Londons Resurrection, Discourse 36
DISCOURSE XXXVI.
That it might expedite the building of London if all its former inhabitants, were conſiderably incouraged, to replant themſelves within the walls.
I Doubt, that fire which brake down many other walls, will its ſelf prove a wall of partition, (that will never be broken down) between many Citizens, who formerly dwelt together, I mean within the verg, and compaſs of the City: many of which are now reſiding in the ſuburbs, and like to continue there. But ſhould the number of thoſe that ſhall ſo do be very great, what was ſaid of Ru…en might be applied to London upon the ſame accompt, for the diviſions of Reuben Judg 5.15. (and ſo of London) great thoughts of heart. The Reubenites there dwelling on the other ſide Jordan (as Moſes had agreed they ſhould, ſo ſoon as they had conducted their brethren into the land of Canaan) which they promiſed to do) and ſeen them quietly poſſeſſed of their inheritance) I ſay their going to live on the other ſide of Jordan, and not on the ſame ſide with their brethren, made that diviſion, or rather was that diviſion, for which there were many thoughts and ſearchings of heart, Numb. 32. v. 16. ad 22. If either a river, or wall ſhould part thoſe Londoners whom one City held before, ſo as the diviſion ſhould be great, and the numbers of excluded or ſecluded members, (if I may ſo call them) conſiderable, it would be very ſad. For who will contribute towards the rebuilding, and reflouriſhing of London, that hath himſelf forſaken it: ſine animo redeundi, without any purpoſe of returning to it again?
Nevertheleſs, juſtly Londoners cannot be compelled to plant within the walls again, neither may they be ſo threatned as were the Merchants and ſellers of ware who lodged without Jeruſalem, to whom Nehemiah ſaid, Why lodg ye about the wall? if ye do ſo again I will lay hands on you, Nehem. 13.21. (I ſay it were harſh to compel them againſt their intereſt, to replant themſelves within the walls, ſith many of them have taken long leaſes of their houſes in the ſuburbs, (and indeed could get no ſhorter) and have given great fines, and know not how to put off the houſes they have taken, and to reimburſe themſelves without unſufferable loſs, and diminution. And poſſibly here and there one, is well ſcituated for his buſineſs, hath found the bees to come ſwarming over to his new hive; I mean hath as many cuſtomers, and as good a trade as ever. Let ſuch dwell in the tabernacles they have purchaſed, who find it is good being there.
The mean time let all prudent wayes be thought of, whereby to invite, and intice burnt-out Citizens, to come back to their old ſtations, as bees that have taken their flight, are by ſuch noiſes, as to them are pleaſant muſick, allured to come back to their hives.
Here I cannot but obſerve, that in ſome caſes men ought not to be puniſhed for not doing, ſo and ſo, when on the other hand, for ſo doing, they may, and ought to be rewarded, or ſome wayes conſidered: or that ſeveral things may be incouraged, and and invited to by hopes of reward, which yet may not be impoſed with puniſhments, or threatnings. For Saul to promiſe unto David his daughter, to be his wife, in caſe he did bring him ſo many foreskins of the Philiſtines, was but reaſonable, but had he commanded him, upon pain of death, or otherwiſe, to have gone upon that dangerous ſervice, he had been a cruel taskmaſter. As to the caſe in hand, to ſet a fine upon the head of every Citizen, that would not come back to live in London, would be very ſevere and unjuſt, though to propoſe ſome conſiderable immunities, and priviledges, to them that ſhall return, might be a point of intereſt and true pollicy.
It is one of the falſe meaſures the world hath been deceived by, and hath done a great deal of miſchief, viz. that ſome men have thoughts there was no medium to be uſed, between rewarding, and puniſhing; and that all that were not worthy to be rewarded for what they do, ought to be puniſhed, and that if they who did ſo, and ſo were worthy of reward, they who did otherwiſe, or did not as they, ought to ſuffer; which principle is clearly overthrown by the inſtances which I have given. If the Romans did confer a reward upon every man that was the Father of ſo many Children, it did not follow that he whoſe loins had not been ſo fruitful, ought therefore to have been puniſhed, and to feel the weight of their loins, or ſo much as of their little fingers; in point of mulct, and infliction.
Rewards to them that do ſuch things will be ſufficient in many caſes, to cauſe the generality of men to do them, though not every individual perſon, though no puniſhment (farther than the neceſſity of ſuch a reward) be aſſigned for them that do them not. A double guard, viz. one in the van, by incouragements, to them that ſhall do ſuch things, another in the rear, by inflictions upon them that ſhall not do them, is more than the nature of ſome things will bear, yea more than is either neceſſary, or juſt; as in the caſe before us, in the exciting of Londoners to replant themſelves within the walls. Such as have no mind to it let them alone; but ſuch as ſhall do ſo, let them want for no incouragement, make it as advantagious to them as it can well be made, let their dignities, and priviledges be multiplied, being lookt upon as publick benefactors, and by that means the moſt will be brought in. I had not inſiſted ſo long upon this notion, but that I think if it were applied, and made uſe of where, and in whatſoever caſes it ought to be, it might be of great uſe.
I ſhall not take upon me, to tell thoſe that are in authority, what particular rewards, immunities or priviledges, ſhould, or might be confer'd, upon thoſe who have, or ſhall caſt their bread upon the waters of London as hoping to find it again, though not till after many daies: I mean who have or ſhall build upon the ruins of London with intention to return thither again. I ſay I ſhall not preſume to ſpecifie, or particularize what might be done for ſuch, for that were to anticipate the wiſdom, and kindneſs of our Rulers, and Governours, which can better both direct, and prompt them as to that, than I am able to do: ſure I am that perſons inveſted with ſupream authority, do ſeldom want rewards, and priviledges, to beſtow upon them whoſe deſigns they have a mind to incourage, and are uſually conſcious to themſelves wherewithall they can do it.
When the Jews went back to their own land, many of them were unwilling to dwell in Jeruſalem, fearing (as is ſuppoſed) leaſt the City ſhould be beſieged again, and brought to great ſtreights, Nehem. 7.4. Now the City was larg, and great, but the people were few therein, and the houſes were not builded: what courſe was taken to rectifie that (for it might not be ſuffered that Jeruſalem ſhould be but ſlenderly inhabited) we read, Nehem. 11.1. The Rulers of the people dwell at Jeruſalem, the reſt of the people alſo caſt lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jeruſalem, and nine parts (viz. of the whole nation) to dwell in other Cities. What was done amongſt them by lot, may amongſt us by incouragement; viz. the City be planted, and peopled ſufficiently.
As where the carcaſs is, there the Eagles will be gathered together; ſo where priviledges and incouragements do abound, there will be ſtore of buildings and inhabitants.