Practical Reflections on the Late Earthquakes, Introduction
INTRODUCTION.
An Hiſtorical, particular Account of the late Earthquakes, which gave Occaſion to this Diſcourſe. The Deſign thereof propoſed from that Paſſage of the Pſalmiſt, My Fleſh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgments.
THAT the late Earthquakes may be conſidered, and improved to the beſt Purpoſes, it will be proper to premiſe a ſhort Narrative, or Hiſtorical Account of them, according to the order of Time wherein they happened. And therefore I begin with that at Jamaica.
The laſt Year, 1692. on the 7th of June, there happened a dreadful Earthquake in the Iſland of Jamaica, which made great Ruines and Devaſtations throughout the whole Country; but eſpecially in the Capital Town of Port-Royal, which was almoſt ſwallowed up and overflowed by the ſinking of the Earth, and Irruption of the Sea. Two Letters from the Miniſter of the Place (publiſhed by Authority) give a particular Account of it; that it threw down moſt of the Houſes, Churches, Sugar and Indigo-Works, Mills and Bridges, throughout the whole Iſland, that it tore the Rocks and Mountains, (others tell us that it levelled ſome Mountains, and reduced them to Plains) that it deſtroyed ſome whole Plantations, and threw them into the Sea; but Port-Royal had much the greateſt ſhare in this terrible Judgment.
It is added by a farther Account in the Gazette of Thurſday, Auguſt 18. that on the Harbour-ſide the Houſes all ſunk down in a Minute's time, from the Depth of three to five Fathom Water, in the Streets next the Wharf: the Earth opened it ſelf wide and deep, and inſtantly guſhed out an Inundation of Water, ſo that Multitudes were drowned. Among other Accidents of the Earthquake, the Swan Frigat lying at the Wharf for Careening, was driven in among the Houſes, and there loſt.
The Miniſter in his Letter ſaith farther, That ſuch was the deſperate Wickedneſs of the People there, that he was afraid to continue among them. That on the ſame Day of the Earthquake, as ſoon as Night came on, ſome lewd Rogues, whom they call Privateers, fell to breaking open Warehouſes, and Houſes deſerted, to rob and rifle their Neighbours, whilſt the Earth trembled under them, and ſome of the Houſes fell upon them in the Act. And thoſe audacious Whores who remained ſtill upon the Place, were as impudent and drunken as ever. And that ſince the Earthquake, when he was on ſhore to pray with the bruiſed and dying People, and to chriſten Children, he met with too many drunk and ſwearing.
The Day when this Calamity befel the Town and Iſland, was very clear, affording not any Suſpicion of the leaſt Evil; but in the Space of three Minutes, about half an Hour after eleven in the Morning, Port-Royal, the faireſt Town of all the Engliſh Plantations, the beſt Emporium and Mart of this part of the World, exceeding in Riches, and abounding in all good things, was ſhaken and ſhatter'd to pieces, and covered for the greateſt part by the Sea; the Wharf, and two whole Streets beyond it, intirely ſwallowed by the Sea.
He, with the Preſident of the Council, running to ſave themſelves, made towards Morgan's Fort, becauſe a wide open Place; he thought to be there ſecureſt from the falling Houſes: but as he was going, he ſaw the Earth open, and ſwallow up a Multitude of People, and the Sea mounting in upon them over the Fortifications. He tells us further, that their large and famous Burying-place, called the Palliſado's, was deſtroyed by the Earthquake; and that the Sea waſhed away the Carcaſes of thoſe that were buried out of their Graves; their Tombs being daſh'd to pieces by the Motion and Concuſſion: That the whole Harbour, one of the faireſt he ever ſaw, was covered with the dead Bodies of People of all Conditions, floating up and down without Burial. That in the opening of the Earth, the Houſes and Inhabitants ſinking down together, ſome of theſe were driven up again by the Sea, which aroſe in thoſe Breaches, and ſo did wonderfully eſcape. Some were ſwallowed up to the Neck, and then the Earth ſhut upon them, and ſqueezed them to Death: And in that manner ſeveral were left buried with their Heads above Ground, only ſome Heads the Dogs have eaten; others are covered with Duſt and Earth by the People, which yet remain in the Place, to avoid the Stench. So that by the opening of the Earth, and the Fall of the Houſes, and the Inundation of the Waters, it is thought fifteen hundred Perſons are loſt, and many of good Note.
