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r
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^5
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G O D'S
TERRIBLE VOICE
IN THE
CITY.
Wherein you have
I. The sound of the Voice, in the
History of the Two late Dreadful Judgments
of PLAGUE and FIRE in LONDON.
II. The Interpretation of the Voice in
a Discovery of the Cause and Design of these
Judgments.
The Fifth Edition, corrected.
— _4,
By T. Fincent, sometime Minister of
MaudlinSy Milk-street^ London.
Micah 6. 9. The Voice of the Lord crieik unio
the Cityy and the Man of Wisdom shall see
thy Name: Hear ye the Bod, and who hath
appointed it.
Printed for George Calvert, 1667.
REPRINTED FOR
JAMES NISBET, LOI^IPJ^ Jf fl.
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To all sach of .the City who have seen the
desolations of Ijtmdaa by the late" jndg.
ments of Plague and Fire.
IT imghthane ieemei more smmmMe unto «^e,
tfa fpork of ihk nature had come forih tmio mom
more hnmediUUely after the somul of God^4 terrihie
voice, and execution, at kaet, qf the but dreadful
Judgment qf (lie fire; becauee if a man strikes
mkUe tk^ iron is hot, U is likdy to make the usore
deep impression ; which, when it grawscool, grows
hard and uamoUeaUe; and if the hammer of the
word had been used, when London was newkf come
forth of the furnace, some might think they would
have yielded the more easily unto its strokes, and
the better have received the fashion which this
hammer would work them unto ; and that, since the
fresh and lively remembrance of the judgment is
more worn off; it is to be feared that they are more
cooled and hardened, and therefore in Uhelihood
it will be more difficult to effect a due impression
of the judgments, by the word, upon them : yet,
besides that it was not in my thoughts to attempt
this work, until the greatest part of the winter
was spent; I may further add, that though a
discourse concerning the plague would have been
most seasonable under the judgment itself, when
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
TO THE READER.
people, who were generally taken off^ from their
trading, had room and time for retirement and
amiideratiotit more than ever they had in their
lives before; and .therefore were more likely to
lay to heart what might he spoken or written unto
ihem^ on that subject ; Yet the reason is not the
same in the Judgment of the fire , which (however
startling and astonishing), was so far from giving
them retiring time for consideration, as the former
judgment of the plague had done ; that it did
engage th4m unto more laborious works than ever
they had, not only while London was bumping, in
removing what they could save of their goods
from the fire ; but also since, in looking out new
habitations, and fitting their houses and shops
for trades^ which hath given them occasion for
so much distraction, that I fear they could hardly
settle their minds to read and consider so seriously
as they should, what the Lord hath been doing
with them, and speaking unto them by this
Terrible Voice^ which hath sounded so loud in
their ears; but by this time I hope that the most
have attained to some kiiid of Settlement ; at least,
so much, as to give them leave to sit dotvu and
ponder upon the meaning of God, in these strange
and dreadful judgments of plague and fire in
the city; and therefore this book may be more
seasonable unto the most, than if it had been
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TO THE READER. Vlt
written and presented to them immediate^ after
the Jire had burnt them out of their habitations*
Friends, it is high time for all of you to retire
yourselves, and bethink yourselves, and wisely to
consider God's dealings with you; to open your
ear, and labour to understand these speaking
judgments, lest, if God be provoked by your deaf"
ness and incorrigibleness to speak a third time, it
be in your utter ruin and desolation. If these
papers be any ways helpful to revive in your me-
mories the judgments themselves, by the Historical
Narration which here you have of them, to work
your hearts to some sense of sin in discovery of
the cause; and to persuade you to a ready com-
pliance with Go^s design, in the declaring of
what God now expects from you, after such
dreatful executions; as yours will be the benefit,
so I desire that God may have the whole glory ;
and that you would make this return for my help
of you, to help me with your prayers, that I may
be the more helpful to you in mine, who am
Your dearly affectionate Friend,
and Servant in the Lord,
T.VINCENT. ^
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GOD'S TERRIBLE VOICE
THE CITY.
PsALii Ixv. part of the fifth vertex
' By terrible iking$ in righteouMnea tvilt thou
answer us."
INTRODUCTION.
^Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and
e people not be afraid ? Shall there be eril in
the city, and the Lord hath not done it? The
lion hadi roared, who will not fear? the Lord
God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?*^
Amos ill. 6. 8. When the Pharisees spake to
our Saviour to rebuke his disciples for their loud
praises of the Lord with hosannas. He tells
them, " If they should hold their peace, the
atones would immediately cry out,** Luke xix.
39, 40. And we read in Habakku^c^ ^jlwp. ii. 1 K
X GODS TERRIBLE VOICE
'' Of the ttone crying out of the wall. Rod the
beam out of the timber making answer.** Cer-*
tainly we in London have lately heard the cry
of stones and walls, of timber and beams in their
fall afid[ flajfivBs; 1 xn?#n in the iRtl? drf»dful
fire, which hath laid our Jerusalem in heaps ; or
rather, we have heard the voice of God in this
and other terrible things which have come upon
us : let none then rebuke, if one so unfit, do
make an attempt to 8pe«i)c lopiething of the
meaning of London's fire, or of God's terrible
voice in this and other judgments, when by the
mouth of babes God can declare his will.
SECT^L
*' By terrible things in riglieousness will thou
answer us J*
This whole Psalm breathes forth nothing but
grace and goodness unto the people of Qod,.
ftom the beginning of it,' to the ^nd; yea> ii^
t^ vcr^e of ijay t^xt w^re GiJ^ speal^a qiost
t^iffibly. 9n4 rightepusly i^ th^ judgmepjts. and
de$iru4iqn^if )#hhi? bri^getb upon their enemies,
jet hie is c^lleci ijhe^.Qod of their solvation'; and
tjty>se teNcri|>Ie things by vhich God speaks, ara
not 9nly f^ righteous answer unto theii* enemies'
^ipi^, bvt.alsa^.gr^ciou^ uiswer.unto his people's
myet^ : b^ tej;:fible; things in righteousness wilt
tlvou ajipwjBr ufl,
,, 'Digitized by VjUU^ It:
tM tKS CltY. 8
mtMifted Btmrnt, m th^ b«fell i)ti)y the enetifSet
vrf Qod's peewit, iiiid tile wklMd, wMst fb^
i%ht«Mi9 do escape', lihd it nmy he hereby at^
Imserved ; iNit Aft they may befd! any {leople,
not exolucKn^ God's people, whom the Lord may
mnsvrcr by terriMe things iti WghteottMesa.
Two doctrini^ we mky otMrerye.
Duet. 1. THtft Gtd deih Mhetime$ tpehk nnio
a people by lerrifjie Mngii.
Doet. S» fliai when Gorf dolk speak most ierri^
hfy. He doth answer moH figfUetmdy.
First. Thai God dtilh speak souutitna Un^d
people by ierril}U things.
Here I shall show^
1. How Qod may be said io speah
^. What those terrihk ihingi are hjf which CM
'doth sometimes speak*
3. TTAy God doth Mometimes speak UHto a peopk
by terrihU things ; and then apply,
1. Bow God ma^ he said (o speak.
God, being k Spirit, bath no mouth nor tongue
ilroperly as men have^ \irfao have bodies; and
therefore his way of speaking is not like ours
(though somletihies he hath created A voice in
is articulate a sound, as if it had proceeded fi'om
the mouth of ttian, to declare his will,) but
there are several ways in Which God hath spoken,
and doth speak unto the children of men, by
which he doth as really and eilectually make
known his mind^ as if he qMike with man's
vdiee*
1. God hath spokeli formerly unto men imme-
4 GODS TERRIBLE VOICE
diately^ in extraordinary ways^ and that aome^
times more terribly; as when he gave the lav
upon Mount Sinai^ when the Moimt burned with
fire, and there was blackness, and darkness, and
tempest, thunderings and lightnings, and the
sound of the trumpet exceeding loud, and the
voice of words so exceeding terrible, that it
made the whole camp to tremble; and Moses
himself said, ^* I exceedingly fear and quake/*
Exod. xix. 16; Heb. xii. 18— 21.
This way of God's speaking, the children of
Israel were not able to bear ; therefore they de»
sired that Moses might speak unto them ^ but
that God would not speak unto them thus any
more, lest they should die, Exod. xx. 19.
At other times God spake with, a more still
and gentle voice, and in i more mild way, as
when he spake to Samuel in the night, he
thought at first that it had been the voice of
Eli, 1 Sam. iii. 4, 5. Thus God spake unto
Abraham, unto jacqb, unto Moses, to whom It
is said, ** He spake face to face, as a man speak«
eth to his friend,'' Exod. xxxiii. 11.
God spake also in an extraordinary way to
his prophets of old, when he made known unto
them his counsel, that they might declare it unto
the people ; sometimes he spake unto them with
an audible voice, which he created when no
shape was seen ; sometimes by angels, who ap-
peared in bodies, which they laid down agam
when they had delivered their message; some-
times by dreams and visions in the night ; some-
times by Urim and Thummim ; sometimes . by
ore secret inspirations of the Spirit.
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^m IK, TfiB CltY« 5
In die kM days of Gad*ii extnunrdinary qmfc^
ing, be spake by tbe most extraordinary peribn,
mudelv, by his own most dearly beloved, and
only liegotten Son, Heb. L I, 2 ; irhom he sent
Ottt of bis boaoth to declare hiroielf, John i. 18 ;
arid rereal what he had heard of the Father,
Jdhn xy« 16> who brought IHb ind immorulity
to light by the Gospel^ and made known God'a
piirpoBe and grace in man's salvation; S Tin.
L]9, 10; and uttered audi things a^ were kept
eecret finoni the foundation of ttie world, Matt
ziii; 3$^. The Gospd b^n to b^ spoken of b^
the LorB Jeshs lildis^, and was ceniinued and
confirmed. by bis Atkxrdcs, who ii^ere his wiU
•es^ to wfaotti Gdd aisd did heir >#itaeaB with
Qs, and wonders, and div^ers miracles, add
I of the HMy Ghosts accdirdnig to hia #il],
ebr g. 8> 4i
2. And nd«f, dibiigh nbt do imnediatdlyi and
in ifoch eitfatfrdinaiy ways> yet still God dotk
iqpeak unto iUer children of men. There wx^ two
wa^s o^ GodV s^iaking noW linto mln> namely,
Ida laord andhls le^iljr.
1. Hia ihwi contiHntfd in tbe Scr^rea df
the Old and New TeatitmArt^ which holy ineil
#rote Uthey wert^ifxapit'ed by tbe Hdy Ohost^
t Fet. f. 2K And thua God spesketU either
inftemOly by his word done, car int^naily with
hia wdrd by his Spirit.
1. Goil 8i}teihet& abw unto men externaify by
hii^ ^ord aionr, to' some more silently, unto
whom hc^ gives his Scriptures only to be read,
ahO brings to ifaeir view* his -v^rittea word alone,
;wMfoiit &i adVifntage of other ordinances, wbich
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6 god's TIK&IBLE/VOJCK .
win^ won pcMrarfiiflj dedart iintv^tfamiiiv
Witt.
Unto dlbeni be speaks mom audtUyi wInn
dieGrospel doth 'sound in their ears^ w/id wbh
ih9 SeriptttresGod sendelh bis ministertto ptemik
unto them. -'
God spesketb by his> mbustefs^ wbo em bn
wetdaBtn, m Us'nametaivant the people of b«
Indgenmls tempore! laid etemel, wiiidi in die
Scriptures be hath threatened^ Exdc* ill 17> 1^
ifee.; baiab'lxii. 6» who ave the Loed's am-
bttssador% 2 Cor. ▼• 20; horn whom they have
acommissioirtD preadk the Ge^xd» and dodaie
the gbd tidkigs of sd^atioa ootp aU ttteii as
jrepeni^ and IMoft, and yidd op tibenadvos ttnlo
tba obedienoa of tbtt word*
'Miaisters stand in thoroomof Chriat; tuidit
is well fcMT US Aat Qod speaks onto na fa^ aaina-
sterSf because we should not be able to endnro,
dididd 'ho speak imto «e iiBnodialel|P by Mm-
odf ; 'shonld he speak unto us with an andiyo
.Yoico* as he did to the .chikben of Iscad .on
Mount Sinaiy when he gave the law^iibis worii
be oo terrible, thai wftk ifaem we shonld desire
io hcMT Mo6es»'8nd draoee mtnistera mtbn to
apeak unto us ; yea, if €hx»t Jeans hiosadf shottM
00000 dMm from heaven, however he mighkJiave
^faoon heard in his sCato of hmnlliatkin, when hia
I)eity was so mudi veiled; yet if he diould now
appear in the ^ory he hath wkh the Father,
4Mr as he appealed unto John his beloved dii^
.ciple, when liis*eyes were as a flmne o£ fire^ and
his eottatenanee like the iron when it shined»in
fta fuU^atienglh, and his: voice kke- the
: , Digitized by VjUU^ If
IK THB CITY*
mntfrmntmk : I aqr^if Chiiit tibmM t
and preadi uDto us, such a dread and i
ntttT w<Niid Ml vfon iia, that we <hodd fall
domi'daad' at )m 1^ tm hk dkeiple iofan did^
Umm:i. 19*^17. Therafora it ia batter for ua ia
this state of weakness, that God speakadi to «a
hf nriniaten, men of like passions am infirmitiea
vkkoarartrea, whomwenajbesdblato baar,and
fAom ivorda, natwitlMtaoding' o«r weakiMBB, we
Biay tie M» to hear.
f . Aid doth now also speak unto men inter*
muO^, w!kb hie word by hia Spirft, when God
sends hii %irit with hts word, Ibr oonvietion oniy»
or abnea eomnon work: thus God calls open the
winkedv whe^ait ander the pteaching of the wstd,
moves and strives with theoi foj Ma Sporit^ bnt
Ibay tresist die Spnit, slide eonvioiiom» and will
BofciMMrlBsn t» hia adb and nMtnna, Gen. v& 5 ;
'•" fot espedalty God speaka with hia weed hjr
hie Spiriti when he sendeth Ins %irit Ur ee»*
Teraien, and to^feet a aairing ehenfe: thue God
apedks iriien he calMi blind aiuMra o«t of
dMrUaeia into his marvdlena light, 1 Fet« ii. 9;
qnickeatttlr dead ainnera, ptHting ineo them a
new- principle of spiritual liie, £phaa. ii« 1 ;
reaeo^ etndaved miners oot of Satm'a snare;
9Tim^ n. e6; deltveiing them ftonr the power
of the devil, and tfanslatii^ them into thr king-
deea of Ids dear Son, €oL i* 13; when by his
Spirit fardmweth sinners^ John vi« 44 ; and joina
tlHHn''iintx> Jesus Christy 1 Cor. vL 17; God
q)ettlsech nnto men with his word by luaSpffit,
%]isii:<iK doth thne effis^oi^ly eidl them; and
Digitized by VjUU^ If
9 GOD S TEJIRULE VOICE
he speaketh unto men also by hfs Spirit^ when
he gradously visiteth them which are calledi
when he teaeheth, naeheth^ warmeth, quickeneth^
strengtheneth^ and rdfreshfeth them by his Spirit^
as they sit under the inflaenee of his ordinances,
when he speaketh peace unto their consciences^
sheweth them his recohbfled face, shedding
abroad his lore in theh' hearts, and gfveth such
sweet comforts, and ravishing joy as is nnspeak^*
able, and full of glory, John vi. 45; John xiv. 2(i j
Luke xxiv. 52; Psal* exliii. 11 ; Bphes. lii. l6;
Actk iii. )9; Psahn Ixxxv. S; Rom« v. 5; Psklm
xdv. 19 ; 1 Pet. i. d.
2. God speaketh unto men by his ttorh; and
that either by his work« of creation^ or Jby his
works of providence.
1. God speaketh by his works ofofeaiionf: and
havens have a voice, and dedate God^s glotyi
Psalm xix. 1 ; and the earth hath n6t only ah
e«r to ear, Isa. U ft I but alsb a tongue, as it
were, to apeak God^s praise. We read of A4
seas roaring, and the floods clapping fheir hands ;
of fhe mounUiins sinking, and the trees of the
wood sounding fbrth their joyful aeclamatidns ;
yeai beasts and all cattle, creeping things^ and
flying fowl, dragons and all deeps; firej bati/
snow, rain, and stormy wind, as they ful^ his
word, so diey speak, and in their Way declare
what their Maker is; or rather in tUem, and Dy
them God doth speaky and make kno^n somc^'
thing of hiniself, Psal. cxlviit. 7^ 8^ 10, Ste.
We read of the voice of the Lofd hi powe^;
the voice of the Lord ill Migesty, the Voice of
the Lord upon the, waters, the iroide of tUe Lord
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IK THE CITY. 9
dmding the flames of fire, the voice of the Lord
shaking the wilderness of Ksdesh, breaking the
cedars of Lebanon, and the like, which is the
voice of the Lord in the terrible nmse of thunder^
PsaL xxix. S — 8.
And there is no one work of the Lord (dioiigh
not with such a noise) whidi doth not with a
loud voice, as it were, in the name of the Lord,
proclaim onto Uie children of men how great
and glorious the Lord is, who hath given it its
being, and use, and place in the world ; espe-
dally the work of God in the make of Man, his
body, the memb^v and senses; his soul (its
powera and Acuities) doth wiUioul a tongue
speak the praise of that God who corioosly
framed the body in the womb, and immediately
infused the living soul, Psal. cxxxiz. 14, 15;
Zech. xiL 1.
2. God speaketh by his works of promdence,
and that both merciful and afflictive.
1. God speaketh by his mereifid providences ;
by his patience, and bounty, and goodness. He
calleth men unto repentance, Rom. iL 4. He
giveth witness of himself^ in giving rain and
fruitful seasons, Acts xi v. ] 7.
God's providing mercies, God's preventing
mercies, God's preserving mercies, God's deliver*
ing mercies ; the number of God's mercies which
cannot be reckoned; the order and strange
method of God's mercies, which cannot be de*
dared ; the greatness of God's mercies in the
kinds and strange circumstances which cannot
be expressed^ do all with open mouth call upon
men from the Lord to repent oC their sins whidi
10 god's TlftRlUlE tOICE
ihey hsVe covmnitted against hltn, and to yMi
ttll We, thankfulness, and obedience nnto faikh;
S. God siifeakc^li by lAr afflictive frovidehde^:
there 18 k voice of God in hiis rod, as iveW as in
his word, Mic. vi. 9. " Hear the rdd, atfd whd
bath appointed it ;'* t^hen God «'cha^eneth» he
leachetb," Ptehn xciv. 12. Wheh God llfteth
Up his hand, and -strikes, he openeth his rti6oth
also, and speaks ; and sometimi^s openeth men*)!
ears too, and sealeth their instraction^ Job
xxxiii. 16.
Sometiilies God speaks by rods more mildly,
by lesser dSlictions; sometimes Ood speaks by
teorphnt riiore terribly, by greater jadgtnettts:
whieh leads to the second pardeular.
SECT. IT.
Wlua are those terriBk things hf tohiek God
doth sometkkes speakf
The word in the original is Nwaoth (iVom Jtm
which signifieth, he feared ;) terrible thiiigft art
aiich great judgments of God, as do nsaally mlike
a gener^ impression of fear upon the hearts of
people.
Take some instances*
1 . The fjktgHB is a terrible judgmerit hy iihiek
Ood speaks unto men. It is a apeakitig jndg'^
insnt ; where God sends the pla^oe, he spMkit,
and he ^eaks terribly ( the plagae k «ftry terri-
ble, as It effecteth terrors^^gtJiei^stilence which
IN TUS. C<TT« 11
wtU^e^ in di^k0e89» ia called die "tencr hp
mghu Fsakfii xci. 5, 6.
. The pkgae i« very terrible, in thaty
}• It is 80 poisfinous a diaeaae; it poiaona tbe
blopd.i^rHi apirit9» bireeda a straoge kiaui of venom
ip tim bo4y> wbkh. breaketh fotb awnrrirow in
bQilmand Um^ and greet earbunelea; or else
vorjka mere 4ajQgerouaty> wJben il prei^ib upon
tb0 xitel;i msm iowardly.
9. It. ift «o i^fiiome e diaeaae; it tuma the
good bumWa ioto putrefiiction* which putting
forlli UmV. in. the ifpuea oC mnning aorei^ deth
give a most noisome smell: auch. a diaaano for
loaA^ooaf^ii^as.we^veadof* Paahnuxyiaa. £• 7» 11*
^' My wonndi, eilefc and ere eonrnpty my loine
are fiJIed with a loathaome disease, and there ia
no aoundneas in my fleah: my lovera and my
frienda atand aloof off from my aove, and my
kinwMn atand afar oft"
3» It if. so inftcUms a disease: it spreadeth*
iliaelf ifofie than, the lepre^ emeogat the Jews;
it infecteth not^mly tfaoie.wbiah are veak, and
ipfirm. in body, and full of ill humoura^ but alan
l^bnie ji^aDs .young* tlrnng* heillbfiU, end of.
Ui<^be4:ti»iiparatnre: aadlhaliSoeselinieeaeoDar
^<m;.otJbei:a« Tbe plague ia. iniSoetionat and
greatly;^ i^feetiona* whele dtiea ,heve been depo-
pulated through its spreading, mMiy whole lann-*
lies have Deceived infection^ and death one finont
afM^r thecahy: whifbis the thud thii^ that
repdereth the plague so terrible* . •
4;*.\Iti9SQ deadly: it kills . where, it ce
iK&t^f ut^QB^ei^y ^.it kiUe (I he^ almesl;. aaifl
■■ , • Digitized by OUU^IC
12 qod'm yu&ible voice
tmoAj;) rerj 4m c^mci^,^ e^Mcidlly ttpw in
6nlt eotanoicef and before ito ma]%iiity be spemt;
few are toudied by it, bnt diey are killed by it:
and it kills ^uidatfy; ^is it giv«s bo warning
befoi^itcoBies; aaddeolytbeanwwia^citwhi^
woundeth unto the beart ; so it gives little time of
preparation bafer* it brings to fibe grave : iicdar
other diseases mea may Unger out many wesfca
and months ; under some divers yaan ; but die
plague usually ksHethwitbia a liimr days; aoae«
times^ within a few bcHirs after its iirM; appvoaah^
Amagh the boOywere never so strong and free
fromdisiBase befoee. >
The plagne is very terrible; ii is terfl»lefM» tfaem
diat lurveit; iaaomodi wb itasnally comes with
grim Death^.tbe king of tenors, in its hand*;
and it is terrttxle to them wbidi haw it'«o^
beeause of ^tbeir - dangce of being inibcted hj^ it ;
the fear of which have made sadi an inpiessioR
upon some, thatst faatb rased out of their hearts^
for the wli^, afi aiectioBs of love and 'psty to
their neasest^relatioM vumI deaiest friendsii a»
tint when the disease bathfirstseized upon tbeni>
and 'they have had the gireatest need of«> — e eotw ^
they.have left- their friends in (distress^' and ^flown
away from them, as if they had been their e nam iefc
2. j| dduge'k^ mater u^ a ternUe yjudgmemiit
There baw been several floods whioh we read
of in hhlorieay that have suddenly bneken'in
vfim aome places, and ovetvhelmedhabitalians'
and inhabitants logetheiv
But God never did, and never willispeakao
terribly by a deluge. of water, aabj ^« gs^>«^
Digitized by VjUU^ If
Mn^-kk^^em'Jkfs «^NMh, wImi the
«illMiMrttr^w«foi»8^ I Adi fit it MfaM
yooreyei^mtof Gen. vii. from the 11th ywm«»
ttewd «f 4iM} «lunt6r« ^ In tlia «lh ImumInMi
ywr •f MiNih'0 i)Hb» in Hie
tint ggwe uumitL • dity 4if Ae i
daffweweUtiw: fewrtMnn of the
toiuid ^Kt to ithe gnat fon^eo tint tkei
covered the earth as they did at the hepnni^^t
*tqBiil«tie mmdtm% of heaven iveie opened/ out
of 'ipfaidii'God;.h»eiL0d &rth.w eager vpon the
Midiy and pouradibrlh a "^ vial of hie wrath/?
caoehig k to min '£(utf days and faty nighia
in«lrei^kftd afaowers, aceooBpiBnedy ee is pfehable»
witii'etomiy wiilde, andiudeaos tempeets, .vhkh
patiitfiewBHdineeaftightandeaBBScnienft; when
Idle lAtmeRt of air o ee med to be changed into
wttter^ «ad nich a torrent£owed in upoA them on
eveiy Ade^ w» may gueet whatfear theyweee
oveewMnied w«lhal9 bnt Noah and hiafinaly
Xinto tiM arfc^ and die Loid <' abet them
iiry M if kiH the wnlers kvcreaied^ and here op the
aiii^amd>ut'wei'lift'up above tlie eavth> and the
waters *fnoM*aed, and))fevaikd ^greatly npon the
earthy end the ark went upon the face of: the
wfltere^vo^fthat all the* high hilla and monntaine
were covered fifteen cubiti: then all fleehdied^
Umli aipd'ORttle, and heast^ and every Uiing diat
eeeepedor moml oft.:threa«lfa| and every. man;
and Noah only remained alive, and they that
14 OODV Ti»aiI3t£. FOICE
yfiik hiob in A0 uk." God t^tkft tben
iBnibljr indeed wiD die widfad w^fli by the
flood) iniiidi devwiffd tlMm ,alt»gislh in ibe
imdiit o£ tkftir «eminlf and mb ; bttt God bath
~i Imrvnli neirer qp^ak Ihifii, by- .water aay
jRiiiv M <nalter:l0TJUe lAfh^ ivAerciff God
\kmi( ta j i haari i» ootUeni with a mfdpeo"
fki ¥hm ia verifrrdraadfidl irheoi it/ hath a^^iammiif
■m^fi^em Qod, aiid'.»Hcft'vritb>>Dtadiaaaibi9^-
bia iaBtlflr» and prniailawitboatYafisttiQce* God
wpidwieanb}tyby .§u9immttkSsii GoiQoiqratb
when he xlHiied £ra «nd brfan^tona an tbose iMf^
and coBMiiajed.theab Site Cren. xia. fraao^ the
Mth Taneto Iba Sfitb. ** TM L<«rd rained £fe
and brimatona out of hearoi^ and a¥evtbraw. lbo«e
aitiea and the inbabilanta togelber; and when
Afamfaam looked tmraid Sadwn .and Gmi^onabt
and iheJand aS tha f^mf he aaw tha amoka of
tfaa eiHmtiy gaiuplfkathe smakeaf a faisaoa,"
God apaka tarribly, tben^hi nol ao/tamb^« 4e
JUarosaieaiy when ha fiafianed. their city to be act
ottifire by the Baby kmiana^aBd their tenij^e toba
btnmttathagronad. SaaJee^lii. 3S, i$. .-.
Bat the mart fearful imtannaa of God'&Jtereihk
aoioebyfimara yettaeameftihtta'God wiUtifieak
by fire, unto apintuid Babylon, which may easily
be proved to be I^ma, from Rav. xvii4 lf« She
then b^ig tbe^rcateit^jr, whiab reigoad^yer tba
kinga of the earth. . Baby kin's burning with fire
you may read. Bar. xviii. 8-i-«10, &c^ " Thar^
£aca i^idl bar ]^^^ea come m one, ^$^^ death
and moarning, and faraina, and ahe ahall be
iitttrly burnt witih §ge ; teatiang ia theliprd God
IN tim dTT. . 1$
wiMjttdgethlier: «ndl«hekiiigt ofdieenthiriM
hk^e tfonmiitled iUvfealiatt, amK Ihwd delicimit^
with her, ^hall be«rml btr, and Inniwit for hm,
when thi^ shall see the aiDolie of ber bttrmiig ;
itandlng «fer o# ibr -fter of btr tofnwnt, n^iagv
Alas, that great city Babylon ! that mighty tkft
ior 4n one hour ia thy jik^nKntoanc^" See.
God siiake terrMy by ire when Loadon waa
ifl flanaaes, of whkh in the afipKeation ; but be witt
sjfeak far man terribly wben Babyion sbatt be in
ftsiAes ; and not only in part, but • wbol^> aad
trtterly, and irfeparahly butnly and tnnied into
ashes: when not only Ao city shall be co»>
aomeit, but also the Whoee heraetf ''shall be
bsfted aktd maide desolate, and deaoaeed with icn
by tho kings of the earth/' Rev. xvii. 10*
The last instanee of God's speaking teniUy by
fifO will be Hie ioH i/oy, wheii the Lord Jesaa
drrist, the jod|^ of 4fmsk and dead» shall oonw
down fi^em heaven in iaming'firet to take vet>»
geoMce oil an tlM^se* that knaw net God, and
obey n6t tfhe Oospel,^ t Tlieas. L 7, 8. And the
Apostle Peter tells us, that '^tbe beavensand
the earth are reserved in aCore for fire agamat this
daiy; wfae«t the heavens shall paaa away with a
great noise, end the ehaneats melt with ferveat
belit, and the earth' and all the works therein shall
be burnt up/' 2 Pot. iii. 7-— 10. Then God wfll
l^enk telriblj by lire, and above all, most terribly
16 the fifngodly workl; when he will sentonee
tfiefn unto, anid cast them into the fire of hell,
where they must' dwell with devouring fire, and
inhabit ev^rlattdng burnings*
41 Tke mord u a ^teadfid Judgment, wksreby
16 GOD*S TERRIBLE VOICE
Gbd speaks sometimes ^ery ierribfy: espedalfy
when he draws it forth against his owit and his
people's enemies. Hear how terribly God speaks
in Deut. xxtii. 39-^-4^. *' See now that I, even
I, am he, and there is no God with me; I kill
and I make aKve ; 'I woand, and I heal ; neitfaier
is there any that can deliver out of my hand:
For I lift tip my hand to heaven, and aay/ I
live for ever. If I whet my glittering swovd, and
my hand take hold on juf^ment, I will render
vengeance to mine enenues, and reward them tlMt
hate me : I will make mine arrows dmnk with
blood (and my sword shall devour flesh)- end that
with the blood of the sidn, and of the captives,
from the beginning of revenges upon the ene^
mies/'
Wfaen-pod ftirbiihedi his swerd^, and wh^sft ;
when God girdisth his sword upon ki&thigh^ and
marcheth against his enemies ; when he dmweth
his sword, and maketii slaughter with itf$ when
his sword devoureth much flesh, and is made
drunk with the blood of the slain ; when Ood
^ves commission to the sword, ssying, ** Sword,
go through such a land;" as Esek. xiv. 17.
And ** pours out his fbry on the land ia blood ;**
as verse 19. So that the sword is bethed in
blood, and garments' are rolled in bldod, and the
land is soaked in blood ; when blood is poured
forth like water, and dead bodies are cast Ibrth
into the open field without burial; and GofX
makes an invitation to all (bathered fowl «o
gather themselves together, and feast themselves
upon the carcases of the slain ; as Esek. -luuiix*
1 7—20. When God comes niihtLdied garments
IK lUM, CITT. 17
Ami BmhA,'' b^IxiiL I. '« Wbcn he gathcrelb
the nations, and brings tbem into the valley of
J«h^bapha|» and thither causeth hi« mighty ones
to come down againit them/' Joel iii. 2. 11.
When the day of Ood'a imiignation doth come,
mad he makes sncfa a slaughter amongst his ene-
miea, that the '* earth doth stink wiSi their car*
casesy and the mountains do melt with their
ll)#od," Isa, xxxiv.ft, S. When God '* treadeth
the wine-press of his wrath without the city, and
<illii» hkied-ooneaoutof the wine-press« even to the
bovtes" bridles^'' Rev. ziv. ^0. In a word, when
dps Laed shaU come forth upon his white ** horse"
laixh bis armies | and shall destroy the beast, and
all the powers of the earth that take part' with
him ; as Pev, six* from the llth vene to the end:
tlien €Uxl will speak terribhr indeed againsl his
enemies by the sword, then he will '* roar out of
Zioi^ and utter his voice from Jeruialem,'' and
that in such a manner, as will '' make both the
beavens and the earth to tremble," Joel iii. l6^'
And Indeed God speaks with a terrible voioe,
wherever he sends the sword, and makes the
alarm of war lo be heard ; as sometimes he sends
it! amongst bis own people for their sin, 1 Kings
viii. 3^*
When God brings into a land a people ef
another langunge aiKl religion, of a fierce oounte*
nattcean4 cruel disposition; and gives them
power to prevail, and bring the land under their
feeftf'SO that the mighty men are cut off by them,
and-Ae men of vidour crushed in the gate; the
yonag men fly and fall before them, and there is
) tomke any msistancei wh^fjie^^e^ in
18 god's TERRIiaB VOICE
upon dties, plunder boujBes, raviah . weaM» .^nd
inaids^ strip and spoil, and put «U U> the awoed»
the young with, the grey hei^d, fmrveUy/ ri(ft 4ip
women with child^ and without any pity ooJitfcliit
infants, dash them i^ainst .the 9tonet. . Gad
speaks more terribly, by such &j«itigiiiiiiit, tkoa bf
plague or fire. t
5. The/amine is 4i dreadful Judgmetii, wheKeb^
God speaks samelimes unto a people very Jerr**^
hbf; when God ,'* «tretche$h. upoa a.pface the
lines of confusion^ and the stones of emptiii^ss,'^
asi Isa. xxxiy. 11. . When God seodeth . detaoflss
of teeth into cities^ as Amosiv,.?. WhMft.Ood
shooteth into a land the. evil arrows . of Amine*
and it becomes exoeediog sose; ithis is onetef -the
most dreadful of all judgisieotsinthiB world*— -
far beyond plsjgue, or fire, or sword. S«e faonr
pathetically the famine amongst the Jews: is .de*
scribed^by Jeremiah in his LamentatioDs» chap. iv«
from the 4th verse to the 12tb. '' The tongne
of the sucking phild deavc^r to the roof ef iiia
mouth for thirst; the. young chiUren ask ior
bread, and no man breaketh it unto tbem- Tht^
that fed delicately are, desoiate in the straels.
They thi^ were brought up ia scailei embmoe
dunghills. For the punishment of the iniqui^
of the daughter of my people is gisater than the
punishment of the sin ot* Sodom,, that wafteiec"
thrown in a moment^ and no. bands stayed ton IkOL
Her Nazarites were purer than snow ; whiter tfaaa
milk ; they were more ruddy in body than ffubkii;
their polishing was of sapphire; their via^gria
blacker than a coal; they are Aot known injthe
streeU; their.skia<;Uavddi to. their bones; il is
Digitized by VjC.JU^ It:
IS THE- CITY. Iff
wftherod^it Ss beeMie lifc^ a stidc. They that be
slaMfr with the vironi, are better than they which
b^alain withhimger ; for these pine away stricken
through £ot want of the frutto of the earth. The
bands of the pitiful women have sodden their own
chiidMiK they wet e their meat in the destruction
of the daughter of my people. The Lord hath
aeooaipysb^ his fury, he hath poured out hia
fierosi aoger."
■6* The sixtk t&ribk judgment u a famine ef
the Wm^mhich. \b threatened, Amos yiii 11, 12.
" Behold* the days eome, saith the Lord, that I
wdlli aeml a famine in the land ; not a famine of
bread, nor a thirst for water, but (»f hearing the
worda«f the Lord: and they shall wander from
sea to- sea, and from the north even to the east,
and^they shall run to and iro to seek the word of
the Loud, and shall not find it.**
A famine of the Word is a worse judgment
than Ji famine of bread! Indeed few do really
think so, because the most judge according to
sense; but that it is so, is evident to a man of
faith' and consideration : for as the soul Is more '
exeellebit than the body; and the concernments
of the other Hfe, far beyond the concernments of
this .life : 801 the provisiona finr the aonl are morti
exoellent than the provisions for the borly, and
thoLineaaa of getting eternal life, to be preferred
beficve the nwaos of preserving temporal lif^; and
thorcftnre by consequence the death and scarcity
of.paoiviflioBa for the soul, must needs be a greater
judgveat dian a aearcity of provisions for the
bo^ . t Unlw whteh I might add, that the famine
of tbm .Wind dotb usually bring Krjg^^l many
20 god's TBRaiB£E VOICE
teinporal judgmtntt; the beming of Iht tam^t
at Jepusalenoy und the failiiig of vuum wm acomi**
paniecl with skughtar by the swofd^ and taplMtf
of the land.
7. And lastly, God wptmki nmt Hrnhly-umt^a
fmofk when he tendt dmen of then judgmeaU
iCKfeiher, as Lam. i. 80% '' Abroad the awcMd b»'
naavelh, at home there is death ;*' ivheo caeimea
without, plague and famine within* Qod ^Moka
terriblj, wfc^n fire and sword go tc^etber, or
sword and iaminey or fimrine and pleg«e^ of
femlne of bread/ aad finmne of the Word.
These are some of the terrible thiiigs by which
(jod doth sometimea q^eak.
SECT. III.
Why is it that the Lord doth speak unto a people
by such terrible things ?
Tm reason is^ because fieopla do not heerkea
unto him, speaking any other way. " Gods|ieaki*
eth once, yea, twioe» bot men peroaive it not,"
Job xxidii. 14. God's gentle voice is not heaid
or minded, therefoce he speaks more loudly, and
terribly, that people might be awakened to hear<
Particularly God speaks thais tenihly,
8. B€aau3epeapl$ do noi hmrhen iQ the vofcc ^
Aw Word ai9d meneHgerMi,g§^j^^ audibly
IN tHS CITT» 21
t»|mmii«tor8» and wKrni they are nut reftarded, he
apeeki more feelin^y by judgments; he tpnke
first ^'threalemnge, end when they ere slighted^
be speaks by executions. God first lifts up hie
vcnee^and warns by his Werd, before he liftsiip bis
an»r afid strikes with his rod: when men grow
thick ofkeeriag the sweet calk of the Gospel, God
is even Ibrced to thdmderj that he may pierce their
esar: when God speaks to the ears and they are
shat^ God speaks to the eyes and other senses, that
his mind may be known ; especially when men
obstinately refuse to hear, God is exceedingly
provoked to execute his terrible judgments upon
them. See Zech. viii. i 1> 12. '< Bntthey refused
to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and
stopped their ears that they should not hear : yea,
they made their hearts like an adamant stone,
lest 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 Jerusalem to desolation and
ruin, see the -sin which provoked the Lord here-
unto, 2 Chron. xxxvi. ] 6. '* They mocked the
messengers of God, and despised his words, and
misused bis prophets, until the wrath of the Lord,
arose against bis people, till there was no remedy.
S. Because they do not hearken io the wAce of
ki^ goodnese and mercies. The goodness and
forbeenmce of God, doth speak unfo 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
deaim their ear unto the language of his mercies.
22 god's terrible voice
and trample bis patience imcl^r ibot, (Uiougfa ffrdd
hath appointed a day of wruth hereafter, wfaereili
he will reckon with the whole ungodly world
together, and give them the jost demerit of ih^
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 dread-
ful temporal judgments.
S. Because ihey mil not hearften to Ihif ^t^
of lesser afftidians: When Ood's word Js not
heard, he Speaks b;^ his rod; when his rod is not
heard, be snoots with his arrows and strikes wltJi
his swonl ; and if lesser aflKctiokid be Yiot nritt^M,
then God speaks by more dreadful Kwakenrrfg
judgments: as the kind of men do precede the
judgments of God, so ttsually lesser judgments do
precede greater judgments ; and as there are de-
grees and steps which men usually do md^e be-
fore they arrive to a great height in lAn, N^efM
repents Jil lurpissimuSy to there are degi^ees aild
steps which God usually doth take, in fnfliefting
his judgments for sin. Look itito one phttidt
all, which shews how God doth proceed from
less to greater judgments, Levi xxvi. from tile
i5th verse to the 40th. "When his *• statates ate
despised, and covenant broken ;" ftrst he thteatf-
eneth to send upon them ^ consumption and a ,
burning ague;** then he threatened that '*thf€y
shall fall before their enemies f and if ** they wltt
not hearken to his voice" in these judgmeirts, fte
threateneth to " punish them seven timerrooie '
for their sins;** and to ** make the heavens m
iron, and the earth as brass/' and *f seild H |
dearth amongst them.*' And if they wffl not ♦* yei I
IK THE CITY. 23
bemHaen^" he tbmtoieUi to '* send wild heuU,
which should devour their cfaildxeQ and cattle."
An4 i^ they would not he reformed by these
things, but still *' would walk contrary unto him/
he threateneth <'to walk contrary unto them,
and to punish them yet seven times more for
their sins :'' he threateneCh to bring a *' sword
upon them, to avenge the quarrel of his covenant;
and when they should be ^tbered together in
their cities, to *^ send the pestilence amongst them :
and hereunto to add the ** £pmine.* And if they
would not yet ** hearken unto God, but still
wsU^ contrary unto him," he threateneth " that he
wlU walk contvary to them in fury, and make
them eat the Sesh of Uieir.sons and their daugh-
ters^ and lay waste their cities, and make their
aimcftiiaiies a desolation: and upon them that are
left .idive," he threateneth *' to send such faint*
ness of heart, that they should flee at the sound
'of a shaken leaf^ and fall when none pursued
itbem 1. and that they should pine away in their
Hii(|iiities in the land of their enemies. Thua
'Gq^ proceeds by steps and degrees, in the execu-
tion, af his. fierce ai^er upon a rebellious people;
mhea God speaks by ordinary diseases and is not
heard* then sometimes be sends a plague: and if
after a phgue, people wiU not return to him that
amiteth them, nor seek to pacify God's anger
which is kmdled against them ; but walk so much
theycKtr^ contrary upto him, he will walk con-
twy tO' them in fury^ and send fire into their
eities to devpur their habitations. And if the
.vonoe o£ the fire be not heard, be hath other judg-
I ui itp9^ijxm^i awiordy famine, and the like.
^4 god's terrible voice
Atod if temporal jiid^ents be nbtlieedeif; he Will
bring upon them eternal judgments.
God is not heard any other way, therelbre he
doth speak by such terrible things.
SECT. IV. *
The Appucatiok.
God speaks swneimeB to a peopk by terfibk
ihm^s.
THEsfi few kst years have given sad in8tlk»ces
hereof in England, espetially the two iasty«ari
in our city of LoHdon.
The voice of the Lord hath been in the city, it
hath been loud and fbll of ten^ ! the Lord hath
come forth against us with armed vengeaate*
Frowns have been in fais hrow; death and dleso^
laftion in his looks; thunder hath been in his
voice: iames of fire in his hand : *< the pestilence
luttb gone before him, and burning coals at Ink
i€et,'^Hd^. iii. 5. " He hath sent forth Iris l»<>
TomBf which barve scattered us, and shot forth his
lightnings which have discomfited us ; the LonI
fattth thundered in the heavens, and thtf highest
gave his voice, hailstones and coals of fire,"
Psalm xvtti. <« The Lord halh visited Us with
storm and tempeet, and greiit noise,'' f sa. icxbe.
Yea, He «' hath oinsad hiis giorious totetf Ui be
IN THft CITT. 2§
hfird, and shewed the lighling down of his i
widi the indignation of his anger, and with the
flame of devouring fire, with scattering, and tem-
pest, and hail-8tones,'' Isa. xzx. ** Then the fur^
rows of the earth were seen, and the foundations
of the city were discovered, the earth also shook,
because he was wroth, 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," Isa. vif • Dreadful have
God's late judgments been in London, the noise
of which hath gone forth, not only tlumighovt
the land, but also unto the outermost parts of the
world.
Three things we should remark in this terrible
voipe of God's judgments. •
1. The judgments themselves.
2« Theca«aeof the judgments.
> 5i^ Thedesignof the judgments.
Ia the fivsty we have the sound of the voice. In
the tfwo last, the interpretation of the veiee. •
1* CoRO^rmi^ the judgment* ihi mid if m *
Here I might speak of the judgment executed^
Af3lg^0i M» 166^^ when so many ministers were
pill out of their places; and the judgasents ex^
eeoted, March 2^ \66t5, when somany rnkfiisteffe
wem banished five miles from corporations ; the
former by way of introduction to. the plague
whtdi scmie time after did spread in the land, but
chiefly VBged in the city ; the latter byway of in-
troduction to the fire, wluch quickly after did
bum down London the i^eatest oorperatkm^ m
^ Digitized by VjOU^t:
80 GOD*S TKftRXQLE YOICB
£aglaDd. Thiue jn^Igaieilts hMwiag be^ ad
ktely, and geneiral in the land; and I presame,
8o gencraHy known, witk ail their circumstances^
k ircwld be needless to give here a narration of
them. Bat this i must 8ay> I oould wish tbej
were as generally believed to be judgments, and
accerdinglyUid to heart: for I feiMr that the grei^
ineensibSity, which. peofile have been nud«r of
these jadgaiettt»,. because they have not reached
the fleshy and feheiraattMi bieensideratipn of God's
dreadfal dtspleaanre herein, hath> provoked .the
Lord to and such judgments aa have eon»B
nearer to sense ;-<-that they might perceive
€ktiA was angry- indeed befoi^ aiaud that* hia
gveaHer displeasucer in the fon»er xoig^t be
known by his more sensible displeasure in the
lattec
Let I^ondon seriously oon^d^ whether her
Goipel^prwileges were not her b^t de&nce
against temporal eaiamitieft; and whether, since
her idighting, abuse, and forfeitune, and God's
seizure and stripping- her so much of^ these» she
hath not been laid ^abed to those heavy stix>kes
of CKlvacffdinary jadgments which, she hath laiely
roaeived*
London had the Gospel cNrdioanceSi. powerful,
{wrei phntiful; ministers exQ&Uently qualified
and rarely famished' with ministerial abilities :
London i»d as nMUiy burning and shming lights
aa aay ooetsacb spot of growd under the oppe
ofhemn.
Not to speidc of their alMlities for preaching
Mid defence of the trodi : auchgifts. of prayer
LoBtdttniwiiiislcim had^ which- were no small de-
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN TKE ClTf. n
fhice €ft the dtj, as I believe noeity in the werld
conid parallel.
O what prayers have there fbnuerly been in
London pulpits, espedaMy on days ok' tolenm
humiHatfon ! How -have the spirits of ministers
been carried forth sometimes in prayer for several
hours together, {without tautologies aad vain
repetitions) in sueh variety of affectionate em»
largements, and with such raisedness and trane*
ports of spirit, as if they bad bean just leaving
the body, and going to Hve and abide with God,
and would converse no more with men or woridfy
diihgs!
In their confessions of sin, how have they
rak^ into the dunghill of a rotten heart, and
Idddbfisukdiu inward ^hhineas! How have tbsy
traeed the foot-steps of its deceitfulness, thww|^
the mase and wilderness of its aaany windings
and turnings I How have they pierced into the
very bowelcrof em, andript^npasit were to the
back-bone, bringing fordi its very entraHs to open
view 1 How hat« Uiey anatomised as it were the
** bddy of death" in ill the parU and mcMbers of
it* discovering witfad, the several diasases of every
part, with their cause and manner of working 1
and nil' this in such patbctical catting expressions,
accom{)amed with suchbrokenness and bleeding
of heart, as no fbm can imitate or effioct*
In thdr supplications for the pardon of sin, for
Bpfritnal and heavenly rtehes; O with what feel-
ing and fervoar did they express dierasclvee!
O with what faith and imp^unity did they
wrestle and plead at the throne of grace for eneh
(kvonri^ beyond the impqrtan^j^ jf jf^priaooeii
S8 GOD*8 TEKBIBLE VOICE
throogii tlie grates, or poor b^gars at the dodnt,
when they are most earnest for relief! Yea, bow
did they besiege God as it were, and seem" aa if
they wotild scale the walls of heaven itself, and
take the kingdom of heaven with violence* and
force }** How have they even pressed in upon
God with the dint of argtiment, artd laid bold
on him with the hand of faith, resolving not to
let him go without a blessing !
