Londons Lamentation, Part 1 (2 of 7)
Firſt, Who can look upon the burning of London, as uſhered in by ſuch ſad Prodigies, and dreadful fore-runners as it was, and not lament and mourn over its ruines? By what a bloody Sword, and by what a dreadful Plague, was this late Judgement of fire uſhered in. Firſt God ſends his Red Horſe Rev. 6. 4, 8.amongſt us, viz. a cruel bloody War; and then he ſends his Pale Horſe amongſt us, viz. a noiſom ſweeping Peſtilence. O the garments that were rolled in blood! O th… ſcores of thouſands, that were by the hand of the deſtroying Angel ſent to their long-homes, to their eternal homes! Now in the rear of theſe Judgements, follows ſuch a devouring fire, as hath not been known in any Ages paſt. Not long before Veſpaſian came againſt Jeruſalem, there happened divers Prodigies: 1. There Joſ…phus pag. 738, 739.was a Comet in form of a Fiery Sword, which for a year together did hang over the City. 2. There was ſeen a Star on the Temple ſo bright, as if a man had ſo many drawn Swords in his hands. 3. At the ſame time that this Star appeared, which was the Solemn Paſſeover, that whole night the Temple was light, and clear as mid-day, and continued ſo ſeven dayes together. 4. At the ſame time alſo, they brought a Heifer for a Sacrifice, which when ſhe was knocked down, ſhe calved a Lamb. 5. The inner Gate of the Temple on the caſt ſide, being of Maſſive Braſs, that was never opened nor ſhut, but twenty men had enough to do about it, this Gate was ſeen at the firſt hour of the night, to open of its own accord, and they could not ſhut it, till a great number joined their ſtrength together. 6. There was diſcerned on the Sanctum Sanctorum, a whole night long the face of a man very terrible. 7. A… the ſame time, before the Sun-ſet, there were ſeen in the Air, Iron Chariots, all over the Countrey, and an Army in battel array, paſſing along the clouds, and begirting the City. 8. Upon the Feaſt Day called Pentecoſt, at night the Prieſts going into the Inner Temple, to offer their wonted Sacrifice, at firſt they felt the place to move and tremble, and afterward they heard a man walking in the Temple, and ſaying with a great and wonderful terrible voice, Come let us go away out of this Temple, let us depart hence. But Ninthly and laſtly, that which was moſt wonderful of all, was this, that there was one Jeſus the Son of Ananus, a Countrey-man, of the common people, who four years before the Wars began, when the City flouriſhed in peace and riches, coming to the celebration of the Feaſt to Jeruſalem, which we call the Feaſt of Tabernacles; ſuddenly began to cry out thus, A voice from the Eaſt, a voice from the Weſt, a voice from the four winds of the Heavens, a voice againſt Jeruſalem, a voice againſt the Temple, a voice againſt the Bridegroom, a voice againſt the Bride, and a voice againſt the whole people: and thus crying day and night, he went about all the Streets of the City. The Nobility ſcourged him, yet ſtill he cried, wo, wo unto Jeruſalem: he did never curſe any one, though every day he was beaten by one or other: neither did he thank any one that offered him meat. All that he ſpake to any man, was this heavy prophecy, Wo wo unto Jeruſalem. He never went to any Citizens, neither was he ſeen to ſpeak to any one, but ſtill as it were, ſtudying of ſome ſpeech, he cryed Wo, wo unto Jeruſalem. Thus for four years ſpace, ſay ſome, for ſeven years and five moneths, ſaith Joſephus, his voice never waxed hoarſe, nor weary, till in the time of the Siege, beholding what he fore-told them, as he was walking upon the Walls, crying Wo to Jeruſalem, wo to the Temple, wo to all the People, he added, and wo to my ſelf; and as ſoon as the words were out of his mouth, a ſtone came out of an Engine from the Camp, that daſhed out his brains. Theſe Prodigies were fore runners of Jeruſalems deſolation? What Comets, what Blazing Starrs, what ſheets of fire have been ſeen flye over London, and what flames of fire have been ſeen over the City, a little before it was laid in aſhes, I ſhall not now inſiſt upon. Certainly when a conſuming fire, ſhall be uſhered in by other dreadful Judgements and amazing Prodigies, it highly concerns us to ſet down and mourn. But,
Secondly, Who can look upon London as an Ancient City, as a City of great Antiquity, and not mourn over the ruines of it! Our Chronologers affirm, that the City hath ſtood Iſa. 23. 7. Jer. 5. 15.two thouſand ſeven hundred and ſeventy odd years. 'Tis recorded by ſome, that the foundation of London was laid in the year of the world 2862. London by ſome Antiquaries, is called Troynovant, as having been firſt founded by the Trojans. London is thought by ſome, to be Antienter than Rome. That London was a very ancient City, might ſeveral wayes be made good; but what ſhould I ſpend time to prove that, which every one is ready to grant. Joſephus Joſ…ph p. 745.ſpeaking of Jeruſalem, ſaith, That David the King of the Jews having driven out the Caneans, gave it unto his people to be inhabited, and after four hundred threeſcore and four years and three moneths, it was deſtroyed by the Babylonians. And from King David who was the firſt Jew that reigned there, untill the time that Titus deſtroyed it, were a thouſand one hundred ſeventy and nine years, and from the time that it was firſt erected, until it was by him deſtroyed, were two thouſand one hundred and ſeventy ſeven years; yet neither the Antiquity, nor riches, nor the fame thereof, now ſpread all over the world, nor the glory of Religion did any thing profit or hinder it from being deſtroyed. So it was, neither the Antiquity, nor the Riches, nor the Fame, nor the Greatneſs, nor the Beauty, nor the Glory, nor the Religion, that was there profeſt, that could prevent Londons being turned into a Chaos in four dayes tim. London that had been climbing up to its Meridian of worldly greatneſs and glory above two thouſand years, how is ſhe made deſolate in a few dayes; and of a glorious City become a ruinous heap? Phyſitians make the threeſcore and third year of a mans life, a dangerous climacterical year to the Body Natural; and Statiſts make the five hundreth year of a City, or Kingdom, as dangerous to the Body Politick, beyond which (ſay they) Cities and Kingdoms cannot ſtand. But Jeruſalem, and London, and many other Cities, have ſtood much longer, and yet in the end have been laid deſolate. Now what true Engliſh-man can look upon Londons Antiquity, and not mourn to ſee ſo antient a City turned into a ruinous heap. But,
Thirdly, What true Engliſh-man did ever look upon London, as an honourable City, as a renowned City, as a glorious City, that will not now mourn to ſee London laid in aſhes? London was one of the wonders of the world: London was the Queen City, the crowning City of the Land, a City as Iſa. 23. 8. 'Tis an Italia… Proverb, He who hath not ſeen Venice will not believe and he who hath not lived …ometime there, doth not underſtand what a City it is. I ſhall leave the Application to the prudent Reader.famous as moſt Cities, for worldly grandeur and glory: yea, a City, more famous and glorious, than any City under Heaven, for Goſpel light, and for the power of Religion, and real holineſs, Pſal. 76. 1, 2. In Judah is God known, his name is great in Iſrael: In Salem alſo is his Tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. In London was God known, his name was great in London; and in London alſo was his Tabernacle, and his dwelling place. And as God was known in Judah, not only by his word, but alſo by his glorious works; ſo God was known in London, not only by his word, but alſo by his glorious works. And as God was known in Judah, firſt by the multitude of his mercies, but afterwards by the ſeverity of his Judgements; ſo God was known in London, firſt by the multitude of his mercies, but afterwards by the ſeverity of his Judgements: witneſs the ſweeping Peſtilence, and the devouring fire, that he ſent amongſt us. And as God was known in Judah, firſt by leſſer Judgements, and then by greater; for he firſt laſht them with Rods, and then with Scourges, and at laſt with Scorpions, ſo God was firſt known in London by leſſer Judgements, witneſs the Violent Agues, ſtrange Feavours, Small Pox, and ſmall fires that broke forth in ſeveral places of the City and Suburbs; but theſe having no kind, no effectual operation upon us; God at laſt made himſelf known in the midſt of us, by ſuch a Peſtilence, and by ſuch a Fire, that the like was never known in that City before. We were once the objects of his noble favours, but we made our ſelves at laſt, the ſubjects of his fury. And as the Philoſopher tells us, corruptio optimi, eſt p…ſſima: or as we find, that the ſweeteſt Wines, become the tarteſt Vinegar; ſo Gods heavenly favours and indulgencies being long abuſed, they at laſt turned into ſtorms of Wrath and Vengeance. What Engliſh man did look upon Pſal. 101. 8. Iſa. 60. 14. Pſal. 48. 1. 8, &c. Neh. 11. 1. Iſa. 18. 52. Dan. 1. 9. 24London, as the City of the great God, as a holy City, as that City wherein God was as gloriouſly made known, and wherein Chriſt was as much exalted, and Religion was as highly prized, as in any part of the world beſide; and not mourn over it, now 'tis laid deſolate. 'Twas long ſince ſaid of Athens and Sparta, that they were the eyes of Greece. Was not London the eyes of England? And who then can but weep, to ſee thoſe eyes put out? Great and populous Cities, are Look what the face is to the body, that London was to England, the beauty and glory of it.as it were, the eyes of the Earth; and when theſe eyes are loſt, who can but ſit down and ſigh and mourn! London, was the joyous City of our Solemnities, it was the Royal Chamber of the King of Kings, it was the Mart of Nations, it was the lofty City, it was the top gallant of all our glory. Now who can but ſhed tears, to ſee this City laid even to the ground; to ſee this City, ſit like a deſolate Widow in the duſt. Such a ſight made Jeremiah to lament: Lament. 1. 1.How doth the City ſit ſolitary (ſpeaking of Jeruſalems ruine) that was full of people? How is ſhe become as a widow? She that was great among the Nations, and Princes among the Provinces? How is ſhe become tributary? Let prophane, ignorant, ſuperſtitious, and Popiſh deſamers of London ſay, Jer. 9. 1, 2, 3. Ezek. 9. 4. 6.what they pleaſe, yet doubtleſs God had more of his mourning ones, and of his marked ones in that City, than he had in a great part of the Nation beſide. There was a time, when London was a faithful City, a City of righteouſneſs, a City of Renown, a City of Praiſe, a City of Joy; yea, the Paradiſe of the world, in reſpect of the power and purity of Goſpel-Ordinances, and that glorious light ſhined in the midſt of her. Who can remember thoſe dayes of old, and not mourn to ſee ſuch a City buried in its own Ruines! Under the whole Heavens there were not ſo many thouſands to be found, that truly feared the Lord, in ſo narrow a compaſs of ground, as was to be found in London? and yet l… London is laid in the duſt, and the Nations round gaze and wonder at her deſolation! Who can but hang down hi… head, and weep in ſecret for theſe things. But,