After he was eſcaped in a Ship, he ſaith, he could not ſleep all Night for the Returns of the Earthquake almoſt every Hour, which made all the Guns in the Ship to jar and rattle; and he ſuppoſeth the whole Town of Port-Royal will ſhortly be ſwallowed up of the Sea, the Houſes falling, and the Sea encroaching daily. That there were ſad Accounts of Miſchiefs done by the Earthquake in other Parts of the Iſland: As from St. Ann's, they heard of above a thouſand Acres of Woodland changed into Sea, carrying with it whole Plantations.
His own Preſervation was very remarkable and unexpected: after he had prayed with the People, and given them ferious Exhortations to Repentance, (in which Exerciſes he ſpent near an Hour and half) he was deſired by ſome Merchants to retire to ſome Ship in the Harbour, whom he accompanied, paſſing over the Tops of ſome Houſes, which lay levelled with the Surface of the Water, got firſt into a Canoe, and then into a Long-boat, which put him on board a Ship.
Of the Earthquake in England.
ON the 8th of September following, 1692. an Earthquake was felt at London, and in ſeveral Parts of Eſſex, Kent, Suſſex, Hampſhire, &c. as Sheerneſs, Sandwich, Deal, Maidſtone, Portſmouth, &c. the People leaving their Houſes in many Places, leſt they ſhould fall on their Heads; but it laſted not above *See Mr. Ray's Phyſico-Theol. Diſcourſe of the Dr luge. Diſc. 2. p. 209.two Minutes: It was about two a Clock; ſome reckon'd at London it was about four Minutes paſt two. It was felt in moſt parts of the Dutch and Spaniſh Netherlands; as alſo in Germany and France. It affected Places moſt on the Sea-coaſts, and near great Rivers. It went not beyond 52 Degrees and 40 Minutes of Northern Latitude: How far it reach'd to the South and Eaſt is not yet certainly known for want of good Intelligence: we have already trac'd it beyond Paris, to the 48th Degree of North Latitude: and beyond the Rhine, on the Eaſt, to Francfort; ſo that we know at preſent of 260 Miles ſquare ſhaken by it. The Time of its happening here in England, and beyond the Seas, ſeems to vary ſome Minutes; but that may eaſily be accounted for by the Difference of ‖Thus Dr. T. Robinſon in a Letter to Mr. Ray, dated Septemb. 22. 1692.Meridians. So that the inflamed Damp, ſaith Mr. Ray, which cauſed this Earthquake, was lodged deep in the Earth, the Caverns that contained it, paſſing under the bottom of the Sea.
Of the Earthquakes in Sicily, and Malta.
THE following Account of the Earthquakes in Sicily, was publiſhed by Authority here, viz. from Meſſina. January 20, 1692/3;, they write, that ſeveral Earthquakes had happened in that Iſland, which were moſt violent in the Southern Parts of it, and have laid in heaps many Cities and Villages. Catanea was ſhaken on the 9th inſtant, and on the 11th quite deſtroyed, not one Houſe left ſtanding; and near twenty thouſand Perſons periſhed in that City alone.
Auguſta was almoſt deſtroyed at the ſame time: and 400 Barrels of Powder that were in the Caſtle, took Fire at the ſame time, by Lightning, or ſome other Accident, and blew up about a thouſand People, who were got in there for their Security.
The Ancient Saragoſſa hath fared no better: and the Cities of Modica, Jaci and Noto, and all the Villages from Mount Aetna to Cape Paſſaro have ſuffer'd extremely. 'Tis computed that above an hundred thouſand Perſons have been deſtroyed by theſe Earthquakes. Palermo felt the Shock on the 11th: and the Vice-King retired with all his Family on board the Gallies in that Port. Moſt of the Inhabitants of this City lay now in the Fields without the Gates, &c.
A Letter from Naples, Feb. 3. mentions, that by the Shock on the 11th of the laſt Month, 37 Cities and Towns and large Villages were quite deſtroyed, and one hundred and thirty thouſand Perſons.
By other Letters (in the Gazette of Thurſday March 16.) we have this Account from Meſſina, Feb. 3. That they hear every day of the lamentable Effects of the late Earthquakes, and give the following Liſt of Places, and Perſons deſtroyed, viz.
