The Practical Sabbatarian, Chapter 50
CHAP. L. Some Remarkables relating to the dreadful Fire of LONDON, which began on the Lords Day, Sept. 2. 1666.
THat God doth threaten the fiering of Cities for the pollution of his holy day, is clear and manifeſt from Scriptural atteſtation, and more eſpecially from that remarkable Text of Scripture, Jerem. 17. 27. the words of the Text are theſe, But if you will not hearken unto me, to hallow the Sabbath-day, and not to bear a burden, even entring in at the gates of Jeruſalem on the Sabbath-day, then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it ſhall devour the Palaces of Jeruſalem, and ſhall not be quenched. In this ſolemn Text, we have,
1. A ſpecification of the judgment, that God will puniſh Sabbath-pollution with, viz. Fire.
2. The ſpecification of the Object, that this fire ſhall fall Si violatur Sabbatum, vorabit ignis portas urbis (i. e) non extinguetur ignis donec conſumat totam urbem. Scimus tunc temporis babitos fuiſſe conventus in portis; Duc ſuerunt loca celeberrima, incenſum item fuit templum, & conſumpta domus fuerunt. Calv.upon, viz. A City, not a Village, a place of meanneſs and poverty, but a City, a place of ſtatelineſs and plenty, a City, a place of traffick and ſafety.
3. Here is the ſpecification of the City, Not every City neither, but Jeruſalem, the beſt of Cities; not the ſubordinate, but the Metropolitan City: It was not Tyberias a Maritime City, not Caeſarea Stratonis, a Garriſon City; not Tyre a merchandizing City; nay, not Samaria the chief City of the Kingdom of Iſrael, but Jeruſalem the Metropolis of ſtately Judah, which only was crowned with the honour of being called, the City of God, Pſal. 87. 3. Jeruſalem where Gods honour dwelt, Jeruſalem where Gods Temple ſtood, Jeruſalem the general Rendezvous of Worſhippers at ſet and ſolemn times; Jeruſalem whoſe fame was noiſed all the World over: yet God threatens this Jeruſalem, with f…re and flames for prophaning his Sabbath; and did God onelyonly threaten it? No, He fully executed his threats upon it, Jer. 39. 8. And the Chaldaeans burnt the Kings houſe, and the houſes of the people with fire, and brake down the walls of Jeruſalem. God did not onelyonly light and ſhake the Match in a threat, but ſhot off the Piece in tremendous execution; he lays Jeruſalem waſte, which would not hallow his holy Sabbath. And is not famous London the ſad counterpane of deſtroyed Jeruſalem? Englands Metropolis lies in its rubbiſh; fire hath taken hold of it and turned it into aſhes. What thoſe Chaldaeans were who brought the fire to conſume our Jeruſalem, it will not here be ſeaſonable to enquire; but it is moſt probable they came from Babylon, the Enemies of the Jewes from the literal, and our implacable Adverſaries from the myſtical Babylon. But did the ſame ſin which fier'd Jeruſalem, fire London? It may be anſwered, moſt viſibly, or elſe why was London fir'd on the Lords day? The time ſheweth the Treſpaſs. And ſurely one of Londons fouleſt ſcars, was the prophanation of Gods holy day. No ſin, eſpecially of later years, more generally and more impudently acted.
1. What playing of Children, the younger ſort, up and down the ſtreets? The playing of Children in the ſtreets in the week-day, is a ſymptom of proſperity; but on the Lords day, is an evidence of impiety.
2. What ſitting at the door of thoſe who ſhould find ſome thing divine and ſpiritual to exerciſe head and heart in? Zach. 8. 5. As if the Lords day was a day of leiſure, not of light; a day of fond recreation, and not of heavenly inſtruction: And how contrary to Abraham have Parents in London acted, which holy Patriarch would make his Children and Family to keep the wayes of the Lord? Gen. 18. 19.
3. And what charms of vain and frothy communication of old and young, men and women, upon Gods holy day? as if their tongues were ſet on fire of Hell, Jam. 3. 6. Perſons Peccatum quod alter incurrit operando, tuum facis obloquendo.not conſidering, that God hath not only confined our hands, that we muſt not work, but our tongues too, that we muſt not talk unprofitably on his own day, Iſa. 58. 13. But how have the Inhabitants of London left themſelves to the range of all manner of fooliſh and vain diſcourſe, and their communication like Noahs Ark hath taken in the unclean with Gen. 7. 2.the clean; and this chat muſt defile Gods day.
