Londons Resurrection, Discourse 1
DISCOURSE I.
Of the grounds we have to hope and expect the compleat rebuilding of the now Ruines of London.
1. THe day of the Reſurrection of London hath as yet but dawned, at moſt, the Sun thereof is yet but one hour high, or thereabouts; the new City is yet but in its Infancy (if any thing more then an Embryo) the beginnings of the new are not yet ſo great as the ſmall remainders of the old, as therefore it is too early at this time to congratulate it with acclamations of Grace, Grace thereunto, as if the top-ſtone were already laid; ſo on the other hand, it is not too late to ſignifie the hopes we have that in Gods good time it will be brought to a happy period, and that it will ſhine forth more and more, as the Sun doth till it come to the perfect day. Sure I am, if the grounds of our hope as to that matter be not vain and frivolous, it cannot be vain and fruitleſs, to divulge and publiſh them, conſidering how many there are whoſe hearts would even fail them, if they ſhould utterly diſpair of Londons ever being upon its legs again: As David ſaith of himſelf, that he had fainted, unleſs he had believed to ſee the goodneſs of God in the Land of the living, Pſa. 27.13. This hope (if I miſtake not) is and muſt be a cauſa ſine quâ non of all attempts for the rebuilding of the City; that is, ſuch a cauſe, as without which no man will undertake to build upon his own account; for as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, 1 Cor. 9.10. That he that ploweth, ſhould plow in hope; (as knowing that otherwiſe men would hardly plow at all) ſo by the ſame reaſon, he that ſoweth muſt ſow in hope too; nor can it be imagined, that any man will throw the ſeed of his care and coſt into thoſe deep Furrows which the fire hath made, unleſs he be competently perſwaded that he or his ſhall in due time reap the benefit of it: I profeſs my ſelf to be ſincerely of that perſwaſion which I now endeavour to cheriſh in others, viz. that the ruinous heap, or that Chaos which we now call London, will thorough the good will of him that dwelt in the Buſh (the burning Buſh) be once again a goodly City. And that no man may think this hope of mine to be as a Spiders Web, that may ſoon be ſwept or blown away. I am ready to render the reaſons of it, which are as follow. Firſt, I think it not inconſiderable, that there is no Decree of Heaven promulged or made known to the contrary, which I the rather inſiſt upon, becauſe it hath been uſual with God to give notice of his purpoſe and pleaſure, that the places intended by him for a perpetual deſolation ſhould never be raiſed up again, as if it had been for that very end (and it is like it was) that men might not labour in vain, planting that which muſt immediately be pluckt up, and ſo building up that which muſt have been forthwith deſtroyed. Thus Joſhua (doubtleſs by Divine Commiſſion) as appeareth from Joſhua 16. did adjure the people concerning Jericho, ſaying, Curſed be the man before the Lord that riſeth up and buildeth this City Jericho: he ſhall lay the foundation thereof in his firſtborn, and in his youngeſt ſon ſhall he ſet up the gates of it, Joſhua 6.20. which was fulfilled in Hiel the Bethelite, and his two ſons, 1 Kings 16.34. That Curſe made ſuch impreſſion, that for more then five hundred years after, no man adventured to attempt the rebuilding of that City devoted to deſtruction, until Hiel at length took the boldneſs to do it, and ſacrificed his two ſons (and as ſome think all his children) upon that dangerous ſervice. A like terrible propheſie of perpetual deſtruction we find denounced againſt Mount-Seir, Ezek. 36.9. I will make thee perpetual deſolations, and thy Cities ſhall not return. And the reaſon given, v. 5. Becauſe thou haſt had perpetual hatred, and haſt ſhed the blood of the children of Iſrael. Moreover, againſt Hazor we find it thus written, Jer. 49.33. And Hazor ſhall be a dwelling for Dragons, and a deſolation for ever; there ſhall no man abide there, nor any ſon