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.
Thomas Brooks 1608–1680London: printed for John Hancock and Nathaniel Ponder, 1670
[28], 168, 271 p. · 184k words · Wing B4950 · ESTC R24240
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.
Thirdly, The fire that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah did §3consume ⟨p. 89⟩sume not only places, but persons; not only houses, but inhabitants; but in the midst of London's flames, God was a 1wall of fire about the Citizens, in that day of his fiery indignation, he was very tender of the lives of his people. Though the Lumber was burnt, yet God took care of his Treasure, of his Jewels; to wit, the lives of his people. But having spoken before more largely of this particular; let this touch now suffice.
Thirdly, The fire that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah did §3consume ⟨p. 89⟩sume not only places, but persons; not only houses, but inhabitants; but in the midst of Londons flames, God was a 1wall of fire about the Citizens, in that day of his fiery indignation, he was very tender of the lives of his people. Though the Lumber was burnt, yet God took care of his Treasure, of his Jewels; to wit, the lives of his people. But having spoken before more largely of this particular; let this touch now suffice.
. For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people, is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands
stayed on her. Sodom and Gomorrah sustained no long siege from foreign forces, neither were they kept long in sorrows and sufferings, in pains and misery, but th•y were quickly and suddenly, and instantly dispatched out of this world into another world. Men had no hand in the destroying of Sodom, no mortal instrument did co-operate in that work. God by his own immediate power, overthrew them in a moment. Sodom was very strangely, suddenly, and unexpectedly, turned upside down, as in a moment, by Gods own hand, without the help of armed Soldiers: Whereas the Chaldeans Armies continued for a long time in the Land of Judah, and in Jerusalem, vexing and plaguing the poor people of God. Now in this respect, the punishment of the Jews, was a greater punishment, than the punishment of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment. But that fire that has turned London into a heap of ashes, was such a fire, that was carried on gradually, and that lasted four days. God giving the Citizens time to mourn over their sins, to repent to lay hold on everlasting strength, and to m•ke peace with God. But,
Fourthly, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire suddenly §4and unexpectedly; they were destroyed by fire in a moment, Lam. 4. 6. For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my pe•ple, is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands 1stayed on her. Sodom and Gomorrah sust•ined no long siege from forreign forces, neither were they kept long in sorrows and sufferings, in pains and misery, but th•y were quickly and suddenly, and instantly dispatched out of this world into another world. Men had no hand in the destroying of Sodom, no mortal instrument did co-operate in that work. God by his own immediate power, overthrew them in a moment. Sodom was very strangely, suddenly, and unexpectedly, turned upside down, as in a moment, by Gods own hand, without the help of armed Souldiers: Whereas the Chaldeans Armies continued for a long time in the Land of Judah, and in Jerusalem, vexing and •laguing the poor people of God. Now in this respect, the punishment of the Jews, was a greater punishment, than the punishment of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment. But that fire that has turned London into a heap of ashes, was such a fire, that was carried on gradually, and that last•d four dayes. God giving the Citizens time to mourn over their sins, to repent to lay hold on everlasting strength, and to m•ke peace with God. But,
1The Judgements of God upon the Jews, were so great, that they exceeded all credit amongst their neighbour Nations.The Judgemen•s of God upon the Jews, were so great, that they exceeded all credit amongst their neighbour Nations.