4. Let London remember the crouds in the fields upon the bleſſed Sabbath, which throngs of people have been like the ſpires of Graſs, or the leaves of the Trees which they came to behold, and all this to flatter corrupt and want …n ſenſe, and to waſte the moſt precious time of the moſt precious Sabbath: What Atheiſtical prophaneneſs is this, to be feeding the Eye with a proſpect, or pleaſing the Fancy Deus inambulat in animâ tanquam in tabernaculo ſuo, cùm ex memoriâ in intellectum tra…ſit, & inde in voluntatem, per actu… fidei, ſpei, & ch… ritatis; eſt enim anima ſancta quaſi templ…m, immò coel…m. Bernard.with a walk, when the immortal Soul cries out, Improve this time for my intereſt, or I periſh to eternity? O! that lazineſs and ſenſuality ſhould confound all reaſon and religion; What time wilt thou have for the gaining of a Chriſt, for the ſaving of a S…ul, if the Sabbath be trifled away? Is looking after the invaluable Soul, ſuch a deſpiſable and inconſiderable work, as that it may be ſo eaſily diſpenſed with? O Lord us vanity! This hath fir'd the beſt City in the World. And this idleneſs in the fields is not only before and after the ſolemn worſhip of God, but in the very ſeaſons of grace, as if ſenſua… delight would bid defiance to ſpiritual duty, and Gods ſervice muſt give way to mans froth and vanity; Goſpel truths muſt be laid aſide for ſecular walks, and heavenly Ordinances muſt be put off for empty recreations, which like the Tulip have no ſent in them, and like the walks they tr…, have no ſpirit or life in them.
5. And hath not this been the ſtain of London, that Ale-h…uſes have been filled with vain and frivolous Gueſts on Gods holy day; as if Bacchus had been the God they had only worſhipped, and the Cup of Intemperance did out-vie Pſal. 146. 13.the …u… …f Salvation.
6. Nay, may it not be ſuſpected, that the Stews have not been unfrequented on this holy Sabbath, and ſo Venus may be the Goddeſs of theſe debauched ſinners? VVe have had Libido mentem abſorbet, & corpus ſubjugat & corrumpit. Alap.our Chambers, not of Image…y, Ezek. 8. 12. but of Adultery, Rom. 13. 13. O the wantonneſs of the people on this bleſſed day! many, nay, too many are upon the merry pin, laughing, and jeſting, and diſporting themſelves one with another, as if the Sabbath was ſome jovial time ſet apart for ſome carnal triumph, and not the ſet ſolemnity for ſoul concernments.
7. Nay, hath not this day been ſpent with m…re ſ…n and prophaneneſs then any other day? Other dayes have been employed in honeſt labours, and in the ſweat of the b…ws; but this bleſſed day in diſhoneſt delights, and in the pleaſing of …ur luſts.
8. And what want of preparation for this holy day, the inhabitants of London toyling no part of the week with ſo much eagerneſs as on the Saturday night, when they ſhould Mark 15 42. Luke 23 54.be dreſſing themſelves to meet with the Brid…goom of their ſouls on his own day; in this falling below the Jews, who had their Paraſcheve, their preparation-day.
9. And ſhall this be caſt into the woful endictment; How guilty hath London been of profuſe furniture …f the table upon Gods holy day, as if men were determined to clog the ſenſe T…nta mal… non facit mare lonites ſuos tranſgre…iens, quam…m venter ſi …rp…a noſtrum ſuper…verit.that they might chain the ſoul, and ſo impede and hinder its freedom in holy duties, and make intemperance the mother of their devotion: Whence comes our ſleep and ſtupefaction in the worſhip of God on his own day, but from the fulneſs of the cup, and the exceſs of the table, when the wanton pala…e ſhall prevail more, then the ineſtimable and precious ſoul?
10. And oftentimes when the ſhop hath been ſhut, the work hath not been laid aſide on Gods day, but many have wrought in their callings as ſedulouſly, though more privately then upon other dayes; and too often the Artificer hath ſwayed more then the Chriſtian, and m…n under a pretence to keep the eighth, have made bold with the fourth Commandment.
