Londons Lamentation, Part 1 (5 of 7)

Londons Lamentation · Part 1 (5 of 7)

p. 154Fifthly, When all is gone, yet mercy may be near, and 5thou not ſee it. When Hagars Bottle was empty, the Well Gen. 21. 19.Gen 21:19of Water was near, though ſhe ſaw it not. Mercies many times are never nearer to us, than when with Hagar we ſit down and weep, becauſe our bottle is empty, becauſe our ſtreams of mercy are dried up. The Well was there before, but ſhe ſaw it not, till her eyes were …pened. Though mercy be near, though it be even at the door, yet till the great God ſhall irradiate both the Organ and the object, we can neither ſee our mercies, nor ſuck the breaſts of mercy. Chriſt the ſpring of mercy, the fountain of mercy, was near the Diſciples, yea, he talked with the Diſciples, and yet they Luke 24. 15.Luke 24:15knew him not. Look, as dangers are neareſt to wicked men when they ſee them not, when they fear them not: As Haman Eſther 6.Esth 6was neareſt the Gallows, when he thought himſelf the only man that the King would honour. And ſo when Siſ…ra dreamed of a Kingdom, Jael was near with her Hammer Judges 4.Judg 4and her Nail, ready to faſten him to the ground. And ſo when Agag ſaid, Surely the bitterneſs of death is paſt; Samuel 1 Sam. 15 32, 33.1 Sam 15:321 Sam 15:33ſtood ready with his drawn Sword to cut him in pieces in Gilgal before the Lord. So when Pharaoh ſaid, They are entangled Exod. 14. 3 Cha. 15. 9. 10.Exod 14:3in the Land, the Wilderneſs hath ſhut them in; I will purſue, I will overtake, I will divide the ſpoil, my luſt ſhall be ſatisfied upon them, I will draw my Sword, my hand ſhall deſtroy them. But preſently God blows with his Wind and the Sea covered them, and they ſank as Lead in the mighty Waters. Soon after Sennacherib had ſent a Blaſphemous Le… ter to King Hez…kiah, The Angel of the Lord went forth, and ſmote in the Camp of the Aſſyrians a hundred and fourſcore and five thouſand: and when they aroſe early in the morning, behold Iſaiah 37.Isa 37they were all dead corpſe: and within five and fifty dayes after Sennacherib himſelf was butchered by his own Sons. No p. 155Tobit. 1. 21.Tob 1:21ſooner had the people, as prophane Sycophants applauded Herod, and given him the honour due to God; but he was ſmitten by the Angel of the Lord, or eaten up of Worms, or with Vetmin: with Lice, as his Grand-father Herod had Act. 12. …2, 23.Acts 12:2Acts 12:23been before him. Roff…nſis had a Cardin…ls Hat ſent him; but his head was cut off b…fore it came: the Ax was nearer his head, than his Hat. The Heathen H…ſtorian could not but obſerve, that as ſoon as Alexander the Great, h…d ſummoned a Parliament before him of the world, he was ſummoned himſelf by death, to appear before God in the other world. Now as you ſee by theſe inſtances, that dangers are neareſt the wicked, when they ſee them not, when they fear them not; So mercies are very near to the people of God, when they ſee them not, when they expect them not. The Iſraelites found it ſo in Aſa his time; and in Jebaſaphats time; Pſal. 126. 2, 3. 2 Chron. 14. Chap. 20. Exod. 15. 2 Kings 19. Eſther 6. 8. 1 Kings 17. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.Ps 126:2Ps 126:32 Chr 14Exod 152 Kgs 19Esth 6:81 Kgs 17:121 Kgs 17:131 Kgs 17:141 Kgs 17:151 Kgs 17:16and in Pharaohs time, and in Hezekiahs time; and in Eſthers time; and in the time of the Judges, as is evident throughout the Book of Judges. When there was but a handful of Meal in the Barrel, and a little Oyl in the Cruze, ſupply was at hand. Her Barrel and Cruze had no bottom, who out of a little gave a little. In all the Ages of the world, God has made that word good, Iſa. 41. 17. When the poor and needy ſeek water, and there is none; and their tongue ſaileth for thirſt, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Iſrael will not forſake them. Verſe 18. I will open Rivers in high places, and Fountains in the midſt of the Valleys: I will make the Wilderneſs a pool of water, and the dry land ſprings of water. Chryſoſtome obſerves, That 'tis very delightful to the Mother to have her breaſts drawn. Oh how much more then is it delightful to God, to have his breaſts of mercy drawn! O Sirs, look as many times the Mothers breaſts are drawn, and near the Child, though the Child ſees them not: ſo Gods breaſts of mercy are many times drawn, and near his people, and yet they ſee them not. Geographers wri…e, that the City of Syracuſe in Sicily, is ſo curiouſly ſcituated, that the Sun is never out of ſight. Certainly the mercies of God are never out of ſight, though ſometimes the people of God are ſo clouded and benighted, that they can't ſee their mercies, though p. 156they are near them; yea, though they ſtand before them. But,

Sixthly, I anſwer, That God many times by taking away 6ſome outward mercies, comforts and contentments, dos but make way for greater and better mercies to come in the room of thoſe he has taken away. He took from David an Pſa 71. 20, 21.Ps 71:20Ps 71:21Abſalom, and gave him a Solomon: he took from him a ſcoffing Michal, and gave him a prudent Abagail. He took Gen. 24. 67.Gen 24:67away from Iſaac his Mother Sarah, and made up his loſs by giving of him Rebeckah to wife. He took away much from Job, but laid twice as much in the room, of all the mercies that he had ſtript him off. The Lord many times takes away ſmall mercies, to make room for greater mercies; and many times takes away great mercies, to make room for greater mercies, yea, the greateſt of mercies. But,

Seventhly and laſtly, Though thou haſt loſt all thy outward 7comforts in this world, yet if thou art a believer, there are ten choice Jewels, that thou ſhalt never, that thou canſt never loſe.

1. Thou ſhalt never totally or finally loſe thy God: Hoſea 2. 19, 20.

2. Thou ſhalt never loſe thy intereſt in Chriſt. Whatever thy outward loſſes are, yet thy intereſt in Chriſt ſtill holds good. Rom. 8. 33. ult.

3. Thou ſhalt never loſe the Spirit of Grace, John 14. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.

4. Thou ſhalt never loſe the ſeed of Grace, the habits of Grace, 1 John 3. 9. Whoſoever is born of God, doth not commit ſin, (that is, doth not give himſelf over to a voluntary ſerving 1 Cor. 1. 8. Luke 22. 32.1 Cor 1:8Luke 22:32of ſin: he dos not make a Trade of ſin: he ſins not totally, finally, maliciouſly, habitually, ſtudiouſly, reſolutely, wilfully, delightfully, deadly, foreign, he dos not make it his work to ſin, he cannot follow his luſts, as a work-man follows his Trade) for his ſeed remaineth in him. The ſeed of God, the ſeed of Grace is an abiding ſeed.

5. Thou ſhalt never loſe the forgiveneſs of thy ſins (though thou maiſt loſe the ſenſe and aſſurance of thy forgiveneſs.) p. 157Jer. 31. 34. For I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their ſin no more, Mich. 7. 19.

6. Thou ſhalt never loſe thy intereſt in the Covenant of Grace, Pſal. 89. 30. 35. Jer. 31. 31. 38. Iſ…. 54. 10. Once in Covenant, and for ever in Covenant.

7. Thou ſhalt never loſe thy union with Chriſt, John 15 1. 6. In John 17. Chriſt prayed, that we might be one, as he and his Father are one; not eſſentially, nor perſonally, but ſpiritually, ſo as no other creature is united to God. There can be no Divorce between Chriſt and the believing ſoul. Chriſt hates putting away. Sin may for a time ſeemingly ſeparate Mal. 2. 16.Mal 2:16between Chriſt and the believer; but it can never finally ſeparate between Chriſt and the Believer. Look, as it is impoſſible for the Leaven that is in the Dough, to be ſeparated from the Dough after it is once mixed; for it turneth Luther.the nature of the Dough into it ſelf; ſo it is impoſſible for the Saints ever to be ſeparated from Chriſt; for Chriſt is in the Saints, as nearly, and as really, as the Leaven is in the very Dough. Chriſt and believers are ſo incorporated, as if Chriſt and they were one lump. Our nature is now joyned to God by the indiſſolvable tye of the Hypoſtatical Union in the ſecond Perſon: and we in our perſons, are joyned to God, by the Myſtical indiſſolvable bond of the Spirit, the third Perſon. Our union with the Lord is ſo near, and ſo glorious, that it makes us one Spirit with him. In this bleſſed union, the Saints are not only joyned to the Graces and 1 Cor. 6. 17.1 Cor 6:17benefits which flow from Chriſt, but to the Perſon of Chriſt, Rom. 8. 32. 1 Cor. 3. 21, 22, 23.Rom 8:321 Cor 3:211 Cor 3:221 Cor 3:23to Chriſt himſelf, who is firſt given for us, and to us; and then with him, we receive all other ſpiritual bleſſings and ſavours.

8. Thou ſhalt never loſe thy inward peace, either totally or finally. 'Tis true, by ſin, and Satan, and the world, and divine withdrawings, thy peace may be ſomewhat interrupted, but it ſhall never be finally loſt. The greateſt ſtorms Pſalm 30. 5. Mal. 4. 2. Iſa. 9. 6. foreign Shalom: Under this Word, the Jews comprehend all Peace, Proſperity, and happy Succeſs.Ps 30:5Mal 4:2Isa 9:6in this life that beats upon a believer, will in time blow over, and the Sun of Righteouſneſs, the Prince of Peace will p. 158ſhine as gloriouſly upon him as ever, John 14. 27. Peace I leave with you, (its bonum haereditamentum, a good inheritance) my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. My peace I give unto you; that is, that peace with God, and peace with conſcience, that I have purchaſed with my blood, I give unto you. Men may wiſh me peace, but 'tis only Chriſt that can give me peace. The peace that Chriſt gives, is bottom'd upon his blood; upon h…s imputed righteouſneſs; upon his Interceſſion, and upon a Covenant of Peace; and therefore it muſt needs be a laſting peace, an abiding peace. When a Tyrant thus threatned a Chriſtian, I will take away thy houſe: the Chriſtian replyed, Thou canſt not take away my peace. When the Tyrant threatned to break up his School, the Chriſtian anſwered, I ſhall ſtill keep whole my peace. When the Tyrant threatned to confiſcate all his goods, the Chriſtian anſwered, yet there is no premunire againſt my peace. When the Tyrant threatned to baniſh him out of his own Countrey, the Chriſtian replyed, yet I ſhall carry my peace with me.