Fifthly and lastly, Sodoms and Gomorrah's Judgement, is §5termed Eternal fire; which expression, as it refers to th•1places themselves, do import, that they were irrecoverable destroyed by fire; so as that they shall lye eternally waste. Those monstrous sinners of Sodom, had turned the glory of ⟨p. 90⟩God into shame; and therefore God will turn them both into a Hell here, and a Hell hereafter. God will punish unusual sinners with unusual Judgements. The punishment by this fire is lasting, yea, everlasting: 'tis a standing monument 2of Gods high displeasure. We never read, that ever God repented himself of the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah; those Cities are under a perpetual destruction; and so shall continue to the end of the world, if we will give credit to Authors of great credit and reputation. It well 3becomes the wisest and best of Christians, seriously to consider, how God setteth forth the destruction of his Churches enemies, Isa. 34. 8, 9, 10, 11. For it is the day of the Lords Vengeance, and the year of recompenses; for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into Pitch, and the dust thereof into Brimstone; and the Land thereof shall become burning Pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day: the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lye waste, none shall pass through it for ever and ever. But the Cormorant and the Bittern shall possess it; the Owl also and the Raven shall dwell in it; and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. In these words, you have a rhetorical description, of that extreme devastation that God will bring upon the enemies of the Church, in way of allusion to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. But I hope L•ndons doom is not such; for God has given to thousands of her inhabitants a Spirit of Grace and Supplication: 4which is a clear evidence, that at the long run, they shall certainly carry the day with God. I have faith enough to believe, that God will give London's mourners, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness. And that London may yet be called 5a City of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
Fifthly and lastly, Sodoms and Gomorrahs Judgement, is §5termed Eternal fire; which expression, as it refers to th•1places themselves, do import, that they were irrecoverabl• destroyed by fire; so as that they shall lye eternally waste. Those monstrous sinners of Sodom, had turned the glory of ⟨p. 90⟩God into shame; and therefore God will turn them both into a Hell here, and a Hell hereafter. God will punish unusual sinners with unusual Judgements. The punishment by this fire is lasting, yea, everlasting: 'tis a standing monument 2of Gods high displeasure. We never read, that ever God repented himself of the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah; those Cities are under a perpetual destruction; and so shall continue to the end of the world, if we will give credit to Authors of great credit and reputation. It well 3becomes the wisest and best of Christians, seriously to consider, how God setteth forth the destruction of his Churches enemies, Isa. 34. 8, 9, 10, 11. For it is the day of the Lords Vengeance, and the year of recompences; for the controversie of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into Pitch, and the dust thereof into Brimstone; and the Land thereof shall become burning Pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day: the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lye waste, none shall pass through it for ever and ever. But the Cormorant and the Bittern shall p•ss•ss it; the Owle also and the Raven shall dwell in it; and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptin•ss. In these words, you have a rhetorical description, of that extream devastation that God will bring upon the enemies of the Church, in way of allusion to the destruction of Sodom and Gomo•rah. But I hope L•ndons doom is not such; for God has given to thousands of her inhabitants a Spirit of Grace and Supplication: 4
I hope that God will one day say to London, Arise, shine, for the light is come, and the glory of the Lord is 1risen upon thee, the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. By what has been said, 'tis evident enough, that there has been a great mixture of mercy in that fiery dispensation, that has past upon London. And ⟨p. 91⟩therefore why should not this consideration bear up the hearts of the people of God, from fainting and sinking under their present calamity and misery. But,
The tenth Support to bear up the hearts of the people of 1God, under the late fiery dispensation, is this, viz; That there are worse Judgements, than the Judgement of fire, which God might, but has not infl•cted upon you. Let me evidence the truth of this in these five particulars.
First, The bloody Sword is a more dreadful Judgement, §1than that of fire. Fire may consume a mans house, and his estate; but the Sword cuts off a mans life. Now at what a poor rate, do men value the whole world, when it stands in competition with their lives. He very well knew, that man was a very great life lover, who said, Skin for skin (or 1skin upon skin) and all that a man hath, will he give for his life. God might have brought upon England, I, and upon London too, the Sword of a foreign enemy, as he did upon Jerusalem and the Land of Judea. In that one only City of Jerusalem, during the time or the siege by Vespasians Armies, which 2were made up of Romans, Syrians and Arabians, there died and were killed, a thousand thousand. At this time there were slain in all Judea, in several places, to the number of twelve hundred and forty thousand Jews. The whole City of Jerusalem flowed with blood, insomuch that many parts of the City that were set on fire, were quenched by the blood of them that were slain. In seventeen years time the Carthaginian War only in Italy, Spain and Sicily, consumed and wasted, fifteen hundred thousand men. The Civil Wars between Pompey and Caesar, swallowed down three hundred thousand men. Caius Caesar did confess it, and