The Burning of London, Part 3 · Meditation 45
MEDITATION XLV. Upon any that are ſaid or ſuppoſed to have rejoyced at the coming and conſequences of this Fire.
VVHo are they that did or do rejoyce at the burning of London? Some ſuch Monſters there are ſaid to be, and none more likely to be in that number, than they that have given it the name of Babel or Babylon, from whom we can expect no other than acclamations of Joy, ſaying, Babylon is fallen. It may be, they or ſome of them, can boaſt of one thing more (and pity it is but if they can they ſhould) viz. that they did help to bring down that which they call Babylon. If ſo, ſpeak out and be canonized for what you have done; but, whether you will or no, time will either condemn or abſolve you. As for ſome of that Religion, I do in my thoughts acquit them preſently, from either contributing to the deſtruction of London, or rejoycing in it now it is done, as believing the ſweetneſs of their temper, and the morality of ſome of their principles to be ſuch, as would not ſuffer them to do either, and God forbid that they ſhould ſuffer ſo much as by the miſtruſts and jealouſies of people concerning any ſuch matter: But others of them again (the prodigious actings of men of the ſame perſwaſion in former times, the greatneſs of their own malice, and the deſperateneſs of their principles conſidered) I darenot anſwer for, but ſhall leave it to thoſe honourable perſons wich examined all thoſe matters, to clear and vindicate them, if they have found cauſe ſo to do. Should I hear any ſpeak with joy of the burning of London, or otherwiſe expreſs themſelves to be glad of it, if I ſhould judge themſelves to have had a hand in it (and if I ſhould judge amiſs) they themſelves would be greatly acceſſary to my uncharitableneſs.
Whoſoever they be, that think the deſtruction of London to be a ground of Joy, let them ring Bells and make Boneſires profeſſedly upon that account, that the world may know them to be ſuch Monſters as indeed they are. I think at preſent but of three perſons, to whom I may fitly compare ſuch men and women: the one is, that infamous execrable Bonner; ſuch a feaſter upon cruelty, that Hiſtory tells us, He would not eat his dinner, till ridings were brought him that certain Martyrs were burnt (as if that had been the onelyonly ſawce that could make him reliſh his meat): the other is, that incarnate Devil N…, who ſet Rome on ſire, who was reckoned the Enemy of all mankind; who wiſht, that whilſt he lived Heaven and Earth might be turned into a Chaos, and whom one fitly called foreign, A mixture of clay and blood: And laſtly, to the Father of that prodigious Nero, and of all ſuch as he, whoſe name is in the Hebrew Tongue, Abaddon, and in the Greek Apollyon, Rev. 9.11. that is in Engliſh, The Deſtroyer. If the things you rejoyce at be the laying waſt ſo noble a place, the impoveriſhing and undoing ſo many hundreds of honeſt families, the demoliſhing of the ſtrongeſt Fort that England had for the defence of true Religion, and whatever elſe was and ought to have been dear to it; if any or all of theſe were and are the ground of your Joy, ſurely the Compariſons I have made are not too ſevere. Nay, let me tell you further, in the words of Scripture, Pſalm 37.13. The Lord ſhall laugh at you, for he ſeeth your day is coming: and, as it is in Prov. 1.26. God will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh: When your fear cometh as deſolation, and your deſtruction as a whirlwind; when diſtreſſe and anguiſh cometh upon you. I love not to imprecate, but may probably enough predict concerning you, as the Prophet Jeremy, concerning the Enemies of the Jews, Lam. 1.21, 22. of whom he thus ſpeaks, All mine enemies have heard of my trouble, they are glad: Thou wilt bring the day that thou haſt called, and they ſhall be like unto me: He adds, Let all their wickedneſs come before thee, and do unto them as thou haſt done unto me.
I am not without hope that the malicious, and inhumane Inſulters over London's downfal may greatly contribute (though quite beſides their intention and much againſt their wills) towards the rebuilding and reflouriſhing of that once-renowned City, neither have I built that hope upon any other than a Scriptural foundation, namely, thoſe words of Solomon, Prov. 24.18. Rejoyce not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad, when he ſtumbleth, Leſt the Lord ſee it, and it diſpleaſe him, and he turn away his wrath from him.