then made upon many hearts beyond the power of Man to effect and beyond what the people before ever felt as some of them have declar'd When sin is ript up and reprov'd O the teares that slide down from the eyes when the judgments of God are denounced O the tremblings which are upon the conscience when the Lord Jesus Christ is made known and proffer'd O the longing desires and openings of heart unto him when the riches of the Gospel are displayed and the promises of the Covenant of grace are set forth and applyed O the inward burnings and sweet flames which were on the affections now the Net is cast and many fishes are taken the Pool is moved by the Angel and many leprous spirits and sin-sick-souls are cured
their death and separation so there is a great difference between the carriage of their spirits at their death and upon their sick Bed Some wicked men are stupid and senseless and are given up to a judiciary hardness and dye in a sleep of carnal security out of which they are not awakened till they are awakned in the midst of flames others more sensible and considering what hath been and what is coming upon them are filled with unexpressible terrour through the roarings and tearings of a guilty accusing conscience and the fore-thoughts of that horrible unsupportable torment they are so neer unto Now scaring dreams do terrifie them and fearfulness of the bottomless Pit and the burning Lake below doth surprize them and some breaketh forth in the anguish of their despairing souls Who can dwell with devouring Fire who can inhabit everlasting burnings and however jovial and full of pleasure their life hath been yet at their latter end they are utterly consumed with terrours But mark the perfect man and behold the upright the end of that Man is peace whatsoever storms they have had in their passage through a rough Sea the wind blowing and the waves roaring and sometimes have been ready to sink through opposition and discouragement sometimes have been over-whelmed with grief and doubtings sometimes have been dasht upon the Rocks of terrour and perplexity yet now they are come to the haven of death the Winds are husht and still the Waves are smooth and silent the storm is over and there is a great calm upon their spirits they are past the Rocks and are out of the danger they feared when they are in the greatest danger of approaching death It was generally observed amongst us that Gods people who dyed by the Plague amongst the rest dyed with such peace and comfort as Christians do not ordinarily arrive unto except when they are called forth to suffer martyrdome for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Some who have been full of doubts and fears and complaints whilst they have lived and been well have been filled with assurance and comfort and praise and joyful expectation of glory when they have layn on their death-beds with this disease And not only more grown Christians who have been more ripe for glory have had these comforts but also some younger Christians whose acquaintance with the Lord hath been of no long standing I can speak something of mine own knowledge concerning some of my friends whom I have been withall I shall instance only in the house where I lived We were eight in Family three Men three Youths an old Woman and a maid all which came to me hearing of my stay in Town some to accompany me others to help me It was the latter end of September before any of us were toucht the young ones were not idle but improved their time in praying and hearing and were ready to receive instruction and were strangly born up against the fears of the disease and death every day so familiar to the view But at last we were visited and the Plague came in dreadfully upon us the Cup was put into our hand to drink after a neighbour Family had tasted it with whom we had much sweet society in this time of sorrow And first our Maid was smitten it began with a shivering and trembling in her flesh and quickly seised on her spirits it was a sad day which I believe I shall never forget I had been abroad to see a friend in the City whose Husband was newly dead of the Plague and she her self visited with it I came back to see another whose Wife was dead of the Plague and he himself under apprehensions that he should die within a few hours I came home and the Maid was on her Death-bed and another crying out for help being left alone in a sweating fainting fit What was an interest in Christ worth then what a priviledge to have a title to the Kingdom of Heaven But I proceed It was the Monday when the Maid was smitten on Thursday she dyed full of tokens on Friday one of the Youths had a swelling in his groin and on the Lords day died with the marks of the distemper upon him on the same day another Youth did sicken and on the Wednesday following he died on the thursday night his Master fell sick of the disease and within a day or two was full of spots but strangely beyond his own and others expectations recovered Thus did the Plague follow us and came upon us one by one as Iob's Messengers came one upon the heels of another so the Messengers of death came so close one after another in such dreadfull manner as if we must all follow one another immediately into the Pit Yet the Lord in mercy put a stop to it and the rest were preserved But that which was very remarkable in this Visitation was the carriage especially of those Youths that died who I believe were less troubled themselves then others were troubled for them The first Youth that was visited being asked by his Father concerning the provision he had made for his death and eternity told him he hop't if he died he should go to Heaven being asked the grounds of his hopes said the Lord had enabled him to look beyond the World and when he was drawing neer to his end boldly enquired whether the tokens did yet appear