Calatagirone, about a fourth part of the City ruined, and 1500 Perſons killed.
Luochuela, quite deſtroyed, with moſt of the Inhabitants, the number not known.
Mineo, a Royal City, moſt of it fallen, and 3000 killed.
Militello, quite deſtroyed, with many of the Inhabitants, the number not known.
Palaonia, very much ſhattered, but few Perſons killed.
Scordia, the Palace fallen down, and 20 killed.
Francofome, much ſhattered.
Sentini, quite ruined, and 3000 killed.
Carlontini, quite deſtroyed, with many of the Inhabitants, the number not known.
Auguſta, quite deſtroyed, and 5000 killed.
Siragoſa, above half ruined, and 6000 killed.
Noto, quite ruined, and 7000 killed.
Specaſurno, quite ruined, and 3000 killed.
Scichilo, quite ruined, and 8000 killed.
Santa Croce, 100 killed.
Modica, quite deſtroyed, and 1000 killed.
Raguſa, greateſt part of it ruined, and 7000 killed.
Cefomaro, 200 killed.
Biſcuti, 100 killed.
Chiuramonte, wholly deſtroyed, and 300 killed.
Monteruſſo, 200 killed.
Giamantano, 300 killed.
Bucchin, 160 killed.
Patuzzolo, quite ruined, and 1000 killed.
Scodia, 100 killed.
Paſceni, quite ruined, and 600 kill'd.
Furla, quite ruined, and 800 killed.
Sciorti, quite ruined, and 2000 killed.
Vizzini, quite ruined, and 3000 killed.
Licodia, 400 killed.
Catanea, wholly deſtroyed, and 18000 killed.
Jaci, much ruined, and 1800 killed.
In all, 73680 Perſons killed.
In another Letter from Naples, dated March 3. publiſhed in the Gazette of the 3d of April, there is an Account from Palermo, that the Vice-Roy of Sicily had ſent Commiſſioners to take an exact Account of the Damage occaſion'd by the late Earthquakes in that Iſland; and they had found that the Ruine of the Towns and Villages, as well as Loſs of People, was greater and more deplorable, than was at firſt reported; and that there had periſh'd above one hundred thouſand Perſons.
A more particular Account of this terrible Earthquake in Sicily, was printed at Rome, and ſince printed here from the Italian Copy; part whereof I ſhall here inſert. The Author profeſſeth he cannot give himſelf nor others, all the Satisfaction he could wiſh, there being ſo many little Places, and even ſome conſiderable Towns ſo utterly deſtroyed, that there are no Inhabitants left, to give us an account of the manner how theſe Places were ſwallowed up. So that of theſe we can have no other Narrative, but what People at a Diſtance, and in a Hurry themſelves, for fear of ſinking into the ſame Ruin, have been able to give us.
The Earthquake diffus'd it ſelf into all the three Diſtricts, or Diviſions, into which the Iſland of Sicily is uſually divided; Valli di Noto, Mazaro, and Mono. The greateſt Shake of all was from Mount Aetna to Cape Paſſaro, the Pachmus of the Ancients. In all this vaſt Tract of Land, nothing ſtood the ſhock, but all fell under the Weight of a General Ruin.
It was on the 7th of January, 1692/3, about 10 at Night, that Mount Aetna began to utter thoſe hideous Roarings, which ſeldom but uſher in ſome Tragedy of the Nature of what followed. Thoſe loud Bellowings continued till the 9th, and about 12 a Clock began to ceaſe. Within an hour after, the Inhabitants of Catanea, which is the next Town to the Mountain, began to perceive a ſhaking under 'em, about three Minutes together. This did little Hurt, other than to afright the People, and give them fears of ſome further Hurt. During this Shake, and for an hour before, there was not the leaſt Noiſe heard from Mount Aetna, but within leſs than a minute after the Shake was over, not only did the Noiſe redouble, infinitely more terrible than before, but the whole Top of the Mountain appeared all in Flames.
All this was but the Fore-runner of the horrideſt Shake of all, which fell out on the 11th, which affected the whole Iſland, tho not equally. And by the exacteſt Computation can be made, the whole Period of it laſted not above ſix Minutes, from Meſſina Northwards to Cape Coio, the fartheſt Point of Sicily to the South.