Fourthly, who did look upon London as the Bullwark, a the Strong-hold of the Nation, that can't mourn to ſe… their …ullwark, their Strong hold turned into a ruinous heap Pſal. 48. 12, 13. Walk about Sion, and tell the Towers thereof, mark ye well her Bullwarks, confider her Palaces, that ye may tell it to the generation following. Sion had her Bullwarks, her Towers, her Palaces; but at laſt the Chaldeans at one …er. 52. 12, 13. Luke 19. 41, 45.time, and the Romans at another, laid them all waſte. So London had her Bullwarks, her Towers, her Palaces, but they are now laid deſolate, and many fear, and others ſay by male-content Villains, and miſchievous Forreigners of a Romiſh faith. London was once terrible, as an Army with Cant. 6. 10.Banners. How terrible were the Iſraelites, enc…mped and bannered in the Wilderneſs unto the Moabites, Canaanites, &c. Exod. 15, 14, 15, 16.So was London more than once terrible to all thoſe Moabites, Canaanites, that have had thoughts to ſwallow her up, and to divide the prey among themſelves. How terrible were the Huſſites in Bohemia, to the Germans, when all Germa…y were up in arms againſt them, and worſted by them. London hath been as terrible to thoſe that have been cozen-Germans to the Germans. London was once a Battel-ax, and Battel-bow in the hand of the Almighty, which he has wielded Jer. 51. 20, Zech. 9. 10. & Chap. 10. 4. Ezek. 21. 31.againſt her proudeſt, ſtrongeſt and ſubtilleſt enemies. Was not London the Head City, the Royal Chamber, the glory of England, the Magazine of Trade and Wealth, the City that had the Strength and Treaſure of the Nation in it. Were there not many thouſands in London, that were men of fair eſtates, of exemplary piety, of tried valour, of great prudence, and of unſpotted Reputation? and therefore why ſhould it ſeem impoſſible, that the fire in London, ſhould be The French were then drawn down to the Sea ſide, and great were the fears of many upon that account. Remember the Gun-Powder Plot.the effect of deſperate deſigns and complotments from abroad, ſeconded and incouraged by male-contents at home. London was the great Bullwark of the Reformed Religion, againſt all the Batteries of Popery, Atheiſm and Prophaneneſs; and therefore why ſhould any Engliſh man wonder, if theſe uncircumciſed ones, ſhould have their heads and their hands, and their hearts engaged in the burning of London. Such whoſe very Principles, leads them by the hand, to blow up Kings, Princes, Parliaments, and Reformed Religion, to make way for their own Religion, or for the good old Religion, as ſome are pleaſed to call it: ſuch will never ſcruple to turn ſuch Cities, ſuch Bulwarks into a ruinous heap, that either ſtands in their way, or that might probably hinder their game. In all the Ages of the world, wicked Dan. 11. 24, 39men have deſigned the ruine and laying waſte of Chriſtians Bulwarks and Strong-holds, in order to the rooting out of the very name of Chriſtians, as all know that have read any thing of Scripture or Hiſtory, and therefore why ſhould any men think it ſtrange, if that Spirit ſhould ſtill be at work. Was ever England in ſuch eminent danger of being made a prey to forreign power, or of being rid, by men of a forraign Religion, and whoſe Principles in Civil Policy are very dangerous both to Prince and People, as it hath been ſince the firing of London, or ſince that Bullwark has been Gen. 31. 24, 29. Chap. 33. 1, 4. 2 Kings 19. 27, 28, 32.turned into a ruinous heap? Had not the great God who laid a Law of Reſtraint upon churliſh Laban, and upon bloody Eſau (and his four hundred bloody cut-throats) and upon proud blaſphemous Senacherib, laid alſo a Law of reſtraint upon ill-minded men, what miſchief might they not then have done, when many were amazed and aſtoniſhed, and many did hang down their heads, and fold their hands, crying alas, alas, London is fallen! and when many had ſorrow in their hearts, paleneſs upon their cheeks, and trembling in all their joints! yea, when the flames of London were as Dan. 5. 5, 6.terrible to moſt, as the hand-writing upon the wall, was to Belſhazzar! How mightily the burning of London would have retarded the ſupplies, of men, money and neceſſaries which would have been needful to have made oppoſition, againſt an invading enemy, had we been put to it, I ſhall not here ſtand to diſpute. Whilſt London was ſtanding, it could raiſe an Army, and pay it when it had done. London was the Sword and ſinews of War; but when London was laid in aſhes, the Citizens were like Sampſon when his hair was cut Judg. 16. 18, 19, 20. Gen 34 25.off, and like the Sechemites, when they were ſore. Beloved, the People of God have formerly made the firing of their ſtrong holds, matter of bitter Lamentation; as you may ſee in 2 Kings 8. 11, 12. And he ſetled his countenance ſtedfaſtly, until he was aſhamed: (till Hazael bluſhed to ſee the Prophet look ſo earneſtly upon him) and the man of God wept, and Hazael ſaid, why weepeth my Lord? and he anſwered, becauſe I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Iſrael; their ſtrong holds wilt thou ſet on fire (well and what will he do, when their ſtrong holds are in flames, or turned into a ruinous heap? why this you may ſee in the following words) and their young men wilt thou ſlay with the ſword, and wilt daſ… their children, and rip up their women with child. Other Kings of Syria had born an immortal hatred againſt the children of Iſrael, and the Prophet knew by Revelation from Heaven, that he ſhould be King over Syria, and that he had as cruel and as bloody a mind againſt Gods Iſrael, as any of the former Kings of Syria had. Now to evidence this, the Prophet inſtances in thoſe particular exceſſive acts of cruelty, that he ſhould practiſe upon the children of Iſrael. Their ſtrong holds wilt thou ſet on fire. Hazael would not think it enough to enter into their ſtrong Towns, and Cities, and Forts, and Caſtles, and other ſtrong holds, and ſpoil, and plunder them of their Treaſure and Goods, but he would burn all down to the ground; that ſo he might daunt them, and weaken them, and render them the more uncapable of makeing any reſiſtance againſt him. But now mark what follows, burning work; Their young men wilt thou ſlay with the ſword. Such as make no conſcience of burning Iſraels ſtrong holds, ſuch will never ſcruple the ſlaying of Iſraels young men with the ſword. When their ſtrong holds were ſet on fire, Hazael would give them no quarter for their lives: ſuch as had eſcaped the furious flames, ſhould be ſure to fall by the bloody ſword. And wilt daſh their children: Their poor innocent harmleſs children that never thought amiſs, nor never ſpoke amiſs of Hazael, theſe muſt have their brains daſht out againſt the ſtones. Men that are ſet upon burning Pſal. 137. 9.work, are men of no bowels, of no compaſſion. And rip up their women with child: He would deſtroy the very Infants in the womb, that ſo he might cauſe to ceaſe, the very name of Iſrael. Such Hazaels as are reſolute by fire to lay our Cities and ſtrong Bullwarks deſolate; ſuch will be ready enough to practiſe the moſt barbarous cruelties imaginable upon our perſons and relations, when a fit opportunity ſhall preſent. When Iſrael was weary, and ſaint, and Deut. 25. 17 18, 19.feeble, then Amalek fell upon them. It was infinite mercy, that the Amalekites of our day, did not fall upon the amazed and aſtoniſhed Citizens, when they were ſeeble, and faint, and weary, and tired out with hard labour, and want of reſt. O Sirs, ſhall the Prophet Eliſha weep, fore-ſeeing that Haz…el would ſet Iſraels ſtrong holds on fire; and ſhall not we weep, to ſee London, our ſtrong hold, our nobleſt Bullwark, turned into a ruinous heap? So L…m. 2. 2, 5. The Lord hath ſwallowed up all the habitation of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the ſtrong holds of the daughter of Judah: he hath brought them d…wn to the ground. The Lord was an enemy; he hath ſwallowed up Iſrael, he hath ſwallowed up all her Palaces: he hath deſtroyed his ſtrong holds, and hath increaſed in the daughter of Judah mournings and lamentation. Theſe two words, mourning and lamentation, are joyned together, to note the great and eminent lamentation of the Daughter of Judah, upon the ſight and ſenſe of Gods deſtroying, razing and levelling to the ground, (by the hand of the Chaldeans, &c.) all the Strong holds and Fortreſſes, that were built for the defence of the Iſraelites. Now ſhall the Daughter of Judah greatly lament, to ſee her ſtrong holds laid deſolate, and ſhall not we at all lament, to ſee London, to ſee our Strong holds, turned into a ruinous heap. But,
Fifthly, Who did ever look upon London as a fountain, as a Sanctuary, and as a City of refuge, to the poor, afflicted, diſtreſſed and impoveriſhed people of God; that is not now free to weep, to ſee ſuch a City laid in aſhes? Who can number up the diſtreſſed ſtrangers, that have been there courteouſly E…od. 22. 12. 2 Sam. 16. 14.entertained, and civilly treated? Who can number up the many thouſand families, that have been preſerved, rel…eved, revived, and refreſhed with the ſilver ſtreams, that has iſſued from that fountain London, and not mourn, to ſee it laid deſolate, Pſal. 46. 4. There is a River, the ſtreams whereof Iſa. 8. 6.ſhall make glad the City of God: It is an alluſion to the River Siloe, which ran ſweetly, ſoftly, quietly, pleaſantly, conſtantly, to the refreſhing of all that were in need. London was a River, a Fountain, whoſe ſilver Streams ran ſweetly, quietly, pleaſantly, conſtantly, to the refreſhing of many thouſand needy ones in the Land. Now who can but weep to ſee ſuch a Fountain, ſuch a River, not only ſtopt, but dried up by a devouring fire? But,
Sixthly, Who did ever look upon London, as a City compact, a City advantagiouſly ſcituated for Trade and Commerce, Iſa. 23. 3. Ezek. 27. 1. Rev. 8. 11.yea, as the great Mart-Town of the Nation; that has not a heart to weep over it, now it lyes in aſhes? London was the M…rt of the Nations Trade, and the Magazine of the Nations wealth. London was that great Store-houſe, in which was laid up, very much of the Riches and Glory of the Land. London was the very heart of England; it was as uſeful every way to Englands ſecurity and felicity, as the heart is uſeful in the natural body: and therefore no wonder if ſuch as envy at Englands Greatneſs, Grandeur, and Glory, have made London (Englands Mart-Town) to bear the marks of their diſpleaſure. Who is ſo great a ſtranger in our Engliſh Iſrael, as not to know how rarely well London was ſcituated as to Trade, and as not to know, how London was ſurrounded with plentiful ſtore of all Creature comforts. If London had not been ſo nobly ſcituated and ſurrounded, its deſolation had not been ſo great a Judgement; nor it may be the deſigns of men ſo deeply laid, as to its ruine. They that did look upon England as rich, could not but look on London, as the Exchequer of it. But,