saying that he was ready for them and so a hopeful bud was nipt but let not the Father or the Mother weep and be in sadness for him he is I don't doubt with their Father and his Heavenly Father which may be their comfort The other also was a very sweet hopefull Youth so loving and towardly that it could not choose but attract love from those that were acquainted with him But the grace he had gotten in those years being I suppose under seventeen did above all beautify him and stand him in the greatest stead in his sickness he had much quiet and serenity upon his spirit and lay so unconcerned at the thoughts of approaching death that I confess I marvelled to see it the sting and fear of death were strangely taken out through the hopes which he had of future glory yet once he told his Mother he could desire to live a little longer if it were the will of God she asked him why he desired it he told her he desired to live till fire and faggot came and above all he would fain die a Martyr she said if he died now he should have a Crown he answered but if he died a Martyr he should have a more glorious Crown yet he was not unwilling to receive his Crown presently and went away with great peace and sweetness in his looks to his fathers house and I could not blame the Mothers grief for the loss of such an only Son but to be so immoderate was not well now I am sure it is time to dry up tears and lay aside sorrows for the loss of
with every mind of doctrine by the slight of them which led them aside Eph. 4. 11 12 13 14. Now all these persons have been slighters of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Ignorant the Profane the Hypocrite and the Erroneous and if you place them all in one company how few will there remain in London that have sincerely and heartily imbraced the truth as it is in Jesus and upon whom the Gospel hath made a powerful and saving impression And even amongst those that have been affected and converted by the preaching of the Gospel and had it greatly in esteem at first hearing and believing how was their esteem of the Gospel fallen and their affection cooled did not Gospel-ordinances begin to loose their worth and excellency and grow tedious and wearisome unto them O how generally unthankful was London for the Gospel priviledges and liberties yea many began to be very nice and wanton the Gospel was not relished unless it were served up with such neatnesses dressings in which some Ministers possibly did too much endeavour to please themselves and the people and then the sauce was more relished than the food it selfe and the appetite of many was so spoiled that plain wholsome soul-saving truths would not down with them Londoners began to be glutted with the Gospel and like the Israelites in the Wilderness their souls began to loathe the Mannah which came down from Heaven a strange curiosity there was in spiritual pallates which in many turned to a loathing of the food in so much that the Gospel became a burden unto them and thence it was that many turned away their ears from the truth and were turned unto errours and they could not indure to hear sound doctrine but having itching ears heaped up unto themselves teachers according to their lusts 2 Tim. 4. 3 4. And those that continued stedfast in the truth did not duly prize the Gospel none of them according to its dignity and worth No wonder then if God grows angry at such contempts and affronts as were hereby offered unto him and easeth them so much of their burden and withdraws the food so much which they grew so weary of No wonder that he suffers so many of their teachers to be thrust into corners and so much withdraws the beams of that light which was so much abused and when they are not sensible of his displeasure in this no wonder if he sends the Plague and Fire to awaken them unto a sensibility When the King sent forth his servants to call the guests to the Wedding-feast and they make light of it and excuse themselves and go away one to his Farm another to his Merchandize and the remnant took his servants and entreated them spightfully and slew them The King was wroth and sent forth his Armies to destroy those murderers and burn their City Matth. 22. from v. 1. to v. 8. God hath sent forth his fervants to call Londoners to this Feast how many invitations have they had to come unto Christ to accept of him to save them and feed upon him from whom alone they can get any Spiritual nourishment but how many in London have had their excuses they have been following their Merchandize and other business and could not come and what entertainment his servants hath had the Lord knows I do not say that London hath entertained them despightfully and slain them but have not their message been slighted by London and is it a wonder then if the King that sent them be wroth and send a Fire to burn down the City No greater favour could be shewed no greater priviledge could be enjoyed than to have the Gospel powerfully preached and ordinances purely administred but hath it been generally so accounted in London hath not Merchandize and thriving in the world which yet they have not thrived in been preferred before this by many thousands in the City when God hath been at such an expence to work out a way for mans salvation when he hath discovered such wonders of astonishing Love in sending his only begotten Son out of Heaven to cloath himself in our flesh that therein he might purchase life and salvation for us who were sunk so low from our Primitive state by sin and were exposed to death and wrath unavoidable endless misery in Hell and hath sent his Embassadours of peace to bring unto us the glad tidings hereof and in his name to make known the thing the Authour the tearms the way and to intreat us that we would accept of life and reconciliation to God who without any injury to himself could ruin us everlastingly and get himself a name thereby and yet when the Gospel is preached that we should undervalue and slight both messenger message surely this hath been an affront to the Lord who hath sent his Embassadours on this errand and doth carry with it such ingratitude as cannot be paralleld No doubt but this sin of slighting the Gospel is a prime sin which hath provoked God against London to come forth in such fury and if London do not repent the sooner and labour to recover its relish and esteem for the Gospel and make more evident demonstrations of it I fear the Lord will quite remove the Gospel from them and then nothing is like to follow but desolation and wo God doth not remove his glory at once but by steps first the glory of the Lord departs from the Inner-court to the Threshold of the house Ezek. 10. 3 4. from the Threshold of the house to the Door of the East-gate v. 18 19. then it goes from the midst of the City and standeth upon the Mountain Chap. 11. 23. The Gospel is the glory of London and hath the glory of the Lord made none of these removes is it not come forth of the Inner-court hath it not left the Threshold is not a departing of it quite from the City threatned will any thing recover it if we do not recover our appetite and prize and cry after it If the Gospel go God will go the Gospel being the sign and means of his special presence and wo be unto us when God shall depart from us Hos. 9. 12. And if God depart with the Gospel farewel peace and prosperity in England nothing I dare be confident but temporal misery and ruine will be the consequent if the Ecclipse bring such misery what will the quite darkning of the Sun doe 2. The second sin of London is Vnfruitfulness in such a fertile soile This sin hath been an attendant upon and a consequent of the former London was not only a Goshen but an Eden God chose out London to be his Garden he hath hedged it planted watered prun'd and manur'd it no place in the world hath had more plenty of the means of grace God hath given the former and the latter rain and sweet dews of Heaven both morning and evening did fall upon this place in the morning seed was sown and in
the evening the hand was not with-drawn plentifull and powerfull hath preaching been in London in season and out of season on the Sabbath day and on the week day but hath London answered all Gods care and cost hath not God come for many years together seeking fruit and found nothing but the leaves of profession hath he not often threatned to cut down the unfruitfull Trees and not suffer them to cumber his ground any longer and when through the intercession of the Vine-dresser he hath spared them this year and another year hath not the same unfruitfulness still remained what could the Lord have done more to his Vine-yard than he hath done wherefore then when he looked for Grapes brought it forth only leaves or wilde Grapes And is it then to be wondred at if the Lord pluck down the hedge thereof that it might be eaten up by the wilde Boar and Beast of the field if he break down the wall thereof and make it waste and desolate Is it to be wondred at if he with-hold the Clouds that they rain not on it and suffer briars and thorns to spring up in it where the Plants did grow The Vine when it is unfruitful is the most unuseful of all Trees it is fit for nothing but the fire and the Lord hath threatned to gather the unfruitfull branches and to cast them into the fire and burn them and the Earth which drinketh in the rain that often falleth upon it and instead of herbs meet for the use of him by whom it is dressed bringeth forth nothing but bryars and thorns God rejecteth and curseth and in the end burneth O the unfruitfulness of London O the briars and thorns which have flourished in this ground whereby the seed of the Word hath been choaked O the hemlock the thistle and the wormwood that have sprung up in the furrowes of the field O the tares that have abounded and overtopped the wheat and how little good Corn hath there been brought forth O the wilde Olive Trees which have grown up in Gods Garden and wilde Figges and wilde Grapes which the Figg-Trees and Vines of God have yielded unto him O the leanness of his sheep in such fat pasture O the barrenness the barrenness of London under such plentifull showers of the Word instead of the fruits of righteousness which are to the praise and glory of God there have been the fruits of unrighteousness and wickedness which are to Gods dishonour instead of the fruits of the spirit which are love joy peace gentleness meekness temperance goodness faith there have been the works of the flesh fornication uncleanness lasciviousness hatred variance emulations wraths strifes seditions heresies envyings murders drunkenness revellings and such like of which the Apostle tells us that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdome of God And those who have not abounded in the grosser works of the flesh very few of them have been very fruitfull in good works London hath had the means of grace and yet most of them without grace few of them have much grace London hath had powerfull Ordinances but but what powerful effect have they produced what have they to shew of all their Prayers and Sermons and Sacraments have they attained unto a great measure of mortification is grace grown up to a great heighth what evidences what experiences have the best got which they might have got had they been more diligent Give me leave a little more particularly to instance the unfruitfulness of London in regard of repentance faith love and new obedience the fruit which God so much looketh for and so much delighteth in 1. Where have been the fruits of Repentance in London Calls there have been to repentance frequent fervent reason for repentance sins numerous hainous need of repentance that judgments temporall eternall might be diverted that pardon happiness might be obtained and yet O the impenitency and hard-heartedness of London few bleeding hearts under the sharp sword of the Word little tenderness under the most melting discourses few converts and penitent persons did the most powerful preaching especially before the Gospels eclipse bring forth in London converting work was at a great stand though there were so many unconverted persons in the City and by the impenitency and hardness of heart in London Gods treasures of wrath have been filled up which in some measure he hath opened in these late judgments that he hath inflicted and yet the great day of his wrath is stil to come Rom. 2. 