A29696:208
London's lamentation, or, A serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation that turned our…
London's lamentation, or, A serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation that turned our (once renowned) city into a ruinous heap also the several lessons that are incumbent upon those whose houses have escaped the consuming flames / by Thomas Brooks.
London: printed for John Hancock and Nathaniel Ponder, 1670
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Look upon the Birds of prey, as upon Eagles, Vultures, Hawks, and you shall never find them preying upon their own kind. Look upon the wild Beasts of the Forest, as upon the Lyon, the Tiger, the Wolf, the Bear, &c. and you shall find them favourable to them of their o•n kind; and yet men unnaturally prey upon one another, like the fish in the Sea, the great swallowing up the small. 'Tis a sin against that great and common Rule of Equity, Math. 7. 12. All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them. Now no man in his wits would have another to wrong and oppress him in his Estate, Name, or Conscience; and therefore he should not wrong or oppress others in their Estates, Names, or Consciences: and therefore no wonder, if God punishes this sin with flames of fire. 'Tis thy oppressors, O London! that has turned thy glory into ashes.
Look upon the Birds of prey, as upon Eagles, Vultures, Hawks, and you shall never find them preying upon their own kind. Look upon the wild Beasts of the Forest, as upon the Lyon, the Tyger, the Wolf, the Bear, &c. and you shall find them favourable to them of their o•n kind; and yet men unnaturally prey upon one another, like the fish in the Sea, the great swallowing up the small. 'Tis a sin against that great and common Rule of Equity, Math. 7. 12. All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them. Now no man in his wits would have another to wrong and oppress him in his Estate, Name, or Conscience; and therefore he should not wrong or oppress others in their Estates, Names, or Consciences: and therefore no wonder, if God punishes this sin with flames of fire. 'Tis thy oppressors, O London! that has turned thy glory into ashes.
Now this insolent oppressing of the poor, is a sin that I cannot make good against the people of God, that did truly fear him in that great City. 'Tis a sin they have often be wailed and lamented before the Lord in their solemn Addresses to God. Where this sin is rampant, where it rules as a Prince upon the Throne, 'tis a clear evidence that th fear of the Lord is not in such mens hearts,