In their supplicatrons fdr the chnrch atid land,
they have behaved themselves as if they had no
private concernments. Bat bow did they bear
London upon their hearts when they cametotbe
throne of grace f What yearning bowels bad they
towards, and for the city f How many tears have
they shed in bewailing her sins I How have they
stood in the breach, when the Lord hath been
coming forth against this place ! How have they
held bis arm 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 pf^vailed to appease God^n
wrath, and turn away his fierce anger which bath
been kindled against us. Gospel-ordinances^
and Gospel-ministers were the safeguard of Lon-
don, the glory and defence. But when the or-
dinances were slighted, and the ministers were
mocked and misused by some who called them-
selves 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
London's sins,) God is provc?|f^ |i,9J^,gf^y to aiU
IV THE GITT. Sg
aoRM^of bU iMiieDgea bome to liintel^ k»t alf9
te^.fKi^^tb» fctt which vere mom conadentioiiai
t^ betbcust into i^onieiv.
TAJft ^d preaage Lcm4on'« near approaching
lWB'>aod daaolation, though &w did betievt it;
nod- b^csaivae th«¥ did not believe it, aad were in*
awaiW^ of God!i .wrath in hia judgneDta there*
£l»iw (th«ic danger waa the gveater of the other
judgments which have Gome upon, them: when
f^^nany atakea w^re plucked out, no wander if
the, hedjKe he broken ; when ao many pillara weae
fopowi^ no wonder if the building UunUe to the
ground.
Sutl proceed to.give a narration of the latter
ju^gmnta 4)f plague and five.
SECT, V,
Tm; PJfllgoe ao great» $o lately» should not be
fingiptteA; yet lest the Fire nu>rc lately, and pro-
ppirtionaijiy, more grcati 4nd the amaaing fearsp
which Junce have .riaen within ua, should shuffle
Cornier l^puffhts out of our minds, and raae out
tbie iinpf^cisatoQiy which hsy the plague we had,
an4r diould Jaboiir to retain to our dying hour :
thenpfore I shall give a brief n^orration of this sad
ji^dgpnent,. and soai« observations of mine own
(w^.was. here in the c^y from the beginning to
^ end of it) both to keep alive in myself and
ptbcr^, the ni^emory of the judgment, that we mav
be^the better ppepared for compliance with Cod s
design in senoing the; plague amongM ua. ,
Digitized by V^a^t^l^:
JO GOD*S Ti!)RRlBl4£ A'OICE
' It was in Ihe ywr of 0at Lord lfi66rAB,UAk
P)ague bega,9 in our cUy of Loodon^ cftvrNimr
iK^9 warned by the great Flagii«. in Holland, m
the jear 1 664« and Si^ begmiiiig of it. in totne
reipcite iMurta^of our land the same yean; not to
apeak any thing, whether tb^e waa any rignifi*'
eatioa.and infiuencein the Uaaung stars notlottg'
befpre,^ that apipeaved in the view, of LondoBy simI
s^uck fi«me anaaement on the apirita of raanj. It
was in the month of May that the Pkgne waafiral
taken notioe.of; our bill of quertali^ didlat!iis
know* but of three, wbteh diad of the diaeaae in
the whole year before; but in the beginning «f
May the bill tells us of nint> , which fetl b(y tbe
pjague, one in the Jbeart of .tbe dty^ the otlifnr
eight in the suburbs. This was th^ first aripv
of warning that was ahotihom heaven amongst us^
and fear quickly begins to creep upon, people's
hearts ; great thoughts and dbcourse there is tn
town al^ut the plague, and they cast in their
minds whether they sbatt go if iba pl^i^e shonUL
increase. Yet whmi the next week's bill signifieth
t9 them the decrease from nina to tbfee» 'tbcia
mioda are something appeased ; diaoonrsa of tbal*
subject cods ; fears are hushed> and hopes take
place* that the black cloud did but thmttati^ and
give a Jew drops; but tke wind wonkl difvek
away* But whcya in the next bill the number of
the dead by the plague is amounted fron' three
to fourteen, atui m the next to seventeen^ and ia
the next to forty-three, and the disease begiaaap
much to increase, and disperse*
Now secnre sinners begin to: be startled^ and
thpfc who would have slept at quiet itiU inihcit
• l!l THE CITY. 3\
nolts; ate «»f#ilt1t^ly owikeiMli Ncrfr a ptat
c wwU M t iatitfii ■ B«weui upon ttioM penons, and
terfoltbodingi of a iesiAaldtig judgment Now
gVB^tf itbffert bc^to look al^t tbem, and think
ytkh thanaalvea into what comer of the land they
m^hfiUjT'to hide the«i/ Now the profane and sen*
8tii^- if ^ey ha?e not remorte far their siot^ yet
d»e«d and 'terrors, the effects of g«ih« they oould
not drive fbom them ; and if by company, and
ean»anng, and boft pieasores they do intoxicate
and rtmiodtheit .tJbeip spirits in the day; vet we
may goesa what dread doth return upon them, if
they give 'font any rooAi fot retirement; and what
hiiMooi tliou^hta «ueh persons^ have in the silent
nighty thvbugh fbarn of death which they are in
di^er df^ Ndw those who did not believe an
unaeerL.!G^j are afraid of onseen arrows; and
tboMs '^bieh sighted- Go&n threatenings of
eternal * jwdgtnentv clo ' tMoible at the beginning
oft Ma ^efteeation of one, and- not the greatest
toi^poral'jfVHiginent*' Now those which had as it
wdfe^dmllenged the God c£ Heaven, and defied
hinaliy tbtir horrid oaths and blasphemies, when
haBbe^»'-to appear/ ih^ retteat, yea fly away
wid^:^ tenror and amaeement. The great orbs
bligisi.ftfm^ to^ move; the lords and goiby retire
iiiia?<theii<^ooittitries; their remote houses are
ptepttreil) goods removed, and London is quickly
upon itheir> backs: fe^ ruffling gallants walk the
stoe^at^ few spotted ladies to be seen at windows:
a>great forsakhig there was of the adjacent phcea
where the plague did first rage.
lin- J«n^ the nmti'ber ineneaseth from 45 to
1)1^ p^he nei^t week lo l69, 1^ next to «67> the
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
as GODS TRaEIULE VOICE
iWKt 10^470, moeit of which JncseMi^ .nwi ii)>Ae
semote puta: £^w ia this mouth wijbhw or n^ar-
the walls of the dtj ; and few. that had any iMfee
&r . goodness or pro&ssion, . .were visited at the^
fiirst: God gave them warning. to bethink and
prqpare thmaelves; yet sone few that wer»
choice were visited pretty sooi^ that the beat
might not promise themselves aaupersedeaa, or
interpret any place. of Scripture so literally, aa
if the Lord had promised. an absolute general imi
munity and defence of his own people &om diift
disease of the plague^
. Now the dticens of London are put toa stap>
in the career of their trade; they begin to fear
wham they converse withal, and deal withal, le^
lliey should have come out of injected. plfosa.
Now Jioses and other sweet flowers wither in the
gardenia ^are disregarded in the markets^ and
people dare not offer them to thdr noses leat
with their aweet savour, that which ia infeotioos
Aottld be attracted: rue and wormwood are
taken into the hand: myrrh and aedoary inta
the mouth; and without some antidote Jew star
ainoad in the .morning. Nnw many houses.ar«
shut up where the plague comes, and the inha^
bitants dmt in> lest coming abroad they should
wread infection* It was yery dismal to behold
the red ctosses, and read in gieat letters, Lonm
HAV£ MEECY UPON US, on the doors, and.watch.*'
men standing before them with halberts; and
such a aditi^ about those places, and peofrie
passing by them so gingerly, and with such
fearful locks as if they h^ been lined with ene«
mies in ambuah^ that waited to destroy them.
' Digitized by Vjl^JUTlt:
IN TUB CITY. 33
Nov rich tradesmen provide themselTes to d^
part; if they have not country 'houses, they seek
lodgings abroad for themselves and families, and
the poorer tradesmen, that they may imitate the
rich in their fear, stitch themselves to take a
country journey, though they have scarce where-
withal to bring them iMck again. The ministers
also (many of them) take occasion to go to their
country-places for the summer time ; or (it maj
be) to find oat some few of their parishionert
that were gone before them, leaving the greatest
part of their flock without food or physic, in the
time of their greatest need. (I don't speak of all
ministers, those which did stay out of choice and
duty, deserve trae honour.) Possibly they might
think God was now preaching to the city, and
what need their preaching } or radier did not
the thunder of God's voice affrighten their
guilty consciences and make then fly away, lest
a bolt from heaven should fall upon them, and
spoil their preaching for the futme; anddierefore
they would reserve themselves till the people had
less need of them. I do not blame any citizens
retiring,' when there was so little trading, and
the presence of all might have helped forward
the increase and spreading of the infection ; but
how did guilt drive many away, where duty
would have engaged them to stay in the place?
Now the highways are thronged with passengers
and goods, and London doth empty itself into the
country; great are the stirs and hurries in
London by the removal of so many families ;
fear puts many thousands on the wing, and those
Digitized by Vj<.JU^ It:
34 GOD*S TERRIBLE VOICE
thmk themselves mofst safe, that can fly furthest
da fVotn the city.
In July the plague increaseth, and prevaildth
exceedingly, the number of 470, which died in
one week by the disease, ariseth to 725 the next
week, to 1089 the next, to 184^ the next, to 2010
the next. Now the plague compasseth the walls
of the city like a flood, and poureth in upon it.
Now most parishes are infected both without and
within; yet there are not so many houses shnt
up by the plague, as by the owners forsaking
of them for fear of it; and though the inhabit-
ants be so exceedingly decreased by the departure
of so many thousands, the number of dying per-
sons increaseth fearfully. Now the countries
keep guards, leslt infectious persons should ffom
the city bring the disease unto them ; most of^the
rich are now gone, and the middle sort will itot
stay behind : but the poor are forced (thr'ob^h
poverty) to stay, and abide the storm. Now most
faces gather paleness, and what dismal apprehen-
sions do then fill their minds, what dreadful fears
do there possess the spirits, especially of those
whose consciences are fbll of guilt, and liave
not made their peace widi God ? The old drunk-
ards, and swearers, land unclean persons hte
brought into great straits ; they look on the right
hand, and on the left, and death is marcfaingMD(5-
wards them from every part, and they know^ncU;
whither to fly that they may escape it. No^ ^ftte
arrows begin to fly very thick about their eaf^t^sA
they see many fellow sinners fall before theii< *J.%tt,
expecting every hour themselves to be sni^ illWi
u*
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN THE CXTT. $$
and tbe reiy aidciug fears tbey hnire bud of ih#
fkg!ae, hftth brought the plague and death upon
maiij; some by the sight of a coffin ia the streets,
have iaUen iato a shiverkigf and immediately the
disease faath assaulted them^ and Serjeant Death
halji arrested them» and dapt to the doors of
thieir hpuses upon theni, from 'whenee they have
come forth no more, till they have been brought
forth to their graves^ We may imagine the hideous
thoughts^ and hornd perplexity of mind, th(B
trfaftblings, joonfusioos^ and anguish, of spirit,
vhicb some awakened sinners have had, when
tbe^ plagi^ hath broke in upon their hpus^, and
ssi^ed ufpn neav relations, wbcee dying groem^
sounding in their ears, have warned them to pre*
Mie ; when their doors have been shut up and
fas^n^on the outside with an inseijjptiani *< JLord
hajire mefn:j upon us," and none sufltered to come
in but a nurse, whom they have been more afraid
9f tbe^ the plague itself; when lovers, and friends,
afl4 oompanions in sin have stood aloof, and not
dsyred to. oome nigh the door of the house, lest
death 'Should issue forth from tbenoe upon them;
especially when the disease hath invaded them-
•dves, and first began with a pain and dizziness
in their bead, then tren^bling in their other mem-
bers; when they have felt, boils to wrise under
d^eir arms, and in their groins, and seen blains ^o
eooie forth in oth^ parts ; when the disease hatJi
wirought in them to that height, as to ^send forth
those ^Dots which (most think) are the certain
tokens of near approaching death; and now they
ha^e received the sentence of death within thenv-
s^lvea,aad have certsiuly concluded,, tbu within
■ ^ r w Digitized by V.jV.7i^J VIC
Sfi GOD*S TERRIBLE VOICE
a few hours they mast go down into the dnst,
«nd 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 thcfir sentence. None can
utter the horror 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 aAd profaneness, their
nncleanness, drunkenness, injustice, oaths, curses,
derisions 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 irreconcil-
ably 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 appre^
hend that they are now just entering into a p^aoe
of endless woe and torment, and they must now
take up their lodgings in the inferior regions of
utter darkness, with devils, and their f^low«>
damned sinners, and there abide for evermore in
the extremity of misery, without any hopes or
^^sossibility <if «« release; and that they have
foolishly brought themselves into this condition,
and be^ the cause of their own ruin ; we may
guess that the despairful agonies and anguish cf
such awakened sinners, hath been of all thttigs
the most unsupportable; except the very future
miseries themselves^which th^y |f ^(i^a&aM^.
IN.THX, CITY*. 57
2010, the number amounts up to ^17 m one
week; and thence to &^S0 the nest; thence t9
4237 the next ; then^ lo 6J0S the M«t; and aU
these of the plagye» besides other diseases*
Now the cloud is very blaeki-and the storm
GQDies down upon us very sharp. Now Death ridas
triumphantly on his pale hovse through our
streets; and breaks into evMy house alBHMt»
wbttre any inhabitants ace to be .found. Now
people fall as thick as leaves from the trees lA
autttmn« when they are shaken by a mighty wind*
Now theise is a dismal solitude in London's street^
every day looks with the face of a Sabbath day*
observed with greater solemnity than it used to
b^in the city. Now sbops are shut an^ people
ssfo imd very few that walk about* insomuch that
th^^ass begins to i^ing up in some places^ and
a deep silence almost in every place, especially
witJiin the wails i no rattling eeaehes^ no pranciug
lior^ef^ no calling in customers^ nor offering
wi^res ; no Lond<m Cries sounding in the ears : If
tmy voice be haard, it is the groans of dj^ing per*
sons, . breathing forth their last: and the funeral
kpells of them thi^t Bie ready to be carried to
theix: graves. T Now shutting up of visited-houses
(there being so many) is at an end, and most of
the well |H*e minted among the sick^which other«
wise would haye got no help. Now in some
jdaees where the people did generally stay, nol^ chic
Itottse ui a hundred but is injected ; aiid in many
houses half the family is swept away; in some
the whole, firom the eldest to the youngest ; few
escape wiUi the death of but one or two; never
Digitized by VjUjg^'lt:
3S god's terrible voice
^Kd so nrnny liu^bandd and wives cRe together;
never dfd so matry parents cany tbeir children
trith 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 long summer
days are spent from morning unto ibe twilight in
conveymg the vast number of dead bodies unto
the bed ^ their graves.
Now we eould hardly go forth, but we? should
meet many eoffins, and see diseased pei*sons witfx
sores and limping iii the streets ; amongst other
sad spectacles, methought two were very afl^-^
ing : one of a woman oonring alone, and weep-
ing, by the doOr where I lived (Which tras m the
midst of infbction) with a little coffin tinder her
arm, carrying it to the new church-yard t I dM
judge that it was the mother of the child, and
that all the family besides was dead, and she wa»
ferced to coffin up, and bury with her x)Wi!i hands,
this her last dead child. Another, was of a man
at the corner of the Artillery wadl, llhat, as I
judge, through the dieisiness of his head withih^
disease, which seized upon him there, had dashed
his fkce against the wall, and trhen I cttme by,
he lay hanging with hiffblood^face over the* rails,
and bleeding upon the gtound; and arl came
back, he was remoted under a tre^ in Modrfiiilds,
and lay upon his back ; I went and spsketohim ;
he could make me no answer, l)Ut rattled in tfie
tliroat, and, as I was infbrmed, within half an
hour died in the place.
It would be endless to speak #bat we have
and hfeard of some ,J||,, |||^j^i^reniy.
IV THK CITY. $9
rujng out 4>f their bec|f» and leaping about tbe^
jooms; otheiB crying and roaring at their win-
dows; some coming forth almost naked, and run-
ning into the streets: strange things have others
spoken and done when the disease was upon them ;
but it was very $ad to hear of one who being sick
alonei, and it is like frantic, burnt himself in his
bed. Now the plague had broken in much
amongst my acquaintance ; and of about sixteen
or. more wbo«e faces I used to see every day in
our house, within a litde while I could find but
four or six of them alive ; scarcely a day passed
over my head, for I think a month or more together,
but Isbould hear of the death of some one or more
that I knew. The first day, that they were smit-
ten, the next some hopes o£ recovery, and the
third day, that they wejce dead.
In. September, when we hoped for a decrease,
because of the season, because of the number
gon^,.and the number already dead; yet it waa
not come to it& height, but from 6*102, whidi
died by ther plague the last week of Augustj the
nnmbejr is augmented to 698S in the first week
in September; and when we conceived some
little hppes in the next week's abatement to 6544,
o^r hi^es were quite dashed again, when the
next week it did rise to 7165, which was the
highest bill, and a dreadful bill it was ! and of
the 130 parishes in and about the city, there
were but four parishes which were not infected;
and in. those, few people remaining that were not
gone into the country,
. ,^ow the grave doth open its mouth without
measure; multitudes! nu'.ltitudes ! in^^^he^valley of
40 GODS TERRIBLE VOICE
the shadow of deaUi thronging daily into eternity •
the church^yards now are so stuffed with dead
corpses, that they are in many places swelled two
or three feet higher than they were before; and
new ground is broken up to bury the dead.
No w " Hell from beneath is moved" at the nnm-
ber of the guests that are received into its cham-
bers ; the number of the wicked which have died
by the plague, no doubt, hath been far the great-
est, as we may reasonably conclude, without
breach of charity ; and it is certain^ that all the
wicked which then died in sin were turned into
hell; how then are the damned spirits now in«
creased ! some were damning themselves a little
before in their oaths, . and God is now damning
their souls for it, and is passing the irreversible
sentence of damnation upon them* Spme were
drinking wine in bowls a little bef<»re, and strong
drink without measure ^ and now God hath pat
another cup into their hands, a cup of red wine,
even the wine of the wrath and ijerceness of the
Almighty. Some were a little before feasting their
senses, pleasing their appetite, satisfying the de-
sires of the flesh, and being past feelings had
given themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all
iincleanness with greediness; but now their
laughter is turned into mourning, and their joy
into howling and woe ; and they have recovered
their feeling again, but instead of the pleasures
which they felt, and their sen;:;ual delights, which
took away the feeling of their consciences, th^
are made to feel the heavy hand of God ; and to
endure such anguish and horror, through the
sense of God's wrath, &? no tonsue can express
' • Digitized bRjl^JUyit: *^ •
15 THE CITY, 41
Now the atheists believe there is a God, and the
anti-scripturists are convinced of the truth of
God*s wordj by the execution of God*8 threaten-
in^s in the Word upon them. Now the covetous
and unjust, the malicious and cruel, the scoffers
and profane, begin to suffer the vengeance of eter«
nal tire : and the ignorant person with the civil,
who are acquainted with Jesus Christ, are not
excused ; yea, the hypocrites, with all impenitent
and unbelieving persons, are sent down to the
place of weeping: and surely Hell wonders to
see so many come amongst them from such a
city as London, where they have enjoyed such
plenty of such powerful means of grace ; and
place is given to them, even the lowest and
hottest, where Judas and others are of the chiefest
note.
Yet Hell doth not engross all that die by the
visitation ; some there are (though not the first
or most) who have room made for them in the
mansions which are above. The plague makes
little difference between the righteous and the
wicked, (except the Lord by a peculiar provi-
dence do shelter some under his wing, and
compass them with his favour, as with a shield,
hereby keeping off the darts that are shot so
thick about them,) yet as there is little difference
in the bodies of the righteous, and of others ; so
this disease makes little discrimination, and not
a few fearing God are cut off amongst the rest ;
they die of the same distemper with the most
profane, thqy are buried in the same grave, and
there sleep together till the morning of the
resurrection; but as there is a difference in their
Digitized by"v^^ If
42 god's terkible voice
spirits whilst they live, so there is a difference*
and the chiefest difference, in their place and
state after their separation from the body. Dives
is carried to hell^ and Lazarus to Abraham's
bosom, though he died with his body full of
sores: devils drag the souls of the wicked after
they have received their final doom at the bar
of God, into utter darkness, where there is weep-
ing, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; but
angels convey the souls of the righteous into
the heavenly paradise, the New Jerusalem which
is above, where God is in his glory; and the
Lord Jesus Christ at his right hand, and thousand
thousands stand before him, and ten thousand
times ten thousand administer unto him, even
an innumerable company of angels ; and where
the spirits of all just men and women made
perfect, were before gathered ; where there . is
fulness of joy, and rivers of eternal pleasures
running about the throne of God, the streams of
which do make glad all the inhabitants of New
Jerusalem. Now the weak prison -doors of the
body are broken down, and the strong ever-
lasting gates of their Father's palace are lifted
up, and the saints are received with joy and
triumph, into glory; and they come with singing
into Zion, and everlasting joy in their hearts,
and all sorrow and sighing doth fiy away like a
cloud, which never any more shall be seen.
Now the veil is rent, and they enter the Holy of
Holies, where God dwells, not in the darkness
of a thick cloud, as in the temple of old, but
in the brightness of such marvellous light and
dory, as their eyes never did behold, neithet
** "^ •' Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN THE CITY. 45
could enter into their heart to coneeiTe; there
they have the vision of God's face without any
eclip.^e upon the light of his countenance : there
they have the treasures of God's love opened,
and his arms to receive them with deareU and
sweetest embracements ; which kindles in their
hearts such a flame of love, so ravishing and
delight&l, as Words cannot utter : there they are
entertained by the Lord Jes^us Christ, whom in
the world they have served ; and he that showed
them his grace, which they had wondered at
when they were in the body, doth now show
them his glory, which they wonder at much
mcHre. There they are welcomed by angels, who
rejoice, if at their conversion, much more at their
coronation, there they sit down with Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of their Father :
there they find Moses, and David, and Samuel,
and Paul, and all the holy martyrs and saints,
. which have died before them, amongst whom
ihey are numbered and placed, who rejoice in
their increased society.
And as there is a great difference between the
condition of the souls of the righteous and the
wicked, who died by the same disease of the
plague, after 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 die
in a sleep of carnal security, out of which they
are not awakened, till they are awakened in the
midst of flames : others more sensible, and con-
•sidering what hath been, and what is coming
O ' Digitized by VjUU*^ It:
44 cod's terrible voice
.upon them, are filled with inexpressible terror,
through the roarings and tearings of a guilty
accusing conscience, and the fore-thoughts of
that horrible unsupportable torment they are so
near unto. Now scaring dreams do terrify them,
and fearfulness of the bottomless pit, and the
burning lake below, doth surprise them; and
some breaketh forth in the anguish of their de-
spairing 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 terrors. 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 op-
position and discouragement, sometimes have
been overwhelmed with grief and doubtings,
sometimes have been dashed upon the rocks of
terror and perplexity ; yet now they are come to
the haven of death, the winds are hushed 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
God's people who died by the plague amongst
the rest, died with such peace and comfort, as
Christians do not ordinarily arrive unto, except
when they are called forth to suffer martyrdom
for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Some who
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
1^ THE cixr. 45
have been full of doubts and fears, and com-
plaints whilst thej have lived and been well,
have been filled with assurance, and comfort,
and praise, and joyful expectation of glory,
when they have lain on their death-beds by thifl
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 know
ledge concerning some of my friends whom I
have been withal: I shall instance only in the
hoQse 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
anj of us were touched ; the young ones were
not idle, but improved their time in |[>raying and
hearing, and were ready to receive instruction,
and were strangely borne up against the fears of
the disease and deaths 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 neigh-
bour 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
seized on her spirits ; it was a sad day, which
I believe I shall never forget ; I had been abroad
to see a frtend in the city, whose husband was
newly dead of the plague, and she herself visited
46 god's tsrrible voice
with it; I came back to see another whose vifr
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 pri-
vilege to have a title to the kingdom of hea-
ven ?—
But I proceed. It was on the Monday when
the maid was smitten ; on Thursday she died
full of tokens : on Friday one of the youths
had a swelling in his groin; and on the Lord's
day died with the marks of the distemper upon
him : on the same day another youth did sickea»
and on the Wednesday following he died : on
the Thursday night his master fell siclf. 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
Job's messengers came one upon the heels of
another, so the messengers of death came so
close one after another, in such dreadful manner^
as if we must all follow one another immedia^ly
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, than
others were troubled for them. The first youth
that was visited, beiog asked by his fiither con-
cerning the provision he had made for his death
and eternity; told him, h^^Ji^i^^^f he died^
IK THE CITY. 47
be thoold g6 to he«v«n ; beitig ask^ die grounds
of his hopeSf said, the Lord had enabled him
to look beyond the world; and when he was
drawing near to his end, boldly inqnired whether
the tc^ens did yet appear, saying, that he was
ready for them, and so a hopeful bud was nipped :
but let not the father or the mother weep, and
be in sadness for him^, he is, I do not doubt,
with their father, and his heavenly Father, which
may be their comfort. The other aiso was a
Tery sweet hopeful youth, so loving and towardly,
that it could not choose but attract love from
tho«e that were acquainted with him ; but the
gra^ he had gotten in those years, being I sup-^
pose ttnder seventeen, did above all beautify
him, And stand him in the greatest stead; in
his sickness he had much quiet and serenity
liipott'his spirit, and lay so unconcerned at the
thoughts of approaching death, that I confess
I marveHiedtoseett; the sting and fear of death
were strangely taken out, through the hopes
inhUii he had of future glory ; yet once he told
hismdflier he could desire to live a little longer,
if it were the will of God. She asked him why
he deired It? He told her he desired to live
tin fik*e and faggot came; and above all, he
Would finn die a martyr. She said, if he died
no#, he should have a crown : he answered,
but if he died a martyr, he should have a moref
^loDrious crown ; yet he was not unwilling to re-
ceii^e bis crown presently ; and went away with
great peace and sweetness in his looks, to his
Futber^s house; and I could not blame the
moUier's grief for the loss of ^|^|^ ii|,|^ son ;
48 god's terrible voice
but to be do immoderate^ was not well : now I
am sure it is time to dry up tears, and lay aside
sorrows for the loss of bim who hath been so
long filled with joys in the heavenly mansions.
I might speak of the carriage of the master
in his sickness, under the apprehensions of deaths
when the spots did appear on his body, he sent
for me, and desired me to pray with him ; told
ilie he was now going home,, desired me to
write to his friends, and let them know, that it
did not repent him of his stay in the city, though
they had been so importunate with him to come,
away ; but he had found so much of God's pre*
sence in his abode here, that he had no reason
to repent : he told me where he would be buried,
and desired me to preach his funeral sermon on
Psalm xvi. ult. '* In thy presence is fulness of
joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures
for evermore.'* But the Lord raised him again
beyond the expectation of himself, friends, or
physician. Let him not forget Crod^s mercies,
and suffer too much worldly business to crowd
in upon him, and choke the remembrance and
sense of God's goodness so singular; but let
him show by his singularity in meekness, humi-
lity, selfodenial and love, zeal, and holy walk-
ing, that the Lord hath been singularly gracioua
unto' him. But when I speak of home con-
eernments, let me not forget to look abroad.
The plague now increaseth exceedingly, and
fears there are amongst us, that within a while
there will not be enough alive to bury the dead,
and that the city of London will now be quite
depopidated by this plague^,,, ^.y^uc^iL
TN THE CITY. 4^
Now scmie ministers (ibrtnerly pat out of their
places, who did abide in the city» when most of
ministers in places were fled and gone from the
people, as well as from the disease, into the
countries) seeing the people crowd so fast into
the grave and eternity, who seemed to cry as
they went, for spiritual physicians ; and per-
ceiving the churches to be open, and pulpits to
be open, and finding pamphlets flung about the
streets, of palpits to be let, they jadged that
the law of God and nature did now dispense with,
yea, command their preaching in public places,
though the law of man (it is to be supposed in
ordinary cases) did forbid them to do it. Surely
if there had been a law that none should prac-
tise physic in the city, but such as were licensed
by the College of Physicians ;' and most of those,
when there was the greatest need of them, should
in^Uie time of the plague have retired into
the country, and other physicians who had as
good skill in physic, and no license, should
have stayed amongst the sick, none would have
judged it to have been.rbreach of law, in such
an extraordinary case, to endeavour by their
practice, though without a license, to save the
lives of those who by good care and physic
were capable of a cure ; and they could hardly
have freed themselves from the guilt of murder
of many bodies, if for a nicety of law in such
a case of necessity, they should have neglected
to administer physic. The case was the same
with the unlicensed ministers which stayed, when
so many of the licensed ones were gone, and
as the need of souls was gre^t|| t|i^^,^e need
50 OOD*S TERRIBLE VOICE
of bodies, the sickness of the cMie being move
universal and dangerous than the sickness of the
other; and the saving or losing of the soul,
being so many degrees beyond the preservation
or death of die body ; so the obligation upon
ministers was stronger , and the motive to preach,
greater; and for them to have incurred the
guilt of soul-murder^ by their neglect to admini-
ster soul-physic, would have been inore heinous
and unanswerable : that they were called by the
Lord into public, I suppose that few of anj se-
riousness will deny^ when the Lord did so eroi«
nently own them, in giving many seals of their
ministry unto them.
Now ^they are preaching, and every sermoa
was unto them, as if they were preaching their
last. Old Time seems now to stand at the head
of the pulpit, with its great scythe ; saying with
a hoarse voice, work while it is called to-day>
at night I wiU mow thee down. Grtm. Death
seems to stand at the side of the pulpit^ with
its sharp arrow, saying, do thou shoot Gods
arrows, and I will shoot mine. The grave seems
to lie open at the foot of the pulpit, with dust ia
her bosom, saying,
Louden thy cry
To God,
To men,
And now falfil Uiy triut :
Here thou nuiat lie,
Mouth fltdpp'd,
Breath gone,
And silent in the dnst.
Ministers now had awakening calls to serious-
Digitized "vj<.ju^ it:
IV THE CITY. 51
and iervoitr in their roiniiterial work; to
preach an the aide and brink of the pit, into
which thousands were tumbling; to pray under
soch near views <>£ eternity, into which many
passengers were daily entering, might be a means
to stir up the sjnrit more than ordinary.
Now there is such a vast concourse of people
in the churches where these ministers are to be
fonndy that they canoot many times come near
the pnlpit doors for the press, but are forced to
climb over the pews to them : and such a face is
now seen inr the assemblies, as seldom was seen
before iii London ; such eager looks, such open
ears, such greedy attention, as if every word
woaid be eaten which dn^ped from the mouths
ofthemiiristers.
if yon ever saw a drowning man catch at a
rope^ yon may guess how eagerly many people
did catch at the Word, when they were ready to
be ^overwhelmed by this overflowing scourge,
which wa» passing through the city; when death
waa knocking at so many doors ; and God was cry-
ing aloud by his judgments ; and ministers were
noW' sent to knock, cry aloud, and lift up their
voice like a trumpet : then, then the people began
to open the ear and the hearty which were fast
shut and barred before. How did they then hear-
ken as for their lives, as if every sermon were
their last, as if death stood at the door of the
church, and would sei:$e upon them so soon as
they came forth ; as if the arrows which flew so
thick in the city would strike them before they
could get to their houses ; as if they were imme-
diately to appear before the J^r^^,,j|^^t God,
S2 GOD*S TEREIBLB VOICE
who hy his ministers was now speaking unto
them! Great were the impressions which the
• Word then made upon many hearts, beyond the
power of man to effect, and beyond what the
people before ever felt, as some of them have
declared. When sin is ript ■ up and reproved !
O the tears that slide down from the eyes, when
the judgments of God are denounced. O the
tremblings which are: upon the conscience* when
. the Lord Jesus Christ is made known and prof-
fered ! O the lonpng desires and openings of
heart unto him, when the riches of the Grospel
are displayed^ and the promises of the covenant
of grace are set forth and applied ! O the inward
burnings and sweet flames which were in the af-
fections ! Now the net is cast, and many fishes
are taken, the pool is moved by the angel, and
many leprous spirits^ and sin^siek souls/ are
cured ; many were brought to the bir^« and I
hope not a few were born again, and bmught
forth : a strange moving there was upon the hearts
of multitudes in the city; and. I am persuaded
that many were brought over effectually unto a
closure with Jesus Christ ; whereof some died by
the plague with willingness and peace ; others
remain steadfast in God's ways unto this day;
but convictions (I believe) many hundreds had,
if not thousands, which I wish that none have
stifled, and ''with the dog returned to their vo-
mit,'' and with the sow, '* have wallowed agam in
the mire " of their foinmer'sins. The work was
the more great, because the instruments made use
-of were more obscure and unlikely ; whom the
Lord did make chcHce of the nii^^^df^t the gpbry
IN THE CITY. 63
by niniateri and pe<^ might be ascribed in full
unto himself*
About the beginning of these ministers preach*
ing, especially after their first Fast together, the
Lord begins to remit and turn his hand» and
cause some abatement of the disease.
From 7165 iivhich died of the plague in one
week^ there is a decrease to 5538 the next, which
VTBB at the latter end of September ; the next week
a farther decrease to 4929, the next to 4327i the
next to &665, the next to i421,the next to 1031 ;
then there was an incr^se the first week in No-
vember to 1414, but it fell the week after to
1050, and the week after to 652, and the week
after that to S3S; and so lessened more and
moVe to the end of the year. Then we had a
bill of 97,306 which died of all diseases, which
was an increase of more than 79»000, over what it
was the year before; and the number of them
which died by the plague was reckoned to be
68,596 this year; when there were but 6 which
the bill speaks of who died the year before.
Now the citizens, who had dispersed themselves
alM'oad into the countries, because of the con-
tagion, think of their old houses and trades, and
begin to return, though with fearfulness and trem-
bling, lest some of the after-drops of the storms
should fall upon them ; and O that many of them
had not brought back their old hearts and sins,
which they carried away with them ! O that
there had been a general repentance and refor-
mation, and returning to the Lord that had smit-
ten the dty! The l^rd gave them leisure and
TBcation from ^ir trades for the one pecessary
54 GOD*S TERRIBLE VOICE
thing ; which had they improved, and genendljr
mourned for sin, which brought the plague upon
the city, had they humbly and earnestly sought
tlie Lord to turn from his fierce anger, which was
kindled against London, it might have prevented
the desolating judgment by fire : but alas ! how
many spent their time of leisure in toys and
trifieSf at best about feeding and preserving their
bodies, but no time in serious minding the salva-
tion of their souls ; and if some were a little
awakened with fear, whilst the plague raged so
greatly, and they looked upon themselves to be
in such danger ; yet when they apprehended the
danger to be over^ they dropped asleep faster than
before : still they are the same or worse than
formerly : they that were drunken, are drunken
still ; they that were filthy, are filthy still ; and
they that were unjust and covetous, do still per-
severe in their sinful coarse ; cozening, and lying,
and swearing, and cursing, and Sabbath break-
ing, and pride, and envy, and flesh-pleasing, and
the like God-displeasing, and God-provoking
sins (of which in the catalogue of London sins)
do abound in London, as if there were no signi-
fication in God's judgments by the plague ; some
return to their houses, and follow their worldly
business^ and work as hard as they can to fetch
up the time they have lost, without minding and
labouring -to improve by the judgment, and God's
wonderful preservation of them; others return,
«nd sin as hard as they can, having been taken
off for a while, from those opportunities and free
liberties for ^in, which they had before ; raost
began now to sit down at rest in their houses
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN THE CITY. &S
when the summer was come, and the p\apie did
not return^ and tfaey bring back all their goods
they had carried into the country because of the
plague; they did not imagine they should be
forced to remoTe them again so soon.
Thus concerning the great Plague in London.
SECT. vr.
I PROCEED next to give a narration of the judg-
ment of the Fire ; in which I shall be more brief^
it being dispatched in fewer days, than the plague
was in months*
It was the 2d of September 1666, that the
anger of the Lord was kindled against London,
and the fire began : it began in a baker*s house in
' Pudding Lane, by Fish-street Hill : and now the
Lord is making London " like a fiery oven in the
time of his anger," Psal. xxi. 9, and in his wrath
doth devour and swallow up our habitations. It
was in the depth and dead of the night, when
most doors and senses were locked up in the
city, that the fire doth break forth and appear
abroad ; and like a mighty giant refreshed with
wine, doth awake and arm itself, quickly gathers
strength, when it had made havock of some
houses, rusheth down the hill towards the bridge^
crosseth Thames Street, invadeth Magnus
Church at the Bridge-Foot, and though that
■ Digitized by VjUU^ It:
56 god's terrible voice
churdi vere so great, yet it was not a sufiideiit
barricado against this conqueror ; but- having
scaled and taken this fort, it sbooteth flames with
so fDUch the greater advantage into all places
round about; and a great building of houses
upon the bridge is quickly thrown to the ground;
then the conqueror being stayed in his course at
the bridge, marcheth back towards the .city
again, and runs along with great noise and vio-
lence through Thames Street, westward, where^
having such combustible matter in its teeth, and
such a fierce wind upon its back, it prevails with
little resistance, unto the astonishment of the be-
holders.
My business is not to speak of the hand of
man, which was made use of in the beginning
and carrying on of this fire. The beginning of
the fire at such e^ time, when there had been so
much hot weather, which had dried the houses,
and made them the more fit for fuel ; the begin-
ning of it in such a place, where there were so
many timber-houses, and the shops filled with so
much combustible matter ; and the beginning of
it just when the wind did blow so fiercely upon
that ewner towards the rest of the city, which
then was like tinder to the sparks; this doth
smell of a popish design, hatched in the same
place where the Gunpowder-plot was contrived,
only that this was more successful. The world
sufficiently knows how correspondent this is to
popish principles and practices; those, whocoold
intentionally blow up king and parliament by
gunpowder, might (without any scruple of their
kinds of ooasdence) actuidly bjii^f^^^ heretical
IV THE ciTr» 67
dtj (as they count it) into ashet: fer betides tbe
dispensations they can have from his Holiness,
(or rather his Wickedness) the pope, for the most
horrid crimes of murder, incest, and the like;
it is not unlikely, bat they count such an action
as this meritorious, (in their kind of merit) which,
in tbe issue, they will find to merit the flames of
eternal fire, instead of a crown of glory, which
I wonder that in their way they can have the
least hopes of: I believe that the people will
how take more heed of them and Uieir ways;
and instead of promoting their cause, I hope that
a contrary effect is prcduced ; and thai the be-
fore indifferency of a generation more newly
sprang up, who did not know them, is now
turned into loathing and detestation of such a
religion, as can allow of such practices* My
work is not to declare what hath been proved
against the papists before the honourable com-
mittee of parliament appointed to enquire into
their insolencies; and the proofs which have
been given in, concerning the fire, and who
have been accessary thereunto.
No; I would rather endeavour to turn people's
eyes from men to God ; for whoever were the
instruments, God was the aoth<Nr of this evil,
which hath come upon us; there being no evil
in the city (that is, evil of punishment) which
the Lord as a righteous, and the supreme Judge,
doth not inflict. And surely more of the extra-
ordinary hand of God, than of any men, did
appear in the burning of the City of London.
God could have prevented men, by discovering
their plots (as he did that ^ thj^^g^gipowder.
58 god's terrible voice.
treason) before tbey had taken effect. Ood
could have directed and given a blessing unto
means for the qcraiching of it when it was
first kindled. God, who hath the wmds in his
fist; could have gathered in the wind^ and laid it
asleep; or so tamed it the other way, that it
should have been a defence to the city : or Ood,
who hath the clouds at his command, and the
bottles of heaven in his hand, could have gathered
his thick clouds together, and squeezed them;
opened his bottles, and poured down rain in
abundance upon the city; so that if the wind had
blown as it did, it should have blown water upon
the fire, which would quickly have put it out.
But the heavens at that time were brass, no
showering clouds to be seen: the fire begins,
is quickly taken notice of, though in the midst
of the night; fire, fire, fire, doth resoand the
streets; many citizens start out of their sleep,
look out of thdr windows, some dress themselves,
and run to the place. The Lord Mayor of the
city comes with his officers, a confusion there is,
counsel is taken away; and London, so famous
for wisdom and dexterity, can now find neither
brains nor bands to prevent its ruin. The hand
of God was in it; the decree was come fbrth:
London must now fall ; and who could prevent
it? No wonder when so many pillars are re-
moved, if the building tumbles; the prayers,
tears, and faith, which sometimes London hath
had, might have quenched the violence of the
fire; might have opened heaven for rain, and
driven back the wind: but now the fire gets
mastery; and bums dreadfully : and God with his
IK THE CITY. 59
gre$t beUowfl blows upon it» whidi inakct it
spread quickly» and go od with such £irce and
rage, overturnii^^ all so furiouily, that the wb<^e
city is brought into jeopardy of desolation. That
night most of the Londoners had taken their last
sleep in their houses ; they little thought it would
be so when they went into their becU ; they did
not in the least suspect, when the doors of their
ears were unlocked, and the casements of their
eyes were opened in the morning, to hear of sudi
an enemy's inwKiing the city, and that thcj
should see hira, with such fury, enter the doora
of their houses, break into every room, and
look out of their casements with such a threat^*
ening countenance; as it is said. Lament, iv*
12. ** The inhabitants would not have believed
that the adversary should have entered the gatea
of Jerusalem :'' »o the inhabitants of the city,
would not have believed that the fire should
have entered and prevailed to bum London to
the ground.
That which made the ruin the more dismal,
was, that it was begun on the Lord's day morning ;
never was there the like Sabbath in London ;
some diurches were in flames that day ; and God
seems to come down, and to preach himself in
them, as he did in Mount Sinai, when the Mount
burned with fire; such warm preaching those
churches never had; such lightning dreadful
sermons never were before delivered in London.
In oUier churches ministers were preaching their
farewell sermons, and people were hearing with
quaking and astonishment: instead of a holy
rest, which Christians have t^fp^vPPi |feis day.
60 god's terrible voice.
there is a tumultuous hurrying about the streets
towards the place that burned, and more tumul-
tuous hurrying upon the spirits of those that sat
still, and had only the notice of the ear, of the
quick and strange spreading of the fire.
Now the train-bands are up in arms^ watching
at every quarter for outlandish men, because of
the general fears and jealousies, and rumours
that fire-balls were thrown into houses by several
of them, to help on and provoke the too furious
flames. Now goods are hastily removed from the
lower parts of the city ; and the body of the
people begin to retire, and draw upwards, as the
people did from the tabernacles of Corah, Dathan,
and Abiram, when the earth did cleave asunder
and swallow them up: Numb. xvi. 27. 31 > 32, or
rather as Lot drew out from his house in Sodom
before it was consumed by fire from heaven,
Gen. xix. Yet some hopes were retained on the
Lord's day, that the fire would be extinguished,
especially by them who lived in the remote parts ;
they could scarcely imagine that the fire a mile
off should be able to reach their houses.
But the evening draws on, and now the fire
is more visible and dreadful : instead of the black
curtains of the night, which used to be spread
over the city, now the curtains are yellow, the
smoke that arose from the burning parts, seemed
like so much fiame in the night, which being
bloivn upon the other part^ by the wind, the
whole city at some distance seemed to be on fire.
Now hopes begin to sink, and a general conster-
nation seizeth upon the spirits of people : little
sleep is taken in London this night; the amaze*
1» THE CITY ' 61
ment, whicb the eye and ear doth effect upon the
spirit, doth either dry up, or drive away the
vapour which used to bind up the senses: some
are at wcnrk to quench the fire with water, others
endeavour to stop its course, by pulling down of
houses; but all to no purpose: if it be a little
allayed, or beaten down, or put to a stand in
some places, it is but a very little while; it
quickly recruits and recovers its force ; it leaps
and mounts, and makes the more furious onset,
drives back its opposers, snatches their weapons
out of their hands, seizes upon the water-houses-
and engines, bums them, spoils them, and makes
them unfit for service. Some are upon their
knees in the night, pouring out tears before the
Lord, interceding for poor London, in the day of
its calamity ; but alas, I fear there were too few
weeping Jeremiahs at the throne of grace, too few
Moseses to stand in the gap; too few Jacobs
to wrestle with the Lord, and hang about his
arm. London's sins were too great, and God's
anger against the city was too hot, so easily and
presently to be quenched and allayed ; and if
by the intercession of some, a mitigation be ob-
tained, so that the Lord doth not stir up all
his wrath, utterly to destroy the place as he did
Sodom and Gomorrah ; yet none can prevail to
call back that wrath, and reverse that decree
which is gone forth against the city : the time of
London's fall is come ; the fire hath received its
commission from God to burn down the city, and
therefore all attempts to binder it are in vain.
On the Lord's day night the fire had run as
far as Garlick^hithe, in ThameMtr(^t^j and had
62 god's TERtllBLE VOICE
crept up into Cannon^street, and levelled it with
the ground, and still is making forward by the
water side, and upward to the brow of thehiUy on
which the city was built.
On Monday Gracechurch-street is all in flames,
with Lombard-street on the left hand, and part
of Fenchurch-street on the right, the fire work-
ing (though not so fast) against the wind that
way : before it were pleasant and stately houses,
behind it ruinous and desolate heaps. The burn-
ing then was in fashion of a bow, a dreadful bow
it was, such as mine eyes never before had seen ;
a bow which had God's arrow in it with a flaming
point: it was a shining bow, not like that in the
cloud, which brings water with it, and withal
signifies God's covenant, not to destroy the world
any more with water : but it was a bow which
had fire in it, which signified God's anger, and his
intention to destroy London with fire.
Now the flames break in upon Comhill, that
huge and spacious street ; and quickly cross the
way by the train of wood that lay in the streets
untaken away, which had been puUed down from
houses to prevent its spreading, and so they
lick the whole street as they go ; they mount up
to the top of the highest houses ; they descend
down to the bottom of the lowest vaults and
cellars ; and march along on both sides of the
way, with such a roaring noise, as never was
heard in the city of London ; no stately building
so great as to resist their fury ; the Royal
£x<£ange itself, the glory of the merchants, is
now invaded with much violence; and when
once the fire was entered, how j^g^hf^did it run
Ill THK CITT. 63
iroutkA thef galleries, filling ttiem witfa flames ; then
desc^ndetb the stairs, oompasseth the walks,
giving forth flaming volleys, and filled the court
with sheets of fire; by and by, down fall all the
lyings upon their' faces, and the greatest part of
the stone building after them, (the founder's
statue only remaining) with such a noise, as was
dreadful and astonishing.
Then, then the city did shake indeed, and the
inhabitants did tremble, and flew away in great
amazement from their houses. Test the flames
should devour them. Rattle, rattle, rattle, was
the noise which the fire struck upon the ear
round about, as if there had been a thousand
iron chariots beating upon the stones; and if yon
opened your eye to the opening of the streets,
where the fire was come, you might see in some
places whole streets at once in flames, that issued
forth, as if they had been so many great forges
from the opposite windows, which folding toge-
ther, were united into one great flame throughout
the whole street, and then you might see Ae
houses tumble, tumble, tumble, from one end of
the street to thie other with a great crash, leaving
the foundations opMi to the view of the Heavens.
Now fearfulness and terror doth surprise the
citizens of London ; confusion and astonishment
doth fall upon them at this unheard of, un-
thought of judgment. It would have grieved the
heart of an unconcerned person, to see the rueful
looks, the pale cheeks, the tears trickling down
from the eyes, (where the greatness of sorrow
and amazement could'give leave for such a vent,)
the smiting of the breast; the wringing of the
64 god's t£rrible voice
hands ; to hear the sighs and groans, the doleful
and weeping speeches of the distressed citizens,
-when they were bringing forth their wives, (some
from their child-bed) and their little ones (some
from their sick-bed) out of their houses, and
sending them into the countries, or somewhere
into the fields with their goods. Now the hopes
of London are gone, their heart is sunk ; now
there is a general remove in the city, and that in
a greater hurry than before the plague ; their
goods being in greater danger by the fire, than
their persons were by the sickness. Scarcely are
some returned, but they must remove again, and
not as before, now without any more hopes of
jcver returning, and living in those houses any
jnore.
Now carts, and drays, and coaches, and horses,
as many as could have entrance into the city, were
loaden, and any money is given for help ; £5.
