Londons Resurrection, Discourse 4
DISCOURSE IV.
That it is convenient the re-edifying of London ſhould be with all poſſible ſpeed and expedition.
I Shall not compare the kindneſſes we have received from our Superiours, one with another (ſith compariſons as they ſay, are odious) but ſure I am, they have not been more acknowledg'd, and thank'd for any thing they have done, than for their prudent Act for, and concerning the rebuilding of London: nor do I think there is any thing in that Act more thank-worthy, than the zeal they have expreſſed for the diſpatch of that work, by injoyning under a great penalty, that every houſe ſhould be rebuilt within the ſpace of three years after the date thereof, (pag. 94.) though I doubt not but if that ſhall prove morally impoſſible to ſome, though not to all; they in their wiſdom, and clememcy will hereafter allow as much more time, as ſhall be thought abſolutely neceſſary.
Now if any man ſhall think it was more than needed, to quicken men to a work, to which their own intereſt, and inclination, might ſo much prompt them; I muſt crave leave to diſſent, and to tell them that the dull minds of men had need to be ſtirred up by more than Ceremonies, to thoſe things in which they are greatly concerned, witneſs Lot himſelf, of whom it is ſaid, that whilſt he lingred (which was whilſt the Flames of Sodom were purſuing him) the men laid hold upon his hand (the Lord being merciful to him) and they brought him forth and ſet him without the City, Gen. 19.16.
I cannot but judge that the rebuilding of London calls for expedition, when I conſider, how the burning Feaver which befel London in the year 66. was not the firſt fit of ſickneſs it had lately been viſited with, but a ſore relapſe, after it was newly (and but ſcarce) recovered out of other great, and dangerous maladies; not only accute, but chronical: who knows not that London had for many months together been brought even to deaths door with the Plague, and that it had loſt abundance of blood, both red, white, and yellow, with a waſting War; inſomuch that its great Phyſitians, have ſaid long ſince, that both it, and the whole Kingdom, were in a deep Conſumption. Not to recite all its Diſeaſes, though I might name the Scurvey, Hypocondriacal Melancholly, and ſeveral others, which it is full of. Now this Calenture, (the Fire I mean) coming after all the reſt, hath brought it ſo very low, (together with the whole Nation) that without ſome ſtrong Cordials, and powerful Reſtauratives, ſpeedily adminiſtred, it cannot long ſubſiſt.
It cannot be forgotten, that London was but three or four daies a burning, and why ſhould that which was deſtroyed in three or four daies, be longer in building and reſtoring than three, or four years, (provided it can be done in that time.) If I miſtake not, I have heard of a Wall of great length, and circumference, which is about the great Houſe in Oſterley Park, that it was built in one nights time, by the help of an incredible number of Work-men, that were ſummoned in for that purpoſe, to entertain and amuſe Queen Elizabeth who was there at that time, and knew not of the beginning of it, till ſhe ſaw it finiſhed; I am not certain of the ſtory, but am ſure our Proverb is true, viz. that many hands make light work, and though Rome were not built in one day, neither can London be; yet if Work-men from all parts, were commanded to give their attendance upon that buſineſs, and upon nothing elſe, but what were of abſolute neceſſity, till that were finiſhed, London would go up amain, and appear ſomething like a City in a little time. Alas! Poor Citizens long to be ſettled once again, and to fall to their reſpective Trades, as formerly, making a hard ſhift mean time; and pity it is, that whilſt the graſs is growing the Steeds ſhould ſtarve; that whilſt the City is raiſing, the Citizens in the interim ſhould be ruined. Therefore it is I ſo much preſs for expedition.
If our Governours would encourage the importing of all neceſſary materials, from forreign parts, (as I hear they intend) it would be a good, and acceptable work, and nothing could carry a greater ſhow of love and good will to that poor City, than that will do (which will never think it ſelf beloved, unleſs its reſtauration be promoted, by them that have power to do it.)
And ſith the great want of money is (as I am told) like to be the main hindrance of the rebuilding of London, how do I wiſh that Uſurers, and all other great moneyed men, would bring forth their bags, and chearfully lend to Citizens for the purpoſes of building, ſecuring themſelves by the premiſes, and taking no other advantage when that is done.
Did all men long, as I think I long, to ſee another London (though I have little intereſt in it to what it hath in me) (and I think all Engliſh men ſhould long for it as much as I do) I perſwade my ſelf, ſuch treaſure, and ſuch aſſiſtance in every kind, would be brought in towards it, as would make a very quick diſpatch even of ſo great a work.
But leſt I my ſelf be tedious, whilſt I plead for others to uſe expedition, I ſhall conclude this Chapter, with what a Heatheniſh King gave in charge about the Temple of God at Jeruſalem, (and their good Example will moſt of all condemn us Chriſtians if we fall ſhort of it) And I Artaxerxes do make a Decree to all the Treaſurers beyond the River, that whatſoever Ezra ſhall require of you, it be done ſpeedily, Ezra 7.21.