9. Thou ſhalt never loſe thy Title to Heaven, Luke 12. 32. Fear not little flock; (foreign, here are two Diminutives in the Original: the word tranſlated Flock, ſignifieth a Little Flock; but that the exceeding littleneſs of it might appear, Chriſt adds another word: ſo that the words in the fountain run thus, Fear not little little flock. And indeed in all the Ages of the world, the flock of Chriſt have been but little in their own eyes, and little in the worlds eyes, and little in their enemies eyes, and but little in compariſon of that world of Wolves that has ſtill ſurrounded them) for it is your Fathers good pleaſure to give you the Kingdom. You need neither fear the loſs of earthly things, or the want of earthly things; for you have a kind, a tender, a loving Father, whoſe pleaſure 'tis, to give you the Kingdom, that is, the Heavenly Kingdom, that is prepared and referved for you.

10. and laſtly, Thou ſhalt never loſe thy Crown of Life, Rev. 2. 10. James 1. 12. 1 Pet. 5. 4. 1 Cor. 9. 25.Rev 2:10Jas 1:121 Pet 5:41 Cor 9:25thy crown of Glory, thy incorruptible crown, thy crown of righteouſneſs. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Henceforth is laid up for me a p. 159crown of righteouſneſs, which the Lord the righteous Judge ſhall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them alſo that love his appearance. A Crown is the top of Royalty. Here it notes that everlaſting glory that is l…id up for the Saints. Now this Crown is called a Crown of Righteouſneſs; partly, becauſe 'tis purchaſed by the righteouſneſs of Chriſt; and partly, becauſe he is righteous that hath promiſed it; and partly, becauſe it is a juſt and righteous thing with God, to crown them with glory at laſt, who have for his honour been crowned with ſhame and reproach in this world; and partly, becauſe they come to this Crown, in the uſe of righteous wayes and means. And this Crown is ſaid to be laid up, to note our ſure and certain enjoyment of it, as the Greek word foreign, dos import. And let thus much ſuffice for Anſwer to this ſecond Objection.

I would juſtifie the Lord, I would ſay he is righteous, though Object. 3 my houſe be burnt up, and I am turned out of all; but this troubles me, I have not an eſtate to do that good that formerly I have done. I was once full, but the Lord hath made me empty: I was once Naomi; i. e. beautiful: but now God has made me Ruth 1. 20, 21.Ruth 1:20Ruth 1:21Marah; i. e. bitter; the Lord hath teſtified againſt me, and the Almighty hath affl…cted me, and conſumed me on every hand. I have fed the poor, I have clothed the naked, I have received them that were in bonds: The bleſſing of him that was ready to periſh Job 29. 13.Job 29:13came upon me; but now, I can do little or nothing for others; and this troubles me.

I anſwer, Thy condition is no lower, than was the condition Anſw. of Chriſt and his Apoſtles in this world. Silver and Gold have we none. Acts 3. 6. Salvian ſaith, that Chriſt is Mendicorum maximus, the …reateſt Beggar in the world, as one that ſhareth in all hi… Saints neceſſities. Both Chriſt and his followers when they were in this world, they were maintained by others. They had no Lands nor Lordſhips, but lived upon others coſts. But of this before; therefore l…t this touch ſuffice here. But,

Secondly, God many times in this life, repairs his peoples p. 1602charity with intereſt upon intereſt. Their ſcattering Matth. 19, 27, 28, 29, 30. 2 Cor. 9. 6. to 14▪ Heb. 6. 10.Matt 19:27Matt 19:28Matt 19:29Matt 19:302 Cor 9:6–14Heb 6:10is their encreaſing: their ſpending is their lending: their layings out, are but layings up for themſelves, Prov. 11. 24. There is that ſcattereth, and yet increaſeth. Verſe 25. The liberal ſoul ſhall be made fat: and he that watereth, ſhall be watered alſo himſelf. It is fabled of Midas, that what ever he touched, he turned it into Gold. This is moſt true of Charity; what ever the hand of Charity toucheth, it turneth it into Matth. 10. 42.Matt 10:42Gold (be it but a cup of cold water) nay into Heaven it ſelf. I have read of one, who having given ſomewhat to a poor man, and conſidering with himſelf, whether he had not injured himſelf, by giving beyond his ability; preſently corrected himſelf with thoſe thoughts, that he had lent it to one, that would pay well again; and within an hour after, he had it reſtored above ſevenfold, in a way which he never thought of. However God may carry it towards his people in this world, yet he will be ſure to repay their charity in that other world. It is ſtoried of one Evagrius (in Cedrenus) a rich man who lying upon his death-bed, and being importuned by Sineſius the Biſhop, to give ſomething to charitable uſes, he yielded at laſt to give three hundred pounds; but firſt took Bond of the Biſhop, that it ſhould be payed him in another world (according to the promiſe of our Saviour with a hundred fold advantage) and the very next night after his departure, he appeared to the Biſhop, delivering the Bond cancelled, and fully diſcharged; thereby acknowledging, that what was promiſed was made good. It is probable, that the relation is fabulous. But this is certain, viz. That one dayes being in Heaven, will make us a ſufficient recompence for whatſoever we have given, or do give, or ſhall give in this world. But,

Thirdly, If the conſtant frame and diſpoſition of your 3hearts be, to do as much good as ever you did, or more good than ever you did, then you may be confident, that the Lord accepts of your will for the deed, 2 Cor. 8. 12. For if there be firſt a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. God prefers a willing mind, before a worthy work. God meaſures all his p. 161people, not by their works, but by their wills. When th… will is ſtrongly enclined and byaſſed to works of charity, ſo that a man would fain be a giving to the poor, and a ſupplying the wants and neceſſities of the needy; but can't fo… want of an eſtate; in this caſe God accepts of the will fo… the deed. David had a purpoſe and a will to build God a houſe, and God took it ſo kindly at his hands, that he diſpatches 2 Chron 6. 82 Chr 6:8an Embaſſadour to him, to tell him, how highly he reſented his purpoſe and good will, to build him a houſe The Widows will was in her two mites which ſhe caſt into Gods Treaſury; and therefore Chriſt ſets a more honourable Mark …2. 41, 42, 43. 44.Mark 2:41Mark 2:42Mark 2:43Mark 2:44value upon them, than he dos upon all the vaſt ſumms that others caſt in. Many Princes and Que…ns, Lords and Ladies are forgotten, when this poor Widow, who had a will to be nobly charitable, has her name written in letters of Gold, and her charity put upon record for all eternity. The King of Perſia did lovingly accept of the poor mans handful of water, becauſe his good will was in it, and put it into a Golden Veſſel, and gave the poor man the Veſſel of Gold. And do you think, that the King of Kings will be out-done by the King of Perſia? Surely no. But,

Fourthly, and laſtly, As there are more wayes to the Wood 4than one; ſo there are more wayes of doing good to others than one, If thou canſt not do ſo much good to others as formerly thou haſt done, by thy Purſe; yet thou ma…ſt do more good to others, than ever yet thou haſt done, by thy Pen, thy Parts, thy Prayers, thy Gifts, thy Graces, thy examples Though thou art leſs ſervicable to their bodies; yet if thou art more ſerviceable than ever to their ſouls. Thou haſt no reaſon to complain: there is no love, no compaſſion, no pity, no charity, no mercy to that, which reaches immortal ſouls, and which will turn moſt to a mans account in the great day of our Lord Jeſus.

I would juſtifie the Lord, I would ſay he is righteous, though Object. 3 my houſe be burnt up, and I am turned out of all; but God has puniſhed the righteous with the wicked (if not more than the wicked) this fiery Rod has fallen heavier upon many Saints, than p. 162upon many ſinners, &c. How then can I juſtifie God? How then c…n I ſay, that the Lord is righteous? &c.

In all the Ages of the world, Gods deareſt children have Anſw. 1 been deep ſharers with the wicked in all common calamities. Abraham and his Family were by Famine driven into Aegypt Gen. 1. 12. Gen. 26.Gen 1:12Gen 26as well as others. And Iſaac and his Family, were by Famine driven into the Philiſtins Countrey, as well as others. And Jacob and his Family, by Famine were driven into Aegypt Gen. 42. 2 Sam. 21. 1. 1 Kings 18 2. Matth. 5. 4, 5.Gen 422 Sam 21:11 Kgs 18:2Matt 5:4Matt 5:5as well as others. And in Davids time, there was a Famine for three years: And in Elijahs time there was a ſore Famine in Samaria. The difference that God puts between his own and others, are not ſeen in the adminiſtration of theſe outward things. All things come alike to all: there is Eccleſ. 9. 2.Eccl 9:2one event to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that ſacrificeth, and Communia eſſe voluit, &c. commoda prophanis, &c. Incommoda ſuis. Tertul.to him that ſacrificeth not: as is the good, ſo is the ſinner, and he that ſweareth, as he that feareth an Oath? The priviledges of the Saints lye in temporals, but in ſpirituals and eternals; elſe Religion would not be a matter of faith, but ſenſe: and men would ſerve God, not for himſelf, but for the gay and gallant things of this world. But,

Secondly, There are as many Myſteries in Providences, as 2there are in Prophecies: and many Texts of Providence are as hard to underſtand, as many Texts of Scriptures are. Gods way is in the Sea, his paths are in the great waters, and his footſteps are not known. His judgements are unſearchable, and Pſalm 77. 19. Rom. 11. 33. Pſalm 97. 2. Pſalm 36. 6.Ps 77:19Rom 11:33Ps 97:2Ps 36:6his wayes are paſt finding out. And yet when clouds and darkneſs are round about him; righteouſneſs and judgement are the habitation of his Throne. When his Judgements are a great deep; yet then his righteouſneſs is like the great Mountains. There are many Myſteries in nature, and many myſteries of State which we are ignorant of; and why then ſhould we wonder, that there are many myſteries in Providence, that we do not underſtand. Let a man but ſ…riouſly conſider, how many p…ſſible deaths lurk in his own bowels, and the innumerable Hoſts of external dangers, which beleaguers him on every ſide; how many inviſible Arrows fly p. 163about his ears continually; and yet how few have hit him, I have read of a Father and h…s Son, who being ſhipwrackt at Sea, the Son ſailed to ſhoar upon the back of his dead Father. What a ſtrange myſterious Providence was this! Pl…. Nat. H…ſt. lib. 2. cap. 51.and that none hitherto have mortally wounded him; and it will doubtleſs ſo far affect his heart, as to work him to conclude, that great, and many, and myſterious, are the Providences that daily attend upon him. Vives reports of a Jew, that having gone over a deep River on a narrow planck in a dark night, and coming the next day, to ſee what danger he had eſcaped, fell down dead with aſtoniſhment. Should God many times but open to us, the miſteriouſneſs of his Providences, they would be matter of matter of amazement and aſtoniſhment to us. I have read, that Marcia a Roman Princeſs being great with child, had the Babe in her killed with lightning, ſhe her ſelf eſcaping the danger. What a myſterious Providence was this? Gods Providence towards his Servants, is as a wheel in the midſt of a wheel; whoſe motion, Ezek. 1. 16.Ezek 1:16and work, and end in working, is not diſcerned by a common eye. The actings of Divine Providence are many times ſo dark, intricate and myſterious, that it will poſe men of the moſt raiſed parts, and of the choiceſt experiences, and of the greateſt Graces, to be able to diſcern the wayes of God in them. There are many myſteries in the works of God, as well as in the word of God. But,