JEiO. £20. £30. for a cart, to bear forth into the
fields some choice things, which were ready to be
consumed ; and some of the countries had the
conscience to accept of the highest price, which
the citizens did then offer in their extremity ; I
am mistaken if such money do not burn worse,
than the fire out of which it was raked. Now
casks of wine, and oil, and other commodities are
tumbled along, and the owners shove as much of
their goods as they can towards the gates : every
one now becomes a porter to himself, and scarcely
a back, either of man or woman, that hath
strength, but had a burden on it in the street;
it was very sad to see such throngs of poor citizens
coming in and going forth froig^^^f^ unbumt
IN THE CITY. 65
purls, heavy loaden with some pieces of their
goodsj but more heavy loaden witli weighty grief
and sorrow of hearty so that it is wonderful they
did not quite sink under these burdens.
Monday night was a dreadful night» when the
wings of the night had shadowed the light of the
heavenly bodies, there was no darkness of night
in London, for the fire shines now round about
with a fearful blaze, which yielded such light in
the streets as it had been the sun at noon-day.
Now the fire having wrought backward strange-
ly against the wind to Billingsgate, &c. along
Thames-street eastward, runs up the hill to
Tower-street, and having marched on from Grace-
church-street, making further, progress in Fen-
church-street, and having spread its wing beyond
Queen-hithe in Thames-street westward, mounts
up from the water side through Dowgate, and
Old Fish-street into Watling-street : but the
great fury of the fire was in the broader streets ;
in the midst of the night it was come down
Comhill, and laid it in ^e dust ; and runs along
by the Stocks, and there meets with another fire,
which came down Threadneedle-street ; a little
further with another, which came up from Wall-
brook : a little further with another, which comes
up from Bucklersbury ; and all these four joining
together, break into one bright flame at the
corner of Cheapside, with such a dazzling light,
and burning heat, and roaring noise by the fall of
so many houses together, that was very amazing;
and though it was something stopt in its swift
course at Mercers' Chapel, yet with great force
in a while, it conquers the place, and bums
Digitized by VjUU^^J^ 2
66 god's terrible voice
through it, and then with great rage proce«^edi
forward in Cheapside.
On Tuesday was the fire burning up the very
bowels of London; Cheapside is all in a light
fire in a few hours time; many fires meeting
there, as in the centre ; from Soper-lane, Bow-
lane, Bread-street, Friday-street, and Old-change,
the fire comes up almost together, and breaks
furiously into the broad street, and most of that
side of the way was together in fiames, a dreadful
spectacle ! and then partly by the fire which
came down by Mercers' Chapel, partly by the
fall of the houses across the way, the other side
is quickly kindled, and doth not stand long
after it. Now the fire gets into Blackfriars,
and so continues its course by the water, and
makes up toward Paul's church, on that side,
and Cheapside fire besets the great building on
this side, and the church, though all of stone
outward, though naked of houses about it, and
though so high above all buildings in the city,
yet within a while doth yield to the violent
assaults of the conquering fiames, and strangely
takes fire at the top ; now the lead melts and
runs down, as if it had been snow before the sun ;
and the great beams and massy stones, with
a great noise fall on the pavement, and break
through into Faith Church underneath, and
great fiakes of stone scale and peel off strangely
from the side of the walls. The conqueror having
got this high fort, darts its fiames round about ;
now Paternoster-row, Newgate-market, the Old
Bailey, and Ludgate-hill have submitted them-
selves to the devouring fire, which, with wonder-
/ , Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN THE CITY. 67
Ful speed rusheth down the hill into Fleet-street*
Now Cheapside fire marcheth along Ironmonger*
lane. Old Jury, Lawrence-lane, Milk-street*
Wood- street. Gutter-lane, Foster-lane; now it
runs along Lothbury, Cateaton-street, &c. From
Newgate-market, it assaults Christ-church and
conquers that great building, and bums through
Martin's-lane towards Aldersgate, and all about
so furiously, as if it would not leave a house
standing upon the ground.
Now horrible flakes of fire mount up the sky,
and the yellow smoke of London ascendeth up
towards heaven, like the smoke of a great fur-
nace : a smoke so great, as darkened the sun at
noon-day, (if at any time the sun peeped forth^ it
looked red like blood,) the cloud of smoke was so
great, that travellers did ride at noon-day some
miles together in the shadow thereof, though
there were no other cloud beside to be seen in
the sky.
And if Monday night was dreadful, Tuesday
night was more dreadful, when far the greatest
part of the city was consumed : many thousands
who on Saturday had houses convenient in the
city, both for themselves, and to entertain others,
now have not where to lay their head ; and the
fields are the only receptacle, which they can
find for themselves and thair goods ; most of the
late inhabitants of London lie all night in the
open air, with no other canopy over them, but
that of the heavens. The fire is still making
towards them, and threateneth the suburbs ; it
was amazing to see, how it had spread itself
several miles in compass; ^d.s^ongst other
68 god's terrible voice
things that night, the sight of Guildhall was a
fearful spectacle, which stood the whole body of
it together in view, for several hours together,
after the fire had taken it, without flames, (I sup-
pose because the timber was such solid oak) in a
Dright shining coal, as if it had been a palace of
gold, or a great building of burnished brass.
On Wednesday morning, when people ex-
pected that the suburbs would be burnt, as well
as the city, and with speed were preparing their
flight, as well as they could, with their luggage
into the countries, and neighbouring villagea;
then the Lord hath pity on poor London; his
bowels begin to relent, his heart b turned within
him, and he '^ stays his rough wind in the day
of the east wind ;" his fury begins to be allayed:
he hath a remnant of people in Xiondon, and
there shall a remiiant of houses escape; the
wind now is hushed ; the commission of the fire
is withdrawing, and it bums so gently, even
where it meets with no opposition, that it was not
hard to be quenched, in many places with a few
hands : now the citizens begin to gather a little
hearty and encouragement in their endeavours to
quench the fire, A check it had at Leaden-
hall, by that great building; a stop it had
in Bishopsgate-street, Fenchurch-street, Lime-
street, Mark-lane, aqd towards the Tower ; one
means under God, was the blowing up of houses
with gunpowder* Now it is stayed in Lothbury,
Broad-street, Coleman- street; towards the gates
it burnt, but not with any great violence ; at the
Temple also it is stayed, and in Holbom, where
it had got no freat footing ; and when once the
^ O O 'Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN THE CITY. 69
£re WAS got under^ it was kept under, and on
Thnnday the flames were extinguished.
But on Wednesday night, when the people
late of London, now of the fields, hoped to get a
little i«8t on the ground » where they had spread
their beds, a more dreadful fear falls upon them
than they had before^ through a rumour that the
French were coming armed against them to cut
their throats, and spoil them of what they had
saved oat of the fire; they were now naked
and weak, and in an ill-condition to defend them-
selves, and the hearts, especially of the females,
do quake and tremble, and are ready to die
within them; yet many citisens having lost their
houses, and almost all that they had, are fired
with rage and fury ; and they begin to stir up
themselves like lions, or like bears bereaved of
their wbelps, and now Arm, arm, arm, doth re-
sound the fields and suburbs with a great noise.
We may guess at the distress and perplexity ot
the people this night, which was somethii^ alle-
viaited when the falseness of the alarm was per-
ceived.
Thus feU great London, that ancient city!
that populous city ! London ! which was the
queen city of the land, and as famous as most
cities in the world; none so famous for the
gospel and zealous profession of the reformed
religion. And yet how is London departed like
smoke, and her glory laid hi the dust ! How is
her destruction come, which no man thought of,
and her desolation in a moment ! How do the na-
tions about gaze and wonder! How doth the
whole land tremble at the noise of her fall ! How
.70 god's terrible voice
do h^r citizens droop and b^g down their
heads ; her women and virgins weep, and .$it in
the dust ! Oh, the paleness that now sits upon
the cheejks ! the .astonishment and confusion that
covers the face^ the dismal apprehensions that
arise in the minds of.piost concerning the.dipead-
ful consequences which are likely to be of this
fall of London ! How is the pride of London
stained, and beauty spoiled, her arm broken,^ and
strength departed, her riches almost gope, and
treasures so much consumed I The head now is
sick, and the whole body hint; the heart is
wounded, and every other part is sensible of its
^stroke ; never was England in greater danger of
being made a prey to a foreign power, thap a^ice
the firing and fdl of this city, which had .the
strength and treasure of the nation in it. . Hiaw
is London ceajsed, that rich city ! that Jojpos
city ! One comer indeed is left ; but more tbap ^
many houses as were within the walls, are turned
into ashes*
The merchants now have left the Royal ISj^
change; the buyers and sellers have now for-
saken the streets: Gracechurch-street, Coirohill,
Cheapside, Newgate-market, and the like places,
which used sometime to have throngs of traffickers,
now are become empty of inhabitants ; and in-
stead of the stately houses which stood there
last summer, now they lie this winter in ruinous
heaps. The glory of London is now .fled away
like a bird, the trade of London is shattered and
.broken to pieces, her delights also are vanished,
and pleasant things laid waste; now no chaunt-
ing to the sound of the viol, and dancing to the
IN THE CITY. 71
sweet music of other instruments; now no drink-
ing wine in bowls, and stretching upon the beds
of last : now no excess of wine and banquettings;
no feasts in halls and curious dishes ; no amo-
rous looks, and wanton dalliances; no ruffling
silksj and costly dresses; these things in that
place/ are at an end. But if houses for sin alone
weire sunk, and fuel for lust only were consumed,
it would not be so much : but the houses also for
Ood's worship, (which formerly were a hnU
wnrk against the fire ; partly through the walla
about dieni, partly through the fervent prayers
within them,) now are devoured by the flames,
and the habitations of many who truly fear God,
have not escaped : and in the places where God
hath been served, and his servants have lived,
now nettles are growing, owls are screeching,
thieves and cut- throats are lurking: a sad fkoe
there is nkyw in the ruinous part of London, and
territde hath the voice of the Lord been, which
hath heati <^ing, yea, roaring in the city by
these dreadful judgments of the plague and fire,
irhitii be hath brought upon us.
Thus yOu have the narration of the ju^pttents
tiiem)»^es.'
^■1 ' — -
SECT. VIL
Omceming the Cause of these judgments ; rvhg
hath the Lord spoken by such terrible things in
the dty (^London ?
In giving an account hereof, I shall make use of
the second Doctrine observed from the words:
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
72 GODS. TERRIBLE VOICE
iyoct.2. TkiUfvhen God speaks most ierri^fy
he doth answer most righteously.
They are God's judgments, and therefore they
must needs b& righteous judgments: can there
be unrighteousness in God? No, in no wise;
for how then could he be God? How then
** could he judge the world ? Let God be true,
and every man a liar/' Rom. iii. 5, 6. Let God
be righteous, and all the world unrighteous ; for
light may more easily depart from the sun^ and
heat be separated from the fire, and the whole
creation may more easily drop into nothing, than.
God cease to be just and righteous, in the se-
verest judgments which he doth inflict upon the.
diildren of men.
If any profane mockers do reply against God,
and reflect upon his righteousness and goodness
towards his own people, because these judgments
have fallen so sore upon London, the glory of the
land, yea, of the world, for the number of godly
persons (as in scoflF they call them) which dwell
in it : if God were so righteous and favourable
to the godly, would he bend his bow and shoot
90 many arrows amongst them as he did in the
visitation by the plague, whilst he i^uffered so.
many notoriously wicked persons to escape?
Would he send the fire to consume so many
habitations of the godly, whilst the houses of the
most vicious and vile were preserved? . I shall
labour to stop the mouths of such who are ready
to open them against the King of heaven, by
proposing to consideration these following parti-
culars.
1. ** That God's way is sometimes in tlie sea,
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
fN THE CITY. 73
and htft paths- in the ^rreat water»; and his foot-
steps are not known,'' Psal. IzxTii. ig. ** That
his judgments are unsearchable, and his vrays
past finding out/' Rom. xi. 33. And that even
then *' he is righteous in all his ways, and holy
in all his works/' Psal. cxlv. 17* " And when
clouds and darkness are round about him, righ*
teousness and judgment are the habitation of his
throne^'' Psal. xcvii. 2. And when '' his judge-
ments are a great deep, his righteousness is like
the great' mountains/' Psal. xxxvi. 6. We do
not understand all the mysteries of nature,
neither are we acquainted with all the mysteries
of state ; and if there be some mysteries in God's
way of governing the world, and distributing
temporal mercies and judgments, which we da
not apprehend in every thing the meaning of,
and cannot so fully trace God's righteousness
and goodness therein, let us say it is because
our eyes are shut« and that we are covered with
darkness; therefore let us shut our mouths too^
and seal up our lips with silence, not daring in*
the least to utter any thing which may derogate
from these attributes in God, which are as in«
violable and unchangeable as his very being: this
might be said, if .the reason were more abstruse*
Uum it is.
2. But secondly, the reason of God's judgments
and righteousness therein, wtth the salve of hia'
goodness towards his own people, may be appre--
bended, if we consider.
First, that these judgments of plague and fire,
are both of them national judgments.
1. The judgment of the plague was national ;.
74 jgod'i tbhrible toicb
klasmuch as Londmi wns the chief city; kiastnach
as the King's court was here, and most connlnes
had relations here: and all countries had covi-
cernments here: moreover the plague was not
only in London and Westminster, and places
near adjacent; but it was dispersed into the
countries at a £irther distance, as Cambridge,
Norwidi, Colchester, and other towns, where it
raged either the same or the next yeat^ as much
proportionably as it did in London.
2. The judgment of the fire, whkh biirned
down only the City, and left Westminster and
the suburbs standing, and did not roach into the
countries, yet was a national judgment, because
London was the metropolis of the land ; because
the beauty, riches, strength^ and glory of the
whole kingdom lay in London ; and it was not
the inhabitants of the city who alone did suffer
by this fire, but the whole land, stiore or less, do
and will feel the smart hereof.
Secondly, These judgments then being na-
tional, it is not unreasonable to say, that national
sins have been the cause of them ; and if so, we
may readily find a reason of God's righteousness
in these proceedings, when the sins of the land
are so obvious and so heinous. He is a great
stranger in England that doth not know, how
wickedness hath abounded in these later years;
his eyes must be fast shut, who doth not see
what a deluge of profaneness and impiety hath
broken in like a mighty torrent, and overflowed
the land ; that hath not taken notice of those
barefaced villanies which have been commuted
amongst us, which is a gr^edquestion whether
<M THB CITY. 7^
mj agM bafibre iis could pinUel: we Mid in
ScvifKtnre of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the
wickedness sometime of Jerusalem: profane his*
tones and travellers make mention of Rom^
Venioe, Naples, Paris, and other places venr
widied ; but who can equal England, which calls
itself Christian and Protestant, for such desperate
and audacious aflrants and indignities which have
been ofierod to the highest A&jesty by the gal«
lanta (as they are calkd) of our times? How
waa«hdll, as it were, bi^e loose ; and how were
mmk worse than those which, in our Saviour's
timer were possessed with devils, who cut them**
sdlvea with stones, and tore their own flesh;
even such who went about like so many heU«
hounds and incarnate devils, cursing and banning,
eimeariog and blaspheming, inventing new oaths#
and glorying tbemn, delisting to, tear the name
of God, and to spit forth theic rancour and map
lice in his very face? And can we then be at
a loss fcNT a reason of God's righteousness in his
thua punishing Etigland, by b^^inning thus fun*
ously with London ? When were there so many
athflfti^. about London, and in the land, who de*
nied the very being of God ; when so many gen-
tlemen (who looked upon it as one piece of their
breeding to cast off all sentiments of a Deity)
did walk our streets^ and no arguments would
work th^m to a persuasion of the truth of God's
bdyag, shall we wonder, if the Lord aippeats in a
terrible way, that he might be known by the
ludgments which he executeth? When so many
desmd the Divine authority o£ the Scriptures,
^e very foundation <rf our (^r|ft^,|l|th, and
76 god's terrible ^oice
Fedboned diemselv^s; by tbeir |irmciples»
Turks, Pagans, and other infidds, however, Uftty
called themselves Christians, and heveby pot
auch an affront upon >tiie Lord Jetos Chxist, ^tiie
only Son of the Most High God; is it starai^e
that the Lord should speak so terribly, to shew
his indignation ? When there was such blowUig
at, and endeavours to put out that light vhifih
would shew men the way to heaven ; such halved
and opposition against the poiKerof godliaeoa^
when the name of a saint was matter of derinsn
and scorn I when there was soth wallowii^
in filthy fornication and adultery, in swinish
drunkenness and intemperance ; when sudi opr
pression, bribery, such malice, cruelty, sachtmr
heard of wickedbiess, and hideous impietyy gfomn
to such a height in the land, may we not f«e«
sonably think that such persons as were thne
guilty, being in the ship, were a great cauae of
&e stonatof God's anger, which hi^ made such
a shipwreck ?
. The plague indeed, when it was come, made
little discrimination between the -bodies of the
righteous and the bodies of Uie wicked ; no more
doth grace; the difference is more inward and
deep ; it is the soul begins to be glorified hcveby ;
and hath the seed of eternal life put into it^ w^en
it doth pass the new birth; but 'the body ia not
changed with the soul; the body remains. aa-tt
was, as frail, and weak, and exposed to diseases
and death, as before, and . as the body of «By
wicked person; and therefore the infection^
disease of the plague ccnning into a populous city,
the bodies of the rigfateou^. jp|g|i^||^ the rest*
IN TBS CITT. 77
I llie eontegioii, and tbcgr All in the oon-
i cfldamky s thate is a difference in the maoner
of tfaeirtleitihy and a differenoe io their place and
ataiie after death* as hath been spoken of befiwe,
bat thm kind of death if theaame.
Sb the fiie dotb make no diacrimination be«
tiftia the houaeaof the-ffedly^ and the houses of
theoagodlj; theyareallmsdeof theeamecem-
Iboetible matteri and are eokiadied as bodies in*
feetad^Ane by- anodier: indeed the godlj have
G40k to be their haUtatian, and they are citiaena
eft the New Jeeusalenif irhich ia above; a city
wbic^ faatk foandations, whose bnilder and maker
is Chid ; an abi<Hng Gity, which the fire cannot
reach*; and their persons are secured from the
#MBew of eternal &e in hell; but thej have no
pMMoiae nor security for the preservation of their
houses ^rem fire here in this world. The jQdg«
aienla- ef the fiagae and fire being sent» work ao»
eoidiii{^MSo ^bcir naiare> without diatingiushing
the righteous.
But if we farthee enquire into the reason.
Why the-pbgnewaa^vnt the last year, and such
a^pit^neas hi^ not beenknown these forty yeara;
l»lnch raged an eoraiy, wdien there waa nosuch
suhttSueris of weather (aa in other years) to ii^
creese it;- and why the fire was sent this year,
and sooh u fire as neither-we^ nor our forefathers
ever knewv neither do we read of in any history
of any so great in any place in time of peacer
whet shall we say was the cauae of theae extra*
ordinary national judgmenta, butthe cxtraordi«
nary- national' sins. It was an extraordinary
hMd ofC^ whidi brought the plague^ of which
h2
7d god's TSa&ISLS VOIC£
no tmtttral cause csn be ass^ed why.k tliiNilil
be BO great that year more tluin iir former years,
but tbit sm was grown to greater beif^ ; and
that a fire should prevail against all attempts to
quench it, to burn down the city, and thai judg-
m«[it just following upon the heels of the. other;
what reason can be assigned, bus that Englaad's
sins, and God's displeasure have been oxtraor-
dinary; God is a God of patience, and it is not a
light thing wtU move hua ; he is slow to anger,
it must needs b^ then sssne great provocation
which makes him so furious.; ho is faigUy o^
fended, before he lifts up his hand; and. hoxis
exceedingly incensed, before his anger breaks
forth into such a flame. For my part^ I verily
tfiink, if it had not been fer the crying abomiBa*
tioDS of the times, which are not c&fly to be
limited to the city of London ; and if themeans
of God's prescription, aocotding to the rule of
bis Word, wln<^ England sometivie couildv bad
by England been made use of, that both plagiia
and fire bad been prevented*
' Thirdly, moraover, it may be said that aome
particular persons, by some more peculiar and
notorious sins in the city, may ba've^provdbsditbe
Lord to bring pumshment upon.the whole .jibes,
if the land were not so generaUy profime and
wicked. The heatfaenoould say, ^' A whole city
Biay be punished for the wtokedoessof;oneixian^'*
yea, we read of David, though so good a min,
yet when he numbeied the people (asmdl sin in
eomparison with the sins of some oShersin our
days) God was peovoked to send such a dnadiid
nlaguc^ not on himad^ but ^m^ ?««*, Aat
Ill THB CKTT. 79
tfaere dkd 70,009 UMii by It in diree 6aj9 ; and
Dwvid aadf '' i have tinned and done wickedlj ;
bat tiwae sheep what have they done V S Sam*
xxiv. 10, 18.
Foarthly» if it be enqnired how Clod's mercy
to fa» people doth appear, when theee judgments
faavie fjdlen to heavy upon many of them ?
I sntwer,
K Thoee of God's own piBople who have falkn
hy.tkm pht^VLe, are received to greater gtace and
mefeyin heaven, than here tl^y were capable
of; and they are moreover delivered from evil to
come, wiiich hath einee, and may further come
upon' US.
ft, Those whose booses have lallen by the fire,
the Lord ooald, and confident I am, the Lord
hath made them greater gainers another wayr
ihef. ihasfB lost, it may be, much in temporal
things; but they are, or may be (if they be not
wimtitig to themselves) gainers of spiritual things,
vhiebfaYe of a* higher and more excellent nature.
I have known and heard of many of God's people
whoae* houses ate bnmt and goods spoiled, who
bsfie taken^ the loss -with so much cheerfnlness,
hmaility, ^mfcfeness^ patience, contentment, and
ihaiikifaltiess, that any thing was saved, if it were
onfy'lheir lifvesy tthatift hath been my wonder and
joy.; jIo igain sucb a. spirit, hath more €^ good,
tbsBB'tfae klu e£ all external enjoyments hath of
enlr .
$i FiHther, If these judgments have fallen upon
Godls^XMiopk, we most know that ^ey have their
sinsy wiikh have deserved them; poastUy some
hate bemm to eomnl j with the wid^ed in thm
«W«« vvg^-W*. -ir u.MP';£— ^ »-^ Digitized by VjCJU^ It:
80 god's TBftaXBLE VOICE
tnoktd wajTs: it raajr bt they wtie gnmn more
locMe in tbkt waiking> and focttial iathttfaerriee
oiGod, and their hearts mate set on the world;
of whidi sins more largdj, when I oometo speek
of the sins of the citj: and the sins of God's
peufile have more htinons aggmvationa than the
sins of. the ;wicked». being eonmitted agsinsft
dearer lights dearer loire^ sweeter merciea»
stioDger obligaticns, and therefore profeke God
the num to.waads; therefore' he thivateneiii his
own people^ especially, to ponisfa them when tkegr
transgress, Amos iii. S : <' You(on}y have I known
of all the families of the earth, and. therefore I
will punish you for your iniquities/'
4. Besides, they havoneed of awakening jn^flT*
ments to rouse them, and 'humble them for. sin;
to loosen and weaa them from the world ; and it
is in love and foithfulness, that God doth inflict
sudi judgments upon them.
5. We must remember that it is God's usual
course to begin with his own housorl Pet. iv. 17.
<' Judgment b^nsat the house of Ged.''
Fifthly, To esnclude^ Do any of the nngndly
question God's righteousness, because in. these
common calamities they h«^ thMiertD j uif vi ved
ttideseaped?
i.i It is but an ill reqnitel, and ill use wfamh
they make of God's padenee and goodness, which
heihatfa exercised towaids them, that. hereby
he might lead them unto repentance, Rom»
ii» 4» fi.
S» Let them stay awhile, and God will answer
them himself and give them an expeifraeatsl'
^enviotion of his ri^rteo«s. judgments, 1 Betw
tM THB CITY. SI
ir; T7) 19^ ''*lf judgment begfn at the home <if
Ood, what shaM the end be of theitt that obey not
the Gospel? and if the righteont scarcely be
saved, nliere shall the ang<xUy and sinneri ap«
pear?" We read^ Psaln Ixav. 8. *« Of a cup of
red wine in the hand of the Lord ;" he may give
bis people to drink the top of it; bot the most
bitter nod draggish part^ which is at tfie bottomi
the wicked shaU wrnig forth and drink ; if Gkid
whip bis children with rods, he wfll scourge ins
enemies with soorpiona*
I am persuaded that the notoriously ungodly of
thia generation^ will not go out of thia world
without some mnarkadble temporal judgment;
and' that the Lard will make them feel something
evm here, what an evil thii^ and a bittar it ia
8o aadaciously to fly in the face of the great
God, by their hideous oaths and blasphemies;
by their horrid wickedness and abominations;
wherel^ they do^ as it were, challenge God to do
his worst against them; and when Ood deth
draw forth bis glittering sword, and make ready
his diorp :airow upon the string; when God
de^ clothe himself wKh fury as with a garment^
and4f» band doth take hold onvengeanoe: when
their iniquities are grown fully ripe, and the day
of tfaeir visitation and reoompence is come, how
then will these sinners of England be afiraid^
and what amazing terror will tliere then sur«
prise this vile generation ? '^ Can their hearts en*
dare, or their hands be strong in the day that the
Lord -shall deal with them ?" Ezek. xxii. 14. Then
the. Lord will roar from his holy habitation with
sudta terrible voice, as; shall make their ears to
Digitized by VjUU^ If
88 god's tbrrxblb voice
tingle, their hearts to qvake imd tremble; Im will
roar like a lioo, and tear them in pieeea^ when
there shall be none to deUver* If the shaking of
his rod hath moved them, and the bc^nnin^ of
his judgments, which, he hath executed upon
others, hath affiighted them, what. wUl their be-
haviour be wiien the aooorge is laid ufmi tbdr
own -backs, and judgment shall falLiupeia their
own heads ! Sorely the judgments intended IHH^
posdy for the most ungodly, are. not yetrconw;
yet, as they are like to be ^Eoeeding great» be*
cause mete 6E pure and unmixed wmth will .ac-
txanpany them ; so they are like to be very near,
because they are filling up the measure of their
wickedness so fast, and they seem to be arsived
even.to the uttermost of sin; surdy their judg-
ment doth neither linger nor ^lumberi but iaii|MB
the wing, hastening towards ihem;. surely the
arm of the Lord as awakened, and lifted up on
high ; and though infinite patience dotk huUtt up
a Istde while, to try whether the judgments sdU
ready executed upon othera, before, their ^pea
will work any good ^ect upon thmn, so jMrte
awaken them and stop them, and turn them
from their evil ways; yet, if th^ pB6ceed in
their 'sinful course, his arm, I am persuaded, will
come down with such fonce and Airy upon litem,
that their destruction shall be remarkable to all ,
that are round about them : and I have mndi of j
that persuasion, that the Lord will, as it were,
hang up many of the villains of our times, who j
have been guilty of such treachery and rdbdUon
against the great King of heaven, as it were in
ciiain% and make their punishment here as no*
iv turn crtr^ $$
ttitt&m as liiftir nw liavv hem, duit the whok
world imy hear and fear, and take haed of todi
vile paacticet. I suppcwa thej maj not now ex*
peet'k, nor ftar it, any more than the whole
w<Hrld did their drownttig^ or Sodom and Qo*^
morrtth did thenr baming, beeanae deeeitful tin
halii haadened their hearts ; long custom in sin,
iriA knponitjr^ hath seated their consoMnees aa
widi n hot iron ; but then diey are in the great*
est danger, when they sleep with the grsatest
securf ^ : when men grow desperatdy hardened
against often and all reproofst by word and rod
toOy what foUews but sadden destmction, and
that without remedy? Prov. xiiz. 1. ''And
when men cry peace and safety, then sudden
desCruetsen cometh upon them, ss travail open a
woatMn with child, and they shall not escape,''
I Thess* ▼• 3* And if someof this untoward and
wiched gener a t i on do drop away widiout a re*
markable temporal destruction, Oad will make
his righteousness evident to them in the othor
worid» when he daps up their souls dose
prisoners in the lowest dungeon of hdl, appoint-
ing fohuck devfls to be their gaolers, flames of
fire to be their dothing, Indeous terrors and
woe to be their fobd ; Cain, Judas, and other
damned tonnented spirits to be their companions,
where they must lie bound in the chains of dark-^
nest, till the judgment of the great day: and
when the general assise is come, and the angels
have blown the last trumpet, and gathered the
elect to the right hand of Christ, then they will
be sent with the keys of the bottomless pit, and
the prison will be opened for §,MW§m^ like
84 GOD 8 TSR&IBLE YOICB
80 many rogdes in chains^ tliey ahitlU to pattor
with all their fellow sinners, be brought forth ,
and find out the dirty flesh of their bodies,
which, like a nasty rag, they shall then put ^on,
and with raost rueful looks, and trembling joints,
and horrible shrieks, and inexpressible conSfiisioii
and terror, they shall behold the Lord Jesua
Christ, whom in life-time they dei^ised and «f*»
fronted, come down from heaven in flaming fire*
to take vengeance upon thfm; who will sentenee
them to the flames of eternal fire, and drive tfiem
from his throne and presence, into utter darkness,
where they must take up their lodging ^r ever-
more. Then, then the^e will be a dear rev«-*
lation of the righteous and dreadful judgnenfta
of this great God unto the worki, and upon jtbis
accursed generation.
But more fully to clear up the reason of Lon-
don's judgments, and the righteousfliess of Ood?
herein, God hath, indeed, spoken yery terrthly,
but he hath answered us very righteouslfF. Lon-
don was not sp godly, as soipe speak by nay of
scoff. No \ if London had been more genmlly
godly, and .more powerfully godly, these |tt%*
ments might have been escap^, and the. riitn of
the city prevented : No ! it was the ungodliness
of London which brought the plague, and fire^
upon Ijondon. There was a gen^»l plagaie vq^on^
the heart, a more dangerous iolection* and <leiwl]y
plague of sin, before there was sent a plague upon
the body ; there was a fire of divers lust^ which
was enkindled, and did burn in the bosom : some-
times issuing out flames at the doer of the m^ttjth*
and at the windows of tbe#{e|e^^t^^ml^
IN THE CITY. 85
before the fire vnm kindled in the city, which
swallowed up so many habitations. We have
fallen (thousands of persons) into the grave by the
plague ; thousands of houses^ as a gretii monument
upon them, by the (he ; and whence is it ? '' We
are idltn bv our iniquities/' Hosea xir. 1 . ** The
crown is fallen from our heads :" and what is the
reason? ^'because we have sinned against the
Lord/' Ijam.T. l6. God hath spoken terribly;
but he hath answered righteously ; as he gives
great and especial mercies in answer unto prayer,
so he sendeth great and extraordinary judgments
in answeir unto sin ; there is a voice and loud cry,
especially in some sins, which **entereth into the
ears of the Lord of Sabaoth^" James v. 4. When
God speaks by terrible things^ he makes but a
righteous return to this cry.
And though these judgments of plague and
fire are national judgments, and may be the
product of national sins, and 1 verily am per*
suaded, that God was more highly provoked by
some that dwelt out of the city, than with those
which- dwelt in it; I mean the profane and
ungodly generation, who chiefly did inhabit more
remotely; and that God, being so provoked, was
the more ready to strike, and let his hand fall so
heavy upon London : yet, since many of the un*
godly crew were got into the city itself, and most
in the city, that were not of them, and did not
dare to commit their impieties, yet made them*
selves guilty, by not mourning for them, and
labouring in their place what they could after a
ledress ; and since London iUelf hath been guilty
of so numy crying sins (as I ^b^^i^^^^^our to
86 GOD*S TSa&IBI^ TOICE
diew), God*8 T^hteousneas in tile tenibfe things
of LoDdon wiD be evident^ espedtHj if we con-
sider^
1. Thai God hoik pmmsktd Lomdtm mo more
iham ikeir imigMHies have deserved.
2. Thai God hoik ptaasked London less than
ikeir iniqmiiies have deserved,
1. God hath pradshed London no more than
thdr iniquiiies deserved. Great sans deserve great
plagoea, and have not the sins of London been
great ? Let us make an enqany alter London's
sins.
Here I shall offer some sins to con^deration,
and let London judge whether she be not gniHy,
and whether the Lord hath not been plaguing
her^ and burning her, and possibly, yea, pro-
bably, will bring utter ruin and desolation upon
her, except she see, and mourn, and turn the
sooner. It is out of dear and tender love to Lon-
don (with whom I could willingly live and die)
that I write these things to put them in mind of
their sins, that they might take some speedy
course for a redress and turning away the fierce
anger of the Lord which is kindled against them lor
sin, lest he next proceed to bring utter ruin upon
them : surely they have not more reason to tmnk
that God's anger is turned away since the lire,
than they had to think it was turned away isfter
the plague ; but rather they may conclude,' that
though the fire of the city be quenched, yet the
fire of God's anger doth bam still more d7tad>
fully than the other fire, and that his hand is
stretched out still to destroy. Therefbre,
all ye inhabitants about London, open youreye^
XV THE CITY* 87
and ears, and hearts* and suffer a word of reproof,
for your sins ; and deal not with this catalogue of
your sins* as Jehoiachim did with Jeremiah's
roll, who burnt it in the fire* not being able to
bear his words; but do with it as John did with
bis little book* eat it* and digest it ; though it be
bitter in the mouth* as well as in the belly, it is
bitter physic, bufnecessary for the preservation
of a sick, languishing city* which is even ready
to give up the ghost
And here I shall begin with more gospel sins*
which* though natural* conscience is not so
ready to accuse of, yet in the account of God
are the most heinous sins. And I would have a
r^ard not only to latter* but to former sins*
which* possibly* may now be more out of view*
and forgotten* and which some may be hardened
in* because the guilty have not been so particu-
larly and sensibly punished* (though God's spar-
ing of them* hath been in order to their re-
pentance) or their punishments in some kind
hath been accounted by them no punishments,
or , their punishments have been mistaken* and
their, hearts have swelled against instrumenta
made use of by God therein* instead of accept-
ing of the punishment of their iniquity, and
bumbling themselves deeply before the Lord*
I aay* I would call to remembrance former sins*
as well as latter, which are more visible now*
and apparent; for as God* being so slow to
anger* hath not been quickly moved to such in-
dignation ; but, as we have reason to think* that
his wrath hath been a long time boiling in his
breast before it was raised to this height as to
88 pOD*S TERRIBLE VOICE
boil over, and pour down plague and fire upcm
the city of London; so we may reasonably in-
fer, that sins committed by London long ago»
were the fuel put under, that caused this boiling
of his anger, which, because other judgments
have not wrought the kindly effect of repent-
ance, the Lord hath been provoked to express
this way, which hath been more feeling and
dreadful. Moreover, when I reckon up Londmi's
sins, I would not reflect alone upon any one
party, inasmuch as all parties have sinned;
and 1 believe the Lord hath been offended with
all, as in his judgments he hath made no diffe-
rence, that all might be awakened to see their
faults with sorrow and shame. And if it were
fit, I would begin here with myself, being per-
suaded that my sins, more than thousands of
others, have helped to fill up the vial of God's
anger : but as I go along, I shall endeavour, by
the grace of God, to apply to myself the. sins
which conscience will accuse of, that I may be-
wail and amend : and I will beseech every one
of you that cast your eyes upon these lines, to
do the like, and to compare them with those
lines which are written in the book of your con-
sciences : and where you find a transcript, read
and read again ; consider and lay to heart ; get to
your knees, confess, and labour to drop at least
some tears into the bottle, which, if this little
book might help gather from your eyes, and you
could be persuaded to pour forth such waters
before the Lord, they might help to quench the |
violence of the fire of God's anger, which we '
have reason to fear is still burnir\g^^|j^(nst us. I
IH THE CITY.
SECT. VIII.
A Catalogue of Lend(nCs Stns, which have ptxh
voked the Lord to speak tvith so terrible a Voice
in the City,
1. The first sin of London is slighting of the
Gospel. Ilie Gospel in England hath above
this hundred years shined forth out of the clouds
of Popery and Antichristianism, which before did
overspread the land ; and in no place of England
hath the Gospel been preached with greater
power and purity than m London ; and what
entertainment hath it found ? hath it been valued
according to its worth and excellency ; hath it
been received as if it had come down ^om the
God of heaven, expressing his love and good-will
towards the children of men, as if it had brought
such good news and tidings, as salvation by
Jesus Christ?
Read the eulogium which the Apostle Peter
gives of the salvation made known by the Gospel,
1 Pet. i. 10—12. " Of which salvation the
prophets have enquired, and searched diligently,
who prophesied of the grace that should come
unto you ; searching what, or what manner of
time the Spirit of Christ which was in them, did
signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings
of Christ, and the glory that should follow ; unto
whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves,
but unto us, they did minister the things which
Digitized by Vj<.:l^2lt:
90 god's tER&IBLE VOICE
are now reported unto you, by them that have
preached the Gospel unto you, with the Holy
Ghost sent down from heaven, which things tJie
angels desire to look into.'' The prophets of
old did enquire and search, but did not so clearly
understand the Gospel, as now it is revealed:
our Saviour tells his disciples, Luke x. 24, that
" many prophets and kings have desired to see
the things which they saw, and. had not seen
them ; and to hear the things which they did
hear, and had not heard them ; for indeed this
mystery was hid from ages and generati<Mis,
which God then made manifest unto the saints,"
Col. i. 26*. And the Apostle Paul tells us, that
'^ though the ministration of the law were glo-
rious, insomuch that it made the face of Moses to
shine," unto whom the law was revealed upon the
Mount, ''yet that it had no glory, in comparison
with the ministration of the Gospel, whose glory
did so far excel," 2 Cor. iii. 7 — 10 : the mysteries
of God's wisdom and love revealed in the Gospel,
being so glorious, surely are worthy of accepta-
tion and esteem, especially when the angels, who
are not so much concerned, desire to look into
these things, unto whom it is said, Eph. iii. 10,
*' Is made known by the church, the manifold
wisdom of God.'' And yet these great things,
which have been reported by them, who have
preached the Gospel, with the Holy Ghost sent
down from heaven, have been undervalued in
London. The Gospel hath been slighted m
London ; and though some have been more no-
toriously guilty ; yet who can altogether excuse
diemselves from this sin ? Now that the convic-
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IN THE CITT, 91
tion may be more fuil» 1 shall charge the sin more
particukrly.
> 1. The ignorant persons in London have been
guilty of &is sin, the light of the Gospel hath
^tned aboat them; but they have muffled up
themselves in darkness, and suffered Satan to
keep them hoodwinked, lest the light of the
glorious Gospel should enter, and lead them out
of his snare; thousands in the city have been
affededly ignorant : though they have had means
of knowledge, so near, and so easy to come by ;
multitudes have perished oat of London, and
multitudes still remain in their ignorance. O
the neglect that there hath been of learning
catechisms ! and how few have endeavoured to
acquaint themselves with the principles of the
Christian religion, that they might have the
more full and clear understanding of the Gos-
pel?
2. The vicious and profane have been guilty
of slighting the Gospel ; how many such persons
have there crowded, and are still crowding out of
London into hell, when the light of the Gospel
shiaed upon them, which would have guided
them in the way to heaven ; because this light
hath been too troublesome in its discovery, and
reproof of their dear and sweet sins, they have
hated it, and endeavoured to fly as far as they
could from it, or to shut their eyes as hard as
they could against it*
3. The civU persons also have been guilty ;
there have been many sober citizens, and matrons,
civil yonths^ and virgins, who have been free from
the gross ^pdlotions which are in the world
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99 OOD's TIRKIBLB VOICE
through lust; who have been dUigent in their
calling, just in their dealings, courteous, and
sweet-natured in their demeanour, and yet with-
out the least degree of the power of godliness,
without which it is impossible they should be
saved. Alas! neneof these have given any warm
welcome unto the Gospel in their hearts, which
hath been so long preached in the city: the
kindness of a friend hath been esteemed by them ;
but the kindness of God hath not been regarded*
If a messenger had come and told them how they
might save their estates, when in danger of loss,
or how to save their relations when in danger of
death, O how welcome would such a messenger
and tidings have been ! but when ministers have
preached the Gospel unto them, which tells them
how they should save their souls, in danger of
death and hell, such tidings have had no. relish
with them, as if they had no souls, or were in
no danger : the light hath shined belbre them,
but there hath been a cloud in their eye, they
could not discern it; ot they have looked upon
it afar of, they have not drawn near, and brought
it home, and set it up in their bosoms, that
they might order themselves, and whole con-
versations, according to its guidance and direo-
tion.
4. The hypocrkes have been guilty of this
sin ; these have drawn nearer to this light, than
any of the former;, so near that they have seemed
to be clothed with its beams, they have lighted
their lamps hereby, and have shined forth in a
glorious blase of anoutwiird profession ; yet thoe
hath bem/ even in these, an inward secret dUs«
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IN THE CITY. 9*
i«l»h of the Gospel, especially of some things in
it: there have been some secret rooms in their
hearts^ into which they would not suffer the hght
to enter, lest it should discover those beloved
Delilahs, which there they have nourished and
brooffht up ; they have been rotten at the core,
and have had some unmortified lust within, which
the world hath not taken notice of; so that if
the Gospel hath been received by them, it hatb
been only in the outward form, not in the in*
ward power; if the light hath been received, it
hath been without its heat and life. Hence it
bath oome to pass, that some of these hypocrites,
who seemed to be stars of the first magnitude,
have proved only blazing stars and comets, which
in a short time have fallen and sunk into wild
opinions, or fearful apostacy.
5. The erroneous have been guilty of this sin ;
some, and not a few, in London, under this glo-
rious sunshine of the Gospel, which hath come
from heaven, have lighted a candle at the fire of
hell, and laboured to set it Up in opposition to
the true light of the Gospel, crying out. New
light, new light ! Satan himself hath appeared
in London like an angel of light, and employed
his emissaries and wicked instruments (who have
seemed to be ministers of righteousness, but have
had a wolfish ravenous heart under the dresa
and clothing of the sheep) to vent many damna-
ble and destructive opinions in our church, undev
pretence of new, discoveries and revelations of
the Spirit ; and through this false and taper-light
Could never abide the test, and put forth any
beuns of convincing truth; butj^^^«^fd and
94 god's tearible voice
disappeared upon the approach of the sun, vfa^e
it shined in its power ; yet too many whose e yea
were too sore to look upon the glorious beams of
the sun, and yet withal their hearts too fearful
to remain wholly in the dark, without any shew
of light, did withdraw themselves from the former,
and sought after the latter in dark comers, where
alone such rotten wood could seem to shine,
and such candles could give forth any light ; and
choosing night rather than day, they followed
these false wandering fires, though they were led
by them into many a precipice.
It is sad to remember, and seriously to consider
what errors and strong delusions have abounded
and prevailed in our Gospel days* How many
false teachers have there been among us, which
have crept on unawares ; how many Jesuits aii4
Priests sent from Rome and other places, to
rend and tear our Protestant church to pieces,
that they might make way for the introduction of
popery ; at least to cast a disgrace upon Protes-
tantism, and delude many of us with the opinions
they have broached, and to confirm their own in
their delusions. Thus many cunning and learned
Jesuits have disguised themselves in the habit of
tailors, shoemakers, and of other mechanical
tradesmen, that they might seem to the people
to have been taught those things by the Spirit,
which have been the product of much study:
thus these cursed villains, "of old ordained to
condemnation, have privily brought in damnable
heresies;'' some calling themselves Quakers,
others Ranters, others Seekers, others Antino-
mians, others Brownists, others Anabaptists:
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IN THB CITY. 95
putting themselves into Any shapes, that they
might mislead, and the better ''lie in wait to
deceive" poor souls : some ** denying the Lord
that bought them/' setting up the fancy of a
Christ within them for their Saviour; others
denjring the foundation, undermining the divine
authority o£ the Scriptures : others Ubouring to
overthrow the doctrine of justification, and
striking at most fundamental doctrines of the
Christian faith ; and all of them endeavouring to
undermine the ministry of Christ's institution
and sending, calling them Antichristian, Baal's
Priests, false prophets, doing what they could
to bring them and their ministry out of esteem,
that they might the more efiectually prevail with
the people to receive their false doctrines, and
arm them hereby against an undeceivement ;
and sweetening their poison '* with good words,
and fair speeches, they have deceived the hearts
of the simple, so that many did follow their
pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of
truth hath been evil spoken of;" and whatever
good words they had, they were but " feigned
words, whereby they made merchandize of souls,
whose judgment now a long time lingereth not,"
and whose damnation slumbereth not,'' 2 Pet. ii.
1,2,3-
These the Apostle calls '* spots and blemishes,
sporting themselves with their own deceivings ;
wells without water, clouds carried about with
a tempest, raging waves of the sea, foaming out
their own shame, wandering stars, unto whom is
reserved blackness of darkness for ever," 2 Pet. ii*
IS*— "17 5 JUUel*, Digitized by VjUU^ It:
^ god's TERllIBLfi VOICE
And yet many of these were hearkened untd,
and adhered unto, by too many in London, rather
than the true Gospel ministers, commissioned by
the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and ordained ac-
xrording to the prescription of his word.'
Then many laymen, some gifted, (who would
4iave given a better account of their gifts at Uie
great day, had they kept their station) and some
without gifts, but with a great measure of igno-
rance and confidence, did step up sometimes
into pulpits, often took upon them to preach in
private, invading the ofBce, and intruding into
the work of Christ's ambassadors^ which he hath
appointed a peculiar office for, and which he
hath set a hedge about more than any other
-office we read of in Scripture ; but they ventured
to break over the hedge, I am confident, to the
affronting and displeasing of the great King, whose
representatives in the world his ambassadors are ;
and not only silly women were -led captive by the
deceivers, which crept in when so many took
liberty to preach, but also men who profbssed
themselves to be wise, and to have attained to a
degree of light above the vulgar ; yet, forsaking
the ministry and ordinances of Jesus Christ, ap-
pointed to continue unto the end of the world,
for the instructing, perfecting, and establishment
of saints in knowledge and faith, they became
fools, and '' children, tossed to and fro with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,'*
which led them aside, £ph. iv. 1 1 — 14.
Now all these persons have been sligfaters of
the Gospel of Jesns Christ, the ignorant, the
profane, the hypocrite^ and the erroneous ; and
IN THB GITT. $7
tf yoD pla6e tbem all in one company, how few
will there remain in London, that have sincerely.
and heartily embraced the truth as it is in Jesus,
and upon whom the Gospel hath made a powerful
and saving impression ! And even amongst those
that have been affected and converted by the
preaching of the Gospel, and had it greatly in
esteem at first hearing and believing ; how was
their esteem of the Grospel fallen, and their
affection cooled 1 Did not Gospel-ordinances
begin to lose their worth and excellency, and
grow tedious and wearisome unto them? 0«
how generally unthankful was London for Gospel
privileges and . liberties 1 Yea, many began to be
very nice and wanton, and the Gospel was not
relished, unless it were served up with such neat«p.
Besses and dresMugs, in which some ministers
possibly did too much endeavour to please them-
selves and the people ; and then the sauce waa
more relished than the food itself, and the appe^
tite of many was so spoiled, that plain, wholesome,
soul-saving truths, would not go down with them.
Londoners began to be glutted with the Gospel ;
apd like the Israelites in the wilderness, their
souls began to loath the manna which came
down from heaven. A strange curiosity there
was in spiritual palates; which in many turned to
a loathing of the food, insomuch that the Gospel
became a burden unto them, and thence it was
^^ that many tmed away their ears from the
truth, and were turned into errors; and they
could not endure to hear sound doctrine, but
having itching ears, heaped up unto themselvea
K
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98 OODV TZmBIBLE VOICE
teadiera aooordingp to tbtir' lasts,'' £ Tim« ir.
3,4.
And those thatcontiiitied steadfast in the truth,
did not duly prize the Gospel, noue of them ac-
cording to its dignity and worth. No vonder
then if God growa angry at such contempts and
affronts as were hereby offered unto faini> and
easeth Aem maeh of Uieir burden ; and with-
draws tlie food so much, whiok they grew so
weary of: no wonder that he suflfers so numy of
their teachers to. be thrust into comers, and so
much withdraws the beams of that light which
was so much abused; and when they are not
sensible of his displeasure in this, no wonder if
he sends the plague and fire, to awaken them unto
a sensibilily.