of man dwell in it. Adding one inſtance more, we ſhall have confirmed this truth out of the mouth of twice two Witneſſes, and that Zeph. 2.4. will furniſh us with, As I live, ſaith the Lord, ſurely Moab ſhall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles and ſalt-pits, and a perpetual deſolation, &c. v. 10. This ſhall they have, becauſe they have reproached and magnified themſelves againſt the people of the Lord. Now if God had ſpoken againſt London, as againſt Jericho, Hazor, Mount-Seir, Moab, Ammon, there had been no hope, ſaving as the threatning might have been interpreted but conditional, (as when God ſaid Niniveh ſhould be deſtroyed within forty daies) but no ſuch thing having been denounced againſt this City, where is the ground of deſpair? if there be no Divine Promiſe of and for the rebuilding of London, to be ſure there is no expreſs, or manifeſt threatning againſt it, and ſo long there is hope it may take place: When the great God was reſolved that Jeremy ſhould not prevail by his prayer for the Iſraelites, he bids him ſpare his pains, Jer. 11.14. and Jer. 14.11. Jer. 7.16. Pray not thou for this people, neither make interceſſion to me, for I will not hear thee. And at another time God by his Prophet ſaid, That though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the Land, they ſhould deliver but their own ſouls by their righteouſneſs, intending thereby that they ſhould not prevail for others, Ezek. 14.14. Might not we in like manner have expected ſome intimation of the Divine Pleaſure, that the rebuilding of London ſhould not be ſo much as enterprized; that if we took any ſuch work in hand, it ſhould be at our peril, that we ſhould but ſow the Wind, and reap the Whirlwind, in caſe that were the Will of God indeed? Surely the Divine Goodneſs would forewarn us, that we might not undertake ſo great a work, and all in vain: But ſo far hath God been hitherto from crying aloud to us, not to take in hand the rebuilding of the City, that I ſcarce know any whiſperings to that purpoſe: Nay, methinks that voice whereby God in theſe daies moſt of all ſpeaketh to ſuch caſes as theſe (and that is the voice of Providence, and of the ſeries of Divine Diſpenſations) I ſay that voice ſounds in my ears, (and it is like in the ears of many more) as if it were plainly for it, as if it ſpake articulately, Ariſe and build, up and be doing. For firſt of all, ſince this work was to be done, the great God hath encouraged it by an unexpected meaſure of health vouchſafed; I ſay ſince the City was to be built, God hath taken away the noyſome Peſtilence, which ſtaying ſome time after the fire, we had reaſon to expect the encreaſe thereof, conſidering how many Families were unhealthfully crouded together in a very ſmall compaſs, and how many green (I mean lately before infected houſes) were forthwith inhabited, which otherwiſe had long remained empty. The continuance of that deſtroying Angel amongſt us had been ſo great a hindrance to the reſtauration of the City, as nothing could have been greater, and the removal thereof is doubtleſs as great a help, without which moſt men would have thought of flying or dying, but none of building. Surely that gracious hand which ſo miraculouſly and ſeaſonably removed the Plague, was ſtretched forth in favour of the deſolate City, as to matter of rebuilding.
And doth it ſignifie nothing, that God hath ordained Peace for us ſince the fire, a threefold Peace, viz. with France, Holland, Denmark? and may I not add a fourth, viz. with Spain alſo? (of no ſmall import to trade and traffique, as Merchants tell us) Hath that Peace no benigne aſpect upon the rebuilding of London? could we have built without it, as well as with it? The great dearth and dearneſs of coals that was before the Peace, together with the great plenty and cheapneſs of them, which hath been, and is like to be after it, aſſureth us to the contrary, (Coals being as neceſſary for the making of Brick, of which our new building muſt conſiſt, as Straw its ſelf.)