4 5. 2. Where have been the fruits of Faith in London how hath unbelief abounded the great Gospel sin more dangerous than any other and more hainous in London than in any other place O the thick vail of unbelief which hath hid Gospel mysteries and things afar off from the eyes of this people O the evil heart of unbelief which hath shut the door against the Lord Jesus Christ who hath knocked so long for entertainment O the sottishness of London to believe no more when truths have been made so plain and clear when promises have been made known so great and sure when Christ hath been preached and tendered and when Heaven hath been reveal'd and proffered and when all have such need for the most to shut the eye and ear and heart and through unbelief to refuse to give God the lye and turn upon him the back to give Christ a wound and tread his blood underfoot to give the spirit a repulse and send him away griev'd from the heart as men do by their unbelief this sin doth provoke the Lord to great displeasure 3. Where have been the fruits of love in London O the want of love to God and one to another the grace of love is necessary and sweet and hath been much pressed but little exercised in London there hath been much love of the World but little love of the Father hatred of the brethren hath abounded but there was little brotherly love burning anger there hath been litle burning love burning lusts litle burning love inordinate carnal love little true spiritual love carnal love hath exceeded the bounds but spiritual love hath been in a very low degree and when love in London hath waxed cold is it a wonder if Gods anger hath waxed so hot and broken forth into such flames as we have seen 4. Where have been the fruits of new obedience in London and expression of love to Jesus Christ by keeping of his commandments though his commandments are not grievous 3. A third sin of London is hypocrisy in the profession of religion This sin exceedingly prevailed in the late times when profession of religion was grown into fashion religion was neer in the mouths of most but far from the reins there was a general face of religion but it was no more than skin-deep It was seated in the countenance not rooted in the heart how many painted sepulchres had we in London outwardly fair and
inflamed and distempered themselves with excessive drinking 16. A sixteenth sin of London is perverting of judgement This is a God-provoking sin when none calleth for justice nor any pleadeth for truth when men make to themselves crooked paths and there is no judgement in their goings yea when judgment is turned away backward and justice standeth afarr off and truth is fallen in the streets and equity cannot enter when truth faileth and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey c. as the Prophet speaks Isa. 59. When Magigistrates are lovers of gifts and followers after rewards when they judge not the fatherless neither doth the cause of the widdow come unto them then the Lord cryeth Ah! I will ease me of mine adversaries and aveuge me of mine enemies Isaiah 1. 23 24. I cannot charge London deeply with this sin not having been my self present much in their Courts of Judicature and I would hope that justice hath taken place here as much as in most Cities in the world but when I read what the Lord saith concerning Ierusalem Jer. 5. 1. Run ye too and fro through the streets of Jerusalem and see now and know and seek in the broad places thereof if ye can find a man if there be any that executeth judgement that seeketh the truth and I will pardon it and when withall I consider the dreadfull judgments of God upon the City of London whereby the glory of the Magistracy and government of the City is so much stained I would submit it to enquiry whether there hath not been a failure and perverting of judgment in the City whether bribes and rewards have not blinded the eyes and the edge of the Law hath not been turned against well doers instead of evil doers wheâ—her the Fatherless and the Widdow have not been sent weeping to their heavenly Father to complain of injustice It is not a time to cover faults but to confess and leave them least unavoidable ruine come upon us when it will be too late 17. A seventeenth sin of London is Covetousness How universally hath this sin reigned in the City so that it may almost be said of London as it was of Ierusalem Jer. 6. 