When the ^* King sent forth his servants to
eall the guests to ^e wedding-feast, and they
make light of it, and excused themselves, and
went away^ one to his farm, another to his mer-
chandize, and the remnant took his servants and
entreated them spitefully, and slew them; the
king was wrotb, and sent forth his armies to
destroy those murderers, afid bum their city,"
Matt. xxii. 1 to 8. God hath sent forth his ser-
vants to call Londoners to this feast; how many
invitations have they had to oome unto Christ, to
accept of him to save them, and to feed upon
him, from whom alone they can get any spi- '
ritual noariiAiment. But bow many in .Ix>ndon I
have had their excuses ; they have -b^en fol- I
lowing their merchandize and other business, |
and could not come; and what entertahunent |
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ly THK CITY. 99
his servants bath had, the Lord knows* I do
not say that London hath entertained them de*
spitefully, and slain them; bnt has not their
message been slighted by London ? and is it a
Tvonder then if the king that sent them be wroth,
and send A fire to bam down the city? No
greater favour could be shewed, no greater pri*
Tilege could be enjoyed, than rtor have the Gospel
powerfiilly preadied, and ordinances purely ad-
ministered; bnt hath it been generally so ac*
counted in London? Hath not merchandise,
add thriving in the world, (which yet they have
not Uirived in) been preferred before this, by
many thousands in the dty? When God hath
bden at siich an oip^nse to work out a way
for man's salvation; when he hath discovered
such wonders of astonishing love in sending
his only begotten Son out of heaven to clothe
himself in our flesh, that therein he might pur-
chase life and salvadaa for us who were sunk
so low from our primitive state by sin, and were
exposed to death and wrath, and unavoidable
endless misery in hell ; and hath sent his ambas-
sadors of peace to bring unto os the glad tidings
hereof, and in his name to make known the
thing, the author, the terms, the way : and to
eiitreat us that we would accept of life and re-
conciliation to God, who without any injury to
himself could ruin us everlastingly, and get him-
self a name thereby ; and yet, when the Gospel
is preached, that we should undervalue and
slight both messenger and message ; surely this
hath been an afiront unto the Lord, who hath
sent bis ambassadors on this errand, and doth
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100 OOD'r TERRIBLE TOICE
icariy with it such ingratitude as cannot be pa-
ralleled.
No doubt but this sin of slighting the Gospel
is a prime sin, which hath provoked God against
London, to come forth in such fury ; and if Lon-
don do not repent ere long, and labour to re-
cover its relish and esteem of the Gospel, and
make more evident demonstrations of it, I fear
the Lord willx^uite remove the Gospel from them ;
and then nothing is like to follow but desolation
and wok, God doth not remove his glory at once,
but by 6tfeps ; 'first,' " the glory of the Lord de^
parts from the inner court, to the threshold of the
house,'' Ezek. x. S, 4; *^ from the threshold of
the house to the door of the east-gate,^' verses IS,
19, " then it goes from the midst of the city,
and standeth upon the mountain," chap. xi. S3*
The Gospel is the glory of London, and hath the
glory of the Lord made none of these removes?
IS it not come forth of the inner c6urt ? Hatb it
not left the threshold ? is not a departing of it
quite from the city threati^ned ? Will any thing
recover it, if we do not recover our appetite, and
prize, and cry after it ?
If the Gospel go, God will go; the Gospel
being the sign and means of his special pre-
sence ; and '* woe be unto us when God shall de-
part from us," Hos. ix. 12. And if God depart
with the Gospel, farewell peace and prosperity in
England ; nothing, I dare be confident, but tem-
poral misery and ruin will be t&e consequence : if
the eclipse bring such misery, what will the quite
darkening of the sun do ?
2> The second sin of Londcn is unfiruitfulnest
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in TH£ CITY* 101
M suck a fertile 9oiL This ain luUh been an at-
tendant upon, and a consequent of the former.
London was not only a Goshen, but an Eden ;
God chose out London to be hia garden, he hath
hedged it, planted, watered, pruned and mannred
it; no place in the world hath bad more plenty of
the means of grace ; God hath given the former
and the latter rain ; and sweet dews of heaven,
both morning and evening, did fall upon this
place : in the morning seed was sown, and in the
evening the hand was not withdrawn; plentiful
and powerful 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
God's 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 threatened to cut down the unfruitful
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 un«
fruitfulness still remained? What could the
Lord have done more to his vioeyard than he
ha^ done? wherefore then, when he locked for
grapes, brought it forth only leaves or wild grapes?
And is it tl^n to be wondered at, if the Lord
pluck down the hedge thereof, that it might be
eaten by the wild boar and beast of the field, if
be break down the wall thereof, and make it
waste and desolate ? Is it to be wondered at, if
he withhold the clouds that they rain not on it,
and suffer briars and thorns to .spring up in it,
wher^ the phmts did gsow ?
Digitized by Vjl^JU^l^g
102 god's TBRRlfiLE VOICE
The vsie; when it is unfruitful^ k the nost un-
useful of all trees, Luke xiii. ; laa. v. 4, 5, 6, Ste, ;
£zek. XT. ; it is fit for nothing but the fire ; and
the Lord hath threatened to gather the unfruitful
branches, and to cast them into the fire and bum
them, John xy. 6; 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 briars and
thorns, God r^eeteth and curseth, and in the
end bumeth^ Heb. vi. 7-- <
O the unfroitfttlness of London ! > O the briarv
and thorns which have flourished itt'thta ground,
whereby the seed of the word hath beea choftked I
O the hemlock, the thistle, and the. wormwood,
that have sprung up in the furrows of the Md\
O the tares that have abounded and overtopped
the wheat, and how little good com hath there
been brought forth 1 O the wild olive-trees which
have grown up in God's ^rdeo> and wild figs and
wild grapes, which the fig-trees and vines ol* God
have yielded unto him I O the leanness ^of his
sheep in such fiit pasture !• O* the barrenness 1
the barrenness of London^ under such plentiful
showers of the word 1 ** Instead of the fruits of
righteousness, which are to the praise and gkfy
of God," there have been the ^ fruits of unrigfa*
teousness, and wickedness, which afe tot G<k1's
dishonour t instead of the firuita of the Spirit^
which are love, joy, peace, gentleness, meeknessy
temperance, goodness, faith;" there have been
the '* works of the fleshy fornication, unolemw *
pess, ksciviousness, hatred, variance^ emulaikions^
wraths, strifes^ seditions, hereaies> envyings^ miuNi
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Ill THS OITT. 103
derst dmnkainetv, revellitig«, and tnch Kke;^ of
which the Apostle tells us, '' that they which do
such things shall not hiherit the kingdom of God/'
Philip, i. 11 ; Gal. v. 19—24.
And those who have- not ahonnded in the
grosser works of the flesh, very few of them have
been very fruitful in good works. London hath
had the means of grace» and yet most of tfiem
without gTBce, few of them have much grace.
Lcmdon bath had powerfbl ordinances^ but what
powerful effect have they produced? what have
they to shew ijf all their prayers, and sermons,
and sacraments? Have they attained unto a
great measure of mortification ? Is grace grown
up to a gnat height ? what evidences, what ex-
periences have the best got, which they might
have got, had they been more diligent ?
Give me leave a little more particularly to in*
stance the unfhiitfalness of Lrnidon in regard of
repentancci faith, love, and new obedience, the
froit wliich God bo much kx^eth for, and so much
ddighteth in. ''
( } .) Where have been the fWiits of repentance iff
London? Calls there bave been to repentance,
frequent, fbrvent: reason for repentance, sins
nomeroUB, heinous : need of repentance, that
judgmenu temporal, eterrfcil, might be diverted,
that pardon, happiness, 'might be obtained ; and
yet, O the tmpenitency and hard-heartedness of
London! fbw bleeding hearts under the sharp
sword of the Word ; little tenderness under die
most melting dtscocii<ses ; few converts and pent-^'
tent persons did the most powerful pi^eaching^
(especlaUy before ^ Gofljpd's'^lipse) bring. fortfi»
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
104 GODS TEBRIBliE VOICE
in London ; converting work was at m great stand,
though there were so many unconvetted persons
in the city ; and by the impenitency and hard-
ness of heart in London, God's treasures of
wrath hath been filled up, which, in some mea-
sure, be hath opened in tliese late judgments
that he hath inflicted, and yet the great day of
his wrath is still to come, Rom. ii. 4, 5.
(2.) Where have been the fruits of fakh in
London ? How hath unbelief d[>ounded, the great
Gospel sin, more dangerous than any odier, and
Qoiore heinous in London than in any other place !
O the thick vail of unbelief which hath hid Gospel
mysteries, and things afar off fh>m 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 I O
the sottishness of London, to believe no more, when
truths have been so plain and clear; when pro*
miaes have been made known, so great and sure;
when Christ hath been preached and tendered; and
when heaven hath been revealed and' proffered;
and when all have such need,^for the most to shut
the eye, and ear, and heart, and through unbe-
lief to refuse ; to give God the lie, and turn upon
him the back; to give Christ a wound, and tread
bis blood under foot; to give the spirit a repulse,
asad send him away grieved iVom. the heart, as
men do by their unbelief: this sin doth provoke
the Lord to great displeasure.
(3,) Where have been the fruits of low in Lod«
don? O the want of love to God, and one to
another! The grace of love is necessary and
sweety and hath been nmcb pressed, but little
DigitizedbyVjUU^lt: '■
IN THE CITY, 101
exercised in London ; there hath been mudi love of
the worlds but little love of the Father ; hatred of
the brethren hath abounded, but there was little
brotherly love ; burning anger there hath been,
little burning love ; burning lusts, little buminff
love ; inordinate carnal love, little true spirituu
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 God's anger hath waz^ ao hot, and
broken forth into such flames, as we have seen ?
(4.^ Where have been the fruits of ««fPo6ecUbice
in London ? and expression of love to Jesus
Christ, by keeping of his oommandmentSi though
his commandments are nol grievous?
3. A third sin of London, it hypocruy in the
profession of religion. This sin exceedingly pre*
vailed in the late times> when profession of re«
ligion was grown into fashion : religion was near
m the mouths of most, but far from the reins:
there was a general face of religion, but it was no
inore than skiU'-deep ; it was feated in the coua* •
tenanpe, not rooted in the heart; how many
Eainted sepulchres had we in London, outwardly
lir and beautiful, inwardly full of rottenness
and wickedness ; .how much sounding brass had .
we then in our, street^: a great noise and stir
hypocrites did make^ but they, were hollow at
heart ; our gold was most of it counterfeit ; water
we had instead of wine> and dross instead of
silver.
O how was religipn abused ! some made it a
stirrup to get up by into the seat of honour;
others made it a cloak to covfr Uif^^ l^ovetous
106 god's tkbaible voice
practices ; many base and wicked designs were
carried on under pretence of reli^'on.
It would take too much time to set forth hy-
pocrites in all their shap^^ and to paint hypo-
crisy in all its colours. London hath formerly
abounded with hypocrites, and more lately it
hath not been free. - if hell-fire be the portion
especially of hypocrites hereafter^ Matt. xziv. 51,
no wonder then if Qod be angry with a place,
and ponish it with plague and fire for this sin
here.
^ 4. The fourth sin of London is, formality and
btkewarmmss in the fporship of God, There was
much formality when there was no form; and I
suppose that ^orms have not quickened unto
mdre loveliness; there was a face of worship
indeed in London ; and was there only, or little
more, than a face in most places ? God is holy
and jealous, ** a great king, and his name is
dreadful," MaL i. 14. '< God is a Spirit, and
they that worship him, must worship him in
spirit and in truth/^ John iv. 24. But hath his
worship been accordingly in London ? hath there
been that spiritual wmhip which he requires ?
Let London sariously reflect upon their carriage
towards God in their devotions. Have they had
a due awe and dread of the great name of God
upon them, when they have seemed to draw
near unto him ? have they worshipped him with
reverence and godly fear? Outward reverence
some have used, more than he hath required, in
bowing at names and before places; but have
they luid inward reverence and fear of God upon
^heir hearts? have they clothed themselves with
IN THB CXTT, 107
hamilityi when they have oome into hfs pretence ?
bath there been inward fetroor and delight a^
company ing their outward acts of worship?
Alas ! how formal hath London been, espe*
cially of late in God's worship ; they have prayed,
but what kind of prayers have they been? could
they deserve the name of prayers ? were those
prayers likelj to prevent judgment, or turn away
wrath ? Some confessions of sin have been made,
hut so general and formal, that they have been
very unlikely to work up the heart to sorrow and
repentance; and where some have been more
particular, hath not much formality deaved to
them? Where hath hearty grief for sin and sor**
row been to be found ? would not a small vial
hold all the tears that have dropped from the
eyes of ^reat assemblies, even in the day of their
solemn humiliations? hath not sin been rolled
under the tongue when confession of sin hath
been at the end of it ? have not the confessions of
many been such, as if they csme to ask leave to
commit sin, rather than humbly to bewail it ? at
least, have they not taken leave, whatever their
confessions have been ? Petitions have been made
for pardon, and grace, and sanctification, but
hath it not been lip-prayer, without hearty de-
sire ? hath it not been in such a manner, as if
they didrtot-mfich care whether they did speed
or no? as if they could make shift well enough
without a pardon ? as if they had no need of
grace and holiness: but they must say something
for form and custom. Hath there not been an
enmity in the hearts of many against that which
they have seemed to desire with their lips ? who
•f Digitized by VjUU^IC
108 OOdV TERRIBLE IroiCE
have stirred up themsalvef to ky hdk! atiGi^d}
Who have wrestled in prayer, with fervent de-
sires, with faith, and importunity? Hearing^
there hath been in London, but how little be*
lieving ; how Ht^e rdishtng the word, aiii^d re-*
oeiving it with love ! Singing there hath B^en,
but how little joy and melody of the heart in the
Lord!
O how formal and luke-warm have Londoners
been ; how much of the Laodicean tenif:fer bave
they had in all ordinances i And mighft not God
say to London, as he did of old io Jerasalein4
Isa. i. Hi 12, 13, 14, '* To what purpose is
the multitude of your, sacrifices unto' me?"&c.
• Such services are to no purpose ; they are vain
worship, and do not attain the end thereof, either
to profit hioi that oifereth him them, or to plesae
him unto whom they are tendered. Can' suoh
formal services be efl^ectual to procitre pardon^ or
peace? can thefy bear tip the spiritin a day of
trouble ? wtli not the morning cloud and eariy
dew of such righteousness flee away and yaaish
upon the approach of the ' sun ? . will not ^ch
spiders' webs be, broken to pieces by a stDrmy
wind ? How do formalists behave themselves, as
if they had no religion, when they fall into tren<-
l>lesl when God thunders by his judgments, what
can a cold, fornial, empty pvayer do?' when
Death appears before them with a gtim cotidte-
nanee, what comfort can such reap by reflection
on such services? what evidences iot' heaven
can they gather from any of their outside de-
votions?
And are not they to as little purpose in resard
IN THE CITY. 109
of Crod ? May not God ray nnto them of their
fastings aiid prayers, ** Did yoa fast unto me ?
did you pray at all unto me ?'' Zech. vil. 5. Or,
as here to the Jews, that he was full of their
serriees^ eren to a loathing; that he took no
delight in them ; and ** who hath required these
things at your hands to tread my courts ? Bring
no more oblations, incense is an abomination unto
me ; I cannot away with your assemblies, my soul
hateth them; they are a trouble to me, I am
weary to bear diem.^ The Lord is much o^
fended with ibrmal, hypocritical services ; hereby
they flatter and mock him, and is he taken with
flatteries? Such services are like a dead, cold,
black, mangled, rotten, stinking carcase, without
the soul and spirit, which must needs be very
unsavoury and displeasing; they are like the
lame, blind, halt, sick cattle, which were not fit
to be oiiered up in sacrifice under the law,
Mai. i. 8. " If ye ofier the blind tor sacrifice,
is it not evil P and if ye ofier the lame and sick,
is it not evil? Ofier it now unto thy governor,
will he be pleased with thee?" And willOod
then be pleased? Such persons, while they
seem to serve God with their outward man, they
serve the devil, and their own lusts with 'their
inward man : God hath the form sometime?, the
devil hath the powers God hath the show,^ the
devil hath the substance; God hath the bark,
the rind, the shell, the devil hath the kernel;
God hath the cabinet, the devil gets the jewel ;
they give Gfod the devil's leavings, and refuse, as
it were, of their own lusts ; for they spend the
strength and vigour of soul an^ |^,,jg^^8erving
110 god's terrible voice
the devil, and gratifying their own lusts; and
then think to put God off with any thing ;
fiving him only some dead^ cold^ faint, empty,
eartless, lifeless, outward services ; and even in
them they are swayed 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 I Hath not for-
mality in worship been one sin of London which
hath helped 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
itself becomes a provocation, no wonder if his
wrath break forth without remedy,
5. AJifth sin of London is division amongst pr4h
fessors. Different persuasions have made wide
bfeaches and divisions in London, and through
divisions have arisen great animosities and con-
tentions, unto the shame of Christianity and the
Protestant religion; and hath .not God been
provoked to anger hereby? Hath not he con-
tended with professors, and by the coaunon
scourge he hath brought upon them, called aloud
unto them for a union, and more hearty accord
and affection than formerly they h^ve had ? And
hath not he given them liberty an4.qppof (unity,
had tbey minded and cared to make use of it, for
meeting together in order uuto healing? but
havfl professors of different parties been sensible
of God's meaning in the scourge upon their
backs? have they hearkened unto God's, call?
have they laid hold of and improved opportunities
for dosing p their wide breaches? I hope some
closing iif*5ftflfcction there hath been amonsst
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IN THE CITY. Ill
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 judg*
ments.
6. A sixlh sin of London, is neglect of refor^
mation, — Neglect of^ 1. Person^, 2, Fatnily,
3. City, 4. Church — Reformation*
(1.) Neglect o£ personal reformation in heart
and life.
Who in London have seriously and very dili-
gently endeavoured the reformation of their
hearts? when so unclesin and [Polluted, who have
laboured to get them washed ? When sudti 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 rinsing, rubbing and scouring; but O the
inward sluttishness ! they who have had clean
bouses and dean garments, and dean facfi,$ and
hands, have had foul hearts. Who have . taken
care every day to rinse and scour their inside ?
to bring their hearts to the fountain set opep for
sin and uncleanness; and to cleanse themipelves
from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, that they
might arrive every day unto greater perfecti^ in
hoUness? they who have been careful to oress
their bodies every day, have been very c^mless
in dressing their hearts, neglecting to put on
the white robes of Christ's righteousness, which
alone can cover their spiritual nakedness and de-
formity; and to get the jewels of gnce, which
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
112 god's T£kriblb voice
alone can adorn the soul, and render it aimatxle in
the sight of God.
Heart'Tvork is hard-work; smd it is so hard,
that most have let it alone ; they have been dis-
couraged with the difficulty; the opposition of
Satan and lust to this work, hath been so strong,
^at they have been quickly overpowered^ upon
their first attempts and endeavours afler a change
and rectifying of the disorders which they have
perceived.
Hearl'tvork is secrei-fvorh Many have em-
ployed 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 honds^
what, they do; to their feet, whither they go;
but few take heed to their hearts ; murder, adul-
tery^ 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 unwatchfulnes3 there hath been in
London over the heart! Citizens have watched
their gates, and watched their streets, and watched
their houses; hut 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 ^11 diligence; how few have laboured
to govern their . thoughts, to rule their passions,
to subjugate their wills to Christ ; and to delivfsr
up all Uu^ affections to his dispose and obe-
DigitizedbyVjUU^lf
IN TliK CITY. 113
dienqs! Heart-reformation hath been much
neglected.
Who in London have endeavoured llfe^i^
formation as they should ? How few have there
been effectually persuaded to put away the evQ
of their doings, from before the eyes of the Lordj
to cease from evil, and learn to do welL How
few have broken off their sins by repentance, and
thoroughly amended their ways, measuring out
ffaeir 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, exem-
plifying the precepts thereof in their conversa-
tioQs ! 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
trodden in Christ^s steps, walking as he walked,
and followed him in the way of obedience and
self-denial? Who have shined like so man^
lights in dark places and times, adorning their
profession, and living as becometh the Gospel ?
Great irregularities there have been in tha
lives of most Londoners; little Gospel-reforma-
tion; little making religion the business; little
holy exact living. If a stranger bad looked into
our city, and observed the lives of the most, and
not known them to have had the name of Chris-
tians^ would not we have judged them tp be
heathens^ yea many of them in their dealing tq
be worse than Turks and Infidels? Thus per-
sonal reformation hath been neglected.
(2.) A great neglect there hath been of/a--
mily reformation in London. How few have^
with Joshua, resolved, and accordingly endea-
114 GODS- T£RRI&1E VOICE
Youml, tint tii^ and iheir homes ihoald i
the Lord I How few have tet up veligiond Wdtf-
ship in thbix fiimiUesl. Have not niany hun-
dred houses in the city been withtot faniify
prayer in them from one end of the week jto.die
other ? and is it strange that th)& LordihathtJofcunled
. down those houses wherein the inhabttaats madd
not vouchsafe to worship him? And vdieie
there hath bden some prayer in many &raHie^
it was bat once a day, and that so late at n^bt,
and when the body hath been so tired aiid sleepy,
«nd the sodl so dull and unfit for God*s service,
that the prayers hare been no pmyers, ta^ lost
prayers, such wfaidi, instead of pleasing him,
have provoked him to anger? Hour few did
labour to instruct their families, catechiae their
children and servants; to bring them' np in the
nurtore and admonition cf ^e Lord. Hath not
God threatened to pour out hfs wrath spoQ; irre-
ligious families ? Jer. x. 05.
(3.) liegiect of cittf re/onnaiion. Have Aot the
magistrates of London been fauhy hewh^ Let
them ask tlieir <oi^n consciences^ whether ta^fae
uttermost of their power, acoordin]^ tothertrost
and opportunity tite Lord hath put into their
hands, they have endeavoured thei relbrmatioa of
the city ? Whedier» acf God's uiiidelr->offieers, tiifey
have improved their interest for the promotion of
religion iln the flealous exercise, pf it ? yea, nehe-
'ther they have put the laws made io execution
against sabbath^breaker^ swtarers, drunkards,
endeaVoiurii^g to find out and punish such offdb-
ders?
(4.) Neglect of ckureh ?-|ffCi|»^^ -Aad is
IN TBB city: 115
theneliia Uame to* be laid upon charch olBcert?
Hath ^kivt becfi tlwt aesl for, tmd faithftil exe*
cution of dutt'ch discipline, aocording to the
rules *of tte wofd? Hath ii6t the Lord JeMis
Chvkt been affroiiteci hi hit kmgly office, by sane
iwfaO'liiard impodedptveepts of their own upon
itum's oooBdefices, instead of viforoasly endes-
vodring the execution of his; and taken the
fHDWer of thekeys oot of the hands of those unto
.ibv^om'the Lord hath entrusted it, hereby ren-
■dering the Execution of discipline impossible, ac-
.oordt^ to the lavs of Christ? Have not the
tender and most conscientious lain nnder the
censures of some, rather than die openly profane,
:ahd scandalously wicked ?
^: Neglect of refomuitkm am I speaking of?
N^y> have not many who call themselves minis-
.tcrs; ehdearoared vather the overthrow than the
pronuition bf it? Have they not had sneers in the
pulpits at holiness and zealous profession, which
ifoey have seconded by a conversation of disso-
kilteness^ maliitioils opposition, and persecution of
<tli08^ espedajly, who have been the most reli-
<gioo»P Sad neglects there, have been of relbr-
mUtionJn' London, and that when London lay
<«nlie^ snck' obligations to Reform 3 as Christians,
4hfa!y were obiigedi by ^baptismal and renewed
•Tows^^ as • Protestants of the Reft>nned religion,
tbsy were ' dbHged to endeavour a reformation ;
iiyintereies they were obliged; and have they
been'onder no other obligatioiis ? And hath not
the negkct of relbrmation, notwithstanding all
obligations, rendered them guilty of disinge-
noity, infidelity, yea, of perjufyeitelfi% J verily
115 god's lERRiatfi VOICE
believe this is the great sin God is scourging
London for ; God is contending for a. refonna-
tion, and if they do not endeavour it more vigo-
rously, the sooner^ I fear^ he will bring desola-
tion upon them.
7. A seventh sin of London^ is fearful aposiacu,
and a spirit of compliance with the sins of the
times. How many in London, who formerly were
great professors, have discovered themselves to
be rotten hypocrites ; who, casting off the sheep's
clothin<r, and laying aside all profession^ have
given themselves up to dissoluteness and licen-
tious living. Formerly they have seemed true
penitents, and to "be washed from their iniqui-
ties;*' but they ** have returned with the dog to
the. vomit, and with the sow that is washeol to
the wallowing in the mire," 2 Pet. ii. ult. For-
merly they have been swept a little within, and
garnished 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 than before,
and made their last state worse than their first,"
Matt. xii. 43, 44, 45. 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 days, cast off all fear of
God, and devoted themselves, with the bell-
• ' " • Digitized by VjyUg It:
IK THB CITY. 117
hoaficb of the times, to the serviee of the devil;
resolving to do what in them lies, to promote the
interest of his kingdom. And if some are a little
more awkward in his service, and not altogether
80 like him, and such apt scholars presently, as
others whose education hath been in his school
^m their childhood, jet they learn very fast,
and wonderful is their proficiency in a short
time ; and in regard of apoStacy, they come
nearer the image of the devil than those that
have been always tutored by him.
Now, for any in London to forsake God, that
they mi^ht serve the devil ; to draw off from the
ways of holiness, that they might walk in the
ways of wickedness, doth cast a great slur upon
God and his ways: they do, in effect, say, that
the devil is a better master than God ; and that
the way bf sin, that leadeth to hell. Is more eli-
gible than the way of holiness, which alone can
bring to heaven. The Lord threateneth, ** that
his soul shall have no pleasure in such" apostates,
Heb. X. 38. ' It is a Meiods, and we are to under-
stand, that the Lord is highly displeased with
such persons.
See how God pleads with apostatizing Israel,'
Jer. ii. 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 pro-
fit ! fie astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and
be ye horribly afraid; be ye v^uJ^i^^, aaith
Iia god's T«&Btai:.t ivoiCE
the Lord ; (bt mj peeple baTe.€omniltccl- two great
«vils; they have forsakeitme, the fountain of living
watera, and have hewn out unto' themselves broken
cisterns that can hold no water.'' And hence
Mlofwa, ver. 15, " The young lions risared and
yelled upon him, and laid his land waste; lik
cities are burnt without inhabiikant;" and v«r. 17,
'' iThou hast procured these.things unto tfayarif,
because thou hast forsaken the Lord tliy God:"
and ver. 19* '^ Thy own widcednesa shall correct
thee^ and thy badcslidings shall reprove thee;
know, therefore^ and see that it ia an evil thing,
and bitter, that thou hast fossaken the Lord thy
God, and thait my fear is not in thee» saitli the
Lord God of Hosts." And nay not God thus
plead with the apostates of London^ and-punkfa
Ibem as he did his people of Israel?
8. The eighth ns of London is deafenmg ike
ear against all GodV caUs. The Leni haA
called upon London by hia ministers^ bat they
have been like the deaf adder, which will not hear**
ken to the voice of the charmer ; they have slopped
the ears, . and turned away their shoulder, and
made their heart like an adamant stone. God
hath called by hie mercies ; but this voice bath
been too low, and they have slept the mere
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
ta him that hath smitten them. They have
been incorrigible under all God's correcting rods.
When God spake by the pli^ue, they were a
little awakened, but quickly^ |b<opt asleep again ;
IN TKC CITY* 110
when mos i^a^newst a Httiv ofyer, liiey Moni
to.their trades «gain, to thtir sins again^ tmt they
do oat return unto the Lord. And when the
judgment of the plague waa ao much loat, and
incfiectttal far their good, this, no doubt, hath
pravoiced God so quickly and unexpeeiedly td
torn ^hts hand opoa them^ and bring the jodg-
mmtf of ibe fire ; and if they will atill walk con-
trasy to Gad» they nmst exfieet diat God will
walk eontrary to ^ie», until ha have consumed
tiMIS.
9k. A niiUb sin qf London -it profmneneit, and
a ioose^and frothy -^spirit^ MM&iatfy m the ifoidh
and springing gener^Uion. J do Hat tax all ; for
I am eanfident tlicre is a eelneiss and a godly
yonfth growing u|a. 'But • O that there were not
reason to say* that the generality of yoath ie
pr0f«id>>and wkked/ aa well as those who are
gnKftn. note mature in wickedness 1 And this
prolanenesa hath shewed itself in 1. Profane
using GkhTs name; 2« Profane Inreaking of
God's Auy ; S^ Proiisie soefflng at God's people*
1. Jn frtfeute uiing qf (j&ts name. How
grossly iiafth the thud cammaiidment been broken
in ^he city. How hath, the great and dreadlnl
Banack of the Lord God, which diould make men
td;i tremble, in^ the mention of it, and eomrnamd
their sj^its into awe and reverence, been vainly
taken by many> and used to £11 up the sentence
o€- their lordinary discoarse. And not only so,
bnt.jhow hath the name of Ged been tossed in
the- black mouths of the children of darkness,
ai^dt'oven torn . in pieces by their hideous oaths
andL.eaei^Ktioos. .What a he|i8|i^^jp5Q^|e hath
120 god's tbrribziE voice
the iound of fUWraanthed oA^i i
in the streets, enough toi make the hair stand on
end, of one who hath a sense of the greBtile8at>f
that majesty upon his spirit, which heveb^r m so
audaciously affronted. Oh the swearing tinli
hath been used hj Londoners - in bujing- and
sdling I Many psrenis have been so iKldi^ed>to
this sin in their families, that Uieir litde cilillilf»
have no sooner learned to speak, but. they haTe
also learned of them to swear liy, the .name of
God, which hath been all the teaching of*iGod
that they have given them ; a deviMsh' tnwchiiig
indeed, which hereafter diey witt coraeand hiMiri
them for in hell I
But if you sheuld hare laid your ears nnto tiie
taverns, and ale-houses, and .whoreJasoseSy #nd
other deyiUhousesy onee standing in London^- land
hearkened, to die apeeches of nnny of the devil's
imps, in: their drinking and gaming, asld other
lewd practices, especially when a little croaaad
and veied> O what Iwiguage- of vbittr ori^t
haire been heard! . How, have those cukeedi idl»
lains^ in the^heiAi.of their. wiine land^angervriiat
vollies of Dittha in the face- nf the; iSod dfittea*
Yen! and whetdng tfaeirttoagaeBi hkc' 8«-nhar|»
siiotd, they lunre not feared to wonnd (tb^^i^mtm
of God, when they have received any' inyor)r iran
men. O what poison of asps faath' tfacrefibtoi'
under thdr lips ! but a worse poison lof < siniiin
their heaitSv from the evB. treasure and attlin*
dance of >whieh these oaths and faAasphenfieeiua^
proceeded.
But who can find, words to set fortii the -evil >of
this sin, which hath not the temptation of plea-
IV THE CITT. 121
sim^ wivantige, or honour, m other iint havoi
and tiwrefore is a great argumeiH of a moostroua
wicked hart? And who ean express God's dis-
pdeasars'ibr this sin, for which he makes some-
tiBics a whole land to mourn P And hath not
this sin provoked die Lord to utter his angry
YfAoe in plaguing and hurning the city, that they
ingitt fbar tb abuse* his name any more }
(fiu) Jn profane breaking of Gott* tUof. Sab-
bath^brcaking was an ordinary sin in London. I
8Sy not, it was so mudi broken m doing the
ordbnry woriis of the particular callings, but in
that which was worse : how many did spend the
Sabbath in eating to excess and drinking ttli
they w>ei« drunk, in' deeping, in walking into the
fields, in sports, and recreations. Many wholly
n^leoted the worship of God on that day ; and
instead of that did the devil more service on the
Loid's day, than all the days of the week be*
fltoes*-
IW many weeks of Sabl»ths which London
had in the time of the plague, methinks did
reprove London for their profaning of the weekly
Sabbath : add the great fire, (1 will not call it
hoi»«&:e, because so destructive to London) whkh
woe begun in the city on die Lord's day, did re*-
ptove London for those lesser fires, (I wUl not
edlthem bon^^res, becduse so offensive to God)
which not long before w^e kindled in the streets
en that day, which called for ether kind of work;
Not to spcttk any thing, whether there were any
just occasion for those fires and ringing of bells,
(meat of which were melted before they were
Digitized by VjCJO^ It:
132 GOD*S^ TERRIBLE VOICB
rang 60 generally again) anid such a flhew of miBth
and rejoicing at that time.
The citiemis carrying forth their goods, and
lying in the fidds with grief and • &ar» wght
put them in mind how often diey liad valked
oat into those fields ^n the Lotd'« day for their
recreation! when they should rather have been
hearing the word preached, or if that wetv o«ar»
cepeating it in their own fiuniiies, giving .and
receiving instruction, or in their closets At the
throne of grace, or employed in meditati(»i». As
God delights in those that ca)l ^' his Sabbaths a
delight/ ' and miUces sweet promises- to thena ; so
be is highly displeased wi^ Sabbatb«bieakerB»
and hath denounced severe threatenings against
them, Jer. xvii. S7* ** If you will net h«irken
to mo'to hallow the Sabbath-day; I will kindle
a fire in the gates of Jerusalem which shall
devour the pakces thereto, and shall not be
quenched.''
5. In pn^hne Meoffing at GocPs peopk,^ The
name of a saint, and godly msny halb'besn
ridiculous to many profane spirits in London^
and used by them in a way of «eproach. How
have God^s people^ especially the more atiiot
and aealotts, been made the drunkard'a. aang^
and laughed at in the streets. Horrid impietjr i
as if it were matter of mors shame to be Hike
the hdy God, than to be like the fi>ul devil i
and to be employed in the work of angels, dun
to drudge ia Satan's chains*
No wonder if God k apgry with such »^aot^
whire such yip&ts have bad thdr abode; pv»-
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IW THB CITY. 12$
iinisness is a great sin that hath broiight niia
upon us.
10. A ienih tin of londcn i$ pride. This sin
beng' so odious to God ; so destnictiye where it
Sibfllimds ; and so vnivenal in London ; I shaQ
speak of it the more krgrij, both in regard of
the inward workings* aad the outward exprts*
siene of ifr: iduch, when opened, I believe there
are none that wiU be aUe to say they are wholly
free from it«
{l.^Ixregmrd pf the vuvard workings afpridek
Oh! bow haUk the poison of this sin enTenonied
the sponlbi of the meat in a very high degree.
How mkny self^admirers have there been in
Jjcm^^sm, rriko have been puffbd up with an over*
weening ooncseit of liieir own csicelleneies ;
whaiJiJgh, toweringi swelling thoughts have they
had of themselves. What secvet self-pleamg,
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 fMurts, when they have lain fallow*
and not been employed for God» or when they
hovie been employed to his dishonour ; when they
have been wis^ but it hath hten to do evil;
when they have been men of understanding, but
it faatk been to practice ini^oity ; when they have
had cunning craftiness^ hut it. hath been to de*
ceive^ to defraud, and ctver-Teacb/or to plot and
coirtrive others' mischief; when thev have had a
ripe wit, quick understanding, rich nmcy» fluency
of speech : but the employment hath been about
toys and drifles, or that which is worse, when
the vent bath been in foolish^ ei^j^v^^ompli*
124 god's TERRIBIB VOICE
tnents and courtship^ jesting with ^oripttire,
scoffing at the rellgiousj or in dirty and obscene
discourses.
Others have admired themselves, for -that
which really they never had, but only iti theSr
own imagination. Some fbr their parts and
learning ; thinking themselves great sehdkfs
when none have thought so but themselves :
others for their grace and godliness, wbed thev
silver hath been dross; and their grace either
counterfeit in whole, or so mixed with nnper-
ceived corruption, that upon examination diey
might find themselves very poor, in that whic^
they thought themselves so much enricbed with;
and if they looked to the root and prindpfe of
their actions, they might find great flaws, and
deficiency in those things which they had tlie
highest conceit of.
How many in London have had very faonourid>le
esteem of themselves; preferring thetxiseHes
above others, yea, above the whole world. Pew
have measured themselves by the rtfle, but
measured themselves by their owir ifo'tides, or
by other men's esteem. How matiy have tboo^ht
themselves to be something, when they have
been nothing, and rejoiced in their actions as
excellent and admirable, not fVom their own
proof and trial of thfem by the word ; but from
others' acceptation and commendations, and by
comparing them with the actions of othef men,
whom they have conceited themselves to exceed.
O how have some lifled up themselves above
others, looking upon themselves as far more
worthy, without any real grourndj^ Aeir eye hath
Iir TUB CITY. 125
been upon their own good things, overlookhig
the secnet evil, because it cannot be seen b^
men : and their eye hath been upon others* evil
thiMga» overlooking the good which hath been
outtof ready view : their eye hath been upon their
oH^n best things^ and upon others' worst things,
aggipavating their faults, and extenuating their
owth , TbiuB they have in thehr thoughts brought
otbors down tbrovgh uncfaaritablenes^ and lifted
up Abemselvea upon the ruins, . which their un-
charitableness hath made in others' worth : and
when they have had greater esteem because of
tf)eir greater show, wis opinion of themselvea
hath h^ea confirmed; whereas, in truth, others
who made less show, and had less esteem, have
had more siqcerity, and secret hidden excels
lency^
I might further trace the inward workings of
pride in the self-love which it hath effected;
what a marvellous affection have proud persons
had towards themselves, notwithstanding their
ugliness and spiritual deformity, the rottenness
^nd corruption within them, and many lusts of
their hearts ; all which pride hath covered, and
a thousand &ults in themselves, as charity doth
coyer a thousand faults in others; pride hath put
a fdir gloss and varnish upon all, and represented
men to themselves as very lovely and amiable.
Pride also hath chosen for such, their friends,
-wfho have been loved, not according to the worth
which those persons have had ; but according to
the estimation those persons have had of their
winrth, which, if those have fallen in estimation,
thme h»ve.£men in affection*
1^6 GOD*S TEKRIBXS VOICE
I m%bt shew the wcwkings of pride, in the
hatred, anger, spite, revenge, which it hath
efiected, when it hath met with disesteem ac
slighting: the grief at the subtraction of its
fuel and provision ; the solicitous thoughts mad
cares concerning, and eager progging, and pursuit
after others' commendations ; tl^ stocm of obbs*
motion and disturbance which this wind hath
raised, when the tide of applause hath nm-
another way ; the complacency and delight it
hath yielded in drinking out of a full stream c£
others' esteem, in chewing the cud, and revolving
in the mind the praise of men* But. so mu(£
concerning the inward workings of pride*
(S.) Concerning the outward exjpretsms of
pride, and that,
1 . In the speech: London hath been grossly gviity .
in boasting and vain glory. What conspany could
you come into alsaost, but ytiu ahouli fi£id maay
boasting spirits ? som«lbaming ontthe shame cf
their own pfaise in high eYprestions>> attd ^direct
self-oemmendiitioria^ (without any r^ardtoO«d'«
glory« self-vindtQatiotoy ^aople^ oroe^toment;
in which cfliaea, modestly and spark^ly to do it»
may be lawful and a dtttyi) iMt they hav^.doBtf.
it only to be well i^hought on». asd -admired ;
others dri^elting out tteiroiirn .>fH*aises:more jdily-
and indirectly ;^but a Chrtstiaikofeycisaiid'bmnsy
might eAsily .perceive that the drift, and scope
of the diaoQtrse^hath. been self, and a tacit
^SB^'^ ^^ • good opbiion. As if one sh/ooM
say, " Pray friends, think a little better of me.;
pray havome higher in yoor esteemt for.lo say
the truth, by this I give you to undecstttid that
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN TdB CITY. 127
I am a very i^dtthy person.^ Maoy we shall
find very forward to ** declare their own good-
ness^ bat few ftkhftir in speaking forth the
jftfaises of Qod ; yea, many there have been,
wte have discommended themselves, not that
they might fall, but rise in esteem. Thus
some rotteiihhearted hypocrites, as full of pride'
aa they can hold, and some sincere in the main,
yet too much like them, have spoken so meanly
of tiiemselves, and so mneh against themselves,
as none other would do; and what hath been
the 'design ^ even that they might be accounted
hamble 3 and therefore they have taken care in
their self^commendations, to speak of nothing
but common infirmities, concealing their more
gross faults ; and those common infirmities, ki a
mourning and complaining way, as if they were
very sennble of them, as if afi^ected, alBicted,
md burdened wHh them (as the bumble^ sincere
@kriatian is indeed) that they might be esteemed
fbr> aeniability oftanall finulta; and then they
faa>e Ukin eare't» tkf^, not to those that are
mbrerigid^ severe^ aapd^iek^stghted Christkms,
that ^eald qerickly have smelt out dieir^ pride;
bivt-uato 'tho6^, which they have looked upon
as^tbe most tender, charitable persons, who are
i^ady heKby-to advwnee them higher in esteem ;
or weaker Christians, who are ready to confbsa
mere evil of thfemsfelves. And when they have
tbvs spoken against themselves, they have not
i^ly tbooght so, but tlie contrary ;> but they
have s^ken so, that they might be bontradicted,
and oommend^d to their faces; if they thought
thev should have falkn in esteem by such words,
^ Digitized by >C3UU^ It:
1^8 GOD*S TBl^&I^LE VOICE
atiBf wmftd bwe beU tiieir peaee;; kn%, boc^lise
tboy iuppoeed dM^omooiendalicHi migbt in«st eSec*
toidiy proimote tlwrn, and (k<iw.out,ii gocMJlv^nd^
therefore tbey 2M«ve patd it. Pf oud bypioc^tes
speak ill ot tbew^el^es.tbat Ihey may be m^
counted .humble; ..they cannot .^d»re to ,be
iiwnble; liiey care aot for* the gcac^^ yei» <b^
hate it; yet th^. woald be -thought to.bafe i%
be«aw8e it doth pr<^mote ^esteem; they love^^the.
reward^of bttiiftiUty» but they care not for humility
itaelf ; they love humility in others, beeau«e aucb
persona will stoop to them ; but tb^ love not
hamility in themselves, for tbey wiU stoop to
none.
Thus some alsQ> out of a secret design of priiie»
have discommended others behind their backs»
that they might be thought to exceed th^a^i
whom they could correct, and find fault withal ;
tti€^ have laboured to brin^ down others, that
they might set up themselves. And the awoae
design of pride they have had in commendifig
Uhevs to their faces, and exalting them io^ wmtcU
aboye themselves, not from a real esteem which
they have had of i^m above themselves; .bqt
only that they might draw &rth a commiindatioQ
&om them ; such expressions of pride have been
to be found in professors, and have bee^ m^ve
.latent.
2. Pride in clothes hath been mor^'gvm* emd
o^n, and general in tj^e city* We read of the
pride of the daoghtersof Jerusalem, Isaiah iii. Ifi,
&c» '' They were haughty, an4 walked with
stvetehed £a«ib n^oks, and wanton eyea^ walking
^d mincing as thqy irientr ^d n)aki|ig atinkUog
, Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN THB CXTY« U9
witbilleir feet;** and what it ivm Ihey wera
pi^d of^ see from rer. 18 to ver. 25. '' Their
omoiiients, their caals, their tires, their chaint,
their bracelets, their mofflers, their tablets, their
head-bands, their rings, their iewels, their change*-
able suits of apparel/' and the like. Aiid hsth
there not been this pride in Ijondon? Were
not th» daughters of London like the daughters
of Zion for pride and haaghtiness ? Was there
any plaee in England that ooold shew such pride
of appartel as London could shew, which not
only the female sex were guilty of ^ Were there
any fashioos, though never so aatiek and apish,
which London did not presently imitate ? Who
can count the cost which hath been lavished
out in dothing and rich apparel ; some pinching
their belHes and laiaiHes to lay it out on thto
lust«
This pride of apparel is very shameful and
ab9inrd> clothes being Uie badge of apostacy,
which were not made use of till after the fall»
therefore the word Baged, which signifies clothings
comes from Bagad, he prevaricated ; atid it is as
if a thief' should be pnoud of his shackles, or
any malefactor of his mark of disgrace : at least
the gaudy attire of many persons hath signified
theemptine^ and fiwthy mind within ; and l^at
they have had nothing to set them forth^ bat
their clothed.
I might also add, the pride, which the daogh*
ters of London have had cyf their beauty, though
It be but skin-deep, and the body but a skin-full
of dirt, and the choicest beauty without discre-
tion, like a jewel hanged at the e»^or nose of a
130 G0D*8 TEailIBI.E^ VOICE
swine: and the Loid kno^m whai; inon^tixHU,
and defiled, and deformed iimides, the 111O0C of
those have had, who have been so fisiir and adorned
outwardly. Many in London have been pfovid
of their fine clothes, and fair faoes ; and oitbe)»
ef their fair sh<^, and stately houses : piide
has hung about the neck like a chain,, and
covei?ed them like a garment,, instead e€ Ae
clothing and ornament cf humility, whieh btfote
God is of so great price.
Now God is highly ofiended with the .mi of
pride, "God resisteth the proud," 1 Pet* v. 5;
he doth, as it were, set himself in battle array
against them. "Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty i^irit before a fall," Proir. mm, 19^
Pride was one of Sodom's sinsi which city was
burnt with fire from heaven, Etsefc. xyL 4^
The Scriptures speak of three cities that were
burnt for this sin of pride amopg other sins,
namely, Sodom, Jerusalem) and Babykm: aind
may not London come in far a fourth? The
botches, and blanes, and loathsome sot^s in the
bodies of many, when the plague was in Lofidan ;
and the burning of so nmch fiiel of pride, l^y^tbe
fire, methinks were averj' load reproof and
rebuke of London for this sin.
11. An elevenlhisin vf LonioHt u firings of
bread, or inUmperanoe u^ etfOng} tbia waa anothet
of the sins of Sodom^ God did feed London with
the finest of the wheat, and gave* plenty of com,
and fiesh, 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 wl^ose estates have beei
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IK TBB CITY* 1st
»'pleiltiiM! Wlkat indolgitkg hath there been
to the Appetite, as if self-denial in regard of the
appetite were no duty, or an enemy, and with
thepeor to be shut out of doors ! What curiosity
of palate and daintiness have many in London
hadv »o that air, earth, sea, must be ransacked
to please them, and all would not do i what
lolling have they had of ordinary food 1 Many
good creatures of God must be cut, and mangled,
and spoiled, to make them new dishes; which;
however {^easing, have but sp^nled their stomachs,
and brfed diseases in their bodies. Some have
not eaten much, but they have been so choice,
that scarce any food hath pleased them; and
that not through sickness of body, but wanton*
neeir of mind: others have been pleased with
their food, and over-pleased, and all their pleasure
hath been therein; all /' whose God,'' as the
s^MMlle speaks, Phil. iii. 19, ** hath been their
b«l)y/' Soch, like the rich man, Luke xvi. 19,
'* have fitfed sumptuously and deliciously every
day;^'0 the excessive cost that some have be-
stowed upon their tables daily ! O the excessive
^antity of meat that some have devoured ! O the
ekoesrive liae that hath been wasted in pamper-
ing the flesh! What rioting and banqueting
bi^ there been daily in London, many feeding
tbeiKlsrives without fear, as if glpttony were not
any sin at all. How many have been like fed
hones in the city, or like fatted oxen, who, as
the Apostle James speaks, "have lived in plea-
surest amd been wanton, and nourished themselves
as ia a day of slaughter,^' James v. 5. And as
Ho»< xiii» 6. « According to their pasture, ac
152 god's TBItRfBCE VOICE
were they filled ; they were fiHed, and their faevrt
was exalted, therefore have they forgotten me.^ .
This kind of intemperance hath bo strangely
1>rutified many, that they have been evco d^
generated into beasts, only that they have beefei
more unuseful; for hereby they have unfitlied
themselves for all kind of service, as if they were
bom only to eat : but withal, they have prepared
themselves for those ruining and slaughteting
judgments which have come upon the city.
12. A twelfth sin of London is idUness* A
consequent of the former ; '^ only that idleness"
hath been more general: this was ako « atnof
Sodom ; I will not say but many citizens' •f
London were diligent in their callings but how
many idle vagrant persons were there in the city ^
What idleness in many of the youth, if* not h^
in the more strictly; and some breaking foidi,
and lavishing awny stolen time, whicb wiis not
at thehr own- disposal, whatever* strietness was
used ! Moreover, what an ill esMBfAo for idle*
ness did many governors themselves give to their
children and servants ! When masters wero idle
abroad, no wonder that servants were idid at
home; when mistresses were idle in their cham*
bers, no wonder if the kitchen did imitate.
Though eating, and drinking, and dotbng
were necessary, and called for some time; yet
the excess of time spent about these thniga, if
not worse, was no better than idle time. Many,
especially of the females in the dty, have spent
so much time in the morning in their beds, if
not in sleeping, at least in idle foolish fimeies,
and so much time after in neat and curioos
IK Tai CETT. l$$
dnmCnfMiiv bodKt»i^ Am% tbey have liad no
time M6r^ dinner f«r prayer or reading, no
tsme'to dren their soub; and the afternoon beinf^
fkf spent in eating and drinking, and the reat
of Ae time hath run away mther in visittpge or
entennnaents, wherein, (if not worse) Yain, idle«
onprofitahlb things have bem the chief* if not
the only subject of their diaoourse : and by that
time they heve ag«n refreshed them with food
at night, they have been too sleef^ and unfit for
prayer, and the serrioeof God. And thus many
cnelees 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 methinka
the (Lord hadi, by ba» terribfe things in London^
spoken tinto thnn much in the same Iwguage
as he did, Yea* soxii. dT*<>ll. ** Rise up, ye
women that are at ease^ hear my Toioe ye careless
daughters, 'gtve ear to my speech, many days
and yean nhrf] ye'be tronbled, y careless womens
ttenable ye women: that are at ease, bar troubled
ye oaeeless ones, sftrip ye, snake ye bare, and gird
sackdoth npon yourloins."
B^ I would not. charge this sin of idleness
only upon the ftmale sex t many men have been
more sfaaueftdly gutky, especially those who have
nia^qpent ao mudi time in gaming, (not to speak
of dressings eating and drinking, and other tiado-
Gonsnnnngsios, whidi are reproved in their pr<^Mr
place.) O the time that: many have spent in
gaasing I Some recreations^ wherein the body is
exerci^d, may be lawful and necessary at some
tinK8<; so tiiey do not steal away too much of
thehr time and affectioDSi btt|,ii»f ^g^fl^ilo flit a^
N
Id4 god's terrible voice
gtm^ as hard as ^scholars at their books, what
rational plea can be used for such wicked idle-
ness ? Thus silver and gold^ and great estates
have been consumed ; and O the golden, hours,
die days and nights, and predoos time, that have
been lost in gaming ! Thus some have run out
of all| itod resboved into die counti^y to hide
their shame, after their high port iti the city ;
tome have gone into the high-ways, not to beg,
but to do that which is far wbrse, which iri some
hath had a dreadffal conclusion. And not only
this kind of idleness hath brought poverty, but
also that heedless, slothful sph-it, Which mai^y of
the dty have had in their callings; which hath
made them blemislies to the city, and hith been
an helper on of our Tuih.
* 13. Aihirteentk hin ef Ltxndon is unmerdftd"
ne^k, another of Sodom's- sins, Ezdk; xvi. 49.
** She strengthened not the hands of the poor
and needy." I shall Dot blame the whole for
tfhis sin, for the charity of London hath soittaded
Ihrou^out the land, and throughout the world.
But yet have not manjr of the great men of the
dty been guiky of unmadfblness, who^ thottgh
more able, yet have been ites forward to o6n««
fribute to thfe i^lief of such as have been in
distress? It hath been the comfort of snme
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 O, what marble-
bowels have some had towards the poor! so
that they could, (whatever* abundance they had
by l3iem beyond what thems^l^'fi 4ii()t^|git) sor that
Itf THK CITY* }$6
thcjr wotfld as soon givo so vuiiiy drops of disir
blood, as pieces of money, tbough to help soma
of tb^ needy ^nd distressed nembers of Jesua
Christ : not considering that the Lord Jesus is
th# 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 nan cannot
require, it of them, yet God can ; and it is un-
equals if for want of payment of God's debts
(which th^ owed out of their estates, by virtue
of Gpd's command, to the poor) if the Lord
hatfi diapossessed them of his bouses, and burned
them with fire, and tak«n away part of the
estates which he gave them, because they have
employed them no mora fyr his gloiy.
14. A faufieenth mn qf Umdm is undeait-
ness, another sin of Sodom ; their sin indeed was
unnatural upckannessr I would hope that this
sin hath been little known and piactised in the
city. But fornication and adultery have been
too common. Indeed, there hath net been that
boldness and impudence in this sin as elsewhenea
there hath not been that whoreVforehead so
generally in London, and dedariog the iniquity
like Spdotn: but lot Uie consciences of many
Londoners speak, whether they have not been
secretly guijUy of this sin ? Wpuld it not be a
sbi^me to tell of the qhsmbering^ and wantonness,
and privy lewdness which bath beisn committed
in LopdoB? Suppose that in all the remaining
churches the sin of ^ undeanness should be re*
proved.; and al\, bath men and women, that
have b^ti actually guilty of it» should be forced
by ail, inwvd sting of con^cas|iwJf^ formerly
156 god's TSHAifiXE VOICE
those were upon the "wotdt of our 8irt!oaf;^lmt
acemed the woman taken in adultery)' ifMI<e-
diale]y to j^ forth oot of the place: what a stir
would there he in some churches; what an
emptying of some pews ; what a clearing of some
aisles; ahd how few Woiild there he reirrafiithig in
some places!
Suppose a visMe mark were put hy God upcm
ifie foreheads of all the adulterers in the dty '6f
London, as God put a mark upon Cain 'afler he
had been guilty of murder; would not mAny,
who walk now very demurely, and with iMueh
seeming innocency, walk with blushes ib ^eir
cheeks? would not many keep house and 'hide
their face, and not ' stir abroad except 'Iri the
night? 'or if in the day; would they- not shuffle
through the streets, 'and hate the fashion of Mttie
hats, and the court modeof weatmg them behiud
their head ; and rather get such wiiose brims are
of a larger size ; which might the more eon«
vcniently cover their brtyws? And w^Mild' not
many unsuspected and seevftingly modebt women
also, stain their cheats with a vermilibn''dye
upon their husbands' or friends' search into Iheir
countenance? would not many of them walk
with thick hdods, and wear continurily -deep
forehead-dotbes, as if they were troubled with a
perpetual' headach, diat they might hide ^leir
shame from the view of man ?
This sin Is so nasty and filthy, thatwhatever
swini^ pleasure is found in the comnrission of
it, usually those that are guilty (unless the brc>w
be brftss) are ashamed that it should be known :
the hdy and jealous eye of GoN^J^^^seen them
IN TH£ QITY. 137
i^ihj^.HUbineas; their secret •ins are set in the
li^t of his pountenaoce, which above all should
iltal^e them ashamed; ** Whoremongers and adul-
terers Cod \^ill judge," Heb. xiii. 4, which above
aU should make them afraid.
1 have heard of Smithfield hauiitf> and Moor-
field walks, whither there hath been too great a
r<;9prt from the city under the shadow of the
wiqg3 of the night, about these deeds of dark«
ness; the words and signs which such lewd
perspns bave used to signify their minds one to
aaother I am unacquainted withal: the many
whore^houses, under the name of ale-houses,
about London, by report, have had too many
customers: and if the constables had been 9S
jealous at other times, as they were when the
strict press was in the city, to disturb those con-
venticles, thev might possibly have found more of
that coait, ana tribe^ who should have given better
example.
If there have not been public stews in London,
^ in other cities in the world; yet have not
some made their own housei^ little better, some
men bringing in their wbprea in little better than
public view ; and of the other sex some by the
open wear of naked breasts^ and their light attire
^nd carri^e, hav^ enticed the eye and courtship,
and afler, basely prostituted their bodies to the
lusts of filthy ruffians. O the boiling, . burning
lusts that have been in London 1 O the wanton
eyes and looks ! the speculative undeanness, and
secret self-pollutions! the obscene and filthy
j^peeches ( the toying. and lustful dalliances! and
the fiross actual uncleanness which God hath
_ ^ • • • ■ -Digitized by VjiJU^lt^
188 god's tmaaiBi^c roicz
been w&ft«98 td efexy day'in Londmt TSxhrsim
of uQcleannefts dotb (MMase Ibe spbit; mdde «t .
first after Go4'« owo ima^ ; dk;filei- bbth sodL «iii -
body, which fhoold be the tempte of the ^Hiily :
Ghost; «i»d renderB men unfit ^ /ooinaitnit]a>
with an holy God, Y/k^ is of' such pare eiye^tha^
he caanot approve of th^ leasb idiqilityV'niu^
less of this, wbidi ia so grbas;' and 'not only m,'
but 4oth exceedingly provoke him iu^tomngptmod .
jealoaey. - *
This may be one sin that hath brought down
sueb fearful jiidgnkents upbn the city ; wisread of
twenty«andrfourr^hot»sand men that fbU.inone
day by jthe pl^ud^ for the sin of fomaaiitidtty -
Numb. XV. 9* And have not many thouaatid
inhabitants and habilatioils of Londoti fallen fdr
this sin ? . It i| said of the laraelftes^ Hoi. vh. 61
*< They have made ready ^ir heart like.an ovnen';
whjUe they lie- in wait; their iMker ^eepeth All
night; in .the morning it bopnjsth aa.a^Aaibing
fire." ' JEiave not the hearts ^f many in lioiBdon
been 'like im <oiteo £ot lutt» And thisms^ves like
bakers putting fbel into it, .and ts^rnng k'u|r;
ar»$tif whilst they have} laiii in wait^j and^h&ve:
notr^had present ,opfH»rtteity £oV' satis€i)3feion of
iheir'iists, they have* seemed to' be' a^leep^ no
sooner !hat^ ihe morning It^t^fs fitotcasion
offered itself to' their 'adukerois ey«s> but tthehr
adulterous! iheiHts ^have hitn)dd'#idyn ttien^ and.
broken forth into a fiamihg Ifire^ in tte aotiial
commis^ohtyf thesio. ' ■'
And hath tbis'lDieea the praotEee «nly of the
court, and' of Westminster side? ' Hatfa not the
cursed leaVen of this cortimopjP5,.^f^l*e
m Tflt ciTv. 139
s]niead.^belf jiUd in the city 7 Therefore the
LfcRTcMilso h«tb made nadf his wrath aa in on
h6tiove»; and though like a haker he hath seemed
ia-M^p t^hSe he lay in wait, and delayed to ex«
eente liit' judgnenU | yet in the morning of his
gtfealt pmnrooation, hy this and other sins, his anger
hadi: broke forth like a Gaining fire^ from whence
that fire hath been kindled which hath bamt the
greatest part of London down to the ground,
Jer. V. 8, 9. When " the Israelites were like fed
herees in the morning, every one neighing after
hks heighbar*8 wife;" the Lord speaks to them
in his wrath, ** Shall not I visit for these things?
Sfaail not my soul be avenged on such a nation
as this r
%^, A fifleemh ^in ef London is drunkenness.
This sin hath been more visible and apparent; I
believe that scarcely any nation under heaven
hath proportionably more taverns and ale-houses
tlKOt England, and no pYace in England so many
as Dondbn/aiid its adjacent parts r and of all the
xasctef tfaousBndi^ of these houses, I believe there
hstk been scaeee'any font oould give many in-
stances of this'sin^ besides^ the many private
hitases' iwfaer^ ^is' sin haith' been practised. How
have men '^ risen ^mlj in the morning, to Ibllow
* Strang drink, and Continued onto night, till wine
inflamed them," isa. v. 11. "Come ye, say
they, and I will ^tbh wine, and we will fill our-
sdlvefei iwith strong drink, and to-morrow shall be
as this day, and much more abundant,'' Isa* Ivi.
Pi^^ The iDomeiss and. beds fall of vomit, the
reefings about the streets, the contentions and
wranglings, ^* the wounds witlj|U|5§|^^|he red-
140 god's '^EaRXJ^tE VOICE
nesaof the eyes/'.aijKi such like, hivv.e li^p M>o
evident a demonstration of mep!s '^ tarryipg tqo
long at the wine/' and distempering, themselves
with excessive drinking, Prov. xxiii. 29* 30^ To
be overtaken with drunkenness is a. great ain>
which makes men more brutish than their very
horses, who will not exceed their measure in
drinking, except they be forced to it by bar-
nacles : and if none in the , city had yielde4 to
receive the drench of a cup beyond th^ measure,
without barnacles upon tbe^ npses, } suppose,
that with their horses they, would have beep ipore
. sober ; and hereby prevented many distempers of
body, and worse distempers of mind; apd, which
, is wprst of all, much dishonour of God^ a» well
as of themselveSji which excels in this kind bath
been the cause of: but for men to follow after
this sin, and i9.ake it their trade and common
practice, to delight in it^ and seek for their Qod
and chief happiness in a cup of wine or ale, and
to, grow men of might in drinking ; to exceed the
bounds by many degrees without reeling, to
entice others to it, yea^ to force them to drink
healths (that ungodly practice) which .could not in
the least promote another's health, but was likely
to destroy their own, throvgh the exjce$s which
such |>ractlce# do introduce ; to take pleasure in
drinking down others under their feet, and after
to glory in their ^hame and wickedness ; this is a
sin that doth so far exceed brutish, that it be-
comes devilish,, and doth highly provoke the
Lord to pour forth his fury like water upon the
places where such sins are committed.
And hath not L,ondon been euijty.of this sin of
Iir THE CITT. 141
ifi^ui^K#6ne8S^ with thu aggrtvadott of it? Hsve
h6i -tiome 6f London'^ ixidgistrates been g^uiltj,
wh6 shoaki h&te punished this sin ; and too
ihaxry ministers, who should have reproved it
both by word and e)enmple of sobriety ? And for
such'to Be ieeti drank and reeling in the rtreets,
^1^^ Tery shamefut, and a great provocation.
Rifiv^ not the late judgments in some sort
p<yrnted out thife sin? the dizziness of head and
reeling of persons that have been smitten wMi
the'^lague; the flafming of the heart of the city,
iidlS reeling of the houses, and tumbling of them
to the ground by the fire, methinks were a re*
|h^f dT the dizziness and reeling about the
streets and houses of such persons as had inflamed
&tih dlstempened themselves with exeessive drink*
ing.
16. J sixteenth rin cf London it perverting of
judgment. This is a God providing sin : " when
none calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for
tfuth ; whto men make to themselves crooked
patli's, and there is no judgiteeht in their goings ;
yea, when judgment is turned away backward,
and justice standeth n,fkr off, «id (futh is fallen
16'' the Streets, and equity cannot enter; when
trii^h faileth, and he that departeth ' from evil
rakketh himself a prey,** Ac. as the' prophet
speaks, Isa. Irx. 4, &c When magistrates are
''lovers of gifts, and followers after rewards;
when' they judge not the fatherless, neither doth
ake cause of the widow cotne unto them ;** then
th^ Ldrd crieth, ** Ah ! I will ease me of mine
adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies,"
Isa. i. 1 3, 24. I cannot charge l.^]^^f^^\y with
142 GOD*s T£|Lai;Bi.fi voice
this sin ; not having been myself present mad) in
their courts of judicature ; and I would hope
that justice hath taken place here^ as much as in
most cities in the world : but when I read what
the Lord saith concerning Jerusalem^ Jer. v. 1,
*^ Run ye ijo and fro through the streets of
Jerusalem, and see now and know, and seek in
ihe broad places thereof, if ye can Gnd a man, if
there be any that executeth judgment, that se^«
eth the truth, and I will pardon it :" and when
wiUud I consider ' the dreadtiil judgments of
God upon the city of London, whereby the glory
of the magistracy and government of the ^ity is
9f^ much stained ; I would submit it to enquiry,
whether there hath not been a failure and per<»
verting of judgment in the city ? whether bribes
and rewards have not blinded the eyes, and th^
e^ge of the law hath not been tumied against
wdl-doers, instead of evil-doers? whether the
fatherless and the widow have pof been seni
weeping to their heavenly Father to complain of
injustice ? It is not a time to cover ibults, but to
confess and leave them; least unavoidable ruin
come upon us when it will be too late.
IT> A seventeenth sin of London is ,covetouS'
ness. How universally hath this sin reigned in
the city ; so that it may almost be said of Lon-
don,, as it was of Jerusalem, Jer, vi. 13, " From
the least of them even xinto the greatest of themj
every one is given %o covetousness." Tho$e lyhp
have been free from gluttony, drunkenness, adul-
tery, and the like expensive sins, have on. the
other hand, addicted themselves to the sio of.
CQVi^usness. I do not charge all, but O, how
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IV THE CltY, l4li
almost universal hath this sin amonj; tradesmen
been; which has evinced itself both in. their
getting and keeping riches !
(1.) In gelling. What eager desires after the
worlds and the obtaining an estate by their
trades! What studies and consultations, what
facking the brains, and torturing the wits, to
find out the best way of thriving in the world !
What earnest prosecutions have there been, and
laborious endeavours, rising up early, and sitting
up late, and wearying the body, and the roind all
the day, eating the bread of carefulness, and
mingling the drink with solicitousness, crowding
up the whole time with worldly business, so that
their own health hath been disregarded, as well
al8 the Worship of God neglected in the families of
these worldlings, and all to scrape a little worldly
riches together, which some have missed o£, not*
withstanding all their endeavours; and if they have
obtained, yet they have remained more poor in
contentment, than when they were more poor in
their estates ; for as their estates have increased,
so their desires have increased, and been farther
off from satisfaction ; as they have enlarged their
shops and trades, and wealth bath flowed in
upon them ; so they have enlarged their desires
like hell, and, like the grave, have never said. It is
enough : when they have added bag to bag, and
house to house, the more cares and fears, and
sometimes piercing sorrows have accompanied
their gains; but far have they been from finding
the contentment and comfort in their riches that
they looked for.
(2.) This covetousness hath ^ppf ^g^Jf^ *«^/?2«'^
144 GOD*S rSftftlttIA ¥OICB
J, I «fff, fyt^^mt-
dhovgliln iwniMj Mill, whaftdwyluiveMi)^
loee^: tiief luive had wmMi, but tile'iii^'iitf ir
tiwjriuiivnotluid; it faatlibeefi to diem lik^(&
tranoie in a chest, ^ vliidi Uny iNid* ¥oA fl^
key; or like anodM mra's nioiie/Hn ttwh: iMo^
ing,^HuditlMyiniistMotiBeddlewiliiali> ^jVk»^
ever lAMiiidMiee they havelMid in the biigi miliW
the coffer, their famifiee bive been in W«nt I- 'th«;
table hath been penurioos, the back and'blBfljr
hmre been pinched ; they have llted tft a Ineifeaer
rata than those that have been of a meftubr
degree. The poor might starve at tiieii' d6oi«r;'
no pity towards oChera in want and iniset^y) ksA
the kaat pi^ towards themsetveg; whiM'th^J^
have saved, for (ear least afterwards th^'dUMM
want, they haveaO akmg wanted, Whikt me)r fcii^
been saving; and it may bent his^ th^/.Wr«1dM
what they have been keeping, to the iAestpreflitW
grief, and it may be, breaking of th^ll^; hfeamii
which have been so set npen llies^lliilings. •' ^'^ '•
This sin of covetousness in some hlatll 4}lid
deepei^ rooting, in most bath bad too n^A'^f^
ing ; and in all hath been v^ henioas' iitid ^M»*^
minable before God. This sm is termed UiAtkty
in Scripture, and the covetous are "^^^icua^&i
with the name of iddaters, Colos. iii. 5p. Exiles.
v. 5. It is heart^idolatry forbidden -hi thtf "fiMt
commandment. Thut thing we mttke A' God ti»
ourselves, which .w« chiefiy rfffcct,- if^'itibfe'tfei?
world, then we make the world our Gdd^'^Whic^
is inoonststent witb ^ tree love of G^ the
Fathte, the only true God. 1 4^)(8i[4fg^J 5r»l-ftve
IK TUB CITT. 145
not the worid, neither the things that are in the
woMi if aay man love the worn the love of the
Father it not in him." Thi^ tio of eoveCottioeel
is hateful to Ood And pfo9r6kea,lus wrath» Isa.
ivit,.17^ ** for the iniquifi;^ of his covetoosnesa
was I wiothj and amote him.^ Hath not God
smitten London with the plaguy and 6re, among
other iniquities^ for this iniquity of eoTetousness^
When "Laadon was eagerly pursuing after the
vorld» and all miadiug ankd sedciog thdr own
iBterest> without any regard to the interest of
God's gloiy and kingdom^ or care of their soid*
interest and salvation, which their worldly buai*
nesa would not allow tine for; did not the Lord
send a.plague, to put a stop to their trade ; and
give them time to seek him» and to make dieir
peace with him in their retirements^ which they
eonld noti or rather would not And hefore? And
when they returned widi more eagerness to their
tiudfiSy 4iftar the.plaf^ue was n little over» that
ths^ might fetch up, if they could, what they had
missed hy that intermission, did not the Lord
send m. foe to consume much of that which they
had set Iheii; hearts upon, and in large legible
letters write vanity 4ipon this idol, whu^ so many
bad worshipped f Let London consider, ami lay
to heart this sin of oovetousness*
18. The eighicaUh sin cf London is ejOortkm*
Thus covetouaness hath expressed itself more
grossly in some* I shall not here discourse con-*
ceming usury ; but the extorting use, which some
have Uken of those who have been in want; the
taking use upon use, and grinding the faces of
the poor in their distress, no doubt is a great sin*
* Digitized by VjUUgT*::
146 G0D*9 TEAEIBLE. VOICE
And ^efjf «|9^siv9 to <Socl How wm ^tar4
11011^9 &v^ tliere been in Loodon, HKbolmte iui*
jricb^d tbemselves by icopoverishii^ of>4xtfae;rs;
y who, pABtiog «fter thq dust of the earth <m the
head of the poor," haye lent nKHiey to thcmi Pot
for theM belp^but to qatcb tfaeoLat aiti«draQt4^
Ibat 9o» without qaorcyi tb^y tmgfattea|cb.4iwa.y all
that tb^y b^« .not levying tbem so ofucb ^s a
4^ to, lie.oii? Thus aome have been like liona
fop: cicactHy* wd like evening wol«ea» unto tbe
ppQP^t " l^rii^g their flesh from their bopefl^ fnd
rcise^ving theii; very bonea toigoaw in the mqrni*
13^' 88 the Prophet spefJ^i Zeph*.iit. 3^ XbU
ain of e^tPftion. waa one oi tbe.ahominatioRi
tH^onedi ^p by the prophet Esckid^.lbaf wiMx
GoA yir^.aq big^y offended, with Je pya aigni,
ebapn.sxilr2^ ; «' Thou hast taken nsury andbt?
orep^e^ and ha3t greedily gained of thy neigbbonf
ky i^JkUiftimi and baait forgotten »•:". &r ibia
and qtlier sins, there nientioned> it is aaid» ver* 3,
^' 'Tbt^relbrehaye I pnnredout.my indignaticniufNin
them; I bave.conauwed them with the ftraof my
wr4tb," Unio this ain of e^Ltort^on I nu^ adi
ee^eral other ways,, that many in the city bave
b«d of getting eatatea^ whieh some nmy diapnte
l^r. th^ lAwfttTn^as oS, and becaose ao oommo9
and gainful, the. ain ia bttkt beedied; but wl^
the ^d hath been contending with the iidiole
eity* and bath inflicted a general stroke, upon
tradesiyM»,. yei^, one atroke upon another^ an^
hath t^onden their trade, under bia feet, sm aeiamt
in|^ to be offended with something thernin ; rjacn^
^inkatbey should be awakened^ and open their
9y^, aw) imiMliaUy a^aceh^ iud^ J^^r t«^^
IN TB» CttY. HI
ent'iHiiftever it is that dotli offimd fcfttii Mmevet
sekkaiag ^wadrmttttge may eoiAe to them thereby:
And If tliby ^ill not hearken, Qod can take alray
Ihe rfen mir ider, aa he hath dotie a great port, and
so force them to a aenae of their ain.
' OM' ahrfcd way of getthig eatateSy $xtA, I atn
peraoaded; iItf]|^l«B»iiig to OSk, in tngrosnng and
mmpolkhg of oomMfditks, which foatiy hi
Loitdoii liare done, that; hat^g all th^ cotaimo^
dities of that kind in their handa^ they migM
make their own tnark^, and aet their o^n price
upon them; wMch» if they abld aa cheap a8
othihrwiae they would do^ or aa othera do w1m«
this]r «re abared into many himda, (aa poaaibly
aonie'Biigfat^) I could not condemn the thing: btit
when/ by getting the whole intollleir handd, they
hoist and nitae the price beyond the jost wdue;
which thfy neoesaitate people to give, and that
only that they might enrich themselves; this i
dare t?onMently affirm to be unlawllilr ahd my
reason is, because hereby they preftr k le^ael^
l^ood^ before a greater; namely^ the enriching of
Uiema^ver, mS their Aunffies, befbre the mbrl
pnbfic'good of making the commodity nlbre cheap
to liie cohmionwealth. If they say, the iniory
whidi they who buy of it, will atriitftin^ fthey
beiti^ ao many) wiH b^ veiy small »lid iiicOh«
siderable; but the good they shall get hereby
wHI be greit, and they may be in A better cajia*
city of doing good^ I anr^er, that noiiD ought td
do llie least injury for the reaping df the greatest
advantage: it bteing albfeolotely unhwful '^todd
ei^, diat good may confe thereby, and fhb dam-
nation of such will be just,'* Horn. Mi. i, ^s^
148 60D*» TIRRIBX.B TOICE
cufi8C(|(iouuy ft ^Tester injury will ^dne* tollttlth*
selves, than to ^ose whom they injofe ; yekytlike
injury will be greater than the good wbfk& they
obtain. And as for their being in a <ca|Mici<y of
doing more good ; I believe that such persohSj if
they do spend such gains^ are more forward to
spend them on their lusts, than to lay iHem ^ut
in charitaUe uses: I have not heard that Ane
greatest monopolisers in London have beM^iUfc
aoost charitable persons. >
If I were more acquainted with the mysCerves
of trades in the city, I fear I might ^find ^
more than one mystery of iniquity amsAg'them;
If the Lord would put into the hearti of inagift«
trates and citizens to look into tracks, 'and to
consider the equity that thef beMr, and take
Semo- course for rectifying abuses in diemi It
might be <»ie way to obtain a more ftvbuMible
aspect irom heaven ; and the Lord might revive
again the trade of London, whidl now is dynig
and sinking to the ground.
19. A nineleeiUh sin of London it I^g* *ll is
•aid of Nineveh, Nah. iii. 1, that it was ^ a dty
full of lies.'^ O the lies that have been in Lon^
don I who can reckon them ? Lies in the streets,
loud Kes, which have been cried, fidse n^ws which
We daily hear. Lies in tlie chambers, secret lies,
privy ^se tales, which are whispered in the Mrs.
Lies in the shop, trading lies, lies told Stit 1l>ay9ng
and selling. Officious lies, which some te)l4:0'do
their frieikU a kindness. Mischievous lies, whidi
some tell to do another an injury. We reald of
some, <^that bend their tongue like their bow for
U^^ that wiU not speak thegiJ^ J^^|^ .teach dieii
iH TUB CIVT. 149'
tlmf n^- io^fjfieak Im^^ Jet. vu S, 5« H#w mny
Um haFB di€M boifi in Xiondoa? What tif 14
ffefl.fiMvn .ihU sin^ The childr^a baye lemed
W Ufii M iooa aa tbcy have learned to apealu
What honae bath beeo fbeo? How havo tradc»>
mem^ hmm guUt^p of lyings wbidiaoiae acoount a
Beceflfaiy adjunct to their trader without whick'
tbftj cnmld not live 1 How maoy aenuoU liave
eixmedoneatiotbeKi and theoMelveay whcnth^
have oommitted faults, wilh their lieel Biit4iiC
kU 'Uea^r.pHMhievauB )im have been the wof8t>
whichr iio«i» hfve wrented to do aa iiffbry !•
thpjp tofvlgbbour i aneh Uea aie leoie inunediatefcvi
ht^jfidten by. the devil, the father of iiee^asd mm
U9ar$sM^ hie laoat i^eiae efiprii^.. B«$ aU liee
m,^ $m9s ejpe miaehievoils Iwe; they Me mie*
fbieeeue to the fiayty that tells them j ^ve» tbe
oflieiiHia. liar .oaanot do eo nueb hfa dn eai to We
fiipeM hf hM Ue>( as he doth injury to hiMselltt
WhiKt! Witt a mat) elab biamdf, to de biaHrieod*:
courtesy } He that weunde his. coBseievee deCh'
woiBe; bo ibot gffiiia in his trade by* Ue lie^
bwetb more than he gains: a bag of gold ieael
to be'ikwjpared with inward feeee, and the Uh
now of God (better than Itfe), which, JbytUs ma,
it lost. Sui^y tiie Letdy bei^ a God of tmth»
is.4n9ek,effeniMi with tfcia m of lyii^. ^ CM
deligbtB," saith Sohwaoo^ '* in then that deal:
tt^f^^ui lying lipaase an abominotieiM to hini/
Brov'^mJ^ hymg was one am of J^rael, ibv
whinh ''their land c)id tmowm/' Hes^ xiv^ 2, 9.
And God threateneth to give '^ all hers their part
in that lake wbkb bon^tb with ^e and brim^
mWi^ fcv. Mi. 8. . MetWnks ths« e^^^ ph«ce
o
IfiO cod's TBHBl&LB VOICE
this one am which some pro&s^Qrs ako in Ibe
«ity. b«Te been goilty of, to the abasM of.'Uieir
pvofeg^QQ ; for which Um .Lofd b«th sfot 4he
fipQ to b«ra down the cUyt to awken iMNtoJie
fiwn thi» Ain, iu» we would eaoape tho fittuse ito
ofhcU?
.. so. Another sm of London^ is- Ofrnmn^- mA
4efr4Mding9 This sin hsth b&oi the produQfcirf
^T«toMsii«08, and the oonapanion of lyiw^;^pni
bow ordinary hath it been among- tn^Summu
which ma^y have been so aoeuatoixwd tio» Aftf it
bath been as.ea^ to {lenuade tb9.i£thMt>itD^
change hi» akisy as to persuade them to leaT^jrfT
tbfiir ^ozcsnipig ? Tim they have losfced upen m
exapdiewential to their tinde, at least as neoBasaiy
totbeiir gf^ns j yea> aoK&e have pleaded a mwd^
aity theceofs. to get a livelihood for thevaeelyes
ana famlieSf BiH theie is. no neoeaaity of eny
tii^;^ duties are necesaary^ but sins jure neter
il^Qffsary^- and the gain which is ipotte» boF m,
laUkft the gm .of a garment, whiebifaatli^itiwi
pjb^gue.m )t» which^ if it bring warmlfc £(Nl}lhe
focftfm^if quickly iiW infty bi^ siekneaa (and
4^atfi^. a»d if oo^wng brings tgaift iaiMii ita
putfii^.i^ presently brin|^a,the pl«^iie .intptlhet
hfaw^la'aadiQMi^ly ^wiU br^nj^tbe painiafidi pwoi^tt^
in^ptofML / 5 .
t. Xo defiraud another in de^ling^ is bua a^taorai
^ipwaift w»y of Jitealing, and it is a$ l»wAd toi
tytke a.iwcjetiipw the bighwi^,i as. to take.ar
dialling by fraud in the shop; the diffevenee-lka.
ofoJy in the degree^ the nature of tboisia, !wbidi.
ia theft, is the wieiR,botl|K,J^^
tK THB CITY. 151
intliAlb ^^remlfy ftiHbidden thit sin, to be hsth
tiiMMiteded to urenge it, 1 Tbegt. iv. <(• ** That
ao tAaAi g<» beyond or deftaud his brother (not
only i«ca gveater diing bat) in any matter, be*
oauso the hotd b the avenger of all such." llie
tevevttl wayB ^vriifeh tradesmen have had of de-
frauding, would be too large for me to speak of,
Mlh^ aim I so tkWM as to understand. The
UkMfif^g^ of weights and measures is gross, a
iifVJpraeiised ^flSIlong the Jews of old, which God
thftatens' to punish them for, Hos. xii. 7-
*^ ^^raim is a merefaant, the balances of deceit
»e'in< Ms imnd." And beth then- sin mA God^
anger are set forth, Mic. vi. 10*-1S. «< Are
tii^ tyet tbe treasures of wickedness in the
hottieS'itf die wicked, and the etent measure
wiiieh' is abominable? rtmll I count them pure
witlpidle lirieked balances, and with the bag c^
ckNseit Alt weights f Per the rich men thereof are
Ml Df vteieneey Aid the inhabitants thereof have
s^m Mes> aad their tongue is deceitful in their
weuiftlt'tberefiMre also will I msfke thee sick in
smitiihg llMse^ ifa snaking thee desolate, beeattse
ofiliysin^'^ And was( it not thus with London ^
BM lAkf nst^fahify weighte end measeres, and
AMfy'«tnait]od{tieS|' and speak fUselj^ concern*
it^ehe?]inee <ef Uienei, and take nneensrctfomible
gains, and yet profess kind usage of their ette»
tfMners^ whbiia thef did most exact tipoh^ But
i^I cMAildi l^should not opett the euimifig ways
whkh 8oi]ie4i»vefeiutid out, ofdefhioding and
o!f«ir-4«aohtng, lest Any should iei^^ and be
eihitided to pmetiee themn by tfa^vei^ reproof oT
iVae I have hettrd some hate ^jite^Ouu^iL
162 GOD*s vjpf^iai<£ yoicE
vf^Mk bj defiriHKling and ov«iwy^a9hNig< thm,
th« devil, tbat veiy fe«r 4wer gel ont^b^ :«jrft^
<taigged bybim ibmb^riAWb^s bQ^iifieitU'
not faaro gnaynig fot tfwi w, «iri»ch is jn^qmmf)
ta.fthe ^ibc^iiig ^f « purdfla; hut^ 9e4titwtim<W(
Doeesiacy j-tbey mu»t irefuad^. tb^; nHUt .rwlonf^
eitfteK tov the .parlies ihemiebrQ^i dV: t» ttiQipaoik'
i?^t ibay hav<!». gf»iftio wmnffoUjn^ if Ibejfi Jw^
abk.; if juitii as^ 111110b as ^y Jbavc^ oAf^Pwm
tb^ eaBiHvt> bi^ aajved^ No^ 8alivati^i,4yup9«^,:t9^
Sucflhetatill h^,iil»9ir«ti9t¥ed.uptQiirrrlstiAtit^^'
ifbit be bed mengibUy gaUied» jLnfc^ «i«. 9^ 9^\
<« «bd seMtas:bi4 b«nd at dinbenest gidn/' .Seef^,
xiit,>l% aiid tbia.i»oiie;8ip 'vtfbieb klielmaiwisl
hatb smitten l^ndwifoe^ . *>. ^^ .
jtpii%«ii^ emd pr0fms - sp0itding^ Soam^bm^
sp«UMd> toa mmb tbrougb cui^immemj olb#n,
hive spftil^lxie miicfc ihKOi^bpKiid4falily»t,>&4ii^
i»ijty>ia af^reii^ virt«e»<#Ad biiiioiafti)j^tivil|yM^^
etuMmi §mce^, whieb I«oiidon that^ ^ot^iticink
MTttbemt;. bttt piedigf^y<ia a gieat $ini«^ /Tb^ia-
some bav« spent abova tbeir .df^grei^ l^risbiiiigj
oiiiitbeii^€4tataa on t|iw tabl^s*^ oiiibebribov^es,
dM<ibatrc\eftb9i»; bi^ tba: wcaat pto^iiffiit^lmfik
hukn^m ilbat iiAifihuGaQi^fbajvft kyi9bad<>iHA.iai
tiia isatiafitctiaa ef' tbeiit hiata^ in drOfdc^Heas^
gflfeaiag, ^bofilig^ and .tdhe like; mid ^apactatty^
tbcMe^.^wbaibava^speiHL profbAaiy tbaft irbicb bath
been jiane «i£>.their ewn^ but what tbey hmnf
Uktic^^ fmi\mfAt aS .otbefs,^ haiw been.
^^meiy Quiay 01 aw wwr D'gitizedbyO.<.xj^it
tJH Tb« OtTT. 159
AM HkuK&thh^^ of proXgiMty aAd proTo^
neii»,' l-tatty refinr the iin of exoessite minh
atid }<»lHty^ ti^hfeh hath been in LoDdon. Tber»
ia'ft hiinhyi»ifli«th^ which is lawful; and there
is^'ft' efRyitiilil cheerMnew, which h the doty of
ChHstkmft; though in tifaes of great tin, and
afflietiM of God's people, sackcloth and inoulti«
iiigi'doth-becofxke Chmtians; and some expres-^
sions of joy whieh are more carnal, thonld be
mtiefa forborne ; bat I am speaking of the mirth
of Bfieb; who have had the least ground for mirth
of any^ namely tJie wicked, nnto whom no peace
nidr joy in that' estate deth belongt tethemio
b^ 80 exeessvrely imerry, and jovial, and-frolie^
espredsing it in their profkne, obsoene, and
sMo^ilocte jesting; in thefar mnsle; singing,- and
dancing; in their ranting, roaring, and catotta^
ing; ^ many wasteful and profuse waya of
sj^^iitg^ when the church is in Mdcdbtht
aitd'Hes a bleeding; as too many in London-
ba^ done : sorely <yod hath been offended with
thie, And bath be«n provoked to send down Uv
jadgmentfe, ta alter the cheer of Lendon, miA
bttnsby to put' them into mourning, which they^
ntfie 80 tt!vei«e unto. '
Had: they foreseen the piiH^ue^ and hoiv nfafvy
of them' should have Mien 1^ it, smdy it wonkl
have damped their mirth ; hiid diey fd#eseenlAi»^
boming of lihe city of London, and tlM their
hoQsee should have fallen by the five, eiively>
theiF langhter would have been turned into
heaviness. These judgments they oeold not
fiitetee; bat^lMre ^dgment, far mere dreadful,
they might have foreseen, w^fii^^Atil^ have
)54 god's T^ElHBtE VOICE
0Md« an im^ptmmm ^t lorrair iqpon. item^ if
poftsibly by x^pentonce tt^y flight «void m4
«^Qipp itt, '' Be «fliuitad, loict moam, and We^
let jpoinr la^btar be tiemed into ipoefniof , ml
y4)ur joy into heiivines8»'' Jeoiee it, 9w •Seek
iQ0i^^(iiQg» if Cpt sin* mgbt be a inetDt to
fiitwre iwerici^ ei^ elemel woe tgadwrnprngt
oibere tbey have jsQeeani €e SMiini finr Iheie
miserifewbich will come. upon dienw <^0»lo
of^Wp ye rich men* ^eep and bowl» finr Ihe
mmne9 that duJl come upon yoii»'' JiHoate v^ 1#
But for pfofiine wicked pfreeiis to (siog, aniA
rigoiee upep the bxink of die giave and hdl^ ie
very migeemneWe, and an aggravatiaa«f their
other fline*
g^, Th^ Upmi^'Hm/d m of Lmdm ja ^in^
t^Mi|^ And this m waa to be foood not edy in
women> which envied otliert thet e mecc ded tkcM
in beauty of body* in elothei^ and dreeNA^, and
eueh like toys; but alio in raen^ who envied
tbw who were of the atome ttadby wiueh bad
bettor hmmt^ and. sbopSimoRecoatoiaand weiMi»'
then tbema^lvea. Yea» this envying wna to*fae
foiled among many mipifltersi who aiEiried echere
that had bettor perte^ and mote leemingf gfeaier
eiiplaii9a> end moire Mditore tbair theoMelWM.
Therf wa& a ^'spirit anongniis whioh tnatod to
envy," Jemee iv,.5« whMi^ besidea the great tor*
ment thaf:> it bringe to the apint wbcae it reignB, m
a very great prpveeation to the Lord.
g3* ■ Th^ ifvent^kird mn of Ltuukm n J
ing and b§tckbititig% whioh hath been the
quent of die foiiner« The nindi 4
halh bean eiLoeedingly brol^ i^J^g^on, espe.
CmQjP' ill A (JI'ltMS W§y iOf iMMIffl^ fiilw WRn6&9
igftinit th« iiu%bb<Nir, aitd Wounding hii reptr^i
ttlMn by a 'sUmeixMis ton^e, some ittvefitiTig
l^wnAtmmg ihtidefv, whieh they ht^e in theif
(MMMideiKes knowit to be iUse ; others taking op
flfaiMfoMiTeadiljr bdieting ^m without any jtt^
ve|^0iii#ll. Tfait tinyda^tt^e Mt forth w?(h a tMt^
tiiia^ta like htsd of- s«rh perMMs, Jer. ix. 4, 5.
Loaden hath t>eeii iiill of backbiCen and ta1e«
bMveray atiA to* many proflMsord haire been
pakf 9i^ ibk ain r few have etHertaii^ed back«
bfiiati with an angfy coantenance, wfaich^ as the
wind dbiveth away nAtt, woald have driven them
^t of ffglili I iDJjght here add the h«tr^ ol
one another that hath been in London (much
thi^omgh-^aadars), the eoMilation that faalh risen
Ffooi hatred, the imdh tiiaf hath risen ft6m etan*
Mk»; aid the wrttfa of €rod, whieh hath arisen
finm these end ether worice of the ^h, spoken
«^ Gal ▼* 1^9* Ml
d4. n& tnmi^^famih sin of Lmdm is rnttf^
tmring; end that net only in want, and tindef
loslea and eroases^ baC idso in fbiness and
plaB^« Many Iknners in the country have miir«
mured at the {^enty and cheapness of eomr
vasrn^ tradesman in the elty bate nnmntired at
the pien^ of Ihe eomrnoditri^s whicb dley fcnvb
dcete inr< beaause^ however snd^ plasty is a
piibUe and tmsfkeBkable ttfercy, y«t fAiey have
had the less private advaMagv, whicb bAtfa
been .ehtefly tegardad by them. Tea^ sonie,
in ttieir nnrmv^ngs have wished ibr i» plegue^
that, tlhs snrvlvoas might have die better trade*;
and. I have heard that a drf-fjti^ bad beei»
156 god's TKai^IBXE VOICS
wished Ibr^ to take off €tm plestgr of siidl otyn^
modities, that the reoiainder wiA^ bear the
higher rate« Is it a wonder^ th^i, if GnmI h««t
sent plague and fire, which senis have called fo
by sueh murtmiriiig speeches ? The tnveUtes in
the wilderness weve f^agned ft>rlheir mttrmmilig^
and the murmuring company of Corah, thiA were
not swallowed up with him^ were oonswncd by
a fire from heaven,
25. The twadyffth and ktH sm of LomAm
fvhieh I shM speak ^« is carnal eecurUy^ another
of Sodom*s sins. It is said of the 8odoiiilM»
Luke xvii. 88, 29* '' In the days of Lot, they did
eat^ they dnuik, diey bought, they sold, th^
planted, they builded: but the sane di^ that
Lot went out of Sodom, it sained fire ^d brfatt-
atone from heaven, and destroyed tliuem eSkJ*
When Jjondon had provoked God so highly by
so many sins, yet how secwe were they betoe
his judgments broke forth upon them;- they
ate and drank, they bought ffld seidi tew Hiey
sat at ease, and put far from them the evil day;
as, Amos vi. 1 , 3., they were still and at rest, litde
expecting such changes as have come upon them,
and took little care to prevent them: they were
secure and trusted in aim^ of flesh, broken reeds,
which have always fiiiled. And I might add
here, as a cause of the security of some, the pre-
sumptuous confidences of future evmits, 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 God's decrees,
or had an infidlible revelation from him of whst
ahoold come to pass. O the good days that i
a IK. TIU.^ITY« 167
Ud no gmmd fat. Gr«tt ey;pect«i|ioiis . maif JT
bftdiolMibc ffiUi4aif .Anfticbri^t and Babyloa in the
yoaf, ljg66^- ^jind xothef eveAU» limiting timet,
ifkkb Cid butti not dewij rovofded* which is «9
,«|)ftv»mhjog upon Cod's pr^migativ^And I bo«>
}ieve;«(grfiiut«c provocation than 9uch persons are
^ir0x»ii^ , This JEoay be one reason why London
is fallen instead of Babylon, in thia.yew of such
ejipe^tion jmd |>Eesmnption.
i i^ntWs^ time, it may be, the. reader may be
nwm^d with reading* as I am with thinlaog and
mgi^iag of XK)Bdon's sins* But how hath the lK)rd
jy^iveariod with. the bearing of them ! how hath
ht h^m iMT^sed with the weight of th^uh, A& a
4enll;ia.pt^Aed that is full of sheaves! Amosii.
Ji3» ,j;&.';whiwi;you. have read of Lo^don judg-
^epirts withi|l»yoa eoo^idev London's ii^^oi^tioii^
>y^*bi^^l>^S4ictoowledge tha^ God is righteous,
^ith9tJ^«.hAtb..puoisbed London no mose thao
ithlijr h wpi> desfaryed. for thene aiui. *
I J J..
SECT: fX.
^Si^^'tigWemimts^ iMfufifler appear; iff»e UW-
' sidertftttf ke hath puftisked London ksi-ikan
' '\^'Mqttithigi6strf)ed: ' •• '
*^. ik.QpDimigbt h^vie punished Londpn deservedly
.•with ..more dreadful iudgments here, .and . that
>iiQth ii) jthe iiame and, another kiA4* , ^ . .
Digitized by VjUM^ It:
IM GOD*S tMltfrftlE tOlCE
1 . In tbe judgtn«nt ttf* the "plugtte. It >^iifi a
Areftdfttl pUj^de itid^d; httt "Gcd Could hiive
Iftmde it tn\)re drMtdftik m^rehe fiihdt dk)e ortow,
Im'niight'hiive ilhi>t dn hmtfdred t hevishedtUiUiy
ISttiailtfcs, he knight have vMt^d ^vefy family^ and
ttwept fewry hou^ mtMi the besMn bf destfulction.
Though M> many fell, yet I belltfve th&t ^ve parts
in six of the inhaliita(nt« df London Irene pre-
HermA. God might hate taken away the five
]NutS) and have left hut one alire ; y^a, it tt^ht
nare beien said of Londmi, ^s it was 6f Israel,
AtnhMY. 2, S. "The virgin df fcrael U fellcn,
«he riiAll rise nt> nofe; the city that went out by
a thousand shall have an hundred/' God tnight
bave trebled thehimdi^edis thMdiedbythet^lague;
he might htfve sent out his arrowis after idl the
inhtrt^itantte of London thlit were gone into fhe
ieountiy, and smitten them wheresoever *he found
them; or he might have met widi them upon
their return home, and given commission to
Death to lay hold on them as soon as they en-
tered into their doors. He might have depopu-
lated the dty of London by the plague ; so that
every house should'htave hod <lead corpses lying,
and none to bury them. He might have made
4Mir plague wonderllil, fettrfulvand of kng con-
timianee.
We that have survived so great a mortaKty,
have reason to say, that deserv^ly it might have
been greater} drat we deserved as mudh ortnore
to fall ibr our more heinous sins, than thousands
♦Hat are gone down ittto the pit : surely " it is rf
IN THEt CI.TY. 1^
thii L^» mw^ iiM we 4M opt cmvimed:''
be WHS loerciful ia spvUig of u9 ; ke w/oiild huva
been, r^bte9iia if he had dtiUpyed us,
Thiojt; with yainiejLyfiii» you tW are allye, and
penw «mp€idf how foarfi4 would U>e pU^poo
hAv^ he«n.if ijt had opmt homo tp yooi; bopaea:
you were afraid to hear of others' housea visiledi
afl4 abul u|b what would yoi» have been if it had
entered your doors? Yoi| wero «fnkid when otbuera
wore struck with the disease, what would you.
haMe hetejok if you bad be^n struck yourselves?
