N00508:17
Earthquakes explained and practically improved
Earthquakes explained and practically improved: occasioned by the late earthquake on Sept. 8. 1692. in London, many other parts in England, and beyond sea. / By Thomas Doolittle, M.A. The author also of the treatise on the Lords-Supper. ; Jamaica's miseries show London's mercies. Both compared.Earthquakes explained and practically improved: occasioned by the late earthquake on Sept. 8. 1692. in London, many other parts in England, and beyond sea. / By Thomas Doolittle, M.A. The author also of the treatise on the Lords-Supper. ; Jamaica's miseries shew London's mercies. Both compared.
printed by Benjamin Harris & are to be sold, 1693
Introduction: An Humble WARNING From the Presaging EARTHQUAKE Sept. 8. 1692.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Some would fain deny the matter of Fact, but that there are so many Witnesses to testify against them. Some that own it, make light of it, and do not at all think it portends any more Calamity to […], even as the blinded Jews slighted all the Indications of more approaching Miseries, as Josephus writes concerning them; saying, These miserable people were easily persuaded to believe Impostors who did belly God, yet would they not believe, nor give any ear or regard unto certain Tokens and Signs (of which an Earthquake was one) of the ruin of their City: but as it were blinded, neither having Eyes nor Souls, they counterfeited themselves, not to see what God foreshowed them.
Some would fain deny the matter of Fact, but that there are so many Witnesses to testifie against them. Some that own it, make light of it, and do not at all think it portends any more Calamity to 〈…〉, even as the blinded Jews slighted all the Indications of more approaching Miseries, as Josephus writes concerning them; saying, These miserable people were easily perswaded to believe Impostors who did bely God, yet would they not believe, nor give any ear or regard unto certain Tokens and Signs (of which an Earthquake was one) of the ruin of their City: but as it were blinded, neither having Eyes nor Souls, they counterfeited themselves, not to see what God foreshewed them.
Tho' I dare not undertake to tell what particular Judgments (which are at God's ordering) this Earthquake doth presage, without Reformation; yet may I not ask this sober Question, If this late Earthquake have not good effect upon our Hearts and Lives, may we not fear lest those Judgments may follow, which we read in Scripture God hath sent upon a People for those very sins which do ⟨image ?⟩reign amongst us? as for profaning his Sabbaths, for excessive Pride in Apparel, for profane Swearing, fullness of Bread, Drunkenness, Whoredoms, Robberies, Murders, Contempt of Religion, Hatred of Godliness, Divisions, and hating one another, neglect of Religious Education of Children, banishing the Worship of God from our Families, Blaspheming and Cursing, instead of Calling upon God, Lukewarmness, and a general decay of the Power of Godliness, Leaving of our first Love, loss of the Spirit of Prayer, yea (a sinful Age) deriding of it, Apostasies, and Worldliness, Selfishness, and abuse of God's holy Ordinances, prostituting them to Carnal Designs and Interests; and many more. That Scripture (amongst many,