gloried in it, that eleven hundred ninety and two thousand men were killed by him in Wars. Pompey the great writ upon Minerva's Temple, that he had scattered, chased and killed twenty hundred eighty and three thousand men. Q. Fabius killed an hundred and ten thousand of the Gauls. C. Marius put to the sword two hundred thousand of the Cimbrians. Aetius in that memorable battle of Catalonia, slew an hundred ⟨p. 92⟩sixty and two thousand Huns. Who can number up the many thousands, that have fallen by the bloody sword in Europe, from the year 1620 to this year 1667. Ah London, London, thy Streets might have flowed with the blood of the ••am; as once the Streets of Jerusalem, Paris, and others have done. Whilst the fire was a devouring thy stately •ouses a•d Palaces, a Foreign Sword might have been a destroying thine inhabitants. Whilst the furious flames were • consuming thy goods, thy wares, thy substance, thy riches, a close and secret enemy, spirited, counselled, and animated from Rome and H•ll, might have risen up in the midst of the•;
First, The bloody Sword is a more dreadful Judgement, §1than that of fire. Fire may consume a mans house, and his estate; but the Sword cuts off a mans life. Now at what a poor rate, do men value the whole world, when it stands in competition with their lives. He very well knew, that man was a very great life lover, who said, Skin for skin (or 1skin upon skin) and all that a man hath, will he give for his life. God might have brought upon England, I, and upon London too, the Sword of a forreign enemy, as he did upon Jerusalem and the Land of Judea. In that one only City of Jerusalem, during the time or the siege by Vespasians Armies, which 2were made up of Romans, Syrians and Arabians, there died and were killed, a thousand thousand. At this time there were slain in all Judea, in several places, to the number of twelve hundred and forty thousand Jews. The whole City of Jerusalem flowed with blood, insomuch that many parts of the City that were set on fire, were quenched by the blood of them that were slain. In seventeen years time the Carthaginian War only in Italy, Spain and Sicily, consumed and wasted, fifteen hundred thousand men. The Civil Wars between Pompey and Caesar, swallowed down three hundred thousand men. Caius Caesar did confess it, and gloried in it, that eleven hundred ninety and two thousand men were killed by him in Wars. Pompey the great writ upon Minerva's Temple, that he had scattered, chased and killed twenty hundred eighty and three thousand men. Q. Fabius killed an hundred and ten thousand of the Gauls. C. Marius put to the sword two hundred thousand of the Cimbrians. Aetius in that memorable battle of Catalonia, slew an hundred ⟨p. 92⟩sixty and two thousand Hunnes. Who can number up the many thousands, that have fallen by the bloody sword in Europe, from the year 1620 to this year 1667. Ah London, Lond•n, thy Streets mig•t have flowed with the blood of the ••am; as once the Str•ets of Jerusalem, Paris, and others have done. Whilst the fire was a devouring thy stately •ouses a•d Palaces, a Forreign Sword might have been a destroying thine inhabitants. Whilst the furious flames were • consuming thy goods, thy wares, thy substance, thy riches, a close and secret enemy, spirited, counselled, and animated from Rome and Hll, might have risen up in the midst of the;
that might have mingled together the blood of Husbands and Wives, and the blood of Parents and Children, and the blood of Masters and Servants, and the blood of rich and poor, and the blood of the honourable with the blood of the vile. Now had this been thy doom, O London (which many feared, and others expected) what a dreadful day would that have been! 'Tis better to see our houses on fire, then to see our Streets running down with the blood of the slain. But,
Secondly, God might have inflicted the Judgement of famine §2upon London; which is a more dreadful Judgement, 1than that of fire. How sad would that day have been, O London, if thou hadst been so sorely put to it, as to have taken up that sad lamentation of weeping Jeremiah, Mine eyes do fail with tears: my bowels are trou•led, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people: because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets. They say to 2their Mothers, where is corn and wine, when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the City. When their soul was poured into their Mothers bosom. Arise, cry out in the night: in the 3beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands towards him, for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger, in the top of every street. Shall the woman eat her fruit, and children of a span 4long. The tongue of the suckling child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man 5breaketh it unto them. They that did feed delicately, are desolate ⟨p. 93⟩in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills. Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter 6than milk, they were more ruddy in the body than •ubies: their polishing was of Sapphire. Their visage is blacker than a coal: 7they are not known in the streets; their skin cleaveth to their bones: it is withered, it is become like a stick. They that be slain with the sword, are better than they that be slain with 8hunger: for th•se pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field. The hands of the pitiful women have sodden 9their own children, they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people. We have drunken our water for money, 10our wood is sold unto us. We have given the hand to the Egyptians and Assyrians to be satisfied with bread. We gat our bread with the peril of our lives, because of the sword of the 11Wilderness. Our skin was black like an Oven, because of the terrible 12famine. So great was the famine in Jerusalem, that a Bushel of Wheat was sold for a talent, which is six hundred Crowns, and the dung and raking of the City Sinks was held good commons: and such pinching necessities were they under, that they acted against all pi•ty, honesty, humanity, &c.