Had the late war continued who would have had any heart to have built? who knoweth not how unhappy it is to build with a brick in one hand, and and a bullet in the other? and would not the expence of War quite deſtroy the ſinews of building? which are the ſame with the ſinews of War, viz. Money) or had we money enough, where ſhould we have materials ſufficient for ſo great a work in a time of War? I doubt our Lebanon would not ſuffice: we ſhould find the want of Forreign Timber which now we hope will plentifully come in, and that be brought in to build our houſes, and to repair our City, which would otherwiſe have been imployed to deſtroy our Ships, and to oppoſe our Fleet.
And now I mention Peace, I muſt not forget the doubling of it (as of Pharaoh's Dream for more certainty ſake) betwixt our ſelves, and the Netherlands, (beſides thoſe other Nations that may hereafter caſt in their lot with us) neither is it only the ſame thing ingeminated, or two Peaces, but numerically diſtinct; but the latter Peace (if we miſ-underſtand it not) is ſpecifically different from, and much better then the former; the firſt having been only an engagement not to offend one another, but this to defend and protect each other, as the matter ſhall require. It is a great while ſince I remember any thing ſo generally well reſented, ſo candidly interpreted, ſo thankfully acknowledged, as that League hath been, and chiefly for that it was made with a people of the ſame Religion with our ſelves, beſides their being moſt potent at Sea of all our Neighbours. That Dove Peace, Peace, (for ſo I may call it) with two Olive Branches in its mouth, ſeemeth to me to bring the beſt tidings, as concerning the rebuilding of London, of any Meſſenger I have heard of; (though there are ſeveral others) and they that think otherwiſe, are I doubt under the power of too much melancholly, (not to ſay prejudice.)
Is there nothing to be gathered from the late Winter ſeaſon wherewith to incourage our hope, as touching the rebuilding of London? If builders might have beſpoken a ſeaſon for their purpoſe, how could they have had a better? To be ſure the Husbandman did not pray for ſuch a Summer-like mild Winter Froſt and Snow had been more ſuitable to his deſires and occaſions: But as if every thing ought to give place to the reſtauration of the City, as if plenty and health its ſelf were not ſo needful, as that (at leaſtwiſe for the preſent) behold a Winter (if we may call it Winter) more accommodate to that occaſion and ſervice, then to any other purpoſe; ſo warm, as if the Sun had ſtood ſtill, (as in the daies of Joſhua) and would not have ſtirred further from us till it had ſeen the City in ſome good forwardneſs. Thus the great God, who ſent a fierce Wind to promote the burning of London, when it was his pleaſure, hath ſent a mild Winter that hath much promoted the building of it, giving us hope thereby it is his will and pleaſure it ſhould be built again.
I obſerve that God both in the bringing and removing of Judgments, hath wont to make much uſe of Wind and Weather: So God brought an Eaſtwind upon the Land of Egypt, and that Eaſt-wind brought the Locuſts, Exod. 10.13. And in the ninth verſe we read, That the Lord turned a mighty ſtrong Weſt-wind which took away the Locuſts, and turned them into the Red Sea, there remained not one Locuſt in Egypt. So when God had a purpoſe to dry up the Deluge, it is ſaid, Gen. 8.1. That God made a wind to paſs over the earth, and the waters aſſwaged. It is like one Wind brought the waters in, as another carried them out: So God cauſed the Sea to go back by a ſtrong Eaſt-wind, and made it dry Land, that the Iſraelites might paſs over, Exod. 14.21. And probable it is, that the turning of the Wind brought the Sea back again upon the Egyptians. And I am much deceived, if the Wind and Weather, which were much againſt us in the time of the Fire, have not been as much with us, and for us, ſince that, I mean in reference to the warmth and openneſs of the Weather, which are much what the effects of Winds ſuitable thereunto, Job 37.9. Cold cometh out of the North: And v. 17. How thy garments are warm, when he quiateth the earth by the South-wind. Sith then this laſt Winter God hath made the Heavens to hear the Ruines, and the Ruines to hear the Artificers, and the Artificers to hear the cryes of the poor dejected Citizens, longing to be reſtored, (you know to what I allude) why ſhould we diſpair of another London at Land, more then heretofore at Sea, where we have known two already?