And therefore whatever hand was uſed in Londons fire, it was Sabbath-guilt which threw the firſt fire-ball to turn it into flames. When Mount Sinai was on fire and ſmoaking, Exod. 19. 18.God was there, and that was the cauſe of the combuſtion; but when dear London was, on fire, guilt was there, nay, Sabbath-guilt, and this was the cauſe of its devaſtation and retine.
Now ye have ſeen the dart, let us ſearch the wound. And was not Londons fire remarkable? Surely never any judgement was ſharpned with more mournfull circumſtances: The handwriting againſt the City, was like the hand-writing of the Dan. 5. 5.Wall, mentioned in the beginning of the 5th of Daniel, we may ſee every finger diſtinctly. But more eſpecially let us glance at theſe more dreadful remarkables, the ſeveral evidences of divine wrath and diſpleaſure.
By Londons fire, the beauty and the ſplendour of England was defaced. How deformed is the body without the head? And was not London the head of England, as Damaſcus of A Hieruſalem plaga dei incipit, tum quia illa cognoſcens et colens deum, plus caeteris gentibus peccavit, tum quia caeteris ſtatuitur in exemplum, ut ex eâ ſuum quiſ que plagam metiatur, ſimilem que expectet. Alap.Syria? Iſa. 7. 8. Nay, London was not only the head of England, but of the three Nations, the two chief Cities of Scotland and Ireland eaſily yielding to the Glory and Renown of London. What the face is to the body, that London was to England, the beauty and the lovelineſs of it; Londons glory was the ſweet complexion of the Land, which made ſtrangers and forreigners fall in love with it. But now God hath given a ſcar to Englands face, and that muſt needs be a great blemiſh. Look upon England as Rich, and London was the Exchequer of it, the Mine to feed that Exchequer. Look upon England as Potent, London was the Arſenal of it; and the Tower was not ſo much an Honourable Priſon, as a well furniſhed Armoury for all military proviſions. London was a City which could raiſe an Army, and pay it when it had done: This Glorious City was the ſword and the ſinnews of war, the very right hand of all publick undertakings. But now we are as Samſon with his hair cut off, enfeebled for want of ſtrength: Now England is like the Sichemites, Gen. 34. 25. unfit for any invaſion. Our ſtrength is fallen, Lam. 1. 14. The Head of England is made bald, both of ſtrength and ornament. London, the Crown of England hath loſt its Jewels of wealth and beauty. Now London is rowling in its aſhes, and we may write Ichabod upon poor deſpicable England. If our Father ſpit in our face, ſaith God to Moſes, ought we not to be aſhamed ſeven dayes? Numb. 12. 14. Ah! God hath ſpit fire into the face of England: London, like Job lies on its dung-hill, Job 2. 8. and with the afflicted Jews, Eſth. 4. 3. makes its abode in its aſhes. From the Daughter of Zion beauty is departed, Lam. 1. 6. The honour of Renowned England is laid in the duſt.
In Londons fire is obſervable, the greatneſs of the wind at that time. The Lord ſeemed to prepare bellows to blow this fire, that it might not go out till it had accompliſhed its Execution. Winds they are the fan of Nature to cool and purge the Air, to maturate and ripen the Corn; but here God brought the winds out of his treaſury to ſcatter the flames of his indignation; they ſerved only to ſpeed our ruine, ſo that the helps of nature became the hurts of London. The fire Pſal. 18: 10.did ride upon the wings of the wind, that it might ſooner Luke 8. 25.come to its journeys end. The Apoſtle James ſpeaks of Chriſtus loquitur mari, et ventis, quia majeſtas dei habet abſolutum imperium in creaturas rationales, et irrationales. Par.fierce winds, Jam. 3. 6. And ſuch were theſe to ſcatter the fire, and ſo make the deſtruction Epidemical. He that commands the winds, now gave them a Commiſſion in wrath, for the purpoſes of his ſevere vengeance; the winds indeed were high, and that raiſed the ſtorm, which ſhipwrackt famous and renowned London.