Secondly, God might have inflicted the Judgement of famine §2upon London; which is a more dreadful Judgement, 1than that of fire. How sad would that day have been, O London, if thou hadst been so sorely put to it, as to have taken up that sad lamentation of weeping Jeremiah, Mine eyes do fail with tears: my bowels are trou•led, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people: because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets. They say to 2their Mothers, where is corn and wine, when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the City. When their soul was poured into their Mothers bosom. Arise, cry out in the night: in the 3beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands towards him, for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger, in the top of every street. Shall the woman eat her fruit, and children of a span 4long. The tongue of the suckling child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man 5breaketh it unto them. They that did feed delicately, are desolate ⟨p. 93⟩in the streets: they that were brought up in skarlet embrace dunghils. Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter 6than milk, they were more ruddy in the body than •ubies: their polishing was of Sa•hir. Their visage is blacker than a coal: 7they are not known in the streets; their skin cleaveth to their bones: it is withered, it is become like a stick. They that be slain with the sword, are better than they that be slain with 8hunger: for th•se pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field. The hands of the pitiful women have sodden
Women did eat their children of a span long: yea, the hands of pitiful women did boil their own children; and men eat one other: yea, many did eat the flesh of their own arms, according to what the Lord had long before threatened, Isa. 9. 19, 20. Through the wrath of the Lord 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 the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh off his own arm. In the Reign of William the first, there was so 1great a D•ar•h and famine, especially in Northumberland, that men were glad to eat Horses, Dogs, Cats and Rats, and what else is most abhorrent to nature. In Honorius's Reign, there was such a scarcity of all manner of provision in Rome, that men were even afraid of one another; and the common voice that was heard in the K•rk, was, Pone pretium humanae carni: Set a price on mans flesh. In Italy when it was wasted by the Goths, under Justinian, the famine was so ⟨p. 94⟩great, that in Picene only, fifty thousand persons died with hunger: and not only mans flesh was made meat of, but the very excrements of men also. In the Reign of Hubid King of Spain, there was no rain for six and twenty years together, so that the drought was so great, that all the Fountains and Rivers, except Iber and Be•is were dried up; so that the earth gaped in several places, that whole fields were parted; and that many who had thought to have fled into other parts, were hindered, and could no• get passage over these fearful openings of the earth. Hereby Spain, especially those places nearest the Mediterranean Sea, being stripped naked of all Herbs▪•nd the glory of Trees being d•y•d up (except a f•w T•ees which were preserved upon the banks of the River Betis) men and Beasts being consumed with thirst and famine, was •urned by this Judgement, into a miserable solitude and Wilderness. The Royal line of the Kings, was by this means 2extinct: and the poorer sort of men, whose means were short, and provision small, went into other places, as they could conveniently, and with all sp•ed, not being able to stand or stay out this six and twenty years misery. In the 3Pel•ponn•s•an War, at Potidea, men eat one another.
Women did eat their children of a span long: yea, the hands of pittiful women did boyl their own children; and men eat one other: yea, many did eat the flesh of their own arms, according to what the Lord had long before threatned, Isa. 9. 19, 20. Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, is the Land darkned: and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh off his own arm. In the Reign of William the first, there was so 1great a D•ar•h and famine, especially in Northumberland, that men were glad to eat Horses, Dogs, Cats and Rats, and what else is most abhorrent to nature. In Honorius's Reign, there was such a scarcity of all manner of provision in Rome, that men were even afraid of one another; and the common voice that was heard in the K•rk, was, Pone pretium humanae carni: Set a price on mans flesh. In Italy when it was wasted by the Goths, under Justinian, the famine was so ⟨p. 94⟩great, that in Picene only, fifty thousand persons died with hunger: and not only mans flesh was made meat of, but the very excrements of men also. In the Reign of Hubid King of Spain, there was no rain for six and twenty years together, so that the drought was so great, that all the Fountains and Riv•rs, except Iber and Be•is were dried up; so that the earth gaped in several places, that whole fields were parted; and that many who had thought to have fled into other parts, were hindered, and could no• get passage over these fearful openings of the earth. Hereby Spain, especially those places nearest the Mediterranean Sea, being stripped naked of all Herbs▪•nd the glory of Trees being d•y•d up (ex•ept a f•w T•ees which were preserved upon the banks of the River Betis) men and Beasts being consumed with thirst and famine, was urned by this Jdgement, into a misrable solitude and Wilderness. The Royal line of the Kings, was by this means
1S•. Richard Bak••s Chronocle. p. 26.S•. Ric•a•d Bak••s Chronocle. p. 26.
2All these things do the Histories of Spain report.