Thirdly, Sometimes Gods own people ſin with others, 3and therefore they ſmart with others. Thus Moſes and Aaron ſinned with others, and therefore they were ſhut out of Canaan, and their Carkaſſes fell in the Wilderneſs as well as Numb. 20.Num 20others. Pſal. 106. 35. They were mingled among the Heathen, and learned their works. Verſe 40. Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled againſt his people, inſomuch, that he abhorred his inheritance. Jer. 9. 25, 26. Behold the dayes come, ſaith the Lord, that I will puniſh all them which are circumciſed, with the uncircumciſed. Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmoſt corners, that dwell in the Wilderneſs: for all theſe Nations are uncircumciſed, Vid. Rom. 2. 28, 29.Rom 2:28Rom 2:29and all the houſe of Iſrael are uncircumciſed in the heart. Such as were outwardly, but not inwardly circumciſed, ſhould be ſure to be puniſhed in the day of Gods wrath, with thoſe who were neither inwardly nor outwardly circum…iſed. p. 164When the good and the bad joyn in common provocations, Ezek. 9. 6. Rev. 18. 4. 1 Pet. 4 17.Ezek 9:6Rev 18:41 Pet 4:17no wonder if they ſuffer in common deſolations. Though groſs impieties, like Pitch or Gunpowder enrages …he fire: yet the ſins, the infi…mities of Gods people, add to the flame. Not only Man…ſſ…s his blood-ſhed, but alſo good H…z…kiahs pride and vanity of ſpirit, boaſting and glorying in his w…rldly riches, brought on the Babyloniſh Captivity 2 Chron 32.2 Chr 32upon the J…ws. But,

Four…hly, The people of God many times ſuffer in common 4calamities, as they are parts and members of that Politick 2. Sam. 24. 10. 10 18.2 Sam 24:10body that is puniſhed. The ſins of a City, a Society, a Company, o… a Nation, may involve all the memb…rs in the ſame Judgement. Though Lot was not guilty of the ſins of Gen. 14. 12 16. Common ca…amities make no diſcrimination between perſons and perſons, or houſes and houſes. All com…on Judgements work according to their commiſſion, and according to their nature, without diſt…nguiſhing the righteous from the wicked.Gen 14:12Sodom; yet Lot was carried away in the Captivity of Sodom, as co-habiting with them. And ſo though many of the precious Servants of the Lord in London, were not guilty of thoſe groſs impieties, that their neighbours were guilty of; yet co-habiting either with them, or near them, they were burnt up and deſtroyed with them. Achans Family were not guilty of Achans Sacriledge, and yet Achans Family were deſtroyed for Achans Sacriledge. The burning of London was a National Judgement; and this National Judgement, was the product of National ſins, as I have formerly proved. Now mark, though the people of God may be perſonally innocent, yet becauſe they are members of a nocent body, they are liable to undergo the temporal ſmart of National Judgements. Doubtleſs a whole City may be laid deſolate for the wickedneſs of one man, or of a few men, that dwelleth in it, Eccleſ. 9. 18. One ſinner deſtroyeth much good. But,

Fifthly, When good men who can't be juſtly charged with 5publick ſins, do yet fall with wicked men by publick judgements, you muſt remember, that God has ſeveral different ends, in inflicting one and the ſame Judgements, both upon the good and upon the bad. The mettal and the droſs go Zech. 13. 9. Eccl. 8. 12, 13.Zech 13:9Eccl 8:12Eccl 8:13both into the fire together, but the droſs is conſumed, and the mettal refined. The ſtalk and the ear of corn, fall upon the threſhing floor, under one and the ſame Flayl; but the one is ſhattered in pieces, the other is preſerved. From one p. 165and the ſame Olive, and from under one and the ſame Preſs, is cruſhed out both Oyl and d…egs, but the one is tunn'd up for uſe, the other thrown out as unſerviceable. The ſam… Judgements that befall the wicked, may befall the righteous, but not upon the ſame accompt. The righteous are caſt into the Furnance for tryal; but the wicked for their ruine. The righteous are ſignally ſanctified by fiery diſpenſations, Jer. 24. 1, 2, 3, 5.Jer 24:1Jer 24:2Jer 24:3Jer 24:5but the wicked are ſignally worſened by the ſame diſpenſations. The very ſelf ſame Judgement that is as a Load-ſtone to draw the righteous towards Heaven, will be as a Mill-ſtone to ſink the wicked down to Hell. The Pillar of fire that went before Iſrael, had a light ſide and a dark ſide; Exod. 14. 20.Exod 14:20the light ſide was towards Gods people, and the dark ſide was towards the Egyptians. Th… flames of London will prove ſuch a Pillar both to the righteous and the wicked, That will certainly be made good upon the righteous and the wicked, whoſe habitations have been deſtroyed by Londons flames: that the Greek Epigramm ſpeaks of the Silver Ax the Enſign of Juſtice.

That Sword that cuts the bad in Twain,

The good doth wound and heal again.

Thoſe dreadful Judgements that have been the Ax of Gods revenging Juſtice, to wound and break the wicked in pieces, ſhall be righteous mens cures, and their Golden reſtoratives. But,

Sixthly and laſtly, God ſometimes wraps up his own people 6with the wicked in deſolating Judgements; that he may before all the world wipe off that reproach, which Atheiſts and wicked men are apt to caſt upon him, as if he were partial, as if he were a reſpecter of perſons; and as if his wayes Ezek. 18. 25. 29. Chap. 33. 20.Ezek 18:25Ezek 18:29were not juſt and equall. God to ſtop the mouth of iniquity, the mouth of blaſphemy, hath made his own people as deſolate as others by that fiery calamity that has paſt upon them. Such men that have been eye witneſſes of Gods impartial dealing with his own people in thoſe dayes when London was in flames, muſt ſay, that God is neither partial p. 166nor fond. And let thus much ſuffice, by way of Anſwer to this Objection.

The third Duty that lyes upon thoſe that have been burnt 3up, is for them in patience to poſſeſs their own ſouls, and Luke 21. 19.Luke 21:19quietly to acquieſce in what the Lord has done. O Sirs, hold your peace, and bridle your paſſions, and quietly ſubmit to the ſtroke of Divine Juſtice. When Aarons Sons were devoured by fire, Aaron held his peace. And will not Lev. 10. 2, 3. The Hebrew word Damam, …ignifies ſience, or ſtil…eſs: it ſignifies a ſtaying of the heart, a quieting of the mind. Aarons mind was quiet and ſtill: all his unruly affections and paſſions, were ſtilled and allayed. Oleaſte: obſerves, that Joſhuah in ſpeaking to the Sun Sta…d ſtill in Gibeon, uſeth the ſame word foreign that is here uſed. Joſhua 12. 10. So that this Phraſe, Aa…on h…ld his peace, imports thus much, That Aa…o… ſtood ſtill, or ſtayed from further vexing, or troubling, or diſquieting of himſelf; though at firſt his heart was in a ſtrange violent motion, yet he recovers himſelf, and ſtands ſtill before the Lord.Lev 10:2Lev 10:3Josh 12:10you hold your peace, now your houſes are devoured by fire? What were your houſes to Aarons Sons? All the houſes in …he world, are not ſo near and dear to a man as his children are. In this ſtory concerning Aaron and his Sons, there are many things remarkable. As,

1. That he had loſt two of his Sons, yea, two of his eldeſt Sons together at a clap.

2. Theſe two were the moſt honourable of the Sons of Aaron: as we may ſee, Exod. 24. 1. in that they only with their Father and the ſeventy Elders are appointed to come up to the Lord.

3. They were cut off by a ſudden and unexpected death, when neither themſelves nor their Father, thought their ruine had been ſo near. What miſery to that of being ſuddenly ſurprized by a doleful death?

4. They were cut off by a way which might ſeem to teſtifie Gods hot diſpleaſure againſt them: for they were devoured by fire from God. They ſinned by fire, and they periſhed by fire. Look, as fire came from the Lord before in mercy; ſo now fire is ſ…nt from the Lord in Judgement. Certainly the manner of their death, pointed out the ſin for which they were ſmitten. Now what Father had not rather p. 167loſe all his children at once, by an ordinary ſtroke of death, than to ſee one of them deſtroyed by Gods immediate hand in ſuch a terrible manner.

5. They were thus ſmitten by the Lord on the very firſt day of their entring upon that high honour of their Prieſtly Function; and when their hearts were doubtleſs full of joy, now to be ſuddenly thunder-ſtruck in ſuch a Sun-ſhine day of mercy, as this ſeemed to be, muſt needs add weight to their calamity and miſery.

6. They were cut off with ſuch great ſeverity for a very ſmall offence, if reaſon may be permitted to ſit as Judge in the caſe. They were made monuments of divine vengeance only for taking fire to burn the Incenſe, from one place, when they ſhould have taken it from another. And this they did (ſay ſome) not purpoſely, but through miſtake, and at ſuch a time, when they had much work lying upon their hands, and were but newly entred upon their new employment. Now notwithſtanding all this Aaron held his peace. It may be, at firſt, when he ſaw his Sons devoured by fire, his heart began to wrangle, and his paſſions began to work: but when he conſidered the righteouſneſs of God on the one hand, and the glory that God would get to himſelf on the other hand; he preſently checks himſelf, and layes his hand upon his mouth, and ſtands ſtill and ſilent before the Lord. Though it be not eaſie in great afflictions with Aaron, to hold our peace; yet it is very advantageous: which the Heathens ſeemed to intimate, in placing the Image of Angeronia, with the mouth bound upon the Altar of Volupia, to ſhew, that they do prudently and patiently bear, and conceal their troubles, ſorrows and anxieties, they ſhall attain to comfort at laſt. What the Apoſtle ſaith of the diſtreſſed Hebrews, after the ſpoyling of their goods, Ye have need Heb. 10. 34, 36.Heb 10:34Heb 10:36of patience: the ſame I may ſay to you, who have loſt your houſe…, your Shops, your Trades, your all: you have need yea, you have great need of patience. Though thy mercies are few, and thy miſeries are many; though thy mercies are ſmall, and thy miſeries are great; yet look that thy ſpirit be quiet, and that thou doſt ſweetly acquieſce in the p. 168will of God. Now God hath laid his fiery Rod upon your Pſalm 39. 9. See my M…l… Ch…iſt…a…, under the ſmarting rod, where the excelle…cy of pati…nce & the evil of impatience, is largely ſet forth.Ps 39:9backs, it will be your greateſt wiſdom to lay your hands upon your mouths, and to ſay with David, I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, becauſe thou didſt it. To be patient and ſilent under the ſharpeſt Providences, and the ſoreſt Judgements, is as much a Chriſtians glory, as it is his duty. The patient Chriſtian feels the want of nothing. Patience will give contentment in the midſt of want. No loſs, no croſ…, no affl…ction will fit heavy upon a patient ſoul. Dionyſius ſaith, that this benefit he had by the ſtudy of Philoſophie, viz. That he bore with patience all thoſe alterations and changes that he met with in his outward condition. Now ſhall Nature do more than Grace? Shall the ſtudy of Phi…oſophy, do more than the ſtudy of Chriſt, Scripture, and a mans own heart? But,