Seventhly, Who are they that have lookt upon London, as a City, that hath for many hundred, yea, ſome thouſands Iſa. 27. 3. 4. Pſal. 1…. 4, 5.of years been very ſtrangely and wonderfully preſerved, by the admirable wiſdom, conſtant care, and Almighty power of God; notwithſtanding all the wrath, rage, malice, plots and deſigns of wicked men, to lay it waſte, and to turn it into a ruinous heap; and not have a heart to weep over its deſolation? The great preſervations, the ſingular ſalvations, that God hath wrought for London, many hundred years together, renders the deſolation of London, the more terrible. And accordingly, it concerns all that are well affected, to weep over its aſhes. But,
Eighthly, Who can look upon the aſhes of London, as thoſe aſhes, in which Englands worſt enemies, both abroad, Obad. 10 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.and at home, do daily triumph and rejoice; and not weep over Londons deſolation? Shall the vileſt of men glory, that Englands glory is laid in the duſt; and ſhall not we lament, when our Crown is fallen from our head? The more wicked Lam. 5. 16.men rejoyce in our miſery, the greater obligation lyes upon us, to lye low and mourn at the foot of God. London, like Job, lies on its dung-hill. London, like the Jewes, lies Job 2. 8.in its aſhes, Eſther 4. 3. And therefore it highly concerns all Londoners, to put on ſackcloth and aſhes. But,
Ninthly, Surely ſuch as have lookt upon London, as the City of their ſolemnities; ſuch can't but weep, to ſee the City of their Solemnities, laid deſolate, Iſa. 33. 20 Look upon Zion the City of our ſolemnities; or meetings. Zion is here called a City, becauſe it ſtood in the midſt of the City. The City of Jeruſalem was very large, and Zion ſtood in the midſt of it; and 'tis called a City of Solemnities, becauſe the people flocked thither, to hear the Law, to renew their Covenant with God, to call upon his name, and to offer Sacrifices. O Sirs, was not London the City of our Solemnities? the City where we ſolemnly met to wait upon the Lord, in the beauty 1 Chron. 16. 29. Pſal. 29. 2.of Holineſs? the City, where we offered prayers and praiſes? the City, where we worſhipped the Lord in Spirit and in truth? the City, wherein God, and Chriſt, and the great things of eternity were revealed to us? the City, wherein many thouſands were converted and edified; walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghoſt? the Acts 9. 31.City, where we had the cleareſt, the choiceſt, and the higheſt enjoyments of God, that ever we had in all our dayes? the City, wherein we have ſate down, under Chriſts ſhadow with great delight; his fruit has been ſweet unto our taſte? the Cant. 2. 3, 4, 5, 6.City, in which Chriſt has brought us to his banqueting houſe, and …is banner over us, has been love? the City, in which Chriſt has Staid us with flaggons, and comforted us with Apples? the City, in which Chriſts left hand hath been under our heads, and his right hand hath imbraced us? The City, wherein the Lord of Hoſts. hath made unto his people a feaſt of fat things, a Iſa. 25. 6.feaſt of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. London, the City of our Solemnities, is now laid deſolate: and therefore for this, why ſhould not we be diſconſolate, and mourn in ſecret before the Lord? This frame of Spirit, hath been upon the people of God of old, Zeph. 3. 18. I will gather them that are ſorrowful for the ſolemn aſſembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. By Solemn Aſſemblies, are meant, their ſeveral conventions at thoſe ſet times, which God had appointed them; viz. on the weekly Sabbath, the new Moons, Deut. 16.the ſtated Feaſts and Faſts, which they were bound to obſerve. Now for the want, the lack, the loſs of thoſe Solemn Aſſemblies; ſuch as did truly fear the Lord, were ſolemnly ſorrowfull. Of all loſſes, ſpiritual loſſes are moſt ſadly reſented by gracious ſouls. When they had loſt their houſes, their eſtates, their Trades, their relations, their liberties, and were led captive to Babylon, which was an Iron Fornace, a ſecond Aegypt to them; then the loſs of their Solemn Aſſemblies, made deeper impreſſions upon their hearts, than all their outward loſſes did. The Jews were famous Artiſts; they ſtand upon record for their skill, eſpecially in Poetry, Mathematicks and Muſick: but when their City was burnt, and their Land laid deſolate, and their Solemn Aſſemblies broken in pieces, then they could ſing none of the Songs of Pſalm 137. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.Zion; then they were more for mourning, than for muſick; for ſighing, than for ſinging; for lamenting, than for laughing. Nothing goes ſo near gracious hearts, as the loſs of their Solemn Aſſemblies, as the loſs of holy Ordinances; health, and wealth, and friends, and Trade, are but meer Ichahods, to the Saints Solemn Aſſemblies, and to pure 1 Sam. 4 17, 18.Ordinances. When the Ark was taken, Eli could live no longer: but whether his heart, or his neck, was firſt broken upon that ſad tydings, is not eaſie to determine. When Nehemiah underſtood, that the walls of Jeruſalem were broken down, and that the Gates thereof were burnt with fire, 2 Kings 25. 8, 9, 10.and that the whole City was laid deſolate by Nebuz…radan, and his Chaldean Army; he ſits down, and weeps, and mourns, and faſts, and prayes; he did ſo lay the burning of the City of their Solemnities to heart, that all the ſmiles of King Artaxerxes, could not raiſe him, nor rejoice Neh. 1. 3, 4. Chap. 2. Jer. 52. 12, 13, 14.him. It was on the tenth day of the fifth monethmonth, that Jeruſalem was burnt with fire; and upon that account, the Jewes faſted upon every tenth day of the fifth monethmonth. Now ſhall the Jews ſolemnly faſt and mourn on the tenth day of the fifth monethmonth, (during their Captivity) becauſe their Zech. 7. 3.City, and Temple, and Solemn Aſſemblies; were on that day buried in aſhes; and turned into a ruinous heap; and and ſhall not we faſt and mourn, to ſee the City of our Solemnities, buried in its own ruines. But,
Tenthly and laſtly, That Incendiary, that miſchievous Villain Hubert, confeſt the fact, of firing the firſt houſe in Pudding Lane, (though he would not confeſs who ſet him at work) and accordingly was executed at Tyburn for it. There were ſome Miniſters, and ſeveral other ſober prudent Citizens, who did converſe again and again with Hubert, and are ready to atteſt, that he was far from being mad; and that he was, not only very rational, but alſo very cunning and ſubtile, and ſo the fitter inſtrument for the Conclave of Rome, or ſome ſubtle Jeſuit to make uſe of, to bring about our common wo. It was never known, that Rome or Hell, did ever make uſe of mad men or fools, to bring about their Diviliſh Plots.Now who can look upon the dreadful conſequences (the burning of a renowned City) that followed upon the firing of the firſt houſe; and not mourn over Londons deſolations? Hubert did confeſs to ſeveral perſons of note and repute, that he was a Catholick; and did further declare, that he believed confeſſion to a Prieſt, was neceſſary to his ſalvation. And being adviſed (by a Chaplain to a perſon of Honor) to call upon God he repeated his Ave Mary, which he confeſt, was his uſual prayer. Father Harvey confeſt him, and inſtructed him, and we need not doubt, but that he abſolved him alſo, according to the cuſtom of the Romiſh Church. Hubert died in the profeſſion of the Romiſh faith, ſtoutly aſſerting, that he was no Hugonite. I know that men of the Romiſh Religion, and ſuch who are one in Spirit with them; would make the world believe, that this Hubert (who by order of Law, was executed upon the account of his own publick and private confeſſions) was mad, diſtracted, and what not. But what mad men, do theſe make the Judge and Jury to be? for who but mad men, would condemn (to ſuch a ſhameful death) a mad man, for confeſſing himſelf guilty of ſuch a hainous and horrid fact, which he had never committed? Doubtleſs both Judge and Jury, were men of more wiſdom, Juſtice and conſcience, than to hang a mad man upon his own bare confeſſion▪ The German Luc. Hiſt. p. 613. p. 519, 520.Hiſtories tell us, what encouragement men of a Romiſh faith have had from Rome, to make way for their Religion throughout Germany, by fire and ſword: and when ſome of thoſe Incendiaries have been taken in ſetting houſes on fire, they have confeſt, that there have been many more in combination with them, who by all the wayes they could, were to conſume Silefia, and other parts with firings. When the Spaniſh Armado came againſt this Nation, in 1588. with Hiſp. F. 184, 185.an Invincible Navy (as they counted it) they h…d two thouſand eight hundred forty three Great Ordnance, twenty eight thouſand eight hundred and forty Marriners, Souldiers, and Slaves rowing in Gallies, with innumerable Fire-balls and Granado's; in order to the making of England deſolate by Fire and Sword. Did not F. Parſons, Doleman, and Holt the Speeds Hiſt. p. 1178. Luc. Hiſt. p. 298, 299.Jeſuit, draw other Incendiaries into a combination, to fire the Royal Navy with wild-fire, in Queen Elizabeths Reign; for which they were ſtretcht at Tyburn? A. D. 1595. on that very day, when King James was crowned, when the generality Luc. Hiſt. p. 509, 510, 511.of the people were intent upon that noble ſpectacle, five were ſuborned by the Jeſuits, to ſet London on fire in ſeveral places; but were fruſtrated, as …s evident upon Record. Mr. Waddeſworth did depoſe▪ both in writing, and viva voce, at the Lords Bar, that one Henry alias Francis Smith, Compl. Hiſt. p. 443, 449. Roy. Favou…. p. 54, 55. Rom. Mr. P…ce. 31.alias Lloyd, alias Rivers, alias Simons, before the beginning of the Scotch Wars, did tell him in Norfolk (where he met him) That the Popiſh Religion was not to be brought in here, by diſputing, or Books of Controverſie; but with an Army, and with fire and ſword. Pope Martin the fifth ſent Cardinal Julian (who was name ſake, and near of kin to Julian the Apoſtate) with an Army of fourſcore thouſand, to root out Huſſites (or Proteſtants) in B…hemia, where they burnt up their Towns; and at the ſame time, Albertus his Aſſiſtant, burnt up five hundred of their Villages. It was Philip the Second of Spain, who ſaid, That he had rather loſe all his Provinces, Thuanus.than ſeem to grant, or favour any thing, which might be pr…judicial to the Catholick Religion. It was Cardinal Granveilanus, who was wont to ſay, That be would reduce the Catholick Religion Gaſper.in all …aces, though one hundred thouſand men were to be burned in an hour. It was the Spaniſh Miniſters of State, who Anno 1580.declared openly, in the Pacification of Colen, That the Proteſtants would be very well ſerved, if they were ſtripped of all their goods, and forced to go ſeek new Countreys, like Jews and Egyptians, who wander up and down, like Rogues and Vagabonds. The