When I conſider how ſpeedily many difficult caſes, and perplext controverſies, relating to Builders and Proprietors, have been brought to an end, either by the clearneſs of the Law made for that purpoſe, or prudence of the Judges, or extraordinary peaceableneſs of the parties concerned, or by means of all three together, I cannot but look upon it as a good preſage, that this poor City ſhall be built again: For this methinks is a kind of ſudden and unexpected clearing and taking away of that Rubbiſh which did moſt of all threaten to obſtruct the buildings; for who that hath obſerved how long ſome one controverſie about the title of Houſes or Lands, being tryed after the uſual way, (and not as in the Act for building is provided) doth ordinarily depend (ſome a longer time then I hope the whole City will take up in rebuilding,) would not have thought that Law-ſuits and Impleadings one of another would have been ſo endleſs, that the City (the building whereof muſt needs wait upon the determination of ſuch matters) would never have had a beginning. But bleſſed be God, it is evident to us by ſome hundreds of houſes already built, and many more Foundations laid, that an incredible number of Titles are already determined, even ſo many as might have taken up a whole Age in an ordinary courſe of Law. And hence alſo may we feed our ſelves with hope, that the like diſpatch will be made in and about thoſe Cauſes which are yet unheard, (or more if more can be) ſith by variety of Precedents, and parallel caſes, the work of determination will be eaſier every day then other. This good harmony gives me great hope, and may do the like to others, for why may not a City riſe up by Unity and agreement, as well as fall by diviſion? why may not the former be as powerful to lift up, even from the duſt, as the latter is to throw it down? If God pleaſe to grant the people of England as good and eaſie an accord in all other matters, I ſhall yet hope all will be well.
I ſee a diligent hand at work for and towards the rebuilding of the City, and that increaſeth my hope, that it will be done. When God forſook London for a time, and gave it up to the flames, we may remember that men forſook it alſo, I mean, a great part of its Inhabitants, made it their only care and buſineſs to ſecure their goods, but did in effect ſay, let the City go. But now I find that Citizens are as active and officious in reſtoring, as ever any of them (for all were not ſo) did ſeem remiſs, and careleſs in preſerving of it; methinks every body is huge intent upon it, and what his hand findeth to do in it, doth it with all his might, and that in deſpite of all both real and ſuppoſed diſcouragements. I know not the man whom in this caſe I can call a Sluggard, and wiſh him (without wronging him) to go to the Ant and learn his ways; all are as buſie as ſo many Ants, haſtning to and from their ſeveral Mole-hills; not a few were ſo intent upon it, that when materials could ſcarce be had for love or money, when Coals were three or four pound a Chaldron, when Bricks and Timber bore an exceſſive rate, all would not beat them off from building, as if they had been as fond of houſes within the Walls of London, as ever Rachel was of children, who cryed out, Give me children, or I die.
You might ſee by the reſpects which Citizens paid, and do yet pay to the duſt and ruines of London, how they hanker after it, not for what it is, but for what they hope it ſhall be. Do not as many as had wont to be concerned in thoſe affairs, viſit the Ruines yearly, call every Pariſh by its former name, obſerve its bounds, chuſe Officers upon the very place, chuſe Aldermen, and their Deputies, for every Ward that is unſupplyed, nominate Church-wardens, Conſtables, &c. as if it might be ſaid of London as was ſaid of Lazarus, that he was not dead, but ſlept; and all thorough the deſire they have it might be raiſed again, for they do know it is more then aſleep, yea, no leſs then dead and buried. A careleſs, unactive, heartleſs poſture was that in which London was deſtroyed, and now I ſee the quite contrary to that, it makes me hope it is about to be reſtored; wherewithall did the Pſalmiſt perſwade himſelf, That the time to favour Sion, yea the ſet time was come, Pſa. 102.13. The reaſon he gives us is, For thy people take pleaſure in her ſtones, and favour the duſt thereof, v. 14. If that were a good argument, that God would ariſe and have mercy upon Sion, (as doubtleſs it was, elſe the Pſalmiſt would not have uſed it) we have ſaid and evinced the ſame thing as concerning London, viz. ſuch an affection towards it, as the people of God in thoſe daies had towards their deſolate Jeruſalem. Far be it from me to think that ſo much love, care and pains, ſo many heads, and hands, and hearts, as are ſet at work about our City, with earneſt prayers for the reſtauration of it, will all produce nothing.
