Londons Lamentation, Part 1 (3 of 7)

Londons Lamentation · Part 1 (3 of 7)

p. 79He that can be content to be at Gods finding, as a Gueſt at a Epi…t…s E…chi…id. c. 21.Table; that takes what is carved for him, and no more; h… needs not fawn upon any man, much leſs violate his conſcience fo… the great things of the world. When a mans heart is brought down to his condition, he is then temptation-proof. Whe… one told the Philoſopher, that if he would but pleaſe Dionyſius, he need not feed upon green hearbs; the Ph…loſopher replied, If thou wer't but content to feed upon green hearbs, thou needeſt not flatter Dionyſius. A man that can be contented with a little, will keep his ground in an hour of Temptation.

Diogenes the Cynick, houſed in his Tub, and making ever with his victuals and the day together, being invited t… a great Feaſt, could ſay, I had rather lick Salt at Athens, tha… feaſt with Craterus. Diogenes had more content with his Tub. to ſhelter him from the injuries of the weather, and with his wooden diſh, to eat and drink in, than Alexander had with the conqueſt of half the world; and the fruition of all the hono…s, pomp…, treaſures and pleaſures of Aſia.

The way to true riches (ſaith Plato) is not to encreaſe our heaps but to diminiſh the covetouſneſs of our hearts.

And ſaith Seneca, Cui cum paupertate bene convenit, pauper non eſt. A contented man cannot be a poor man.

I have read of another Philoſopher, who ſeeing a Prince going by, with the greateſt pomp and ſtate imaginable; he ſaid to ſome about him, See how many things I have no need of.

And ſaith another, It were well for the world, if there were no Gold in it. But ſince its the fountain whence all things flow; its to be deſired, but only as a paſs, to travel to our journeys end without begging.

When Croeſus King of Lydia, asked Solon (one of the ſeven wiſe men of Greece) who in the whole world was more p. 80happy than he? Solon anſwered, Tellus; who though he was a poor man, yet he was a good man, and content with that which he had.

So Cato could ſay, (as Aulus Gel…ius reports of him) I have neither Houſe, nor Plate, nor Garments of price, in my hands; what I have, I can uſe: if not, I can want it. S…me blame me, becauſe I want many things; and I blame them, becauſe they cannot want. Now ſhall Nature do more than Grace? Shall the poor blinded Heathen, outſtrip the knowing Chriſtian? O Sirs, he that can loſe his will in the will of God, as to the things of this world; he that is willing to be at Gods allowance; he that has had much, but can now be ſatisfied with a little; he that can be contented to be at Gods finding; he is of all men the moſt likely man to have all his loſſes made up to him. But,

Eighthly and laſtly, Are your hearts more drawn out, to 8have this fiery diſpenſation ſanctified to you, than to have your loſſes made up to you? Do you ſtrive more with God, to get good by this dreadful Judgement; than to recover your loſt goods, and your loſt eſtates? Is this the daily language of your ſouls, Lord let this fiery calamity be ſo ſanctified, as that it may eminently iſſue in the mortifying of our ſins, in the encreaſe of our Graces, in the mending of our hearts, in the reforming of our lives, and in the weaning of our ſouls from every thing below thee; and in the fixing of them upon the greathings of Eternity? If it be thus with you, 'tis ten to one but God even this world, will make up your loſſes to you. But,

The ſixth Support to bear up the hearts of the people of 6God, under the late fiery di…penſation, is this, viz. That by fiery diſpenſations, the Lord will make way for the new Heavens and the new Earth: he will make way for the glorious deliverance of his people, Iſa. 66. 15. 16. 22. For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his Chariots like Iſa. 9. 5, 6. Pſalm 66. 12.Isa 9:5Isa 9:6Ps 66:12… whirle-wind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire, and by his ſword, (or by his p. 81ſword of fire) will the Lord plead with all fleſh, and the ſlain of the Lord ſhall be many. For as the new heavens, and the new earth which I will make, ſhall remain before me, ſaith the Lord, ſo ſhall your ſeed and your name remain. The great and the glorious things that God will do for his people in the laſt dayes, are ſet for…h by new he…vens and new earth; and Iſa. 65. 17. Jo…l 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 30, 31, 32. Zeph. 3. 8, 9.Isa 65:17Zeph 3:8Zeph 3:9theſe God will bring in by fi…ry di…penſations. The glorious dſtat… of the univerſal Church of J…ws and Gentiles on earth, is no lower an eſtate, than that o… a new he…v…n and a new earth. Now th…s bleſſed Church-State is uſhe…d into the world by fi…ry Judgements. By fi…ry diſpenſations God 2 Pet. 3. 10, 11, 12, 13.2 Pet 3:102 Pet 3:112 Pet 3:122 Pet 3:13will put an end to the glory of t…s old w…rld, and bring in the new. Look as G…d by a wa…ry D…luge made way for one new world. ſo by a fiery D…luge▪ in the laſt of the laſt Gen. 9. …ee our new Anotationiſts o… Iſa. 65. Iſa. 17. o… Chap. 66. 15, 16, 22. and on Rev. 21. 1.Gen 9Isa 65Isa 17Rev 21:1dayes, he will make way for another new world, wherein ſhall dwell righteouſneſs, as Peter ſpeaks. All men …n common ſpeech, call a new great change, a new world. By fiery diſpenſations God will bring great changes upon the world, and make way for his Sons reign, in a more glorious manner than ever he has yet reigned in the world. Rev. 18 Chap. 19. Chap. 20. and Chap. 21. The ſumm of that I hav… in ſhort …o offer to your conſideration out of theſe Chapters is this. Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. How much ſhe hath glorified her ſelf, ſo much ſorrow and torment ſhall be given her. Her plagues come in one day, death and mourning and famine, and ſhe ſhall be utterly burnt with fire. Rejoyce over her thou heaven, and ye holy Apoſtles and Prophets, for God hath avenged you on her. And after theſe things, I heard a great voice of much people, &c. Saying, Alleluiah, ſalvation, and glory, and honour, and power unto the Lord our God; for tru… and right… ous are thy judgements, for he hath judged the great Whore that hath corrupted the earth, and hath avenged the blood of his Saints. And again they ſaid Alleluiah. And the four and twenty Elders ſaid Amen Alleluiah. And I heard as it were the voyce of a great multitude, and as the voyce of many waters, and as the voyce of mighty thunderings, ſaying, Alleluiah; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. And the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet were caſt into the lake of fire: And the reſt were ſlain with the p. 82ſword. But the Saints reigned with Chriſt a thouſand years, in the new Heavens, and new Earth, to whom the Kings of the earth, and Nations of the world bring their honour. God by his fiery diſpenſation upon Babylon, makes way for Chriſts Reign, and the Saints Reign in the New Heavens and new Earth. But,

The ſeventh Support to bear up the hearts of the people 7of God under the late fiery diſpenſation is this, viz. That by fiery diſpenſations God will bring about the ruine and deſtruction Pſalm 50. 3Ps 50:3of his and his peoples enemies. Pſal. 97. 3. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. Heb. 3. 5. Before him went the Peſtilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. Ver. 7. I ſaw the tents of Cuſhan in affliction: and the curtains of the Land of Midian did tremble. Ver. 12. Thou didſt march through the Land in indignation, thou didſt threſh the Heathen in anger. Ver. 13. Thou wenteſt forth for the ſalvation of thy people; even for ſalvation with thine anointed, thou woundeſt the head out of the houſe of the wicked, by diſcovering the foundation even to the neck. S…lah. Jer. 50. 31, 32. Behold, I am againſt thee, O thou moſt proud, ſaith the Lord God of Hoſts: for thy day is come, the time that I will viſit thee. And the moſt proud ſhall ſtumble and fall; and none ſhall raiſe him up: and I will kindle a fire in his Cities; and it ſhall devour all round about him. There is nothing more fearfull or formidable, either to man or beaſt, than fire: and therefore by fiery diſpenſations God will take vengeance on the wicked. This will be the more evident, if you pleaſe but to conſider, to what the wicked are compared in Scripture.

Firſt, They are compared to ſtubble and chaffe which the 1fire doth eaſily conſume, Iſa. 5. 24. Therefore as the fire devoureth the ſtubble, and the flame conſumeth the chaff: ſo their root ſhall be as rottenneſs, and their bleſſom ſhall go up as duſt. Nah. 1. 10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they ſhall be devoured as ſtubble fully dry. Mark that word fully dry, and ſo as it were prepared and fitted for the flames.

Secondly, The wicked are compared to thorns: and how p. 832eaſily doth the flaming fire conſume them? Iſa. 27. 4. Fury is not in me: Who would ſet the bryars and thorns againſt me in Battel? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Iſa. 33. 12. And the people ſhall be as the burnings of lime; as thorns cut up ſhall they be burnt in the fire. Mark, 'tis not ſaid as thorns ſtanding and rooted in the earth, and growing with their moiſture about them; but as thorns cut up, as dead and dry thorns which are eaſily kindl…d and conſumed, &c.

Thirdly, The wicked are compered to the melting of 3wax before the fire, and to the paſſing away of ſmoak before the wind, Micah 1. 4. Pſal. 8. 2.

Fourthly and laſtly. The ſudden and certain ruine of the 4wicked, is ſet forth by the melting of the fat of Lambs before the fire, Pſal. 37. 20. But the wicked ſhall periſh, and the enemies of the Lord ſhall be as the fat of Lambs (which of all fat is the moſt eaſieſt melted before the fire,) they ſhall conſume, into ſmoak ſhall they conſume away. The fat of Lambs in the Lev. 3. 15, 16, 17.Lev 3:15Lev 3:16Lev 3:17Sacrifices was wholly to be burnt and conſumed: Thus you ſee by the ſeveral things to which wicked men are compared, that God by fiery calamities will bring ruine and d…ſt…ction upon his and his peoples enemies. Such as have burnt the people of God out of houſe and home, may in this world have burning for burning. God loves to retaliate 6, 7.Judg. 1.Judg 1upon his peoples enemies. S…ch as have clapt their h…nds at the ſight of Londons flam…s, may one day lay their hands upon their loin…, when they ſhall find Divine Juſtice appearing in flames of fire againſt them. But,

