the God of Heaven by their sins but they were wounded and in the end destroyed sin when it is finished bringeth forth Death and wrath and misery for ever O then lay hold on Gods strength and make peace with him run to him take hold of the Scepter of grace and reconciliation which is held forth unto you take hold of his arm and plead with him for mercy take hold of his Son who is offered to you who is set forth to be a propitiation for the remission of sins which are past through the forbearance of God Rom. 3. 25. as yet God hath forborn you as yet you are on this side of the Grave and Hell and there is a possibility of turning away Gods anger which is kindled against you of flying from that wrath which is pursuing of you of escaping those miseries which are preparing for you and therefore lay hold on Christ who is freely tendered unto you who is able and willing to save you and make your peace with the Father and to procure a pardon for you and further to move you you are not only offered peace and reconciliation but you are entreated to be reconciled Ministers entreat you yea God himself and Jesus Christ by us doth entreat and pray and beseech you that you would accept of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5. 20. Be astonished O ye Heavens and wonder Oye Angels Be astonished much more ye Sinners and be rapt up with admiration O ye Rebels the King of glory against whom you have rebelled and who could crush you so easily without any injury to himself is not only willing to lay aside his anger but also entreats you to accept of reconciliation heartily embrace Jesus Christ upon his own terms and the work will be done otherwise the fury of the Lord will be so much the more provoked and the Fire of his anger will break forth into such a flame as none shall be able to quench otherwise the Lord will be so much the more enraged against you and meet you like a roaring and devouring Lyon or like a Bear bereaved of her Whelps and rent the Caul of your heart yea tear you in pieces when there shall be none to deliver Hos. 13. 7 8. Psal. 50. 22. 9. God doth expect that London should turn from her evil wayes 2 Chron. 7. 14. The Lord maketh a sweet promise under the dreadfull Judgements of Famine or Pestilence which sometimes he sendeth upon his people for their sins If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked wayes then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their Land God doth not only expect that Londoners should now acknowledge their sins and humble themselves and mourn for their sins but also that they should turn from them otherwise pardon and healing and his favour is not to be obtained neither are further Judgements likely to be prevented they must confess and forsake their sins if they would find mercy Prov. 28. 13. the wicked must forsake their way of sin and turn unto the Lord and then he will have mercy and abundantly pardon Isa. 55. 7. God threatneth to go on to punish such as go on to transgress Psal. 68. 21. He will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such as go on still in their trespasses Break off then your sins by repentance and cast away all your transgressions from you put away the evil of your doings from before the holy and jealous eyes of God cease to do evil cleanse your hands you sinners and purifie your hearts ye wickedly-minded wash your selves in the fountain of Christs blood set open to you that you may be cleansed from all filthiness of flesh and spirit and be partakers of holiness and the divine nature Deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts abstain from flesh-pleasing sins which war against the soulâ—â— and be not conformed to the wicked custâ—â—es of wicked men neither follow this ungodly generation to do evil much less run with them to the same excess of riot but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds and live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil world and let the time past of your lives be sufficient wherein you have wrought the will of the flesh and served divers lusts and cast a blot upon the profession of Christianity now be blameless and harmless and unrebukeable in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation cast off the works of darkness lay aside your night-vail of ignorance put on the robes of light walk honestly as in the day shining as lights where you live forbear all works of darkness and sin and as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation Sinners turn from your evil wayes otherwise iniquity will be your ruine 1. Drunkards turn from your evil wayes overcharge not your selves with excess where God allows you enough for use Look not upon the Wine when it is red when it giveth its colour in the Cup when it sparkleth and moveth it self aright At last it biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an Adder Prov. 23. 31 32. wounds and woe are the issue of excessive drinking v. 29. this sin may be sweet and pleasing to the eye and appetite in the temptation but it will wound and sting the conscience worse than an Adder or Serpent can do the body in the reflection God hath put bitterness into the Cup by his Judgements and will you drink as deep as before are you resolved to taste the â—reggs that lye at bottome the Cup hath poison in it soul-poison and will you drink of it still though you murder and destroy your souls for ever by this sin the Cup hath wrath in it the wrath of an angry God and is it good for you to drink off the Wine of Gods wrath Drunkenness hath been your sin and if you go on God threatneth that Drunkenness shall be your punishment Jer. 15. 12. Speak unto them this word thus saith the Lord every bottle shall be filled with Wine Drunkards like this very well they are very well pleased that their bottles shall be filled with Wine that they may empty them but understand the meaning v. 13 14. Thus saith the Lord I will fill all the inhabitants of the Land with Drunkenness and I will dash them one against another even the Fathers and the Sans together I will not pity nor spare nor have mercy but destroy them Drunkards you reel and fall sometimes with your sin God will make you reel and fall by his Judgements and dash you one upon another yea dash you in pieces and destroy you without pity or mercy Will you not forbear your Cups and excesses God will put a Cup of trembling and astonishment into your hand he will put Gall and Wormwood into your Cup and make you taste the bitter effects of this sin
heart for I fear that the great insensibility which people have been under of these judgments because they have not reached the Flesh and their sottish inconsideration of Gods dreadfull displeasure herein hath provoked the Lord to send such judgments as have come nearer to sense that they might perceive God was angry indeed before and that his greater displeasure in the former might be known by his more sensible displeasure in the latter Let London seriously consider whether her Gospel priviledges were not her best defence against temporal calamities and whether since her slighting abuse and forfeiture and Gods seisure and stripping her so much of these she hath not been laid naked to those heavy strokes of extraordinary judgments which she hath lately received London had the Gospel Ordinances powerfull pure plentifull Ministers excellently qualified and rarely furnished with ministerial abilities London had as many burning and shining lights as any one such spot of ground under the cope of heaven Not to speak of their abilities for preaching and defence of the truth such gifts of prayer London Ministers had which were no small defence of the City as I believe no City in the World could parallel O what prayers have there formerly been in London Pulpits especially on dayes of solemn humiliation how have the spirits of Ministers been carried forth sometime in prayer for several hours together without tautologies and vain repetitions in such variety of affectionate enlargements and with such raisedness and transports of spirit as if they had been just leaving the body and going to live and abide with God and would converse no more with men or worldly things In their confessions of sin how have they rak'd into the dunghill of a rotten heart and laid abroad its inward filthiness how have they trac'd the foot-steps of its deceitfulness through the maze and wilderness of its many windings and turnings how have they peirced into the very bowels of sin and ript it up as it were to the back-bone bringing forth its very entrals to open view how have they anatomiz'd as it were the body of death in all the parts and members of it discovering withall the several diseases of every part with their cause and manner of working and all this in such pathetical cutting expressions accompanied with such brokenness and bleeding of heart as no form can imitate or effect In their supplications for the pardon of sin for spiritual and heavenly riches O with what feeling and fervour did they express themselves O with what faith and importunity did they wrestle and plead at the Throne of Grace for such favours beyond the importunity of poor prisoners through the grates or poor beggars at the doors when they are most earnest for relief yea how did they besiege God as it were and seem as if they would scale the walls of Heaven it self and take the Kingdome of Heaven with violence and force how have they even pressed in upon God with the dint of argument and laid hold on him with the hand of faith resolving not to let him go without a blessing In their supplications for the Church and Land they have behaved themselves as if they had no private concernments But how did they bear London upon their hearts when they came to the throne of grace what yearning bowels had they towards and for the City how many teares have they shed in bewailing her sins how have they stood in the breach when the Lord hath been coming forth against this place how have they held his arme when it hath been lifted up to strike how have they stood weeping between the Porch and the Altar crying spare thy People O Lord and do not destroy London and many times have they prevailed to appease Gods wrath and turn away his fierce anger which hath been kindled against us Gospel-Ordinances and Gospel-Ministers were the safe-guard of London the glory and defence But when the Ordinances were slighted and the Ministers were mocked and misused by some who called themselves Professors and both were fallen so much in the esteem of the most and London did not yield the fruit which God looked for under such dressing of which more when I come to speak of Londons sins God is provoked not only to call for some of his Messengers home to himself but also to suffer the rest which were most consciencious to be thrust into Corners This this did presage London's near approaching ruine and desolation though few did believe it and because they did not believe it and were insensible of Gods wrath in this judgment therefore their danger was the greater of the other judgments which have come upon them when so many stakes were pluckt out no wonder if the hedge be broken when so many Pillars were removed no wonder if the building tumble to the ground But I proceed to give a narration of the later judgments of Plague and Fire SECT V. THe Plague so great so lately should not be forgotten yet lest the fire more lately and propotionably more great and the amazing fears which since have risen within us should shuffle former thoughts out of our minds and rase out the impressions which by the Plague we had and should labour to retain to our dying hour therefore I shall give a brief narration of this sad judgment and some observations of mine own who was here in the City from the beginning to the end of it both to keep alive in my self and others the memory of the judgment that we may be the better prepared for compliance with Gods designe in sending the Plague amongst us It was in the year of our Lord 1665. that the Plague began in our City of London after we were warned by the great Plague in Holland in the year 1664. the beginning of it in some remote parts of our Land the same year not to speak any thing whether there was any signification and influence in the Blazing-star not long before that appeared in the view of London and struck some amazement upon the spirits of many It was in the moneth of May that the Plague was first taken notice of our Bill of Mortality did let us know but of three which died of the disease in the whole year before but in the beginning of May the bill tels us of nine which fell by the Plague just in the heart of the City the other eight in the Suburbs This was the first arrow of warning that was shot from Heaven amongst us and fear quickly begins to creep upon peoples hearts great thoughts and discourse there is in Town about the Plague and they cast in their minds whether they should go if the Plague should increase Yet when the next weeks Bill signifieth to them the disease from 9 to 3. their minds are something appeased discourse of that subject cools fears are husht and hopes take place that the black cloud did but threaten and give a few drops but the wind would drive
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