When Utica was besieged by Hamilcar the Father of Hannibal, men 1at one another, the famine was so great amongst them. At Antioch in Syria, many of the Christians (in the Holy War) 2through famine, devoured the dead bodies of the late slain enemies. At the siege of Scodra, Horses were dainty meat; yea, th•y were glad to eat Dogs, Cats, Rats, and the skins of beasts sod. A little Mouse, and Puddings made of Dogs 3guts, was sold at so great a price, as exceeds all credit. When Hannibal besieged Cassilinum, the famine was so great, that 4a Mouse was sold for two hundred groats, that is, for three pound eighteen shillings and eight pence. That was a sore famine in Samaria, when an Asses head was sold for 5eighty pieces of silver; that is, say some, for four or five pound: Others say ten; for a shekel of silver was with the Jews, as much as two shillings six pence with us: by this account, an Asses head was sold for ten pound sterling. In Edward the Seconds time, Anno 1316. There was so ⟨p. 95⟩great a famine, that horses, dogs, yea, men and children were stolen for food, and the Thieves newly brought into the 6Gaols, were •orn in pieces, and eaten presently, half alive by such as had been longer there. In War, Oppression, Captivity, and many other calamities, much of the hand of man is to be seen, but Famine is a deep, evident and apparent Judgement, which God himself brings upon the sons of men, by his own high hand. Many, or most of those calamities that are brought upon us by humane means, are avoidable by humane helps: but famine is that comprehensive Judg•ment, that the highest power on earth cannot help against. If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? 7out of the barn floor, or out of the Wine-press? said the King of Israel in the famine of Samaria. Ah London, London, if the Lord had inflicted upon thy inhabitants this sore Judgement of famine, making the Heavens as Iron, and the Earth as Brass. 8If the Lord had cut off all thy delightful and necessary provisions, and thy Citizens had been forced to eat one another, or every one to eat the flesh of his own arms, and the fruit of his own body; how dismal would thy condition have been.
When Ʋtica was besieged by Amilcar the Father of H•nnibal, men 1at one another, the famine was so great amongst them. At Antioch in Syria, many of the Christians (in the Holy War) 2through famine, devoured the dead bodies of the late slain enemies. At the siege of Scodra, Horses were dainty meat; yea, th•y were glad to eat Dogs, Cats, Rats, and the skins of beasts sod. A little Mouse, and Puddings made of Dogs 3guts, was sold at so great a price, as exceeds all credit. When H•nnibal besieged Cassilinum, the famine was so great, that 4a Mouse was sold for two hundred groats, that is, for three pound eighteen shillings and eight pence. That was a sore famine in Samaria, when an Asses head was sold for 5eighty pieces of silver; that is, say some, for four or five pound: Others say ten; for a shekel of silver was with the Jews, as much as two shillings six pence with us: by this account, an Asses head was sold for ten pound sterling. In Edward the Seconds time, Anno 1316. There was so ⟨p. 95⟩great a famine, that horses, dogs, yea, men and children were stoln for food, and the Thieves newly brought into the 6Gaols, were •orn in pieces, and eaten presently, half alive by such as had been longer there. In War, Oppression, Cap•ivity, and many other calamities, much of the hand of man is to be seen, but Famine is a deep, evident and app•ren• Judgement, which God himself brings upon the sons of men, by his own high hand. Many, or most of those calamities that are brought upon us by humane means, are avoidable by humane helps: but famine is that comprehensive Judg•ment, that the highest power on earth cannot help against. If the Lord do not help thee, whence shal I help thee?
Certainly such as have been swept away by the raging Pestilence ashore, and such as have been slain by the bloody sword at Sea, might very well be counted happy in comparison of those who should live and die under that lingering Judgement of a famine. Doubtless famine is a sorer Judgement, than either Sword, Fire, or Pestilence. There be many deaths in a Dearth. Famine is the top of all humane calamities: as Basil termeth it: extreme hunger hath made Mothers Murderers, and so turned the Sanctuary of life into the Shambles of death.
Certainly such as have been swept away by the raging Pestilence ashore, and such as have been slain by the bloody sword at Sea, might very well be counted happy in comparison of those who should live and die under that lingering Judgement of a famine. Doubtless famine is a sorer Judgement, than either Sword, Fire, or Pestilence. There be many deaths in a Dearth. Famine is the top of all humane calamities: as B•sil termeth it: extream hunger hath made Mothers Murtherers, and so turned the Sanctuary of life into the Shambles of death.