Catanea is thought to be the firſt that fell under the Weight of this heavy Calamity. This City is as ancient as moſt in Sicily, ſeated in a pleaſant and rich Soil, inhabited by ſeveral of the Gentry thereabouts, endowed with an an Univerſity, and containing about 24000 Souls, was ſunk out of ſight in a moment. There happened to be ſome Fiſher-boats at that time in the Bay that lies South of the Town, and within a League's diſtance, who give an Account, that they ſaw the City ſink down, with the Noiſe as it were of ſome thouſand Pieces of great Ordnance diſcharged all at once. After it was thus vaniſhed out of their ſight, the Fiſhermen ſay, That ſome minutes after, to the Eaſtward, near where the City ſtood, there roſe up a little Mountain, which lifting it ſelf ſeveral times a conſiderable Height, above the ordinary Level of the Ground thereabouts, ſunk at laſt likewiſe out of their ſight. They declare alſo, that during all this horrid Tragedy, they expected every moment to be ſwallowed up in the Bay, by reaſon of the ſtrange violent Agitations of the Sea. And ſcarce was this heaving up of the imaginary Mountain on the South-ſide of Catanea over, but they felt the Sea calm.
It is thought there hath not eſcap'd of the Inhabitants of Catanea above two thouſand in all, ſome of thoſe eſcaping after the firſt Shake on the 9th, others on the Morning of the 11th, who took the Warning. But they were the better ſort of People only that had the opportunity to make ſo happy an Eſcape, the reſt falling under the Univerſal Ruin. In the Place where Catanea ſtood, appears now at a diſtance a great Lake, with ſome great heaps of Rubbiſh, appearing here and there above Water.
The ſame Shake that utterly deſtroyed Catanea, did lay in heaps more than half of Saragoſa, the Antient Syracuſa, once the greateſt City of Sicily; and if we will believe Strabo and others, the largeſt once in the World, and may contend with any in Europe for Antiquity. The leaſt Computation that can be made of the Loſs of the Inhabitants of it, is above ſeven thouſand: And ſome hundreds were digged out of the Ruins alive, but lame and bruiſed; ſo that few of them it's thought will recover. Moſt of the Magiſtrates and People of beſt Faſhion, ran into the great Church for ſhelter, where they met with Death by the fall of the Stone Roof, and the Steeple both together.
The City of Noto (which once contended for the Preheminence with Syracuſa it ſelf) had yet a worſe Fate: ſcarce any part of it is now ſtanding; tho ſituate on an high Rock, almoſt inacceſſible on all ſides, but by one narrow Paſſage. The mighty Hardneſs of the Rock ſeem'd to have ſecur'd it from the Hazard of Earthquakes; but it felt the Shake of the 9th; and on the 11th of January it was in a moment laid in heaps: the number of the Inhabitants is computed about ſeven thouſand, and very few are eſcaped.
Auguſta, a City well ſituated, and adorned with large and ſafe Harbours; a Place of good Trade for Corn. The Inhabitants reckoned near ſix thouſand, of whom we have account of none left; many kill'd on the 9th, more on the 10th, and the reſt buried by the overturning of the Town on the 11th.
Lentini, the ancient Leontium, famous for a beautiful Lake on which it ſtood; a Place of about three thouſand Families, and a Place of tolerable Trade by Fiſhing, and Salt Mines, was reduc'd to Aſhes on the 11th; and it is not known if any of the Inhabitants be ſaved. The Water of the Lake is now become brackiſh, and of a ſalt and bituminous Taſte; and vaſt numbers of Fiſh are every day found dead on the Shore.
Calatgirone, a pretty Town, containing about 7000 People, and well built, moſt of hewn Stone; on the 11th a fifth part of the Town was overturned, and two Monaſteries; and 'tis thought, no fewer than two thouſand Souls were deſtroyed.
Mineo felt both the Shake of the 9th and 11th; on the former, the Heavens were ſerene, ſcarce a Cloud appearing above the Horizon; but on the 11th, there was a Storm of Thunder and Lightning for ſix Hours. At both times ſeveral Houſes, & a large Church were overturned, and it's thought near four thouſand of the Inhabitants are periſhed.
