God's terrible voice in the city

If I were more acquainted with the mysteries of Trades in the City, I fear, I might find out more than one Mystery of Iniquity among them. If the Lord would put into the hearts of Magistrates and Citizens, to look into Trades, and to consider the equity that they bear, and take some course for rectifying abuses in them; it might be one way to obtain a more favourable aspect from Heaven; and the Lord might revive again the Trade of London, which now is dying and sinking to the ground.

If I were more acquainted with the mysteries of Trades in the City, I fear, I might finde out more than one Mystery of Iniquity among them. If the Lord would put into the hearts of Magistrates and Citizens, to look into Trades, and to consider the equity that they bear, and take some course for rectifying abuses in them; it might be one way to obtain a more favourable aspect from Heaven; and the Lord might revive again the Trade of London, which now is dying and sinking to the ground.

19. A Nineteenth sin of London is Lying. It is said of Nineveh, Nah. 3. 1. that it was a City full of lies. O the Lies that have been in London! who can reckon them? Lies in the streets, loud lies, which have been cried, false News which we daily hear. Lies in the Chambers, secret lies, privy false tales which are whispered in the ears: Lies in the Shop, trading lies; lies told in buying and selling: Officious lies, which some tell to do their friends a kindness: Mischievous lies, which some tell to do another an injury. We read of some, that bend their tongue like their bow for lies, that will not speak the truth, but teach their tongue to speak lies, Jer, 9. 3, 5. ⟨p. 173⟩How many Liars have there been in London? What age is free from this sin? The Children have learned to lie, as soon as they have learned to speak. What house hath been free? How have Tradesmen been guilty of lying, which some account a necessary adjunct to their Trade, without which they could not live? How many Servants have excused one another and themselves when they have committed faults, with their lies? But of all lies, mischievous lies have been the worst, which some have invented to do an injury to their neighbour; such lies are more immediately begotten by the Devil the Father of lies, and such liars are his most genuine Offspring. But all lies in a sense are mischievous lies; they are mischievous to the party that tells them; even the Officious liar cannot do so much kindness to his Friend by his lye, as he doth injury to himself: What! will a man stab himself to do his Friend a courtesy? he that wounds his Conscience doth worse; he that gains in his Trade by his lye, loseth more than he gains: A bag of Gold is not to be compared with inward peace, and the favour of God (better than life) which by this sin is lost. Surely, the Lord, being a God of Truth, is much offended with this sin of lying. God delights, saith Solomon, in them that deal truly, but lying lips are an abomination to him,