SiuEiers, what woutd you havo done if the anow*
bad {ueroed through your Uv«», if, undor suck
guik and wi;atb» yoi) k^A ba«i| smitteo ? When,
you had such a pUi|^ rf aui. iei your hearts* ^
yoii* should have h#d the plague of pestUenoc) in
yoiiv bodies; if wb^n you wore so roiti^n andr
QOrrupty 4M;id defiled iowavdly^ you should havor
bad boiU* and blatn% and ruwiog sores outvn
wardtyj if when oqb^quco waa so filled wUh
guilt, your bodies should have boeu filled witb
tfaiadi#ei»so: io^a wofdj if, when you hadtbo msAs
qf heU and dawination in your soul^ you should'
have h^ tho niarks of inavitaUe death in your
bodjeib O the dread that would have sdaad
upon Jim 1 The j^dg^mMii of tho plague n^ight
have been worse to you; you might have spent
abnvearyoar in hell by this timaaiiiong devils and
damned- spirks; you might by this time have
boen inuiped to those torments which yet you
could npl^ havic ondw;ed» Jb»it must hav4 endured,
without anyf possibility* of deliveranoe' for ever.
Mwy of you who haye effcsped* h^ve your
families nnhroken, when other ^J^^^f^ are
160 god's TEABIBLE VOICE
swept away. Suppose thy dear wife had fsRen,
or thy hopeful children had been nipt by death
in the very bud, and your families had been
maimed^ the judgment would have been much
sorer on you. None can say but God might
have righteously punished London more seVelrely
by the plague.
(2.) God might have punished London also more
severely by flie jfire. The greatest part of the
city, is fallen; it might have been the whole : most
of the city within the walls is consumed; die
flames might have issued forth at all the ^ates,
and consumed all the suburbs too: all the goods
might have been burnt with the houses, aiid all
the inhabitants with the habitations.
The fire, though it burned dreadfully, yet it
began at one end, and came on so slowly, that
inost of the inhabitants of London had time to
remove themselves and the choioefst of their
goods: some livelihood was left, and materids
for a future trade.
Suppose the fire had been so sudden, or had
been kindled in so many places, that there had
been no possibility of removing any fhtn^, ex6^
the persons themselves. Suppose all the sily^^
and gold, and rich pkte of the city Tiad f^^m^
melted by this fire; that all the wares and'tfie)"-
chandize, all the garmehts, beds, and househdfd
goods had been turned into ashes, and^ nj^y
thousand families that had been turned but'df
house, had been turned out of all, and quite be-
reaved of all their substance, so that nothing had
remained to them for necessary use ; this would
have been very sofe. ., ...^uu^i.
A}m^ Yb«t wpi^. ^^ hftv« ^one ? Whliher
Wj9u}4 t)iey liave gone for relief? Would Ibe
coi^t lu|Y^ Siifiplied tbem ? Co^ld the couBlry
h4^e be)p^4 <Vi4 pviintain^ bo many^ when ao
nVAoh i(9{H»veins|^ theoi^lves, that in many
places they are hardly 9bh to liy^? Could they
have hoped for relief Cfom iSbreign nations ? Are
not 9Ji. the \m>fld «lmo«t qht ^nen^ ? la charity
so i^^rm 4bro£|d ? AUjs 1 iiphat would they have
doi9^? Mn^ not inany of thf^m h^ye pined away
ivi t^elr w.ant^ 9»A &^vfd und^r hedges, for
l^cjk of suitable provisipQ^ t This would have
befipi. 4re44f 4 inde^ i
Of imppos^ th^y h^ l4g0?d their goods oiit of
London fr^m ijie fire, a|id the whol? city had
been \jflxm\ d^w^n with aU the. subi^bs^ and Wk
habitatipqa lef^ standing hereshouts ; vhal woM
theyMve dop^wiU) th^ir goods? wher^ would
th/$y ^ave dispoiSjNl oif them? How could they
aQj w^9 haVe. cQqtiny^ thek trades? Wh^l:e
could they hai^ di^pos^ of theif pj^ona.?-
HqiK opioid they have liyed this cold winter
sea^fin f CoiAld t^y hay« sixuck u^ \^optha pre-
senj^y, fit fo^ thewdvea ta abide b^, whkh
wo^^ bavet sheltered th^ from the ii^jury of the
weatjic!^ ? Whe^e would th^y ha^e. had n)ateriala>
wh^ all was. K^Mnit i
^il^li ¥fhat wouM they have done? mus^ niat
their giMids. hav§ been sftoiled* by lyivg abroad ?
V9ul4 fiypt tbey^ t;h^^n^}ves» wbp bad been used
to ^ fi^ch teiidernesaf have qi^icVly grawft sick^
an4. <ti94 ip. ^ fields ? ^oald w>% t^ujsarida
have starved foij qold? and wha* p^oyisi<*w cowU.
th^ hav« had f^ food apd olh^ nsc^saarie^?
■^ * Digitized ^Vg^^XJ^lt^
162 god's tebrible voice
Besides, wobM they not hare been a pttf to
thieves and cut-throats? Would not many of
their enemies, who laughed at the fall of the
city, have r^oieed much more, and taken advan-
tage, to come upon them in their nakedness^ and
butchered them without mercy.
But, suppose the fire that begun at one eomer,
had been kindled in every gate at the same Ume,
when all the inhabitants had been asleep in their
houses, and they had been inclosed with flames,
and no possibility of escape, how dreadful would
the fire have been then ? If, when they awakened
in the morning, they had seen the smoke ascend-
ing round about them, and the fine drawing near
to them ; if both ends of a street had been on
fire together, and they in the midst, and had
heard, with the roaring of the fire, a greater
roaring of the people that were buming with tibe
houses: O the rueful looks I Oh the humble
shrieks by women and cfaildrcti 1 Oh the' dvftadiiii
amazement and perpleodty which (woukk have heea
in such a place and oaaef To be bumt^tfliVe,
isdtfeadful; but think what tsntiires' would liave
beeK in. the sfpidts of guilty siniN»*Sf who. ^ad
not made their peace -mtk God, that had slept
out the harvest and day- of grace, thaft had- made
no proYisioQ for death and eternity 1 Th^ nbise
and roaiing without, would have bden nothiiig
to the laahes and tearings within them; tbe'^fire
in their houses would have bemi bolt small, in
oomptfison of the fire in their censciefiees,' and
the fiamas of hell'^ne, which, if awakened, they
would have seen just befiwe them*
This jndgmeoii.of libe fire might have been
Digitized by Vjmj*^ It:
IN THE CITT« 169
lofe drtadfel than it was ; persons are eseaped ;
:oods and wealth much saved ; houses standing
o receive them; trade going on: God inight
nave panished London more sorely in the same
kind.
2. God might have punished London more
severely in other kinds of judgments.
(1.) He might have brought upon them, and
upon the wh^e land, the s%vord of a foreign
enemy, as he did upon Jerusalem, and the land
of Judea, for their sins ; which being so patheti-
cally set forth by the prophet, Jer. iv. 1 6 to the
end, I shall represent to the eye.
*' A voice dedareth from Dan, and publisheth
afflictkna from Mount Ephraim. Make ye men-
tion to the nations ; behold, publish against Jeru-
salem, that watchers come trom a iB^r country,
and' give out their voice against the cities of
Judah; as keepers of the field they are against
fafir iwuiid about, because she hath been reb^ous
.fl^ost me» saith the Lord. Thy way and tby
doings. huure procured these things onto theer
tU$ .18 thy wjdkedoess, because it h bitter,
because it reaoheth unto thine heitf t. My bowels,
my bawebl I am pained at my very heart, my
heart maketli a noise within me ; I cannot hold
my peace, because thou host heard^ O my soul,
the ' aouAd - of the trampet^* the akrm of war,
I>eatruction upon destrui^ion is cried, for the
whole land is spoiled, xod ray- curtains- in a
mom^oti Hew long shall I see the staBdard> and
bear the sound of the trumpet. I beheld, and all
the cities were broken down at the presence of
the Loed^oid by his fittce ammrs for thus hath
164 god's tj^j^rib^e voice
the Lord swd, Tb0 vhol# hwA %h9^lH^,4mif*^
for Una shall ti\e Uuxd moiic^ ^d tix^^h^xi^^A,
above be h]fick- Tli€( wbfd^ city 9b«lL A^>» foiC
the noise of the hQrseBi^9> wA th« lK^ivie«k{ Ib^
shall go into the thickets^ and climb up ijfKW
ttie Foqks; eyery city §ball be.f^i^eu^ aod.^ot
a man dwell therein ; and wb^^n ibq^ afl ^p^ited^
what wilt thoud^? Though tWi ek>lb^ 4yr-
aelf with crimson, though thou d^es^ tnj^lf
with ornaments of goM,, tJb^U tlum r^^t^ Iby
face with painliug: m vam ^bAlt thoQ m^^
t^s^lf f|dr; thy.loy^rs shall de^is^ tho^ ti^y
wUl seek thy life ; fgr I h^VQ heAjra ^ jcif^^^ak lOiC
a womai^ in trav^lj, Wild th^, aoguist^ aji. of. ber
that bringeU) for^ hec first cbud: U^ct x^itsf «£
th^ daughter of ZioR*. \hat h^w^iteti^ ^^^
that spreadeth forth he? hands, saying. Woe i^
me 9QWa for nay soul is. w^ari^d tDfeQq^se..p^ mvor
der^FS." Tljis might baye, be^n th^ i|I^OTM?flfc.
^d thes^ th# Qprqplaipt^ of liqadm 4nd M^l (iW j.
i^hich would fiiive be^ii woi^q than j^agu^ q^, .
fi]^. The plague reached ipany, |>iU thi& vH^^
might have reaped aU ; the fir? devoured hou4f;3>
but the sword mght, have devoused thei inhabi-
tants. The Wd ipight have brought a fomg^
sword, and ppen invasion; or he migbt h^vc^
given up London to a «iore private, sud^pn.
btttqhery mid fmma(re by the hai^ds of criiel
Papists, 9S was feared ; which would have Wea
more dreadful thaa the massacre of the Prolc»->
tants by the Papists in Paris ; becau^^ our aqpbq*
bers. do so far exc^ thcMse which w^:? in that
city.
If bloody Papists bad como into ow boKsea ia
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN THE CITT. \65
die'dead df tlie night, with such kitidg of knives
in their bands as were found after the fire in
barr^s ; and having set watch at every street's
end; had sufTered none to escape, but cruelly,
slaughtered the husband with the wife, the
parents and the children together, ripping up
women with child, and not sparing either silver
haira^ or the sticking babe ; if there had been a
cry at midnight, " They are come V but no
possibility of flying from them, or making resist*
ance against them ; if, instead of heaps of stones
and bricks in the top of every street, there had
been beaf^s of dead bodies, and the kennels had
been made to run down with gore-blood ; sure
thhi judgment would have been more dreadful
thon the plague or fire, which have been among
na.
(2.) God might have punished London with
famine, which is a greater judgment than the
plague or sword ; if the Lord had broken the
whole staff of bread, and cut off all provisions
of -fbod from the many thousand souls that lived
in^atrd about the city ; how dreadful would this
have been ! If a famine had been so sore in
L<mdon, that people should have been forced to
eat <?ne another, and their own flesh,- as it was
in'.'Samiria and Jerusalem ; if, instead of houses
in liOndon, God should have made the people
as'Ybt^ 6f the fire in this judgment, as is threat-
ened, Irfa. ix. 19, 20. ''Through the wrath of
th^X^d of Hosts is the land darkened; and the
people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man
shall spare his brother; and he shall snatch on
his right hand, and be hungry; and he sh^^^
I6S god's TCHftlBLft VOICE
name, and GocTs hand, diat liadi binrataetdWL
forth upon London. TiMjHUMnrllMitbotbphgtve
and fire have had their conmittMn^fom tfcerGod
Y>f heaven, otherwise Ibey coohl astliavtt «ffoiig)it
irith sach force and powetf. • ' i xr. >•
They see God's " name," that is, ihe ghirioos
attributes of his name displayed. GodpfcxiriBitd
his name, before-Moses, when he ckused UsgnM-
ness to pass befcnre him, and disoovered hinielf to
be '' the Lord, the Lord God ; i^imoBs antl mer-
ciful, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness,
goodness, and truth,* Exod. xxxiv. 6. And God
hath proclaimed his name before London, in
causing his judgments to come upon the city, and
hath declared himself to be <' the Lord, the Lord
God, :holy and jealous, - a God that can be aiilpry
when much prov<^ed,'and yet nghteonain the
severest judgments which he doth inflict.'** A man
of wisdom may see God's name in Ix)ndon'8 judg-
ments ; and as he may sc^ powvrand vightteoos-
ness in God's name, so he mHy see grae»*4Bid
ffoodness in the name of G«dy wbkh hatk pwMed
before the city ; he maysee^attd kwrar^ th^food
bath a gracbtis meanings and <design/«f fgaiiA to
London in these jndj^ents?; he oiaptase Grid's
name, and hear God's vciesyeBd whatiti^liiiihe
speaketh by the itid. • -^ - . ». j. •i->iif'j »-
Oh that London w^^re -dni^'WiBetlu^dtivAey
would open i^^ir eyes and see God-suame b.ijod's
Band so jo^t and righteous ; as alsojopin ebeir
ears, and' hear Gotd^ voice, and understand 43<id's
clesign, so gradous a<nd somuch^fo thdir^gned!
O that God would ofi^en-l^e eafs«f Londoi^T«nd i
bend them to tl^ diadpliifi ,f CJli^JisdgiM^
m Tiis CITY. 169
tiMt widtAt hm of ftiendt moA nkddnt by the
piaftte, and cf iumits and goods by the fire^ they
may not lote tha gpood of thew judgments too,
thoogli of anolher modp yet of far greater value,
whidi God intends then*
The enquiry then is-~what meaneth the Lord
by tiie ph^pie and by the fire in the city? what
doth lie adl iat by this terrible voice, and look
IbriiK London, that these judgments may turn to
tbeir advantage?
SECT, XL
Tke dmlk» fokkh God ezpecU from London after
suek dnokiioni igf ike Plagu€ and Fire, are
4keae*
i* Ck>ni expeets. tbat X4>ndon should awake.
Lonrioa halh. been adeep; both the foolish and
ihoiwiso virgios have been asleep; and when
sttcb Mt voice hstli come down in these judgments,
whscb iiave been sevealed irom heaven^ crying in
she midniglit of their oamal secerity, " Behold,
the. great God ia cooBie forth from his place, and
is entered into London in fary :" surely all should
awake and erise^ and iHwpaie to m^et him, seeing
none can flee fiom him. God hath seemed to
be aalsep, while be exercised so much patience
towards London ; his arm slept in his bosom ; but
BOW the Loid hath been awakened with the loud
cry of England and L<Hidon's sins ; his arm hath
awdted, and put on sUwgth ^d veng^ce.
170 god's TtmftlBLE roiCE
ejeB; dnm thj ovtsiiis^ coiiwteA of tbylM^
look out of tky viiicknra. Apfrtntioiis ! kfij^
xaums! itrange a^gfalB te be ieMU BiriKMr
heaven is opened, and Qod ie eoaie' ;fa«ili Hfsdir
earih^ dethedwii^ gvmeaeB 49f iiffatniMf rJQod
18 ODBi^ dawn m 1& nu^cBtji 41^ locte* tk^ptm
Leodm witk a lefiMe coonieiirtkA: BbUM
the amaaaigr temar of God iai the ktte MMbgiT
and prodigioiis judgmenti. Whati de««;ithM^«>€
see him? Swdy tbiHi art fiwt asleep eiillt tUifilr
eyes are closed; the rcS is before then.
Awake! London, awake! opeO'tUn^ eitfs.
Haak I O the tnmpet tikat Hath been UMinding^
from heaven over tibe dSj earaecdiug leud'!^^ O
the thoadeiio^s ef the tenible lM»>'k^><lM
angry Gedl the voioe of t)ie Lord hiittii|Meii
powerful and veiy dreadful. What ! canM^lftfoa
sleep under such a noiae ? surety thou art dead
asleep, dead in sm and aebueitjir. imuit ^iHIl
awaken thee if the judgments do ««! «w«dEeii
thee ? If a sMll and londifompct dw aot^pieiiMr
thine e$f6^ wiU soft nfruak enter ? if the soond^if
eannons be net henrdrcaaany expect tiiat pMcfts
should? If^ when the lion roaleth la tUncr eertf^
theu oam^ sleep still, wHl sofb wfaa^)tr&^«Wahcif
thee ? 'What will awaken thee if the -lewl' ^«yiik«
of these vadgttMttte d» Mi awaken thert -Me
Lord eelled upoft thee before bf hk' mlniBiiM^
by bis mereie? : now he hsdi shoiitedtinuthhli
esrs by bis jedgmentsi • ' '^^'
Awake I l^MHtOB) awdkef! Thoe bail ^beeft
roused QUI 4»f. thine babitalieftr metUnWithWi
shouMest bei roused out of lfe|> e^iglf^^ Wtm^
. IW TH* CWY, 171
9M»|lt wfc«i ^Bfbmi iifmg by ikm pkigoe, and
tm^k^mg mto tiie gnvel Wbatt sleep when
hwipiiiDg! .fctwimig bj the fre, and tumbling
m0MC|«aiiUtieiri Wfa«ll deepmsttornil wheft
wiodf mmMomrngt nd vmves reaiing, $ea etkm
tmag, aod ship stnkiiig 1 ** What meanest thoa,
O a^par r Could Ihe heathen eblpfiDaafeer my,
ia #iwii a OMe, iitit» Jonah, ehap« I. 6, 6, mbm
h0. hf' 4il aaleep in the eUea of the shipi
<'Ariaa> icattupoa Ihy Ood; if God viil think
u|Miii.u0i .thar-Mw peaiflb nei:'' and may not f
say, WhatAManeatthoB^ O sleepy London ; hast
than Jiofeiparccavfd die sterai that hath beaten so
fieretl^.oQ tfadiJiead? doat tfaeu not petcehre diat
thy shi^.is AaUamd miSi bpsken^ and the sea is
comngiin-immn^ and thon art fai danger of sink*
iQgrJmd'thiit'qiiitkfy^ unlesaaome speedy ooane
be. tsjcfnifer pteTentionl And y^ eansl thou
slfiiapfStiU^Pt^A'vidbe.i arise} call ttponthy Ged;
if m beilie vill Mak^mpam us, Ihat we perish hea;
GqdiCiUJattipon ikefo^ stnner* to awake. -Sep'
poi^'f ou.^ose an^ the power of cmel enemies,
that 'b^d kilted your husbands, op wi^s^ op dear
cyUMa^ aDdiriands,aadyaa knea» not bi^w soon
they mil^rfaH tiptmyoa^ and out your throats ;
Goald jHiti^rieeprBecureiy in the samohotiBe with
8uobpet»MHB^
;)f4u la-e iHtider 'the poven of tyromdcal 'krtts,
wbi^sb 4im ;fai mane eneeoies? yen ai»e under the
reig^aaig power, of sin, which hath bponj^ht the
plague into the city, and wherdby «onie ^f you
h&Y0 (been deprived of these rriatibns, and ydu
know nal boar soon sin inay bving death upon
yaamUass^ not only Ae fint^^MkJMnl^f^
172 god's tbrriblb yoicb
deatli f not col^ tempofB], Imt olenxn 'chttni ^
and deprive jwl not only of IHb, bat htippteess,
and all hopes of the leiist shaxe in it ibr 0ver.
And jet ean jon sleep seenrety with "m kr f&ax
hearts ; with sach an eneni j^ with such a Ttptt,
m your bosoms ? -
When the fire was in Lond<m, I betieTte ftw of
yoa coald take macfa sleep for divers nights
together: when tiie fire was bomiiig in jrour
streets, and bamingdown yoor houses, yon ootald
not deep m yoor houses, lest the fire should have
burned jonr persons too: and nrfien the 'fire of
Inst is wkhin 3^00, and burning withinyou ; when
the fire of God's anger is kindled abo^'prou,
and homing over you; and the ^rt of 1i^;so
dreadful and unextinguishable, is b«irh!n]|;' be«
neath yon ; and yon vrt hanging orer die bumhig
kl» by a twine^thread, which, ere' lai^,"Vili
mitwine of itself, and may, ere you 'are! aw^ire,
and suddenly, be cut or snapt asutide^, atid thai
yoU' must dtop into the mid^t of fiaifnas^i<9ih you
rieq> undbr the guilt and power of shi^ wfaeO yoa
are in such danger ^
Awakd ! sinners, awake \ Odd dbdi ^ btoi
you presently, but warns you firs/t;'hbbhrtel^)rour
houses, that you might awake, ahd e^pe ^more
dreadful fife; Awake! sirfnei^, ^heti will Vou
ttWake 1 how dften, how long; how Idbd'Aall ^od
citU ttpofa'yoabcfor*»y6u will aris^? 'Ejihi^^i*,
<* Awake thou that sle^p^st, ahd krise ffbnti the
dead, and Jesus Christ shall gi^ tbbe lif^/-
'^ A Kttle sleep, a little slumber, a little fbldhig
of the' hands to i^st." What! can' yotk sleep
^tiiy longer nbw > Was ta^fl; J^ jjHif tone long
IV TI|£ f5ITT. 173
^gfkiMkm J0n w^re imdft lh« otUs «f the void ?
oih) U it tlJMi sansf) under the rod too? What will
ftlKah^li you? oi wh^ do you think yoq abidl be
99fA^Wii» if st^U you Ue dewn ia the b«4 of
«ficvirit|[* «nd l^vQ ^ slumhsr upon the Up of
pleasure, and after a little 8tartle> ilee|» faster
itifm before?
. Jlini^eiii hate preached* iiiid jroii haveslep^
uj^^. il^it se]npa9Qa ; bMt when God hath pvfMh*
^ iQ^hinks you should awake* When Paul
pi^eacbi^d to FelU 4 sermon of judgpientiy Felix
tc/wh)iKi« Qad hath preaahed oi)e« ai^t (wo
lu^mc^n qf judgfnen^ and that vsora feelingly
than Paul could ; methinks you should awake^ and
,n(i^.4nH[) a4eep so'tMHHi, be^^t^e God gi^w yoe a
ijttil^ fe^Wite to lanicn his seviPQili befere he pcei^h
^her.thir^ 9<^iWQn« which tmy, be your la^t apd
j^inipg; ^r^noov If you da J^ awake^ by* 4he
aqm^ Qf )^i« jodgn^ents before fm$ ym aMI
.^)Y^ by ^b^ sepfe pf his judg¥9ent« upim yflu*.
If H)^.P%«LfiA^ %e9f L<nid9n de iiei^aWken
you, yea. ahaU baaw«^ened b|y the plagues end
fire of hell, which you shall see aed feel. hu| not
^.aUf tp flef . freo^* aa l^e yw wight, do^ if pre*
. ,^d (?ell^:i^iK>n .^li^py sinners te a9i^ake,.aiid
Qo4 qidU nppn 4«:f)fv^ <Ntt>4ts |o awaka ; aini. was
tfeefei^g^eal^ed? ii^e^eiu^ ^4f«tth».fw>a
down 4p(o the.sidea ȣ the^ ship,, and teing on
piU^ipf? Were noli the wi^ yixgm UMmifig
foolisl|« sleepii\g with the pe^t, uiiKftrimi^ed. i^d
uadr^ed ? Eiad then? W^ oiMtp a slra^ge tor«
pof ^ b^umnediv^ss <«i^,up(^ the spirits
<rf. Qpd'a. QF^ .peerte? -^fSeM ^^'^
Q2
174 GOD*B TBHRXBLE TOieE
vigour tfnd aotiioly^ winA ones thejrUaAtm^liHP
wa^is of wondiip of God, milcliiJMEted aad^^f:
ctyed before these jadgincnti< came'upvm ijBiUli;^ *
Aw$ket tben^ yedtowsj jalnts, ttwatei<piiti
on yoiur gsrmente wbkh job hav» hod flsklesl ioi
the -diaoorery of your nidkedncas-; shake y6up«
selves fipom the dust wfaieh heth oovened end «id^
lied your fkces, and loosen the bands of sleop*.
God faafth been thttoderkig) your Father hath ibtnt'
angry^ and displeased with 3rou as well jb widf
others. Yonr God hodi spoken in hie jcalouqrv
and he hath spoken in bis fary ; ke batb apeken
with a loud voice in rightebusness and in jucig^
ment. ....,-,
Awake! ye children, yourFktber is ^tvii^
and knocking^ andcallfng 3 yea, hekatk-eilteaMt
your chamber, and smitten you on this tn&e and'
that; and yet wfli ymt ilot imse I He hatb b^ien
ciying' in yoqr eavs, now be is looking and beatQt:«'
eniog' wb^ker you will ory in hir, mad whMb ytMt
wiitt say and do for the prevention of 'the rtiki of
England, w4iidh he seenittto be thvetttentmf/' ^^
is lUgh time to awake out of deep,! Ar now ie tike'
utter deatruction of .the city afidf nation if e*rer, '
it may be> than you bdieveor kAagmeJ' ' Awakle;
then» put off yonr elbthes of night end darkwaM,
in> irhieh you have been eleepmg, and^utoil your
garineKta of liglitr' ckthe yourselves wMtbbi
mility, and begitt ytou wi^ ail 3rour gVaces^'aild^
get you to C^-s knee; hatig aboiit Mis atib,
pot yourselves in the breadi; "It may be^tfae
Lord may think upon us, that we perish not/^*^ '
^. The Lord doth now, afler his speaking ^
terrible tkmigp, expect thai i^^f^.f^^ elir«r
IKT TitE OITT. 17^
in &»imiqf*kim» God^s lodgments nukid this im-'
pratoiMi upon David, PsaL 119» 1^0, '' My flesh
trcflMctk for ftar of thee, and I am afraid of
tbyjuilptneiits* And fee bow the prophet Ha-
bakkiik'bdiared hmuelf, when God spake with a
tenable voke^ cbap«iii« it, &c. '* O Lord, I have
hekrd'tiiy speech, and was afraid: when God
came down Irom Teman, the Holy One from
Momit Paran, Selah; when the pestilence went
before liim» and burning coals went forth at hit
feet ; when the nations were drove asunder, the
everlasting momitanis were scattered, and the
peqtetual 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 horsesy and his bow was made quite naked ;
wlieB the sun and moon did stand still in their
habitations, at the light of his arrows that went
forth* al the shining ^ his glittering spear ; when
God did march through the land in indignation^
and walk through the sen with his horses^ and
did wound the head out of the bo«se of the
w«efced> and did strike through habitations^ with
his staves s at tbis» the prophet is afraid, his
beUf ttemhMt his lips qnivered at the voice, •
rotlQWWB^ entered into his bones," &a Ami!
when God Juithconie down front heaveh, the
Hol^ Obo froraiBnreiitSien, Selah. When the
ptstilenoe bath gone ^fti f liJ > *ui V.and burning*
coab at bis feet ; when the l^rd drovi^* J^mdon
asundei!, scattered the inhabttimts, and matletW
stately buildings to bow and fall, whose rearinfr'
up none can remember ; when the tents of Lo*
don have been in aSiCtion, an4|||^^l^^8 of t
176 god's tbrrible voice
city have treiaMcd : i»b«ii deMb lui4 bMl lifllltft
u^on horses, and his bpw hath be^ iD4d<»- qwt^t
naked; when the heavens hiiv^ b^en 4i8Wiii4iil4
at God's judgmentt, aod the sun md vmmklwff^
hid their heads in thdir liabtt|iti(9ii|y M (he ^huung
of his glittering spear: whe^ tki hof(^ hf^
inarched through tbe ettf in hi^ tndifiiaMmt hffik
wounded the beadaof so aiany mjgkfA ^itb^.
arrows, and struck thsongh 8«^ wnvf hfi^iUfJiffm^
with his staves. Oh 1 bm hsmdmnhoMld U^r
lAe and quiver, and atancl in awe o€ thjua ^oKouyi
Majesty, at the voiee i^ these le9i«U^ju40nim^^
Read^ and apply what die lK>rdi . silaq^eUi ,]py.
the prophet Imah^ chap, ya^nm* H, \4^. '' FUar
ye that are afor off, what 1 Mve dpiMbi aQ4 yf ^^
are near, acknowledge my tnight Tbatmneiai
of Sion are afraid, feo?ftiliies# hatibauinri^d.(ha
hypocrites; who nmoiig tis ah^ dwell with dei^
vouring fire? who among ua sbal} 4n2^bit &f$n^
lasting burnings f" ver« 18. '< Tbipe heart ^bltt
meditate terror: where is the aovib^? wbero^ia
the receiver? where ie be that . <^ufited> the
towers?"
MetHinkf the ^aem wm hi L<9Mleiiu«boii)4
be afraid, and feiufulnesa abould 8uip{iie,.tbe j^r
pocrites; when God hath B^nt40 fnany of tbi^r
number ista tbe ttverlasting, barwi)tl^ pf Ml bj
the plague, i^iid by each a dev^riog &j^ bn^
eonsumed so niap§^bahitatibna*
Tren|ble;>ye linnevf, at* this, i^id be yi^ hoi^-
ribly siGnad, all ye wqrkers of iniquity 1 fiq^
faath come down wiih a ahout* the Lord witb.^e
und of a tnunpet. He haKh taken hja wjeapms
hie handy and hath .tifiiie^gped in (^ond^mi^
* "^ Digitized by VjUU^ It: ^^
IN TII» CITY. 177
IMoufl^ «ftany; slkNild »ot this Hodfte tl^ tiiinem
in the city to qfiakc, and strike a dread upon the
spmt» of the tebellioas? When the Lord hadi
spoken tboa, and done thna, becauae of our sins,
^oidd not bandon, yea, all England, ^* bear and
itst, and do no more so wickedly."
Becauae Qod was patient lbrnierly» you |pre-
stttned, £ccles« viii. 11. Beeause sentence against
yoinrevil works was not speedily executed; there*
fore yoor hearts were hardened and jreaolTed io
yonr e^ ways* Because the Lord kept silence,
yoft thought he was altogether sudi an one as your-
selves, I^. 1. You thougfat^^ it may be, that he
took uo more aotioe of you than yoi^ did of himt
or that you had no more reason to fiMur^him tbaA
he had to fear von« Yon thoaght^lt aaay b«t that
6bd had Ibrsaken the earth, or had hidden his
&ce, and would never see your, wickedness*
And chf how bold have yon beeny how audacious
aiid fearless in sin! You were afraid to offend
man, though a worm, and<yet yon have not been
a(hud to offend God, the King of the whcle
world. Men's laws have kept you from sins^
but the laws of God have not put upon you the
least restraint. Yon have lived* and sinned as if
there were no God; or as if he hadbeen 90 gen*
^h, and mildi and mereifnl, that yoa might do any
iUttg to him, and he not *be dieplcaaed with you ;
or, as if though he -wete dis^^ased^-yiet his dis-
pleasure were not to bo regwrded, aod thst he had
Ho power to execute vengeanoe upon you^
But now God's patience hath, i& a great mea^
sure, been- turned Into fury. : Now, sinnens, you
may perceive a Uttk that God can be angry ;
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
178 god's terrible voice
and when his Bager is kindltd but a litit1e» S. it
doth express itself so dreadfuHy, what dreadful
expressions will Aere be of it, when it breaths
forth into an open flame? If his anger be sudiin
the day of some lighter, temporal judgnaeiit^
what will it be in the dinr of the revelation jof the
tKasuresof k, upon all the wicked, at the appear**
— -i of Jesus Christ ?
But God's vengeance now in these judgB^snt^
dioald work your hearts to a fear and awe of
this righteous Judge, who bath done such exeeo^
tiena in the city ; it should bridle and stay you ii|. .
that ^Murless course of sin, in which you wef^i
rushing^ mi, as Uie horse rusheth into the battle*
When Balaam's ass saw the angel stand in the...
w^ with a drawn ^word , he was afraid, and would
not go forward, thoagh spurred on, and beaten
by Ms master. And when God stands in. Aa
way with his sv<Hrd of judgment, which hath
made such s^gfater already, and is lifted up
r'd to strike you, ihethinks you should he
d and torn back. It is the way to hdB that
Ood stands hit by his Judgments $ and will yao
hresk throogh all into those flames ? Oh stand in
awe, and sin firot, commune with your own aeaits«^
Cooiider'What halii been doing in London, fnd
who faalh done these things. You Havq neai^ly
escaped',- it may be, with your lives;. oh tearj^ito
fear die glorious and feamil name of the,j6<H^
God kithlssedreadftif judgments. ■ -^ '
^ And aa God doUi expect that tiie wodd find
hia enemies flftionld st^na in awe of him ; so also
much more, that the righteous and his people
«hoakL Some, it ttitiy be, when God gavQ them
'Digitized by VjI^JU^R:
IK TilE CITY. 179
€ne aecess to him^ and admitted unto familiarity
with him^ ^lid encouraged them to boldness ood
MiSdenct^ and strewed their path with nothtag
but ihercies; such might abuse his goodoesa*
BtSi"R}rget to mingle faith and lave with d«e
i«^t^ce and respect ; and begin to be too saoegr
irftfa Qody and peremptory ; and did not eoiiiid«r
^eir onginal distance, but fotgU the 6ev«rity
^lifdr they deserved for sin. Therefore God
appears in the way of these judgments with sucli
temHfe rebukes, that his own people nughtbe
brbuglk unto a due awe and fear of his name;
thaf, if they love bim, they may fear him too?
if they priiy with boldness, they may pray also
#ith r^^r^nce ; if they rejoice in bis goodaese,
th^y may tremble also at his judgments.
9.' God doih expect that London should mm
settrvh nnd try their ways. When God had
ptmidied Jerusalem with dreadful judgmente^ in
the lamentation of which the projdiet Jawooiah
doA filjpend a book, see what use and improwdx
inent be calls upon the people to make beree^
Lodi. ill. 40. ^ Let us search and try our W8|ir8f
and turn ikgain unto. the Iiord.''. This was tha
p itf eti ce f of David in the day of his> trouble^ Fsal»
kxvil. 0. *' I communed with mine own hearty
and my spirit made diligent search^" Itheth befn
a '<^d^ '6f God's wrath ia Lofidon^ a day ^f treble
and di^ess, a day of wasting anid desolation^ a siay
of darkness and gloominess, a d^f of oiomls aad
thiidst darkness,*" as it was in Jerusaleoaf'^Zepb^i^
15. There have been dark and thick cloHda ovev
London, which in part havebrokefi imto4readfiil
storms, and amazing tempes^ pf J?^'^ anger,
180 god's terrible voice
mtpxmmd^ in.Uie late judguaeptar'^^hd tSt^gfd
been the product of i»ondon*s«1ns,;whidB1"
ppoduee far iworse effects. Ifondon Is tli
upon with a loud voice to search and '
tboeo^itts, which have been the troubHr
4aty. I sjui^Qse that true citizens -v^dt/MT* be
fcrwanl to.^earch after those persbtis'tbAl(1IM8%
hand in tiie fyt$t kindlinff ana cafrjring'' db^ttb
•im^-.wihicbteEned thpirh^Itatiohs to Ihe )^nifiAI4.
€riv)e am kave, ^nd | shall make ^'d{st^6v^^f
IjAiKba'a incendiaries, how jou may Bm' file
• igufwrn, horn you may tr^e their /botsttp^; ^*H^t
narka they beiu> lyhat; their ni^mes are^ kml' \vhl^
fMn iibode; , a^d need X lead yoii ftr W i!!e
ieofch f . Th« ainners, the sinners of Loi^doitVRd
Inndle tbe-fice.of London; it was ^ti
Ared the ficst honse, axid sin was like (fH^
vpon the flai^es, which pMt such furf '(^1
tiutlnenecoiad withstand until the l^i^ited^ jMrt
of. the city w^ f;41en and turned into a^h^i^'tiie
x«rtearttrf, tha Sab)>ath-breakers^ the' kdulteiia^
^ihcrdrunkardSf the unrighteous^ the pt6'&Di^*ihd
ll^likt sinners liay« been Lpndon^s inctocHms,
. *aiid had a hand in.p^IIIn^ ^own thisj6idMler
jodgnaaftla upon the place where ih^jHMf'^fid
ia 1* 'htird t^-find out these personisTt^ iiS^toey
fon» i»f ff^m the place. of their fbrnf^'atM^?
iThe«Aitt«'of London are remaining/ktfB if^a
tun» i^l^skirt8»or turn your eye uhd^tRnn,
^ bok i«yu> the houses standing abottf tH(J*dty,
ma^.you, not find numy of these' per^dtfr;'\i^
vile tiniMirs inhabiting, who are still liKV^ig
Hawd at the £ra of Gcd's anger^ and pidlfii^lterd
with cords of vanity and dbyfor fb^^ft^g-
IN THfi CITY. 181
m^oltmf 8earch> London, search, and find o«t
ihfne epwnies, thy dettroyera ; haat not tlNm do*
at^ed thyself? Search, and find out tbjr aina,
i«rhiab have brought such miachfefe and nriiia
wow tbee,
Sinners, enter into your doaeta, ralbe into
^oiii|Bflvea, take the canidle of the Lord, and kMk
mio. your inner rooms ; make a strict aearah into
air hearts, find out those fiKby Insts wbiah
g^ in dark comers, and bring themANrthlo
ba slain ; read over the old records cf yonr lifcfe^
.p90su)t the register of yonr consdencea, wvolve
in lyout minds your former sins t take the^giaaa
.of the word, and look upon your ftoea in k,
• aod af» how many spots it will disoo^rer wbidi
fff^ never before did perceive ; not beauty-apota,
.baft apqts of deformity, plague-spots, dcadi-i
aw^ks, hell-tokens, such as will bring upon ysau
ippvitAbl^ misery, unless they be wiped ^; take
. the rule of the Word, and measure yeinr aeliima
by .it, and you mav quickly perceive how noiiii
they have mien short, how crooked they -hase
bteoy. Rectum est index ^i et obHquif tMrnpare
yoyf actions with' the straight rule 4)f CM's
lawt and you may find out many ir^qgiJajitiaa ;
if you do not find out your sins, your aina will
ipli you out, and God's judgments wyifind you
out; -and if yoii be found outinyiMiraina, woe
l!>a tpyou. O the horror which wIM be upon
^puc consciences when nunihg jadjg^ntB are
^iflict^ upon you particularly, and you cannot
i^lCflipe ; when deadi looks yon ito the ftce;, and
eomes with the sting of sin in its mouth to
ikvro^r VQU. But, O the hofror ytm will be
Digitized by Vjl^JU^t:
182 god's tbrribl£ voice
vader hereafter, if you be taken vw$^ in foor
-aina ; when your souls shall be summoned^, imaw-
diately after their separation, unto the bar of
God, where you will be searched, aadtiied, And
condemned to everlasting torment, by an incfi*
table and irreversible sentence of the Jsdge
himself: O therefore hearken to the vaioe of fiod
hi these temporal judgments on.thecifty, (after
whidi you still remain alive» throi^^b anfinite
patience) which calls upon you to search and
try your ways, that you may escape nua:«^ftefiil
-judgments which may be preparing fov foobx
labour to find out your sins, which art the cane
of 1^1 judgments, temporal. and eternal ; andSo
help yon in your search after sin, read the
catalogue I have given you of LondfloJs sws,
rind examine yourselves thereby ; be vefjr aernas^
and thorough, and impartial, in thb aefadi
siequester yourselves often from all oonpany
ease your mind of the load of worldly, bunneas
leave the carriages at the bottom of the hiU
strive against temptations mad indiq^oaitiioaa (to
the work; set yOurselvea in. the presence pf the
heart-searching God; begthe help.of hiaSfsnt
to discover to you what. hath displeased wad
provoked him ; search after ain as Qflbnaive in
God, and as destrucstive to yenrsehpes, jm iFonr
worst enemy, as the cause of plagium andrAie
in Londbn, and as that whieh wiU.<bri«f 4he
'plagues and iine of hell upon you^ if teibe jiot
found aai^ iind subdued. • .^^ .
4. God duih expect ikat Lomdon skmild mdakm*
iedse their uns unto binu When the BrephiBt
had direeted the people to search MMl lay ^their
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IK THE CITY. 183.
WK^, after tbe execution of audi jadgmentt.
upon them. Lam. iii. 40, see the following direc-
tion» Tenes 41, 43« '' Let us lift up our hearta
vitk ouAhmda unto God in the heavens: we
bav0.. tsaiM^eased, and hare rebelled/' &c*
Thua the prophet doth confess the sins of J6run.
aslmtit cb^. I. 8, 9. " Jerusalem hadi greatly
sinned^ tjimfore she is removed. Her filthinesA
is in^ her akirtsy she remembered not her last
aid» tbeiefore the came down wonderfoUy.^ And^
tihua tb^ daughter of Zion» as ahe bewaileth her.
afiiictiffli^ ao she aefciipwledgeth her transgression,
ven^ 17* 1B» SO. '' Zion spreadetfa^ forth her
handi^ ayid them is- none to comfort her. The.
Lood is ngb|;e9ua» for I have rdbelled against his
cam«|iffiidm0nik. Behold^ O Lord, for I am ia
distress^ «^ bolveb are troubled/ mine heart is
turned witim me, for I have grievously rebelled*^
Ihwi Dwid, «|ler dreadful iudgmento, maketh
a confeasion of the ains of the {»eople of Israel,
chafK ix^ 4» 5{ 6» '* I prayed unto the Lord,
and made my oenfeasion, and said O Lord, the,
gseift aad dreadful God, we have sinned and
comaMtted iniquity, and have done wickedly, and
hwrm rebailed, €ven by departing ftom thy pre-
cepts and thy judgments : neither have we
heair]^<eiMKl unto thy servants tiie Prophets, which
spake in Uvy name to our kings, our princes,
and < oar fothers, and to til the people of the
land,'* and ver. 11, 12. ** Yea, all Israel have
transgressed thy law, by departing, that they
ta^gjkA not obey thy voice; therefore the curse ia
poai^ttpan as, and the oath, that is written in
the law of Maaes, the aervafat^f <^c((|,^^use
]84 GOD*S TERRIBLE VOICE
Hf^ have tinned against him : and he b^ili fpn-
firmed his word which he spake against ua, and
against our judges that judged us> by bringing
upon us a great evil t fw under the whok heaven
^th it not been done, as it hath been done upon
Jerusalem,"
God doth expect that London should find out
Ibttr sins, and having found them, that thej
^Ottld make confession of them. O &at the
profane imd uagodly generation in London^ whose
eina hmre been enumerated in the eataWu?»
woald be persuaded tp get alone by ihm^ivis,
and ooauder 'their evil W4^s, and what t&e cop-
aeqaenee ef 4heir sins have been in bringing
dowa temporal judgments ; what the consequence
«f their sins is Uke to be» even the •bringing upcm
them eternal judgments, and that they would
faD dowu apd prostrate themselves at God's foot,
and cover»gtheir cheeks with shame and^bloah-
iiig» beeause of their filtbiness and foul sins
under the view 4>f so holy an eye ; tha( .they
would acknowledge their transgressions untabun,
not only ia general, but also particularly ^with
their Jheinous aggravations ! O . that witft an
inward deep sense, with a bleedings broken b«art)
<th^ wtauld- (fill their mouths wi(b eonfessiop;
Ihat they would take to then)selvea w^rds/and
sayi ^' We have rebelled against the^ O Iiord,
and donewiekedly, and grievously offended thee ;
•o fooUsh have we been, and ignorant of thee,
we liave been worse than beasts before thee:
the ox aoknowledgeth his owner, and the ass
his master; but, ^ugh we are thy creatures,
and Uve upon thy bounty, ipj^f^^aily at thy
IK THE CITY. 185
findixu;:,^ jet we have not aeknoirledgfd tbee»
£ni 'Bave.liad le$$ considomtioii than tbeie
creator^, who bav^ had no reaion; we have
hhrn^mtx] peo^le^ laden with ini^uitjr, a WBitA
of ^11 dffevB, children that have hem oonvpten^
wHd have forsaken the^, and by our wiekedneif
jproyoked.the^ to anger. We have been stobbom
tftp^dis^bedient, ^rving thine enemiesi the devil
a^d^ OQf\pwn lusts; but have negleoted, yea»
f^lised to serve and worahip thee in our Ibmiliea
and closets, livmg as if there had been m» GmA
hi fhe wprldp We have sddom, if evWi taken
thy n^e intp our mouths^ unless it hath been
fix Vain, unless in our oaths and curses* We
have profaned thy Sabbaths, and defiled tbi??
ordinances, and have often been more wicked
pii't^e Lord's-day, than any day of the week
bedi49^ When we were childreo« we disobeyed
our .parents, but disobeyed thee eauch mere*
whot didst command us to honour them: wheqi
we were children in years, we were grown mei^
an^ wpmen jn sin ; when we were weidc in bo(^»
W^ were strong in spirit \o commit iniquity; we
learned the ti^e of sin before any ciher, a^ad
wer^ apt scholars in the sebool of the devil,
when dull apd blockish to learn wiyi thing wUeh
was good : w^ were wise \o dp evil, wh^n tp 49
«' ood >re h^ no understanding; our Mq|ui|i^8
aV^ incrf^sed over our heads, faster tluuiour
y^firs oaV^ dox^e; since we have been govevnorp
of,otner^, ^^e have had no government upon ou|r
own spirits, and hs^ve endeavoured to.leiid those
unHer our charge with us in the way to hell»
Instead of labouring to draw ihem into the way
Digitized by VjRtj^ It:
166
0f lieavfai> by our ffXBxmph, cDnunandrandr^^eft*
suMioos-; ami* w« have filkd up §il 'oar icla*
IUN3B 'vith ttii} iii8t<Niil of fiUiBg dkeniMtp^ iMth
duty. If we tiAve not iB»rdeml >l»y wjftb^oi^
handy we have n)urd«re«l many wibh guc ^aogmt;
•fvordahave been^m our Kps^ itod bitter reirS&ig
•peecbes in oiht sM>iii(h«;bearl>-tiitird«r;ivttbfty^
been guilty oft O tbe anerdinale anger lh«tf batk
boiled in onr. faaactal* O the. envy:. and. ftnaUee
wbieb hftfe gnawed oui^ spirtta^ and 4)een;W0rkf-
ing daily wiihin uel -and espceii^' Ibnse^ pct-
aons have been nio9l bated by o% nrlbCK ftava
had thine image npon them, and bainebe^ hast
beloved by tl^; we have jkem^' tiung^and
looked upon them B9 raeaRHipirited peopla^ mfe
have •eparated them from our oovipany>*ea.fthoae
who damp and spoil our mirth l:^'tlk)siE weadt
and lookt of reproof a yea^ we have peracmrtad
them, as. sediliaus and factiona peiaou) i^thtA
tn truths it was their hoUnesa and cpntcnlatioQ
that did eonttadteC and tcondeint roar* wibkiML
praetieesi whidi did stir np ^oair adger isgafarat
them ; we have scoffed at them, who*h»i%>prayed
€» uv and. we have looked 'upon .theol»- mid
dei^t with thena as onr enemies^ beGntlae.<a9 tii
our luslsi who were the host friends -td^'out
souU> eod* above all- things desiattd-our aaWatioB*
Thout bast-giy^n <m oorni and vriot, and* dS^
and plentiful previsions for our hedy# 'hnft* are
have> abused ^by metfA^ by our intaniperanoe
and luxury : we have been guih^ of deunkcliMss
and gluttony; we have induced oar «fleah and
sensual appetite | wie have hved tn plessureiand
been wanton ; we walloived Idee so manj swioe.
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
tK T«» city; l%i
h[>#iiiqBBil«'Uidndlingi<0f'Miki0>iMtliy aifir, *t^liidl
it is w ahtttte'tD %p«ak *of ;' we iMve Ind eyes
lind' faints' Ml 4if Mate ^nA adultery, and hftv«
biokMf"foiA into'MMli Vile tfMtial'%inft of'uii*
c^mftaasmBf m vtouM nim blobhes in inodeit
)|hditks^t» hettT'lmt tbe tft^ntiM of: wt h«ve
keMk wjw^ioidiiffvighteo^i kiotirdMiliiig, h«te
mrdajged md d«llNuid«d'€iw neighbour, though
tfatMV'faiMthreMentd to he lSfehgeA'x>n all scm^
fiin<Miif4' O Ump li«li -we hMVe^spokfen, theblMidefc-
<m» bnddilitiiig' spestbM that we have uttercKlf
O diejfiacoBtenioietit, mu^maring, enyyh\g, «rH
0iMica|mbenea>9 inonikiMe affbetloD, and wicked
dfstesqietl whiob luiv« tieen in our npirita ! And
thoii^iwfl ba«te bratenaH fhy law», and at«
9iaStoy^C«oeb'«0tOMOiisakis, yet, O tbeimpenU
Umcy andrhp^dfk^asioif'^uif 'b«art»! though no
talfstiOT is sttaJimU^ but by Chfiat, wh^ h
fteiUy tendoMd vmUf us, yet Otht nnbelief of
oor <heflrCi) and a«|^t of yyur'townadtnlfon!