Thirdly, God might have overturned London and her inhabitants §3in a moment by some great and dreadful Earthquake, as he hath done several great, rich, strong and populous 1Cities and Towns in former times. Under Tiberius the Emperor, thirteen Cities of Asia fell down with an Earth-quake: and six under Trajan; and twelve under Constantine. In Campania, Ferraria in Italy 1569. in the space of forty hours, by reason of an Earthquake, many Palaces, ⟨p. 96⟩2Temples and houses were overthrown, with the loss of many a man, the loss amounting to forty hundred thousand pounds. In the year 1171. there was such a mighty Earthquake, that the City Tripolis, and a great part of Damascus in Antiochia, and Hul•ipre, the chief City in the Kingdom of Loradin, and other Cities of the Sarac•n•, either perished utterly, or were wonderfully defaced. In the year 1509. in •he mon••h of September, the•e was so great an Earthquake at 3Constantinople, tha• there were th•rt••• thousand men destroyed by it, and […] City m•s•r•bly shattered and •u•ned by it. In t•e […] •f Henry the first, the earth moved with so great a […] many buildings were shaken down; 4and M•lm•sbu•• […] ▪•hat the house wherein he sate, was lifted up wi•• a […], and at in third time settled again in the p••p•r pla•e. Also in divers places it yielded forth a hid•o•• no i•, and cast ••rth fl•mes▪ In Lombardy there was •n Earthquake that continued forty days, and removed a Town ••to the place where it stood, a great way off. In 5the elev•n•• year of the Reign of King Henry the second, on the six and twentieth d•y of January, was so great an Earthquake, 6in Ely, Norfolk, and Suffolk, that it overthrew them that stood upon their feet, and made the Bells to ring in the Steeples. In the four and twentieth year of his Reign, in the Territory of Darlington, in the Bishopwrick of Durham, the earth lifted up her self in the manner of an high Tower, and so rem•i•ed unmoveable from morning till evening, and then fell with so horrible a noise, that it frighted the inhabitants thereabouts, and the earth swallowing it up, made there a deep pit, which is seen at this day: for a testimony whereof, Leland saith, he saw the Pits there, commonly cal•ed 7Hell-Kettles. In the year 1666.
Thirdly, God might have overturned London and her inhabitants §3in a moment by some great and dreadful Earthquake, as he hath done several great, rich, strong and populous 1Cities and Towns in former times. Under Tiberius the Emperour, thirteen Cities of Asia fell down with an Earth-quake: and six under Trajan; and twelve under Constantine. In Campania, Ferraria in Italy 1569. in the space of forty hours, by reason of an Earthquake, many Palaces, ⟨p. 96⟩2Temples and houses were overthrown, with the loss of many a man, the loss amounting to forty hundred thousand p•unds. In the year 1171. there was such a mighty Earthquake, that the City Tripolis, and a great part of Damascus in Antiochia, and Hul•ipre, the chief City in the Kingdom of Loradin, and other Cities of the Sarac•n•, either per•sh•d utterly, or were wonder•ul•y defac•d. In the year 1509. in •he mon••h of September, the•e was so g•eat an Earthquake at 3Constantinople, tha• there were th•rt••• thousand men destroyed by it, and 〈…〉 City m•s•r•bly shattered and •u•ned by it. In t•e 〈…〉 f Heny the first, the earth moved with so great a many uildings were shaken down;
the C•ty of Raguz• was overthrown by a most dreadful Earthquake, and all the inhabitants (which were many thousands) except a few hundred were destroyed, and buried in the ruins of that City. At B•rn, Anno 1584. near unto which City a certain Hill, carried violently beyond and over other Hills, is reported by Polanus (who lived in those parts) to have covered a whole 1Village that had ninety families in it, one half house only excepted, ⟨p. 97⟩wherein the Master of the Family, with his Wife and Children, were earnestly calling upon God. Oh the terror of the Lord! and Oh the power of fervent prayer. At Pleures in Rhetia, Anno 1618. Aug. 25. the whole Town was overcovered 2with a Mountain, which with its most swift motion, oppressed fifteen hundred. In the days of Uzziah King 3of Judah, there was such a terrible Earthquake, that the people with fear and horror fl•d from it. Z•ch. 14. 5. Yea, ye shall flee like as ye fl•d from before the Earthquake in the days of Uzziah King of Judah. The Jewish Doctors affirm, that this amazing Earthquake fell out, just at that instant time, when Uzziah offered Incense, and was therefore smitten with a Leprosy: but this is but their conjecture. However this dreadful Earthquake was an horrible sign and presage of Gods wrath to that sinful people. Josephus tells us, that by 4it, half a great hill was removed out of its place, and c• ried four furlongs another way; so that the High-way was obstructed, and the Kings Gardens utterly marred. The 5same Author further tells us, that at that time, that Caesar and Anthony made trial of their Titles in the Actian War, (and in the seventh year of the Reign of King Herod) there happened such an Earthquake in the Country of Judea, that never the like was seen in any other place: so that divers Beasts were slain thereby, and that ten thousand men were overwhelmed and destroyed in the ruins of their houses. The same Author saith, that in the midst of the Action War 6about the beginning of the Spring time, there happened so great an Earthquake, as slew an infinite multitude of Beasts, and thirty thousand people: yet the Army had no harm, for it lay in the open Field.