Monreal, or Morreal, was ſhaken and ſhattered; and Palermo, the Seat of the Vice-Roy, but not above 100 People kill'd. Paſceni, conſiſting of about 200 Families, the richeſt of any little Town in Sicily, hath not one ſingle Houſe left ſtanding, nor one ſingle Perſon ſav'd. Patuzolo, a bigger Town, underwent the ſame Fate; the number of Inhabitants about 1000 at leaſt: It is not known that any are ſaved.
So for Furla, whoſe Inhabitants we reckon'd to be near a thouſand Souls. The like for Sciorti, which by the Shake of the 11th is a vaſt Heap of Ruins; only a Church belonging to a Benedictine Nunnery, is intire: we know of none of the Inhabitants ſav'd, and they are reckon'd to amount to two thouſand Souls.
The ſame Fate befel Militello, no inconſiderable Town, probably containing about ſix thouſand People, whereof no one is left to give tidings how its Calamity came about.
Luochela fared ſomewhat better: many, about half of the People, left the Town on the Shake of the 9th of January, when a great part of the Houſes fell. The Caſtle was ſwallowed up in a moment in ſight of the People; and a conſiderable Lake is in the place where the Caſtle ſtood. The reſt of the Town and Inhabitants were utterterly deſtroyed on the 11th. Of two thouſand People, one half periſhed.
There was little Damage done in Palonia, another well-built Town, but that beſides feeling the Shake on the 9th, and the Church ſhattered, the Dome was thrown down on the 11th, which broke the high Altar to pieces, and cruſh'd to Death ſome 300 People, with the Prieſt that was ſaying Maſs. The like almoſt for Buchino, a conſiderable Village.
Scodia, a Burgh about the bigneſs of the other, was greatly ſhaken on the 11th, and about 150 People kill'd by the fall of the Church in the time of Maſs. In a deep Lake within 2 miles of it (2 miles about) by the Shake of the 11th, there opened a large Caſma near the midſt of the Lake, which ſwallowed up the Water, (which by that of the 9th was leſſened) and left the whole Channel dry Land, which continues ſo.
Another Village, called Chivramonte, had its Houſes ſhattered by the Shake of the 9th, but overturned altogether on the 11th, and the Inhabitants buried in the Ruins, computed between 3 and 400.
Monteruſſo was conſiderably ſhaken on the 9th; and on the 11th, 200 People who fled into the Caſtle, were with it buried in the Ground; and the Place where it ſtood, is now a Pool of Water, of a briniſh Taſte.
The beautiful Town of Vizzini, containing about 3500 Souls, though it lay on a riſing Hill, made up of nothing but hardeſt Stones, of the nature of Marble, was yet ſhaken on the 9th, and ſwallowed up with the Inhabitants on the 11th, who thought the Danger had then been over.
The large Village of Modica, containing about 1400 People, was ſo ſuddenly ſwallowed up on the 9th, that no one Perſon eſcap'd. Since this hundred Years, this Village hath twice changed its Seat by Earthquakes, the People till now ſaving themſelves. Several Rivers and Rivulets near this and other Places in Sicily, are covered by Hills, in the form of a Vault, or natural Bridg, thrown over them by the Earthquake.
This Earthquake cauſed the fall of ſome Houſes at Biſenti, and the bruiſing to death of about 100 Perſons. Francofonte ſuffered more by Lightning and Thunder for three days, than by the ſhake of the Earthquake.
Carlontini, a Town of good Trade, and well inhabited, containing about 4000 People; a ſixth part of 'em periſhed in the Earthquake on the 11th; the reſt eſcaped by the warning on the 9th.
Raguſa, a beautiful Town; its Situation, Buildings, Churches, Monaſteries, and Territories about it, combine to make it a ſort of Terreſtrial Paradiſe; felt many Shakings on the 8th, with Lightning and Thunder: but on the 11th, the biggeſt Street in the Town, the Town-houſe, two Churches, and many Houſes were overturned, or ſwallowed up. The leaſt Calculation of People that periſh'd, is eight thouſand, of whom the Citizens of the beſt Quality make up a great part of that Number.