The eighth ſupport to bear up the hearts of the people 8of God under the late fiery diſp…nſation is this: viz. That Conſult theſe Scriptures, Iſa 1. 25. Chap. 27, 3, 9, 10, 11. Zech. 13. 9. Heb. 12. 10. Hoſea 2. 6. Acts 14. 22. John 16. ult. Jer. 29. 11.Isa 1:25Zech 13:9Heb 12:10Hos 2:6Acts 14:22John 16Jer 29:11all ſhall end well, all ſhall work for good. God by this fiery diſpenſation, will do his people a great deal of good. God caſt Judah into an Iron furnace, into a fiery furnace, but it was for their good, Jer. 24. 5. Like theſe good figs, ſo will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have ſent out of this place, into the Land of the Chaldeans for their good. Pſalm 119. 71. It is good for me, that I have been p. 84afflicted. Though afflictions are naturally evil, yet they are morally good; for by the wiſe, ſanct…fying, over ruling Providence of God, they ſhall either cure the Saints of their ſpiritual evils, or preſerve them from ſpiritual evils. Though the Elements are of contrary qualities, yet Divine Power and Wiſdom hath ſo tempered them, that they all work in an harmonious manner, for the good of the Univerſe. So though ſore affl…ctions, though fiery tryals ſeem to work quite croſs and contrary to the Saints Prayers and d…ſires, yet they ſhall be ſo ordered and tempered by a skilful and omnipotent hand, as that they ſhall all iſſue in the Saints good. At the long-run by all ſorts of fiery tryals, the Saints ſhall have their ſins more weakned, their Graces more improved, and their experiences more multiplied, their evidences for Heaven more cleared, their communion with God more raiſed, and their hearts and lives more amended. God by fiery tryals will keep off from his people more tryals: God loves by the Croſs to ſecure his people from the curſe: and certainly 'tis no bad exchange, to have a croſs inſtead of a curſe. God lead the Iſraelites about and about in the Wilderneſs forty years together, but it was to Deut. 8. 2. 16.Deut 8:2Deut 8:16humble them, and prove them, and do them good in their latter end. God lead them through fire and water, that is, Pſal. 66. 12.Ps 66:12…hrough variety of ſore and ſharp afflictions, but all was in order to his bringing them forth into a wealthy place. God ſtript Job to his Shift, but it was in order to his clotheing Compare the firſt and laſt Chapter of Job together.of him in Scarlet: he brought him low, but it was in order to his raiſing him higher than ever: he ſet him upon a Dunghil, that he might the better fit him to fit upon a Throne. Joſeph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Gen. 42. 36.Gen 42:36Benjamin away: all theſe things are againſt me, ſaith old Jacob; but yet as old as he was, he lived to ſee all working for his good, before he went to his long home. Under all fiery diſpenſations, God will make good that Golden Promiſe, Rom. 8. 28. And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God. Mark, the Apoſtle doth not ſay, we ſuppoſe, or we hope, or we conjectur…, but we know. I know, and you know, and all the Saints know by daily experience, that p. 85all their ſufferings and afflictions work together for their good: the Apoſtle doth not ſay de futuro, they ſhall work, but de praeſenti, they do work. All ſecond cauſes work together with the firſt cauſe for their good who loves God, and who are called according to his purpoſe. The Greek word foreign, work together, is a Phyſical expreſſion. Look as ſeveral poiſonful ingredients put together, being well tempered and mixed by the skill and care of the prudent Apothecary, makes a Soveraign Medicine, and work together for the good of the Patient. So all the afflictions and ſufferings that befall the Saints, they ſhall be ſo wiſely, ſo divi…ely tempered, ordered and ſanctified by a hand of Heaven, as that they ſhall really, and ſignally work for their good. Thoſe Gen. 50. 20.Gen 50:20dreadful Providences which ſeem to be moſt prejudicial to us, ſhall in the iſſue prove moſt beneficial to us. Look as veſſels of Gold are made by fire, ſo by fiery diſpenſations, God will make his people Veſſels of Gold, 2 Tim. 2. 20, 21.2 Tim 2:202 Tim 2:21veſſels of Honour. Commonly the moſt afflicted Chriſtians, are the moſt golden Chriſtians, Zechary 13. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as ſilver is refined; and will try them as gold is tried: they ſhall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will ſay it is my people, and they ſhall ſay, the Lord is my God. The fire of London was rather Phyſick, than Poiſon; there was more of a Paternal chaſtiſement, than there was of an extirpating vengeance in it: and therefore certainly it ſhall work well, it ſhall iſſue well.

The ninth Support to bear up the hearts of the people of 9God under the late fiery diſpenſation, is this, viz. That there was a great mixture of mercy in that dreadful Judgement of fire that has turned London into a ruinous heap. At the final deſtruction of Jeruſalem there was not one ſtone left upon Luke 19. 41. 45.Luke 19:41Luke 19:45another. This might have been thy caſe O London, had not mercy triumphed over Juſtice, and over all the plots and deſigns of men. Though many thouſand houſes are deſtroyed, yet to the praiſe of free grace, many thouſand houſes in the City and Suburbs have been preſerved from p. 86the rage and violence of the flames. What a mercy w…s that, that Z…ar ſhould be ſtanding, when Sodom was laid in aſh…s? Gen. 19.Gen 19And what a mercy was this, that your houſes ſhould be ſtanding, when ſo many thouſand houſes have been laid deſolate? Is more than a third part of the Ci…y deſtroyed by fire? W…y the whole City might have been deſtroyed by fire, and all the Suburbs round about it. But in the midſt of wrath, God has remembred mercy: in the midſt of great ſeve…ity Pſalm 136. 23.Ps 136:23God has exerciſed great clemency. Had the fire come on with that rage, fury and triumph, as to have laid both City and Sub…rbs level; we muſt have ſaid with th… Church, The L…rd is …ighteous. Had the three Children their Songs Lam. 1. 18.Lam 1:18in the midſt of the fiery Furnace? and why ſhould not they have their Songs of praiſe, whoſe houſ…s by a miraculous Providen…e were preſerved in the mi…ſt o… Londons flames. O Sirs, what a mixture of mercy was there in this fiery calamity that all your lives ſhould be ſpared, and that many of your houſes ſhould be preſerved, and that much of your goods, your wares, your commod…ties, ſhou…d be ſnatcht as ſo many fire-brands out of the fire. If ever there were an obligation put upon a people, to cry Grace, Grace, Grace, the Lord has put one upon you, w…o h…ve b…n ſh…rs in that mixture of mercy, that God has ex…ended to …he many thouſand ſufferers by L…ndons flames. Had this J…dgement of fire been infl…cted, when t…e raging P…ſtilence ſw…pt away ſome thouſands every Week, and when he City was even left naked as to her inhab…tants, and when the whole Nation Joſh. 2. 9, 10, 11.Josh 2:9Josh 2:10Josh 2:11was under a drea…ful …ar, …re…bling an… d…ſmayedneſs of ſpirit, might there not have been far greater deſolations both of houſes, goods and lives, in the midſt of us? Had God con…ended with London by Peſ…ilence and fire at once, who would …ve lodged your perſons in their beds, or your goods in heir Barns? Had theſe two dreadful Judgements met, Londoners would have met with but few frien…s in the world. Well, when I look upon Londons ſins and deſerts on the on… hand, and upon the principles, old hatred, plots, deſigns, rage and wrath of ſome malicious perſons, on the other Ezek. 25. 15.Ezek 25:15hand, inſtead of wondering, that ſo much of the City and p. 87Suburbs is deſtroyed; I rather wonder, that any one houſe Tacitus writing of Rome, ſaith S…quitu… clades, om…ibus quid …bi p…r viol…iam ig…ium accidera… gravior at que a…oior. A…al. lib. 15. p. …91. It was rich mercy, that it was not ſo wi…h Lo…don.in the City or Suburbs is preſerved. Whilſt London was in flames, and all men under a high diſtraction, and all t…ings in a ſad confuſion, a ſecret, ſubtle, deſigning, powerful enemy m…ght have riſen up in the midſt of you, that might have ſpoiled your goods, rav…ſhed your wives, defloured your daughters; and after all this have ſheathed their ſwords in all your bowels: and in that it fell not out thus, what cauſe have Lond…ners to bow for ever before preventing and reſtraining Grace. Since the creation of the world, God has never been ſo ſevere in the execution of his moſt dreadful Judgements, as not to remember mercy in the midſt of wrath. When he drowned the old world (who before were drowned in luſts and pleaſures) he extended mercy to Noah and his family. When he rained Hell out of Heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah, turning thoſe rich and pleaſant Gen. 19.Gen 19Cities into ruinous heaps, he gave Lot and his Daughters their lives for a prey. And when by fire and ſword, he had made Jeruſalem a dreadful ſpectacle of his wrath and vengeance, Iſa. 6. 11, 12, 13. Jer. 5. 10. 18.Isa 6:11Isa 6:12Isa 6:13Jer 5:10Jer 5:18yet then a remnant did eſcape. This truth we Citizens have experienced, or elſe we and our all, before this day had been deſtroyed. Every Citizen ſhould have this Motto written in characters of Gold on his fore-head, It is of Lam. 3. 22.Lam 3:22the Lords mercies that we are not conſumed. God might have made London like Sodom and Gomorrah; but in the day of his anger ſome beams of his favour darted forth upon your London. By which means, the hopes of ſome are ſo far revived, as to expect, that London yet may be re-built and bleſt. Thats a dreadful word, When he begins he will make an end: 1 Sam. 3. 12. Jer. 4. 4. Chap. 21. 12.1 Sam 3:12Jer 4:4and the fire of his wrath ſhall burn, and none ſhall quench it: Theſe eradicating Judgements had certainly fallen upon London, had not the Lord in the midſt of his fury remembred mercy. If the Lord had not been on our ſide may London now Pſalm 124. 1, 2, 3.Ps 124:1Ps 124:2Ps 124:3ſay, if the Lord had not been on our ſide when the fire roſe up againſt us, then the fire had ſwallowed us up quick, when its rage was kindled againſt us. Doubtleſs God nenever mingled a cup of wrath with more mercy than this.

p. 88T…ough the fire of London was a very great and dreadful fire, yet it was not ſo great, nor ſo dreadful a fire, as that of S…dom and Gomorrah was: for that fire of Sodom and Gom…rrah,

Firſt, It was a miraculous fire; a fire that was beſides, beyond 1and againſt the courſe of Nature, Gen. 19. 24. Then They ſinned aga…n…t the light and courſe of nature; and the…efore they were deſtroy…d againſt the courſe of nature, by fire from Heaven.the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimſtone, and fire fr…m the Lord out of Heaven. Fire mingled with brimſtone hath b…en found, 1. Moſt obnoxious to the ey…s. 2. Moſt loathſome to the ſmell. And 3. Moſt fierce in burning He hit the mark, who ſpeaking of fire and brim…one, ſ…id Fa…illime incenditur, pertinaciſſime fervet, &c. D…ffi…l…ime extinguitur. It is eaſily kindled violently fuell…d, and hardly ex…inguiſhed. Brimſtone and all that vaſt q…antity of ſulphureous fiery matter, by which thoſe rich and pop…lous Ci…ies were …urned into ruinous heaps, were never produced by natur…l cauſes, nor after a natural manner, (no culina…y fire being ſo ſpeedy in its conſumptions) but immed…ately by Gods own miraculous power and allmighty aim But th… fire that has laid London in aſhes, was no ſuch miraculous or extraordinary fire, but ſuch a fire which Divine Providence permitted, and ſuffered to be kindl…d and carr…ed on, by ſuch means, inſtruments, and concurring circumſtances, as hath buried our glory under heaps of aſhes. But,

Secondly, The fire that fell upon Sodom …d Gom…rrah, 2conſumed not only the greater part of thoſ… Cities, but the whole Cities: yea, and not only Sodom and Gomorrah, but all the Cities of the Plain (except Zoar which was to be a S…nctuary to Lot) but the fire of London has not deſtroy…d the whole City of London. Many hundred (may I no… ſay thouſands) houſes are yet ſtanding, as monuments of Divine Power, Wiſdom and goodneſs: and the greateſt part of the Suburbs are yet preſerved; and all the reſt of the Cities of England are yet compaſſed about with loving kindn…ſs and mercy; and I hope will be reſerved (by a gracious P…ovidence) as ſhelters, as Sanctuaries, and as hiding places to poor Englands diſtreſſed inhabitants. But,

Thirdly, The fire that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah did 3conſume p. 89ſume not only places, but perſons; not only houſes, but inhabitants; but in the midſt of Londons flames, God was a Zech. 2. 5.Zech 2:5wall of fire about the Citizens, in that day of his fiery indignation, he was very tender of the lives of his people. Though the Lumber was burnt, yet God took care of his Treaſure, of his Jewels; to wit, the lives of his people. But having ſpoken before more largely of this particular; let this touch now ſuffice.