What though God had a ſufficient controverſie againſt the old City, as for which to ſuffer it to be burnt, may it not be ſaid that poſſibly he hath not the ſame againſt another City, though ſtanding, or intended to ſtand in the ſame place; ſo that notwithſtanding his permitting the former to be burnt, he may permit another to be built in the room of it? Though ſuch things were done to the dry Tree, (to which I may compare the old City) muſt the like, or ſomething as bad, be done to the green? Chriſt argues from the green Tree to the dry, with a quanto magis, What then ſhall be done to the dry? but not vice verſâ. God deſtroyed the Old World, but did he not nevertheleſs make a new one, and that in the ſame place where the old one ſtood, and peopled it out of the loyns of thoſe few perſons that did remain of the old? Who knows but that God may have pleaded all that controverſie which as yet he meaneth to plead with us in and by the burning of that one City? The deſtroying of Cities, (and the not ſuffering of them to be reſtored is no other then continued deſtruction,) (as they ſay of Conſervation, that it is continued Creation) is not work that God doth do every day; it is his act indeed, but his ſtrange act, he is uſually long about it, and as it were deliberating with himſelf, as when he ſaid of old, How ſhall I give thee up O Ephraim, &c. True it is, that ſin had overſpread the City like a Leproſie, and like that diſeaſe gotten into the very walls of the ſeveral houſes thereof: but when the walls of the moſt leprous houſe were once pulled down, or the houſe its ſelf demoliſhed, (as this poor City hath been) there was an end: nor do I any where find that it was forbidden or ſpoken of as dangerous to build another houſe in the ſame place, or upon the ſame ground, Levit. 14.45. Let men charge what they can upon the late City (as ſome in ſpight do charge upon it what it never deſerved) what is now in hand is not that City, nor ſhall it ever partake of its plagues and puniſhments, unleſs it be afreſh polluted with its ſins, or ſome others as great.
That God was pleaſed to ſpare a remnant of the City of London, that it might not be like to Sodom and Gomorrah in point of total deſtruction, for the preſent, is to me a further argument of hope, that it ſhall not be like thoſe places in point of perpetual deſolation for the future, that it ſhall not ſuffer the vengeance of eternal fire in ſuch ſenſe as that phraſe is applyed to the places themſelves, meaning they ſhould alwayes lye in aſhes. God having ſpared eight, and no more of mankind, when he brought the Deluge, and but ſeven of any other kind of Creature, reared up a new World out of that ſmall remainder of the old, which he had reſerved as a ſeed for that purpoſe, which it is like to Noah and his Family was alſo a pledge that God intended ſo to do. Methinks London ever ſince the Fire, hath been like a perſon frighted into a ſwoun, whoſe vital ſpirits are for the preſent concentrated and contracted into a narrower room; (as are the Inhabitants of that Relique of a City at this day) and if it be but ſo, why ſhould we diſpair but it will come to its ſelf again? or ſhall I compare it to one that hath a dead Palſie, who hath ſenſe and motion in ſome parts of his body, though he have little or none in the reſt. The remainder of the old City (as ſmall as it is) doth not a little facilitate and incourage the building of that part that muſt be new, according to the old ſaying, Facile eſt inventis addere, it is eaſie to add: Give me, ſaid Archimedes, but where to ſet my foot in the mean time, and I