Meter. Hiſt. de reb. Belg. l. 15.Duke of Alba (a bloody Papiſt) ſitting at his Table, ſaid, That he had taken diligent pains, in rooting out the tares of Hereſies, having delivered eighteen thouſand men in the ſpace of ſix years only, to the hands of the Hang-man. From the begining of the Jeſuits, to 1580. (being the ſpace of thirty The fact of Faux was horrid and ſanguinary; and you know who ſet him on work.years) there were almoſt nine hundred thouſand Proteſtants put to death, in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, England, and other parts of Chriſtendom. Men of that Religion, that burnt the Martyrs in Queen Maries dayes, are men of ſuch bloody, deſperate Principles, that they will ſtick at nothing, that may be a means, to advance the Romiſh Religion. Some men beſides the Romans, have practiſed moſt prodigious things, and all to raiſe themſelves a name in the world. Seruſtus at Geneva, gave all his goods to the poor, and his body to be Anno 1555. Calvin.burnt; and all for a name, for a little glory among men. The Temple of the great Goddeſs Diana (which was one of the worlds wonders) was ſet on fire when Alexander was born, by Heroſtratus a baſe fellow; and this he did, That he might be talkt of when he was dead. So Judas and Sadoc, Joſephus A…t. l. 18. c. 1. p. 463with their ſeditious Sect, burnt down the Temple of Jeruſalem, and all the beautiful Buildings in the City. And at another time, when the Romans had ſet the Temple on fire, Titus by entreaties and threatnings, did all he could, to perſwade the Souldiers, to extinguiſh the fire, but could not prevail with them. They ſeeing the Gates of the inward Lib. 7. de Bello Jud. ca. 10. p. 737.Temple, to be Gates of Gold, thought that the Temple was full of money; and that they might have a rich booty; and therefore regarded not their Generals commands. Titus did all he could to quench the Flames; but a certain Souldier, fired the Poſts about the doors of the inward Temple, and preſently the flame appearing within, Titus and and his Captains departed; and ſo every one ſtood looking upon it, and no man ſought to extinguiſh it. Thus the Temple was burnt by the hand of a ſingle Souldier, againſt Titus his mind. One man that is of a cruel Spirit, and of cruel Principles, may do a world of miſchief. Take that inſtance of Nero, who malitiouſly raiſed the firſt Perſecution Pareus on the Revelatio…, pag 110.againſt the Chriſtians; pretending, that they were Incendiaries, and Authors of the burning of Rome: whereas he himſelf, had moſt wickedly done it: But this barbarous act of his, was fathered upon the Chriſtians; and accordingly they ſuffered ſeverely for it. Another Author ſaith, Nero ſucceeded Caligula in the Government, and in no leſs fierceneſs The Treaſury of Ancient and Modern times page 321, 322.and cruelty, becauſe he was a man in whom (if poſſible it might be) all the other cru…lties were …ncloſed, and all elſe that could (by men) be imagined, for without any regard of ſanctified things, or perſons (of like quality) private or publick, he cauſed the City of Rome, to be ſet on fire, with expreſs prohibition, not to quench it, or any man to make ſafety of his own goods: So the fire continued ſeven dayes and ſeven nights, burning the City; and he being on a high Tower, ſome ſmall diſtance off, clapped his hands, and joyed, to behold this diſmal ſpectacle, ſo far exceeding all humanity. The wiſeſt Prince that ever ſwayed a Scepter, hath told us, That one ſinner deſtroyeth much good. Eccleſ. 9. 18.Who can ſumm up the miſchief, that a few ill-minded men may do in a little time? The ſame Devil, the ſame luſts, the ſame wrath, the ſame rage, the ſame revenge, the ſame ends, the ſame motives, that have put others upon burning work informer times, may probably have put ſome, upon the ſame work in our time. Burning work is ſo odious and abominable, ſo deſtructive, hateful and hurtful a thing in the eyes of all true Engliſh men, who have any ſenſe of honour or conſcience, that I ſhall never wonder, to ſee ſuch who have either had a head, or a hand, or a heart in it, of Arts and Crafts, to bury for ever the remembrance of it. Was not London the glory of England? Was not London Englands Treaſury, and the Proteſtants Sanctuary? Was not London as terrible to her enemies abroad, as ſhe was joyous to her friends at home? Has not London been as dreadful to her forraign foes, as the hand-writing upon the Wall, was to Belſhazzar? Was not London the great Mountain, that her Dan. 5. 5, 6.enemies feared would be moſt prejudicial to their pernicious deſigns? Was not London, that great Rock, againſt which, Zech. 4. 7.many have daſht themſelves in pieces? Was not London, as Briars and Thorns, as Goads and Gulfs, and two-edged The French, the Dutch, the Dane, the Spaniard, &c. have at times experienced, what Londons Treaſure and force, have been able to do, &c.Swords, to all her enemies more remote, and nearer home? Had the French invaded us, when London was in flames (as many feared they would) or had ſuch riſen up at that time, in the bowels of the Nation, whoſe very Principles lead them by fire and ſword, to make way for their Religion; what doleful dayes had we ſeen, and to what a low ebb might the Proteſtant Intereſt have then be brought? What greater encouragement could be given, to French, Dutch, Dane, and all of the old Religion (as they call it) to make deſperate attempts upon us, than the laying of the City deſolate by fire? but 'tis the glory of Divine Power, to daunt and over-rule all hearts and counſels; and to turn that to his Pſal. 76. 5. 10. Gen. 31. 24, 29. Chap. 33 3, 4.peoples greateſt good, which their enemies deſign to be their utter ruine. We know Papiſts are no changelings: their cruel, bloody, fiery Spirits and Principles, are ſtill the ſame: Both King and Parliament have taken notice, how vigilant The w…ful deſolations that the Popiſh Party made by fire and ſword, amongſt the Proteſtants in Ireland, is written with the Pen of a Diamond.and active they have been of late, by what hath been diſcovered, confeſſed, proved, printed, &c. Is it not more than probable, that ſome influenced from Rome, have kindled and promoted that dreadful fire, that hath laid our City deſolate? The Statue of Apollo, is ſaid, to ſhed tears for the afflictions of the Grecians, though he could not help them. Though none of us could prevent the deſolation of London; yet let us all be ſo ingenious, as to weep over the aſhes of London. Who can look upon Londons glory, as now ſacrificed to the flames, and made a burnt-offering, to appeaſe the wrath and fury (as many ſay) of a Popiſt Conclave, and not mourn?
Sir, We readily grant, that 'tis our duty, to lament and Obj. mourn over the ruines and deſolations of London; yea, ſame of us have ſo lamented and mourned over Londons duſt and aſhes, that we have almoſt reduced our ſelves to duſt and aſhes: and therefore what Cordials, what Comforts, what Supports can you band out to us, that may help to ch…er up our ſpirits, and to bear up our hearts, ſo as that we may not utterly faint, and ſink neither under the ſight of Londons Ruines: nor yet under a deep ſenſe of our many great and ſore loſſes.
Now that I may be a little ſerviceable and uſeful to you in the preſent caſe; give me leave to offer to your moſt ſerious conſideration, theſe following particulars by way of ſupport.
Firſt, Conſider for your Support and comfort, that the great God might have burnt up all: he might not have left one houſe ſtanding, nor one ſtone upon another. 'Tis true, the greateſt part of the City is fallen; but 'tis rich mercy, Luke 19. 41. 44.that the whole is not conſumed. Though moſt of the City within the Walls, be deſtroyed; yet 'tis Grace upon the Throne, that the Suburbs are ſtanding. Had not God ſpared ſome houſes in the City, and the main of the Suburbs, where would thouſands have had a livelihood? How would any Trade have been maintained? yea, how would the lives of many thouſands have been preſerved? 'Tis true, the fire was very dreadful, but God might have made it more dreadful; …e might have laid every houſe level; he might have conſumed all the goods and wealth, that was there treaſured up; and he might have refuſed, to have pluckt one man, as a brand out of the fire. He might have ſuffered London, to Zech. 3. 2.have been as totally deſtroyed, as Jeruſalem was, Mat. 24. 1, 2. And Jeſus went out, and departed from the Temple, and his Diſcip…es Mat. 24. 1, 2.came to him, to ſhew him the buildings of the Temple. And J…ſus ſaid unto them, ſee ye not all theſe things? Verily, I ſay unto you there ſhall not be left here one ſtone upon another, that ſhall not be thrown d…wn. In theſe words, Chriſt doth fore…ell the utter deſtruction, and devaſtation of Jeruſalem, which came to paſs by Titus and the R…man Army: waſting all with fire and ſword, and evening with the ground, that Magnificent Temple and City, which was the glory of the See Joſeph. l. 7. c. 9, 10, 18. d. B…l. Jud.world. Though Titus by a ſtrict Edict, at firſt ſtorming of the City, forbad the defacing of the Temple, yet the Souldiers burnt it, and the City. The Temple was burnt (ſay ſome) Auguſt: 10. when it had ſtood five hundred eighty nine years; and the City was burnt, September 8. in the year of our Lord ſeventy one.
But why d…d Chriſts Diſciples ſh…w him the buildings of the Queſt. Temple, which they knew were not unknown unto him?
To move him to mercy, and to moderate the ſeverity of Anſw. that former ſentence, of leaving their houſes deſolate unto them. Herod had been at a wonderful charge, in building Matth 23. 38.and beautifying the Temple. Joſephus tells us, that for Joſeph. lib. 15. Antiq. cap. 14.eight whole years together, he kept ten thouſand men at work about it: and that for magnificence and ſtatelineſs, it …xceeded Solomons Temple. The D…ſciples might very well wonder at theſe ſtately buildings, at theſe goodly, ſtately fair Stones, which were (as Joſephus writeth) fifteen cubits long, twelve high, and eight broad. Now the Diſciples …ondly thought, that Chriſt, upon the full ſight of theſe …tately glorious buildings, (which to ſee laid waſte, was pity) might have been ſo workt upon, as to reverſe his former ſentence, of laying all deſolate. But here they were miſtaken; for his thoughts was not as their thoughts. Others think, that the Diſciples ſhewed Chriſt the ſtately buildings of the Temple, that upon a ſerious conſideration of the ſtreng…h, pomp, ſtatelineſs, greatneſs and magnificence of the buildings, he might be the more careful to preſerve them from deſtruction. Others think, that the Diſciples ſhewed him theſe ſtrong and ſtately buildings, to inſinuate ſecretly thereby, how difficult, yea, impoſſible, it was for them to be deſtroyed; eſpecially conſidering the ſtrength of the City alſo. And hence our Saviour ſeems to anſwer, See ye not all theſe things: Verily, I ſay unto you, there ſhall not be left here one ſtone upon another that ſhall not be thrown down, &c.