Wif Inivrwnnei, ^we 'have sinned ftginint thee;
tod' vbflt ahallfiwe>4o unto thee, O thou {it^
iermerfofwenr ^
r - €rQd 'etpeeia! thttt London ehonld makecon-^
feaienidf 'their etn, Kttd 'ireMildbewtsfaed'tlidt
London wwaW j4itir together Hke t^e m&tfin tb^
wwkr'but if thnr^ft;annot be, atid' ^tkef Wafit
cbmdMm vMnth^tv opeff'tbeiitiliettrtfl MdMsitis
befo^e'lhe LcidwpatticMbn'CdKMsdion; letev^ff
ooejxi^ thenar be a daooith' td kiteseH^' «id' gk
iato<i»e deeet/ end tbereecktidWledge beeidon^
iine: end if thoea wbor are 'tto^t ' gi^lty, die
mgjeot this work, let God's peopl^'il^ife iti fhei^
rocwi aiMl:ooDfese^n««'#tily thek ownakis/but;'
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
T^ G0D*8 TBmiU»l}« VOICl^
rfso file Am tff tile |pK»Gm iNid i^iol^^
they ttr^j, «»d HMtr Mt mi^ b9mmf(mnSh
of being milled bf. the n^iv^M )f4U)^jfi^
alfaen. - ^ ^ .' . i ,..
ihtih^M uniir these jtidgmvUM* :Q^ .,.
jodgments en tke AUAmBfAHm^el Wt^h^ ^
neds, ''* to humU^Hhtiv/' DiiMlV)TOU|6i
brRi^iiifrpe«fte«ito fer iMr^iinf^ 4ft;]
his covenant, " if their uneircttmciaed
huisabled/^ Leviki zkfi^ .40hHW». Y«%v.^ flro*
misedi to eimit such jo due tUnc^ '^^ w^o tuifnfc^
Odd^ laighty head faeth b^m strffto^i^ fp9|b
tipon London ; God «speot9 ibitt.bw^^iv. jdifi^
behttmbler he haA, biioiMedtthem by bi^ j/91^-
tsetate, be eftpects tb«t tbfQr Amid. hWple
tiieoiselves binder hit ju|^pi^nl9^. QodhA»lli
itttiied the pride. ^ lionde*, be ^xpfota,:^
tiiey idioold let down (heir plunw;, lie hffii
broiu^t diem dowh, and be exfiM^ tb|i.t.4i^
ihottld lie^ \mf; be failh bfwight .po^e^tyiiipea
ttmny of thc«i in Mgetd. of l;bf ir «iiiM(e|H,iiDrt. ?»o
expeetS' tbtO; all of .them ^dipuld. be i^oor .ia. c^fW^
of Aeir epinis: he haA mude many <^ H^
sn^lfi k regard ^of their ODoriition* lend tlftrfif-'
peets thut dMirtdiapetitigo^ 4ed aipctwuti^fmd
be aeeordkig^gr.. Qipd bBib kid f9my* Pf»^«W«
in the d«at %ithefiliii«e, nmd |i# JMith Uid le^fipy
hooaee H^ theduat 1^ the fire, and h^ iipqp^
that ibcne which- enridiiie and renuiin afte^.f;^^
judgpl(»k%«boaUilay.thmi4elve94R4i« duil^^
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
^ • til TWE* eKKY-- . . 189
mifMi^. ' HuMleHfyidf Hke^ O London,
Scmibfer %!fe]f befoM Cbe Lonl ; lick tbfi doftt
ij^Pllfil 'feH* put off (hy ornaments^ and gird the9
^th isackdoth, dothe tbyielf with kumility,.
God bath spit in thy face ; wilt thou be proud of
tfify beauty again } he hadi burnt the city with
firfd^ wilt thmi be proud of thy haildings and
st^tjAy edifices any more? he hath oenMUDod
ihiiCh of the fael of thy pride, and he expects
fli^t thy pride should be absled, and that thou
i^Vnirddit abase thyself, and humUe thyself be*
Kire nitb* *
'. %. 0otF dkh eespecl that Londm ihouU ao^ep$
qf Ihe punishment cf iheh- vaqui^. Levit.
TKiij. ^0^-4S. ''If my people sbsll oonfess
thdir Iniquity, and the iniquity of their father%
a^id'be humbled, and aceepft die punishe^ent -of
diehr iniquity; then will I remember ray oevenaol,
dnd remember the liMl/' God expects that
Lipindon should justiff him in theeevsesast jud|^
misbts which he hadi inffioted upon them'; as
tfa^ should acknowledge tfieir sinet isp Uiey
should acknowledge tiietr demerit^ and thet the
liitrd hath punished them no mora, yea, that be
hath pohisfaed them less than thriv iniquities
have desenr^: as thi^ should bring a bill of
indictment against themselves, so they ahoald
bring a bill of acquHtanoe of Gad ;. God expe<^
that they should say, as Kdi. ix.. d3» ''Then
titt just in all that ii9 brovglit upon us ( for thou
hast done right, but we have done wickedly."
Or as Dan. ix. 7, S« '* O Lord, righteousness
belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of
faces, because we have sinned against thee."
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
190 god's tkrrjblb voice
Let not London munrntr or repine, let i|ofc ftOfin
don find fault and oomplam of God, becuiviol
his judgments^ Lam. iii. 39* '* ^^' ^^^ ^
living man complain^ a man for the pumahroen^.
of hift siti f* God hath opened, his poott^ afid
spoken terribly ; but let London shut h^ UMJUlh^^
bteause God hjath spoken liglv^eouatj^.;^. f}^
halfc spoken with b loud voice^ let Lond^W
in deep silence; *' I was dumb, I of»enedf:iio^'
vfiy tnouth, saith Davids because thoi^ didst ix,^
Plal. xx^ix. 9. When Nadaband Abiba,.tha(
two sons of Aaron, were consumed with ftw
from hea'ten, fbr offering strange fine: bAfibra tiio
Lord, it is said, that Aaron held his pe^cei». Lev^
z. I'-^S, So when God hatk consumed tbarilgc
of London with fire, for the sins of t])G.»ihaliJA
taints, let theip hold their peaqe, because tfacfl
have deserved it. Let London, be. efSXit aid
know that God is righteous; let London .I^.hi«
hand upon her mouth, and her mouth iathe dvuj;;
let London clpse up her lips, and seal tbwd ufi^
wttii siknce ; or if she Q|>eii them^ let her mcwih.
be fiHed with confessions, npt with compiainldi
or, if sh6 complain, let her complaio- ta 09^
but let heir not complain of him^ if tbi^4aw^
Elain, let hor cobiplain against hensel^ but^ilel
ei^ not complain against God; let^ her oomf^liQ
of het own sin and wickedness, but not, of^^ioA*^
jttdjgni^t^ so righteous. Let London i^cstd^ il
is no wbrse with her, when both her sin anil b^
dittiger was iso great ; let her wond^, ivheo G^
was so ancpy,. that he should put sj^j. se^traaai
upon it ; that when wrath was come ford|, tll^
pi^oceeded no farther; let her woaderth^t Ite
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
IN THE city: 191
4iligtt6 'AH Hbt ' q^uite depopulate hev, let her
wbtider it is so well with her, that she is not
made a desolation, and say, " It is of the Lord's
idetcies that we are not consumed/' Lam. iii. 22.
7. ^lod doth expect that London should vumm
fot- her sins. We read, Jer. iii. 21, "A voice
ma lieard upon the hijgh places', weeping md
suppltotions of the house of Israel." When the
teirfible Voice of Ood^ls judgments hath been
heard in London, God doth hearken for the voioe
of "W^e^ng atid supplications ; this God's voice
d^fi eall for : when breaches were made in iba
cfiy^ of David, Isa. xxii. 9. '' Then did the Lard
of Hosts call to weepingi and to mbuminijr, to
baldfteas, and to girding with saekclotb/' ver. 11.
And when instead hereof there waa " joj aad
gk^iiesB, eating Hesh, mA drinking wine,'' the
Lord is.ao angry, that' he threateneth, '^ surely
thta iniquity shall mot be purged from you till
yott die,'' ver, iS, 14. See fdso what the Lord
caXh ibr to the daughter of Zion under her jud|^
meiiiCs, Lam. ii. 18, 19, *' Let tears run down like
a Hver <ky and ni^ht ; give thyself no rest, let
not' the apple of thine eye cease: arise, cry in
the-^bight; in the b^ginnitoff of the watcW pour
ovft thine heart like water before the face of tl^
L^/^ God doth not only expect that *' l^ mi-
niat^aod priests should weep between .th«;|Kxrch
and theaitar,** whep sore judgments are upou^this
laiml, asJoel ii. 17 ; but also that tfie people should
wefe^ too, *^ that the bridegroom fiboi^d go fort)i
of Ilia €hamber, and the' bride out of her> closet/'
as -irer. 16 ; that pe€|>le should be <* affli«l;ed^
ukomui wid weep, that tiieir laughter should be
192 G0D*8 TKKAIBLE- VOICB
turned into moaMikig^ mill dteiv • joy^ inilcKfieatifi
1Mb; Smam iv. g. > He cxpeets thettUoie iHiHii
eseupe hk jildgmentt ^ sboold fo&'licd doinM
upon the ttowKiiiw,' erery one movmiin^ Ibi^Ui
«iiqttities,'''«9 Gnek.TL l6. LdndonnniajralMita
ibr h«r jftdg^oienti w hioh hAve beeft^MxidvtedUiiti
but Ood espectstheytfihoDld'iBoaili mdreiAvfhll
ilettore, mkkik hath foeto .the^dnult 9f:/th«Bl
jfiflimlt;'imdpiiost0f attfor theidiMti8;<wUdi
ave been the caaae of «fait diapkaBwre*^ ' • . t ooiHtn
ITtfep London^ weep%ft)tf thy aiiii^;#liUbMiye
bten M>iMuiy Aid|iit>yoldvf rl^Ani^ey^hfljfMt
4^lfie han't; when thoo looke^titttakthjr Vm^liif
']da^e;>aM ibinhdst btnr; mady of ithjyv,{Mfopte
'have-Utely tlieM taheit op thfir habrtinrieiirfciil
should dhwr teara: from dime e3retitv.thuik eMby
wnns, i?hieh. opened the< deoff» 06 thbse'lodgjnui
'dntd>theaat methifiksywhaithoHlHuiteilttbchiigh
thy minouB faaUtMaoiify md aeest.lfae.h^apvHdr
•fltiDnes at the top of thy stneta^ieten thoii'-vieweftt
thy bal^-ehuvchee, end bare lieepies, Mtal h^mN
waU8,-«Kl opai vanlts* aild/thedkdieltelitMdp
in thoieplaott^ wfaidt dot'long^agb wfit«lh(l of
people^ it ehotdd fin tbide heart ^*itii Miovfor
<i3iyafai^ wfaidk bave-kiUdled aneh angi^flq the
toeasrof God, as to aend* tk» l^terdmdblfiit,
niiieb hadiiiutdeaiich detdiidobs; ^'1^ \.i r. b* .-
V A i whi , -LondoBy mounii put on laaekl:9eA;
tbou-ecestin part vbat- an evil and bittar'fcUl^
it «r toiofttid a beiy and jealoua God: *tiie eflnM
ef «» be» are* fearful eoBBetivMip whet.«va b
there m m^tbm, wUch is the caaaeef liqrVaiai*
God looka novrifaat tfie oDMri of LondkntaheaU
ifeeoHie Bwamerat wereadofftUMriE whUi'Wii
#hfl9li 'did; tuiiMbn ta»jl' trj out for tim itomififi*
tinrii tlMi wsJ'e donfl in the dmklsl) theneoCir i«d
lU^(4^«ini<n(inratiid^ from* tiwifNirnl 4egtanictiwi»
wimhr wAsibvobght^upcm tite ifaat, Eicelu ix« 4> 6*
IBM)i«toth>iM* laknark upon thooi' tb^ snowm aft
&dndiiiBifbD die«n§ of Londin; and, howereiv
hv'inijp «hud with lAwtn^ m regard pf tecnpoNl
dabbritinv be. mnro' bo irali separate tima, 9m4
preserve thoK^toiv eitenihl destviietion.
^ Mofhiik8lbofaUio£Loiidi»calblbramauni-
lai^iliiEo>te ttiminungof HadadrhniMa in the
" ~l0| whei
MogUio^ where Joasph fell in htM^
2oobiTzikilt. Amd there shonld not oa^ he
)pubiio MMyming, but also privats inoiurDtDg» and
fdMrt biotRviii^; fanifiiics apart» and peraotis
wptirtT *it bbcdmoB Christians now, after snch
4liwieet df Gfld's wrath, Co keep secret faste^to
l»ew|alfLeiidoSi'sruiii8» especkUy to bewail L^oti-
ston'ar -sfaiS'^ ^tbeir 07*8 should weep- in seerat
fktmm, >Ar the ebominitioin eommitled in the
dfU^^ •nA'iiedew Ood^s feet with their tears, that,
if Ijiebaibiv, tbsy might «usn away ins displeabufe.
>t9yc4W dStir4r ititptct 4lmt Lmtbm skouU iahowr
#^ fmctfiMs'Umget. Vikm God ifareataDed to
sailditto^vdpood,' ami tb eat off fr<te> *« Israel the
head and the Uil> therbrianchtaiiA the tush iniNie
.dli^<«^V«Hd to send tbe^nniije soi'Sdre, sbaitiiey
:aMlhh'f^ieat eieiy nati the ^csh of hac^m
lamf' :^tt it is aaid^ << For «Il this> hdi anger is
ndt 'tutneil awi^r hot hie hasid ia atralched but
asittT^''^^ ^^1 ^T,^^i ^1« AndnowGod hmh
OMMiated his jodgments <if ybigwo and fire in
2jonAoil,^ hnse not we reason te leae that his
s
194 god's tbruible voice
ang^r i8 tiot yet tuitied away, fcut fife' bund ia
stretched out still? When the houses ofLondMi
lurere consumed, which w^e the fuel to tile late
fire^ then the fire quickly went out; axidif tlie
sins of London had heen consumed wif& the
houses, if the inhabitants of the city h^ iM
t>rought forth their sins, when they wer« ftifce#td
leave their goods behind utrto the flatnea/ fhati
we should hive reason to think that ih^fi^Cff
God*s anger was govHd oot^ and his wrAth tmVMd
away from the escaped iretaihant of LMdtoi'Sn-
aomuch as the sitis of London have beeii ^ tiie
fuel« as it were, to this dreadful fire ^tWI whten
ao much sin, afi^r such judgnients, is stt^^iiih^,
untouched^ and unmortified : when the f^iAg&e^
sin doth rage so much after the plaguti i£'p0SA'
ience is removed ; and the fire of lust dMh hwn
BO much, when the other fire is extingmalkMl :
when Londoners, who have tdtfhfi iiew hMaes,
have brought into them Iheir old hearti^ and*Hve
i|i the practice of their old 8ins;*whenthlrsw«aM8
and profanef^ the drunkards and unctean, the
covetous, uhright^us, and loose Hvers, s^'fieN
severe ]n.tl)eir wicked courses, and ub jtKt|^ittent
will put a stdp to thekn, but tbey gro#"tad#«'&air-
dened and inconigjbl^; when, as it l^ibidli'iFer.
\ ^, the Lord haUi «' sti^idfcen them fiM'«^,^Biit
they are not ^ev^d, cbnstmied them, blft liley
refuse to tecefve cori-eotion, making theu^'tffcfcs
harder than a tock, at^U teflise to rettkrn^^'#iMit
can we cohcJude, but th^t God's angei^ deOifwill
remain^ yefi, i^ more enra^d by this ^griiw66n
of their *wicl^neds, and that he is sChetl^iig
fonh his hand to'giveUiem another Udw. ''-/- .
IN THB CITY, 19$
G^d dotk expect that London should use some
jBBeaiw to pacify his anger, and he givea them
time &>r it l^y the pauses which he makes he*
t^meesi ' his judgments, being still slow to anger^
mtid anwilliuA, if he be not even forced unto it,
i^tteidy to. destn^y this place, where his name
bailb >bee^ called upon. O that London would be
pcftvuadsd.vpoDtlus duty, which doth so much
QOMem theur< safety and happiness 1 When the
fii^was in.l40qdop, and it burned so furiously
ao4 d^^fully on the -Monday and Tuesday,
^.^nd^mers! hearts were sunk within them, having
UlUe bc^s of getting victory over this ccmqueror,
wUcb^^aMrobed' through their streets; and there-
fiNTQ little rasiitance was made, but all were busily
eno^oi^ed in flying from him^ with their goods ;
but mhvik the fury qf die fire was something
tbefto^ ODi the Wednesday, and they began to
epnceive any liopes that it might be extinguished,
then ftbey^ {duck up their spirits, and join thcdr
f#r«ec» and maay tbouaand hands are at work in
dfawi^ waters, amd pouring them upon the
A^aifl9^^nd their pains, through God's blessing,
wUMJiot^uosuc^sstuL The fire of God's wrat&,
iwjlicb,sbvll.d^v0ur tba wicked* 9^d burn, them
(av^ri^^^gl^, wiU be.so furious and dreadful, that
,t^elieai;jts ^the damned wiQ sink, ui^er it witb-
r^ ,^ ]^^ |ufp^ of ever extinguishing this
Ama^ or %ing from it, when it hath oncegot
.iMoidtif theiu»* and therefore they will nolt attempt,
but'tel^aloneall leudeav^urs {or ever to turn away
Ggd'^displeaaure^ and to put out the unquench-
able fire <rf hell : but. the fire.of GjodV^atb and
anger her9«m«y be p^tie^ty^ap4ythe iUmes of bis
■ ; Digitized Dy^-J^'"^-'^ltr
X96 GooV Tz^amrBLB toice
mijgnr. may.be tufnecl. isto ftunesiofi kMci JGlidfs
aoger, which hath l>een ^9 hvC agaiiu^ LoMod^
may be cooled* bit WMth aUeviat^/ndillm^diBJ-
l>le4U9ure removed : thete ia hope an Israeli eob*
.cerning this thing. God. is not yee yroHvar- «e
luripua that he iiriU not lae appk^i onto; fae^is
«afly to be entreated, and Itfa^efore Leaden ^imiy
be encouraged in. theiir eodeaJnoento^paqiQrfl^
anger. Let them net aay^ as > Israel lofiJiaid^
J[er< ii* S4^y " There is ma fanpe^ do, itor-'I tetie
loved 8tren^er8> And «Aer them w31- i' ^^
Though God's ai^er be not yet turned awayv^yet
it nsiay be tamed a«»y ; and dim^'jone ianid
1^ atretched outto destroy you, yetrtheijal^
hand is stretched forth to save you ; '* fee -the
stretchetb forth his hand all/ the <% Ieti|r^ to a
disobedient and gainsaying peop^ej''.B0Di4 fec.^1.
O labour then to pacify God's ^anger,. to qoeach
this fire J arise and gild yourselves withiiaMiility^
pluck vup y^mt apirito, lund stir up ft^nti^bfevtt
lay. hold on God^ «(id slop him in the VBaedrof
his judgments; bring fortli'yourJbqckets^ dMb
^ater»and pour it,fonhbeibittrthe>Lorsb74ee«jfibulr
c^es be. like fotintaiils of tbare; . the <Toioex«f
M^epping» and mourning fer^ain :dolh tuaovGoBDi
bo!wele wthin biin, Jen 'X3ai..lS4t<M)..r.i'liMre
surely h«ard Epbitoim bdannaang'biBaeelfv'l^irkOtt
hast phaeitiaii4 mi^ end I ivas chsBtise^'^ ift^, aM
ivl^n he repented rfter sucb'ehiksdSe«ieiiUi;^euMl
ivas ashamed of. his sin* God:dBthr'reltot,>'iai^lfi8
bowel/s are ineved for him; ** Is 'Epbraim asy
dear soo^? is he a pieastotchiki^ fme sinds^ i
spake .s^inst bim« I earnestly rememfaer 'Him
>ill^ therefore my bewds wee troubled lor Jmiii:(
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
i» Taa -orTT. 187
itiitf iwsHi*niel7'hMe'tMRl)r'U|Niti Mm, Audi the
bofMkV ( l£ Loiidim would be diMlided, and re*
9iivm1hhimpnadmmof )gtAfff and shattie fbr tiheir
4m bjTRlheMijud^eatsy God*i bowvk would be
AioTad^ <eiid) hie fievce^ anger would be changed
intoitendfe coaqunaon; and-theugh he hath
^jpdkfKklUanilAj agaiast London, yet fee ireuSd
ilffwiriqMakiecaiifaetaddy «ittlo'*her; he' would ear*
MetlxreMcnbeKiher^ anflftniakeher glad aceor^*
dhi^ tothe'idajs-whieMn he bath afflicted- bcn%
aa4 ^be yters wbceein ehe hath seen eytl. Thert
i«|iicr4aQaUeiiti¥irttte iw'tli^ teera of tree lepen^
taiic^^ ^aocotupaiiied* witb the Mood of ChrisC,
9f^^&si\by feitk tofqileneh tbe tire of Oodl9
SiemMiy Cbd'isangrjt with yoa, Paalih ^i. 11,
'"^God ia aUgry.wiili the wielDad ettoy day," and
H)ie rffoBieto have .God angty with you than all
theiti»e«da;the world; his ihvouf is better than
U|s# Wb'diwpleaeanBJts'Wvrsethan death ; to hev^
Qpd <eai||ry!whh yoti,<who i« ao loit and jealoUf;
wihuK ia^Bo fMtent and iiirioa8> is* very dreadful;
2f.^die> .'weath'ofiian' eaethly king* be like the
lwriDg«ef ft-lioit»tadiat(i8 the wmth of the King
oTbe^vatt^ lAoidwhentiieaoger'UMiiii'edup t^
jf^mshBfAmd falowir.into.a <iiattie/and break)»
foriii;iti(>9a yeai^ whaliwitt yondo? You cannot
e|ro>^ilLiiot'^iid yoj^ j^yauf diniyel * fly iarto - any
idaeewheieMealiNBlahedJfeRh ^rm'wW tiot reach
yotti; ]nnncB|iiiofegatfaer<8tich utreirglh 0fS^io)ttttik^^
head^igaiMt him, and delbttd yoaHeWes ftom the
stroke* <£ hia vengeanoei ^ who^ can sland' iri
hia^akfatwhaii'OnaB bciaraiM<iy y^'Paaimkxvur*
198 GOD*6 TfeimiBLi: VOICE
ftdm hkn, O 'HiMi-'flyiuieoiilmis yon ousttDt
flttt^ in hfk^mgbt when ht is- angry ; QiJdi^iKjfiiU
down at hid feet, milM pmceiwiiliifaiv/adreannif,
%yh!lM' y<m ' iirt» opon %h« Wfty^i)«fiiBe lie ildntr
t>i9«bt< df tell. ' '■*' '• '■■'■ ' i-^' '« .M i^iij/j' -.
-''Bmneifs; G(»dV |NrfAHie»'dbtb'BSi/;pet WMicJ^s
attd he ihvkes y^tt toniik^ your peace -«^i9di>inn»
fM. :i[xvii. 4, 5 ; ^< Who wookl sH; lfae>bri0ni.«ad
thoniB agakiM tne in btttdii ? I would' 90 through
them^ I wodld born' ^bma tagmhrnr^n^tuhBijAiai
take h(>Id (M tny sti^tigcbj 'and make fNaceiieiih
-me, and he 6htdl make peace witb me.^ai Ydu
will 1)e like bilei-g andtlMinis^whittb wiU faadly
take fit^/and'qdtokly^ii^'eoMiimed'iii'tlieijliBe
of Cfdd^ ai^er ; and if brier* andthamsiiinLdfer
to conterid with' dfetroii#ing^^to^ Jiriiat /vdtt i^ie tte
is^itie, btittbe%urning*idiem iip^iarithoiiairanidir?
Yif^ iHtt^^d^'il «hairp>an4 ttbinOil^iopfnuifjM,
if yocr kf ck'againttt the prieka^ yoodtfiU dnhawt
ydurbi^iniB, if'jminmTmirilHiKl'ji^aiDat ^mstk,
«>ra%rteen'wttl)it Mtieever hardonedithenQiifaes
a^lMfOMl^ imd pvoapeMd TJinpne mat(if«a^t
againeft thi»^'€k)d?0f Mavaii by thekiaiBs.vbdtMtey
W«ii« 'woUndedyaiiMltiniithevnd jdbatiHiy^daifb
Wh^ it' iirifitt«sfa«d^^b«iii^;elb:r&ttbid^ttl^iibd
^m^tH,iMd^l8»rytfbi^crrer* .^O ttite^iflgr^hiMvon
G^d!^ dMeitfgth{ a1i«l>«ial» ,p»d* witkobimaidain
to MM',<4tilh» held ofitbe: aeaptnliif ^sfhtmupd
i«^n(en&ti«w;'Whkhi»4itikbtetfaittii*B(f»tt|iild&e
Kold'O^hk 'aMa^tand |ikiBl>witfa<liimidrflus'cy;
UkeheW of Mb Son, vO^b^jof^^^fm^mixQ |
iN.rus CITY. ' 199
Am MftrfbtChrto bet praiiitiirtMi. ftr %h9 ^»mimaa
•«ffBiD8 which am piuHt^ tbrdugb the fbrbaiuranc^wof
Ood^£<iiii. Hu S5j «« y^ God balb lorbwne
.pm^ «B ydb 7«u 'are en ifak-eid^ ofihe go^vs,
«nlnheill; ami tbcMi ia a pofaibility of taroiog
: aMMfiGaH^ 9n§Vp mhv^ ia kkiflUad i^iiat yov,
of flying from that wrath which ia.|»QjRsiuogr/of
ybifc^W aaoapaDg}tkofl^>»«efiefl> which ara -pre-
jparfag l(Mr.yon ;'«fd t h aygfare lay hfld on Cba»t
wdio b fredyteadMed unto you^ /wbo iaafak af>d
"wallhig^<toMBaiF« yon> and. laake your paace with
tha^BaihaiViflod to pnieure a. pardon for yiw.
Aiid ftirtdber to)»H»va yot^i you are not only ofiRerad
peace >and raconoiiiatio»y but yo« «jre entreatad
ta^ be ncottciied ; lainiBtera cmtceat yna ; yaa,
/ Chad hiiwd^ awA JaaiM Ohtist by us, doth aniraat,
aod-fkay)^ ani<faeatach yoo^ that you would aorept
it£* irigonrtliariiin# a > Cor, r. SO. Be astoniahod,
O yteheavfin»,ADdfWondarj0.ye'a|]^a! Beasto-
nUiedTnuiah noiwi ya.ainnerB I and> bo wrapt np
'witbrndraimtiiOB^ iQ Jiotrebrial the King «f glofy>
ijigdfaiat lAibbrnvyon Juivo r»be)kd» a«id ,v«bo ooaid
'iBKoak jyoiL:aoraaiily(withiant ai>^ injuvy.to bUn*
' aGtfa|iis>iii»tjen^.-wiUta|^4orlagr a^ido^m^aivger^biit
• i^aai estreatprTiroa ;^ .aaoapt . .oC i^wnoiUation :
fafllEiftflgr.^eiBbtada dettia'.€&ri«t..i}pow^bia own
tamiiymdr:l)ketWHrkwi]lba»dooeit otbaicwijM^ Ibe
ftiryiaf^liie'UrdwiUba 8ajimfb«fihe mova piro-
.yUwi,4Bkd^tiifirite of:U8tang#9^WAll>bKe#|(.l4|th
. intP'radck.'iar Sm^, aa isonai ^bftU^be. ak4^^to
^aiela; ntlmnifka tkil7L<»rd>livill b«i^Wi^k,^e
^^maringiandidBvaftMMig liaii»<aa likecatbqair be-
.fCftfed af.bcr wtaJ|i9^.ai4 if|*,jb^^
2(n GOD*S XJETBUBIA V0ICE
8faBU)bt.jMine to dMw^J'- Hattt>niL<9^^'S';>BiBB»'
nultdh • iWMl pnittiaettDdflr.tiMidrtedbil^ivl^'.
roeoti of fiuame «r fwtlikaof, JnhichtciMiiriiimii :
he amdclh «|Mm )m poi^^ lbritkiiii'inBar|u¥ if ^
mil pto|p]e» vbickArefCattid bjifiunnr^aU ln*i»4<.
bl^' thflpiMLvQa^ aiHl pinj* anl akId my ifaee, ^liiidt
tum'^nom. xktm widwd wajni^ thcn^mttilr failtni
fr«n beavyn, jnd ib^gi¥»4h^ff/fiiBi( ami iieiltii^'
their land*" God dolh' im* i»i1$^ esfiMftf <thetv
Leodeoers dtouU nov.iackM«r]edf» tfateir. 8W%.-
and fa«nUe Ihem^vetwand moiiM for tfieurMra^
bttfe «lso tbm tbej skMiiikl turn from thmlyfitbeim
wiae iMurdoD, and l>eelMif, endhia <Mroiir,a«i<ni* ■
to be ebtabed* nether «x» ftpthepijudgiBimter.
lil^elj' U> be: paevented ; they tn^st. i*^ can£u4<mA :
far«di« tbair atni, tf.th«^ meakli %aAvm9i^''
Prav« laviiu 18^ the. wicked nnwb'fofaake^lbtiv
v^ oCeiiv and (urn auto tbeLori^iaadftheifete'
will have mercyy and abundantly n ptapdea j^
lflahiLri7»; • QedvChrvetancrii itO'-goKeeiTtiariMiBMi
such as go on to tran«grea»( Ptalm budti; Al, ^*i^
will w^eund- the btad<£ hie eiieaw9» end ibeikaiiBr
scalp Mrf'<eu(ditoeafg»'e9»<taiin thcfar^lrasiieaseai^irrn
JBfemkiyaffi dieRii^yk>or siM>faif :rf|^ente»Qi(^;;(UMi.>
Gael ivnuyaUyomt^irsiiigreaBioni' fesiaiyeitf^pal -
airi^!theimli«f yaiar dimgf ffwm hatew the>lv>lysr:
and. jeaimNfi^fl^ree ^ef Ged; cease 4o do evibh,
d^aewe yeurcbmiclsyiyoii sifuiei^ and piutfy^ywt*
heevts» jfie wifikedl.y*;iniiided i waah'ydttcielvlMtia
thexfiraotaia «ft Ciuwtca blaik^ set>iuMit tm^Mau
" Digitized by Vj<.fL:»*^ If • ^ '
IN THE CITY. 20i
tk*>9atMivftMiy hm deioscd from att iltliiMis of
floh «ttd spirit, aad be paruktrs tof holiness^ and
the divine nature; deny 'all ungodliness and
wcoUlylttste; i^Mtain from flesh«>p1eBsinf sins,
wlMBhiwar kigaiast tlie soul ; and be not c o nfbnned
U>-^ molwd cosUjom of wicked men ; neither
folfaim:this> ungodly gefteratssn to do evil; muoh
leis -ruiv vith them to the Same esoessof riot;
buttlsei yei tnms&imied by thrvenewing of your
ni|]idB,r«nd live soberly, righteoosly^ and godly
in4iiis presesit evil world ; Mid let the time pass
ofii>yciuff "lives' be siifikfent wherein you have
wledgbt^ Ae will of tfae flesh, and served divere
lufto, and cast • Mot upon the profession q§
CbnsSianfty;'new be blameless, smd harmless,
and iinrebitJuble in the midst of « cveoked and
pdtovene nation; cast off the works 4^ darkness |
layttasidr your night^vail of ignorance ; put on
th»>Bob«i of light'; w^dk honestly, as^n the day,
shio^ as Jights where you live; forbear iA
weriifr of 'darkness and sin ; «nda8 he which liaUi
c^^- ytevia heiyf la be ym holy in all nsamMRr of
con woisat i o n./ ...
rfiinncrs, turn from ywr evil waysy otherwise
lability lidll be ymir rain^
-ji^^Drukkardf, ttumfiem i^onrevil mi^i over-
charge not youfMives with ixttm^ where God al-
lo^ts-yon^eiiooglb for: use* << Look viot upon the
wteewhottit is red, whenit gtvesh its eoloor in
thf ciip, wlitn it sparitleth «nd moveth itself
arigbtt at Iset it i)iteth like a* serpent^ and
stingelh Hke an adder,-' Prov, xxiii. 81, 9^;
Wjsmids and woe are the issue of exoessrve
drinking, ver, 29. This sm if^ l»^,?p«t and
202 god's TxmftiBiE toicb
pleuinig^ to Um eye and appetite io tketiolpte-
tion ; Irat it will wound and sting the oonsatetooe^
W4ir8e tiMB an adder or satpeot era do* the^SHldy,
m theieiectien ; CSod faatk pot bittemeaa into4lie
cop by hie jadgnenta, and will you drink^ aa<4ecp
aa b^re? are yon i e adve d to taste Um rifi^
that lie at die botten ? Tbe cup/haftb poMteirJB
k, Ibal poison, and wiH yen dlridb eft k^ atilb
tbough you mofder. attd destroy * your ttoBlMiie
emrby^tWa sin? Tbe oop^bath wiath tin-iMlii
Wfftfth of an angry Ged; and as k goadiferyoa
to drink of tbe wine bi Ged's wialb? • DtariN
fcemess bath been your sioy Bndii^yam'gfMH^
Godtineateqeth thaA'drankeanesaahak^be ifoar
pQnisbment^ Jee. 9v. 1%, ''8ptokiunlo^tbee«lhis
word, Uiiis saith tbe Lord, every bdttle-'abatt'lis
filled with wine:'' drunkards iiks ibis iwty-weH$
tbey are Very wettf^sased that thek bottdaa dbU
be iXM with ^rine^ that libey any leiBptff jdhcn^
bat uoderdtiind tbernKantog^'rerjl^/M.'^.ThMi
aakh tbeLofd, 1 wffl filallAhs iaUbititets^4be
knd'Wkb dmikenMaa} and i wiU<dtob'Aemfans
agaimt anolber, even th6 fadiers ttndrtbh tons
tegeibepv I wfll >iiet pity, nosiepMls, ^ntotf lave
mercy, but destroy them." Drunkards, yiNfefaol
and fali a a|ne ti aneB.witk yourain.9 CM^MrJU o^e
ymiteeL and fettby bis jodgmcnts^'aiidrdailb |mi
oHe iipon another ^ y^a, dash^ youf/inrfMfeefltJffnd
destaay^jottiwidMHift pifty/of aaevcjirj Wfliyoftiftbt
tebcar (yaof' eupsf and evdesaes^ . €od ir01 tMiM
CMp of trambkng imd' aatonishraent ilnto ^^rai*
band; h^.wdl potgaUrAnd w«iwwoodfinUte|KiK
c^<aiidr«iake|nDu taste tbe«biUer effeata^.ibis
kw if be: (to tto*r8evctoelDr,<80ourg0 yoi^ Jk HhiB
IK IMS C1TY» 203
8flii|fan»pie wUl be mre te txvment 3^u fartfaii
''Wrny ye drunkardsk from jowe evil wayt;
YiMnittup your sin by re^eatMxwB; weep and
i|9okn &r all' your sinful mirth cndjolHty; and
^tiiietd of fetttfniiig with the dog, andilckiBg
m^A^momiti ndiioh you hare disgorged* Anad
thtf^eceatiooe o£ this. sin; sbmi the company of
aick ae^ve been your tmapim; take hQed<of
«iHQajtag«nti04lie plaote where you faavelMeit dnema
in 40 4)oaaaDit it; make a oevetumt mth yamr €ub^
«h«lvtfiey may- never lead you tMUl of the mmy of
^SMi^iatttO'snchiplaBeay wlMreyea have becii<ae
oAeti utertakeB; CMrb and'reiliiain yoor eppdbite;
tiitoe^seiyelDiBKiof holy venenge vpoa yeuiiieUea;
aUby^'younehieff aome things .which are liuwfuliii
tUeaitffliNrsf heeaiise ooeaslofis of sis oirto yen^
attft iaiBBd ^ fiUing yonrselites^ with wine,«r
atvQi% dmk unto droilikeiiiiesa and etoess^ Jab<Rir
«e:be filled ^th>^ Spiiili and by the Spirit to
tnoAiff thia and lall •other deeda of the body ;ami
t«ahe»>leC «he ^vicked wonder afrjoa, and spedi
«ei4 of yow lor yotnr aobrieqr»thaikXSDd hate yoiif
ati«l beifig.deMpruetion fOfqn you lor yoitr f
'fAi^ Mukei^s^iurn from. yoit^ mil mag^tf Gonae
iM| of i the 'ttndean bed; iitaUew)iiol: any logger
Sfl'tliiyibeiiiieaNDg mtaei Areyeafidfen*«|Kta«the
dftA^I 'ge« 1^1 -Mid eoflie foith wHh aq^eedM«Ad
^ash yoor garmenfts &oao the apota^- whidi they
Ittrttp fteeimM^t areyiHft taken intbeoet, and|CB*-
aiuif«d ' - its '• edMineiotta > emiv'MJi^cnts I deliver
yelif<»el««s iike'it)noe>froiii theni^tof «lie humfeer,
attd dike a bird^atoue^ tbet^sitan ef-the fowier.
I^ not after the beauty and enjoyment of adu
804 god's ''VEft9t|lf.& VOICE
m^omwammp krt Ml the mH^m^d
goaye of thtir lifNi ^ti«e yo*^ mr th^i«|Mft&ln%
QMlions of tbeir oyos: ioflailo yoo*^ f»l wt i|i
Mrto yo>r boaom^ <ip44>ke JtaeA ot wofciny nfia
burning CMltj why will fm»iammmf»fomtbitf,
•ad tine, and aobstaM*^ wkAAhmmi^ bmtih
dbcmed ? Whir will ^ou bpi«g i^jOM'jrdoiMMi
A wouad and dulMio«r^<wlMoh -oannoti te ipipii
oC Why . will' ymx be liko oiwil wl|iobuf«i^|i
tho daughlev^oBd be aneh ftok aoHto- hi im^lipi
fOuraekrasdMlniolicxi?. . : <: ni iiii^
Ttim from your oyiI wajai dair>«il»l» gii'ft*-
fiofd in tbatwi^ wUdi IqMUv tMrtod o mfato diwM.
<^ lia»3a§o 10 bonoiMblfc utM^mmk di« tad Mm
defiled, bat whow i o ng cra and fldailnfti*> CM
«illjiii^6^"Heb. miii.4« God hidlabotlMiaii^
vaiart into thecity, and wounded aoaa^ aiialMMi
lor tbio ain, that 4iad baJbre^deitedand^waiButafl
theiwelvea by it ; and witt yoo gm ^mnUkm^tm
piaraa thioagb your lifar? .Xba^giawing- of i tbe
abi ia «woat,i like boncy* but wHiMt ihaiaiMbba
morabktarlbaniroraiiood? andif ft'ttHlMiMt
flatawaof tha flcA boaa dat ir idd gy irah a o tubp.
eaUreme eiidkaa pafai ii vfll •omditte I
Uo ? Can yoo ba.oootant Uyhm «) aa
of yoaia^ undar tbe bomMe m at ami/b i<i
nJ^ttfe pKMtnt saoBttat A%bl^^twfaiabv;
f«lapod^caB*ii'yMd jroit aatblbrtioni^ 4airj§B#oit
t» «dl imoitba oroaa of an miftiMommmmm^
andiaitt it^nat bo bitter, yaa, ^ a-iwRM^jtbiair^
&U into the hands of the living God ?*'i«obb«
SI. espaeiaUy wban^h* ie immmmmhUf^MMmrj,
Anw^flioaMHHF tMHM aUaaflao'ai^^tfH WMOBHiOH^Hf
ath burnt down the city, how dreadful it was ;
tir THt city; 90^
lb* tmt^^ Iwt wftMu fott hi worw, tnd ^m
iiii^f^iidl fa — uA yavt, wfaieh is prepariiig fo
f*^«fid «iitawtii«li^ hjpthit mn, jrou ire hasten^
^9J9'm4btmmtn4kMdnHm dreftdfttl, (cyf whidi
i0«i*^«nMy>)r«»dy«lwiHyoiigoonP Otam
linmar yoiir«4ufaMiii8 wivfi; eoine not turn tht
d^^ w i of in h ^ l M n^ i/^licre yoti have had inoni«^
'^m^ tm' kMrt» and eppoirtwsMea fbr audi lewd
ffiramitfla ; ihainr a edvenant with yt>ur ey^, the
i y»iAL J»eattght at ^ eye; not eiily Awbi il, b^
also by it; the spark that, fallhig upon the tinder
«f^«i|i adtflfenwMr hearty putt it mto a fame; do
Mih^'iBtpmahefBOMi or w^naii, that you oiay
wm iMhkt damot tUnfc, Hwt yon may not )dst;
'ddbot^toodithaft yoa tMqrwt deaire to'tailxf;
4# ndt tef, fast ypa be caug^; do not came too
Mar- the brink/ lest yeu fitll into the stream
'Mtoit'jKm art aware; take heed of speeolative
usiel a rarnn ass , aa you would be kept firom aetoal
«ttda^piMas;,laka heed of sf^poUatioM aa yoa
^otddba'kepHlroHi tekilUnpy^ith otherr; i^eid
' sc^ toi a ns of tUr ain, ^mw not into Mch eoni-
yauiy arid plmiaa where yo» may have oppertmiity
^'^consmil -it? Bm jmAM lusts whldi w«r
Hfsihsifhaaaul; keep yt wrmhida pore and chaste;
viaiil^e'firstsaneatloiistolftlssin; qt»iiehthe
t^*mh^ Whe(fim to kkidie; loaktvthe issut
immI eans^quaata of tiiia ain : rei
\ cons^quaata of itik ain ; rem uMdwr that the
i i o ly 'eye of Ckidle upon^oii^ isi yiMir most secnft
let^ettsetits, xn^ he wBl, ere feaf , edl yoo^to w
aoaintiit; • - - •
i^yrSmtoMr^ tttrw fnm yom^ fvit waga. ^ Re-
the tlBid coBttnsiidflsest; xBBBt» which' a
; of •! Qod^rdMDfh^ goi^
^^ god's X^9>1UMl.E yoicB
B^jfmtH^ ]||xiii,tMl|f)Bak«r9 1|«»«&^ J^HQlifjI^T.
Pod la vain» fpr the l^ofd wiU not^ l)iM hm Sm^
}fiH that taketh hj^ mme in vi^bu" Th# ytry VMf
f^ U>§ ni^pe of iQod iri]^^f;)^y» ji a hm^^ri
fljvjbM^ j^ it^^isop^ G%i higWy>^ ao i^ viU ]i»|iv
/Wicl^miatkt^ qer^i^ly Mppn ^ ISi^^* %lUo
110^ rej^jflt^api. /(pdiear, W^ ^^ j^.iqi4e
Vm . W^th*, aod ^v^ 2f^ .(QugVep ta fpmk
jbis praJ3e» which men are your glory, i9^ili.y4Ai
{»»faiM9 tbe/^ap^ilf ,th^ Qpd^ «|iiditi;^IMlt^y
^ gmy of A^dj jl^vvt al^ fo^pmf^ g^s v^
jj|^a\e,^d diaho^€|ur, .m^ jt^^X ipr^^ you, J^9
Dot U^. nm^tive aqd ioiqeiQiJIiiyi^ Jto ^e^fai^tei^iiw
Xt geU tb^e Dotbii^, and haj^ bo .exfj^se : . . ,
Last and .wine plead a'pleasiir^^ av^ice gain :
Bntthe elieap shearer, through hii open shitce
iUU tHaBMil nm §of nmi^ atft^le fearliii;?
,W«Mi«9.q[MWrr»JiOQi^d|iate#)!l^«M. . .
f^qok iato Pept xjf^viii.,58,j59. whiit;thKe«lb«i^
.^^9 t)]e L9r4 dp^ Aum^t^ ther«MfMA|t,4ii^
l« do .4K^,fe«r bis B^if^ ; ^nd «DXel¥,it is if^tmMi
of frv tWwJ.^we of Gpd'a.yai^, Jj^t ffl^^ifi^^fp
bpld as to swear by it, 9r '|a)^9 lit jfi .juip ^ /f ,U
,tkm wit m^t.fear tMi^lor^S aW fej^lid iipBae,
11^ I^jd tby Mod) then the Itord .will jwfe^j^
pli^ufls wi^derfttlii and the plagues of tby.^vidi
.«veq gnei^ Bkg»^9 4Pd of ifmg |i}0^ ims » w»
Wd.jsor© fiw^kiii^a9es, a^^^ Ijm;^ ,co|itii^fm^f
&c, mth notXjod plagued jp.d^^^ the city
IN THB €ltY, 207
of LonMn, ambngst dthbt Mtts, tAt itiiB 6f sWeaf^
mg, and. yet will y^ sw^i* ^H, uid ptt>voke the
Lotd to fuMbe# ^mtli, iHito y6ti baVe b^w, in
Mfft, how fearfbl the nMin« of God is, in t!w
jtidgJMneMs wtiieh he htttb e«#eihted * "mil you go
on still to tytofancrhit naibe? Do yM tiol fea^
fatat« jodgmeiittf wiU not the name of God
be di^pbyed mart divadAiBy iMftite yttii; iHphenp he
op^mft the treasoteB of hlir "WraMi, and aende 1^
SMi itl dandng fii»e to tidce vengeance UpcM
iintt^fevP ind y«t will net yoto fear this natni
OfGdd?
Sti^Ak'eifi^y^R^th what etiti^&ttHM ean yon pt«f
t^ Getf r what hdpecAfi yotf hate, when yoU os^
G^a fi'imefift ptAfer, that yon shall have th^
teMf aiidieni^ or aetf^catiek, when you abuse hid
ilame so mnch, and cast such dishonour upon It;
by y«or oaths ^ If yon do not prtiynow^ as
swearers seldom db, wHl you nevet' be driven to
your knees } will you never be brought to such
extreraitieBy that no creature, shall be Me to give
you any rtKef ? and with what feee can you, then>
look up to ^od ? Will not your callings upon the
niMsto^ef'Odl^'be ItittAh, Hb youliaV^taket^ hia
tiattfelfl vtfffl? Win SUM Gdd iMlgh atyom^
€ttlMfhit^?' kind thoagb yte er/^d Hhokt, wfll
M>t He i/tmt ottt ytrar ftkfer, and hta^HHt dbor di
(»««^«r^^; tufnf fWan yonr sin ; niiA;e a c^ei
l|«At>#ith ylDUt^ Btidulh : M^ a wAteh h^fyfe the
do^i^-of yout HpB j ulie<>od*snfi«ie in pMyet^^ and
rtrf«f«M)y in discourse i &o nut sw^al" hf it) oy
tld0i>ittfi viiln«§fiynJore;< gei^«enawei^ihiaiuun«
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
908 god's T&RaiBJUE VOICE
upon joav bmrls, wbicb wBlhe^iai «(|X9Ua>t
means to keep you from this sin.
4« JJarSy ium from your eoU wigfs. We read
AcU V. at the beginpujg, <^ Ananias and
Sapphirsy who were smitten with sudden 4eadi
for the sin of Ijing; it is said, '^ they &11 down
at the apostles' feet, and gave up jthe ghc^*"
And hath not the sin of lying been one ingredient
. in the meritorious cause of the fall of so many
persons and houses by the plague and fire in the
cityofLiondon? This sin of lying the apostle doth
especially caution the Colossians imd Epbesiaos
against, after the wonderful grace of God in the
renovation of them according to his- imager
Col. liL 9, *' Lie not one to another, seeing ye
have put off the old man« with hk de<p<]|i> and
have put on the new man/' &c. Epb. iv. 2^.^.