13. From the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness Those who have been free from gluttony drunkenness adultery and the like expensive sins have on the other hand addicted themselves to the sin of covetousness I do not charge all but oh how almost universal hath this sin among tradesmen been which hath evidenced it self both in their getting and keeping riches 1. In getting what eager desires after the world and their obtaining an estate by their trades What studies and consultations what wracking the brains and torturing the wits to find out the best way of thriving in the world what earnest prosecutions have there been and laborious endeavours rising up early and sitting up late and wearying the body and the mind all the day eating the bread of carefulness and mingling the drink with sollicitousness crouding up the whole time with worldly business so that their own health hath been disregarded as well as the worship of God neglected in the families of these worldlings and all to scrape a little worldly riches together which some have mist of notwithstanding all their endeavours and if they have obtained yet they have remained more poor in contentment than when they were more poor in their estates for as their estates have increased so their desires have increased and been farther off from satisfaction as they have enlarged their shops and trades and wealth hath flowed in upon them so they have enlarged their desires like Hell and like the Grave have never said It is enough when they have added bag to bag and house to house the more cares and fears and sometimes piercing sorrows have accompanied their gains but far have they been from finding the contentment and comfort in their riches that they looked for 2. This covetousness hath appeared in keeping what they have gotten keeping I say for covetous persons have had little heart to spend though in necessary uses what they have scraped together they have had wealth but the use of it they have not had it hath been to them like a treasure in a chest of which they had lost the key or like another mans money in their keeping which they must not meddle withall Whatever abundance they have had in the bag and in the coffer their families have been in want the table hath been penurious the back and belly have been pinched they have lived at a meaner rate than those that have been of a meaner degree The poor might starve at their doors no pitty towards others in want and misery and the least pitty towards themselves whilest they have saved for fear least afterwards they should want they have all along wanted whilest they have been saving and it may be at last they have lost what they have been keeping to the unexpressible grief and it may be breaking of their hearts which have been so set upon these things This sin of covetousness in some hath had deeper rooting in most hath had too much footing and in all hath been very heinous and abominable before God This sin is termed Idolatry in Scripture and the covetous are stigmatized with the name of Idolaters Col. 3. 5. Ephes. 5. 5. It is heart idolatry forbidden in the first commandment That thing we make a God to our selves which we chiefly affect if it be the world then we make the world our God which is inconsistent with the true love of God the Father the only true God 1 Joh. 2. 15. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world if any man love the world the love of the father is not in him This sin of covetousness is hateful to God and provokes his wrath Isa. 57. 17. for the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him Hath not God smitten London with the plague and fire among other iniquities for this iniquity of Covetousness When London was eagerly pursuing after the World and all minding and seeking their own Interest without any regard to the Interest of Gods glory and Kingdom or care of their soul-interest and salvation which their worldly business would not allow time for did not the Lord send a Plague to put a stop to their Trade and gave them time to seek him and to make their peace with him in their retirements which they could not or rather would not finde before And when they returned with more eagerness to their Trades after the Plague was a little over that they might fetch up if they could what they had miss'd by that intermission did not the Lord send a Fire to consume much of that which they had set their hearts upon and in large legible Letters write Vanity upon this Idol which so many had worshipped Let London consider and lay to
and do no more so wickedly Because God was patient formerly you presumed because sentence against your evil works was not speedily executed therefore your hearts were hardened and resolved in your evil ways Because the Lord kept silence you thought he was altogether such an one as your selves You thought it may be that he took no more notice of you than you did of him or that you had no more reason to fear him than he had to fear you You thought it may be that God had forsaken the Earth or had hidden his face and should never see your wickedness And oh how bold have you been how audacious and fearless in sin You were afraid to offend man though a Worm and yet you have not been afraid to offend God the King of the whole World Mens Laws have kept you from some sins but the Laws of God have not put upon you the least restraint You have lived and sin'd as if there were no God or as if he had been so gentle and milde and mercifull that you might do any thing to him and he not be displeased with you or as if though he were displeased yet his displeasure were not to be regarded and that he had no power to execute vengeance upon you But now Gods patience hath in a great measure been turned into fury Now sinners you may perceive a little that God can be angry and when his anger is kindled but a little if it doth express it self so dreadfully what dreadfull expressions will there be of it when it breaks forth into an open flame If his anger be such in the day of some lighter temporal Judgements what will it be in the day of the Revelation of the treasures of it upon all the wicked at the appearance of Jesus Christ But Gods vengeance now in these Judgements should work your hearts to a fear and awe of this righteous Judge who hath done such executions in the City it should bridle and stay you in that fearless course of sin in which you were rushing on as the Horse rusheth into the battle When Balaams Ass saw the Angel stand in the way with a drawn Sword he was afraid and would not go forward though spurr'd on and beaten by his Master And when God