and even in them they are sweyed by some carnal Motives which are the secret spring to the wheel of all external services And O how abominable is all such Worship in the sight of God Hath not Formality in Worship been one sin of London which hath helpt to fill up the Ephah when the means God hath appointed for the turning away of his anger is used in such a manner that it self becomes a provocation no wonder if his wrath break forth without remedy 5. A fifth sin of London is Division amongst Professors different perswasions have made wide breaches and divisions in London and through Divisions have arisen great animosities and contentions unto the shame of Christianity and the Protestant Religion and hath not God been provoked to anger hereby hath not he contended with Professours and by the common scourge he hath brought upon them called aloud unto them for a union and more hearty accord and affection then formerly they have had and hath not he given them liberty and opportunity had they minded and cared to make use of it for meeting together in order unto healing but have professours of different parties been sensible of Gods meaning in the scourge upon their backs have they hearkened unto Gods call have they laid hold of and improved opportunities for closing up their wide breaches I hope some closing in affection there hath been amongst some but how rarely hath it been to be found and when there are such breaches still amongst us is it not just with God to make further breaches upon us as he hath done by his judgements 6. A sixth sin of London is neglect of Reformation Neglect of 1 Personal 2 Family 3 City 4 Church Reformation 1 Neglect of Personal reformation in Heart Life 1. Who in London have seriously and very diligently endeavoured the Reformation of their hearts when so unclean and polluted who have laboured to get them washed when such roots of bitterness have been springing forth and such weeds of Lust have been growing there who hath endeavoured to pluck them up outward neatness there hath been in London washing and rincing rubbing and scowring but O the inward sluttishness they who have had clean houses and clean garments and clean faces and hands have had foul hearts who have taken care every day to rince and scowre their inside to bring their hearts to the fountain set open for sin and uncleanness and to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit that they might arrive every day unto greater perfection in holiness they who have been careful to dress their bodies every day have been very careless in dressing their hearts neglecting to put on the white robes of Christs righteousness which alone can cover their spiritual nakedness and deformity and to get the jewels of grace which alone can adorn the soul and render it amiable in the sight of God Heart work is hard work and it is so hard that most have let it alone they have been discouraged with the difficulty the opposition of Sathan and Lust to this work hath been so strong that they have been quickly overpowered upon their first attempts and endeavours after a change and rectifying of the disorders which they have perceived Heart work is secret work many have employed themselves in the more open work of religion few have taken pains with their hearts in secret many take heed to their tongues what they speak and before whom to their hands what they do to their feet whither they go but few take heed to their hearts Murder Adultery Theft and the like sins have been committed in the heart by many who would have been afraid and ashamed of the outward acts O the unwatchfulness there hath been in London over the heart Citizens have watched their gates and watched their streets and watched their houses but how few have watched their hearts what cometh in and what goeth forth how few have set a watch before the door of their lips and ears and other senses which are the inlets of sin and upon their hearts from whence are the issues of sin how few have kept their hearts with all diligence how few have laboured to govern their thoughts to rule their passions to subjugate their wills to Christ and to deliver up all their affections to his dispose and obedience Heart reformation hath been much neglected 2. Who in London have endeavoured Life-Reformation as they should how few have there been effectually perswaded to put away the evil of their doings from before the eyes of the Lord to cease from evil and have learned to do well How few have broken off their sins by Repentance and throughly amended their ways measuring out their actions by the Rule of the word how few have got the Law of God written in their hearts and the transcript thereof in their lives exemplifying the precepts thereof in their conversations how few in London have been like so many Epistles of Christ in whom the will and grace of their Master might be read who have troden in Christs steps walking as he walked and followed him in the way of obedience and self-denyal who have shined like so many lights in dark places and times adorning their profession and living as becometh the Gospel Great irregularities there have been in the lives of most Londoners little Gospel-reformation little making Religion the business little holy exact living If a stranger had looked into our City and observed the lives of the most and not known them to have had the name of Christians would not he have judged them to be Heathens yea many of them in their dealing to be worse then Turks and Infidels Thus Personal Reformation hath been neglected 2. A great neglect there hath been of family reformation in London How few have with Ioshuah resolved and accordingly endeavoured that they and their houses should serve the Lord how few have set up Religious worship in their families have not many hundred houses in the City been without family-prayer in them from one end of the week to the other and is it strange that the Lord hath burned down those houses wherein the inhabitants would not vouchsafe to worship him And where there hath been some prayer in many families it was but once a day and that so late at night and when the body hath been so tryed and sleepy and the soul so dull and unfit for Gods service that the prayers have been no prayers or lost prayers such which instead of pleasing him have provoked him to anger how few did labour to instruct their families Catechize their children and servants to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord hath not God threatned to pour out his wrath upon irreligious families Ier. 10. 25. 3. Neglect of City-reformation have not the Magistrates of London been faulty here let them ask their own consciences whether to the uttermost of their power according to the trust and opportunity the Lord
increased over our heads faster than our years have done Since we have been governours of others we have had no government upon our own spirits and have endeavoured to lead those under our charge with us in the way to Hell instead of labouring to draw them into the way of Heaven by our example command and perswasions and we have filled up all our relations with sin instead of filling them up with a duty If we have not murdered any with our hand we have murdered many with our tongue swords have been in our lips and bitter reviling speeches in our mouths heart murder we have been guilty of O the inordinate anger that hath boiled in our hearts O the envy and malice which have gnawed our spirits and been working daily within us and especially those persons have been most hated by us who have had thine image upon them and have been best beloved by thee we have scorned them and looked upon them as mean-spirited people we have separated them from our company as those who damp and spoil our mirth by their words and looks of reproof yea we have persecuted them as seditious and factious persons when in truth it was their holiness and conversation that did contradict and condemn our wicked practices which did stir up our anger against them we have scoft at them who have prayed for us and we have lookt upon them and dealt with them as our enemies because so to our lusts who were the best friends to our souls and above all things desired our Salvation Thou hast given us Corn and Wine and Oyle and plentiful provisions for our body but we have abused thy mercies by our intemperance and luxury we have been guilty of drunkenness and gluttony we have indulged our flesh and sensual appetite we have lived in pleasure and been wanton we wallowed like so many swine in the mire and dung of some filthy sins which it is a shame to speak of we have had eyes and hearts full of lusts and adultery and have broken forth into such vile actual sins of uncleannesses as would raise blushes in modest cheeks to hear but the mention of we have been unjust and unrighteous in our dealing have wronged and defrauded our neighbour though thou hast threatned to be avenged on all such persons O the lyes we have spoken the slanderous backbiting speeches we have uttered O the discontentment murmuring envying evil concupiscence inordinate affection and wicked distempers which have been in our spirits and though we have broken all thy Laws and are guilty of such notorious sins yet O the impentency and hardness of our hearts though no Salvation is attainable but by Christ who is freely tendered unto us yet O the unbelief of our hearts and neglect of our own Salvation We have sinned we have sinned against thee and what shall we do unto thee O thou preserver of men God expects that London should make Confession of their sin and it could be wish'd that London would joyn together like one man in this work but if this cannot be and they want common mouths to open their hearts and sins before the Lord in particular Confession let every one of them be a Mouth to himself and get into his Closet and there acknowledge Londons sins and if those who are most guilty do neglect this work let Gods people do it in their room and confess not only their own sins but also the sins of the profane and wicked where they live and that not only because God is dishonour'd but also because they are in danger of being ruin'd by the unbewail'd sins of others 5. God doth expect that London should be humble under these Iudgements God inflicted Judgements on the children of Israel in the Wilderness to humble them Deut. 8. 16. and he promiseth after the sorest distresses which he brings his people into for their sins to remember his Covenant if their uncircumcised heart be humbled Levit. 26. 40 41 42. Yea he promiseth to exalt such in due time who humble themselves under his mighty hand 1 Pet. 5. 6. Gods mighty hand hath been stretched forth upon London God expects that London should be humble he hath humbled them by his Judgements he expects that they should humble themselves under his Judgements God hath stained the Pride of London he expects that they should let down their plumes he hath brought them down and he expects that they should lye low he hath brought Poverty upon many of them in regard of their Estates and he expects that all of them should be poor in regard of their Spirits he hath made many of them mean in regard of their Condition and he expects that their disposition and affection should be accordingly God hath laid many Persons in the dust by the Plague and he hath laid many Houses in the dust by the Fire and he expects that those which survive and remain after such Judgements should lay themselves in the dust for their sins Humble thy self them O London humble thy self before the Lord lick the dust of his feet put off thy Ornaments and gird thee with Sackcloth cloath thy self with Humility God hath spit in thy face wilt thou be proud of thy beauty again he hath burnt the City with Fire wilt thou be proud of thy Buildings and stately Edifices any more he hath consumed much of the fuel of thy pride and he expects that thy pride should be abated and that thou shouldest abase thy self and humble thy self before him 6. God doth expect that London should accept of the punishment of their iniquity Levit. 26. 40 41 42. If my people shall confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their Fathers and be humbled and accept the punishment of their iniquity then will I remember my Covenant and remember the land God expects that London should justifie him in the severest Judgements which he hath inflicted upon them as they should acknowledge their sins so they should acknowledge their demerit and that the Lord hath punished them no more yea that he hath punished them less than their iniquities have deserved As they should bring a bill of Inditement against themselves so they should bring a bill of Acquittance of God God expects that they should say as Neh. 9. 33. Thou art just in all that is brought upon us for thou hast done right but we have done wickedly Or as Dan. 9. 7 8. O Lord righteousness belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion of faces because we have sinned against thee Let not London murmure or repine let not London finde fault and complain of God because of his Judgements Lam. 3. 39. Why doth the living man complain a man for the punishment of his sin God hath opened his mouth and spoken terribly but let London shut her mouth because God hath spoken Righteously God hath spoken with a loud Voice let London be in deep silence I was dumb I opened not my mouth saith David because thou didst it Psal.