But when was this prediction fulfilled, That not one ſtone ſhould Queſt. be left upon another, which ſhould not be thrown d…wn? &c.
This was fulfilled, forty years after Chriſts Aſcenſion, by Anſw. Veſpaſian the Emperor, and his Son Titus; as Euſebius and Joſephus do declare. Yea, this Prophecy was not only accompliſhed, in the deſtruction of the old Temple, but then alſo, when in Ju…i…n the Apoſtates time, the Jews (to ſpite the Chriſtians) were by him encouraged, to build the Temple at his charge; and they attempting it accordingly, were hindered from Heaven, by a mighty Earthquake, which caſt down that in the night, which was built in the day: and beſides, a fire from Heaven, that conſumed the work and work-mens inſtruments; which Cyrillus Biſhop of Jeruſalem, Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 17.then ſeeing, applied unto that event, this predict on of our Saviour, There ſhall not be left one ſtone upon another, that ſhall not be thrown down. Ah London, London, this might have been thy doom, that there ſhould not have been one houſe ſtanding, neither within, nor without thy walls; yea, this might have been thy doom, that there ſhould not have been one ſtone left upon another, that ſhould not have been thrown down. In that 'tis otherwiſe with thee, thou haſt cauſe, O London, to cry Grace, Grace, to him that ſits upon the Throne, and is bleſſed for ever, &c.
Carthage was a Noble City, Miſtris of Africa, and Paragon to Rome. She made her part good againſt Rome for many years, but at length, by means of her own inward civil jarrs, ſhe was utterly deſtroyed by them. For the inhabitants Oroſ. E…trop.being not able to ſtand any longer in their own defence, were conſtrained to yield themſelves to the mercy of their enemies: the Women, to the number of five and twenty thouſand, marching firſt forth; and after them, the men in number thirty thouſand following, all which poor Captives, were ſold for bond-ſlaves, a few only of the principal excepted: and then fire was put to the City, which burnt ſeventeen dayes without ceaſing; even till it was clean conſumed. This might have been thy doom, O London, but God in the midſt of Judgement hath remembred mercy.
Athens was once the moſt famous flouriſhing City of Greece, for her fair buildings, large Precincts, and multitude of inhabitants; but eſpecially for her Philoſophy, by means whereof, recourſe was made from all parts to her, as the fountain and well-ſpring of Arts, and the School and Univerſity of the whole world. Whoſe Policy and manner of Government, was ſo much eſteemed by the Romans, that they drew from thence their Laws: but now ſhe lies dead and buried in the aſhes of forgetfulneſs, not carrying any of her former proportion or appearance. If this had been thy doom, O London, we muſt all have ſet to our ſeales, that the Lord had been Righteous: but bleſſed be the Lord, London is not, and I hope never ſhall (let Rome and Hell do their worſt) be buried in the aſhes of forgetfulneſs, &c. But,
The ſecond Support, to bear up the hearts, and to cheer up the Spirits of all that has ſmarted by the late fiery diſpenſation, is this, viz. that God has given them their lives for a prey. O Sirs, what a mercy is it, that though the fire has reacht your houſes, your ſhops, your goods, your commodities, your warehouſes, your treaſure; that yet it has not reacht your lives, nor the lives of your relations or friends? though your habitations are conſumed, and your The Philoſopher ſaith, that a Flye is more excellent than the Heavens: becauſe the Fly has life, which the Heavens have not.loſſes have been great, yet that in the midſt of ſo many deaths and dangers by the flames, and by the preſs of the people and notwithſtanding all the confuſions, that was in all parts of the City, you ſhould have your lives for a prey, and be ſnatcht as ſo many fire-brands out of the burning. O how ſhould this miraculous Providence of God, be owned and admired by you! The Devil hit the mark, when he ſaid, Skin for skin; yea, all that a man hath, will he give for his life, Job 2. 4. Mens eſtates in thoſe times, did lye moſtly in Cattel. Now ſaith Satan, Job is a very great life lover, he is Proximus quiſque ſibi: Every man is neareſt to himſelf.fond of life, and afraid of death; and therefore he will give skin upon skin, to ſave his life: he will give many skins, abundance of skins; yea, all his skins, to ſave his life: he will give his Cattels skins, and his Servants skins, and his Sons skins, to ſave himſelf in a whole skin. By this Proverbial Speech, Skin for skin, &c. Satan intimates, that Job cared not for the loſs of his Cattel, nor for the loſs of his ſervants, nor for the loſs of his children, ſo he might ſecure his own life. Job ſet a higher price upon his own life, than he did upon all other lives: let others ſink or ſwim, ſo he might eſcape, all was well. Natural life is a precious Jewel; a man will caſt all over-board, when he is in danger of drowning, to ſave his life. A man will hold up his arms, to ſave his head; or ſuffer the loſs of a limb, to ſave his life. Men will bleed, ſweat, vomit, purge, part with an eſtate; yea, with ſome of their limbs, to preſerve their lives. As he who cryed out, Give me any deformity, any torment, any miſery, ſo you ſpare my life. Wherefore doth a living man complain (or murmur) a man for the puniſhment of his ſin, Lam. 3. 39. O what a ſimple, ſenſeleſs, bruitiſh, blockiſh thing is it, for a man, a mortal man, a ſinful man, a man on this ſide the grave, on this ſide Hell, to complain, or murmur againſt a holy and righteous God! He that is alive on this ſide everlaſting burnings, Iſa. 33. 14.on this ſide a devouring fire; has no juſt cauſe to complain, what ever his loſſes, croſſes, or ſufferings are. He that has deſerved a hanging, if he eſcape with a whipping, has no cauſe to complain, or murmur. Men that have deſerv…d a damning, if they eſcape, with the loſs of houſe, goods, eſtates, &c. they have no cauſe to complain, or murmur. Mark at this time Jeruſalem was burnt, City and Temple, was laid in aſhes, the Citizens were turned out of houſe and home, and ſtript of all their comforts and contentments. They that did feed delicately, were deſolate in the Streets: they that Lam. 4. 5.were brought up in Scarlet, embraced dunghills. They were ſcattered among the Heathen, who did mock at their Sabbaths, and Chap. 1.who trod their mighty men under foot; yea, they ſought their bread with the peril of their lives. And yet ſaith the Prophet, Why Chap 5. 9.doth the living man complain? Though City, and Temple, and Goods, and Eſtates, were all conſumed in the flames, yet ſome had their lives for a pr…y. And upon that very account, they ought not to complain. God might have …urn…d them into aſhes; as he had turned their houſes into …ſhes: and it was meer Grace, that he did not: which the Church wiſely and ingeniouſly obſerves, when ſhe ſaith, It is of the Lords mercy that (we) are not conſumed. She doth Chap. 3. …2.not ſay, 'tis of the Lords mercy, that our houſes are not conſumed: but 'tis of the Lords mercy that (we) are not conſumed: nor ſhe do… not ſay, 'tis of the Lords mercy that our goods are not conſumed; but 'tis of the Lords mercy that (we) are not conſum▪d▪ The Church ſaw mercy, much mercy, tender mercy, yea, bowels of mercy, (as the word there imports) that a remnant had their lives given them, when their City and Subſtance was turned into aſhes. O Sirs, others have loſt their goods, and their lives together, and 'tis miraculous mercy, that you ha…'t, when mens wits were puzzel'd, their hearts diſcouraged, and their induſtry tir…d out. When the wind was at the higheſt, and the fire at the hotteſt, and the hopes of moſt at the loweſt: that then you ſhould be as brands pluckt out of the fire, was glorious mercy, &c.
In the Reign of Achm…t the eighth Emperor of the Turks, Knolles his General Hiſtory of the Turks, p. 1244.a great fire aroſe in the City of Conſtantinople, wherein many, both men and women periſhed, with above five hundred Shops and Ware-houſes full of rich Merchandize, moſt of which belonged unto the Jews, of whom, almoſt two hundred are ſaid to be burnt. Theſe loſt their goods and their lives together, but ſo have not you: the greater oblig…tion lyes upon you, both to think well of God, and to ſpeak well of God, and to lay out your lives to the uttermoſt for God.
Certain Tartars at Conſtantinople in their inſolency, ſet fire upon a certain Jews houſe; whereof aroſe ſuch a terrible Knolles pag. 1266.fire, as b…rnt not only many houſes; but a great many of the Jews themſelves. Here lives and eſtates went together. Though Out-landiſh hands have ſet our City, our houſes on fire, yet God has pr…ſerved our lives in the midſt of the flames: and this is a mercy more worth, than all we have loſt, &c.
There was a ſtately Palace in Jeruſalem, that Sol…mon had built, which joyned near to the Temple: this Palace Joſephus.the Jews abundantly anointed all over with Brimſtone and Pitch, ſo that when the Romans purſued the Jews unto this Palace, they entered the Palace …fter the Jews, who went ou… again another way, and ſhut up the Palace, and ſet fire on the Gates, which they had before anointed with Brimſtone and Pitch; and ſtraight way, the ſide walls of the houſe, and the whole building, began to be on a light fire: ſo that the Romans had no way to eſcape, becauſe the fire compaſſed the houſe on every ſide. The Jews alſo ſtood round about the Palace, with their drawn Swords, to cut off any that ſhould attempt to eſcape the flames. Now there was two and twenty thouſand of the Romans deſtroyed in this fire. Titus hearing the lamentable cry of the Romans, that were compaſſed about in flames of fire, made ſpeed with all his Army, to come and reſcue them; but the fire burnt ſo vehemently, that he could ſave none of them. Upon which, Titus and his Army wept bitterly. O Sirs, when London was in flames, if men of a Romiſh faith, had compaſſed the City round about with their drawn Swords, that none ſhould have eſcaped the furious flames, how dreadfull would ſuch a day have been. Whether ſuch a thing was intended, or deſigned, and by any ſtrange Providence prevented: we ſhall know in the fitteſt ſeaſon.
Numantium a City in Spain, being beſieged by the Romans, and after it had born the brunt of War along time, and made many deſperate Sallies upon their enemies, and were almoſt conſumed with famine; rather than they would bow their necks to the Roman yoke, they barred their Gates, and ſet all on fire, and ſo burned themſelves in the flames of their City, that ſo they might leave the enemy, nothing but aſhes for his prey and triumph. Here City and Citizens, are deſtroyed together; and 'tis infinite mercy, that this was not the fate, the doom of the Citizens of London. They and their City, might have fallen together: but God was good, and a very preſent help in time of trouble. O Sirs, if not only your houſes, Pſal 46.your ſhops, your goods, your wares, but alſo your perſons, had been encloſed with flames, and no poſſibility of eſcape; how dreadful would the fire have been then! O what tongue can expreſs, or heart conceive, the ſighs, the groans, the cryes, the tears, the gaſhful looks, the horrible ſhrieks, the dreadful amazement, and the matchleſs aſtoniſhment, that would have been upon all ſorts, and ranks of people, that had been compaſſed round about with flames, and could ſee no door of deliverance open to them! O what a mercy is it, that we are yet alive; though we are ſtript of many comforts and contentments, which formerly we have enjoyed! Now here give me leave, to open my ſelf a little, in theſe following particulars.
