In July the Plague increaseth, and prevaileth exceedingly, the number of 470. which died in one week by the disease ariseth to 725 the next week▪ to 1089 the next, to 1843 the next, to 2010 the next. Now the Plague compasseth the walls of the City like a flood, and poureth in upon it. Now most Parishes are infected, both without and within; yea there are not so many houses shut up by the Plague, as by the owners forsaking of them for fear of it; and though the Inhabitants be so exceedingly decreased by the departure of so many thousands, yet the number of dying persons doth increase fearfully. Now the Countries keep guards, left infections persons should from the City bring the disease unto them; most of the rich are now gone, and the middle sort will not stay behind; but the poor are forced through poverty to stay and abide the storm. Now most faces gather paleness, and what dismal apprehensions do then fill the minds, what dreadful fears do there possess the spirits, especially of those whose consciences are full of guilt, and have not made their peace with God? the old drunkards and swearers, and unclean persons are brought into great straits; they look on the right hand, and on the left, and death is marching towards them from every part, and they know not whither to fly that they may escape it. Now the Arrows begin to fly very ⟨p. 34⟩thick about their ears, and they see many fellow-sinners fall before their faces, expecting every hour themselves to be smitten; and the very sinking fears they have had of the Plague, hath brought the Plague and death upon many: some by the sight of a Coffin in the streets have fallen into a shivering, and immediately the disease hath assaulted them, and Sergeant Death hath arrested them, and clapped too the doors of their houses upon them, from whence they have come forth no more, till they have been brought forth to their graves; we may imagine the hideous thoughts and horrid perplexity of mind, the tremblings, confusions, and anguish of spirit, which some awakened sinners have had, when the Plague hath broke in upon their houses, and seized upon near relations, whose dying groans sounding in their ears have warned them to prepare:
In Iuly the Plague encreaseth, and prevaileth exceedingly, the number of 470. which died in one week by the disease ariseth to 725 the next week▪ to 1089 the next, to 1843 the next, to 2010 the next. Now the Plague compasseth the walls of the City like a flood, and poureth in upon it. Now most Parishes are infected, both without and within; yea there are not so many houses shut up by the Plague, as by the owners forsaking of them for fear of it; and though the Inhabitants be so exceedingly decreased by the departure of so many thousands, yet the number of dying persons doth increase fearfully. Now the Countries keep guards, left infections persons should from the City bring the disease unto them; most of the rich are now gone, and the middle sort will not stay behind; but the poor are forced through poverty to stay and abide the storm. Now most faces gather paleness, and what dismal apprehensions do then fill the minds, what dreadful fears do there possess the spirits, especially of those whose consciences are full of guilt, and have not made their peace with God? the old drunkards and swearers, and unclean persons are brought into great straits; they look on the right hand, and on the left, and death is marching towards them from every part, and they know not whither to flie that they may escape it. Now the Arrows begin to flie very ⟨p. 34⟩thick about their ears, and they see many fellow-sinners fall before their faces, expecting every hour themselves to be smitten; and the very sinking fears they have had of the Plague, hath brought the Plague and death upon many: some by the sight of a Coffin in the streets have fallen into a shivering, and immediatly the disease hath assaulted them, and Sergeant Death hath arrested them, and clapt too the doors of their houses upon them, from whence they have come forth no more, till they have been brought forth to their graves; we may imagine the hideous thoughts and horrid perplexity of mind, the tremblings, confusions, and anguish of spirit, which some awakened sinners have had, when the Plague hath broke in upon their houses, and seized upon neer relations, whose dying groans sounding in their ears have warned them to prepare:
