A29696:577
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.
(or where many thronged to pray, as it runs in the Original) Acts 20. 20. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house. Acts 28. 30, 31. And Paul 1dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him: Preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Luke 10. 38, 39. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain Village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sate at Jesus feet, and heard his word. Beloved by these Scriptures, •is most evident and clear, that our Lord Jesus Christ, and his Disciples and Apostles, and those Christians that lived in their times, did frequently meet in private houses, and there performed acts of public Worship, viz. such as preaching, hearing, praying, breaking of bread, &c. How the primitive ⟨p. 140⟩Christians in those hot times of persecution, met in the nights, and in woods, and houses, and obscure places, they best understand, who have r•ad the writings of Tertullian, Cyprian, Chrysostom, Theodoret, Austin, Eusebius, Justin Martyr, Pliny, &c. But this to some being an unpleasing Theme, I shall not enlarge my self upon it. Only remember this, that there was never yet any Town, City, o• Country, Kingdom, or Common-wealth, that did ever fare the worse for an holy praying people. Frequent and fervent prayer, be it in public or in private, in a Synagogue or in an upper Room, never did, 2nor never will bring misery or mischief upon those places, where such exercises are kept up. Such Conventicles of good fellowship (as some call them) where there is nothing but swearing and cursing and carousing and gaming, and all manner of filthiness and profaneness, are the only Conventicles that bring desolating Judgements upon Princes, People and Nations, as is most evident throughout the Scriptures. Take two texts for all: