London's lamentation, or, A serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation that turned our…

Secondly, There was among many Professors of the Gospel §2in London much luke-warmness and coldness in the things ⟨p. 58⟩of God, the City was full of luke-warm Laodiceans. The ¹love of many to God, to his people, to his ways, and to his instituted Worship, was cold, very cold, stark cold. God destroyed the old World by water for the heat of their lusts, and God has destroyed the City of London by fire for the coldness of their love that dwelt therein. I have read of Anastati•s the Emperor, how God shot him to death with a Thunder-bolt, because of his luke-warmness and formality. But,

1. 1Rev. 3. 16, 17. Math. 24. 12.

Thirdly, There was a great deal of worldliness and §3earthly-mindedness, and covetousness amongst the professing people of London. O Sirs! the world is all shadow and vanity, 'tis filia noctis, like Jonabs Gourd, a man may set ¹under its shadow for a time, but it soon decays and dyes. The main reason why many Professors dote upon the world, is, because they are not acquainted with a greater glory. Men ate Acorns till they were acquainted with the use of Wheat. The Load-stone cannot draw the Iron when the Diamond is in presence; and shall earthly vanities draw the Soul when Christ the Pearl of price is in presence? Many of the Professors of London were great Worshippers of the golden Calf, and therefore God is just in turning their golden Calf into ashes. The world may well be resembled to the fruit that undid us all, which was fair to the sight, smooth in handling, sweet in taste, but deadly in effect and operation. The world in all its bravery is no better then the Cities which Solomon gave to Hiram, which he called Cabul,