they made their heart like an Adamant stone least they should hear the Law and the words which the Lord of Hosts had sent in his spirit by the former Prophets Therefore came there a great wrath from the Lord of Hosts So also when God gave up Ierusalem to desolation and ruine see the sin which provoked the Lord hereunto 2 Chron. 36. 16. They mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his Prophets untill the wrath of the Lord arose against his people till there was no remedy 2. Because they do not hearken to the voice of his goodness and mercies The goodness and forbearance of God doth speak unto men from him and call upon them to forbear sin for shame to repent and return to him Rom. 1. 4. But when men despise the riches of his goodness and deafen their ear unto the language of his mercies and trample his patience under foot though God hath appointed a day of wrath hereafter wherein he will reckon with the whole ungodly World together and give them the just demerit of their sin yet sometimes his patience is turned hereby into fury and his anger doth break forth into a flame and consumes them by the blow of dreadfull temporal judgments 3. Because they will not hearken to the voice of lesser afflictions when Gods word is not heard he speaks by his Rod when his Rod is not heard he shoots with his arrowes strikes with his sword and if lesser afflictions be not minded then God speaks by more dreadful awakening judgments as the sins of men do precede the judgments of God so usually lesser judgments do precede greater judgments and as there are degrees and steps which men usually do make before they arrive to a great heighth in sin Nemo repentè fit turpissimus so there are degrees and steps which God usually doth take in inflicting his judgments for sin Look into one place for all which shews how God doth proceed from less to greater judgments Lev. 26. from the 15. v. to the 40 th when his statutes are despised and Covenant broken first he threatneth to send upon them consumption and a burning ague then he threatneth that they shall fall before their enemies and if they will not hearken to his voice in these judgments he threatneth to punish them seven times more for their sins and to make the Heavens as Iron and the Earth as brass and send a dearth amongst them And if they will not yet hearken he threatneth to send wild beasts which should devour their children and Cattel And if they would not be reformed by these things but still would walk contrary unto him he threatneth to walk contrary unto them and to punish them yet seven times more for their sins he threatneth to bring a sword upon them to avenge the quarrel of his Covenant and when they should be gathered together in their Cities to send the Pestilence amongst them and hereunto to adde the Famine And if they would not yet hearken unto God but still walk contrary unto him he threatneth that he will walk contrary unto them in fury and make them eat the flesh of their Sons and their Daughters and lay wast their Cities and make their Sanctuaries a desolation and upon them that are left alive he threatneth to send such faintness of heart that they should flee at the sound of a shaken leaf and fall when none pursued them and that they should pine away in their iniquities in the Land of their enemies Thus God proceeds by steps and degrees in the execution of his fierce anger upon a rebellious People when God speaks by ordinary diseases and is not heard then sometimes he sends a Plague and if after a Plague people will not return to him that smiteth them nor seek to pacify Gods anger which is kindled against them but walk so much the more contrary unto him he may walk contrary to them in fury and send fire into their Cities to devour their habitations And if the voice of the Fire be not heard he hath other judgments in readiness Sword Famine and the like And if temporal judgments be nâ—â— heeded he will bring upon them eternal judgments God is not heard any other way therefore he doth speak by such terrible things SECT IV. The Application God speaks sometimes to a People by terrible things THese few last years have given sad instances hereof in England especially the two last years in our City of London The voice of the Lord hath been in the City it hath been loud and full of terrour the Lord hath come forth against us with armed vengeance Frowns have been in his brow death and desolation in his looks thunder hath been in his voice flames of Fire in his hand the Pestilence hath gone before him and burning Coals at his feet He hath sent forth his Arrows which have scattered us and shot forth his lightnings which have discomfited us The Lord hath thundered in the Heavens and the highest gave his voice hail-stones and coals of fire the Lord hath visited us with storm and tempest and great noise yea he hath caused his glorious voice to be heard and shewed the lighting down of his arme with the indignation of his anger and with the flame of devouring Fire with scattering and tempest and hail-stones then the furrowes of the Earth were seen and the foundations of the City were discovered the Earth also shook because he was wrath and the Inhabitants of London trembled because of his fierce anger then the snares of death compassed us and the fears of hell gat hold on us and our hearts were moved within us as Trees when they are moved by the Wind. Dreadfull have Gods late judgments been in London the noise of which hath gone forth not only throughout the Land but also unto the outermost parts of the World Three things we should remark in this terrible voice of Gods judgments 1. The Iudgments themselves 2. The Cause of the Iudgments 3. The Design of the Iudgments In the first we have the sound of the voice In the two last the Interpretation of the voice 1. Concerning the Iudgments themselves Here I might speak of the judgment executed August 24th 1662. when so many Ministers were put out of their places and the judgment executed March 24th 1665. when so many Ministers were banished 5. miles from Corporations the former by way of introduction to the Plague which sometime after did spread in the Land but chiefly raged in the City the later by way of introduction to the Fire which quickly after did burn down London the greatest Corporation in England These judgments having been so lately and general in the Land and I presume so generally known with all their circumstances that it would be needless to give here a Narration of them But this I must say I could wish they were as generally believed to be judgments and accordingly laid to
doors of their houses upon them from whence they have come forth no more till they have been brought forth to their graves we may imagine the hideous thoughts and horrid perplexity of mind the tremblings confusions and anguish of spirit which some awakened sinners have had when the Plague hath broke in upon their houses and seized upon neer relations whose dying groans sounding in their ears have warned them to prepare when their doors have been shut up and fastned on the outside with an Inscription Lord have mercy upon us and none suffered to come in but a Nurse whom they have been more afraid of then the Plague it self when lovers and friends and companions in sin have stood aloof and not dared to come nigh the door of the house lest death should issue forth from thence upon them especially when the disease hath invaded themselves and first began with a pain and diziness in their head then trembling in their other members when they have felt boiles to arise under their arms and in their groins and seen blaines to come forth in other parts when the disease hath wrought in them to that height as to send forth those spots which most think are the certain tokens of neer approaching death and now they have received the sentence of death within themselves and have certainly concluded that within a few hours they must go down into the dust and their naked souls without the case of their body must make its passage into eternity and appear before the highest Majesty to render their accounts and receive their sentence None can utter the horrour which hath been upon the spirits of such through the lashes and stings of their guilty consciences when they have called to mind a life of sensuality and profaneness their uncleanness drunkenness injustice oaths curses derision of Saints and holiness neglect of their own salvation and when a thousand sins have been set in order before their eyes with another aspect than when they looked upon them in the temptation and they find God to be irreconcileably angry with them and that the day of grace is over the door of mercy is shut and that pardon and salvation which before they slighted is now unattainable that the grave is now opening its mouth to receive their bodies and hell opening its mouth to receive their souls and they apprehend that they are now just entring into a place of endless wo and torment and they must now take up their lodgings in the inferiour regions of utter darkness with devils and their fellow damned sinners and there abide for evermore in the extremity of misery without any hopes or possibility of a release and that they have foolishly brought themselves into this condition and been the cause of their own ruin we may guess that the dispairful agonies and anguish of such awakened sinners hath been of all things the most unsupportable except the very future miseries themselves which they have been afraid of In August how dreadful is the increase from 2010 the number amounts up to 2817 in one week and thence to 3880 the next thence to 4237 the next thence to 6102 the next and all these of the Plague besides other diseases Now the cloud is very black and the storm comes down upon us very sharp Now death rides triumphantly on his pale horse through our streets and breaks into every house almost where any inhabitants are to be found Now people fall as thick as leaves from the trees in Autumn when they are shaken by a mighty wind Now there is a dismal solitude in London-streets every day looks with the face of a Sabbath day observed with greater solemnity than it used to be in the City Now shops are shut in people rare and very few that walk about in so much that the grass begins to spring up in some places and a deep silence almost in every place especially within the walls no ratling Coaches no prancing Horses no calling in Customers nor offering Wares no London cries sounding in the ears if any voice be heard it is the groans of dying perions breathing forth their last and the funeral knells of them that are ready to be carried to their graves Now shutting up of visited houses there being so many is at an end and most of the well are mingled among the sick which otherwise would have got no help Now in some places where the people did generally stay not one house in an hundred but is infected and in many houses half the family is swept away in some the whole from the eldest to the youngest few escape with the death of but one or two never did so many husbands and wives die together never did so many parents carry their children with them to the grave and go together into the same house under earth who had lived together in the same house upon it Now the nights are too short to bury the dead the whole day though at so great a length is hardly sufficient to light the dead that fall therein into their beds Now we could hardly go forth but we should meet many coffins and see many with sores and limping in the streets amongst other sad spectacles methought two were very affecting one of a woman comming alone and weeping by the door where I lived which was in the midst of the infection with a little Coffin under her arm carrying it to the new Church yard I did judge that it was the mother of the childe and that all the family besides was dead and she was forced to coffin up and bury with her own hands this her last dead childe Another was of a man at the corner of the Artillery-wall that as I judge through the diziness of his head with the disease which seised upon him there had dasht his face against the wall and when I came by he lay hanging with his bloody face over the rails and bleeding upon the ground and as I came back he was removed under a tree in More-fields and lay upon his back I went and spake to him he could make me no answer but ratled in the throat and as I was informed within half an hour died in the place It would be endless to speak what we have seen and heard of some in their frensie rising out of their beds and leaping about their rooms others crying and roaring at their windows some comming forth almost naked and running into the streets strange things have others spoken and done when the disease was upon them But it was very sad to hear of one who being sick alone and it is like phrantick burnt himself in his bed Now the plague had broken in much amongst my acquaintance and of about 16. or more whose faces I used to see every day in our house within a little while I could finde but 4. or 6. of them alive scarcely a day past over my head for I think a moneth or more together but I should hear of