The fourth Duty that lyes upon thoſe who have been 4burned up, is to ſet up the Lord in a more eminent degree than ever, as the great object of their fear. Oh how ſhould we fear and tremble before the great God, who is able to turn the moſt ſervi…eable and uſeful creatures to us, to be the means of deſtroying of us, H…b. 12. 28. Let us have grace whereby we may ſerve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Verſe 29. For our God is a conſuming fire. Here are two Arguments to work the Saints to ſet up God as the great object of their fear. The firſt is drawn from the terribleneſs of Gods Majeſty, He is a conſuming fire. The ſecond is drawn from the relation which is between God and his people, Our God. What a ſtrange Title is this of the great God, that we meet with in this place? and yet this it one of the Titles of God, expreſſing his nature, and in which he glories, that he is called a conſuming fire. Th…ſe words God is a conſuming fire, are not to be taken properly, but metaphorically. Fire we know, is a very terrible and dreadful creature: and ſo may very well ſerve, to ſet forth to us the terribleneſs and dreadfulneſs of God. Now God is here ſaid to be a conſuming or devouring fire. The word in the Original, foreign, is doubly compounded, and ſo the ſignification p. 169is augmented and encreaſed, to note to us the exceeding terribleneſs of the fire that is here meant. When God would ſet forth himſelf to be moſt terrible and dreadful to the ſons of men, he dos it by this reſemblance of fire, which of all things is moſt terrible and intolcrable, Deut. 4. 24. For the Lord thy God is a conſuming fire; even a jealous God. The Hebrew word foreign that is here rendered conſuming, doth properly ſignifie devouring or eating; it comes from foreign, which ſignifies to devour and eat; and by a Metaphor it ſignifieth to conſume or deſtroy. God is a devouring fire, a eating fire, and ſinners, and all they have, is but bread and meat for divine wrath to feed upon, Deut. 9. 3. See Pſal 50 3. Iſa. 33. 14. Deut. 28. 58.Ps 50:3Isa 33:14Deut 28:58Ʋnderſtand therefore this day, that the Lord thy God is he, which goeth before thee as a conſuming fire: he ſhall deſtroy them, and he ſhall bring them down before thy face: ſo ſhalt thou drive them out, and d…ſtroy them quickly, as the Lord hath ſaid unto thee. What more violent, what more irreſiſtible, what more terrible, than fire? O how much therefore dos it concern us, to ſet up that God, as the great object of our fear, who hath armed and commanded this dreadful creature the fire, to deſtroy us in many, or in moſt of our outward concernments as to this world! Jer. 10. 11. At his wrath the earth ſhall ſhall tremble, and the Nations ſhall not be able to abide his indignation. Job 13. 11. Shall not his Excellency make you afraid, and his dread fall upon you? Pſal. 119. 120. My fleſh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgements. Hab. 3. 5. Before him went the Peſtilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. Verſe 16. When I heard my belly trembled, my lips quivered at the voice: rottenneſs entered into my bones, and trembled in my ſelf, that I might reſt in the day of trouble. Ah London, London, it highly concerns thee to tremble and quiver, and ſtand in awe of that great and glorious God who hath ſent ſo many thouſands to their long homes by a ſweeping Peſtilence, and who hath by a dreadful fire turned thy ancient Monuments, and thy ſtately buildings into a ruinous heap. That Chriſtian is more worth than the Gold of Ophir, who fears more the hand that hath laid on the fiery Rod, than the Rod it ſelf. That prudent and faithful Counſel p. 170which the Proph…t Iſaiah gives, ſhould alwayes lye warm upon every burnt Citizens heart, Iſ…. 8. 13. Sanctifie the Lord of Hoſts himſelf, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. But,

The fifth Duty that lyes upon thoſe who have been burnt 5up, is to be con…ented with their preſent condition. When The Poets bring in the feigned Gods, each one con…nt with his … Office … Eſtate: …, Mi…e…va with Scienc…s, … with E…onence, … with …ve, Ju…iter …ith H…aven, and Pl…o with Hell.a mans mind is brought down to his means, all is well. Contentation of mind under all the turns and changes of this life, makes a Believer Maſter, both of the little and great world of unruly deſir…s within himſelf, and of temptations in the world without. Contentment …n a mans preſen… co…dition, will yield him a little Heaven in the midſt of all the great Hells that he meets with in this world. Contentation is a hidden treaſure, that the Believer will carry with him to the third Heaven; where an exceeding weight of glory and conten…ation, with full ſatisfaction to his deſi…es, will be added to that little ſtock of contentment that he has obtained in this world. Contentation in every condition, is no other but the Houſe of God, and the gate of Heaven (as Jacob once ſpeaks of that gracious manifeſtation of God, Gen. 28) God dwells in a contented heart, and a contented heart dwells in God. Contentment is that Porch, wherein the Believer waits for an entrance into an houſe not made with hands, but one eternal in the Heaven. 2 Cor. 5. 1.2 Cor 5:1O labour much with God, that your hearts may be brought fully under the power of theſe divine commands. 1 Tim. 6. 8. Having food and rayment, let us be therewith content. Heb. 13. 5. Let your converſation be with…ut covetouſneſs, (or without the love of Silver, as the Gr…ek word ſi… nifies) and be content with ſuch things as you h…ve. Cont…nſi praeſentibus. So Beza and others, be content with things pre…ent. The believing Hebrews had been plund…ed …f …ll they had in this world (when the Apoſtle g…ve forth this Royal command▪ H…b. 10. 34.) and yet the Apoſtle requires them …o be content. 'Tis as much the duty of a Chriſtian, …o be …ontent when he has nothing, as when all the world ſm…les upon him. Chriſtians are Souldiers, Strangers, Travellers, p. 171Pilgrims, and therefore it concerns them to make ſhift with little things, yea, with any thing in this world. The Iſra…lites had no gay clothes, nor no new clothes in their wilderneſs condition; but God made their old clothes, to be all clothe… to them: and that was enough. Jacob did not indent with God for Junkets or Ornaments, but for food and rayment Gen. 28. 20. If God will give me bread to eat and rayment to put on, then ſhall the Lord be my God. Nature is content with a little, Grace with leſs: though nothing will ſatisfie thoſe mens hearts, whoſe luſts are their Lords. We ſhall never want a penny in our Purſes to bear our charges till we get to Heaven: and therefore let us be content with our preſent portion in this world. Phil. 4. 11, 12. I have learned in whatſoever eſtate I am therewith to be content. I know how to be abaſed: and I know how to abound: every where, and in all things I am inſtructed both to be full and to he hungry, both to abound and to ſuffer need. In theſe words you have firſt the viciſſitude of Pauls outward condition: at one time he abounds, at another he is abaſed: at one time he is full, and at another time he ſuffers need. 2. You have the ſweet and gracious compoſure of his ſpirit, and this is expreſſed in two ſingular acts. The firſt is his contentation of mind in all conditions. I have learned in whatſoever eſtate I am therewith to be content. The ſecond is his prudent and pertinent comportment with his preſent condition; I know both how to be abaſed, and how to abound. 3. You have the way how he attained this contentation of mind in all condititions; I have learned (ſaith he) I am inſtructed: this leſſon of contentment, he did not learn, at the feet of Dr. Gamaliel, but in the School of Jeſus Chriſt. Contentment in every condition, is too high a leſſon, for any eff…ctually to teach, but Jeſus Chriſt. O Sirs, in the grave it is all one, who hath had all, and who hath had none. What folly is it, to lay up goods for many years, when we cannot lay up one day for the enjoyment of our goods? Chriſt (who never miſ-called any) calls him fool, who had much of the world under his hands, but nothing of God, or H…aven in his heart. Z…pirus the Perſian was contented to ſuſtain p. 172the cutting off his Noſe, and Ears, and Lips, to further the enterpriſe of his Lord Darius againſt proud Babylon. So Chriſtians ſhould be contented to be any thing, to do any thing, or to ſuffer any thing, to further or promote the glory of God in this world. All this whole world is not proportionable to the precious ſoul. All the riches of the Indies cannot pacifie conſcience, nor ſecure eternity, nor prevent death, nor bring you off in the day of Judgement: and therefore be contented with a little. All the good things of this world, are but cold comforts: they cannot ſtretch to eternity: they will not go with us into another world; and therefore why ſhould the want of ſuch things, either trouble our thoughts, or break our hearts. The whole world is but a Paradiſ… for fools: 'tis a beautiful, but deceitful Harlot: 'tis a dr…amed ſweetneſs, and a very Ocean of Gall. There is nothing to be found in it, that has not mutability and uncertainty, vanity and vexation ſtampt upon it. And therefore he can't be happy, that enjoyes it; nor he miſerable, that wants it. And why then ſhould not he be contented, that has but but a little of it? The greateſt outward happineſs, is but honied poiſon: and therefore don't ſhrug nor faint, becauſe thou haſt but little of the world. All thy croſſes and loſſes ſhall be ſo tempered by a hand of Heaven, as that they ſhall become wholeſome Medicines; they ſhall be ſteps to thy future glory; they are thy only Hell, thy Heaven is to come. And therefore be contented in the midſt of all thy ſorrows and ſu…erings. Remember that many times they who have moſt of the world in their hands, have 'Tis only an infinite good, and infinite God, that can fill and ſatisfie the ſoul of man. Plato could ſay, The mind is not ſatisfied nor quieted, …ill it return thither from whence it came.leaſt of God, of Chriſt, of the Spirit, of Grace, of Heaven in their hearts. And remember that a man w…re better to have much of God with a little of the world, than to have much of the world, with a little of God. God alone is a thouſand thouſand felicities, and a world of happineſs, the only life and light. Algerius the Martyr, being ſwallowed up in a ſweet fruition of God, found more light in his Dungeon, than was without in all the world. O Sirs if upon caſting up of your accounts for another world, you find that Heaven is your home, the world your footſtool, the Angels p. 173your Attendants, your Creator, your Father, your Judge, your Brother, the Holy Spirit your comforter; if you find that God is ever with you, ever b…fore you, ev…r within you, ever round about you, and ever a making of proviſion, more or leſs for you, why ſhould you not be contented with your preſent condition, with your preſent proportion, be it more, or be it leſs? But,

