God's terrible voice in the city

And those that continued steadfast in the truth, did not duly prize the Gospel, none of them according to its dignity and worth. No wonder then if God grows angry at such contempts and affronts as were hereby offered unto him, and easeth them so much of their burden, and withdraws ⟨p. 97⟩the food so much, which they grew so weary of: No wonder that he suffers so many of their teachers to be thrust into corners, and so much withdraws the beams of that light which was so much abused, and when they are not sensible of his displeasure in this, no wonder if he sends the Plague and Fire, to awaken them unto a sensibility.

And those that continued stedfast in the truth, did not duly prize the Gospel, none of them according to its dignity and worth. No wonder then if God grows angry at such contempts and affronts as were hereby offered unto him, and easeth them so much of their burden, and withdraws ⟨p. 97⟩the food so much, which they grew so weary of: No wonder that he suffers so many of their teachers to be thrust into corners, and so much withdraws the beams of that light which was so much abused, and when they are not sensible of his displeasure in this, no wonder if he sends the Plague and Fire, to awaken them unto a sensibility.

When the King sent forth his servants to call the guests to the Wedding-feast, and they make light of it and excuse themselves, and go away, one to his Farm, another to his Merchandise, and the remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully and slew them: The King was wroth, and sent forth his Armies to destroy those murderers, and burn their City. Matth. 22. from v. 1. to v. 8. God hath sent forth his servants to call Londoners to this Feast; how many invitations have they had to come unto Christ, to accept of him, to save them, and feed upon him, from whom alone they can get any Spiritual nourishment; but how many in London have had their excuses, they have been following their Merchandise and other business, and could not come; and what entertainment his servants hath had; the Lord knows: I do not say that London hath entertained them despitefully, and slain them; but have not their message been slighted by London? and is it a wonder then if the King that sent them be wroth, and send a Fire to burn down the City? No greater favour could be showed, no greater privilege could be enjoyed, than to have the Gospel powerfully preached, and ordinances purely administered; but hath