Firſt, What a mercy was this, to all unregenerate and unconverted perſons, that they have had their lives for a Auſtin ſaith, that he would not be a wicked man one half hour, for all the world; becauſe he might die in that half hour, and then he was undone for ever.prey, when London was in flames? Had God by the flames, or any other accident, put an end to their natural dayes, they might at this time, have been a Rolling up and down in unquenchable flames. Sinners, Sinners, the greateſt weights, hang upon the ſmalleſt Wyars. Eternity, Eternity, depends upon your improvement of that time, that life, and thoſe ſeaſons, and opportunities of Grace, that yet you do enjoy. That Rabbi hit it, who ſaid, Nemo eſt cui non ſit hora ſu…: Every man hath his hour. He who overſlips that ſeaſon, may never meet with the like again all his dayes. O Sirs, to have a little more time to believe, to repent, to ſecure your intereſt i… Chriſt, a changed nature, a ſanctified frame of heart: a pardon in the boſom, is a mercy more worth, than ten thouſand worlds. To have a little more time, to make your calling and election ſure, and to get the New Name, and 2 Pet 1. 10. Rev. 2. 17. Heb. 11. 10. Chap. 12. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Rev. 2. 10. James 1. 1…. 1 Pet. 5. 4.White Stone, that none knows, but thoſe that are the favourites of Heaven. To have time, to make ſure a City that hath foundations; a Kindgom, that ſhakes not; Riches that corrupt not; an inheritance, that …adeth not away; a houſe not made with hands, but one eternal in the heavens. To have time, to make ſure to your ſelves a Crown of Righteouſneſs, a Crown of Life, a Crown of Glory, a Crown of immortality, are mercies b…yond all the expreſſions, and above all the valuations of the Sons of men. The Poets paint Time with wings, to ſhew the volubility and ſwiftneſs of it. Sumptus pretiociſſimus tempus: time is of precious Sophocles, Phocilides.coſt, ſaith Theophraſtus. Know time, loſe not a minute, ſaith Pittacus. Aelian gives this teſtimony of the Lacedaemonians, That they were hugely covetous of their time, ſpending it all about neceſſary things, and ſuffering no Citizen, either to be idle, or play. Titus Veſpaſian having ſpent a day, without doing Suetonius.any man any good, as he ſate at Supper, he uttered this memorable and praiſe worthy Apothegme, Amici diem perdidi, My friends I have loſt a day. O Sirs, will not theſe poor Heathens riſe in J…dgement againſt all thoſe, that trifle, and fool, and ſin away their precious time. Take heed of crying cras, cras, to morrow, to morrow. O play not the Courtier with your precious ſouls; the Courtier doth all things late; he riſes late, and dines late, and ſupps late, and goes to bed late, and repents late. Remember that Manna muſt be gathered in the morning: The Orient Pearl is generated of the morning dew. There is nothing puts a more ſerious frame into a mans Spirit, than to know the worth of his time. 'Tis very dangerous putting off that to another day, which muſt be done to day, or elſe undone to morrow. Nunc aut nunquam, Now or Never, was the ſaying of old, If not done now, it may never be done, and then undone for ever. Eternity depends on this moment of time. What Beroaldus ſpeak… of a Fool, who cried out, Oh Repentance, R… pentance, where a…t thou, where art thou Repentance?would not many a man give for a day, when it is a day too late. Whilſt many blind Sodomites have been groping, to find a door of hope, God has rained Hell out of Heaven upon them. The ſeaſons of Grace are not under your locks and keyes. Many thouſand poor ſinners have loſt their ſeaſons, and their ſouls together. Judas repented, and Eſau mourned, but neither timely nor truly, and therefore they periſhed to all eternity. The damned in Hell may weep their eyes out of their heads, but they can never weep ſin out of their ſouls; nor their ſouls out of Hell, &c.
O that the flames of London might be ſo ſanctified to every poor ſinner, who have had their lives for a prey, in that doleful day, that they may no longer neglect thoſe precious ſeaſons, and opportunities of Grace, that yet are continued to them; leſt God ſhould ſwear in his wrath, that they ſhould never Heb. 2. 3. Heb. 3. 18.enter into his reſt. O Sirs, yet you have a world of gracious opportunities, and O that God would give you that heavenly wiſdom, that you may never neglect one gracious opportunity, though it were to gain a whole world. God by giving you your lives in the midſt of thoſe furious and amazing flames, has given you time and opportunity, to ſecure the internal and the eternal welfare of your precious and immortal ſouls: which is a mercy that can never b… ſufficiently prized or improved. But,
Secondly, What a mercy was this, to poor doubting ſtaggering Chriſtians, that they have had their lives for a prey when London was in flames. For by this means, they have gained time to pray down their doubts, and to argue down their doubts, and to wreſtle and weep down their doubts, &c. Chriſt aſcended to Heaven in a cloud, and the Angel aſcended Acts 1. 9, 10. Judg. 14. 20.to Heaven in the flame of the Altar. 'Tis ten to one, out this had been the caſe of many doubting, trembling Chriſtians, had they dyed when London was in flames. I know 'tis good getting to Heaven any way, though it be in a whirlewind of affliction, or in a fiery Chariot of temptation, or in the flames of Perſecution, or in a cloud of fears, doubts and darkneſs: but yet that man is more happy, that gets to Heaven in a quiet calm of inward peace, and The whole Scripture (ſaith Luther) doth principally aim at this thing, that we ſhould not doubt but that we ſhould hope, that we ſhould truſt, and that we ſhould believe, that God is a merciful, a bountiful, a gracious and patient God to his people.in the fair Sunſhine of joy and aſſurance. 'Tis a good thing for a man to get into a ſafe Harbour, though it be in a Winter night, and through many Storms and tempeſts, hazards, dangers, and deaths, with the loſs of Maſts, Cables and Anchors: but yet he is more happy, that gets into a ſafe Harbour in a clear, calm, fair Sun-ſhiny day, top and top-gallant, and with Colours flying, and Trumpets ſounding. The prudent Reader knows how to apply it. O that al poor doubting Chriſtians would ſeriouſly lay this to heart viz. That for them to have time, to have their judgements and underſtandings enlightned, their doubts reſolved, their objections anſwered, their conſciences ſetled, and their ſouls aſſured, that all is well, and ſhall be for ever well between God and them, is a mercy, more worth than all the world. But,
Thirdly, What a mercy was this, to poor languiſhing, declining and decaying Chriſtians, that they have had their lives for a prey when London was in flames. There wer… a great many in London, who were fallen from their firſt love, and whoſe Sun was ſet in a cloud. There were many whoſe Graces were languiſhing, whoſe comforts were declining, Rev. 2. 4.whoſe ſouls were withered, and whoſe communion with God was greatly impaired. Many within and without the Walls of London, had a Worm knawing at the root of their Graces; they had loſt their ſpiritual relliſh of God, of Chriſt of Ordinances, as dying men loſe their relliſh. Dying men can relliſh nothing they ſip, or eat, or drink: they had loſt the… ſpiritual ſtrength, and they knew it not, as Sampſon had loſt h…s natural ſtrength and knew it not. O what an Image of dea… Judg. 16. 20.was upon their higheſt profeſſions. Now for theſe men to liv…, for theſe men to have time to get their Graces repaired, their comforts revived, their ſpiritual ſtrength reſtored, their ſoul… fatned, and their communion with God raiſed, O what a matchleſs, what an incomparable mercy is this! But,
Fourthly, What a mercy was this, to poor clouded, deſerted and benighted Chriſtians, that they have had their lives for a prey, when London was in flames! Beloved, 'tis ſa… dying under a cloud; 'tis ſad dying, when he who ſhould comfort a mans ſoul, ſtands afar off. Some think, that the Lam. 1. 16. Pſal. 39. 13.face of God was clouded, when David thus prayed, O ſpare me, that I may recover ſtrength, before I go hence, and be no more. And ſome think Hezekiahs's Sun was ſet in a cloud, Iſa. 38. 1, 2, 3. See more of th…s, in my Mute Chriſtian, under the ſmarting Rod pag. 279. 304. Judg. 16. 18, 19, 20, 21.and God had drawn a Curtain between Hezekiah and himſelf: when being under the ſentence of death, He turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, and ſaid, Remember now, O Lord, I beſeech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart; and have done that which was good in thy ſight: and Hezekiah wept ſore: or with great weeping, as the Hebrew runs. It is with clouded and deſerted Chriſtians, as it was with Sampſon, when his locks were cut off, his ſtrength was gone: and therefore though he thought to go out, and do wonders, as he had formerly done, yet by ſad experience, he found himſelf to be but as another man. So when God dos but withdraw, the beſt of Saints have their locks cut; their ſtrength (which lyeth not in their hair, but in their head Chriſt Jeſus) is gone, and they Phil. 1. 22, 23.are but like other men: They think, they ſpeak, they act, they walk, like other men. Chriſtians under real diſertions, commonly fall under ſore temptations, great indiſpoſitions, barrenneſs, flatneſs, dulneſs and deadneſs of Spirit. And is this a fit ſeaſon, for ſuch to die in? Chriſtians under a cloud uſually have their joyes eclipſed, their comforts damped, their evidences for Heaven blotted, their communion with God impaired, and their title to Heaven is by themſelves (in ſuch a day) much queſtioned. And is this a caſe for them to die in? O clouded and deſerted Chriſtians, who have had your lives for a prey, in the midſt of Londons flames! and ever ſince thoſe flames, what a great, what a glorious obligation, has the bleſſed God put upon you, to labour to recover your ſelves from under all clouds and deſertions, and to ſpend your dayes in a ſerious and deep admiration of that free, that rich, that infinite, and that Soveraign Grace that ſpared you, and that was active for you, in that day when you were compaſſed about with flames of fire on every hand. But,
Fifthly, What a mercy was this, to poor ſolicited tempted Chriſtians, that they have had their lives for a prey, when London was in flames? For by this means, they have gained See my Mute Chriſtian pag. 260. to p. 279. Our whole life is nothing but a temptation, ſaith A…ſtin.time to ſtrengthen themſelves againſt all Satans temptations. The …aily B…l…s that were given in, to pray for poor tempted Chriſt…ans, did ſ…fficiently evidence, how active Satan was to diſtr…ſs and perplex poor Chriſtians with all ſorts of hideous and blaſphemous temptations. Were there not many tempted to diſtruſt the power of God, the goodneſs of God, the faithfulneſs of God? Were there not many tempted to deny God, to blaſpheme God, and to turn their backs upon God? Were there not many tempted to ſlight the Scriptures, to deny the Scriptures, and to prefer their own fancies, notions and delufions above the Scriptures. Were there not many tempted to have low thoughts of Ordinances, and then to leave Ordinances, and then to vilifie Ordinances, and all under a pr…tence of living above Ordinances? Were there not many tempted, to preſume upon the mercies of God; and others tempted to deſpair of the Grace of God? Were there not many tempted to deſtroy themſelves, and others tempted to deſtroy their relations? Were there not many tempted to draw others to ſin, and to uphold others in ſin, and to encourage others in ſin, and to be partners with others in ſin? Were there not many tempted, to have hard thoughts of Chriſt, and others to have low thoughts of Chriſt, and others to have no thoughts of Chriſt. Now for theſe poor tempted ſouls, to have their lives for a prey, and to have precious ſeaſons and opportunities, to recover themſelves out of the ſnares of the Devil, and to arm themſelves againſt all his fiery daris, is a comprehenſive mercy, a big-bellied mercy; a mercy that has many thouſand mercies in the womb of it. But,
Sixthly and laſtly, What a mercy was this, to all ſlumbering, ſlothful, ſluggiſh, lazy Chriſtians, who had blotted and Matth. 25.blurred their evidences for Heaven? and who inſtead of runing their Chriſtian race, were either at a ſtand, or elſe did but Heb. 12. 1.halt in the way to Heaven, that they have had their lives for a prey, when London was in flames, and that they have had time to clear up their evidences for Heaven, and to quicken Pſal. 119. 32.up their hearts, to run the wayes of Gods commands. Surely, had all the world been a lump of Gold, and in their hands, to have been diſpoſed of; they would have given it, for a little time, to have brightned their evidences, to have got out of their ſinful ſlumber, and to have ſet all reckonings even between God and their poor ſouls. And let thus much ſuffice for this ſecond ſupport.