It was very remarkable, That the ſeaſon ſhould be ſo hot and dry at the time of this fire; God ſeemed to make the houſes of the City like tinder, before he ſtruck fire, that it might be ſure to take: and that intemperate heat, as it fitted our dwellings for ſudden waſte, ſo it dried up the ſprings, inſomuch Ʋt ſ…lis venuſtas, & gloria d…pingatur, ſolem, Jovis oculum appellavit antiquitas.that little water could be had, where uſually there was the greateſt plenty. This parching ſeaſon fought againſt London with a two-edged ſword; it prepared the houſes for fuel, and it kept back the remedy, thoſe needfull ſtreams which ſhould have grapled with this devouring fire. This is worthy Macrob.our obſervation, In the time of our need we have a burning ſun, inſtead of a moiſtning ſhowre. That Sun which rules the day, guilds the world, guides man, and fructifies the earth, was an an open enemy to London; ſo that we may ſay, that when London was on fire, it was not a pleaſant Eccleſ. 11. 7.thing to behold the ſun. That glorious luminary, in which at other times we ſee the glory of God, Pſal. 19. 4, at this time Pſal. 19. … ▪we might ſee the wrath of God.
That which was obſervable in Londons fire was, That the wa…e…-houſe which ſerved much of the City with water, was on… of the firſt things which was ſet on fire. O tremendous wrath! Our help was removed, that our hurt might be amplified. God betimes, in the very firſt commencing of this O lachryma h…mi…is, …a eſt potentia, ſi ſola intres non r…libis va…u…, … vincis invi…cibilem, et lig…s omnipoten…e…, et filium v…ginis incli…as in miſericordiam. Juſt.judgement took away our relief: We had nothing to quench our flames, but our tears, and if they before had been ſeaſonably poured forth, happily the firſt flames had been prevented. When God was highly incenſed againſt Iſrael, he took away their weapons, they muſt go down to the Philiſtines to ſhar…en … Coulter, 1 Sam. 13. 20. They had enemies to aſſault, but no ſwords to defend. And in this judgement God took away our remedy, we had fire to devoure, but no water to quench; the Lord threw fire upon our houſes, and he broke our Buckets. We may read Gods heavy diſpleaſure in the very preface of this judgement. The fire licked up our 1 Kings 18. 38.water, as in Elijahs ſacrifice, but with this difference, that was a ſign of Gods favour, but this the token of his wrath. God ſtrip… us as ſoon as he ſtruck us, and took away our defence, that his judgement might fall with the greater force.
The infatuation of the people in not being induſtrious to quench the fire was moſt remarkable. When formerly fire ſeized upon the City, every one was an inſtrument to ſuppreſs it, and every paſſenger an Engine to quench it; there was labour in the hand, and meltings in the heart of every perſon, to put a ſtop to the devouring flames. But in this tremendous fire, the queſtion of the Angel to the Diſciples was very ſeaſonable, Acts 1. 12. Why ſtand ye gazing? The feebleneſs of a Samſon when he had loſt his hair, the diſtraction Judg 16. 19. Dan. 5. 6, 7. Acts 24. 25.of a Belſhazzar when he had loſt his wits, and the trembling of a Foelix when he had loſt his deſign, ſeized upon the inhabitants of London; their frights were great, but their help was ſmall, and they knew better how to weep, then to work. Magiſtrates themſelves were wrapt up in confuſion, and their Authority did only accent their miſery, that they ſhould bear rule in Londons calamity. And it is not to be overpaſſed, that every one was more induſtrious to ſave his goods, then his City, his particular intereſt, then the publick concernment, as if every Cabin was not concerned in the whole ſhip. And it is worth our nothing, that blowing up of houſes that effectual means of preſervation, was either hid or gainſaid until it was too late, and then we found out the remedy, when the diſeaſe had killed us.