stands in the way with his Sword of Judgement which hath made such slaughter already and is lifted up again to strike you methinks you should be afraid and turn back It is the way to Hell that God stands in by his Judgements and will you break through all into those flames Oh stand in awe and sin not commune with your own hearts Consider what hath been doing in London and who hath done these things You have neerly escaped it may be with your lives Oh learn to fear the glorious and fearfull Name of the Lord God in these dreadfull Judgements And as God doth expect that the World and his Enemies should stand in awe of him so also much more that the righteous and his people should Some it may be when God gave them free access to him and admitted unto familiarity with him and encouraged them to boldness and confidence and strowed their path with nothing but Mercy it may be might abuse his goodness and forget to mingle faith and love with due reverence and respect and began to be too sawcy with God and peremptory and did not consider their originall and distance and forgat the severity which they deserved for sin Therefore God appears in the way of these Judgements with such terrible rebukes that his own people might be brought unto a due awe and fear of his Name that if they love him they may fear him too if they pray with boldness they may pray also with reverence if they rejoyce in his goodness they may tremble also at his Judgements 3. God doth expect that London should now search and try their wayes When God had punished Ierusalem with dreadfull Judgements in the Lamentation of which the Prophet Ieremiah doth spend a Book see what use and improvement he calls upon the People to make hereof Lam. 3. 40. Let us search and try our wayes and turn again unto the Lord. This was the practice of David in the day of his trouble Psal. 77. 6. I commune with mine own heart and my spirit made diligent search It hath been a day of Gods wrath in London a day of trouble and distress a day of wasting and desolation a day of darkness and gloominess a day of clouds and thick darkness as it was in Ierusalem Zeph. 1. 15. There have been dark and thick Clouds over London which in part have broken into dreadfull storms and amazing Tempests of Gods anger expressed in the late Judgements and all have been the product of Londons sins which may yet produce far worse effects London is then called upon with a loud voice to search and finde out those sins which have been the troublers of the City I suppose that true Citizens would be forward to search after those persons that had a hand in the first kindling and carrying on the Fire which burned their Habitations to the ground give me leave and I shall make a discovery of Londons Incendiaries how you may finde the persons how you may trace their footsteps what marks they bare what their Names are and where their abode and need I lead you far in the search The sinners the sinners of London did kindle the Fire of London it was sin which fired the first house and sin was like Oyl poured upon the flames which put such fury unto them that none could withstand untill the greatest part of the City was fallen and turned into ashes the Swearers the Sabbath-breakers the Adulterers the Drunkards the Unrighteous the Prophane and the like sinners have been Londons Incendiaries and had a hand in pulling down this and other judgements upon the place where they lived and is it hard to find out these persons are they gone far from the place of their former abode the skirts of London are remaining and if you turn up the skirts or turn your eye under them and look into the houses standing about the City may you not find many of these persons these vile sinners inhabiting who are still blowing hard at the Fire of Gods anger and pulling hard with cords of vanity and sin for further judgements Search London search and find out thine enemies thy destroyers hast not thou destroyed thy self Search and find out thy sins which have brought such mischiefs and ruines upon thee Sinners enter into your closets retire into your selves take the candle of the Lord and look into your inner rooms make a strict search into your hearts find out those filthy Lusts which lodge in dark corners and bring them forth to be slain read over the old records of your lives consult the Register of your Consciences revolve in your minds your former sins take the glass of the Word and look upon your faces
burn so much when the other Fire is extinguished when Londoners who have taken new houses have brought into them their old hearts and live in the practice of their old sins when the Swearers and Prophane the Drunkards and Unclean the Covetous Unrighteous and loose Livers still persevere in their wicked courses and no Judgement will put a stop to them but they grow more hardened and incorrigible when as it is said Ier. 5. 3. the Lord hath stricken them for sin but they are not grieved consumed them but they refuse to receive correction making their faces harder than a rock and refuse to return what can we conclude but that Gods anger doth still remain yea is more enraged by this aggravation of their wickedness and that he is stretching forth his hand to give them another blow God doth expect that London should use some means to pacifie his anger and he gives them time for it by the pauses which he mâ—kes between his Judgements being still slow to anger and unwilling if he be not even forced unto it utterly to destroy this place where his Name hath been called upon O that London would be perswaded unto this Duty which doth so much concern their safety and happiness when the Fire was in London and it burned so furiously and dreadfully on the Monday and Tuesday Londoners hearts were sunk within them having little hopes of getting victory over this conquerer which marched thorow their