will turn the World round. Londoners by virtue of that remainder of a City have where to ſet their foot, which is no ſmall advantage: I cannot but reflect upon that paſſage, Iſa. 65.8. Thus ſaith the Lord, as the new Wine is found in the Cluſter, and one ſaith, deſtroy it not, for a bleſſing is in it; ſo will I do for my ſervants ſake, that I may not deſtroy them all. The meaning ſeemeth to be this, as when a Vine is grown ſo barren, that ſcarce any good Cluſter of Grapes ſeemeth to be diſcerned on it, whereby it may be deemed to have life in it, and the Husbandman is above to cut it down, if one chance to eſpy ſome one cluſter that hath Grapes with liquor in them, whereby it may appear there is life yet, he may thereby be induced to forbear the utter rooting out, or hewing down of it, being told there is a bleſſing in it, that is to ſay, ſome life and ſap, giving hope of its recovery, and growing fruitful again. This is the caſe of London at this day; though the greateſt part of it be withered and burnt up, yet there is ſome new Wine found in a Cluſter, ſo that one may ſay there is a bleſſing in it, and may hope from thence, that God will not deſtroy it, but will ſay concerning it as of Jacob, v. 9. I will bring forth a ſeed out of Jacob; that is, thoſe who ſhall be as ſeed, which though ſmall, is apt to grow numerous and great: Neither is it leſs pertinent to this occaſion to allude it to that Propheſie of David, concerning Solomon and his Kingdome, Pſa. 72.16. There ſhall be a handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the Mountains, the fruit thereof ſhall ſhake like Lebanon, and they of the City ſhall flouriſh like graſs of the earth. Say London be at the preſent but as a handful of Corn in the top of a barren Mountain, (whereas it is rather as ſo much Corn in a fruitful Valley) yet may it hereafter by the bleſſing of God come to ſhake like Lebanon, and flouriſh like the graſs of the earth.
Is London the firſt City that ever was burnt and built again? I rather think, that moſt of the famous Cities in the world that were of antient foundation, have paſſed thorough the fire firſt or laſt, (it may be more then once) and Phoenix-like have been raiſed out of their aſhes. The Scripture tells us of the burning of Jeruſalem by the King of Babylon, (beſides the captivity of the people) and yet in that ſelf-ſame place was there ſo goodly a City and Temple in our Saviours time, as did move his Diſciples to admiration. He that ſhall but glance upon Hiſtory, may furniſh himſelf with inſtances enough of that nature: nor will I ſo far prejudge my Reader as to enumerate them, ſeeming thereby to think him ignorant of a thing ſo obvious. Who knows not that London its ſelf hath been burnt ſeveral times formerly, (as in my Treatiſe of the burning of London I have ſhewed) and yet how Noble a City was it before it was burnt the laſt time, viz. in 1666. One while it lay in aſhes above 80 years, and by that time one would have thought it ſhould have been buried in perpetual filence and forgetfulneſs, and ſome other place have been unalterably poſſeſſed of the preheminence; but after that, in all likelihood it was a body not only dead, but rotten, the very bones and aſhes whereof are ſcare to be found, yet did it lift up its head again, and became greater then ever, as it lately was. Now what Maxime in Logick more evident then this, A fuiſſe ad poſſe valet conſequentia: What hath been may be again. God hath raiſed London out of the duſt ſeveral times, he is raiſing it, and let us truſt in him, that he will in due time compleatly raiſe it again.