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
sinned and done wickedly but these sheep what have they done 2 Sam. 24. 10-18 4. If it be enquired how Gods mercy to his people doth appear when these judgments have fallen so heavy upon many of them I Answer 1. Those of his own people who have fallen by the Plague are received to greater grace and mercy in Heaven than here they were capable of and they are moreover delivered from evil to come which hath since and may further come upon us 2. Those whose houses have fallen by the fire the Lord could and confident I am the Lord hath made them greater gainers another way they have lost it may be much in temporal things but they are or may be if they be not wanting to themselves gainers in spiritual things which are of a higher and more excellent nature I have known and heard of many of Gods people whose houses are burnt and goods spoyled who have taken the loss with so much chearfulness humility meekness patience contentment and thankfulness that any thing was saved if it were only their lives that it hath been my wonder and joy to gain such a spirit hath more of good than the loss of all externall enjoyments hath of evil 3. Further if these judgments have fallen upon Gods people we must know that they have their sins which have deserved them possibly some have begun now to comply with the wicked in their wicked wayes it may be they were grown more loose in their walking and formal in the service of God their hearts more set on the World of which sins more largely when I come to speak of the sins of the City and the sins of Gods people have more hainous aggravations than the sins of the wicked being committed against clearer light dearer love sweeter mercies stronger obligations and therefore provoke God the more to wrath therefore he threatneth his own people especially to punish them when they transgress Am. 3. 2. You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth and therefore I will punish you for your iniquities 5. Besides they may have need of awakening judgments to rouze them and humble them for sin to loosen and wean them from the World and it is in love and faithfulness that God doth inflict such judgments upon them 6. Lastly we must remember that it is Gods usual course to begin with his own house 1 Pet. 4. 17. Iudgement begins at the House of God 5. To conclude Do any of the ungodly question Gods righteousness because in these common calamities they have hitherto survived and escaped 1. It is but an ill requital and ill use which they make of Gods patience and goodness which he hath exercised towards them that hereby he might lead them unto repentance Rom. 2. 4 5. 2. Let them stay a while and God will answer them himself and give them an experimental conviction of his righteous judgments 1 Pet. 4. 17 18. If judgment begin at the house of God what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel and if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and sinners appear we read Psal. 75. 8. Of a Cup of red Wine in the hand of the Lord he may give his people to drink the top of it but the most bitter and dreggish part which is at the bottome the wicked shall wring forth and drink if God whip his children with rods he will scourge his enemies with scorpions I am perswaded that the notoriously ungodly of this generation will not go out of this World without some remarkable temporal judgment and that the Lord will make them feel something even here what an evil thing and a bitter it is so audaciously to fly in the face of the great God by their hideous oaths and blasphemies by their horrid wickedness and abominations whereby they do as it were challenge God to do his worst against them and when God doth draw forth his glittering Sword and make ready his sharp arrow upon the string when God doth cloathe himself with fury as with a garment and his hand doth take hold on vengeance when their iniquities are grown fully ripe and the day of their visitation and recompence is come how then will these sinners of England be afraid and what amazing terrour will there then surprize this vile generation Can their hearts endure or their hands be strong in the day that the Lord shall deal with them Ezek. 22. 14. Then the Lord will roar from his holy habitation with such a terrible voice as shall make their ears to tingle their hearts to quake and tremble he will roar like a Lion and tear them in pieces when there shall be none to deliver If the shaking of his rod hath moved them and the beginning of his judgments which he hath executed upon others hath affrighted them what will their behaviour be when the scourge is laid upon their own backs and judgment shall fall upon their own heads Surely the judgments intended purposely for the most ungodly are not yet come yet as they are like to be exceeding great because more of pure and unmixt wrath will accompany them so they are like to be very neer because they are filling up the measure of their wickedness so fast and they seem to be arrived even to the uttermost of sin surely their judgment doth neither linger nor slumber but is upon the wing hastning towards them surely the arme of the Lord is awakened and lifted up on high and though infinite patience doth hold it up a little while to try whether the judgments already executed upon others before their eyes will work any good effect upon them so as to awaken them and stop them and turn them from their evil wayes yet if they proceed in their sinfull course his arm I am perswaded will come down with such force and fury upon them that their destruction shall be remarkable to all that are round about them and I have much of that perswasion that the Lord will as it were hang up many of the villains of our times who have been guilty of such treachery and rebellion against the great King of heaven as it were in chains and make their punishment here as notorious as their sins have been that the whole World may hear and fear and take heed of such vile practises I suppose they may not now expect it nor fear it no more than the old World did their drowning or Sodom and Gomorrah did their burning because deceitful sin hath hardned their hearts long custome in sin with impunity hath seared their consciences as with a hot Iron but then they are in the greatest danger when they sleep with the greatest security when Men grow desperately hardned against often and all reproofs by word and rod too what followes but sudden destruction and that without remedy Prov. 29. 1. and when men cry peace and safety then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travel upon a
hath put into their hands they have endeavoured the Reformation of the City whether as Gods under-officers they have improved their interest for the promotion of Religion in the zealous exercise of it yea whether they have put the Laws made in execution against Sabbath-breakers swearers drunkards endeavouring to find out and punish such offenders 4. Neglect of Church-reformation And is there no blame to be laid upon Church-officers hath there been that zeal for and faithful execution of Church-discipline according to the Rules of the word hath not the Lord Jesus Christ been affronted in his Kingly office by some who have imposed precepts of their own upon mens consciences instead of vigorously endeavouring the execution of his and taken the power of the Keyes out of the hands of those unto whom the Lord hath entrusted it hereby rendring the execution of discipline impossible according to the Laws of Christ have not the tender and most conscientious lain under the censures of some rather then the openly profane and scandalously wicked Neglect of Reformation am I speaking of nay have not many who call themselves Ministers endeavoured rather the overthrow then the promotion of it have they not had girds in their Pulpits at holiness and zealous profession which they have seconded by a conversation of dissoluteness malitious opposition and persecution of those especially who have been the most religious Sad neglects there have been of reformation in London and that when London lay under such obligations to reform as Christians they were obliged by baptismal and renewed vows as Protestants of the Reformed religion they were obliged to endeavour a reformation by Mercies they were obliged anâ— have they been under no other obligations And hath not the neglect of reformation notwithstanding all obligations rendred them guilty of disingenuity infideliy yea of perjury it self I verily believe this is the great sin God is scourging London for God is contending for a Reformation and if they do not endeavour it more vigorously the sooner I fear he will bring desolation upon them 7. A seventh sin of London is fearful Apostacy and a spirit of complyance with the sins of the times How many in London who formerly were great profestours have discovered themselves to be rotten hypocrites who casting off the sheeps clothing and laying aside all profession have given themselves up to dissoluteness and licentious living formerly they have seemed true penitents and to be washed from their iniquities but they have returned with the dogg to the vomit and with the Sow that is washed to the wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2. ult formerly they have been swept a little within and garnisht outwardly with a fair profession but the unclean spirit hath returned and without any great difficulty hath entered with seven worse spirits and defiled them more then before and made their last state worse then their first I speak not so much of those who worship God in this Mode or that Mode and of alterations herein but of those who sometimes professed religion and now do not worship God in any mode at all but wholly addict themselves to their lusts and are ashamed to be called or thought to be religious They would not now look like a Saint or speak like a Saint much less live like a Saint Thus have many in our dayes cast off all fear of God and devoted themselves with the Hell-hounds of the times to the service of the Devil resolving to do what in them lies to promote the interest of his Kingdom And if some are a little more aukward in his service and not altogether so like him and such apt Scholars presently as others whose education hath been in his School from their childhood yet they learn very fast and wonderfull is their proficiency in a short time and in regard of Apostacy they come neerer the Image of the Devil than those that have been alwayes tutor'd by him Now for any in London to forsake God that they might serve the Devil to draw off from the wayes of Holiness that they might walk in the wayes of Wickedness doth cast a great slurr upon God and his wayes They do in effect say That the Devil is a better Master than God and that the way of sin that leadeth to Hell is more eligible than the way of Holiness which alone can bring to Heaven The Lord threatneth that his Soul shall have no pleasure in such Apostates Heb. 10. 38. It is a Meiosis and we are to understand that the Lord is highly displeased with such persons See how God pleads with Apostatizing Israel Ier. 2. 