God's terrible voice in the city

Now rich Tradesmen provide themselves to depart, if they have not Country-houses, they seek lodgings abroad for themselves and families, and the poorer tradesmen, that they may imitate the rich in their fear, stretch themselves to take a Country journey, though they have scarce wherewithal to bring them back again. The Ministers also many of them take occasion to go to their Country places for the Summer time; or it may be to find out some few of their Parishioners that were gone before them, leaving the greatest part of their flock without food or physic, in the time of their greatest need. (I don't speak of all Ministers, those which did stay out of choice and duty, deserve true honour) possibly they might think God was now preaching to the City, and what need their preaching; or rather did not the thunder of Gods voice affrighten their guilty consciences, and make them fly away, lest a bolt from Heaven should fall upon them, and spoil their preaching for the future: and therefore they would reserve themselves, till the people had less need of them. I do not blame many Citizens retiring, when there was so little trading, and the presence of all might have helped forward the increase and spreading of the infection; but how did guilt drive many away, where duty would have engaged them to stay in the place? Now the high ways are thronged with passengers, and goods, & London doth empty it self into the Country; great are the stirs ⟨p. 33⟩and hurries in London by the removal of so many families; fear puts many thousands on the wing, and those think themselves most safe, that can fly furthest off from the City.

Now rich Tradesmen provide themselves to depart, if they have not Country-houses, they seek lodgings abroad for themselves and families, and the poorer tradesmen, that they may imitate the rich in their fear, stretch themselves to take a Country journey, though they have scarce wherewithall to bring them back again. The Ministers also many of them take occasion to go to their Country places for the Summer time; or it may be to find out some few of their Parishioners that were gone before them, leaving the greatest part of their flock without food or physick, in the time of their greatest need. (I don't speak of all Ministers, those which did stay out of choice and duty, deserve true honour) possibly they might think God was now preaching to the City, and what need their preaching; or rather did not the thunder of Gods voice affrighten their guilty consciences, and make them fly away, lest a bolt from Heaven should fall upon them, and spoil their preaching for the future: and therefore they would reserve themselves, till the people had less need of them. I do not blame many Citizens retiring, when there was so little trading, and the presence of all might have helped forward the increase and spreading of the infection; but how did guilt drive many away, where duty would have engaged them to stay in the place? Now the high waies are thronged with passengers, and goods, & London doth emptie it self into the Country; great are the stirs