I have charity and reſpect enough for Londoners whatever others want) to fetch an argument of hope even from themſelves, the real piety and integrity of many of them (I ſay not of all, for where but in heaven are all Saints?) that for their ſakes God will return on high, and ſay of London, that it ſhall be built again. He that would not have deſtroyed Sodom for the ſake of but ten righteous perſons, (if there had been ſo many there) will (I truſt) not give up London to a perpetual deſtruction, out of the regard he bears to thoſe many tens, and hundreds of righteous perſons that are found there; if perſons that live righteouſly, ſoberly, and godlily, if they that do generally practiſe only ſuch things as are honeſt, juſt, pure, lovely, and of good report, (as it is Phil. 4.8.) if they that ſeem to be afraid of whatſoever they know to be ſin, and to make conſcience of every known duty; I ſay, if men and women of ſuch a character may and ought to be taken for perſons truly religious, (as our Saviour tells us, that a tree is known by its fruits) if they that bring forth fruits meet of faith and repentance, ought to be eſteemed to have both, and not cenſured for hypocrites; then are there I preſume, ſeveral hundreds in and belonging to London, whom we are in duty bound (if the exerciſe of rational charity be a duty) to own for good Chriſtians; and that they are ſuch, I dare appeal to the conſciences of their greateſt enemies, or the moſt of them, who when upon a Death-bed, or in great diſtreſs, ſhall deſire, and value their prayers to God for them, much more then the prayers of thoſe that have been their moſt intimate aſſociates. I had almoſt ſaid, if there were leſs Religion in London then indeed there is, (though God knows there is not that which ought to be) ſome would love it more, and give a better report of it then now they do; They count it ſtrange that you run not with them into the ſame exceſs of riot, ſpeaking evil of you. Could I ſpeak with their enemies, and themſelves not over-hear me, thereby to be tempted to ſomething of pride, I would ſay, that if God have a people in the world that love and fear him, he hath ſome ſuch in London, yea, I hope he hath much people in that place whoſe habitation himſelf is, in the ſenſe intended, Pſa. 90.1. and as for other habitations ſhall in due time be provided for by him. I will not now determine in what ſenſe it was ſpoken, but in Exod. 1.21. it is thus written, It came to paſs becauſe the Midwives feared God, that he made them houſes.
For once I'le venture the ſcoffs and ſcorns of this the profaneſt of Ages, by making bold to ſay, that the many fervent prayers which have been, daily are, and will be offered to God on behalf of this deſolate City, that it may be revived once again, is to me a further ground of hope that it ſhall be ſo. I have evinced already, that there are conſiderable numbers of good and gracious Chriſtians, in and about the City, to ply the Throne of Grace, for the welfare of it; and the Scripture telleth us, that the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. I muſt firſt doubt whether there be a God, at leaſtwiſe whether God be a lover of righteouſneſs, and righteous perſons, (which the uncontroulable dictates of my conſcience will not ſuffer me to do) before I can think that the prayers of good men ſignifie nothing, and are but as water ſpilt upon the ground. Prayer hath prevailed for greater things then is the building of a City, in the uſe of ordinary means: Did it not ſhut and open heaven in Elijah's daies? though himſelf, who offered thoſe prayers, were a man of like paſſions with our ſelves. Can it do the greater, and not the leſſer? Did I know the man that would ſay, let no man trouble himſelf to pray for the ſucceſs of my building, I ſhall do as well without, as with all the prayers that can be made on that behalf, I ſhould expect ſome Eminent Judgment to fall upon that man, as hath done upon ſome other eminent Builders, that have gone by the name of Atheiſts.
Tuſh, 'tis in vain to contradict experience, they that have received many ſignal anſwers of prayers, and on the other hand, have met with great rebukes at ſuch times as they have reſtrained prayer from the Almighty, or prayed as if they prayed not, will never believe to the contrary, but that any good undertaking may, and will be much promoted by the ardent prayers of thoſe that have intereſt in God, of which I doubt not but there is a great Stock going for London at this day; and it ſhall ſtand for one of the Pillars of my hope in this as in other caſes, that God hath never ſaid to the ſeed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain.