Fourthly, Sodom and Gomorrah were deſtroyed by fire ſuddenly 4and unexpectedly; they were deſtroyed by fire in a moment, Lam. 4. 6. For the puniſhment of the iniquity of the daughter of my pe…ple, is greater than the puniſhment of the ſin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands The Judgemen…s of God upon the Jews, were ſo great, that they exceeded all credit amongſt their neighbour Nations.ſtayed on her. Sodom and Gomorrah ſuſt…ined no long ſiege from forreign forces, neither were they kept long in ſorrows and ſufferings, in pains and miſery, but th…y were quickly and ſuddenly, and inſtantly diſpatched out of this world into another world. Men had no hand in the deſtroying of Sodom, no mortal inſtrument did co-operate in that work. God by his own immediate power, overthrew them in a moment. Sodom was very ſtrangely, ſuddenly, and unexpectedly, turned upſide down, as in a moment, by Gods own hand, without the help of armed Souldiers: Whereas the Chaldeans Armies continued for a long time in the Land of Judah, and in Jeruſalem, vexing and …laguing the poor people of God. Now in this reſpect, the puniſhment of the Jews, was a greater puniſhment, than the puniſhment of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment. But that fire that has turned London into a heap of aſhes, was ſuch a fire, that was carried on gradually, and that laſt…d four dayes. God giving the Citizens time to mourn over their ſins, to repent to lay hold on everlaſting ſtrength, and to m…ke peace with God. But,

Fifthly and laſtly, Sodoms and Gomorrahs Judgement, is 5termed Eternal fire; which expreſſion, as it refers to th… Jude 7.Jude 1:7places themſelves, do import, that they were irrecoverabl… deſtroyed by fire; ſo as that they ſhall lye eternally waſte. Thoſe monſtrous ſinners of Sodom, had turned the glory of p. 90God into ſhame; and therefore God will turn them both into a Hell here, and a Hell hereafter. God will puniſh unuſual ſinners with unuſual Judgements. The puniſhment by this fire is laſting, yea, everlaſting: 'tis a ſtanding monument Deut. 29. 23Deut 29:23of Gods high diſpleaſure. We never read, that ever God repented himſelf of the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah; thoſe Cities are under a perpetual deſtruction; and ſo ſhall continue to the end of the world, if we will give credit to Authors of great credit and reputation. It well Strabo, Solinus, Tacitus, Plinius, Joſ…phus, &c.becomes the wiſeſt and beſt of Chriſtians, ſeriouſly to conſider, how God ſetteth forth the deſtruction of his Churches enemies, Iſa. 34. 8, 9, 10, 11. For it is the day of the Lords Vengeance, and the year of recompences; for the controverſie of Zion. And the ſtreams thereof ſhall be turned into Pitch, and the duſt thereof into Brimſtone; and the Land thereof ſhall become burning Pitch. It ſhall not be quenched night nor day: the ſmoke thereof ſhall go up for ever: from generation to generation it ſhall lye waſte, none ſhall paſs through it for ever and ever. But the Cormorant and the Bittern ſhall p…ſſ…ſs it; the Owle alſo and the Raven ſhall dwell in it; and he ſhall ſtretch out upon it the line of confuſion, and the ſtones of emptin…ſs. In theſe words, you have a rhetorical deſcription, of that extream devaſtation that God will bring upon the enemies of the Church, in way of alluſion to the deſtruction of Sodom and Gomo…rah. But I hope L…ndons doom is not ſuch; for God has given to thouſands of her inhabitants a Spirit of Grace and Supplication: Zech. 12. 10.Zech 12:10which is a clear evidence, that at the long run, they ſhall certainly carry the day with God. I have faith enough to believe, that God will give Londons mourners, beauty for aſhes, the oyle of joy for mourning, and the garment of praiſe, for the ſpirit of heavineſs. And that London may yet be called Iſa. 61. 3.Isa 61:3a City of righteouſneſs, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. I hope that God will one day ſay to London, Ariſe, ſhine, for the light is come, and the glory of the Lord is Iſa. 60. 1, 2.Isa 60:1Isa 60:2riſen upon thee, the Lord ſhall ariſe upon thee, and his glory ſhall be ſeen upon thee. By what has been ſaid, 'tis evident enough, that there has been a great mixture of mercy in that fiery diſpenſation, that has paſt upon London. And p. 91therefore why ſhould not this conſideration bear up the hearts of the people of God, from fainting and ſinking under their preſent calamity and miſery. But,

The tenth Support to bear up the hearts of the people of 10.God, under the late fiery diſpenſation, is this, viz; That there are worſe Judgements, than the Judgement of fire, which God might, but has not infl…cted upon you. Let me evidence the truth of this in theſe five particulars.

Firſt, The bloody Sword is a more dreadful Judgement, 1than that of fire. Fire may conſume a mans houſe, and his eſtate; but the Sword cuts off a mans life. Now at what a poor rate, do men value the whole world, when it ſtands in competition with their lives. He very well knew, that man was a very great life lover, who ſaid, Skin for skin (or Job 2. 4.Job 2:4skin upon skin) and all that a man hath, will he give for his life. God might have brought upon England, I, and upon London too, the Sword of a forreign enemy, as he did upon Jeruſalem and the Land of Judea. In that one only City of Jeruſalem, during the time or the ſiege by Veſpaſians Armies, which Joſeph…s de Bello. Jud.were made up of Romans, Syrians and Arabians, there died and were killed, a thouſand thouſand. At this time there were ſlain in all Judea, in ſeveral places, to the number of twelve hundred and forty thouſand Jews. The whole City of Jeruſalem flowed with blood, inſomuch that many parts of the City that were ſet on fire, were quenched by the blood of them that were ſlain. In ſeventeen years time the Carthaginian War only in Italy, Spain and Sicily, conſumed and waſted, fifteen hundred thouſand men. The Civil Wars between Pompey and Caeſar, ſwallowed down three hundred thouſand men. Caius Caeſar did confeſs it, and gloried in it, that eleven hundred ninety and two thouſand men were killed by him in Wars. Pompey the great writ upon Minerva's Temple, that he had ſcattered, chaſed and killed twenty hundred eighty and three thouſand men. Q. Fabius killed an hundred and ten thouſand of the Gauls. C. Marius put to the ſword two hundred thouſand of the Cimbrians. Aetius in that memorable battle of Catalonia, ſlew an hundred p. 92ſixty and two thouſand Hunnes. Who can number up the many thouſands, that have fallen by the bloody ſword in Europe, from the year 1620 to this year 1667. Ah London, Lond…n, thy Streets mig…t have flowed with the blood of the …am; as once the Str…ets of Jeruſalem, Paris, and others have done. Whilſt the fire was a devouring thy ſtately …ouſes a…d Palaces, a Forreign Sword might have been a deſtroying thine inhabitants. Whilſt the furious flames were … conſuming thy goods, thy wares, thy ſubſtance, thy riches, a cloſe and ſecret enemy, ſpirited, counſelled, and animated from Rome and H…ll, might have riſen up in the midſt of the…; that might have mingled together the blood of Husbands and Wives, and the blood of Parents and Children, and the blood of Maſters and Servants, and the blood of rich and poor, and the blood of the honourable with the blood of the vile. Now had this been thy doom, O London (which many feared, and others expected) what a dreadful day would that have been! 'Tis better to ſee our houſes on fire, then to ſee our Streets running down with the blood of the ſlain. But,

Secondly, God might have inflicted the Judgement of famine 2upon London; which is a more dreadful Judgement, Gen. 45. 46. Joel 1. 2. Chap. 2. 3. Jer. 24. 10. Ezek. 6. 11. 2 Sam. 21. 1.Gen 45:46Joel 1:2Jer 24:10Ezek 6:112 Sam 21:1than that of fire. How ſad would that day have been, O London, if thou hadſt been ſo ſorely put to it, as to have taken up that ſad lamentation of weeping Jeremiah, Mine eyes do fail with tears: my bowels are trou…led, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the deſtruction of the daughter of my people: becauſe the children and the ſucklings ſwoon in the ſtreets. They ſay to Lam. 2. 11, 12.Lam 2:11Lam 2:12their Mothers, where is corn and wine, when they ſwooned as the wounded in the ſtreets of the City. When their ſoul was poured into their Mothers boſom. Ariſe, cry out in the night: in the Verſe 19.beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands towards him, for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger, in the top of every ſtreet. Shall the woman eat her fruit, and children of a ſpan Verſe 20.long. The tongue of the ſuckling child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirſt: the young children ask bread, and no man Chap. 4. 4, 5.breaketh it unto them. They that did feed delicately, are deſolate p. 93in the ſtreets: they that were brought up in skarlet embrace dunghils. Her Nazarites were purer than ſnow, they were whiter Verſe 7.than milk, they were more ruddy in the body than …ubies: their poliſhing was of Sa…hir. Their viſage is blacker than a coal: Verſe 8.they are not known in the ſtreets; their skin cleaveth to their bones: it is withered, it is become like a ſtick. They that be ſlain with the ſword, are better than they that be ſlain with Verſ… 9.hunger: for th…ſe pine away, ſtricken through for want of the fruits of the field. The hands of the pitiful women have ſodden Verſe 10.their own children, they were their meat in the deſtruction of the daughter of my people. We have drunken our water for mon…y, Chap. 5 4 Verſe 6.our wood is ſold unto us. We have given the hand to the Egyptians and Aſſyrians to be ſatisfied with bread. We gat our bread with the peril of our lives, becauſe of the ſword of the Verſe 9.Wilderneſs. Our skin was black like an Oven, becauſe of the terrible Verſe 10. L…b. 6. c 16. d… Bello Juda…co.famine. So great was the famine in Jeruſalem, that a Buſhel of Wheat was ſold for a talent, which is ſix hundred Crowns, and the dung and raking of the Ci…y Sinks was held good commons: and ſuch pinching neceſſities were they under, that they acted againſt all pi…ty, honeſty, humanity, &c. Women did eat their children of a ſpan long: yea, the hands of pittiful women did boyl their own children; and men eat one other: yea, many did eat the fleſh of their own arms, according to what the Lord had long before threatned, Iſa. 9. 19, 20. Through the wrath of the Lord of Hoſts, is the Land darkned: and the people ſhall be as the fuel of the fire: no man ſhall ſpare his brother. And he ſhall ſnatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he ſhall eat on the left hand, and they ſhall not be ſatisfied: they ſhall eat every man the fleſh off his own arm. In the Reign of William the firſt, there was ſo S…. Ric…a…d Bak…s Chronocle. p. 26.great a D…ar…h and famine, eſpecially in Northumberland, that men were glad to eat Horſes, Dogs, Cats and Rats, and what elſe is moſt abhorrent to nature. In Honorius's Reign, there was ſuch a ſcarcity of all manner of proviſion in Rome, that men were even afraid of one another; and the common voice that was heard in the K…rk, was, Pone pretium humanae carni: Set a price on mans fleſh. In Italy when it was waſted by the Goths, under Juſtinian, the famine was ſo p. 94great, that in Picene only, fifty thouſand perſons died with hunger: and not only mans fleſh was made meat of, but the very excrements of men alſo. In the Reign of Hubid King of Spain, there was no rain for ſix and twenty years together, ſo that the drought was ſo great, that all the Fountains and Riv…rs, except Iber and Be…is were dried up; ſo that the earth gaped in ſeveral places, that whole fields were parted; and that many who had thought to have fled into other parts, were hindered, and could no… get paſſage over theſe fearful openings of the earth. Hereby Spain, eſpecially thoſe places neareſt the Mediterranean Sea, being ſtripped naked of all Herbs▪ …nd the glory of Trees being d…y…d up (ex…ept a f…w T…ees which were preſerved upon the banks of the River Betis) men and Beaſts being conſumed with thirſt and famine, was …urned by this J…dgement, into a miſ…rable ſolitude and Wilderneſs. The Royal line of the Kings, was by this means All theſe things do the Hiſtories of Spain report.extinct: and the poorer ſort of men, whoſe means were …hort, and proviſion ſmall, went into other places, as they could conveniently, and with all ſp…ed, not being able to ſtand or ſtay out this ſix and twenty years miſery. In the Th…cyd.Pel…ponn…ſ…an War, at Potidea, men eat one another. When Ʋtica was beſieged by Amilcar the Father of H…nnibal, men Pol…b.at one another, the famine was ſo great amongſt them. At Antioch in Syria, many of the Chriſtians (in the Holy War) Turk. Hiſt. Fol. 18.through famine, devoured the dead bodies of the late ſlain enemies. At the ſiege of Scodra, Horſes were dainty meat; yea, th…y were glad to eat Dogs, Cats, Rats, and the skins of beaſts ſod. A little Mouſe, and Puddings made of Dogs Ibid. 4…6.guts, was ſold at ſo great a price, as exceeds all credit. When H…nnibal beſieged Caſſilinum, the famine was ſo great, that Val. Max. l 7 …ap. 6. Turk Hiſt.a Mouſe was ſold for two hundred groats, that is, for three pound eighteen ſhillings and eight pence. That was a ſore famine in Samaria, when an Aſſes head was ſold for 2 Kings 6. 25.2 Kgs 6:25eighty pieces of ſilver; that is, ſay ſome, for four or five pound: Others ſay ten; for a ſhekel of ſilver was with the Jews, as much as two ſhillings ſix pence with us: by this account, an Aſſes head was ſold for ten pound ſterling. In Edward the Seconds time, Anno 1316. There was ſo p. 95great a famine, that horſes, dogs, yea, men and children were ſtoln for food, and the Thieves newly brought into the Parch. Pilgrim. p. 289. Sp…ed. 6. 4▪Gaols, were …orn in pieces, and eaten preſently, half alive by ſuch as had been longer there. In War, Oppreſſion, Cap…ivity, and many other calamities, much of the hand of man is to be ſeen, but Famine is a deep, evident and app…ren… Judgement, which God himſelf brings upon the ſons of men, by his own high hand. Many, or moſt of thoſe calamities that are brought upon us by humane means, are avoidable by humane helps: but famine is that comprehenſive Judg…ment, that the higheſt power on earth cannot help againſt. If the Lord do not help thee, whence ſhal I help thee? 2 Kings 6 272 Kgs 6:27out of the barn fl…or, or out of the Wine-preſs? ſaid the King of Iſrael in the famine of Samaria. Ah London, London, if the Lord had inflicted upon thy inhabitan…s this ſore Judgement of f…mine, making the Heavens as Iron, and the Earth as Braſs. Lev. 26. 19. Hab. 3. 17. Deut. 28. 23.Lev 26:19Hab 3:17Deut 28:23If the Lord had cut off all thy delightful and neceſſary proviſions, and thy Cit…zens had been forced to eat one another, or every one to eat the fleſh of his own arms, and the fruit of his own body; how diſmal would thy condition have been. Certainly ſuch as have been ſwept away by the raging Peſtilence aſhore, and ſuch as have been ſlain by the bloody ſword at Sea, might very well be counted happy in compariſon of thoſe who ſhould live and die under that lingering Judgement of a famine. Doubtleſs famine is a ſorer Judgement, than either Sword, Fire, or Peſtilence. There be many deaths in a Dearth. Famine is the top of all humane calamities: as B…ſil termeth it: extream hunger hath made Mothers Murtherers, and ſo turned the Sanctuary of life into the Shambles of death.

Thirdly, God might have overturned London and her inhabitants 3in a moment by ſome great and dreadful Earthquake, as he hath done ſeveral great, rich, ſtrong and populous Iſa. 13 1…. Pſal…. …8. 7.Isa 13:1Cities and Towns in former times. Under Tiberius the Emperour, thirteen Cities of Aſia fell down with an Earth-quake: and ſix under Trajan; and twelve under Conſtantine. In Campania, Ferraria in Italy 1569. in the ſpace of forty hours, by reaſon of an Earthquake, many Palaces, p. 96Fardenti…s.Temples and houſes were overthrown, with the loſs of many a man, the loſs amounting to forty hundred thouſand p…unds. In the year 1171. there was ſuch a mighty Earthquake, that the City Tripolis, and a great part of Damaſcus in Antiochia, and Hul…ipre, the chief City in the Kingdom of Loradin, and other Cities of the Sarac…n…, either per…ſh…d utterly, or were wonder…ul…y defac…d. In the year 1509. in …he mon…h of September, the…e was ſo g…eat an Earthquake at Bodi….Conſtantinople, tha… there were th…rt… thouſand men deſtroyed by it, and … City m…ſ…r…bly ſhattered and …u…ned by it. In t…e … …f Hen…y the firſt, the earth moved with ſo great a … many …uildings were ſhaken down; Sr. … Bakers Chr…noc…e p. 47.and M…lm…sbu… … ▪ …hat the houſe wherein he ſate, was lifeed up wi… a …, and at in third time ſettled again in the p…p…r pla…e. A…ſo in divers places it yi…l…ed forth a hid…o… no i…, and caſt …rth fl…mes▪ In L…mbardy there was …n Earthquake that continued forty dayes, and removed a Town …to the place where it ſtood, a great way off. In Ho…eden.the elev…n… year of the Reign of King Henry the ſecond, on the ſix and twenti…th d…y of January, was ſo great an Earthquake, Sr. Richa…d Ba…rs Chron… cle, p. 65.in Ely, N…rfolk, and Suffolk, that it overthrew them that ſtood upon their feet, and made the Bells to ring in the Steepl…s. In the four and twentieth year of his Reign, in the Territory of Derlington, in the Biſhopwrick of Durham, the earth lifted up her ſelf in the manner of an high Tower, and ſo rem…i…ed unmoveable from morning till evening, and then fell with ſo horrible a noiſe, that it frighted the inhabitants there…bouts, and the earth ſwallowing it up, made there a deep pit, which is ſeen at this day: for a teſtimony wh…reof, Leyland ſaith, he ſaw the Pits there, commonly cal…ed See the Relation in Print.Hell-Keitles. In the year 1666. the C…ty of Raguz… was overthrown by a moſt dreadful Earthquake, and all the inhabitants (which were many thouſands) except a few hundred were deſtroyed, and buried in the ruines of that City. At B…rn, Anno 1584. near unto which City a certain Hill, carried violently b…yond and over other Hills, is reported by Polanus (who lived in thoſe parts) to have covered a whole Polan. Syntag. …41.Village that had ninety families in it, one half houſe only excepted, p. 97wherein the Maſter of the Family, with his Wife and Children, were earneſtly calling upon God. Oh the terror of the Lord! and Oh the power of ſervent prayer. At Pleures in Rhetia, Anno 1618. Aug. 25. the whole Town was overcovered Alſt. Chronol.with a Mountain, which with its moſt ſwift motion, oppreſſed fif…een hundred. In the dayes of Ʋzziah King Amos 1. 1.Amos 1:1of Judah, there was ſuch a terrible Earthquake, that the people with fear and horror fl…d from it. Z…ch. 14. 5. Yea, ye ſhall flee liko as ye fl…d from before the Earthquake in the dayes of Uzziah King of Judah. The J…wiſh Doctors affirm, that this amazing Earthquake fell out, juſt at that inſtant time, when Ʋzziah offered Incenſe, and was therefore ſmitten with a Leproſie: but this is but their conjecture. However this dreadful Earthquake was an horrible ſign and preſage of Gods wrath to that ſinful people. Joſephus tells us, that by Antiq. l. 9. c. 11.it, half a great hill was removed out of its place, and c… ried four furlongs another way; ſo that the High-way was obſtructed, and the Kings Gardens utterly marred. The L. 15. c. 7.ſame Author further tells us, that at that time, that Caeſar and Anthony made tryal of their Titles in the Actian War, (and in the ſeventh year of the Reign of King Herod) there happened ſuch an Earthquake in the Countrey of Judaea, that never the like was ſeen in any other place: ſo that divers Beaſts were ſlain thereby, and that ten thouſand men were overwhelmed and deſtroyed in the ruines of their houſes. The ſame Author ſaith, that in the midſt of the Action War Joſephus lib. 1. c. 14. de Bello Judaico.about the beginning of the Spring time, there happened ſo great an Earthquake, as ſlew an infinite multitude of Beaſts, and thirty thouſand people: yet the Army had no harm, for it lay in the open Field. Upon the report of this dreadful Earthquake, and the effects of it, the Arabians were ſo highly encouraged, that they entered into Judea, ſuppoſing that there were no men left alive to reſiſt them, and that they ſhould certainly conquer the Countrey: and before their coming, they ſlew the Embaſſadors of the Jews that were ſent unto them. Ah London, London, if the Lord had by ſome terrible Earthquake utterly overthrown thee, and buried all thy inhabitants under thy ruines (as he hath p. 98dealt by many Cities and Citizens, both in former, and in theſe latter times) how dreadful would thy caſe then have been, ov…r what now it is. Certainly ſuch Earthquakes as over whelm both Cities and Citizens, are far greater Judgements, than ſuch a fire, or fires, that only conſumes mens houſes, but never hu…ts their perſons. God might have inflicted this ſore Judgement upon thee, O London, but he has not; therefore it concerns thee to be ſtill a crying Grace, Grace. But,

Fourthly, God might have inflicted that Judgement, both 4upon City and Citizens, that he did upon Korah, Dathan and Abiram, and all that appertained to them, Numb. 16. 31, 32, 33, 34. And it came to paſs, as he had made an end of ſpeaking all theſe words, that the ground clave aſſunder, that was under Such Virgins that had been defloured, the Heathen bu…ied a…ive, accounting that the ſoreſt of all puniſhments.them: And the earth opened her mouth, and ſwallowed them up, and their houſes, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth cloſed upon them: and they periſhed from among the Congregation. And all Iſrael that were round about them, fled at the cry of them: for they ſaid, leſt the earth ſwallow us up alſo. Whilſt Moſes ſpake theſe words (ſaith Joſephus) and intermixed them with tears, the earth trembled, and ſhaking began to remove (after ſuch a manner, as when by the violence of the wind a great Joſephus Antiq. l. 4. c. 3.billow of the Sea floateth and is toſſed hither and thither) hereat all the people were am…zed, but after that a horrible and ſhattering noiſe was made about their Tents, and the earth opened and ſwallowed up both them and all that which they eſteemed dear, which was after a manner ſo exterminate, as nothing remained of theirs to be beheld. Whereupon in a moment the earth cloſed again; and the vaſt gaping▪ was faſt ſhut; ſo as there appeared not any ſign of that which had hapned. Thus periſhed they all, leaving behind them an example of Gods Power and Judgements. And this accident was the more miſerable, in that there were …o one, no not of their kinsfolks or allies that had compaſſion of them: ſo that all the people whatſoever, forgetting thoſe things which were paſt, did allow Gods Juſtice with p. 99joyful acclamations, eſteeming them unworthy to be b… moaned, but to be held as the pl…gue and perverters of the people. O what a dreadful Judgement was this, for perſons to be buried alive; for houſes, and inhabitants, and all their goods, to be ſwallowed up in a moment. What tongue can expreſs, or heart conceive, the terror and aſtoniſhment that ſell upon Korah, Dathan and Abiram, when the earth (which God had made firm, and eſtabliſhed by a perpetual Decree to ſtand faſt under mens feet, was weary of bearing them, and therefore) opened her mouth and ſwallowed them, and a…l th…ir concernments up. Ah London, London, If the earth had opened her mouth, and ſwallowed up all thy houſes and inhabitants, with all thy goods and riches in a moment? Would not this have been ten thouſand thouſand times a greater Judgement, than that fiery diſpenſation that has paſt upon thee? But,

Fifthly and laſtly, God might have rained Hell out of 5Heaven upon you, as he did upon Sodom and Gom…rrah: and Gen. 19.Gen 19this would have been a ſorer Judgement, than what he has inflicted upon you. If God by raining fire and brimſtone from Heaven, had conſumed your perſons, houſes, rich…s and relations, would not this have be…n the heighth of Judgement, and infinitely more terrible and dreadful to you, than that fiery diſpenſation, that has conſumed part of your eſtates, and turned your houſes into aſhes? Now by theſe five things, 'tis moſt evident, That there are worſe Judgement, than the Judgement of fire, which God in Juſtice might have infl…cted upon you. But free-mercy has ſo interpoſed, that God has not ſtirred up all his wrath; and though he has ſeverely puniſhed you, yet it is leſs than your iniquities have deſerved, Ezra 9. 13. and therefore let this conſideration ſupport and bear up your hearts under all your pr…ſent ſorrows and ſufferings. But,

Elevently, Though your houſes are burnt, and your habtations 11laid deſolate, yet your outward condition is no… worſe than Chriſts was when he was in the world. The eſtate and condition of Chriſt was low, yea, very low and p. 100mean in this world. Witneſs h…s own relation when he was upon the earth: The Foxes have holes, and the Birds of the air Ma…th. 8 20.have neſts, (or reſting places where they go to reſt, as under a Tent, like as the Greek word properly imports,) But the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. He doth not ſay, Kings have Palaces, but I have none: nor he dos not ſay, that rich men have Houſes, and Lands and Lordſhips to entertain their followers, but I have none: But, the Foxes have holes, and the Birds of the air have neſts, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Chriſt was willing to undeceive the Scribe, and to ſhew him his miſtake: thou thinkeſt O Scribe, by following of me, to get riches, and honor, and preferment, and to be ſome body in the world, but thou art highly miſtaken: for I have neither Silver nor Gold, Lands nor Lordſhips; no not ſo much as a houſe to put my head in. When I was torn, I was born in a Stable and laid in a M…nger: and now Luke 2. 17. Chap. 8. 3. Ma…th. 17. 27.Luke 2:17I live upon others, and am maintained by others: I am not rich enough, to pay my Tr…bute, and therefore do'nt deceive thy ſelf. The great Architect of the world had not a houſe to put his head in, but emptied himſelf of all, and became poor, to make us rich, not in goo…s, but in Grace; not in Phil. 2. 7 2 Cor. 8. 9 Chriſti Paupertas meum eſt pat…imo…iam. AmbrosPhil 2:72 Cor 8:9worldly wealth, but in the treaſures of another world. He that was heir of both worlds, had not a houſe of his own, to put his head in. Chriſt lived poor, and died poor. As he was born in another mans houſe, ſo he was buried in another mans Tomb. Auſtin obſerves, when Chriſt died, he made no Will, he had no Crown-lands, only his Coat was left, and that the Souldiers parted amongſt themſelves. Are you houſeleſs, are you penyleſs, are you poor and low, and mean in this world? So was Chriſt. Remember the ſervant is not greater than his Lord. 'Tis good ſeriouſly to John 13. 16.John 13:16ponder upon that ſaying of Chriſt; The Diſciple is not above his Maſter, nor the ſervant above his Lord: It is enough for Matth. 10. 24, 25.Matt 10:24Matt 10:25the Diſciple, that he be as his Maſter; and the Servant as his Lord. If Joab the Lord General be in Tents, it is a ſhame for Ʋ …iah to take his eaſe at home in a ſoft bed. It is unſeemly 2 K…ngs 11. 11.to ſee the Head all begored with blood, and crowned with Thorns, and the members to be decked with Roſes and p. 101Jewels, and to ſmell of rich Odors, Spices and Perfumes. Art thou in a worſe condition, than Chriſl was in this world? Oh no, no. Why then doſt thou murmur and complain? Why doſt thou ſay, there is no ſorrow to thy ſorrow, nor no ſuffering to thy ſuffering? O Sirs, it is honor enough, for the Diſciples of Chriſt, to fare as Chriſt fared in this world. Why ſhould the Servant be in a better condition than his Lord? Is not that S…rvant happy enough, that is equal with his Lord? Did the burnt Citizens but ſeriouſly and frequently meditate and ponder upon the poverty and low eſtate of Chriſt whilſt he was in this world: their hearts would be more calm and quie… under all their croſſes and loſſes, than now they are. But,

Twelfthly, Though your houſes are burnt, and your habitations 12laid deſolate, and you have no certain dwelling place, &c. yet your outward condition in this world, is not worſe than theirs was, of whom this world was not worthy, Lam. 5 2. Our inh…ritance is turned to ſtrangers, our houſes to Aliens. Pſalm 107. 4, 5. They wandered in the Wilderneſs, in a ſolitary way, they found no City to dwell in, hungry and thirſty their ſouls fainted in them. 1 Cor. 4. 11. Even unto this preſent hour, we both hunger and thirſt, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place. Heb 11. 37, 38. They wandered about in ſheep skins and goat skins, being deſtitute, afflicted, tormented. They wandered in deſarts, and in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth. Some of the learned, by their wandering up and down in Sheep skins and Goat skins, do underſtand their diſguiſing of themſelves, for their better ſecurity. One well obſerves from the words, That they did Chryſoſtome.not only wander, and were removed from their own habitation, but that they were not quiet, even in the Woods, Deſarts, Mountains, Dens and Caves of the earth, but were hunted by their Perſecutors, from Deſart to Deſart, and from Mountain to Mountain, and from Den to Den, and from one Cave to another.

But hereupon ſome might be ready to object and reply,

p. 102Theſe were the very worſt of the worſt of men. Surely, theſe Object. were very vile, baſe and unworthy wretches, theſe were the greateſt of ſinners, &c.

Oh no, They were ſuch (ſaith the Holy Ghoſt) of whom Anſw. the world was not worthy. The Heatheniſh world, the poor, bl…nd, ignorant, Atheiſtical world, the prophane, ſuperſtitious, Idolat…ous, oppreſſing and perſecu…ing world, was …ot worthy of them: that is, they were not wo…hy, 1. Of their preſence and company. 2. They were not worthy of their prayers and tears. 3 They were not worthy of their counſel and advice. 4. They were not worthy of their gracious lives and examples. In this Scripture, you may plainly ſee, that their wandering up and down in Deſar…s, and on the Mountains, and in Dens, and in the Caves of the earth, is reckoned up amongſt thoſe great and dreadful things, that the Saints ſuffered in that woful day. Thoſe precious ſouls that dwelt in Caves and D…ns, and wandered up and down in Sheep skins and Goat skins, might have ruſtled in their Silks, Sattins, and Velvets; they might (Nebuchadn…zzar like) have vaunted themſelves on their ſtately Turrets and Palaces, if they would have wounded their conſciences, and have turned their backs upon Chriſt and Religion. Now if the burnt up Citizens of London, would but ſeriouſly lay to heart, the ſad diſpenſations of God towards his choiceſt worthies, then their hearts would neither faint, nor ſink under their preſent loſſes, croſſes and ſufferings. But,

Thirteenthly and laſtly, There is a worſe fire, than that 13which has turned London into a ruinous heap, viz the fire of Hell, which Chriſt has freed believers from. There is unquenchable fire, Matth. 3. 12. He will burn up the chaff… Luke 3. 17. Matth. 18. 8.Luke 3:17Matt 18:8with unquenchable fire. There is everlaſting burnings, Iſa. 33. 14. The ſinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulneſs hath ſurprized the Hypocrites: Who among us ſhall dwell with the devouring fire: Who among us ſhall dwell with everlaſting burnings. Wicked men, who are now the only burning p. 103Jolly fellows of the time, ſhall one day go from burning to Some devout Perſonages cauſed th…s Scripture to be writ in letters of Gold upon their Chimney pieces. B. of Betty in France in his Draught of Eternity. Gen 4. 17. Amos 6. 5. Job. 21. 12. Dan. 5 23. Amos 6. 4.Gen 4:17Amos 6:5Job 21:12Dan 5:23Amos 6:4burning: from burning in ſin, to burning in Hell: from burning in flames of luſts, to burning in flames of torment, except there be ſound repentance on their ſides, and pardoning Grace on Gods. O Sirs, in this devouring fire in theſe everlaſting burnings, Cain ſhall find no Cities to build, nor his poſteri…y ſhall have no inſtruments of Muſick to inven… there; none ſhall take up the Timbrel, or Harp, or rejoyce at the ſound of the Organ. There Belſhazzar cannot drink Wine in Bowls, nor eat the Lambs out of the flock, nor the Calves out of the midſt of the Stall. In everlaſting burnings, there will be no merry company, to paſs time away; nor no Dice, to caſt care away: nor no Cellars of Wine, wherein to drown the ſinners grief. There is everlaſting fire, Matth. 25. 41. Then ſhall he ſay alſo unto them on the left hand, depart from me ye curſed into everlaſting fire prepared for th… Devil and his Angels. This terrible ſentence breaths out nothing but fire and brimſtone, terror and horror, dread and wo. The laſt words that ever Chriſt will ſpeak in this world, will be the moſt tormenting and amazing, the moſt killing and damning, the moſt ſtinging and wounding; Depart from me: there i… rejection: Pack, begone, get you out of my fight, let me never ſee your faces more. It was a heavy doom that was paſt upon Nebuchadnezzar, that he Dan. 4. 25.Dan 4:25ſhould be driven from the ſo…i…ty of men, and in an extremity of a ſottiſh melancholly, ſpend his time amongſt th… Beaſts of the fi…ld: but that was nothing to this ſoul killing word, depart from me. It was nothing to mens being caſt out of the preſence of Chr…ſt for ever. The remembrance Ber…ard. in Pſal. 91.Ps 91of which, made one to pray thus, O Lord deliver me at the great day from that killing word Depart. And what ſaith another,

This word Depart, the Goats with horror hears.Sphynx.

But this word Come, the Sheep to joy appears.

Baſil ſaith, That an alienation and utter ſeparation from God, Baſil. Aſc. Etic. c. 2. Chryſoſt. in Mal. Hom. 24.is more grievous than the pains of Hell. Chryſoſtome ſaith, That the torments of a thouſand Hells, if there were ſo many, comes far p. 104ſhort of this one, to wit, to be turned out of Gods preſ…nce with a Non nov… vos, I know you not. What a grief were it, here to be baniſht from the Kings Court with A…ſolom, or to be turned out of doors, with Hagar and Iſmael, or to be caſt out of Gods preſence with curſed Cain. But what is all this, to a mans being excommunicated, and caſt out of the preſence of God, of Chriſt, of the Angels, and out of the general Aſſembly of the Saints, and Congreg…tion of the firſt born: to be Heb. 12. 22, 23.Heb 12:22Heb 12:23ſecluded from the preſence of God, is of all miſeries the greateſt. The ſerious thoughts of this, m…de one ſay, Many do abhor Hell, but I eſteem the fall from that glory, to be a greater puniſhment than Hell it ſelf; 'tis better to endure ten thouſand Thunder-claps, than be deprived of the beatifical viſion. Certainly the tears of Hell are not ſufficient, to bewail the loſs of Heaven. If thoſe precious ſouls wept becauſe they Acts 20. 38.Acts 20:38ſhould ſee Pauls face no more; how deplorable is the eternal deprivation of the beatifical viſion. Depart from me, is the firſt and worſt of that dreadful ſentence, which Chriſt ſhall paſs upon ſinners at laſt. Every ſyllable ſounds horror and terror, grief and ſorrow, amazement and aſtoniſhment to all whom it doth concern.

Ye curſed: there is the malediction. But Lord if we muſt Curſings now are wicked mens Hymns: but in He…l they ſhall be their woes. Rev. 16. 9. 11, 21.Rev 16:9Rev 16:11Rev 16:21depart, let us depart bleſſed. No, depart ye curſed: you have curſed others, and now you ſhall be curſt your ſelves; you ſhall be curſt in your bodies, and curſt in your ſouls; you ſhall be curſt of God, and curſt of Chriſt, and curſt of Angels, and curſt of Saints, and curſt of Devils, and curſt of your companions. Yea, you ſhall now curſe your very ſelves, your very ſouls, that ever you have deſpiſed the Goſpel, refuſed the offers of Grace, ſcorned Chriſt, and neglected the means of your ſalvation. Oh ſinners, ſinners, all your curſes, all your maledictions, ſhall at laſt recoyle upon your own ſouls. Now thou curſeſt every man, and thing, that ſtands in the way of thy luſts, and that croſſes thy deſigns; but at laſt all the Curſes of Heaven and Hell, ſhall meet in their full power and force upon thee. Surely that man is curſed with a witneſs, that is curſed by Chriſt himſelf.

p. 105But Lord, if we muſt depart, and depart curſed; Oh let Of this fire you had need of ſome Devil, or accurſed wretch to deſcant, ſaith One.us go into ſome good place: No, Depart ye into everlaſting fire. There is the vengeance and continuance of it. You ſhall go into fire, into everlaſting fire, that ſhall neither conſume it ſelf, nor conſume you. Eternity of extremity, is the Hell of Hell. The fire in Hell is like that ſtone in Arcadia, which being once kindled, could never be quenched. If all the fires that ever were in the world were contracted into one fire, how terrible would it be? Yet ſuch a fire would be but as painted fire upon the Wall, to the fire of Hell. If it be ſo ſad a ſpectacle, to behold a malefactors fleſh conſumed by piece-meales in a lingering fire; Ah, how ſad, how dreadful would it be, to experience, what it is to lie in unquenchable fire, not for a day, a monethmonth, or a year, or a hundred, or a thouſand years, but for ever and ever. If it were, ſaith One, but for a thouſand years, I could bear it: but Cyril.ſeeing it is for eternity, this amazeth and affrighteth me. I am afraid of Hell, ſaith Another, becauſe the Worm there Iſ…dor. clar. Orat. 12.never dies, and the fire never goes out. For to be tormented without end, this is that which goes beyond all the bounds of deſperation. Grievous is the torment of the Dionyſ. in 18. Apoca…ypſ. Fol. 301.damned, for the bitterneſs of the puniſhments, but it is more grievous, for the diverſity of the puniſhments, but moſt grievous for t…e eternity of the puniſhments.

To lye in everlaſting torments, to roar for ever for diſquietneſs of heart; to rage for ever for madneſs of ſoul, to weep and grieve, and gnaſh the teeth for ever, is a miſery Matth 25. ult.Matt 25beyond all expreſſion. Bellarmine out of Barocius tells of De arte moriendi.a learned man, who after his death appeared to his friend, complaining that he was adjudged to Hell torments, (which (ſaith he) were they to laſt but a thouſand thouſand years, I ſhould think it tollerable: but alas, they are eternal. And it is called eternal fire, Jude 7. I have read of a Priſon among the Perſians, which was deep, and wide, and dark, and out of which the Priſoners could never get; and therefore it was called by them Lethe, Forgetfulneſs: this Priſon was a Paradice to Hell. Mark, every thing that is conducible to the torments of the damned is eternal. 1. God p. 106that damns them is eternal, Iſa. 33. 14. Rom. 16. 26. 2. The fire that torments them, is eternal, Iſa. 30. 33. Cap. 66. 24. Jude 7. 3. The Priſon and Chains that holds them, are eternal, Jude 6, 7, 13. 2 Pet. 2. 17. 4. The Worm that 1 Pet. 3. 19. L…cian ſaith, that it was the common opinion among them, that the wi…ked were held in chains by Pluto (ſo th…y call the Prince of Devils) in chain…, which cannot be looſed.1 Pet 3:19gnaws them is eternal, Mark 9. 44. Melancthon calls it a Helliſh fury. 5. The ſentence that ſhall be paſſed upon them, ſhall be eternal, Matth. 25. 41, 42. The fire of Hell is called a Burning Lake, R…v. 20. 15. Whoſoever was not found written in the book of life, was caſt into the lake of fire. You ſhall know, that fire is the moſt tormenting Element. Oh the moſt dreadful impreſſions, that it makes upon the fleſh. The Schoolmen diſtingiſh thus of fire; they ſay, there is ignis ardoris, foetoris, & terroris, fire of heat, of ſtench, and of terror: of heat, as in Mount Aetna; of ſtench, as in Mount Heda; of terror and fear: as ignis fulguris, the fire of lightning in America: All theſe fires they ſay are in Hell. But to let the Schoolmen paſs. It is diſputed among many of the learned, Whether there be material fire in Hell or no. That 'tis very probable, that there is material fire in Hell, or that which is full as terrible, or more terrible, may I ſuppoſe, be thus evidenced.

Firſt, The fire of Hell is frequently mentioned in the bleſſed Scripture. Who ſhall ſay to his Brother, thou Fool, ſhall be 1in danger of Hell fire. At the day of Judgement the tares are Matth. 5. 22. Chap. 13. 40.Matt 5:22burnt in the fire. Into this fire offending members are caſt, Matth. 18. 18, 19. To this everlaſting fire the Goats are adjudged, Matth. 25. 41. In this fire, thoſe that worſhip the Beaſt are tormented, Rev. 14. 10. And the Sodomites at this very day, ſuffer the vengeance of eternal fire, Jude 7. Into this fire ſhall all barren and unfruitful Chriſtians be caſt. Matth. 3. 10. And now alſo the Ax is laid unto the root of the trees, therefore every tree which bringeth forth not good fruit is hewn down, and caſt into the fire. Negative goodneſs will never ſecure a man either from the Ax, or from the fire. Yea, every man and woman under Heaven, that keeps off from Chriſt, and that lives and dies out of Chriſt, and that are never entered into a marriage union with Chriſt: they ſhall all be caſt into this fire, John 15. 6. If a man abide not in me, he is p. 107caſt forth as a branch that is withered, and men gather them, and caſt them into the fire, and they are burned. Thus you ſee, how the Scripture runs. Now you know, that 'tiſt ſafeſt for us, to adhere to the very letter of the Scripture, unleſs evident and neceſſary occaſion draw us from a literal interpretation of it. But,