The ſixth Duty that lyes upon thoſe who have b…en 6burnt up, is to mourn, to lye low, to keep humble under this dreadful Judgement of fire, under this mighty hand of God. When Zicklag was burnt by the Amalekites, David and the people lifted up their voices and wept until they had no 1 Sam. 30. 1, 2, 3, 4.1 Sam 30:11 Sam 30:21 Sam 30:31 Sam 30:4power to weep. They wept their utmoſt: they wept themſelves even blind. They did not Stoically ſlight that fiery Rod, but prudently laid it to heart. Tears are call…d the blood of the ſoul. Now a ſhower of tears, a ſhower of blood they poured out to quench thoſe flames that the Amalakites had kindled. When they ſaw their City laid deſolate by fire, their ſorrow was ſo great, that they were over-burthened with the weight of it: And therefore they ſought eaſe, in venting their ſorrow in a ſhower of tears. And ſo when Nehemiah underſtood, that the wall of Jeruſalem was Neh. 1. 3, 4.Neh 1:3Neh 1:4broken down, and the gates thereof were burnt with fire, he ſate down and wept, and mourned certain daye…. Some Authors report, that the Jews to this day come yearly to Nazia…ze…. ad Hieron. &c.the place where Jeruſalem, the City of their fathers ſtood (which was by Titus and Adrian deſtroyed by fire and ſword) and upon the day of the deſtruction of it weep over it. Oh how well dos it become all burnt Citizens to Deut. 8. 16. Lev. 26. 40, 41, 42. Luke 14. 11. Dan. 5. 22. Auguſtine ſaith that the firſt, ſecond and third Virtue of a Chriſtian, is humility. If I were asked (ſaith he) what is the readieſt way to attain true happineſs, I would anſwer, the firſt, the ſecond, the third thing is, humility, humility, humility: As often as I was asked, I would ſay humility. Humility doth not only entitle to happineſs, but to the higheſt degree of happineſs, Matth. 18. 4.Deut 8:16Lev 26:40Lev 26:41Lev 26:42Luke 14:11Dan 5:22Matt 18:4ſtand and weep over the aſhes of London, and greatly to abaſe themſelves under that mighty hand of God that has been lifted up againſt them, 1 Pet. 5. 6. Humble your ſelves under the mighty band of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Ah p. 174London, London, how hath the mighty hand of t…e Lord been lifted up againſt the…? how hath he by flames of …ire la…d all thy glory in the duſt? The Lord by …ire, Swo…d … P…ſtile…c…, hath greatly humbled th…e: A…d O w…e… ſhall it onc… be, that …ou wilt b… humble under …e mighty hand of God! 'Tis one t…i…g to be hum…led by J…gements; 'tis another thing to be humb…e under Judg…m…ts There have been many Nat…o…s, Citi…s, a… particular p…rſo…s, who have been greatly humbled by amazing and a…o…ſ…ing Judgements; who y…t n…v…r had ſo much grace as to lye humble under thoſ… Judg…m…ts. Wh…n Gods hand is lifted up very high, he expects that our hearts ſhould fall very low. To be poor and proud, is to be dou…ly miſ…rable. If mens ſpirits are high, when their eſtates are low; the next blow will be more dreadful. God has laid our habitations in duſt and aſh…s, and he expects that we ſhould even humble our ſelves in duſt and aſhes. The only way to avoid Cannon▪ſhot, is to fall down flat on the ground: The Application is eaſie. Humility exalteth: he that is moſt humble, ſhall be moſt honourable. Moſes in his Wilderneſs-condition was the meekeſt man on earth, and God made him the moſt honourableſt; calling him up unto himſelf in the Mount, and making of him the Leader of his people Iſrael. Gide…n was very little in his own eyes, The leaſt in his Fathers houſe in his own apprehenſion; and God exalted him, making him the deliverer of his Iſrael. He that is little in his own account, is alwayes high in Gods eſteem. When one asked the Philopher, What God was a doing? he anſwered, That his whole work was to lift up the humble, and caſt down the proud. Thoſe brave creatures the Lyon and the Eagle were not offered in Sacrifice unto God, but the poor Lamb and Dove was offered in Sacrifice: to note to us, that God regards not your brave high, lofty ſpirits, and that he is all for ſuch that are of a Dove-like, and a Lamb-like ſpirit. They ſay if duſt be ſprinkled upon the wings of Bees, their noiſes, humming, and riſings will quickly ceaſe. The Lord in the late fiery diſpenſation, has ſprinkl…d duſt and aſhes upon us all. And Oh that our proud noiſes, hummings and p. 175riſings of heart might ceaſe from before the Lord, who is riſen out of his holy place. Ah London, London, thou haſt been proud of thy Trade, and proud of thy Strength, and proud of thy Riches, and proud of thy ſtately Buildings and Edifices, b…t God has now laid all thy glory in duſt and aſhes. And therefore it highly concerns thee to humble thy ſelf under the mighty hand of God. God has ab…ſed the…, and therefore make it thy work to b… baſe in thine own eyes. W…en N…hemiah underſtood that the Chald…ans There is nothing more more evident …n Hiſtory, than this, viz. That thoſe d…eadful fires that have b…en ki…d…ed amongſt the Chriſtian, have been ſtill kind…ed by Idolatrous hands.(who were a generation of Idolaters) had made Jeruſalem deſol…te by Fire, he greatly humbl…d himſelf under the mighty hand of God. He lookt through all act…ve cauſes to the efficient cauſe; and accordingly he abaſed himſelf before the L…rd: as you may ſee Neh. 1. 3, 4. And they ſaid unto me, the remnant that are left of the Captivity there in the Province, are in great …fl…ction and reproach: the Wall of Jeruſ…lem alſo is broken down, and the Gates thereof are burnt with fire. And it came to paſs, when I heard theſe words, that I ſate down and wept, and mourned certain dayes, and faſted and prayed before the God of Heaven. When Nehemiah …eard, that th… Wall of Jeruſalem was broken down, and that the gates thereof were b…rnt with fire, his grief was ſo great, that he could not ſtand under it: and therefore he ſits down and weeps. Who is there that is a man, that is an Engliſhman, that is a C…ri…an, that is a Proteſtant, that can behol… the Ru…nes of Lond…n, and not (at leaſt the frame of his Spirit) ſit down and wee… ov…r thoſe R…in…s? The way of wayes …o be truly, yea, …ighly …x…lted, is to be thoroughly humbled. The h…g…eſt Heavens and the loweſt hearts, do both alike pleaſe Iſaiah 57. 15.Isa 57:15the moſt high God. God will certainly make it his work to ex…lt them, who make it their great work to abaſe themſelves. Such who are low in their ow… eyes, and can be be content to be low in the eyes of others, ſuch are moſt high and …ono…rable in the eye of God, in the eſteem and account …f God. The lowly Chriſtian is alwayes the mo… lovely C…riſtian. Now God hath laid your City low, you… all low▪ he ex…ects, that your hearts ſhould lye low unde… his mighty ha…d. All the world cannot long keep up thoſ… p. 176men, who do'nt labour to keep down their hearts under Judgements inflicted, or Judgements feared. Remember the ſad Cataſtrophe of Herod the great, of Agrippa the great, of Pompey the great, and of Alexander the great. If your ſpirits remain great under great Judgements, 'tis an evident ſign, that more raigning Judgements lye at your doors. But,

T…e ſeventh D…ty that lyes upon thoſe who have been 7burnt up, is to bleſs a taking God, as well as a giving God: 'tis to encourage themſelves in the Lord their God, though he has ſtript them of all their worldly goods. Thus did Job when he had loſt his all: The Lord gave, and the Lo…d hath Job 1. 21.Job 1:21taken away; bleſſed be the name of the Lord. One brings in holy Job ſtanding by the ruined houſe, under whoſe Walls his ten Children lay dead and buried, and lifting up his D…e…ellius in his Gynnaſiun Patient…ae.heart and hands towards Heaven, ſaying, Naked came I out of my Mothers womb, and naked ſhall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: Bleſſed be the name of the Lord. Ecce ſpectaculum (ſayes he) dignum ad quod reſpiciat intentus operi ſuo Deus. Behold a ſpectacle, a ſpectacle worthy of God himſelf, were he never ſo intent upon his work in Heaven, yet worthy of his cognizance! When Ziklag was burnt with fire, and David plundered by the Amalekites, and his Wives carried captive, yet then he encouraged 1 Sam. 30. 1, 2, 3, 6.1 Sam 30:11 Sam 30:21 Sam 30:31 Sam 30:6himſelf in the Lord his God. His God, notes 1. His nearneſs and dearneſs to God. Saints are very near and dear to God. Pſal. 148. 14. Epheſ. 2. 13.Ps 148:14Eph 2:132. His God, notes his Relation to God. God is the Saints Father. 3. His God, notes his right to God. Whole God 2 Cor. 6. 18.2 Cor 6:18is the believers. All he has, and all he can do is the believers. From theſe and ſuch other like conſiderations, David encouraged himſelf in the Lord his God, when all was gone, and ſo ſhould we. So the believing Hebrews took joyfully the Heb. 10. 34.Heb 10:34ſpoiling of their goods (whether by fire, or plundering, or otherwiſe is not ſaid) knowing in themſelves, that they had in Heaven a better and more enduring ſubſtance. And to this duty James exhorts, James 1. 2. Count it all joy my brethren when you fall into divers temptations, (or tribulations, or afflictions.) p. 177A Chriſtian in his choiceſt deliberation ought to count it all joy when he falls into divers tribulations. The words are emphatical, the Apoſtle doth not ſay, be patient or quiet when you fall into divers temptations or afflictions, but be joyful. Nor the Apoſtle doth not ſay, be joyful with a little joy; but be joyful with exceeding great joy. All joy The words are an Hebraiſm.is full joy; all joy is perfect joy. And this becomes the Saints when they fall, or are begirt round not with ſome, but with divers; that is, with any kind of affliction or tribulation. An omnipotent God will certainly turn his peoples miſery into felicity. And therefore it concerns them to be divinely merry in the midſt of their greateſt miſery. Oh that all burnt Citizens would ſeriouſly conſider of theſe three things.

1. That this fiery Rod has been a Rod in a Fathers hand.

2. That this fiery Rod ſhall ſooner or later be like Aarons Rod, a blooming Rod. Choice fruit will one day grow upon this burnt Tree London. No man can tell what good God may do England by that fiery Rod that he has laid upon London.

3. That this fiery Rod that has been laid upon London, has not been laid on 1. According to the greatneſs of Gods anger. Nor 2. According to the greatneſs of his power. Nor. 3. According to the ſtrictneſs of his juſtice. Nor 4. According to the d…merits of our ſins. Nor 5. According to the expectations of men of a Romiſh faith; who 'tis to be feared, Acts 1. 19.Acts 1:19did hope to ſee every houſe laid deſolate, and London made an Aceldama, a Field of Blood. Nor 6. Accordingly to the extenſiveneſs of many of your fears: for many of you have feared worſe things than yet you feel. Now upon all theſe conſiderations how highly dos it concern the people of God, to be thankful and cheerful; yea, and to encourage themſelves in the Lord under that fiery diſpenſation that has lately paſt upon them.

p. 178But what is there conſiderable in God to encourage the ſoul under Queſt. heavy croſſes, and great l…ſſes, and fiery tryals.

Firſt, There is his gracious, his ſpecial and pecular preſence. Anſw. Pſalm 23. 4. Though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow Dan. 3. 24, 25.Dan 3:24Dan 3:25of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy ſtaff they comfort me. Pſal. 91. 15. He ſhall call upon me and I will anſwer him: I will be with him in trouble. Oh the precious preſence of God with a mans ſpirit, will ſweeten every fiery diſpenſation, and take off much of the bitterneſs and terribleneſs of it. In the gracious preſence of God with our ſpirits, lyes, 1. Our greateſt Happineſs. 2. Our greateſt Honor. 3. Our greateſt profit and advantage. 4. Our greateſt joy and delight. 5. Our greateſt ſafety and ſecurity. The Buſh which was a Type of the Church, conſumed not all the while it burned with fire, becauſe God was in the midſt of it. The gracious preſence of God with a mans ſpirit, 2 Cor. 4. 16, 17, 18.2 Cor 4:162 Cor 4:172 Cor 4:18will make heavy affl…ctions light, and long afflictions ſhort, and bitter afflictions ſweet. Gods gracious preſence makes every burden light. He that has the preſence of God with Pſal. 55. 22.Ps 55:22his ſpirit, can bear a burden without a burden. What burden Deut. 33. 27, 29.Deut 33:27Deut 33:29can ſink that man that hath everlaſting Armes under him, and over him, and round about him. But,

Secondly, There is wiſdom in God to encourage them 2under all their tryals. There is wiſdom in God ſo to temper Jer. 24. 5. Rom. 8. 28.Jer 24:5Rom 8:28and order all judgements, afflictions, croſſes and loſſes, as to make them work kindly and ſweetly for their good. Whilſt God is near us, wiſdom and counſel is at hand. God is that wiſe and skilful Phyſitian, that can turn Poyſon into Cordials, Diſeaſes into Remedies, Croſſes into Crowns, and the greateſt loſſes into the greateſt gains. What can hurt us, whilſt an infinite wiſe God ſtands by us. But,

Thirdly, There is ſtrength, power and omnipotency in 3God, to encourage them. There is nothing too high for Prov. 18. 10. Pſal. 46. 1, 2. Iſa. 26. 4. Pſal. 3. 17.Prov 18:10Ps 46:1Ps 46:2Isa 26:4Ps 3:17him, nor nothing too hard for him: he is able eaſily and ſpeedily to bring to paſs all contrivances. You read of many who have been mighty, but you read but of one Almighty, p. 179Rev. 4. 8. Holy; holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Chap. 11. 17. We give thee thanks, Lord God Almighty, Chap. 15. 3. Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, Chap. 16. 7. And I heard another out of the Altar ſay, &c. Even ſo. Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgements. Under all your fiery tryals, an Almighty God can do mighty things for you. And therefore it concerns you to encourage your ſelves in him, even when you are ſtript of all.

O Chriſtians, it highly concerns you to be…r all your loſſes chearfully and thankfully. In every thing give thanks (ſaith the 1 Theſ. 5. 18.1 Thess 5:18Apoſtle) for this is the will of God in Chriſt Jeſus concerning you. Chryſoſtom ſpeaks excellently; This ſaith he, is the very Ch…yſoſt. To…. 5. Ho…l. 68.will of God, to give thanks alwayes: this argues a ſoul rightly inſtructed. Haſt thou ſuffered any evil? if thou wilt, it is no evil. Give thanks to God, and then thou haſt turned the evil into good. Say thou as Job ſaid, when he had loſt all; The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away; bleſſed be the name of the Lord. What evil haſt thou ſuffered? What is it a diſeaſe? This is no ſtrange thing to us, ſeeing our bodies are mortal and naturally born to ſuffer. What doſt thou want money? this may be gotten here, and loſt here. Whatſoever evils or loſſes therefore do oppreſs thee, give thou thanks, and thou ha… changed the nature of them. Job then did more deeply wound the Devil, when being ſtript out of all, he gave thanks to God, than if he had diſtributed all to the poor and needy. For it is much more to be ſtript of all, and yet to bear it patiently, generouſly and thankfully, than for a rich man to give Alms, as it here happened to righteous Job. But hath fire ſuddenly taken hold upon thy houſe, deſtroyed thy houſe, and conſumed thy whole ſubſtance? Remember the ſufferings of Job. Give thanks to God, who could, though he did not, have hindered that miſchance: and thou ſhalt be ſure to receive as equal a reward, as if thou hadſt put all into the boſome of the indigent. This he repeateth over again, and ſaith, thy reward being thankful, is equal to his, who gave all he had to the poor. To wind up your hearts to thankfulneſs and chearfulneſs under this late deſolating Judgement. Conſider p. 1801. God might have taken away all. 'Tis good to bleſs When a Gentleman in Atheis had his Plate taken away by Ahaſhue…us, as he was at dinner, he ſmiled upon his friends, ſaying I thank God that his Highneſs hath left me any thing.him for what he has left. 2. He has taken away more from others, than he has taken away from you, ergo be thankful. 3. You are unworthy of the leaſt mercy, you deſerve to be ſtript of every mercy; and therefore be thankful, for any thing that is left. God has a Soveraign right over all you have, and might have ſtript you as naked as the day wherein you were born. 4. God has left you better, and greater merci…s, than any thoſe were, that he has ſtript you off: viz. your lives, your limbs, your friends, your Relations, yea and the means of Grace, which is better than all, and more than all other mercies: ergo be thankful. 5. The Lord has given thoſe choice things to you, as ſhall never be taken from you: viz. himſelf, his Son, his Spirit, which ſhall abide with you for ever; his Grace which is an abiding ſeed, and his peace which none can give to you, nor take from you; John 16. 1 John 3. 9.John 161 John 3:9ergo be thankful though God has laid all your pleaſant things deſolate. 6. Thankfulneſs under croſſes and loſſes, ſpeak out much integrity and ingenuity of Spirit. Hypocrites and prophane perſons are more apt to blaſpheme, than to bleſs a taking God: ergo be thankful. The Ancients ſay, Ingratum dixeris omnia dixeris, ſay a man is unthankful, and ſay he is any thing. Ingratitude is a Monſter in nature (ſay ſome) a Soleciſm in Manners, a Paradox in Grace, damming up the courſe of donations divine and humane. If there be any ſin in the world againſt the Holy Ghoſt, (ſaid Queen Elizabeth in a Letter to Henry the fourth of France) it is ingratitude. The Laws of Perſia, Macedonia and Athens, condemned the ungrateful to death: and unthankfulneſs may well be ſtyled the Epitome of Vices. Ingratitude was ſo hateful to the Egyptians, that they uſed to make Eunuchs of ungrateful perſons, that no poſterity of theirs might remain. Well Sirs, remember this, the beſt way to get much, is to be thankful for a little. God loves to ſow much where he reaps much. Thankfulneſs for one mercy, makes way for another mercy; as many thouſand Chriſtians have experienced. The Lords Impoſt for all his bleſſings is our thankfulneſs: if we neglect to pay this Impoſt, the commodity is forfeit, p. 181and ſo will take it back. Our returnes muſt be according to our receipts. Good men ſhould be like the Bells, that ring as pleaſantly at a Funeral, as at a Wedding. They ſhould be as thankful when it goes ill with them, as when it goes well with them. Cicero complained of old, that it was a hard thing to find a thankful man. Oh how hard a thing is it to find burnt Citizens really, cordially, frequently and practically thankful, that they are alive, that they are out of the grave, out of Hell, and that yet they have bread to eat and clothes to wear, though their habitations are laid in aſhes, and all their pleaſant things deſtroyed. But,

The eighth Duty that lyes upon thoſe who have been 8burnt up, is to keep in their hearts a conſtant Remembrance of the late dreadful conflagration. God expects that his children ſhould commemorate his Judgements as well as his mercies. The ſore Judgement that God inflicted upon Iſa. 26. 8, 9. Pſal. 119. 30. 120.Isa 26:8Isa 26:9Ps 119:30Ps 119:120Sodom, is mentioned thirteen times in the bleſſed Scripture, and all to work us to mind it, and to abhorr thoſe ſins that laid that City deſolate. The Lord looks that his people ſhould keep up freſh in their memories ſuch Judgements that have been long before executed, Jer. 7. 12. Go to my place which was in Shilo, where I ſet my name at the firſt, and ſee what I did to it for the wickedneſs of my people. The Ark 1 Sam. 4. 10, 11.1 Sam 4:101 Sam 4:11of old ſtood at Shilo, but after it was taken and carried away by the Philiſtins, it was never brought back, and from that time Shilo lay ever after deſolate. And this the Lord would have engraven upon their memories, and upon their hearts. Though ſtony hearts are bad, yet Iron memories are good. Luke 17. 32. Remember Lots wife. Conſider her ſin and her puniſhment; that ſo fearing the one, you may learn to take heed of the other. 2 Pet. 2. 6. And turning the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into aſhes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an enſample unto thoſe that after ſhould live ungodly. There is much in thoſe words, That after ſhould live ungodly: Why hath God turned thoſe rich and populous Cities into aſhes, and ſet them up as burning Beacon…, but to warn all the world, that they live not ungodly; and to p. 182work them to keep alive in their memories the deſolating Judgements of God. The Rabbins ſay, that the Jews at this day, when they are to boild an houſe, they are to leave one part of it unfiniſhed and lying Rude, in remembrance that Jeruſalem and the Temple, are at preſent deſolate. Oh let the remembrance of Londons deſolation by fire be for ever kept up in all your hearts. To this purpoſe conſider,

1. That the burning of London, is a very great Judgement (as I have formerly proved) now great Judgements, like great mercies, ſhould be alwayes kept up freſh in our memories.

2. The burning of London is a National Judgement, (as I have formerly proved) now National Judgements ſhould be alwayes freſh in our memories.

3. 'Tis a Judgement that c…rries much of the wrath and anger of the Lord in it, Amos 3. 6. Shall a Trumpet be blown in the City, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a City, and the Lord hath not done it? V. 8. The Lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath ſpoken, who can but propheſie? Now the more anger and wrath we read in any Judgement, the more highly it concerns us, to remember that Judgement.

4. A ſerious commemoration of Gods Judgements, is a thing that is highly pleaſing to the Lord. God delights as much in the glory of his Juſtice, as he dos in the glory of his Mercy or Grace. Now when we commemorate his Judgements, we glorifie his Juſtice that has inflicted them.

5. Severe Judgements contribute much to the enlightning Hoſ. 5. 14, 15. Chap. 6. 1, 2, 3. Jer. 24. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Chap. 22. 8, 9.Hos 5:14Hos 5:15Jer 24:1Jer 24:2Jer 24:3Jer 24:4Jer 24:5Jer 24:6of mens underſtandings, and to the awakening of their conſciences, and the reforming of their lives, and to work men to judge them, and juſtifie the Lord. And therefore it highly concerns you, to keep up the Remembrance of Londons Deſolation by fire, alwayes freſh and flouriſhing in your ſouls.