Specafurno, a Town of conſiderable Bigneſs, on the Side of a Hill, all planted with Vineyards, and well inhabited, fell under the ſame Calamity; partly by Lightning and Thunder on the 10th; and the whole Town in a Moment's time on the 11th. About a Mile from the Town was a pleaſant freſh Water Lake on the South ſide, which is now almoſt all dry Land; the Fiſh dead on the Shore, and the Water of a briniſh Taſte, and now of a black Colour. The People that periſh'd there are computed to be at leaſt three thouſand five hundred: about three hundred only ſaved themſelves the Day before.
The Town Scichilo, that hath within 50 Years been eight times in hazard of an Earthquake, felt this on the 8th of January, and within 24 Hours there ſucceeded above 20 Shakes, the laſt ſtill exceeding the firſt in Violence; but on the 11th the whole Town, in leſs than two Moments vaniſh'd out of Sight: in the room of it is now a ſtinking Pool of Water: And of ſix or ſeven thouſand Inhabitants of this pleaſant Town, it is thought there is no one ſaved. Beſides a ſtrong Caſtle on the Eaſt ſide of the Town, which is now all in Heaps, and above 30 People buried alive in them.
In Cefamero, a Village of above two hundred Houſes, near two hundred People periſh'd in the Church, whither they fled for Shelter, to implore the Aid of St. Katherine of Sienne; and ſome twenty in the Village. In Santa Croce, another Village, about one hundred of the Inhabitants periſh'd, the reſt having fled to the Fields without the Town. In the little Town of Giamontano, in the Quarter neareſt the River, about three hundred and fifty Perſons periſh'd, and about forty more. The Tower of Lacodia underwent near the ſame Fate; all the Houſes of Timber were overwhelmed by the Shake of the 11th, and in them about three hundred of the Inhabitants.
Jaci, a very big Town, was greatly ſhatter'd, eſpecially in the Fall of two Churches on the 9th, in the time of Divine Service. Many of the Houſes of the Town were overturn'd on the 11th, together with two Convents, particularly that of the Minimes, where was kept St. Peter's Net, in which he took that vaſt quantity of Fiſh mention'd in the Goſpel. By the Fall of the Houſes and Churches there periſhed in all above two thouſand People, more than half died by the Fall of the two Churches.
La-motta, a Village of about two hundred Inhabitants, famous for the Retirement of the Citizens of Palermo there in the Summer-time, was totally overturn'd on the 9th, a ſalt Pool ſucceeding in its Place.
Meſſina, a City of great Trade, lofty Buildings, and great Riches, felt the Shake on the 9th, and more than half the Inhabitants fled to the Fields; the reſt betook themſelves to their Devotions in the ſeveral Churches: the Archbiſhop ordered forty eight Hours of Prayer, and ſeveral Proceſſions, to appeaſe the Wrath of Heaven. On the 11th, twenty ſix Palaces were overturn'd, and many Timber-Houſes: every body expected immediate Death, and in vaſt Multitudes ran to the Cathedral, where the Archbiſhop of Meſſina preach'd, and ſaid Maſs, and there after gave Abſolution, as did all the Prieſts through the reſt of the City by the Archbiſhop's Command. After this every one made the beſt of the ways they could, to eſcape the common Danger, and betook themſelves to the Fields, where they were not out of Hazard, through the Violence of the Thunder, Lightning, and Rain, that continued three Days together: The Chappel of the Archbiſhop's Palace is overturn'd, moſt of the Churches ſhatter'd, but few People kill'd.
The Tide was higher on the 10th by three Foot than ever was known, and ſuch a violent Agitation of the Water, that ſeveral Ships and ſmaller Veſſels were drown'd all along the Coaſt of the Iſland, and ſome even in the Harbours.
In ſhort, a more aſtoniſhing, a more univerſal, or a more ſwift Deſtruction was never known. And Sicily that was one of the moſt beautiful, rich, and fruitful Iſlands in the World, is now an Heap of Rubbiſh, and a continued Deſolation. The Loſs of Money, Merchandize, Houſes, and Lands, may modeſtly be computed to ſix Millions of Ducats: And it will take an Age to repair the Damages it hath made. The number of Inhabitants periſh'd, may be ſafely reckon'd to an hundred and twenty thouſand Souls; and the bruiſed, and like to die, twenty thouſand more.
Of the Earthquake at Malta.