Next unto the prayers and tears of good men, the triumphs and inſultings of bad over a famous City laid in aſhes, gives me ſome of the greateſt hope and confidence, that it ſhall not alwayes lye there. Was it not publickly obſerved, that Papiſts up and down the Land were never more jolly and jocund, then they ſhewed themſelves ſoon after the burning of London? Some helliſh Perſecutors in the Marian daies did not more rejoyce in thoſe flames which burnt the holy Martyrs, then ſome of them are ſaid to have done in thoſe which burnt the City. But will the great God alwayes feed and cheriſh ſuch mirth as that? Shall not their laughter be turned to mourning, and their joy to heavineſs? Hath not the Lord ſeen it, and it diſpleaſed him? and will it not invite him to turn away his wrath from the City? Prov. 24.16. God will not alwayes ſuffer Philiſtines to make ſport with Sampſon, but will cauſe the houſe at laſt to tumble about their ears and grind them to powder, who made him grind in deriſion. Another City (which therefore we now hope for) would ſpoil the inſolent mirth of Popiſh enemies above any thing elſe, and put them quite out of countenance. God ſpeaking after the manner of men, Deut. 32.27. ſpeaks as if himſelf did fear the inſolency of enemies: Were it not that I feared the enemy, would behave him ſelf haughtily, &c. And if ſo, doubtleſs he will take a time to ſuppreſs both it, and them.
And now methinks I my ſelf am almoſt weary of this ſo long a Chapter; (though conſiſting only of incouragements and grounds of hope) and though I have ſtayed and reſted my ſelf upon thirteen ſeveral Pillars by the way, (and thoſe Pillars of hope) I ſhall more eaſily be pardoned, becauſe the Subject is lightſome; and we know that the length of daies uſeth not to be complained of, though that of nights be troubleſome; howſoever Sol…mon telling us, that it is not good to eat too much honey, Prov. 25.27. advertiſeth, that ſhortneſs may be wanting where ſweetneſs is not, ſaving as want of ſhortneſs may ſomewhat imbitter that which of its ſelf was ſweet, even as honey (then which nothing is ſweeter.)
Therefore laſtly, methinks God hath given us earneſt, great earneſt of another City in place of that which was burnt; and what ſhould I mean by that, but the many Foundations that are already laid, yea ſome hundreds of houſes that are built in ſo ſhort a time? (though thoſe hundreds as yet be fewer then were the thouſands of what was burnt) But ſuppoſe we ſeven or eight hundred houſes finiſhed already, it being now March 12. 1667. and not much above one year and half ſince the Fire, in which time two Winters have paſſed over our heads, and but one Summer, War with three ſeveral Nations was unconcluded when the building began, Trading as dead as could be imagined, Citizens generally impoveriſhed, materials and neceſſaries, ſuch as Coals, &c. at a ſtupendious rate, admit, I ſay, there be yet but eight hundred houſes finiſhed, (though ſome think there be more) is it not a good and a great progreſs, all things conſidered? After one of the burnings of London I do not find that in 70 years (and upward) ſo much was done towards the reſtoring of it, as hath now been done in leſs then two.
Is it not remarkable, that ſince the rebuilding of London was this laſt time taken in hand, no one diſaſter hath befallen it, there hath appeared nothing like an Angel with a Sword in his hand to obſtruct thoſe that have attempted to bleſs the City, by rebuilding of it, as did to obſtruct Balaam when he went forth to curſe Iſrael. How early did the wrath of God break out againſt the builders of Jericho, the very foundation whereof was laid in the death and blood of Hiel the Founder, his firſt-born Son? But all the foundations that have been laid in London, yea and houſes which are finiſhed there, (for ought I learn) have not coſt ſo dear. As Mannoah's Wife ſaid unto him, Judg. 13.23. If the Lord were pleaſed to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering at our hands, neither would he have ſhewed us all theſe things. So may we probably argue, (if I be not deceived) that if God had purpoſed to anticipate the full harveſt of Londons reſtauration, he would ſcarce have given us ſo timely and ſo ample firſt fruits as he hath vouchſafed already: Reflecting upon all that I have ſaid, I doubt not to bid defiance to ſuch as have or ſhall preſume to call London by the odious and miſapplied name of Babylon; for though it may be ſaid of London, It is fallen, it is fallen, yet not ſo (as of Babylon) that it ſhall never riſe again.