the C•ty of Raguz• was overthrown by a most dreadful Earthquake, and all the inhabitants (which were many thousands) except a few hundred were destroyed, and buried in the ruines of that City. At B•rn, Anno 1584. near unto which City a certain Hill, carried violently b•yond and over other Hills, is reported by Polanus (who lived in those parts) to have covered a whole 1Village that had ninety families in it, one half house only excepted, ⟨p. 97⟩wherein the Master of the Family, with his Wife and Children, were earnestly calling upon God. Oh the terror of the Lord! and Oh the power of servent prayer. At Pleures in Rhetia, Anno 1618. Aug. 25. the whole Town was overcovered 2with a Mountain, which with its most swift motion, oppressed fif•een hundred. In the dayes of Ʋzziah King 3of Judah, there was such a terrible Earthquake, that the people with fear and horror fl•d from it. Z•ch. 14. 5. Yea, ye shall flee liko as ye fl•d from before the Earthquake in the dayes of Uzziah King of Judah. The J•wish Doctors affirm, that this amazing Earthquake fell out, just at that instant time, when Ʋzziah offered Incense, and was therefore smitten with a Leprosie: but this is but their conjecture. However this dreadful Earthquake was an horrible sign and presage of Gods wrath to that sinful people. Josephus tells us, that by 4it, half a great hill was removed out of its place, and c• ried four furlongs another way; so that the High-way was obstructed, and the Kings Gardens utterly marred. The 5same Author further tells us, that at that time, that Caesar and Anthony made tryal of their Titles in the Actian War, (and in the seventh year of the Reign of King Herod) there happened such an Earthquake in the Countrey of Judaea, that never the like was seen in any other place: so that divers Beasts were slain thereby, and that ten thousand men were overwhelmed and destroyed in the ruines of their houses. The same Author saith, that in the midst of the Action War
Upon the report of this dreadful Earthquake, and the effects of it, the Arabians were so highly encouraged, that they entered into Judea, supposing that there were no men left alive to resist them, and that they should certainly conquer the Country: and before their coming, they slew the Ambassadors of the Jews that were sent unto them. Ah London, London, if the Lord had by some terrible Earthquake utterly overthrown thee, and buried all thy inhabitants under thy ruins (as he hath ⟨p. 98⟩dealt by many Cities and Citizens, both in former, and in these latter times) how dreadful would thy case then have been, ov•r what now it is. Certainly such Earthquakes as over whelm both Cities and Citizens, are far greater Judgements, than such a fire, or fires, that only consumes mens houses, but never hu•ts their persons. God might have inflicted this sore Judgement upon thee, O London, but he has not; therefore it concerns thee to be still a crying Grace, Grace. But,
Upon the report of this dreadful Earthquake, and the effects of it, the Arabians were so highly encouraged, that they entered into Judea, supposing that there were no men left alive to resist them, and that they should certainly conquer the Countrey: and before their coming, they slew the Embassadors of the Jews that were sent unto them. Ah London, London, if the Lord had by some terrible Earthquake utterly overthrown thee, and buried all thy inhabitants under thy ruines (as he hath ⟨p. 98⟩dealt by many Cities and Citizens, both in former, and in these latter times) how dreadful would thy case then have been, ov•r what now it is. Certainly such Earthquakes as over whelm both Cities and Citizens, are far greater Judgements, than such a fire, or fires, that only consumes mens houses, but never hu•ts their persons. God might have inflicted this sore Judgement upon thee, O London, but he has not; therefore it concerns thee to be still a crying Grace, Grace. But,
Fourthly, God might have inflicted that Judgement, both §4upon City and Citizens, that he did upon Korah, Dathan and Abiram, and all that appertained to them, Numb. 16. 31, 32, 33, 34. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder, that was under 1them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the Congregation. And all Israel that were round about them, fled at the cry of them: for they said, lest the earth swallow us up also. Whilst Moses spake these words (saith Josephus) and intermixed them with tears, the earth trembled, and shaking began to remove (after such a manner, as when by the violence of the wind a great 2billow of the Sea floateth and is tossed hither and thither) hereat all the people were amazed, but after that a horrible and shattering noise was made about their Tents, and the earth opened and swallowed up both them and all that which they esteemed dear, which was after a manner so exterminate, as nothing remained of theirs to be beheld. Whereupon in a moment the earth closed again; and the vast gaping▪ was fast shut; so as there appeared not any sign of that which had happened. Thus perished they all, leaving behind them an example of Gods Power and Judgements. And this accident was the more miserable, in that there were •o one, no not of their kinsfolks or allies that had compassion of them: so that all the people whatsoever, forgetting those things which were past, did allow Gods Justice with ⟨p. 99⟩joyful acclamations, esteeming them unworthy to be b• moaned, but to be held as the plague and perverters of the people. O what a dreadful Judgement was this, for persons to be buried alive; for houses, and inhabitants, and all their goods, to be swallowed up in a moment. What tongue can express, or heart conceive, the terror and astonishment that sell upon Korah, Dathan and Abiram, when the earth (which God had made firm, and established by a perpetual Decree to stand fast under mens feet, was weary of bearing them, and therefore) opened her mouth and swallowed them, and a•l their concernments up.