6. Smart Judgements are teaching things. All Gods Rods have a voice. Hear ye the Rod, and him that hath appointed Mich. 6. 9.Mic 6:9it. Look as Gideon taught the men of Succoth by Thorns and Bryars. So God by piercing Judgements, teaches both p. 183ſinners and Saints, to take heed of deſpiſing his patience and long-ſuffering, and to ceaſe from doing evil, and to learn to do well. And to fear and fly from all ſuch ſinful courſes o… Iſa. 1. 16, 17.Isa 1:16Isa 1:17practices, that bring deſtructive judgements upon the moſ… glorious Cities in the world. And upon this account, how deeply dos it concern us, to have alwayes the late fiery diſpenſation in our thoughts, and upon our hearts.

7. All Gods Judgements are his Meſſengers; they are all at his command. The Centurion had not ſuch a Soveraign power over his ſervants, as the great God hath over all ſorts Ezek. 14. 13, 15, 17, 19. Ma…th. 21. 8. Iſa. 7. 18, 19.Ezek 14:13Ezek 14:15Ezek 14:17Ezek 14:19Isa 7:18Isa 7:19of Judgements. If the Lord do but hiſs for the Fly of Egypt, and the Bee of Aſſyria, they ſhall come and do their office. Now all Gods meſſengers, as well as his mercies, ſhould ſtill be kept in our eye. But,

8. and laſtly, Conſider a ſerious commemoration of the Judgements of God, will difference and diſtinguiſh you from all prophane perſons, and unſound Profeſſors. Pſal. 10. 5. Thy judgements are far above out of his ſight. Thy Judgements, that is, the plagues and puniſhments that thou layeſt upon the ungodly are high above his ſight; that is, he fears them not, he thinks not of them, he minds them not, he dos not ſeriouſly conſider of them, he is not kindly or deeply affected with them: he regards them no more than a tale that is told, or than Forreign Wars, wherein he is not concerned. Others carry the words thus, He c…ſteth thy Judgements out of his ſight; he will not ſo much as once mind them; they are too high for him to ſet them before him; they are hidden before him: they are above the reach of his underſtanding and apprehenſion: both mercies and judgements have much of God in them. They ſpeak, and ſpeak aloud, but wicked men can neither ſee, nor hear, nor underſtand the voice of God either in the one or in the other. I have read of ſuch a Peſtilential diſeaſe once at Athens, as took away the memories of thoſe who were infected with it; ſo that they forgot even their own names. One Peſtilential diſeaſe or another uſually ſo ſeizeth upon wicked men, that they eaſily and uſually forget the Judgements of God. If God ſet in with theſe eight Arguments, they will contribute p. 184more to the enabling of you to keep the late f…ery diſpenſations of God freſh in your memories, than all the Pillars of Braſs or Stone in the world. Yet I am far from queſtioning the lawfulneſs of erecting a Pillar of Braſs or Stone to commemorate the late dreadful fire, according to an Act of Parl…ament, that is now before us. But,Page 108.

The ninth Duty that lyes upon thoſe who have been 9burnt up, is, to ſee the vanity, mutability and uncertainty of all worldly comforts and enjoyments, and accordingly to 1 Tim. 6. 17. 1 John 2. 17. Heb. 11. 25.1 Tim 6:171 John 2:17Heb 11:25ſet looſe from them, and to get their aff…ctions weaned from them. Behold in four dayes time, a glorious City is turned into a ruinous heap: and a little world of wealth is laid in aſhes, and many hundreds of families almoſt reduced to begga…y. And are not theſe loud Sermons of the vanity, mutability and uncertainty of all earthly things. Thats good advice Solomon gives, Prov. 23. 4, 5. Labour not to be rich. Wilt thou ſet thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themſelves wings, they fly away as an Eagle towards He ſaith not, they take wing, but they make them, and not the wings of a Hawk, to fly away, and to come again to a mans Fiſt, but the wings of an Eagle to fly quite away.heaven. All certainty that is in riches, is that they are uncertain. Riches, like bad ſervants, never ſtay long with one Maſter. Did not the Citizens of London ſee their riches flying away from them upon the wings of the fire, and of the wind, when their own and their neighbours habitations were all in flames. O Sirs, what certainty can there be in thoſe things, which Balls of Fire, Storms at Sea, falſe Oaths, or treacherous friends, may in a few dayes, yea, in a day, an hour, deprive us off. God can ſoon clap a pair of wings upon all a man has in this world. And therefore he acts ſafeſt and wiſeſt, who ſits moſt looſe from the things of the world. Riches are not for ever: and the Crown doth not Prov. 27. 4.Prov 27:4endure to every generation. This Adonibezek, Belſhazzar, and many other great Princes have found by experience, as Scripture and Hiſtories do ſufficiently teſtifie. In all the Ages of the world the Teſtimony of Solomon holds good, Eccleſ. 1. 2. Vanity of vanity, ſaith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity. The things of this world are not only vain, but vanity in the abſtract. They are exceſſive vanity; p. 185vanity of vanities: yea, they are a heap of vanity; vanity All in Heaven write vanity of vanities upon all ſublunaries; and all in Hell write vanity of vanities upall ſublunaries and why ſhould not all on earth write vanity of vanities upon all ſubluminaries. 1 Kings 9. 13. Gen. 3.1 Kgs 9:13Gen 3of vanities. And this the burnt Citizens have found by ſad experience, the world is all ſhadow and vanity: its like Jonah's Gourd, a man may ſit under its ſhadow for a while; but it ſoon withers, decayes and dyes. He that ſhall bu… weigh mans pains with his pay, his miſeries with his mercies; his ſorrows with his joyes, his croſſes with his comforts, his wants with his enjoyments, &c. may well cry out, Oh the vanity and u…certainty of all theſe earthly things. Though the world in all its bravery is no better than the Cities which Solom…n gave to Hir…m, which he called Cabul, that is, diſpleaſing or dirty. All the great, the gay, the glorious things of the world, may fitly be reſembled to the fruit that undid us all, which was fair to the ſight, ſmooth in handling, ſweet in taſte, but deadly in operation. A man may be happy that is not wealthy, witneſs Lazarus, and Heb. 11.Heb 11thoſe worthies of whom this world was not worthy. But how hard a thing is it for a man to be happy, that is wealthy, Matth. 19. 24. It is eaſier for a Camel (or Cabel-rop…, as ſome render it) to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. There are ſeveral expoſitions upon theſe words.

Firſt, Some ſay, that there was a little gate in Jeruſalem called the Needles-eye, which was ſo low and little, that it 1was impoſſible for a Camel to enter in at it with his b…rden, and therefore when Camels came that way, they took off their loads, and the Camels themſelves were forced to ſtoop before they could paſs through that gate: ſome think that our Saviour alludes to this. But,

Secondly, Others interpret it of a Cabel-rope or Cord: 2and then thus they expound the words; A man cannot b… any means poſſible put a Cable through a Needles eye; but if he untwiſt it, he may by thred and thred put it thorough.

Thirdly, Others ſay, theſe words are a proverbial Speech, 3for the Talmud had a Proverb, Are ye of Pambeditha, who can cauſe an Elephant to go through a Needles eye? Thoſe of Pambeditha were great Braggers, they would boaſt to others, that p. 186they could do very great things, and very ſtrange things. Hence came that Proverb amongſt them, It is eaſier to cauſe an Elephant to go thorough a Needles eye, than to do thus or thus. Now our Saviour uſeth the word Camel, becauſe he was better known to them. It was uſual (ſay others) with the Jews to ſay, when difficult matters were promiſed, Haſt thou been at Pam…editha, where Camels go through the eyes of Needles? But,

Fourthly and laſtly, the plain and ſimple meaning of this 4Proverbial Speech, is doubtleſs this, viz. That it is as impoſſible for ſuch a rich man to be ſaved (that truſteth in his riches, and that ſets a higher price upon his riches, than upon Chriſt; and that will rather part with Chriſt, than part with his riches; and that will rather go to Hell rich, than to Heaven poor) as it is for a Camel to go thorough the eye of a N…edle. The Proverbial Speech (ſay others) notes the difficulty of rich mens being ſaved. Hab. 2. 6. Wo to him that ladeth himſelf with thick Clay. Thick Clay will ſooner break a mans back, than ſatisfie his heart. And O what a folly and madneſs is it, for a man to be ſtill a loading of himſelf with the Clay of this world. In Gen. 13. 2. 'tis ſaid that Abraham was very rich in Cattel, in Silver, and in Gold: the word i… foreign gravis fuit; he was very heavy, to ſhew, that riches, that Gold and Silv…r, (which is the great God of the world, the Paradiſe, the all in all, the great Diana that all the world magnifies and worſhips) are but heavy burdens, and rather a hinderance, than a help to Heaven and happineſs. Though the rich man in the Goſpel fared, and lived like a Gentleman, a Gallant, a Knight, a Lord; yet when he dyed, he went to Hell. Though Mammon, as Aretius and Luke 16.Luke 16many others obſerve, is a Syriack word, and ſignifies riches: yet Irenaeus derives Mammon of Mum, that ſignifies a Spot, and Hon that ſignifies riches; to ſhew that riches have their ſpots: and yet O how in love are men with theſe ſpots, how Iſaiah 5. 8.Isa 5:8laborious, how induſtrious are men to add ſpots to ſpots, b…gs to bags, houſes to houſes, and lands to lands, and Lordſhips to Lordſhips, as if there were no Hell to eſcaps, nor no Heaven to make ſure.

p. 187O Sirs, the voice of God in that fiery diſpenſation that has lately paſt upon us, ſeems to be this, O ye Citizens of London, whoſe habitations and glory I have laid in duſt and aſhes, ſet looſe from this world, and ſet your affections upon Col. 3. 1. Heb. 11. 13. J…r. 50. 6. Mich. 2. 10.Col 3:1Heb 11:13Mic 2:10things above: L…ve in this world as Pilg…ims and Strangers. Remember this is not your reſting place: never be inordinate in your love to the world, nor in your delight in the world, nor in your p…rſuit of the world any more. Never ſpend ſo many thoughts upon the w…rld, nor never ſend forth ſo many wiſhes after the world, nor never ſpend ſo much precious time to gain the world as you have formerly done. Take off your thoughts, take off yo…r hearts, take off your hands from all theſe uncertain things. Remember it will not be long before you muſt all go to your long home, and a little of the world will ſerve to bear your charges till you get to Heaven. Remember I have burnt up your City; I have poured contempt upon your City; I have ſtained the pride and glory of your City; that ſo ſeeing you have here Heb. 13. 14.Heb 13:14no continuing City, you may ſeek one to come. Remember I have deſtroyed your houſes, that ſo you may make ſure a houſe not made with hands, but one eternal in the Heavens. 2 Cor. 5. 1.2 Cor 5:1I have taken away your uncertain Riches, that ſo you may make ſure more durable Riches. I have ſpoiled many of your Prov. 8. 18. Phil. 3. 20.Prov 8:18Phil 3:20brave full Trades, that ſo you might drive a more brave full Trade towards Heaven. Oh that I had no juſt grounds to be jealous, that many who have been great loſers by the fire, are now more mad upon the world, and more eagerly carried after the world, than ever they have been; as if the great deſign of God in ſetting them on fire round about, was only to enlarge their deſires more after the world, and more effectually to engage them to moil and toil as in the fire, to lay up treaſure for another fire to conſume. Before I cloſe up this particular, let me offer a few things to your conſideration.