Our flames were at the higheſt in the ſame monethmonth, when the Plague was at the higheſt. viz. Doleful September. The Jews had their black dayes, Zach. 8. 19. for the taking of their City, for the burning of their Temple, &c. And London hath its black monethmonth. In this we are more unhappy then the Jews, they had a monethmonth to celebrate their delivery from Egyptian bondage, Exod. 12. 2. viz. their joyful Niſan: We have our monethmonth too, but it is to bemoan the loſs of Englands glory, our ſorrowful September. Surely there is ſome myſtery in Providence, that the Plague and the Niſan quod … eſt Xonticus, menſis primus in feſtis Jud…icis eſt ordinatus, …òd per hunc Hebraeos ex Egypto …uxit deus J…hovah, hic meaſis imtium …cebat … Aequino…i…. Joſeph▪Fire of London ſhould meet in the ſame monethmonth. Is it becauſe God would give London but one full year for repentance? Or that the latter judgment falling in the ſame monethmonth, ſhould be a ſharp remembrance of the former? Or was it, that both the judgments falling in Sept. ſhould prognoſticate that England ſhould be in the fall of the leaf? However, the circumſtance of time is a ſignificant aſt…risk to point out Gods moſt critical wrath, and to alarm our ſeaſonable and ſpee…y repentance. O fatal Autumn (to uſe the Prophets words) when the ſpoiler fell upon our fruitful vintage and inheritance, Jer. 48 32.
That this dreadful fire ſhould fall out in the year 1666. is not to be pretermitted. The year, according to the computation of moſt men, of the Chriſtians Jubilee; the expectations of many were then upon the wing, and not a few were upon their watch-tower, not only ſupplicating, but confidently H…b. 2. 1.expecting ſome glorious thing to be brought to paſs in the world. Some Prophetick ſpirits did peremptorily foretell, either that the Turks half-moon ſhould be in the ecclipſe, or elſe that the Popes triple crown ſhould totter and fall; they waited to hear that Mecha… was ſubverted, or Rome deſtroyed, not dreading, no not in a thought, that London ſhould be burned: Moſt men ſeemed to behold Providence in travel, and they looked for ſome glorious Birth. But in this, Vox populi non fuit vox Dei, The voice of the people was not the voice of God. Our ſtorm fell, when moſt looked for a fair day; ſo that we may take up the moan of the Prophet, Jer. 8. 15. We looked for peace, but no good came, and for a time of health, and behold trouble. And with Jephtah his Daughter, Judg. 11. 37, 38. we may bewail, as ſhe her Virginity, ſo we our Londons glory, now ſacrificed to the flames, and made a Burnt offering to appeaſe the wrath (as moſt ſay) of a Popiſh Conclave.
This tremendous fire fell not upon Sodom, but upon Hieruſalem, where there were many believing Abrahams, righteous Lots, patient Jobs, praying Daniels, and weeping Ezraes. London was an Empory of Religion, as well as of Merchandiſe; and there did Chriſt feed his flocks at noon, Cant. 1. 7. with his warmeſt love, and his greateſt light. Cant. 1. 7.London was the Goſhen of the Church, where the Goſpel Sun ſhone in its greateſt vigour. Here were living Temples of God, ſurpaſſing the beauty of the temple of the old Jeruſalem, where Grace, not Art, was moſt viſible and obſervable. In London there was a Bourſe of ſpiritual merchants; a City it was, bleſſed with the beſt of Miniſters, and the moſt refined Profeſſors; and it was the Center of holy Reformation: yet London was laid in aſhes: Divine Providence ſeemed to go out of its wonted courſe of ſweetneſs and mercy, to pour wrath and contempt upon this lovely Theatre of Piety. Here were ten righteous perſons, nay thouſands, nay (without doubt) ten thouſands, yet the hand of the Lord was ſtretched out to deſtroy London. In this judgment the Axe was laid to the root of the tree, Mat. 3. 10. And God did ſhoot his ſharpeſt arrows againſt the green tree; and what will he do to the dry? Now judgment began at the houſe of God, 1 Pet. 4. 17. This was the emphaſis of Judgment; the Luke 23 31.beſt City in the world for ſerious Chriſtians, for practical godlineſs, was buried in its rubbiſh. But may not Chriſts moan be here mentioned, Mat. 23. 37. O Hieruſalem, Hieruſalem, 2 Chron. 36. 16. Jer. 10. 25.which killeſt the Prophets, and ſtoneſt them who are ſent unto thee, behold your houſe is left unto you deſolate. The firſt on the 24th. of Auguſt, and the other on the 2d. of September.There were too many chaſed away the Prophets, and then London became deſolate. Nay note, on a Sabbath the publick liberty of the faithful Miniſters of London was terminated and came to an end; and on a Sabbath London was burned.