The third Support to bear up the hearts, and to cheer up the Spirits of all that have ſuffered by the late fiery diſpenſation, is this, viz. that this has been the common lot, the common caſe, both of Saints and ſinners. God has dealt no more ſeverely with you, than he has with many others. Have The commonneſs of our ſufferings, doth ſomewhat mitigate the ſharpneſs of our ſufferings, &c.you loſt much? ſo have many others. Have you loſt half? ſo have many others. Have you loſt all? ſo have many others. Have you loſt your Trade? ſo have many others. Have you loſt yoour goods? ſo have many others. Have you loſt your credits? ſo have many others. Have you loſt many friends, who before the fire were very helpful to you and yours? ſo have many others. Have you loſt more than your all? ſo have many others. This very Cordial, the Apoſtle hands out to the ſuffering Saints in his time, 1 Cor. 10. 13. There hath no temptation taken you, but ſuch as is comm…n to man. (by temptation, he means affliction; as the word is uſed, Jam. 1. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 6.) that is, there hath no affliction befallen you, but that which is incident, either to men as men, or to Saints as Saints: or thus, there hath no affliction befallen you, but ſuch as is common to man; that is, there is no affliction that hath befallen you, but ſuch as men may very well bear without murmuring or buckling under it. So 1 Pet. 5. 9. Knowing that the ſame afflictions are accompliſhed (or finiſhed) in your brethren, that are in the world: or in your brother-hood, that is in the world. Afflictions are the common lot of the Saints; and who ſhrugs, repines, complains, murmurs, or faints, under a common John 16. ult. Acts 14. 22.lot, its at the Sun becauſe it ſcorches. &c. There are none of the brother-hood, but firſt or laſt, they ſhall know what the fiery tryal, what the fiery fornace means. Jerom writing to a ſick friend, hath this expreſſion, I account it a part of unhappineſs, not to know adverſity. I judge you to be the more miſerable, becauſe you have not been miſerable: it being the common lot of the people of God, to be exerciſed with adverſity and miſery. I think he hit it who ſaid, Impunitas ſecuritatis B…rnard.mater, virtutum noverca, religionis virus, tinea Sanctitatis: i. e. freedom from puniſhment is the Mother of ſecurity, the Step-mother of Vertue, the poiſon of Religion, the Moth of holineſs. Nihil eſt infoelicius eo, cui nil unquam contigit Seneca.adverſi. There is nothing more unhappy, than he who never felt adverſity, ſaid the refined Heathen; and ſhall not Grace riſe as high as nature. The calamity has been common, therefore wipe your eyes, and don't ſay, there is no Lam. 1. 12.ſorrow to my ſorrow: no loſs to my loſs: no ruine to my ruine. Under common calamities, men ſhould neither groan nor grumble. Look, as no man may conclude, upon the Eccleſ. 9. 1, 2.account of common mercies, that he is really beloved of God; ſo no man may conclude, upon the account of common calamities, that he is really hated of God. And therefore bear up ſweetly, bear up chearfully, under your preſent trials. In the common calamity of the Plague, the deſtroying Angel perceiving the blood of ſprinkling upon the poſts of your doors, and upon the doors of your hearts, Exod. 1…. 7. 13.paſt you by; and ſaid unto you Live. But by the common calamity of the Fire, the Lord has turned you out of houſe and home, and burnt up your ſubſtance before your eyes. Now do but lay your hands ſeriouſly upon your hearts, and tell me, whether you have not more cauſe to admire at the mercy of God towards you in 65. than you have cauſe to complain of the ſeverities of God towards you in 66.
The fourth Support to bear up the hearts, and to cheer up the ſpirits of the people of God, who have been ſufferers, deep ſufferers, under the late fiery diſpenſation, is this, viz. That though they have loſt much, as they are men, as they are Citizens, Merchants, Tradeſmen; yet they have loſt nothing, as they are Chriſtians, as they are Saints, as they are the called and choſen of God. Though they have loſt their goods, yet they have not loſt their God. Though they Rev. 17. 14.have loſt their Shops and Cheſts, yet they have not loſt their Chriſt. Though they have loſt their outward comforts, yet they have not loſt the comforts of the Holy Ghoſt. Though Joh. 14. 16. 26. 2 Cor. 5. 1.they have loſt their houſes made with hands, yet th…y have not loſt their houſe not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. Though they have loſt their earthly inheri…ance, 1 Pet. 1. 4.yet they have not loſt their heavenly inheritance. Thoug… they have loſt their temporal portions, yet they have not loſt Pſal. 73. 25.their eternal portions. Though they have loſt their open Publick Trade▪ yet they have not loſt their Secret Trade, Matth. 6. 6.their private Trade to Heaven. I readily grant, that your ſtately houſes; and your well furniſht Shops, are turned into aſhes; and that your credit is gone, and your trading gone, and your money gone, and you utterly undone (as to this Gen 18. 25.world) and yet in all this, God has done you no hurt; he has done you no wrong: and though this at firſt ſight, may ſeem to be a great Paradox, a very ſtrange Aſſertion; yet I ſhall thus evidence it to be an unqueſtionable truth. The happineſs of man in this life conſiſts 1. In his Union with God: 2. In his Communion with God: 3. In his Conformity to God: and Fourthly and laſtly, in his ſpiritual fruition and enjoyment of God. Now none of thoſe loſſes, croſſes, and afflictive diſpenſations that have paſt upon you, have, or can make any breach upon your happineſs, or upon any one of thoſe four things of which your happineſs is made up. The top of mans happineſs in Heaven, lyes in his near un…on with God, and in the beatifical viſion of God, and in his full communion with God, and in his exact and perfect conformity to God, and in his everlaſting fruition and enjoyment of God. Now the more of theſe things any Chriſtian enjoyes in this world, the more of Heaven he enjoyes on this ſide Heaven, the more happineſs he has on this happineſs; and therefore I would willingly know, how it is poſſible for any outward troubles or trya…s, to make a breach upon a Chriſtians happineſs. Doub…leſs Job was as happy Job 2.when he ſate upon the Dunghil without a ragg on his back, or a penny in his purſe, as he was when he ſate Chief, and Jo…. 29. 25.dwelt as a King in the Army. If God be the moſt perfect Being, then to enjoy him and reſemble him, is our greateſt perfection. If God be the beſt of Beings, then our communion with him, and fruition of him, muſt be our greateſt glory and higheſt felicity. Let what will befall our outward Omne bonum, in ſummo bono.man, as long as our union and communion with God holds good, as long as our precious and immortal ſouls are in a ſafe and flouriſhing condition; as long as the Springs of Grace, of holineſs, of comfort, of aſſurance, riſes in our ſouls, we are happy, and no outward miſeries can make us miſerable. There is, ſaith one, Bona Throni, and there is Bona Scabelli, Auguſtine.there is goods of the Throne, as God, Chriſt, the Spirit, Grace, the favour of God, pardon of ſin, peace of conſcience, &c. And there is goods of the footſtool, as food, raiment, houſe, honors, riches, trade, credit, and all bodily conveniencies and accommodations. Now it was not in the power of the flames, to burn up the goods of the Throne; they ſtill remain ſafe and ſecure to you: all that the flames could reach too, was only the goods of the footſtool, the lumber of this world. And therefore what cauſe have you to bear up cheerfully, quietly, ſweetly and contentedly, under all your croſſes and loſſes, trials and troubles. They which adorn Cl…mens Alexandrinus. Gr…gory the Great.themſelves with Gold (ſaith one) and think themſelves bettered thereby, are worſe than Gold, and no Lords of it, as all ſhould be. He is poor (ſaith Another) whoſe ſoul is void of Grace, not whoſe coffers are empty of money. By theſe ſhort hints, you may clearly ſee, that the people of God are never the worſe, for all their loſſes; they are as happy now they are houſeleſs, monyleſs, breadleſs, friendleſs, tradeleſs, as ever they were, when they were moſt ſurrounded with all the comforts of this life. Wo, wo, would be to the people of God, if their happineſs ſhould hang upon the comforts of this world, which like a Ball are toſt from man to man; a Ball of fire, a ſtorm at Sea, a falſe Oath, a ſubtle enemy, a treacherous friend, may eaſily deprive a man of all his earthly bleſſings at a clap. Now who ſo miſerable as that man whoſe bleſſedneſs lyes in earthly bleſſings. But,