" Having put on the new man> which,. after Grod
is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Put away lying, and speak every man truth to
his neighbour. And this sin I may. caution
Londoners against, after the dreadful anger, of
God expressed in the desolations which h^ hath
made amongst them by his late judgments ; .lie not
one to another any more, but meak every onej^th
tp his neighbour* . The Lord is a Gpd of tru^,
and be cannot lie. The devil is the fatheir of lies
and liars« John viii. 44, i^nd which lis ropst eligible,
to be children of God* or children of tbe devil ?
A lying tongue is one of the seven abqmjnations
which the Lord hateth, Prov. vi. 16, 1.7^ And is
there l^ly good you can get by your lying,, com-
parable to the evil of renderij^g yourselves bate*-
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
i» rfst citY. 409
flit ktli abomifiaUe iit tftte feiglit bf GcMl'? h it
n^edfiil for jon tt>flnetiiffes to tpeik liesp I«it
tiot ft tbotiettfidfdftl mofe needftll ibr you always
tb'speak tiriith ? Are yon likely to ^n to tntich
by tbe fbrmer as by the hitter F What is a little
ouWatrd et&oluinent in oomnarison with inwattl
peace'? ' Are you likely to lose iso much by the
lattet as by (tie former? What is the loss of
exte'm^ temporal things, in comparison with the
loss of yotir sonle and happiness ibr ever? Is it
needful to He that you may excuse your fknits ?
this makes them double.
Nothing can fieed a He ;
A ftiflt Whidrtieedk it vuMt, gr<mB two thereby.
" PJirents, warn your children against this sin of
lyhig; do not spare the rod of correction where
you find them guihy ; pass by twenty 'other
faults radier than this ; lying is the first link in
the chain of a thousand gross sins ; rap off their
fingers fjt'om the first link, lest the cham after
grow too strong fbr you to bf eak«
Masters, indulge not your servants in 'this sin ;
the resolutfbn of David was, Psal. d. 7, ** He
that woiketh deceit sh411 not dwell in my boose;
he that telledi lies, fihall not txtry in my sight."
Especijdly take teed of leading servants to this
sin'by your example; above al^ of putting them
updn ihis sin^ by yoUr persuAsrons or con)mands;
for, besides the guilt of their sin, whioh'hereby
you incur, your damage is like to be more than
your advantage by their lies, ft you put' them
ilpbn ly htg for you , they^will put themselves' tifjbn
lying to you ; and if you deceive others in some
T 2
SiO G0D*9 TBRJtdlLft VOICE
UMbgft 'bjr ib^ tenowr /l4^ Jtre-^Kk^ to
^pov, ^terrcdl^ym greotfnllii^saibv^the.kbttnh
> Yotang onet^ takv hcedof tifli ;' (k»tilalAaag»ttt
mayiit^ the^doiiki iindfcxqaM>ti£<il>Ue;eiad^
yoa<lie'<oi«rfdLen widb &$ .fioilty (never -^ily >^
.wiiBn eEOBBOttadf ^Imt) wifeh sQnrqv.acknDwlfHi^t
it a9 jrott Mwnld gainifiproinv^nith'God amltiBUK
Take liced lof idnsr ski JBetHne*; lay,«lde lyltig
be£qM>ftl»':g]lBrasantara*OB«tfin^ whkk^vH^ hxoi.
tokaTAi ,<Mdroiwi)bBeak>off:tfaiB8hi^i)eftibfr|ppa
be^dnt^gao^bytltoi ch^ of ^bkim iototbsBfiM
cf licU, wbkh iff the tlli)eatancd)poiiiiteatMii(k
tteiten^ Rev. nti. 8, B&nit too hasty ni ispecdi^
ketiliut .^dissue ibethiat the^dkx>r (rf'y)tfiii^li|>s,
hefiwetycm a»e awaze; speak always as ito^^tbe
faearini^'of' God, iRho knowwlieth^r yiouarfJwe«El
anal kmftab ogvee^- i|Ddti»ho<.iwiilo«ie ^h^ oatt
jwtttotaiiiaocoustfot^^is mnj; an^evo^ftJ^^ytM
wp^sAy^diiiahxjfim.fBr it seremlyt injdle luke^
fi» Hnd ^hriaistinie^ X ■ :*'-,/: n : -.j, -ii^-tL-o, •
siti of f^mAmg^^ xa» oi^ tlMi.?isentBaoatBJ<iif
^yiogi ilHii the iteethyo^sla»dater3i«vtciobai|pitipd
la ^. spears ami airowsii and their ;^kofigaes ^to v
flbaop aarardi^' Stah iMi 4f aiKliarileDftte^umi
thdkfilaBdacai Oii^il'baiidilliaarlMMa; «i(^«itoo*
lbciK|aar4Mra, ^jl vhftthehr^Mrtsd^^aildJvvfaaii^
ABTOiratiai dirare(patatioBio^ othei^tV^^dh'tl^efnaiidi
bditi]d(toilwa«ica]»iyiii^caa(their om^ilbfiiL Imi
M^MiShmileiieraatoff^fl^Mtiiess^^ ^Ao^hiyito
liba dttif^joiiQtliartniaudiitfiinga^ail thiy:tklKi#
not/ ^arfixjtxy. II7 tho}^ are^lkiia^wfaoftasDFm
piecaa 4hoc:god(lTBMiiDB/<ofi>Qthen) they^^liseiitee*
*(rant8>;whoseisaQvibar&tttfigB^
Ill 7HK CITt- t^lt
faami;^thfif are . copafrnwl 1» '* niiub, and
swffixby B&d jluir|» arnMia^" ProT. axr. 1&; jiea,
thqgiiBra like' *' mad many v]la caak ahoai iire-
brMdsy and anrowa, md death," Prov. loivi. IB.
By thtt.8ii»,'you woond odiars^ aad are guilty of
%^tiga»*^maad€Vf but yvtu wcnnxl ymntaivet moraE,
I flieaa your eonsdcDOBs, a&d are goUty of
•alftmorder, of soulHiMBrder ; and the {wison. of
Kach ^echea is. not 8OJT0naaKm8.and doftdlyy kk
regafd of yoor naighbaor'a good name, aait h m
eegavd o€ your <>wn spirits^ whidk are ebT^Domed^
ai^ willbedealrQyad liereby, withont theapfdica*
ttoo ef the Uood of Oiriat for pardcai and heating;
^landorevs, forbeiur'yaBr baekbitiDg^ dandanrnt
afieedietj feisbear devoarii^ wards^ which >f«ial*
low up the good name of your neighhours ; let
not yolur thsoatsbelike <ipen 8cpulofa:es, to ai»*
tomb their J^eputatioa; tdie head your toognaa
doiiQt utter alandeis and rapaoach^t deviaed bgr
yourselves ; be careful also that you da> not apread
madx cahmmks A8.4idiet8 have devised*: Receive
]iot;a8^ aflcmsatiiiii. against year noD^hbaiurs with-*
<wtig)Md:>pieof(; dtive away badLbittng tonguet
with ^an, angry ^oadntanioiee; wkd if. yo^ must
henRTiof odicr&ulta^ Jet loveeonccal tbamaa unidh
aejirtAy>be Omm diftfcihniledgeiriB oftfaani; railhaf
lEpea]&4;#>lbetik8eifn8?wfaatlyav ^Ma„m6mpiaof0^
Aai»' ^if ibe ;thiffga> be arBadahroi^wkh prudesfla^
love> anl^ispiritai'mediuessai .BaiwinihaF' the
oammandy 'J^busdiL^e^r^^.fipeBkefft'dCsfDir-Buii^^
iknd take. haed>. of .^h&iinnfiii; pxaotinr af . the.
wioraen dasexibed.rl^lramy^ 13w .^ Iliey leani
teheiiUe, wandxttrngt abouiiiMPQ' house to hauaa^
audnotioolgL idl0bi^iattlei:aalsivaad?faiujpl;^od2Qa
212 god's TB&miBLE VOICE
gpmloiWf4Magi irWelillMy ¥9^\t% iioiu'\. )ft&m
yoliF ^ongmiB k^re btfen insddmental t^^WouDil
•titeci, M yottraelmi' w«tbal^ by sbiQ^e^iis
•piwc iw >» make m$» of tbe «ame HvrtrifnOTi^.iar
hct&ig; UxHif to-hcal yowselves bj-^omimfl^aD
of yov «M tP God^ nd to he«l fli^«i» b^
•denoivlM^iig tMh^n the-wioiig jroa bave J)^
IfaMi^ UbourtoUck iviiola tb» fam^, ^^
goodiMrdotQ^MOiiioie their estaen^ wbich yoa
luawin^aitly tokan amray. Labour for ao t^A
knaitfQroBd brotharly love^ aa ta be a&toiileqr «f
Hk&g gaad namo^Bdl ftme as your owq*; jt^ k
hwiBOi fo prefer them above -yoiirselvea, mhiA
will vtaka.yott raa#y. to hide Aeir £uill^ and
Iwap yoo lioin evil tunoiaes aad evil alawKferonis
& Jtoa <h Pi»?<»ra/»oJnya»r evil migs. 4R«y3Bif
^mdidaiideripf oAea go togetber^ «a prboeediiig
^botb ^aitt.*4lM aanno-roet of vabce aad hatred;
-ye^ Bfwwifiai€i» the njdice ia kept moredoee:
-when war is in tbe faaart^ and Bduchief is u-
wardfydaviaeAf attd tbeagpioaecleetly vrbonded
wididUiiden >briiii|d the back, ^tha- tooffue.dofli
r#a«fter» flUid liko a heli^-ooai^ dotb drop not^i^
iMt onatft verdabtffofo'lhe face. The8m.<S|f re-
mfliog ia ope», 'and spits Ibrth mncour ati4 1
tnlDithofaeerond btaaka fortbioto bitter ^
Ar-tiie- shame aad ^isgmca. of -such
•a|pldnifc wbon tbey are spokea, Uioogb n^^
d M lftuui tlieioaal^s ttiore« by the weakness, «nd ill
^vdmOMntof spicscy whieh beial^ they discov^.
.' tt^ribts^ refirain your angry bitter speeches;
^ri^^ biftieiaflM^^anil wrath, uA ^n|^, and
damooT) and evil speakings ho pii|5«way itatcL
IN THE CITY* 213
jaa^yfiA all malice," Eph. iv. 01 • Do not quarrel
and contenci t do not break ibrtli into fnrawla and
clamoars, and bitter reviling apeecbes^ 9g$anH
ka<ch as give you no occasion, bat deabre to five
at peace with you ; and if others are angry, and
qdarrel with yon, labour to pacify Uieir anger ;
do not stir up the coals by your bitter velorta?
** 'when yon are reviled, revile not agaui,'*^ fflie
oar Saviour, 1 Pet. ii. 2S. *' Render not evS for
evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwisa^
blessing,** 1 Pet. iii. Q, The second blow breeds
the quarrel, and the second revOing word breeds
the strife ; give to a hard speech the return of
a soft answer, Prov. xv. 1. '^A soft answet
tumeth away wrath, but grievous ifords stir up
anger.'' And Prov. xxv. 15. *' Long fbrbe«^
anqe is of great persuasion and *' a soft tongue
breaketh a bone.'^ Th^re is a nuurvdloua force
in a meek reception of bitter speeches to appease
anger, and mollify ihe spirits of those whidi aite
most fierce ; whereas grievous and bitter returns
stir up unto greater contention. Revenge not
yourseltes with the hand, neither revenge 3roor-
sel ves with the tongue ; revile not your enemies,
but ''love them, and pray fbr them, mid do good
to them ; feed and clothe them, and heap coals
upon their head,** Matt. v. 44; Rom. xii. 19, 20.
^ Be ^ntle, shewing til meekness to idi men,**
Tit. iii. 2. Especially, revile not your ftiends,
take heed of stirring up strife in the house wfaercf
you live; be of a peaceable disposidon: above
all, take heed of reviling Christ's fHends, Ood*s
children ; revile not the saints : remember that no
reyilers, especially such revtlers aa persevere in
■' ' ■ Digitized by VjUU^ It:
314 god's TBRRIBIE VOICE
tbfii fitin, 'Vfiliiai.i&bedt ttie ki^cm dT Gda^"
1 Cor. vL Iq, And wbeo the Lord Jitsai ccAaOb
id the W da^, '| He iirill execnte jOd^nfleiit upori
the ungodly, for their hard ispeecbea ^idt: tbc^
tiaye, spoken against him, in apealuog a^fdiist>hiir
peopije " Judf^ 15.
Eevuers^ govern jpur tongues* ** tf any ittan
amoQg ypu seem tp 1^ religious^ andi>tidleUr^iHit
his tongue, that n^ai^'a religion js vain»'' Jam. i^^ft
W^uld you gpvem youraelves. weU^ acoovdiik^ <d
scripture rules, bridle And goverii j^our tcM^es^
Jam, iii^ $,A. "Behold, we put bita tt^ llie
^p^ses* moutti^^ ^at they may ^ obey us^ an(l«i
tun;i about their whde body^ Behold iif^ <ihe
s^Pf,, yfhidtkf though they be so giefit^ J^)ave
driven of fierce wikids, yet they ire ttirnedjLboui
with a veiry small hblin, whmersoever tBe'|^
vernor listeth.'' Put a bit u^on this Iittte.itienflieiv
aipdyou mav tlie better have all ^t i^si Bt'scis^
manc)« a|[|d,,keep yourselves iti, wben la&firmie
vented' passions, likft wild horses witfkont rnoa;-
i^ay cfu-ry yOu into n^any a. prtd^ub^r^titncn
ott^^^wtse tiie ^erc^ gtonn)iof,ydur'milula\iBi^
break :^or]J^,an^ drive y6u upon red&Siuidshdves^
ahd.sU/^wr^ bqtb jsoul and bpdj^: t^^oiOttiu;
'' Tnere u.a world oj^iniqui^y io t&a itongii8,nHiikifti
defileth tne wbol^ bodyj the t^giiciifi!iii>finrv
wbich setteth on fire the >bole course o^ listurep
^nd its^JT is set on fire of helU" t« & GH tbe^
former fire quenched, get the heatof your tsn^oes:
cciole^, a£[ you W/0ul4 e^cap^ the Jailer: fiivf I nten
the fir^ of h€^, &om whence the fdrmfir.firetdgth
Pfoceed, and imtp which it will certaimly faring
you. " Tbe tongue is full of deadly ^diasiii, it is
•* ■ " Digitized by VjC>V:»«riC
IN THE CITY. 215
^a pr^Ay cvil» ^irliich no niMi ean tame, when by
att the iriidest beasts may and have been taxned/'
yer« 7» 9- Others cannot tame yoor tongue^f,
but you may get them tamed yourselves: pu^
them imder the jrovernment of Christ^ and he
yfiO. tame them ; get your passions tamed within ,
and you mav tame this member/ ^hich is the
mstmment they make u8e o|f fb vent themselves
in yoiur revilin^s : *keep ffoard femd sentinel before
the jdoor of your lips, and watch your word's^ that
yo^ p^end hot witn your tonguei.
7- Per9ecutor$f turn from your evil ways. For-
bear persecuting the people of God, w6o d^irie
^fjovx good, and are the beH safemiard and defence^
by t&eir jprayers and faith, ot the places' wher^
theylive, from miseries and dditnietion. Is it
good for you to hew at the bough on whidi you
sjtaiid over such a deep, into which, if you should
fally it win be impossible for you to red)veif
yonrselv;es again ? Is it good for ybutb puU at
the pillars cif the house, which, if you pluck down,
will bring the house upon you, hnd bury ^ou in
i|^ w^m} Is it {good, to put yourselves undeir
the faurtbeosome sMle which will grind voti t^
powder ^ ' Sappbs^, whilst you are breathing forth
IbmiiteQii^ agaitKjtany of Christ's disciples, an<]l
are |p ibe bent of yotir rage and furious persecu-
tion ^laf tfaem^ you bhoftld hear such a voice as
Paid liid from heaven, ** Sinners, '8iftners,whv
pei^ecute yoq me >" Would it not cod, ahd/stop
yott^ ' -Y^u may faear this voice, if you will open
vQtir ear'iinto the word ; it is Christ yon persecute
m bis 'disomies; it is Christ you wound' through
their i^ides; .^^ would do the same to bim as roe
216 god's t£&&iblb voice
Jews did« were he alive amongst you, and you
bad the same power as sometimes wasv^at 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
God's 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
waiTiing? Are there no Judas's amongst them,
none of Paul's spirit before his conversion ?
Persecutors, forbear this sin, which makes yoa
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 lower parts of the bottomless
pit ; which will lash and sting your consciences
with horrible scourges hereafter, if they be not
awakened with horror here; turn from this ain
before it be too late ; imitate Paul, and become
frieuds to them against whom you have expressed
so much enmity and spite,
8. Covelotu persons^ turn from your evil ways,
God hath smitten you for the iniquity of your
covetousnessyvdo not go frowardly on in this sin;
he hath subtracted much of the fuel of this sin,
and burnt it in the £re ; 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 apostles would not have
*' so much as named amongst the saints,** Ephes.
V. 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. iii; Sa And the apos«
I
IN THE CITY. 317
tie tells us expressly, that " covetous persons
shall not inherit the kingdom of God/' 1 Cor.
ix, 10. Yea, that "the wrath of God shall
come upon them," Ephes. v, 6.
Covetous persons, turn from your sin, get this
earthly member mollified : 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. xiii. 5.
" liCt your conversation be without cotetousness,
and be content with such things as you have."
Covetousness will not heal your poverty, any more
than riches can heal your covetousness.
Have you much in the world ? do your riches
increase? set not vour heart upon them: make
use of what God hath given you without such
pinching and self-denial, which the Lord Jesus
never commanded in his precepts of Uitit kind.
God never gave riches to save, but to use; take
heed ci 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 yourselves in what is needful iot the
body» and suitable to your degree and quality;
lay ande part for vour posterity ; and lay out
part in the help of those in necessity, for relief of
the poor, whereby ** you' will lay up fat your-
selves a good foundation f<^ the time to come ;
and, at last« lay hold on etern^ life," 1 Tim. vi«
IS. 19.
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218 god's teraible toic£
9. Unrightemu penoms, inm from ifour epil
ways. God hath been righteous in hia jud^
ments, because you have been unrighteous ia
your dealings; and as his judgments are a
reproof of your sin, so are they a warning to
yon to leave it. Unrighteous gains will yield
you little advantage in the issu^ : see what the
Apostle James qpeaks of the wealth which men
get in such a way* chap. v. 2—4t. " Your riches
are corropted, and your garments moth-eatKi:
your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust
of them shall be a witness against you, aad shall
eat your flesh, as it were fire: ye have heiqied
treasures together lor the last days ; behold the
hire of your labourers, which have rei^d down
your fields, which is of you, kept backbjjr firaud,
crieth, and the caries have ent^ed into the ears
of the Lord of Sabeoth/' The cane of God
goeth along with unlawful, anrif^teons gainsr;
and is like moth and rust to corrupt and canker
them ; they bring a fire into the flesh isnd booesi
which will eat and torment; they pieroe* men
through with many sorrows, and at the laKttfr
end utterly consume them with terrors, if their
conscience be awakened ; unrighteous persona do
not heap up such treasures of wealthy as by «1»
they heap up treasures of wrath against the lant
day: the wrongs which they do to others, ciy
with a loud voice to God, and the Lord -wiU* be
the avenger of all such as are d^Qrauded. •; list
them that have been unrighteous then he ttl&*
righteous no more: you canncH; wrong otb^raso
much by this sin, as you wrong yourselves:
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IN THE CITY. 219
lahake your bands of dishonest gains; make resti-
tmion of what jou have defrauded others, as you
«xp«ct salvation, non remUlitur jieccatum, nisi
tesiituaiuT ablatum. This is a bard saying to
flome, who have no other wealth but what they
have gained in a dishonest and unrighteous way ;
\mA will it not be harder to suffer the vengeance
of eternal fire for this sin ? is it not better to
impoverish yourselves, that you may be just and
honest whilst you live, dian to be damned and
thirst into a place of torment when yon die?
You mmt leave what you have: if God do not
taike away what you have by some temporal
^calamity before^ be sure death will strip you of
all 7 and is it not better for you to part with it
yoiutielves to the just' owners, when this is the
ivay t» obtain pardon and peace, and an inheri*
4anee, wlnoh is of a thouattid-foki more value?
A&^ Ao not &ar but God will make provision
lor you whilst you abide in the world, if you
restllve to be hone^, and put your trust in him,
who hath the disposal of Uie earth and the fulness
thereof. Be righteous for the future; do not
swe#ve a batr irom the nile of right. " What ^oa
if^ould tba(t othera should do unto you, do uitlo
^lem :" this is K prindipie inscribed upon the
heart by nature, and <' tiiis ia the law and tbe
prophets," Matt. vii. Ig.
10. Hypocrites f turn ye from y&ar evil rvaife,
M^thinks the terrible voice of God should
afvighten 3^u, under your hypoorital shows,
atid outside devotionir; methinks you should now
bend your hearts to please the Lord, and approve
Digitized by VjUU^ It:
320 god's terrible voice
yourselves chiefly to hii»« who h«tl^ exprowd
80 much displeasure against siuners^ and i» most
highly offended with hypocrites. What good ipnji
a form do you, without the power of godHnesa?
what good wUl shows do yoa, wkhmit sinoeie
and substantial service? what bmiefit will yon
get by counterfeit graces, if your graces be not
real? If your repentance^ and faiSi^ and lov^
and the like, be feigned, how inefiectual will tbty
be to procure pavdoo, and peace, and salvation I
Are you conteat to lose aQ your bodSy esenisey
and to have all your heartless lifeless dotiea iise
up one day in judgaaent against you? Wbst
advantage will you get by a base profesuoe of
religion, especially in such tioAes when protesion,
if it be strict, is disoountenanoed, and profo a o ea ^
if their lamp shine with any brightness, «m1
they carry any great tail, expose thenuriwe to
danger? And if you have not sincerity, iNhiA
alone can yield you the true and sweet firMita of
religion, you are like to lose all, and of a&olhen
to make yourselves most miserdi>le; you muf
suffer from men because you have a pro fo eoi eo ^
and you will suffer from God, because you htM
no more than a profession: what then» should
you cast off your professioii 2 No; so yoa
would turn apostates, and may fidl into the atil
against the Holy Ghost, which will bring u^sit
you inevitable damnation; but iBf ikside yevr
hypocrisy, and become sincere: be that in trilth»
which yoa are in show; labour lor sincas^y in
regard of your state, and labour for nnoccitgp in
regard of your duties*
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IN THE CITY. 221
Sinners, God calls upon all of jou to turn from
fmr'^^fL w«y» ly^Histhiindering voice.
'^•i'Tithj presenify: let the time past be sufficient
M4iere{n you have fulfilled the desires of the fiesh
ati#)^iaiifd t go 'Hot a step forward in the way
\l^4in, 'lest JOU meet with destruction suddenly,
aiHl pet^sh without remedy.
' Ttorn urmerstdly ; say nofe of any sin, as Lot
idM ofZoar, *' It is a little one;" cast away all
your transgressions, and let no iniquity have
d^telnion over you ibr the fttture.
• T#m heartilif, from an inward principle of
hatr^ to sin, and love to God; and not from
4Mitward considerations, and merely upon the
«c6lkiot of sin's dreadful cdhsequents:
*'T^ttti C9nstantfy, and with full purpose of heart
^im§F^ife¥Sim unto your evil ways of sin any
- 1^. The Lord dotk expect, after such Judgments,
Skai London skordd seek Mm; that they should
hot-only turn from their evil -ways, bat also 'that
fhey should ''turn unto him that hath smitten
A«in, and seek the Lord of Hosts,'' Isa. ix. 15.
«We relKl,' Amos v. 2. ** The virgin of Israel is
felieny she in forsaken, and none to raise her
up :'*" wihereupon God caRs this duty, ver. 4 — 8.
'* Thti4 seith the Lord to' the house of Israel^
8eek ye me, and ye shall live; but seek not
Wft^j^li &e. Seek the Lord, and ye shall live,
IttsI 4ie break forth like fire in the house of Joseph^
atid devour, and there foe none to quench ; seek
him^h^ made the seven stars^ and Orion, and
ttirKicilhlbcf shadow of ^eath into the morning,
&c. the Lord is his name:^' and it follows.
2S2 G0D'» T&RmiBLB VOICE
mer. 15* ** 1% maj he the LenltwiU berifiaciHifl
imto the remnant o£ Joseph/^ And idbeiitllfis
duty h negleoted^ aee the thieirteiihig» rewi, 16.
«' Wailing riiaU be in aU t tPtets; aad theif shall
eaj in all the ht^ ways, Alas, alasf and 'they
ihall eall the hosbandtnen to maannngy aikd adiHi
as are skilful of lamentation, to wwling/^ And
now London is fallen, dotfa not tiie Lord call
upon them, that they would call upon him? aiid
aa they would torn away his anger, and premmt
their utter ruin, that tiiey would seek iitm wiio
can turn the shadow of deatih into the moiniBg,
and the blackest night of affliction into a day of
pro^rity and rejotdng.
London, seek the Loord, that ye nay Uve^^^t
there may be a reviring after the years lof atfch
death and ruins; seek the Lord» beforethe decree
. bring forth some other judgment, and ye pats
nway like chaff before the whirlwind, in- tlie day
of the Lord's fierce anger; it may be the Lord
will be gracious to the remnant of this gnsst
city* God expects that London shooM now
pray at another rate than heretofore they hsBt^e
done. It is said, Don. ix. IS. " All thai .evil
is come upon ea, yet m^e we not enr ^simyer
unto the Loid our God s'' and when «God had
oonsttmed Israd, because of their iniquiUes,. the
.prophet compHlnS) Isa« xltr. 7* " Thane is inane
-that . ealletb epon thy namei, that stirffeth'sp
himself to take hi^d of thee;'' Bad the pmyers
ef London beeA such as they shoKild have^ been,
fiuchas tfiey have been, the desolationsef Londea
might have been prevented: God es|seete> that
JLeudon^. uadcv aud^chastisemeiiita'ahoiild »^>Mur
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mtptsyen hethn him," Ita. nvi. 16. God
hath spoken terribly uiito tbem^ he expects that
ihejr Bhovld erf might^y onlo him. God expects
ttet London should meet hitn in die waj of his
judgments, not only with weepings ^r their sins^
timt they have provoked him unto so great dis*
pleasure, but abo with supplications for his
naereies* When Jacob was devoured, and his
dwelling place laid waste, P^aL Ixxix. 7> you
have their prayer, verses 8, 9, Ssc, *^ O remem*
Iwr not against us former iniquities; lot thy
tender mercies speedily prevent us, for we are
bfoaght very low t Help us, O Lord God of our
salvation, for the glory of thy name : deliver us,
and purge away our sins for thy name's sake."
And the church, under desolating jqdgments, doth
in^ pr&y^T express herself very pathetically, Isa.
Ixiii. 15, &c. *' Look down from heaven, and
foeboid from the habitation of thy holiness, and
thy glory: where is thy zeal, and thy strength,
the sounding of thy bowels? and thy mercies,
are tbey restrained? Doubtless, thou an our
Faaher, &c. We are thine ( return for thy ser-
vants' sake, &c. and chap. Ixtv. 9. ** Be not
wroth Tery sore> O Lord, nmtlier remember ini-
quity for ever ; behold, see, we beseech thee, we
are all thy people.^ God hath been pleading
and contending with Lemlon by his judgments,
mnd God doth lools that London i^onld plead with
hm in prayer for his mercies.
London^ seek the Lord of Hoits> who hath
dome forth egainistt you in battle^ and woiin^d
yeu' with* his sharp arvowsi, a(nd y€ft hath not laid
cioivni 'hie'weaMiie; get 10 your knees; hahg
224 god's terrible voice
about God's feet and arms; fill your mouths
with arguments to stay him in the course tsf^lt
judgments; let not the apple of yxmr eye cei^
from weeping, that you have displeased Itiitt;
and let not your tongue' cease' Drom humble and
eai^est entreaties, that ^le would par dort you, stlid
remove his displeasure from you.
Seek the Lord humblt/; pot youf raontWht'
the dust, if so be there may be any hope*- XJbif
hears the cry f if the humble, and will not des^?8^
their prayer, Psal. x. 17; Psat. cii. 17. ' '
Seek the Lord th/rgefOiy ; he hath promts^'to
be fbund of aH them that diligently seek him,.
Heb. xil 6. God looks for earnest, hearty, fervini
prayer r there h a sweet promise which Gfod m^Afes-
to his people^s prayers after his sore- judgments'
which he hai brought upon them, Jer. *itfetv
11— IS. "I know the thoughts, that I tWhk
towards you, saiththe Lord, thoughts ci 'i^t^iice,
and not of evil, to give you an expected ettd.
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye sball go;
and pray unto ine^ and 1 will hearken onto' you:
and ye shall seek me and find me,' when ye shall
search for me with all 3four' heart*"
' Seek the Lord heUcmngly ; mingle your prayers
with faith, and make use of- the medtslion of
Ghrtst; tliat you may prevail.
'II. God caUsnpon London^ bif the i3oic&^ Mst
Judgment, to prepare Jbt greater trmthtft^* Tlie
face of 'God seems to threaten greater trou^bles ;
d)ere* is little sign that God^s brow is smootbeiied
noNv, more than it was before the fire; ther^is
IHtle evidence of th<> appeasement of Gild's
>g0r; the fkce of ihe timts seems ^thMrten
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IN THE CITY. 225
gnater tEouULea: the doud over Londcm and
England is still very black, and seems to be
thid^er than it was before.
(1 .) Gocf 4 onfnveople are like to undergo greater
troubles: som^ of them have endured mudb, but
they are like to endure much more : tome of
them have suffered deeply, but they are like to
nsfier greater things more generally : they have
been brought low by affliction, but not so low
as others be ; when others of God's people are
strip! of all, they enjoy a comparative proa*-
perity ; they ace not so low as they deserve to
be; their Gospel^reproaching sins deserve te
greater severitiea: they are not so low aa thej
may have need to be ; they may need greater
troubles, to unite them more one to anomer in
their affeetions, to further their sanctification, to
wean and loosen them more from the world; to
hoipbfe them for, and purify them more from sin ;
to exercise and hrighti»i more their graces : tbqr
are not so low as poasib^ they must be bef<sre
they be exalted ; the night is the darkest before
the day breaks ; the storm ia the fiercest many
times in its last blast; and the afflictions 6i
God's people are the sorest before God gives
them deliverance; God lays his people most Ipw,
when he intends their highest exaltation : surely,
the expected shock is not yet over, and God's
peopk's most dreadful sufferings seem most
iminediately to be . thneatened, they seem to be
near, v^ry near, even at the doors. The intent
of the late judgments by plague and fire, seems
plainly ||;o be tor the fitting and preptudng of
them for more smart and heavy strokes. If God
226 god's terrible voice
had permitled those expeetetd sufiemigs tcr haw
eome upon them more suddenly, they might ha've
found them more unready; God hath given them
time to prepare, and awakening warnings to pre-
pare ; and when will they be ready to suffer like
ChriatianSy like Protestanta, if now they be not
ready?
(2.) The profane cmd wicked generaiion itt ikt
land, are like to endure greater troubles^ as halh
been shown, page 96 — 98, and when the storm
of God's anger 4loth break down upon tbem, are
there no drops likely to fall c^on London? It
not the whole hnd likely to be in dainger of mini
when God dodi deid with the un|podly.and wtdced
crew, whom he. spaces £br some time,, whflat he
puniaheth so severely the more righteous ? The
troubles of London have been great, bist medunki
it is evident, that London ia in dmger oi greater
troubles ; ther^re they hav«e need tO: make pre*
paration, which they have bad such awakening
calls unto. Some possibly may think the. bitter*
aess. of London's troubles is over, because their
troubles have been so bitter; that die dbiurp
winter cold is gone, wheait.waa soshaap imrtfae
midst of winter, and the sua had got tonaome
height; but Matxh^can bring in as oold nipping
frost as. December and January dtdii and when
the spring of prosperity is expected h^. «ome,
they may find the sliarpest part- of the wkiter of
troubles to be behind^ PreqMUte^ therefore^ London,
for greater troubles,
12. God doth expect thai Lottdon shmld ^Artut
no vwre in arms ^ flesh, biU iu hmoe^^ obame.
By these judgments God hath aheaim toLoBdm
IN THE CITY, 227
Uie'We^kneM and insiifBciency of arms of fitA,
what broken reeds they are. Some put their
trofit in men, and their great expectation of relief
and comfort hath been from their friends; by tiM
plague God hath ^ewn, how frail and weak man
is^ how Hke grasd^ or a flower, that quickly
withereth, or is cut down ; how like glass, or a
bul^ie, which is easiiy broken and vanisheth:
many have lost^ by the plague, their chief frienda
upon whom they have had all their dependanoe ;
and the Lord hath shewn how insufficient a
foundation man is for any one's trust and con-
fidence ; therefore he calleth aloud to London, to
** cease from mmi, whose bi«ath i»in his nostrils,
for wherein is he to be accounted of?" Isa. ii. M,
not to trust in *' any of the sons of men, in
whom Uiere is no help ;" and the reason is, be^
cause *' t^eir breath goet^ forth, and they return
to their dust ; in tiiat very day all then* dioughts
periidiy" Psal* cxlvl. 3, 4. Scwne put their trust
in their wealdi and riches, Pror. xviii. IK ''Hie
rich man's weahh is his dty, and a high wall is
bis own conceit." God hath by the fire, which
hatii consumed so much of the wealth of the dty,
shewn how insufficient a foundadon wealth is ibr
any mm's confidence ^ be*bath made it evtdent
tiwt riehes are unoartain, and that they fly away
walh eagles' wifigs, sometinoea whilst the owners
are looinng on : isray not that which is ttireatened;
Psal. lii« 5, 7> bespoken of many in London, that
God hath rooted some of them by the plague
out of the land of the living, plucked and forced
o^Mira out of dieir habitations by the foe, and
taken away their nUy luid prop* fVom them ; of
St8 god's T«ltBtB&8 VOICE
wtatki il nqp b«. nid, «^Jjo^ A«te a»^ Ihey duit
made Mt God tlim strengdi, biife* tnnted.m^be
atoodance of their ridM8» and strengAcnad
thematlvas in their wideeilBeia«"
London^ tmst no more in amu ofJitsh^Jiat
trait IB Ood aloM: «' It ie better to trust in the
Lord, than to put cenfidepee in men-; it is Wtter
to troet in the Lord, than to |mt eonfidenoe in
prinoet," PsaL cxviii. B» 9* Gnd Is kaoeksng off
yeor lingers from all tUi^ here bdow ; hie will
18 that yon shonid pnt yenr trust in him i wluch
is ene promised effect of great deeolatieoe and
afflieiions, that you should kbour after; Zepb.
vi.1%, ''IwiUalspkaireinthenNdstoftbaean
affiicted and poor people, and they shall troat in
the naoMof the Lord/' You were not so fi»rwaid
to trust in the Lord when you had greater abun-
dance; endeavour to trust in him^ neW you are
brought into greater penrerty and afflictioii z his
infinite power, wisdom^ loving klndnesSy hiBpm-
mise, truth, «id iaithfulness ate a stteng beetom
fiMr your trust and confidcBce in God* Jmet iii
Wm at all times* in the worst of tamesMriien
your denoer is greatest, he will be your *.' bdp
and sUeld/' Psal. obv« 1 ; he will be ywar raAige
under o pp w assi en, and " present help ixk time of
tMuble/' Psal. xhn.1 f he w»U be your fluek end
ibrtress, your hi^ tower to defend you, ov yeUr
deUvevsr t» i^adeeaa you out o€ aU your, jtmublss.
^ Trust us Ood ahme «M^^All Shioeai if yoa^nrtik^
use of creatures, do not lean and stay upm
tbem, feif thc(y wslLdip from usriuift y(iu> but
ttey yourselves en^God^ Qt the peaoa. aud^et
W^idi 4his- will yield in shakiugbr tnHibles0iQ«
I« TSft CtTY. 899
«nd BTC ma^ed lake Imvcs upcn tbe afiproMh cf
*• You diall not be «fraid of evil tidingi,
but have your hearts fixed, tnistii^ in tbe Loed^'^
Pttd. exii. 7.
IS. God doth egped that lAmdan shoM kmfe
dtaih in contnaud rmnembnmc e. This Ood ex*
poets horn the jndgaMnts of tbe plsgae, tbe deslh
of so many thousands a week in Londeut gave
flitch a spectade of mortality, and preadied sueb
a sermon in tbeeky, as should bring the remem-
brance of death into their adnds every day of
tbehr lives ; llie death, if it were but of one or
two, should put you in mind of your latter end ;
but when you have seen so many go do¥m into
the pit before you, it should inscribe the iwnem-
bninoe of death more deeply upon your mincb,
the record of whieh you ahould look daily into.
The gates of tbe city, in the jFcar oS the plague,
seemed to have this inscription upon them, ''All
fleili is grass;" let that wiird sound every day in
your ears, and remember your bodies are ex-
posed to the' stroke of death every darjr : -and
though you have ont-lived the plague, that yet
-death hath you in die chase, tmd wSl ^ore long,
(yoti know not how seen), overtake you : re-
member jFour glass is runaing, and will quioUy
be run out; md thetfefere ** 2Ui.tlie.days of tyom*
appointed time^'^ t^ yoo sboidd femembevv m. you
should ** prepare ibr your great cfaaoge/' Job,
xiv. 14.
Crod expeets that the remaining inhabitants of
London riiould be prepsMd weU te death noar,
wheh they have had deirtiisomQoh in their vssw;
230 god's TEAIUElBLE 70ICE
9ome d yoo lunnr been mk 0ft the ^plugut » 4nd
brought to the very r brink of the gti»re; ftU,«of
yott have been in danger of the pli^ue^ when the
dueaae was so sore and ragimg ; I feax oioB^of
you were unprepared lor death at that timcbi and
had yott died then, that- it would hav« been with
horror; aad I helieye ,th^. these are few< of yott
bttt did,; in the time„ of yeur fears and dfingvr^
make vows and proaaisesy if > thek Lord- WooU
shelter you from the arrows which flew about
you, and spare your lives then, that, you would
lead new lives, and be more careful to> prepare
for your change, so that death should not take
yon so unprovided any .laore : God ezpeeta 4he
iblfiUing ofyour promises; and that you .should
live up to the vows, which you made in the time
of your distress; and so provide yourselves
whilst you ave well, that (he messetigev ofdeath
may have a welcome reception, whenever he
snmmoneth you to leave this world*
14. God expects that London eiumld^ reimiu
great impreisions of eiemky* You have had the
door of eternity set wide open in ' yoisr ;¥iew,
when so many were throngung jn at the door,anil
I believe you had deeper apprehensions of:etcr!>
nity in those days, than ever you had in your
lives ; take heed* that those impressiona do not
wear off> and that you. lose not those apprehen-
sions, especially when you are drawii^ every day
nearer and nearer thereunto. Think often of the
vast ocean of eternity, without bottom or bapk ooi
the other side, into which the .whole. stream of
time will empty itself; and how quickly the
small riyulet of your appointed days may fall
IN -THV CITY* 331
hito k: Ihii^ trfbn «f tfaeuiwHerdliie itete <if
)oy or miserf^ which y<Mi mcMt enDer into atthd
•tid df yoor courte: think how Uiin and short
the ploasures of si» are in this lifb, in eompanson
df*the'hon*ibl« ind endless torments of hell; and
how ** light «nd meinentftry the affliolions of
GocUs people are here, in comparisoa witbthe
eoDceeding and eternal Weight of glory peepavsd
fiDrtheoi in heaven/' 2 Cor. xli. 7*
15. Qffd doik call upon LomUm by- ik€\fift
which burnt dMim ihe oitgf to seoure ihemsdveg
mgofttst theJifeofheiL London's fire was dread*
M, but tlie fire of hell' will be a thousand-Md.
Htere di«idfttk > The fii« of London was kindled
by man; be sare some -second eause was made
tf se of herein ; but the fire of hell will be kindled
hf God himself, Isa. xxx« 35. *< Tophet is or*
:^utied of old, for the king it is prepared, he hath
fliade it ideep and large ; the pile thereof is &te
and much wood, and the breath of the Lord,
like a stk-eam of branstone, doth kisdle it." The
fit% of London burnt the houses of the oity, and
eonsumed much of the gobds ; but the hm -of
he41 will burn the peraons of the widsed, Matt.
xr.4l, " Depart, ye cursed, ineto everlasting fire/'
The fire of London- did bum most, but not all,
Ito Houses' in the city ; eoliie: ave yet remainuig,
toot thefireiof hell will bam all the persons of the
widced, not one of them slMdl escape and ro>*
Alain. The fire of London was extisigat^ed«
and did last but four days ; but* the fire of hell
will be unextinguishable, it will burn for ever ; it
is called everlasting fire, in which the damned
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23% GOD*a TiAaxBU voics
muit lie and btirn eUmaUy, tritbdttft any po»*
dbiUty of ever getting forth. If you bad known
before of London's Sxe, wbeie it would be^^
and bow it would spread* and seise upon your
bouses, sorely you would bave taken some ooorse
fbrtheprerentionofit Yon know before of tbe
fire of bell ;tbe word of God hath revealed it: O
take some course for preventing of it» at least Ibr
securing of yourselves against it» When tbe firei
was baming in London you did fly from it» lest
it should have consumed your persons as well aa
houses : O fly from the Are of bdl, into wbidi
your persons will be thrown if you go on ki sin;
fly from the wrath which is to come; fly imlo
Jesus Christ, who alone can ddiver you.
16. God ddh call upon LondoBors by the-Jire^
io he like Grangers and piigrimi in Ae lOorkL
God hath burned you out of your babitatioiiSy
that he might lo6sen your afiections from hofaaea«
and riches, and all things here below ; thstt he
might unsettle yon, unhmge» unfix you, that yon
might never tUnk of rest and settlement in the
creatures, as long as you live. God etlh upon
yon by this judgment, to take off your hMrts
from ^is worid, which is so very uncertain^ aind
to be like stran^^rs and pilgiims upon the eardv
who are to take up your lodging here but a few
days and nights m your passage to the other
world. God expects you shouM live aa these
who have here no certain dwelling-place; and
therefore that yon should not lavuh away too
much of your thoughts, and affecdona, and timet
about these uncertain things, whkh are. of so
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IW TUB CIST. %83
sbmt a' oonHiQUince^/atid -with ivthick jpou caiioat
hate a loiij^ abode* God hath by his judgments
orocified the world Tery much before you, and he
expects that the woiid should be crucified in you.
Ood hath poured contempt upon the world, and
set a €nark of disgrace thereon : he hath cast dirt
upon the face, where you fancied before so much
beauty to lie; and he expects that you should
faH in esteem, and grow out of }ove with the
world, aud never go a whoring from him to the
(»«atures any- more.
17* G^ ocUk upon Loudon to make* him ikeir
hiMiaUon; Psalov xc. 1> '^Lord, thou hast been
dar dwelliiig^^laoe in all . generations." God is
the hiding'piace^ and he is the dn>eUing*place oi
his* pecipie ; you have lost your dwelling by the
fife, make God your habitation, and dwell in
htm, to whom you may have constant resor£, and
in wlii0m you may have a sure abode. Get pos«
session oi this bouse by your union to God
thvoughi his Sen; and when you are in, keep
pessession) abide in this houses do not wailder
fnMS him, and turn yonrselves out of doors, by
In^eaking of his household laws : make God yoiur
home, and labour to be much acquainted at
home ; spend your time vdth God, and give your
hearts to him : rest and repose yousselves in God
daily ; look for all youc provi£»ions in him, ai¥l
from him ; walk in him, and with him. Make
God your habitation.
18. God oaiUlh upon Loudon U) nek after an
abiding city^ Heb. xitL 14, .*' We have no con-
tinuing^yji but ¥ce jefitonevtQ.come«" . Londott
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234 god's ^AftlUBKE .TOICE
hgrti mmm U^ajtOm bmam^ Ihwr fwi icttJaBaJB
doibektter. Yau^lmw mMxlkm^iSa^Mlhj^
fiie» Mek After a dty whitthiialk HUie. i Matiug '
fippndatimigy «nd is oif Mich t^mmg buttdkqivlfait
neiUier tune cao wear 4iid i»CBlicn» nor flaniBft^
fire reocb and copw u ne* I mean the Hww Jobb^
sa&em, whidi is sbore^ the h — gsp iy cily, »haw
buUder end msker is God ; thsse are msMesniy
abiding places fi>r the 8aHils^J«linjnv«^ Hbklm
the wicked will caste fiam traaWngi^; and Abe
weaijr will be at rsst: seek ater Aisci^, khpn
§m. a title to it, ky iq» jroor tr«asure..iu.it,.get
yuarsifecticas set upon it { idp^eati tewdei^tiaess.
a Hade with hesveib which, in theisBiifl^.wiil
yield you the best returns. 'j,^\ ai*^ *-
19* Gad4hA eaepeei ihak Imim shvuM Mto-
to bitild iU 1ms0* The a^ect^iGe^hwiisev
IJbeUevf, hath beea a gicat.«MMQ.oi tiiefid^al
sa^nea^y hcsisssin tinfrcsly by firer .GadicwfaalB.
that IMW ym^ should eadaaviNir tbrbiiildi^af
his bouse; otherwifM^ I io nol ithiafci dMt Oedb
nfiil baild agqfo f om: hoiMesk .Ymi iji IwtiiiiSi:
Aotxxf Parliatpent for bniiding. the^tyyiychirt
workflMn abou(it^blKt imfesiMSnd dmwm^tibit^f
the buildiag will ntnrer gOKifoiwaii^; nalssssiWr
build die<»l8^ ^ werkMsa^wilUabpwiiwlvpn;
Bead and eeasider lbs p fef i ho s y o£.Hiyifcr^A<.
aboat the woijk of 4PiffWWStieii?iinssanrigMitwMlyi
especially; in the hinse and wefahip4if ^lady^ iy:*t
2a God dMk e9f^ iie^ LamUmmm^JmOkUb^
ffttffifff ^AssiiSJvAt' Aatl YawaiMf .an^o^ JUsi^ ^r Hbu
hnire bivikm y#iir baptimaal nnd 4
Go4ha|hi ~
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ioBAtHty ; now mn^vt yom vowt, gitetrf^ yovtt*-
aehievto God^ atKMieh him to be your God, and
ayooeh jnMmelveB ta be his people, and lire ao^
ooniiogljr* Take up Joshda'a resolution, that
whateiwr others in the land do, that yon and your
£unillea will eerve the Lord« - Make it yoar only
bannees in the world to serve God ; let religion
lunne ao influence upon aH your actions; do
netfaing without the warrant of God's precept ;
let your conversation be such as beconieth the
Goqiel; govern your families in the fear of
Oed; fill att your relatioiis with duty; learta
more righteousness by God's judgments, and be
qaiiekeBed by them unto a more holy and strict
walking.
JIOKd if you 3rield such fhtits as these, which
G«d expeoto after bis }doughing and harrowing
of you; if you open your ear to the *' Terrible
veiee of the LonT/' whieh ha^ uttefed itself* iir
the sity*^ and with full purpose of' heart aet
about tiw piuctice of the duties he expecte and
ciHslar; liMn you asay h<^ that be wvU yet
baild JOB up, and plant yoU^ that he will
cleitf ywir breaebe% sKid 9me up your iwinottflr
fauliilalBiHi; that he ^11 make you glad aecor-*
diagte the years whevein he hsui aflicted you,
aadEgiee yuu to see geod days, instead of those
eyii uducb you have seen and fcitrthen the
Lord wU xefDieB ever you tedo you good; and
mdie London like Mouitt Zien, where he will
piorit hia taiit^ end take igp Uahat^tstlon: then
be will eanpa« you dbout wiffa the bulwark of
jouL peevent iboee fiutber utieriy de*
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236 god's TS&aiBLB yoicb, &c.
solatitig judgments ndiich you are in danger of;
yea, the Lord will be as a *' wail of fire'' round
about you, and the glory in die midst of Ix>ndon,
from whence his praise and your fame shall sound
throughout the whole world.
Fims.
Seii Deo Gloria.
-5^.*^
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