Earthquakes explained and practically improved occasioned

VIII. Show what use we should make of such tremendous works of God▪ whereby many might have been buried under ground; when this amazing work of God is already by many buried in Oblivion, and by few improved according to the greatness of the danger Men were in, or the greatness of the mercy in escaping that danger.

VIII. Shew what use we should make of such tremendous works of God▪ whereby many might have been buried under ground; when this amazing work of God is already by many buried in Oblivion, and by few improved according to the greatness of the danger Men were in, or the greatness of the mercy in escaping that danger.

Quest. I. What are metaphorical Earthquakes?

Earthquakes and movings of the Earth, are often taken metaphorically for great Commotions, alterations made in States, Kingdoms and Church, and for sore and heavy Punishments inflicted by God upon wicked and disobedient People. Isaiah 29. 6. Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Hosts with Thunder, and with Earthquake, and with great Noise, with Storm and Tempest, and the Flame of devouring Fire. A figurative description of God's Anger against Jerusalem; as much as to say, Heaven and Earth shall concur to their ruin; yet some Expositors say, this Earthquake ⟨p. 29⟩may be understood according to the letter. Isaiah 24. 18. The foundations of the earth do shake. Verse 19. The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. Verse 20. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage, and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall and not rise again. By the Earth here so often mentioned, understand the Inhabitants of the Earth, and properly those Countries wherein the Jews and their Confederates lived in those times: by the shaking, moving, removing, breaking down, and dissolving the Earth, understand the Punishments that should befall that People from an angry and provoked God. So another expounds it, he doth not mean the natural Earth, on which Men tread, but the People that tread upon the Earth; or that Commonwealth wherein People are united and governed; these shall be shaken, broken down, and reel to and fro, and be removed like a Cottage; as