9 10 c. Wherefore I will yet plead with you saith the Lord. Pass ye over to the Isles of Chittim and see and send unto Kedar and diligently consider if there be any such thing Hath any Nation changed their gods which yet are no gods But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit Be astonished O ye Heavens at this and be horribly afraid be ye very desolate saith the Lord for my people have committed two great evils they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters and have hewen out unto themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water And hence follows v. 15. The young lions roared and yelled upon him and laid his land waste his Cities are burnt without inhabitant and v. 17. Thou hast procured these things unto thy self because thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and v. 19. Thy own wickedness shall correct thee and thy back-slidings shall reprove thee know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and that my fear is not in thee saith the Lord God of hosts And may not God thus plead with the Apostates of London and punish them as he did his people of Israel 8. The Eighth sin of London is deafning the Ear against all Gods Calls The Lord hath called upon London by his Ministers but they have been like the deaf Adder which will not hearken to the voice of the Charmer they have stopped their ears and turned away their shoulder and made their heart like an Adamant stone God hath called by his Mercies but this voice hath been too low and they have slept the more securely in sin God after other Means hath called by Afflictions first lighter then heavier and yet how many in London have and still do walk contrary unto God and will not return to him that hath smitten them They have been incorrigible under all Gods correcting Rods. When God spake by the Plague they were a little awakened but quickly dropt asleep again when the plague was a little over they return to their Trades again to their sins again but they do not return unto the Lord. And when the Judgement of the Plague was so much lost and ineffectual for their good this no doubt hath provoked God so quickly and unexpectedly to turn his hand upon them and
bring the Judgement of the Fire and if they will still walk contrary to God they must expect that God will walk contrary to them untill he have consumed them 9. A Ninth sin of London is Profaneness and a loose and frothy spirit especially in the Youth and springing generation I do not tax all for I am confident there is a serious and godly Youth growing up But O that there were not reason to say that the generality of Youth is profane and wicked as well as those who are grown more mature in wickedness And this Profaneness hath shewed it self In 1 Profane using Gods Name 2 Profane breaking of Gods Day 3 Profane scoffing at Gods People 1. In profane using of Gods Name How grosly hath the third Commandment been broken in the City how hath the great and dreadfull Name of the Lord God which should make men to tremble in the mention of it and command their spirits into aw and reverence been vainly taken by many and used to fill up the sentence of their ordinary discourse And not only so but how hath the Name of God been tossed in the black mouths of the Children of darkness and even torn in pieces by their hideous Oaths and Execrations What an hellish noyse hath the sound of full-mouth'd Oaths made sometimes in the streets enough to make the hair stand on end of one who hath a sence of the greatness of that Majesty upon his spirit which hereby is so audaciously affronted Oh the Swearing that hath been used by Londoners in buying and selling Many Parents have been so addicted to this sin in their Families that their little Children have no sooner learned to speak but they have also learned of them to swear by the Name of God which hath been all the teaching of God that they have given them a devilish teaching indeed which hereafter they will curse and bann them for in Hell But if you should have laid your ears unto the Taverns and Ale-houses and Whore-houses and other Devil-houses once standing in London and harkened to the speeches of many of the Devils Imps in their drinking and gaming and other lewd practises especially when a little cross'd and vexed Oh what language of Hell might have been heard How have those cursed Villains in the heat of their wine and anger shot vollies of Oaths in the face of the God of Heaven and whetting their tongues like a sharp sword they have not feared to wound the name of God when they have received any injury from men O what poyson of Asps hath there been under their lips but a worse poyson of sin in their hearts from the evil treasure and abundance of which these oaths and blasphemies have proceeded But who can find words to set forth the evil of this sin which hath not the temptation of pleasure advantage or honour as other sins have and therefore is a great argument of a monstrous wicked heart And who can express Gods displeasure for this sin for which he makes sometimes a whole land to mourn And hath not this sin provoked the Lord to utter his angry voice in Plaguing and burning the City that they might fear to abuse his Name any more 2. In profanc breaking of Gods day Sabbath breaking was an ordinary sin in London I say not it was so much broken in doing the ordinary works of the particular callings but in that which was worse How many did spend the Sabbath in eating to excess and drinking till they were drunk in sleeping in walking into the fields in sports and recreations Many wholly neglected the worship of God on that day and instead of that did the Devil more service on the Lords day then all the days of the week besides The many weeks of Sabbaths which London had in the time of the Plague methinks did reprove London for their profaning of the weekly Sabbath And the great fire I will not call it bon-fire because so destructive to London which was begun in the City on the Lords day did reprove London for those lesser fires I will not call them bon-fires because so offensive to God which not long before were kindled in the streets on that day which called for other kind of work Not to speak any thing whether there were any just occasion for those fires and ringing of bells most of which were melted before they were rung so generally again and such a shew of mirth and rejoycing at that time The Citizens carrying forth their goods and lying in the fields with grief and fear might put them in mind how often they had walked out into those fields on the Lords day for their recreation when they should rather have been hearing the word preached or if that were over repeating it in their own families giving and receiving instruction or in their closets at the throne of grace or employed in meditation As God delights in those that call his Sabbaths a delight and makes sweet promises to them so he is highly displeased with Sabbath breakers and hath denounced severe threatnings against them Jer. 17. 27. If ye will not hearken to me to hallow the Sabbath day I will kindle a fire in the gates of Jerusalem which shall devour the Palaces thereof and shall not he quenched 3. In profane scoffing at Gods people The name of a Saint and Godly man hath been ridiculous to many prophane Spirits in London and used by them in a way of reproach How have Gods people especially the more strict and zealous been made the drunkards song and laughed at in the streets Horrid impiety as if it were matter of more shame to be like the Holy God than to be like the Foul Devill and to be employed in the work of angels than to drudge in Satans chains No wonder if God is angry with such a place where such vipers have had their abode Prophaness is a great sin that hath brought ruine upon us 10. A tenth sin of London is Pride This sin being so odious to God so destructive where it abounds and so universal in London I shall speak of it the more largely both in regard of the inward workings and the outward expressions of it which when opened I believe there are none that will be able to say they are wholly free from it 1. In regard of the inward workings of pride Oh how hath the poison of this sin envenomed the spirits of the most in a very high degree How many self-admirers have there been in London who have been puft up with an overweening conceit of their own excellencies What high touring swelling thoughts have they had of themselves What secret self-pleasing and lifting up themselves in their own esteem Some esteeming themselves for that which is matter of shame admiring themselves for their own wit and parts when they have lain fallow and not been employed for God or when they have been employed to his dishonour when they have been wise but it hath been to do
to them but they love not humility in themselves for they will stoop to none Thus some also out of a secret design of pride have discommended others behinde their backs that they might be thought to exceed them whom they could correct and finde fault withall they have laboured to bring down others that they might set up themselves And the same design of Pride they have had in commending others to their faces and exalting them in words above themselves not from a reall esteem which they have had of them above themselves but only that they might draw forth a commendation from them Such expressions of pride have been to be found in Professors and have been more latent but I shall speak of the more gross and open expressions which have been generall in the City We read of the pride of the Daughters of Ierusalem Isa. 3. 16 c. They were haughty and walked with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes walking and mincing as they went and making a tinckling with their feet and what was it they were proud of See from v. 18. to v. 25. Their ornaments their Cauls their Tires their Chains their Bracelets their Mufflers their Tablets their Head-bands their Rings their Iewels their changeable suits of Apparel and the like And hath there not been this pride in London Were not the Daughters of London like the Daughters of Zion for pride and haughtiness Was there any place in England that could shew such pride of Apparel as London could shew which the Female sex were not only guilty of Was there any fashion though never so antick and apish which London did not presently imitate Who can count the Cost which hath been lavished out in Cloathing and rich Apparel some pinching their Bellies and Families to lay it out on this Lust. This Pride of Apparel is very shamefull and absurd Cloaths being the Badge of Apostasie which were not made use of till after the fall therefore the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Cloathing comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He prevaricated and it is as if a Thief should be proud of his Shackles or any Malefactor of his mark of disgrace At least the gaudy attire of many persons hath signified the emptiness and frothy minde within and that they have had nothing to set them forth but their Cloaths I might also add the pride which the daughters of London have had of their Beauty though it be but skin-deep and the Body but a skinfull of dirt and the choycest beauty without discretion like a Jewel hanged at the ear or nose of a Swine And the Lord knows what monstrous and defiled and deformed insides the most of those have had who have been so fair and adorned outwardly Many in London have been proud of their fine cloaths and fair faces and others of their fair Shops and stately houses Pride has hung about the neck like a Chain and covered them like a garment instead of the cloathing and Ornament of Humility which before God is of so great price Now God is highly offended with the sin of Pride God resisteth the proud 1 Pet. 5. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he doth as it were set himself in battell array against them Pride goes before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall Prov. 16. 18. Pride was one of Sodoms sins which City was burnt with fire from Heaven Ezek. 16. 49. The Scriptures speak of Three Cities that were burnt for this sin of pride among other sins namely Sodom Ierusalem and Babylon And may not London come in for a fourth The botches and blains and loathsome sores in the bodies of many when the Plague was in London and the burning of so much fewel of pride by the Fire methinks were a very loud reproof and rebuke of London for this sin 11. An eleventh sin of London is fullness of Bread or intemperance in eating this was another of the sins of Sodom God did feed London with the finest of the Wheat and gave plenty of Corn and Flesh and other Provisions but how have they abused Plenty by their Intemperance and Luxury O the excessive Feasting in Halls and private Houses of them whose Estates have been more plentifull What indulging hath there been to the Appetite as if self-denyal in regard of the Appetite were no duty or an enemy and with the Poor to be shut out of doors What curiosity of Palat and daintiness have many in London had so that Air Earth Sea must be ransackt to please them and all would not do What loathing have they had of ordinary food Many good creatures of God must be cut and mangled and spoyled to make them new dishes which however pleasing have but spoyled their stomachs and bred diseases in their bodies Some have not eaten much but have been so choice that scarce any food hath pleased them and that not through sickness of body but wantonness of mind others have been pleased with their food and overpleased and all their pleasure hath been therein All whose God as the Apostle speaks Phil. 3. hath been their belly Such like the Rich man Luk. 16. 19. have fared sumptuously and deliciously every day O the excessive cost that some have bestowed upon their Tables daily O the excessive quantity of Meat that some have devoured O the excessive time that hath been wasted in pampering the flesh What rioting and banqueting hath there been daily in London many feeding themselves without fear as if gluttony were not any sin at all How many have been like fed Horses in the City or like fatted Oxen who as the Apostle Iames speaks have lived in pleasure and been wanton and nourished themselves as in a day of slaughter Jam. 5. 5. and as Hos. 13. 6. According to their pasture so were they filled they were filled and their heart was exalted therefore have they forgotten Me. This kinde of Intemperance hath so strangely brutified many that they have been even degenerated into Beasts only that they have been more unusefull for hereby they have unfitted themselves for all kinde of service as if they were born only to eat but withall they have prepared themselves for those ruining and slaughtering Judgements which have come upon the City 12. A twelfth sin of London is Idleness a consequent of the former only that Idleness hath been more generall this was also a sin of Sodom I will not say but many Citizens of London were diligent in their Calling but how many idle Vagrant persons were there in the City What Idleness in many of the Youth if not held in the more strictly and some breaking forth and lavishing away stollen time which was not at their own dispose whatever strictness was used Moreover what an ill example for idleness did many Governours themselves give to their children and servants When Masters were idle abroad no wonder that Servants were idle at home when Mistresses were idle in their Chambers no wonder if the Kitchin did
imitate Though eating and drinking and cloathing were necessary and called for some time yet the excess of time spent about these things if not worse was no better than idle time Many especially of the Females in the City have spent so much time in the Morning in their beds if not in sleeping at least in idle foolish Fancies and so much time after in neat and curious dressing their bodies that they have had no time before Dinner for Prayer or Reading no time to dress their Souls and the Afternoon being far spent in eating and drinking the rest of the time hath run away either in Visitings or Entertainments wherein if not worse vain idle unprofitable things have been the chief if not the only subject of their discourse and by that time they have again refreshed themselves with food at night they have been too sleepy and unfit for Prayer and the Service of God And thus many careless Women in the City have lived in ease and idleness from one end of the Week and one end of the Year unto another But methinks the Lord hath by his terrible things in London spoken unto them much in the same language as he did Isa. 32. 9 10 11. Rise up ye Women that are at ease hear my voice ye careless Daughters give ear to my speech many dayes and years shall ye be troubled ye careless Women tremble ye Women that are at ease be troubled ye careless ones strip ye make ye bare and gird sackcloth upon your loyns But I would not charge this sin of idleness only upon the female sex many men have been more shamefully guilty especially those who have mispent so much time in gaming not to speak of excess in eating and drinking and other time-consuming sins which are reproved in their proper place O the time that many have spent in gaming Some recreations wherein the body is exercised may be lawful and necessary at some time so they do not steal away too much of their time and affections but for men to sit at games as hard as schollars at their books what rational plea can be used for such wicked idleness Thus silver and gold and great estates have been consumed and O the golden hours the dayes and nights and precious time that have been lost in gaming Thus some have run out of all and removed into the Country to hide their shame after their high port in the City some have gone into the high wayes not to beg but to do that which is far worse which in some hath had a dreadful conclusion And not only this kind of Idleness hath brought poverty but also that heedless slothful spirit which many of the City have had in their callings which hath made them blemishes to the City and hath been an helper on of our ruine 13. A thirteenth sin of London is unmercifulness another of Sodom's sins Ezek. 16. 49. She strengthened not the hands of the poor and needy I shall not blame the whole for this sin for the charity of London hath sounded throughout the land and throughout the world But yet have not many of the great men of the City been guilty of unmercifulness who though more able yet have been less forward to contribute to the relief of such as have been in distress It hath been the comfort of some who have lost much by the fire that they had saved what before they had given to the poor by putting it out of the reach of moth or rust or thieves or flames of fire But oh what marble bowels have some had towards the poor so that they could whatever abundance they had by them beyond what themselves did make use of as freely part with so many drops of their blood as pieces of money though to help some of the needy and distressed members of Jesus Christ not considering that the Lord Jesus is the Heir of all things and whatever estate they had they were but his stewards and that relief of the needy is a debt which though man cannot require it of them yet God can and is it unequal if for want of payment of Gods debts which they owed out of their estates by vertue of Gods command to the poor the Lord hath dispossest them of his houses and burnt them with fire and taken away part of the estates which he gave them because they have employed them no more for his glory 14. A fourteenth sin of London is Vncleanness another sin of Sodom their sin indeed was unnatural uncleanness I would hope that this sin hath been little known and practised in the City But Fornication and Adultery have been too common Indeed there hath not been that boldness and impudency in this sin as elsewhere there hath not been that whores forehead so generally in London and declaring the iniquity like Sodom but let the consciences of many Londoners speak whether they have not been secretly guilty of this sin Would it not be a shame to tell of the chambering and wantonness and privy leudness which hath been committed in London suppose that in all the remaining Churches the sin of uncleanness should be reproved and all both men and women that have been actually guilty of it should be forced by an inward sting of conscience as sometimes those were upon the words of our Saviour that accused the woman taken in Adultery immediately to go forth out of the place what a stir would there be in some Churches what an emptying of some Pews what a clearing of some Iles and how few would there be remaining in some places Suppose a visible mark were put by God upon the foreheads of all Adulterers in the City of London as God put a mark upon Cain after he had been guilty of murther would not many who walk now very demurely and with much seeming innocency walk with blushes in their cheeks would not many keep house and hide their face and not stir abroad except in the night or if in the day would they not shuffle thorow the streets and hate the fashion of little hats and the court-mode of wearing them behind their head and rather get such whose brims are of a larger size which might the more conveniently cover their brows And would not many unsuspected and seemingly modest women also stain their cheeks with a vermilion dye upon their husbands or friends search into their countenance would not many of them walk with thick hoods and wear continually deep fore-head-cloaths as if they were troubled with a perpetual head-ake that they might hide their shame from the view of man This sin is so nasty and filthy that whatever swinish pleasure is found in the commission of it usually those that are guilty unless the brow be brass are ashamed that it should be known the holy and jealous eye of God hath seen them in their filthiness their secret sins are set in the light of his countenance which above all should make them ashamed Whoremongers and Adulterers
is envying And this sin was to be found not only in Women which envied others that exceeded them in beauty of body in cloaths and dressing and such like toyes but also in men who envied them who were of the same trade which had better houses and shops more custome and wealth than themselves as Hesiod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Yea this envying was to be found among many Ministers who envied others that had better parts and more learning greater applause and more auditors than themselves There was a spirit among us which lusted to envy Jam. 4. 5. which besides the great torment that it brings to the spirit where it reigns is a very great provocation to the Lord. 23. The twenty third sin of London is slandering and backbiting which hath been the consequent of the former The ninth commandment hath been exceedingly broken in London especially in a private way of bearing false witness against the neighbour and wounding his reputation by a slanderous tongue some inventing lyes and raising slanders which they have in their consciences known to be false others taking up slanders readily believing them without any just proof This sin you have set forth with a caution to take heed of such persons Ier. 9. 4 5. London hath been full of backbiters and tale-bearers and too many professours have been guilty of this sin few have entertained backbiters with an angry countenance which as the wind driveth away rain would have driven them out of sight I might here add the hatred of one another that hath been in London much through slanders the emulation that hath risen from hatred the wrath that hath risen from emulation and the wrath of God which hath arisen from these and other works of the flesh spoken of Gal. 5. 19 20. 