ALL the Account we have yet of the further Effects of this Earthquake, and the Extent of it to the Iſland of Malta, is in a Letter from thence, dated January 16. publiſh'd by Authority. On the 9th Inſtant about ten at Night happened here an Earthquake, and another on the 11th at three in the Afternoon: The laſt was ſo violent, and laſted ſo long, that every body thought this City would have been quite deſtroyed. The Roof of the Church of our Lady de Pelay was thrown down, with part of that of St. Laurence: The Church and College of the Jeſuits alſo ſuffered very much: but the Cathedral and the Church of la Guſmane received the greateſt Damage, and are ſo ruined, that they can hardly be repaired. Moſt of the Houſes are extremely ſhatter'd, and deſerted by the Inhabitants, who lie now in Grotto's, and under Tents in the Fields. The great Maſter of the Order was then abroad a hunting, and he and all his Company were in great Danger by the falling of a Mountain near them. We cannot yet tell the Particulars of the Loſs this Iſland hath ſuſtained, but only in general, that 'tis very great, and the Conſternation of the Inhabitants inexpreſſible, which hath received a new Addition by the ſad Accounts we have from Sicily, of the ſame Calamity that hath befallen their Iſland, in a more terrible manner.—Whereof I have given the moſt particular Account yet extant.
And now upon the Peruſal of this ſad Hiſtory, who that will conſider it as a Chriſtian, but may uſe the Pſalmiſt's Expreſſion, Pſal. 119.120. My Fleſh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgments?
GOD expects we ſhould be affected and awed by ſuch Providences.
Some Duties of Religion are always ſeaſonable, and of conſtant Obligation, that muſt mix with all our Actions, and be regarded in every ſtep of our daily Walk: There are others which the Providence of God doth particularly call us to, at one time more than at another: There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to rejoice: and every thing is beautiful in its Seaſon. Accordingly when God ariſeth to ſhake terribly the Earth, and puniſh the Inhabitants thereof for their Iniquities; when he girds on his Sword to ride his Circuit by national Judgments; when other Countries and People are made Examples and Warnings, and the growing Atheiſm and Profaneneſs amongſt us, may make us juſtly apprehend the like Severity; he expects that our Temper and Carriage ſhould ſomewhat correſpond and agree to his Works of Providence; that when the Lion roars, we ſhould tremble; when he ſtretches out his Hand, and ſhakes his glittering Sword, we ſhould obſerve it, and fear. He expects that we ſhould take the Warning he gives us, by the Calamities of others; that we ſhould lie in the Duſt, throw off our Ornaments, put on Sack-cloth, and prepare to meet him in the way of his Judgments.
We are many Ways obliged to this; in Conformity to the beſt Examples of holy Men in the like Caſe; and by our Love to God, and Duty to him, who is diſpleaſed, and provoked. Our Senſe of his Diſhonour, and due Apprehenſions of his Diſpleaſure, require this: Our Relation to thoſe Places and Perſons, who have been already made Examples of Divine Severity; our Love to our ſelves, and to our Brethren in this part of the World, who are yet preſerved, do all require this; and call upon us to be found in ſuch a Frame, as the Pſalmiſt here expreſſeth upon the like Occaſion, My Fleſh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgments.
In the former Verſe he endeavours to excite his Love to God, and reſolved Adherence to his Precepts, by the Conſideration of the Judgments executed on the Wicked; Thou putteſt away the Wicked of the Earth like Droſs, therefore I love thy Teſtimonies. And in this he makes another Improvement of ſuch Inſtances of Divine Juſtice, to awaken an holy Fear, and Awe of God, My Fleſh trembleth, &c.
An extraordinary Fear is often deſcribed in Scripture, as having this Effect of Trembling: Fear came upon me, and Trembling, which made all my Bones to ſhake, and the Hair of my Fleſh ſtood up, Job 4.14, 15. The like you have expreſs'd by the Prophet, upon God's Denunciation of Judgment; Hab. 3.16. When I heard this, my Belly trembled, my Lips quivered, Rottenneſs entred into my Bones, and I trembled in my Fleſh.
When God lifts up his Voice in threatning of Judgment, and roars like a Lion, ready to tear in pieces, Who will not fear? Amos 3.8. Or when he diſplays his Power, and manifeſts his Juſtice, and appears with terrible Majeſty, in the Execution of Judgment upon others; who that hears of it will not tremble before him, and be afraid of his Judgments?