Fourthly, God might have inflicted that Judgement, both §4upon City and Citizens, that he did upon Korah, Dathan and Abiram, and all that appertained to them, Numb. 16. 31, 32, 33, 34. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave assunder, that was under 1them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the Congregation. And all Israel that were round about them, fled at the cry of them: for they said, lest the earth swallow us up also. Whilst Moses spake these words (saith Josephus) and intermixed them with tears, the earth trembled, and shaking began to remove (after such a manner, as when by the violence of the wind a great 2billow of the Sea floateth and is tossed hither and thither) hereat all the people were am•zed, but after that a horrible and shattering noise was made about their Tents, and the earth opened and swallowed up both them and all that which they esteemed dear, which was after a manner so exterminate, as nothing remained of theirs to be beheld. Whereupon in a moment the earth closed again; and the vast gaping▪ was fast shut; so as there appeared not any sign of that which had hapned. Thus perished they all, leaving behind them an example of Gods Power and Judgements. And this accident was the more miserable, in that there were •o one, no not of their kinsfolks or allies that had compassion of them: so that all the people whatsoever, forgetting those things which were past, did allow Gods Justice with ⟨p. 99⟩joyful acclamations, esteeming them unworthy to be b• moaned, but to be held as the pl•gue and perverters of the people. O what a dreadful Judgement was this, for persons to be buried alive; for houses, and inhabitants, and all their goods, to be swallowed up in a moment. What tongue can express, or heart conceive, the terror and astonishment that sell upon Korah, Dathan and Abiram, when the earth (which God had made firm, and established by a perpetual Decree to stand fast under mens feet, was weary of bearing them, and therefore) opened her mouth and swallowed them, and al thir concernments up.
1Such Virgins that had been deflowered, the Heathen bu•ied a•ive, accounting that the sorest of all punishments.Such Virgins that had been defloured, the Heathen bu•ied a•ive, accounting that the sorest of all punishments.
Ah London, London, If the earth had opened her mouth, and swallowed up all thy houses and inhabitants, with all thy goods and riches in a moment? Would not this have been ten thousand thousand times a greater Judgement, than that fiery dispensation that has past upon thee? But,
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which is a clear evidence, that at the long run, they shall certainly carry the day with God. I have faith enough to believe, that God will give Londons mourners, beauty for ashes, the oyle of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness. And that London may yet be called
our wood is sold unto us. We have given the hand to the Egyptians and Assyrians to be satisfied with bread. We gat our bread with the peril of our lives, because of the sword of the
famine. So great was the famine in Jerusalem, that a Bushel of Wheat was sold for a talent, which is six hundred Crowns, and the dung and raking of the Ci•y Sinks was held good commons: and such pinching necessities were they under, that they acted against all pi•ty, honesty, humanity, &c.
extinct: and the poorer sort of men, whose means were •hort, and provision small, went into other places, as they could conveniently, and with all sp•ed, not being able to stand or stay out this six and twenty years misery. In the
out of the barn fl•or, or out of the Wine-press? said the King of Israel in the famine of Samaria. Ah London, London, if the Lord had inflicted upon thy inhabitan•s this sore Judgement of f•mine, making the Heavens as Iron, and the Earth as Brass.
If the Lord had cut off all thy delightful and necessary provisions, and thy Cit•zens had been forced to eat one another, or every one to eat the flesh of his own arms, and the fruit of his own body; how dismal would thy condition have been.
and M•lm•sbu••〈…〉▪•hat the house wherein he sate, was lifeed up wi•• a 〈…〉, and at in third time settled again in the p••p•r pla•e. A•so in divers places it yi•l•ed forth a hid•o•• no i•, and cast ••rth fl•mes▪ In L•mbardy there was •n Earthquake that continued forty dayes, and removed a Town ••to the place where it stood, a great way off. In
in Ely, N•rfolk, and Suffolk, that it overthrew them that stood upon their feet, and made the Bells to ring in the Steepl•s. In the four and twentieth year of his Reign, in the Territory of Derlington, in the Bishopwrick of Durham, the earth lifted up her self in the manner of an high Tower, and so rem•i•ed unmoveable from morning till evening, and then fell with so horrible a noise, that it frighted the inhabitants there•bouts, and the earth swallowing it up, made there a deep pit, which is seen at this day: for a testimony wh•reof, Leyland saith, he saw the Pits there, commonly cal•ed
about the beginning of the Spring time, there happened so great an Earthquake, as slew an infinite multitude of Beasts, and thirty thousand people: yet the Army had no harm, for it lay in the open Field.