Firſt, Are there none of the burnt Citizens, who ſeek the 1world in the firſt place, and Chriſt and Heaven in the laſt place; that are firſt for earth, and then for Heaven; firſt for Matth. 6. 33. John 6. 27.Matt 6:33John 6:27the world, and then for Chriſt: firſt for the meat that periſheth, p. 188and then for the meat which endureth unto everlaſting life. The old Poets note was, firſt for money, and then for Chriſt. But,

Secondly, Are there none of the burnt Citizens, whoſe 2love, and hearts, and affections, are running more out after the world, than they are after God, and Chriſt, and the 1 Tim. 6 9. Jer. 17. 11.1 Tim 6:9Jer 17:11great things of eternity. Are there none of the burnt Citizens, that are peremptorily reſolved to gain the world what ever it coſts them. The Gnoſticks were a ſort of Profeſſors, that made no uſe of their Religion, but to their ſecular advantages, and therefore when the world and their Religion ſtood in competition, they made no ſcruple, no bones of renouncing their profeſſion, to enjoy the world. Oh the deadneſs, the barrenneſs, the liſtleſneſs, the heartleſneſs to any thing that is divine and heavenly, that dos alwayes attend ſuch Chriſtians who are reſolved to be rich, or great, or ſome body in the world, what ever comes on't! O the time, the thoughts, the ſtrength, the ſpirits that theſe men ſpend upon the world, whilſt their ſouls lye a bleeding, and eternity is poſting on upon them. Men that are highly and fully reſolved to be rich by hook or by crook, will certainly forget God, undervalue Chriſt, grieve the Spirit, deſpiſe S…bbaths, ſl…ght Ordinances, and negl…ct ſuch gracious opportunities as might make them happy for ever. Rich Felix had no leiſure to hear poor Paul, though the hearing of a Sermon might have ſaved Act. 24. 24. ult.Acts 24:24hit ſoul. But,

Thirdly, Are there none of the burnt Citizens, who ſpend 3the firſt of their time, and the beſt of their time, and the Pythagoras ſaith, that time is Anima Coel…, the ſoul of Heaven. And we may ſay, it is a Pearl of price that coſt Chriſt his blood.moſt of their time about the things of the world, and who ordinarily put off Chriſt and their ſouls with the leaſt, and laſt, and worſt of their time. The world ſhall freely have many hours, when Chriſt can hardly get one. Are there none who will have their eating times, and their drinking times, and their ſleeping times, and their buying times, and their ſelling times, and their feaſting times, and their ſporting times, yea, and their ſinning times, who yet can ſpare no time to hear, or read, or pray, or mourn, or repent, or reform, or to ſet up Chriſt in their families, or to wait upon p. 189him in their cloſets. Are there not many who will have time for every thing, but to honour the Lord, and to ſecure their intereſt in Chriſt, and to make themſelves happy for ever.

Look, as Pharaohs lean Kine eat up the fat, ſo many now are fallen into ſuch a crowd of worldly buſineſs, as eats up all that precious time which ſhould be ſpent in holy and heavenly exerciſes.

Fourthly, Are there none of the burnt Citizens, who daily 4prefer the world before Chriſt? yea, the worſt of the world, before the beſt of Chriſt? The Gergeſins preferred their Swine Matth. 8. 28. ult.Matt 8:28before a Saviour; they had rather loſe Chriſt, than loſe their Hoggs. They had rather that the Devil ſhould ſtill poſſ…ſs their ſouls, than that he ſhould drown their Piggs: They preferred their Swine before their ſalvation; and preſented a wretched Petition for their own damnation. For they beſought him (who had all love, and life, and light, and grace and glory, and fulneſs in himſelf) that he would depart out of Col. 1. 19. Chap. 2. 3.Col 1:19their coaſts. Though there be no miſery, no plague, no curſe, no wrath, no Hell to Chriſts departure from a people. Yet Hoſ. 9. 12. The Reubinites preferred the Countrey that was commodious for the feeding of their Cattle (though it were far from the Temple, far from the Means of Grace) befor… their intereſt in the Land of Canaan.Hos 9:12men that are mad upon the world, will deſire this. Bernard had rather be in his Chimney corner with Chriſt, than in Heaven without him: At ſo high a rate he valued Chriſt. There was a good man who once cryed out, I had rather have one Chriſt, than a thouſand worlds. Another mourn ed, becauſe he could not prize Chriſt enough. But how few burnt Citizens are of theſe mens minds? It was a ſweet prayer of one; Make thy Son dear, very dear, exceeding dear, only dear and precious to me, or not at all. But do all burnt Citizens lift up ſuch a prayer. I ſuppoſe you have either read or heard of that rich and wretched Cardinal, who profeſt, that he would not leave his part in Paris, for a part in Paradiſe. But,

Fifthly, Are there no burnt Citizens, who follow the world ſo cloſe, that they gain no good by the word: like 5Ezekiels hearers, and like the ſtony ground. Some Writers Ezek. 33. 31, 32, 33. Matth. 13. 22.Ezek 33:31Ezek 33:32Ezek 33:33Matt 13:22ſay, that nothing will grow where Gold grows. Certainly where an inordinate love of the world grows, there nothing p. 190will grow that is good. A heart filled either with the love of the world, or with the profits of the world, or with the pleaſures of the world, or with the honours of the world, or with the cares of the world, or with the buſineſs of the world, is a heart incapacitated to receive any divine counſ…l or comfort from the word. The Poets tells us of Licaons being turned into a Wol…: but when a worldling is wrought upon by the word, there is a Wolf turned into a man; yea, an incarna…e Devil turned into a glorious Saint. Th…refore the Holy Ghoſt ſpeaking of Z…cheus (whoſe ſoul was ſet upon the world) brings him in with an Ecce, behold, Luke 19. 2.Luke 19:2as if it were a wonder of wonders, that ever ſuch a worldling ſhould be ſubdued by Grace, and brought in to Chriſt. But,

Sixthly, Are there no burnt Citizens that are very angry 6and impatient when they meet with oppoſition, diſappointments, or procraſtination in their earneſt purſuing after the things of the world. Balaam was ſo intent and mad upon the world, that he d…ſperately puts on upon the drawn Numb. 22. 21. to 35.Num 22:21–35Sword of the Angel. Are there no burnt Citizens, who are ſo intent and mad upon the world, that they will put warmly on for the world, though the Lord draws, and conſcience drawes, and the Scriptures draw their Swords upon them. But,

Seventhly, Are there no burnt Citizens, who are grown 7cold, very cold, yea, even ſtark cold in their purſuit after God, and Chriſt, and Heaven, and holineſs, who once were for taking the Kingdom of Heaven by violence, who were Matth. 11. 12. As a Caſtle or Town, is taken by Storm.Matt 11:12ſo eagerly and earneſtly ſet upon making a prey or a prize of the great things of that upper world; that they were highly and fully reſolved to make ſure of them, whatever pains or perils they run thorough. Ariſtotle obſerves, that Dogs can't hunt where the ſmell of ſweet flowers is, becauſe the ſweet ſcent diverteth the ſmell. Ah how has the ſcent of the ſweet flowers of this world, hindered many a forward Profeſſor from hunting after God, and Chriſt, and the great things of eternity. The Arabick Proverb ſaith, That the world is a carkaſs, and they that bunt after it are Dogs. Ah p. 191how many are there, who once ſet their f…ces towards heaven, who now hunt more after earth than Heaven; who hunt more after Terreſtial than Celeſtial things: who hunt more after nothingneſſes and emptineſſes, than they do after thoſe fulneſſes and ſwetneſſes that be in God, in Chriſt, in the Covenant, in Heaven, and in thoſe paths that lead to happineſs. When one deſired to know what kind of man Baſil was, there was preſented to him in a dream (ſaith the Hiſtory) a Pillar of fire with this Motto, Talis eſt Baſilius, Baſil is ſuch a one, all on a light fire for God. Before London was in fl…mes, there were ſome, who for a time were all on a light fire for God, who now are grown either cold, or luke-warm, like the luke-warm Laodiceans, Rev. 3. 14, 19. But,

Eighthly, Are there no burnt Citiz…ns, whoſe hearts are 8filled with ſolicitous cares, and who are inordinately troubled, 2 Cor. 7. 10.2 Cor 7:10grieved, d…j…cted and overwhelmed upon the account of their late loſſes: and what dos this ſpeak out, but an inordinate love of theſe earthly things. When Jonahs Gourd Jon. 4. 6. ult.Jonah 4:6withered, Jonah was much enraged and dejected. 'Tis ſaid of Adam, that he turned his face towards the Garden of Eden, and from his heart lamented his fall. Ah how many are there in this day, who turning their faces towards their late loſt mercies, their loſt Shops, Trades, Houſes, Riches, do ſo bitterly and exceſſively lament and mourn, Jer. 31. 15.Jer 31:15that with Rachel they refuſe to be comforted: and with Jacob, they will go down into the Grave mourning. Heraclitus Gen. 37. 35.Gen 37:35the Philoſopher was alwayes weeping: but ſuch a frame of Spirit is no honour to God, nor no ornament to Religion. One cryes out How ſhall I live, now I have loſt my Trade; another cryes out, What ſhall I do when I am old: another cryes out, What ſhall I and my ſix Children do when you are dead: another cryes out, I have but a handful of Meal in the Barrel, and a little Oyl in the Cruiſe, and when that is ſpent, I muſt lye down and dye. 1 King… 17. 12. &c.1 Kgs 17:121. There is a holy ſadneſs which ariſes from the ſenſe of our ſins, and our Saviours ſuff…rings: this is commendable. 2. There is a natural ſadneſs, which ſometimes riſes from ſickneſs, weakneſs and indiſpoſition of body: this is to be pitied and cured. 3. There is a ſinful ſadneſs, which uſually p. 192is very furious, and hath no ears, and is rather cured by Miracle than precept: this uſually flows from the loſs of ſuch near and dear comforts, upon which men have in ordinately ſet their hearts, and in the enjoyment of which, they have promiſed themſelves no ſmall felicity. Oh that ſuch ſad ſouls would ſeriouſly r…memb…r, that there is nothing beyond remedy, but the tears of the damned. A man who m…y (notwithſtanding all his loſſes and croſſes) be found walking in the way to Paradiſe ſhould never place himſelf in the condition of a little-Hell. And he that may or can hope for that great-all, ought not to be exceſſively ſad for any loſſes or croſſes that he meets with in this world. But,