The Fifth Support to bear up the hearts of the people of God under the late fiery diſpenſation, is this, viz. That the Lord will certainly one way or another make up all their loſſes to them. Sometimes God makes up his peoples outward loſſes, by giving them more of himſelf, more of his Son, more of his Spirit, more of his favour, more of his John 16.Grace, as he did by the Diſciples of Chriſt. When God takes away your carnals, and gives you more ſpirituals; your temporals, and gives you more eternals; your outward loſſes are made up to you. Now this was the very caſe of thoſe believing Hebrews, who were turned out of houſe and home; and who were driven to live in holes and caves, and dens of the earth, and who had loſt all their goods; (not Heb. 11.having a Bed to lye on, or a Stool to ſit on, nor a diſh to drink in, and who had loſt all their Apparel, not having a ragg to hang on their backs, and therefore cloathed themſelves in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins.) They took joyfully the ſpoiling of their goods, knowing in themſelves, that they had in Ver. 3, 4.Heaven a better and an enduring ſubſtance. When under outward When God takes away Chriſtians eſtates in this world, Manet altera Coelo, he looks for a better in Heaven.loſſes, God ſhall ſeal to his people a Bill of Exchange of better and greater things, than any they have loſt; their loſſes then are made up to them. If a man ſhould looſe ſeveral baggs of Counters, and have a Bill of Exchange ſealed to him for the receiving of ſo many baggs of Gold; would not his loſs be abundantly made up to him? When God takes away our earthly treaſures, and ſeals up in our hearts a Bill of Exchange, to receive all again with intereſt upon intereſt in eternal treaſures, then certainly our loſſes are abundantly made up to us. If men ſhould take away your old cloathes, and give you new; your Raggs, and give you Robes; your Chaff, and give you Wheat, your Water, and give you Wine; your Tinn, and give you Silver; your Braſs, and give you Gold; your Pibble, and give you Pearls, your Cottages, and give you Royal Palaces; certainly you would have no cauſe to complain; you would have no cauſe to cry out undone, undone. If God takes away your houſes, your goods, your Trades, your honors, and gives you more of himſelf, and more Grace, and more Aſſurance of Glory, he dos you no injury. It is an excellent change, to get eternals for temporals. If God takes away your earthly riches, and makes you more rich in Grace, in ſpiritual comforts, in holy experiences, in divine employments, then you are no loſe…s, but g…eat gainers. What are all the neceſſary comforts of this life, to union and communion with God, to intereſt in Chriſt, to pardon of ſin, to peace of conſcience, and to that loving kindneſs, that is better than life, or better (Chaiim) Pſal. 63▪ 3.than lives, as the Hebrew runs. If you put many lives together, there is more excellency and glory in the leaſt diſcovery of divine love, than in them all. Many a man has been weary of his life; but never was any man yet weary of the love and favour of God. The leaſt drop of Grace, the leaſt Cant. 2. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.ſmile from Heaven, the leaſt caſt of Chriſts countenance, the leaſt kiſs of his mouth, the leaſt embrace of his arm, the leaſt hint of his favour, is more worth than ten thouſand worlds. That Chriſtian cant be poor, that is rich in Grace; nor that Chriſtian can't be miſerable, that has God for his Rev. 2. 8, 9. Lam. 3. 24. John 14. 1, 2, 3, 4. Heb. 11. 37, 38. Rev. 2. 17. John 4. 30▪ 31.portion. That Chriſtian can't be unhappy, who hath a manſion prepared for him in Heaven; though he hath not a cottage to hide his head in, in this world: nor that Chriſtian has no cauſe to complain of want of food for his body, whoſe ſoul is feaſted with Manna, with the dainties of Heaven, with thoſe rarities, that are better than Angels food. He that hath but raggs to cover his nakedneſs, if his ſoul be cloathed with the garments of ſalvation, and covered with Iſa. 61. 10.the Robe of Chriſts Righteouſneſs, he has no reaſon to complain. When Stilpo the Philoſopher, had his Wife, and Children, and Countrey, all burnt up before him, and was asked by Demetrius, what loſs he had ſuſtained: anſwered, That he had loſt nothing; for he counted that only his own, which none could take from him; to wit, his virtues. Shall blind Nature do more than Grace? Shall the Heathen put the Chriſtian to a bluſh?
Again, Sometimes God makes up his peoples outward loſſes, by giving in greater outward mercies, than thoſe were that he took from them; as you may ſee, by comparing the firſt Chapter of Job, and the laſt Chapter of Job together; Job had all doubled to him. I have read of Dionyſius, how he Plu…arch.took away from one of his Nobles, almoſt his whole eſtate, and ſeeing him as cheerful and contented as ever, he gave him all that he had taken from him again, and as much more. God many times takes away a little, that he may give more: and ſometimes he takes away all, to ſhew his Soveraignty; and then he gives them all back again with intereſt upon intereſt, to ſhew his great liberality and noble bounty. That is a lovely loſs, that is made up with ſo great gain.
But Sir, How ſhall we know (or probably conjecture) whether Queſt. in this world, God will make up our worldly loſſes to us or not? If you pleaſe to ſpeak a little to this queſtion; it may be many wayes of uſe unto us.
Now that I may give you a little light to the Queſtion, give me leave to put a few Queſtions to ſuch, who have been ſufferers by the late fiery diſpenſation.
Firſt, Did you make conſcience of improving your eſtates to the glory of God, and the good of others, when you did enjoy them; or did you only make them ſubſervient to your luſts? If you have laid out your eſtates for God, and for his Deut. 32. 15, 16. Hoſ. 4. 7. James 4. 3.childrens good; 'tis ten to one, but that the Lord, even in this world, will make up your loſſes to you. But if you miſ-improved your eſtates, and turned your mercies into encouragements to ſin, then you have more cauſe to fear, that the Lord may farther blaſt you; than you have to hope, that God will make up your loſſes to you. But,
Secondly, Did you daily and ſeriouſly labour, to enjoy much of God in all thoſe worldly enjoyments, which formerly you were bleſt withal? If ſo, 'tis very probable, that the Lord may make up all your loſſes to you: But if you made a God of your worldly enjoyments; if they had more of your thoughts, and hearts, and time, than God himſelf had; then you have more cauſe to fear a further curſe, than to expect a future bleſſing, Prov. 3. 33. Mal. 2. 2. …ut,
Thirdly, Did your hearts commonly, ordinarily, habitually, lye low under your worldly enjoyments? Abraham under all his worldly enjoyments, was but duſt and aſhes; and Gen. 13. 17. Chap. 32. 10.Jacob under his, was l…ſs than the leaſt of all mercies. And ſo David under all Gods royal favours his heart ly…s low, Pſal. 22. 6. But I am a worm and no man. David in the Arabick Tongue, ſignifies a Worm, to which he ſeems to allude. T…e word in the Hebrew for Worm, is Tolagnath, which ſignifies ſuch a very little Worm, that a man can very hardly ſee it or perceive it. T…ough David was high in the world, yet he was little, yea, very little in his own eyes. Was it commonly, moſtly thus with you, when your comforts comp…ſſed you round about? If ſo, then 'tis very probable, that the Lord in this world will make up all your loſſes to you. But if your blood did commonly riſe with your outward goods, and if your hearts did uſually ſo ſwell under your worldly enjoyments, as to ſay with Pharaoh, Who is the Lord Exod. 5. 2.that I ſhould obey his voice? or to ſay with Nebuchadn…zz…r, Who is that God that can deliver you out of my hands? or to Dan. 3. 15.ſay with thoſe proud Atheiſts, Who is Lord over us? or to Pſalm 12. 4. Jer. 2. 3.ſay with thoſe proud Monſters, We are Lords, we will come no more unto thee, &c. then you have great cauſe to fear that God, that hath yet ſome further controverſie with you: and (except you repent) will rather ſtrip you of what you enjoy, than multiply further favours or bleſſings upon you. But,
Fourthly, Since God has burnt up your worldly goods, have you been ſervent and frequent with God, that he would burn up thoſe luſts, that have burnt up your comforts before your eyes? Have you pleaded hard with God, that a Spirit of burning might reſt upon you, even that Spirit of burning Iſa. 9. 2. Chap. 4. 4.which alone can burn up your ſins, your droſs. Since London hath been laid in aſhes, have you made it your great buſineſs, to treat, and trade with God, about the deſtruction of thoſe ſins, that have laid all deſolate? If ſo, then you have cauſe to hope, that God will turn your captivity, and make up all your loſſes to you, Job 42. 10. But,
Fifthly, Since God has turned you out of all, are you turned turnnearer and cloſer to himſelf? though you hav… been prodigals, yet have you in the light of L…ndons fl…mes, ſeen and Luke 15.found your way to your Fathers houſ…? th…n God will make up all your loſſes to you. When Judgements are ſo ſanctified, as to bring a people nearer to himſelf, then God will drop down mercies upon them, Hoſ. 2. 18. ult. But,
Sixthly, Has the fire of London been as a pillar of fire, to lead you Canaan ward, Heaven-wards? Has God by burning Exod. 13. 21, 22.up the good things of this world, cauſed you to ſet your hearts and affections more than ever upon the great things of another world? If ſo, then 'tis a hundred to ten, but that the Lord will make up all your loſſes to you. But,
Seventhly, Are your hearts under this fiery diſpenſation, brought into ſuch a quiet ſubmiſſion to the good will and pleaſure of God, as that you can now be contented, to be at Phil. 4. 12, 13, 14.Gods finding, at Gods allowance? Can you now be contented, to be rich or poor, to have much or little, to be high or low, to be ſomething or nothing, to have all again, or to have nothing but neceſſaries again? Are you now willing, that God ſhall chooſe for you? Can you ſit down ſatisfied with Gods allowance, though it be far ſhort of what once you had? Content is the Deputy of outward felicity, and ſupplies the place where its abſent. A contented frame of heart, as to all outward occurrences, is like Ballaſt to a Ship, which will help it to ſail boldly and ſafely in all waters. When a mans mind is conformable to his means, all is well. One brings in God rebuking a diſcontented Chriſtian thus, What is thy faith? Have I promiſed thee theſe things? What wer't thou made a Chriſtian, that thou ſhouldſt flouriſh here in Auguſtine upon Pſa…m 12.this world? 'Tis an excellent expreſſion, that Bellarmine hath in his Catechiſm, Suppoſe (ſaith he) a King having many children of ſeveral ages, ſhould apparel them in Cloth of Gold: now he that is ſixteen years old hath more Gold in his Robe, than the Child that is but five or ſix years old; yet the child would rather have his own garment than his elder Brothers, becauſe 'tis fitter for him. Surely the fitteſt eſtate, is the beſt eſtate for us. Look, as a great Shoe fits not a little foot, nor a great Sail a little Ship, nor a great Ring a little Finger: ſo a great eſtate is not alwayes the fitteſt for us. He t…at hath moſt, wants ſomething: and he that hath leaſt, wants nothing if he wants not a contented Spirit. O Sirs, let not Heathens put you to a bluſh.