streets and therefore little resistance was made but all were busily employed in flying from him with their goods but when the fury of the Fire was something abated on the Wednesday and they began to conceive any hopes that it might be extinguished then they pluck up their spirits and join their forces and many thousand hands are at work in drawing waters and pouring them upon the Flames and their pains through Gods blessing was not unsuccessful The Fire of Gods wrath which shall devour the wicked and burn them everlastingly will be so furious and dreadful that the hearts of the damned will sink under it without the least hopes of ever extinguishing this Flame or flying from it when it hath once got hold of them And therefore they will not attempt but let alone all endeavours for ever to turn away Gods displeasure and to put out the unquenchable Fire of Hell but the Fire of Gods wrath and anger here may be put out and the flames of his anger may be turned into flames of Love Gods anger which hath been so hot against London may be cooled his wrath alleviated and his displeasure removed there is Hope in Israel concerning this thing God is not yet grown so furious that he will not be spoken unto he is easie to be entreated and therefore London may be encouraged in their endeavours to pacifie his anger Let them not say as Israel of old Jer. 2. 25. There is no hope no for I have loved strangers and after them will I go Though Gods anger be not yet turned away yet it may be turned away and though one hand be stretched out to destroy you yet the other hand is stretched forth to save you for he stretcheth forth his hand all the day long to a disobedient and gain-saying people Rom. 10. 21. O Labour then to pacifie Gods anger to quench this Fire arise and gird your selves with humility pluck up your spirits and stir up your selves to lay hold on God and stop him in the march of his Judgements bring forth your buckets draw water and pour it forth before the Lord let your eyes be like Fountains of tears the voice of weeping and mourning for sin doth turn Gods bowels within him Ier. 31. 18 19 20. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised c. and when he repented after such chastisements and was ashamed of his sin God doth relent and his bowels are moved for him Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spake against him I earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him and I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord. If London would be chastised and receive the impressions of grief and shame for their sins by these Judgements Gods bowels would be moved and his fierce anger would be changed into tender compassions and though he hath spoken terribly against London yet he would now speak comfortably unto her he would earnestly remember her and make her glad according to the dayes wherein he hath afflicted her and the years wherein she hath seen evil there is an excellent vertue in the tears of true repentance accompanied with the blood of Christ applyed by faith to quench the fire of Gods anger Sinners God is angry with you Psal. 7. 11. God is angry with the wicked every day and it is worse to have God angry with you than all the men in the world his favour is better than Life his displeasure is worse than Death to have God angry with you who is so Just and Jealous who is so potent and furious is very dreadful if the wrath of an earthly King be like the roaring of a Lyon what is the wrath of the King of Heaven and when his anger is stirred up by your sins and blown into a flame and breaks forth upon you what will you do you cannot hide your selves in any place where his all seeing eye will not find you you cannot flie into any place where his stretched-forth arm will not reach you you cannot gather such strength as to make head against him and defend your selves from the strokes of his vengeance who can stand in his sight when once he is angry Psal. 76. 7. O then labour to pacifie his anger you cannot fly from him O then fly unto him you cannot stand in his sight when he is angry O then fall down at his feet make peace with this adversary whilest you are upon the way before he deliver you to the officer Death and cast you into the prison of Hell Sinners Gods patience doth as yet hold his arm and his mercy calls upon you to repent and he invites you to make your peace with him Isa. 27. 4 5. Who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle I would go thorow them I would burn them together or let him take hold on my strength and make peace with me and he shall make peace with me You will be like briers and thorns which will easily take fire and quickly be consumed in the time of Gods anger and if briers and thorns do offer to contend with devouring Fire what will be the issue but the burning of them up without remedy you will find it sharp and painful for your feet if you kick against the pricks you will dash out your brains if you run your head against a Rock or a brazen wall none ever hardened themselves against God and prospered none ever fought against