24. The twentyfourth sin of London is murmuring and that not only in want and under losses and crosses but also in fulness and plenty Many Farmers in the Countrey have murmured at the plenty and cheapness of Corn many tradesmen in the City have murmured at the plenty of the commodities which they have dealt in because however such plenty is a publick and unspeakable mercy yet they have had the less private advantage which hath been chiefly regarded by them Yea some in their murmuring have wished for a Plague that the survivers might have the better trade And I have heard that a Fire also hath been wisht for to take off the plenty of such commodities that the remainder might bear the higher rate Is it a wonder then if God have sent Plague and Fire which some have called for by such murmuring speeches The Israelites in the Wilderness were plagued for their murmuring and the murmuring company of Corah that were not swallowed up with him were consumed by a fire from Heaven 25. The twenty fifth and last sin of London which I shall speak of is Carnal security another of Sodoms sins It is said of the Sodomites Luk. 17. 28 29. In the days of Lot they did eat they drank they bought they sold they planted they builded But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from Heaven and destroyed them all When London had provoked God so highly by so many sins yet how secure were they before his judgements broke forth upon them they eat and drank they bought and sold c. They sate at ease and put far from them the evil day as Amos 6. they were still and at rest little expecting such changes as have come upon them and taking little care to prevent them they were secure and trusted in arms of flesh broken reeds which have alwayes failed And I might add here as a cause of the security of some the presumptuous confidences of future events which belong only to God to foreknow which some have taken upon them so absolutely to determine as if they had looked into the book of Gods decrees or had an infallible revelation from him of what should come to pass O the good dayes that some have looked for upon the presumption of what they had no ground for Great expectations many had of the Fall of Antichrist and Babylon in the year 1666. and other events limiting times which God hath not clearly revealed which is an entrenching upon Gods prerogative and I believe a greater provocation than such persons are aware of This may be one reason why London is fallen instead of Babylon in this year of such expectation and presumption By this time it may be the Reader may be wearied with reading as I am with thinking and writing of Londons sins But how hath the Lord been wearied with the bearing of them how hath he been pressed with the weight of them as a Cart is pressed that is full of Sheaves Amos 2. 13. If when you have read of Londons judgements withall you consider Londons provocations you must needs acknowledge that God is righteous in that he hath punished London no more than they have deserved for these sins 2. GOds Righteousness will further appear if we consider that he hath punished London less than her iniquities deserved 1. God might have punished London deservedly with more dreadful judgements here and that both in the same and another kind 1. God might have deservedly punished London worse in the same kind 1. In the judgement of the Plague It was a dreadful Plague indeed but God could have made it more dreadful where he shot one arrow he might have shot an hundred he visited many families he might have visited every family and swept every house with the beesome of destruction Though so many fell yet I believe that five parts in six of the inhabitants of London were preserved God might have taken away the five parts and have left but one alive yea it might have been said of London as it was of Israel Amos 5. 2 3. The Virgin of Israel is fallen she shall rise no more the City that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred God might have made every hundred that dyed by the Plague a thousand he might have sent out his arrows after all the inhabitants of London that were gone into the Countrey and smitten them wheresoever he found them or he might have met with them upon their return home and given commission to Death to lay hold on them assoon as they entred into their doors He might have depopulated the City of London by the Plague so that every house should have had dead Corpses lying and none to bury them He might have made our Plague wonderful fearful and of long continuance We that have survived so great a mortality have reason to say that deservedly it might have been greater that we deserved as much or more to fall for our more heinous sins than thousands that are gone down into the pitt surely it is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed he was merciful in sparing of us he would have
dreadful fire Awake sinners when will you awake how often how long how loud shall God call upon you before you will arise Eph. 5. 14. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Iesus Christ shall give thee life A little sleep a little slumber a little folding of the hands to rest What! can you sleep any longer now Was not this your tone long ago when you were under the calls of the Word and is it the same under the Rod too What will awaken you or when do you think you shall be awakened if still you lye down in the Bed of security and love to slumber upon the lap of pleasure and after a little startle sleep faster than before Ministers have preached and you have slept under their Sermons but when God hath preached methinks you should awake When Paul preached to Felix a Sermon of Judgement Felix trembled God hath preached One nay Two Sermons of Judgement and that more feelingly than Paul could methinks you should awake and not drop asleep so soon because God gives you a little respite to learn his Sermon before he preach the third Sermon which may be your last and ruining Sermon If you do not awake by the sound of his Judgements before you you shall awake by the sense of his Judgements upon you If the Plague and Fire of London do not awaken you you shall be awakened by the plagues and fire of Hell which you shall see and feel but not be able to flee from as here you might do if presently awakened God calls upon sleepy Sinners to awake and God calls upon drowsie Saints to awake and was there not great need were not the Ionahs gone down into the sides of the Ship and lying on Pillows Were not the wise Virgins turning foolish sleeping with the rest untrimm'd and undress'd Had there not of late a strange torpour and benummedness seized upon the spirits of Gods own people Was not the ancient vigour and activity which once they had in the ways and Worship of God much abated and decayed before these Judgements came upon London Awake then ye drowsie Saints awake put on your Garments which you have laid aside to the discovery of your Nakedness shake your selves from the dust which hath covered and sullied your faces and loosen the bands of sleep God hath been thundring your Father hath been angry and displeased with you as well as with others Your God hath spoken in his Jealousie and he hath spoken in his fury he hath spoken with a loud voice in righteousness and in Judgement Awake ye Children your Father is stirring and knocking and calling yea he hath entred your Chamber and smitten you on this side and that and yet will you not arise He hath been crying in your Ears now he is looking and harkening whether you will cry in His and what you will say and do for the prevention of the ruine of England which he seems to be threatning It is high time to awake out of sleep for now is the utter destruction of the City and Nation neerer it may be than you believe or imagine Awake then put off your Cloaths of night and darkness in which you have been sleeping and put on your Garments of light Cloath your selves with humility and begirt you with all your graces and get you to Gods knee hang about his arm put your selves in the breach It may be the Lord may think upon us that we perish not 2. The Lord doth now after his speaking by terrible things expect that London should stand in awe of him Gods Judgements made this Impression upon David Psal. 119. 120. My flesh trembleth for fear of Thee and I am afraid of thy judgements And see how the Prophet Habakkuk behaved himself when God spake with a terrible Voice chap. 3. 2 c. O Lord I have heard thy speech and was afraid when God came down from Teman the Holy One from Mount Paran Selah when the Pestilence went before him and burning Coals went forth at his feet when the Nations were drove asunder the everlasting Mountains were scattered and the perpetual hills did bow when the Tents of Cushan were in affliction and the Curtains of the land of Midian did tremble when God did ride upon Horses and his Bow was made quite naked when the Sun and Moon did stand still in their habitations at the light of his arrows that went forth at the shining of his glittering Spear when God did march through the land in his indignation and walk through the Sea with his horses and did wound the head out of the house of the wicked and did strike through habitations with his staves at this the Prophet is afraid his Belly trembled his lips quivered at the voice rottenness entred into his bones c. And when God hath come down from Heaven the Holy One from Mount Sion Selah When the Pestilence hath gone before him and burning Coals at his feet when the Lord drove London asunder scattered the Inhabitants and made the stately buildings to bow and fall whose rearing up none can remember when the Tents of London have been in affliction and the Curtains of the City have trembled when Death hath been riding upon Horses and his Bow hath been made quite naked when the Heavens have been astonished at Gods Judgements and the Sun and Moon have hid their heads in their Habitations at the shining of his glittering Spear When the Lord hath marched through the City in his indignation hath wounded the heads of so many wicked with his arrows and struck through so many Habitations with his staves Oh how should London tremble and quiver and stand in awe of this glorious Majesty at the voice of these terrible Judgements Read and apply what the Lord speaketh by the Prophet Isaias Chap. 33. 13 14. Hear ye that are far off what I have done and ye that are neer acknowledge my might The sinners of Sion are afraid fearfulness hath surprized the hypocrites who among us shall dwell with devouring fire who among us shall inhabit everlasting burnings v. 18. Thine heart shall meditate terrour where is the Scribe where is the receiver where is he that counted the Towers Methinks the sinners now in London should be afraid and fearfulness should surprize the Hypocrites when God hath sent so many of their number into the Everlasting burnings of Hell by the Plague and by such a devouring Fire hath consumed so many Habitations Tremble ye Sinners at this and be ye horribly afraid all ye workers of iniquity God hath come down with a shout the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet He hath taken his weapons in his hand and hath appeared in London as a furious Enemy should not this make the sinners in the City to quake and strike a dread upon the spirits of the rebellious When the Lord hath spoken thus and done thus because of our sins should not London yea all England hear and fear