Secondly, To this fire is aſcribed Sulphur, flames, wood, 2Iſa. 30. 33. For Tophet is ordained of old (that i… Hell, thoſe 2 King. 23. 18.2 Kgs 23:18terrible alluſions to Tophet, to the ſhrieks and yellings of thoſe children that were ſacrificed there, are but dark repreſentations of the pain and miſeries of the damned) yea, for the King it is prepared (If Princes be wicked, 'tis neither their Power nor their Policy, their dignity or worldly glory, that can ſecure them from Tophet.) he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood, the breath of the Lord like a ſtream of brimſtone, doth kindle it. Now he ſhall be an Apollo to me, that can ſhew me, where the Lord in his Word gives ſuch properties to immaterial fire, that are here given in the Text. But yet remember this, that that God that makes the damned live without food, is able to maintain this fire without wood. But,

Thirdly, Fire is the moſt furious of all Elements; and 3therefore the bodies of men can't be more exquiſitely tormented, than with fire. The bodies that ſinned on earth, Water doth only kill, but fire doth vex, terrifie and torment in killing. Act. & Mon.ſhall be puniſhed and tormented in Hell. Now what can be more grievous and vexatious, more afflicting and tormenting to the bodies of men, than material fire. Bilney the Martyr could not endure to hold his finger in the flame of a Candle for a little while, for a quarter of an hour, though he tryed to do it before he burnt at the ſtake. O then how will the bodies of men endure to dwell in unquenchable fire, to dwell in everlaſting burnings. The Brick-kilns of Aegypt, the Furnace of Babel are but as the glowing ſparkle, or as the blaze of a Bruſh-faggot, to this tormenting Tophet, that has been prepared of old, to puniſh the bodies of ſinners with. But,

Fourthly, Several of the Fathers & Schools, generally agree, 4that the fire which ſhall torment the wicked in Hell, ſhall be p. 108material fire: but yet they ſay, that this material fire ſhall wonderfully Zaach. Auſtia, Peter Lumbard. Tho. Aqu. Gregory, &c.exceed ours, both in degree of heat, and fierceneſs of burning. Our Elementary or Culinary fire is no more to be compared with the fire of Hell, than fire painted upon the Wall, is to be compared with fire burning in our Chimneys. Si igne damnabit reprobos, quare non in igne cruciabit damnatos, ſayes one of the Antients, If he will judge the reprobates in fire, why not condemn them to fire.

But if it be material fire, then it may be quencht: beſides we Object. ſee by common experience, that material fire in a ſhort time will conſume and ſpend it ſelf. Neither can we ſee how material fire can make impreſſions upon Spirits, as the Devils and ſouls of men are.

Firſt, Don't we find, that the Buſh burned and was not conſumed? Anſw. Though all cloaths by daily experience wax old; Exod. 3. 2, 3.Exod 3:2Exod 3:3yet when the Iſraelites were in their wilderneſs condition; their clothes did not wax old, Deut. 8. 4. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot ſwell theſe forty years. Neh. 9. 41. Yea, forty years didſt thou ſuſtain them in the Wilderneſs, ſo that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet ſwelled not. Their clothes were never the worſe for wearing. God by his Allmighty Power kept their clothes from waxing old: and ſo God by his Allmighty Power can keep the fire of Hell unquenchable. But,

Secondly, Such as thus object, draw things to the ſcantling 2of their own Reaſon, which may be many wayes of a dangerous conſequence, both to themſelves and others. Certainly ſuch as go about to make the fire of Hell only ſpiritual fire, they go about to make it no fire at all; for it paſſeth the natural fire, to be ſpiritual. But,

Thirdly, We ſee in this life, that bodily tortures work upon 3the ſpirits in the ſame bodies: And why may it not be ſo in Hell? Don't men by their daily experience find, that their ſouls are frequently afflicted in, and under corporeal diſtempers, diſeaſes and weakneſſes? Doubtleſs God can by his Allmighty Power infuſe ſuch power into material fire, p. 109as to make it the inſtrument of his dreadful wrath and vengeance, to plague, puniſh, ſcorch and burn the ſouls of damned ſinners. Bodies and ſouls are co-partners in the ſame ſins, and therefore God may make them co-partners in the ſame puniſhments. Every creature is ſuch, as the great God will have it to be, and commands it to be; and therefore if the Lord ſhall lay a command upon the fire of Hell to reach, and burn the ſouls of damned ſinners; it ſhall certainly do it. God is the God of Nature, as well as the God of Grace: and therefore I can't ſee, how the fire of Hell can be ſaid, how to act againſt its own nature, when it do; but act according to the will and command of the God of Nature. I readily grant, that if you conſider infernal fire in it ſelf, or in its own nature, and ſo it cannot have any power on ſuch a ſpiritual ſubſtance as the ſoul of man is; but if you conſider infernal fire, as an inſtrument in an Allmighty hand, and ſo it can act upon ſuch ſpiritual Beings, as Devils and damned ſouls are, and make the ſame dreadful and Vide Auguſt. …. 21. c. 10. de Civitate D…i.painful impreſſions upon them, as it would do upon corporeal Beings. Though Spirits have nothing material in their nature, which that infernal fire ſhould work upon, yet ſuch is the Almighty Power of God, that he can make Spirits moſt ſenſible of thoſe fiery tortures and torments which he has declared and appointed for them to undergo. Let them tell us (ſaith One) how it is poſſible, that the ſoul Dr. Jackſon.of man, which is an immortal ſubſtance, ſhould be truly wedded to the body, or material ſubſtance: and I ſhall as eaſily anſwer them, that it is as poſſible, for the ſame ſoul, to be as eaſily wrought upon by a material fire. It is much diſputed and controverted among the Schoolmen, how the Devils can be tormented with corporeal fire, ſeeing they are Spirits, and (as I ſuppoſe) it is well concluded of them thus. Firſt, That in Hell there is corporeal fire; as appears thus: Firſt, Becauſe the Scripture affirms it, Matth. 3. 10 Matth. 5. 22. Matth. 25. 41. Secondly, Becauſe the bodies ſinning againſt God, are to be vexed and tormented with corporeal pains. Secondly, They conclude, that the Devils are tormented in that fire; Becauſe Chriſt ſaith ſo, Mat. 25. 41. p. 110Depart from me ye curſed, into everlaſting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. Thirdly, It being demanded, how the Devils are tormented in that fire? they anſwer, they are tormented, not only Firſt, With the ſight of it: or Secondly, With an imaginary apprehenſion thereof. But Thirdly, As an inſtrument ordained of God for that very end. And Fourthly, Ʋt locus locatum continens, &c. cogens. Hell is a fiery Tho. Suppl…m. 70. 3. corp.Region, or a Region of fire: and therefore the Devils being contained and included therein muſt needs be tormented thereby. Cum Dives ab igne patiatur, quis neget, animas ignibus puniri. None muſt queſtion this truth (ſaith my Author) that ſouls and ſpirits are puniſhed by fire, ſeeing our G…g. Dial 4. cap. 28, 29.Saviour himſelf telleth us, that Dives (who was in Hell but in ſoul) was tormented in the flames, Luke 16. 24. But,

Fourthly, It is not ſafe to leave the plain letter of the Scripture 4to Allegorize, and whether the opinion of Metaphorical fire in Hell, hath not been an introduction to that opinion, that many have taken up in theſe dayes, viz. That there is no other Hell, but what is within us; I ſhall not now ſtand to determine. I know Calvin, and ſome others, are for the Allegory; and they give this for a Reaſon, that there is mention made of Wood, and of a Worm, as well as fire. Now theſe are Allegorical; and therefore the fire is Allegorical alſo. But by their favour, we find in the Scripture, that thoſe things which are ſpoken together, are not alwayes taken in the ſame nature and manner. As for example, Deut. 32. 15, 18, 30, 31. 2 Sam. 22. 47. 1 Cor. 10. 4.Deut 32:15Deut 32:18Deut 32:30Deut 32:312 Sam 22:471 Cor 10:4Chriſt is called, the Rock of our ſalvation. Now the Rock is Allegorical, Is our ſalvation, therefore Allegorical. So likewiſe Luke 22. 30. Ye ſhall eat and drink (ſaith our Saviour) at my Table in my Kingdom: Eating and drinking is Allegorical; is therefore the Kingdom Allegorical too? Allegories are not to be admitted, but where the Scripture it ſelf doth warrant them: and commonly where an Allegory is propounded, there it is alſo expounded. As in Galat. 4. 24. Which things are an Allegory; for theſe are the two Teſtaments. Many men have been too wanton with Allegories. Origen, Ambroſe, Hierom and ſeveral others p. 111of the Ancients, have been blamed for it by learned men. But,

Fifthly and laſtly, I cannot tell but that the fire by which 5the damned ſhall be puniſhed, may be partly material, and partly ſpiritual: partly material, to work upon the body; and partly ſpiritual, to torment the ſoul. Dr. Gouge puts this Queſtion, Is it a material fire, wherewith the damned in Dr. Gouge on Heb. 10. 27. Sect. 98.Heb 10:27Hell are tormented? and gives this anſwer, viz. This is too curious a point to reſolve to the full; but yet this anſwer may ſafely be returned, It is no waſting or conſuming fire, but a torturing: and ſo far corporal, as it tormenteth the body: and ſo far incorporeal, as it tormenteth the ſoul. Socrates ſpeaking of Hell, ſaith, I was never there my ſelf, neither have I ever ſpoke with any that came from thence. Suppoſe, ſaith One, there be no fire in Hell, yet I aſſure thee this, that thou ſhalt be ſcorched with fire: the fire of Gods Mr. Boulton.wrath ſhall torment thee more, than bodily fire can do: and therefore it will be your wiſdom, not ſo much to queſtion this or that about Hell fire, as to make it your work, your buſineſs, not to come there. He gave good counſel, who Bernard.ſaid, Let us go down to Hell while we are alive, that we may not go to Hell when we are dead. And ſo did he, who ſpeaking of Hell ſaid, Ne quaeramus ubi ſit, ſed quomodo illam Chryſoſtome.fugiamus. Let us not ſeek where it is, but how we ſhall avoid it. The ſame Author gives this further counſel; viz. That at all Banquets, Feaſts, and Publick Meetings, men ſhould talk of Helliſh pains and torments, that ſo their hearts may be over-awed, and they provoked to avoid them, and ſecure themſelves againſt them. Doubtleſs the ſerious thoughts of helliſh pain while men live, is one bleſſ…d way to keep them from thoſe torments, when they come to die. Another gives this pious counſel, Let us earneſtly importune the Lord, that this knowledge, whether the fire of Hell be material or not, be never manifeſted to us by experience. 'Tis infinitely better, to endeavour the avoiding Hell fire, than curiouſly to diſpute about it. Look, as there is nothing more grievous than Hell: So there is nothing more profitable than the fear of it.

p. 112But what difference is there between our common fire and Hell Obj. fire?

I anſwer, a mighty difference, a vaſt difference. Take it Anſw. in theſe ſix particulars.