Slanderers forbear your backbiting slanderous speeches forbear devouring words which swallow up the good name of your neighbours let not your throats be like open Sepulchres to entombe their Reputation Take heed your tongues do not utter slanders and reproaches devised by your selves be carefull also that you do not spread such Calumnies as others have devised Receive not any accusation against your Neighbours without good proof drive away backbiting tongues with an angry countenance and if you must hear of others faults let love conceal them as much as may be from the knowledge of others rather speak to themselves what you hear and reprove them if the things be scandalous with prudence love and a spirit of meekness Remember the command Tit. 3. 2. Speak evil of no man And take heed of the sinfull practice of the Women described 1 Tim. 5. 13. They learn to be idle wandring about from house to house and not only idle but Tatlers also and busie-bodies speaking things which they ought not Where your tongues have been instrumental to wound others and your selves withall by slanderous speeches make use of the same instrument for healing labour to heal your selves by Confession of your sin to God and to heal others by acknowledging to them the wrong you have done them labour to lick whole their fame and by good words to promote their esteem which you have unjustly taken away Labour for so much humility and brotherly love as to be as tender of their good Name and fame as your own and in honour to preferr them above your selves which will make you ready to hide their faults and keep you from evil furmises and evil slanderous speeches 6. Revilers turn from your evil wayes Reviling and slandering often go together as proceeding both from the same root of malice and hatred yet sometimes the malice is kept more close when Warr is in the heart and mischief is inwardly devised and the Name secretly wounded with slanders behinde the back the tongue doth flatter and like a Honey-comb doth drop nothing but sweet words before the face The sin of Reviling is open and spits forth rancour and malice into the face and breaks forth into bitter speeches for the shame and disgrace of such persons against whom they are spoken though Revilers disgrace themselves more by the weakness and ill government of spirit which hereby they discover Revilers refrain your angry bitter speeches Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice Eph. 4. 31. Do not quarrel and contend do not break forth into brawls and clamours and bitter reviling speeches against such as give you no occasion but desire to live at peace with you and if others are angry and quarrel with you labour to pacifie their anger do not stir up the coals by your bitter retorts when you are reviled revile not again like our Saviour 1 Pet. 2. 23. Render not evil for evil nor railing for railing but contrariwise blessing 1 Pet. 3. 9. The second blow breeds the quarrel and the second reviling word breeds the strife give to a hard speech the return of a soft answer Prov. 15. 1. A soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger And Prov. 25. 15. Long forbearance is of great perswasion and a soft tongue breaketh a bone there is a marvelous force in a meek reception of bitter speeches to appease anger and molifie the spirits of those which are most fierce whereas grievous and bitter returns stir up unto greater contention Revenge not your selves with the hand neither revenge your selves with the tongue revile not your enemies but love them and pray for them and do good to them feed and cloath them and heap coals upon their head Matth. 5. 44. Rom. 12. 19 20. Be gentle shewing all meekness to all men Tit. 3. 2. especially revile not your friends take heed of stirring up strife in the house where you live be of a peaceable disposition above all take heed of reviling Christs friends Gods children revile not the Saints remember that no revilers especially such revilers that persevere in that sin shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 10. and when the Lord Jesus cometh at the last day he will execute judgement upon the ungodly for their hard speeches which they have spoken against him in speaking against his people Iude 15. Revilers govern your tongues If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue that mans religion is vain Jam. 1. 26. would you govern your selves well according to Scripture rules bridle and govern your tongues Jam. 3. 3 4. Behold we put bits into the Horses mouths that they may obey us and we turn about their whole body Behold also the Ships which though they be so great and are driven of fierce winds yet they are turned about with a very small helm withersoever the governour listeth Put a bit upon this little member and you may the better have all the rest at command and keep your selves in when otherwise vented passions like wilde horses without rains may carry you into many a precipice when otherwise the fierce storms of your minds may break forth and drive you upon rocks and shelves and shipwrack both soul and body together There is a world of iniquity in the tongue which defileth the whole body the tongue is a fire which setteth on fire the whole course of nature and it self is set on fire of Hell y. 6. get the former fire quenched get the heat of your tongues cooled as you would escape the latter fire I mean the fire of Hell from whence the former fire doth proceed and unto which it will certainly bring you The tongue is full of deadly poison it is an unruly evil which no man can tame when by art the wildest beasts may and have been tamed v. 7 8. others cannot tame your tongues but you may get them tamed your selves put them under the government of Christ and he will tame them get your passions tamed within and you may tame this member which is the instrument that they make use of to vent themselves in your revilings keep guard and sentinel before the door of your lips and watch your words that you offend not with your tongues 7. Persecutors turn from your evil waies Forbear persecuting the people of God who desire your good and are the best safeguard and defence by their prayers and faith of the places where they live from miseries and destruction is it good for you to hew at the bough on which you stand over such a deep into which if you should fall it will be impossible for you to recover your selves again is it good for you to pull at the Pillars of the house which if you pluck down will bring the house upon you and bury you in its ruines is it good to put your selves under the burdensome stone which will grinde you to