in it and see how many spots it will discover which you never before did perceive not beauty spots but spots of deformity Plague-spots Death-marks Hell-tokens such as will bring upon you inevitable misery unless they be wiped off Take the Rule of the Word and measure your actions by it and you may quickly perceive how much they have fallen short how crooked they have been Rectum est index sui obliqui compare your actions with the straight rule of Gods Law and you may find out many irregularities If you do not find out your sins your sins will find you out and Gods judgements will find you out and if you be found out in your sins woe be to you O the horrour which will be upon your consciences when ruining judgements are inflicted upon you particularly and you cannot escape when Death looks you in the face and comes with the sting of sin in its mouth to devour you But O the horrour you will be under hereafter if you be taken away in your sins when your souls shall be summoned immediately after their separation unto the barr of God where you will be searched and tryed and condemned to everlasting torment by an inevitable and irreversible sentence of the Judge himself O therefore hearken to the voice of God in these temporal judgements on the City after which you still remain alive through infinite patience which calls upon you to search and try your wayes that you may escape more fearful judgements which may be preparing for you labour to find out your sins which are the cause of all judgements temporal and eternal and to help you in your search after sin read the Catalogue I have given you of Londons sins and examine your selves thereby be very serious and thorow and impartial in this search sequester your selves often from all company ease your mind of the load of worldly business leave the carriages at the bottom of the hill strive against temptations and indispositions to the work set your selves in the Presence of the Heart-searching God beg the help of his spirit to discover to you what hath displeased and provoked him search after sin as offensive to God and as destructive to your selves as your worst enemy as the cause of Plague and Fire in London and as that which will bring the Plagues and Fire of Hell upon you if it be not found out and subdued 4. God doth expect that London should acknowledge their sins unto him When the Prophet had directed the people to search and try their wayes after the execution of such Judgements upon them Lam. 3. 40. see the following direction v. 41 42. Let us lift our hearts with our hands unto God in the Heavens we have trangressed and have rebelled c. thus the Prophet doth confess the sins of Ierusalem Chap. 1. 8 9. Ierusalem hath greatly sinned therefore she is removed Her filthiness is in her skirts she remembred not her last end therefore she came down wonderfully and thus the Daughter of Zion as she bewaileth her affliction so she acknowledgeth her transgression v. 17 18 20. Zion spreadeth forth her hands and there is none to comfort her The Lord is righteous for I have rebelled against his commandment Behold O Lord for I am in distress my bowels are troubled mine heart is turned within me for I have grievously rebelled Thus Daniel after dreadful judgements maketh confession of the sins of the people of Israel chap. 9. 4 5 6. I prayed unto the Lord and made my confession and said O Lord the great and Dreadful God we have sinned and committed iniquity and have done wickedly and have rebelled even by departing from thy precepts and thy judgements neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the Prophets which spake in thy name to our Kings our Princes and our Fathers and to all the people of the land and v. 11 12. Yea all Israel have transgressed thy law by departing that they might not obey thy voice therefore the curse is poured upon us and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God because we have sinned against him And he hath confirmed his word which he spake against us and against our judges that judged us by bringing upon us a great evil for under the whole Heaven hath it not been done as it hath been done upon Jerusalem God doth expect that London should find out their sins and having found them that they should make confession of them O that the Prophane and ungodly generation in London whose sins have been enumerated in the Catalogue would be perswaded to get alone by themselves and consider their evil wayes and what the consequents of their sins have been in bringing down temporal Judgements what the consequence of their sins is like to be even the bringing upon them eternal Judgements and that they would fall down and prostrate themselves at Gods foot and covering their cheeks with shame and blushing because of their filthiness and foul sins under the view of so holy an eye that they would acknowledge their transgressions unto him not only in general but also particularly with their heinous aggravations O that with an inward deep sense with a bleeding broken heart they would fill their mouths with confessions that they would take to themselves words and say We have rebelled against thee O Lord and done wickedly and grievously offended thee so foolish have we been and ignorant of thee we have been worse than beasts before thee the Oxe acknowledgeth his owner and the Ass his master but though we are thy creatures and live upon thy bounty and are daily at thy finding yet we have not acknowledged thee and have had less consideration than those creatures who have had no reason we have been a sinful people laden with iniquity a seed of evil doers children that have been corrupters who have forsaken thee and by our wickedness provoked thee to anger We have been stubborn and disobedient serving thine enemies the devil and our own lusts but have neglected yea refused to serve and worship thee in our families and closets living as if there had been no God in the world We have seldom if ever taken thy Name into our mouths unless it hath been in vain unless in our Oaths and Curses We have prophaned thy Sabboths and defiled thine ordinances and have often been more wicked on the Lords day than any day of the week besides When we were children we disobeyed our Parents but disobeyed thee much more who didest command us to honour them when we were children in years we were grown Men and Women in sin when we were weak in body we were strong in spirit to commit iniquity we learnt the trade of sin before any other and were apt Schollars in the School of the Devil when dull and blockish to learn any thing which was good we were wise to do evil when to do good we had no understanding our iniquities have
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
powder suppose whilest you are breathing forth threatnings against any of Christs Disciples and are in the heat of your rage and furious persecution of them you should hear such a voice as Paul did from Heaven Sinners sinners why persecute you me would it not cool and stop you you may hear this voice if you will open your ear unto the word It is Christ you persecute in his Disciples it is Christ you wound thorow their sides you would do the same to him as the Jews did were he alive amongst you and you had the same power as sometimes was put into their hands against the Lord of life I will not charge London with and therefore need not warn them generally against the sin of persecution of Gods people because they have been a shelter to them when the times have frowned most upon them but are there none have need of this warning are there no Iudas's amongst them none of Pauls spirit before his Conversion Persecutors forbear this sin which makes you as like the Devil as any that I know and locks you fastest in his arms which is the very next door to the sin against the Holy Ghost which will bring upon you swift destruction which will sink you into the lowest parts of the bottomless pit which will lash and sting your Consciences with horrible scourges hereafter if they be not awakened with horrour here turn from this sin before it be too late Imitate Paul and become friends to them against whom you have expressed so much enmity and spight 8. Covetous persons turn from your evil wayes God hath smitten you for the iniquity of your covetousness do not go frowardly on in this sin he hath substracted much of the fuel of this sin and burnt it in the fire let there be a greater decay in your lust of Covetousness than there hath been in any of your estates Covetousness is one of the sins which the Apostle would not have so much as named amongst the Saints Ephes. 5. 3. It is a sin if it reign which is inconsistent with the truth of grace and power of Godliness because it is Idolatry Col. 3. 5. and the Apostle tells us expresly that Covetous persons shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 9. 10. yea that the wrath of God shall come upon them Ephes. 5. 6. Covetous persons turn from your sin get this earthly member mortified get your hearts loosened from those things which you have hitherto made your God and in which you have sought for your chiefest felicity Have you little in the world be contented with the portion which God gives you you have as much as God seeth fit for you Heb. 13. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have Covetousness may not heal your poverty any more than riches can heal your Covetousness Have you much in the world do your riches encrease set not your heart upon them make use of what God hath given you without such pinching and self-deniall which the Lord Jesus never commanded in his precepts of that kind God never gave riches to save but to use take heed of exceeding the bounds in spending and do not spare the moderate use of what you have for fear of future wanting use part of your estates for your selves in what is needful for the body and sutable to your degree and quality lay aside part for your posterity and lay out part in the help of those in necessity for relief of the poor whereby you will lay up for your selves a good foundation for the time to come and at last lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6. 18 19. 9. Vnrighteous persons turn from your evil wayes God hath been righteous in his Judgements because you have been unrighteous in your dealings and as his Judgements are a reproof of your sin so are they a warning to you to leave it Unrighteous gains will yield you little advantage in the issue See what the Apostle Iames speaks of the wealth which men get in such a way Chap. 5. 2 3 4. Your riches are corrupted and your garments Moth-eaten Your Gold and Silver is cankered and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire ye have heaped treasure together for the last dayes Behold the hire of your labourers which have reaped down your fields which is of you kept back by fraud cryeth and the cryes have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabboth The curse of God goeth along with unlawfull unrighteous gains and is like Moth and Rust to corrupt and canker them they bring a fire into the flesh and bones which will eat and torment they pierce men thorow with many sorrows and at their latter end utterly consume them with terrours if their conscience be awakened Unrighteous persons do not heap up such treasures of wealth as by sin they heap up treasures of wrath against the last day the wrongs which they do to others cry with a loud voice to God and the Lord will be the avenger of all such as are defrauded Let them that have been unrighteous then be unrighteous no more you cannot wrong others so much by this sin as you wrong your selves shake your hands of dishonest gains make restitution of what you have defrauded others as you expect salvation non remittitur peccatum nisi restituctur ablatum This is a hard saying to some who have no other wealth but what they have gained in a dishonest and unrighteous way but will it not be harder to suffer the vengeance of Eternal fire for this sin is it not better to impoverish your selves that you may be just and honest whilest you live than to be damned and thrust into a place of torment when you die you must leave what you have if God do not take away what you have by some temporal Calamity before be sure Death will strip you of all and is it not better for you to part with it your selves to the just owners when this is the way to obtain pardon and peace and an Inheritance which is of a thousand fold more value And do not fear but God will make provision for you whilest you abide in the world if you resolve to be honest and put your trust in him who hath the dispose of the Earth and the fulness thereof Be righteous for the future do not swerve a hair from the Rule of Right what you would that others should do unto you do unto them this is a Principle inscribed upon the heart by Nature and this is the Law and the Prophets Matth. 7. 12. 10. Hypocrites turn from your evil wayes Methinks the terrible voice of God should affrighten you under your Hypocritical showes and outside Devotions Methinks you should now bend your hearts to please the Lord and approve your selves chiefly to him who hath expressed so much displeasure against sinners and is most highly
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