Firſt, They differ in their heat: no heart can conceive, nor 1no tongue can expreſs the exquiſite heat of infernal fire, were all the fires under Heaven contracted into one fire; yea, were all the Coles, Wood, Oyle, Hemp, Flax, Pitch, Tarr, Brimſtone, and all other combuſtibles in the world, contracted into one flame into one fire, yet one ſpark of infernal fire would be more hot, violent, dreadful, amazing, aſtoniſhing, raging and tormenting, than all that fire that is (ſuppoſedly) made up of all the combuſtibles the earth affords. To mans ſenſe there is nothing more terrible and afflictive, than fire: and of all fires, there is none ſo ſcalding and tormenting, as that of brimſtone. Now into that lake Rev. 14. 10. Chap. 21. 8. The fire in a Lantskip is but ignis pictus a painted fire, and the fire of Purgatory is but ignis fictus, feigned fire. Now what are theſe to Hell fire?Rev 14:10which burns with fire and brimſtone for ever and ever, ſhall the wicked of the earth be caſt. Infernal fire far exceeds ours (that are on our Hearths, and in our Chimneyes) in degree of heat and fierceneſs of burning. Our fire hath not that terrible power to ſcorch, burn, torment, as the fire of Hell hath. Our fire (as Polycarpus and others ſay) compared to Hell fire, is but like painted fire upon the Wall. Now you know, a painted fire upon the Wall will not hurt you, nor burn, nor affright you, not torment you, but the fire of Hell will beyond all your conception and expreſſion, hurt, burn, affright and torment you. The fire of Hell for degrees of heat, and fierceneſs of burning, muſt wonderfully ſurpaſs our moſt furious fires, becauſe it is purpoſely created by God to torment the creature, whereas our ordinary fire was created by God, only for the comfort of the creature. The greateſt and the hotteſt fires that ever were on earth, are Alſted.but Ice in compariſon of the fire of Hell.

Secondly, There are unexpreſſible torments in Hell, as 2well as unſpeakable joyes in Heaven. Some who write of Purgatory, tell us, that the pains thereof are more exquiſite p. 113(though of ſhorter continuance) than the united torments B…llarm. de Parg. l. 2. c. 14 B…ll…rm. de Ae…r. Faeli. Sa…. l. 1. c. 11.that the earth can invent, though of longer duration. If the Popes Kitchin be ſo warm, how hot is the Devils Furnace? A Poetical Fiction is but a Meioſis, when brought to ſhew the nature of theſe real torments: the laſhes of Furies, are but petty ſcourgings, when compared to the ſtripes of a wounded conſcience: Tytius his Vulture, though feeding on his Liver, is but a Flea-biting to that Worm, whick gnaweth their hearts and dieth not. Ixion his Wheel is a place of reſt, if compared with thoſe Billows of Wrath, and tha… Wheel of Juſtice, which is in H…ll brought over the ungodly: the task of Danaus his Daughter, is but a ſport, compared to the tortures of thoſe, whoſe ſouls are filled with bitterneſs, and within whom are the arrows of the Al…ighry, the poiſon whereof doth drink up their ſpirits. Hell is called a Furnace of fire, which ſpeaketh intolerable heat: a Matth. 13. 42. Luke 16. 28. Matth. 5. 25. & 5. 22.Matt 13:42Luke 16:28Matt 5:25Matt 5:22place of torment, which ſpeaketh a total privation of eaſe. A Priſon, which ſpeaketh reſtraint. Gehenna (from the valley of Hinnom, where the unnatural Parents did ſacrifice the fruit o… their bodies, for the ſin of their ſouls, to their mercileſs Idols) the which word, by a neighbour Nation, is retained to ſignifie a Rock, than the torture of which, what more exquiſite? It is called a Lake of Fire and Brimſtone, than the torment of the former, what more acute? than the ſmell of the latter, what more noiſome? But,

Secondly, Our fire is made by the hand of man, and 2muſt be maintained by continual ſupplies of fuel: take away the Coals, the Wood, the combuſtible matter, and the fire goes out: but the infernal fire is created, and tempered, and blown by the hand of an angry ſin revenging God. Iſa. 30. 33. For Tophet is ordained of old: yea, for the King it is prepared, he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is A River of Brimſtone is never conſumed by burning.fire and much wood, and the breath of the Lord, like a ſtream of Brimſtone, doth kindle it: and therefore the breath of all the Reprobates in Hell ſhall never be able to blow it out. Our fire is blown by an aiery breath, but the infernal fire is blown by the angry breath of the great God, which burns far hotter, than ten thouſand, thouſand Rivers of Brimſtone. p. 114The breath of Gods mouth, ſhall be both Bellows and fuel to the infernal fire: and therefore Oh how terrible and torturing, how fierce and raging will that fire be. If but three drops of Brimſtone ſhould fall upon any part of the fleſh of a man, it would fill him ſo full of torment, that he would not be able to forbear roaring out, for pain and anguiſh. Oh how dreadful and painful will it be then, for damned ſinners to ſwimm up and down in a Lake or River of Fire and Brimſtone for ever and ever. There is no proportion between the heat of our breath, and the fire that it blows. O then what a dreadful, what an amazing, what an aſtoniſhing fire muſt that needs be, which is blown by a breath diſſolved into brimſtone. Gods wrath and indignation ſhall be an everlaſting ſupply to Hells conflagration. Ah Sinners, how fearful, how formidable, how unconceivable will this infernal fire prove! Surely, there is no miſery, no torment to that of lying in a torrent of burning Brimſtone for ever and ever. Mark this infernal fire is a fire prepared by God himſelf, to puniſh and torment all impenitent perſons and reprobate rebels: who ſcorned to ſubmit to the Scepter of Chriſt. Depart from me, ye curſed, into everlaſting fire, prepared Matth. 25. 41.Matt 25:41for the Devil and his Angels. The wiſdom of God hath been much exerciſed in preparing and deviſing the moſt tormenting temper for that formidable fire, in which the Devil and his Angels ſhall be puniſhed for ever and ever. Not as if it were not prepared alſo for wicked and ungodly men: but it is ſaid to be prepared for the Devil and his Angels; becauſe it was firſtly and chiefly prepared for them. All impenitent ſinners, ſhall have the Devil and his Angels for their conſtant companions: and therefore they ſhall be ſure to ſhear with them in the extremity and inevitableneſs of their torments. But,

Thirdly, Our fire when it burneth, it ſhineth, it caſts a light. 3Our fire burns, and in burning ſhines, light is a natural property of our common fire: 'tis true, the elementary fire in its own ſphere ſhineth not, becauſe of its ſubtilneſs, and the infernal fire of Hell ſhineth not, becauſe of its groſneſs. Yet our ordinary fire (being of a mixt nature) hath p. 115light as well as heat in it, and thats our comfort. It hath light to ſhew it ſelf to us, and to our ſelves, and it hath light to ſhew others to us, and us to others, &c. Some men can work, as well as talk by the light of the fire. Our fires have their beams and rayes, as well as the Sun: but the fire of Hell burns, but it dos not ſhine, it gives no light at all Infernal fire hath no light, or brightneſs attending of it; Mat…h. 25. 30. Chap. 8. 12.and therefore Chriſt calls it utter darkneſs, or outer darkneſs, that is, darkneſs beyond a darkneſs. I have read of a young man who was very looſe and vain in his life, and was very D…e…lius. Baſil ſpeaking of Hell fire, ſaith, Vim comburendi retinet, illamina…di amiſit. It retains the pro…erty of burning: it hath loſt the property of ſhining.fearful of being in the dark, who after falling ſick, and could not ſleep, cryed out, O… if this darkneſs be ſo terrible, what is eternal darkneſs! H…ll would not be ſo uncomfortable a Priſon, if it were not ſo dark a Priſon. Light is a bleſſing that ſhall never ſhine into that infernal priſon. In Jude, v. 6. you read of chains of darkneſs. It would be a little eaſe, a little comfort to the damned in Hell, if they might have but light and liberty, to walk up and down the infernal coaſts, but this is too high a favour for them to enjoy; and therefore they ſhall be chained and ſtaked down in chains of darkneſs, and in blackneſs of darkneſs; that ſo they may fully undergo the ſcorchings and burnings of Divine wrath and fury for ever and ever. In Verſe 13. you thus read, To whom is reſerved the blackneſs of darkneſs for ever. The words are an Hebraiſm, and ſignifie exceeding great darkneſs. Hell is a very dark and diſmal Region, and extream are the miſeries, horrors and torments which are there. The Poets deſcribed the darkneſs of Hell by the Cimmerian darkneſs. There was a Territory in Italy betwixt Baiae and Cumae where the Cimmerii inhabit, which was ſo environed with Hills, and overſhadowed with ſuch hanging Promontories, that the Sun never comes at it. The darkneſs Exod. 10. 21. The words are figu…ative, importing extraordinary bl…ck darkneſs.Exod 10:21of Aegypt, was ſuch▪ a ſtrong and horrid thick darkneſs, that it was palpable it might be felt. Even darkneſs which may be felt. The darkneſs that is here threatned, is called darkneſs that may be f…lt; either by way of an Hyperbole, to ſignifie what an exceeding great darkneſs i… ſhould be: or elſe becauſe the Air ſhould be ſo thickne… p. 116with groſs miſts, and thick foggy vapours, that it might be felt; or elſe becauſe this extraordinary darkneſs ſhould be cauſed by a withdrawment of the light of the celeſtial bodies, or by drawing a thick curtain of very black clouds betwixt mens eyes and them. Yet this horrid darkneſs was nothing to the darkneſs of Hell; the darkneſs of Aegypt was but as an over caſting for three dayes, Exod. 10. 22, 23. And there was a thick darkneſs in all the Land of Aegypt three dayes. They ſaw not one another, neither roſe any from his place three dayes. For three dayes they were deprived not only of the natural lights and lamps of Heaven, but of all artificial light alſo. 'Tis poſſible that the vapours might be ſo thick and moiſt as to put out their Candles, and all other lights that were kindled by them. 'Tis probable, that they had neither light from Sun, Moon, or Stars above, nor yet from fire or candle below: ſo …hat they were as blind men, that could not ſee at all, and as lame men, that could not move from their places: and ſo they ſate ſtill as under the arreſt of this darkneſs, becauſe they could not ſee what to do, nor whither to go. God would teach them the worth of light, by the want of it. Some think, that by that dreadful Judgement of thick darkneſs, they were filled with that terror and horror, that they durſt not ſo much as move from the places where they were ſate down. But after theſe three dayes of darkneſs were over, the Egyptians enjoyed the glorious light of the Sun again. O but ſinners are in Hell, when they are in chains of darkneſs, when they are in blackneſs of darkneſs, they ſhall never ſee light more. Hell is a houſe without light. Gregory and all other Authors that I have caſt my eye upon, agree in this, that though our fire hath light as well as heat; yet the infernal fire hath only heat to burn ſinners: It has no light to refreſh ſinners; and this will be no ſmall addition to their torment. A Philoſopher being asked, Whether it were not a pleaſant thing to behold the Sun? anſwered, that that was a blind mans queſtion. Surely life without light, is but a lifeleſs life. But,