This fire of London was an unparallel'd judgment; no age hath produced the like conſlagration; never ſo great a Jer. 19. 3.a flame from ſo ſmall a ſpark; the firing of an Houſe proved the burning of a City. Here were no ſieges of an enraged One wave of wrath upon the neck of another. Jer. 39. 8. Nebuchadnezzar ſubvertit domos vulgares, aut potius domos vulgi, fuit etiam domus publica, in quâ cele…rabantur publicae nuptiae, convivia, jaculationes, &c. Adricom.enemy, no throwing of Granadoes, whoſe very noiſe proclaim death and ruine. Jeruſalem was ſet on fire, but it was firſt by the puiſſant hand of Nebuchadnezzar, and afterwards by the power of Titus the Roman. Rome was ſet on fire, but it was by the hand of a Valiant, though barbarous Genſericus the Vandal. Perſepolis was ſet on fire, but it was by the hand of an infatuated Alexander. But London is in flames by an inviſible hand, whether from Heaven by the hand of God, or from Hell by the hand of ſome curſed Jeſuit, is not ſo clearly diſcovered, but time may uncaſe the myſtery, Sed adhuc ſub judice lis eſt. Moſt probable it is, there was never ſuch a fire in the world, all circumſtances being conſidered.
Let us look upon the diſpatch of this fire. Sometimes a whole ſtreet burnt within leſs then an hour; nay, it is to be marked with a Selah of obſervation, that there were burned within the walls of the City eighty one Pariſhes, beſides divers of thoſe ſixteen remaining, mutilated and exceedingly maimed, a conſiderable part of them being conſumed; and then we may conſider, that the raging flames were not pent up within the walls, but brake forth into the Suburbs, and conſumed wholly St. Brides Pariſh, an ample and large pariſh without the walls, and deſtroyed a great part of St. Sepulchers pariſh, which pariſh alone before the fire, might equalize, if not exceed any one of divers Cities in the Nation: So that if now we ſhall compute divine wrath, we ſhall find that there was a whole pariſh conſumed for every hour the fire laſted, and more then 13000. houſes were deſtroyed in the whole. Thus ſpeedy and ſevere were theſe inexorable flames.
Let us look upon the fierceneſs of this fire: Stone was no Bulwark againſt it, and-Brick was no rampart, every thing was combuſtible before it, and became fuel to gratifie its inſatiable rage; nay, thoſe pieces of Architecture which could have endured the bullet, could not endure the flames. This fire being like Time, which devoures all before it.Tempus edax rerum.
Let us look upon the triumphs of this fire, it flamed maugre all oppoſition, and defied the auxiliary help of hand or engine; Mans ſweat and toil only made its way, could not ſuppreſs its force; and houſes when pluckt down made the flame to ſtoop, but not to expire.
Let us look upon the deſtructiveneſs of this fire; Drugs could not heal it, nor ſpices ſweeten it, nor gold bribe it, nor toil quench it, nor the ſtatelineſs of any building Court it, nor the uſefulneſs of any ſtructure ſtop or delay its miſchievous procedures. Silver melted by its heat, as well as inferiour metals; and the rubbiſh was a grave for gold, as well as for lumber, and the moſt pedantique chattels.
Let us look upon the duration of this fire: It laſted full four dayes, as if all the four Elements met in its rage, or all the four Winds contributed to its violence, or as if all the four quarters of the City ſhould be equal and level in their lòſs and impoveriſhment. And as Lazarus lay dead, John. 11. 17. So London lay dying four dayes together.
And no fire in former Ages could run parallel with this If we conſider the time when it begun: It was firſt kindled, on the bleſſed day of God, and early in the morning too, as Mark 16. 2, 6.Chriſt roſe from his grave. Our fear fell on the Sabbath day, Mat. 24. 20. That day which ſhould have been filled with joyes, and praiſes, and heavenly celebrations, was filled with tears, and tremblings, and unſpeakable frights, with Rev. 1. 10.bedewed cheeks, amazed ſpirits, with fainting hearts, and fallen countenances. This Sabbath was covered with black, and was a countermand to that ſweet prophecy, Pſal. 118. 24. here was no rejoycing of hearts, but wringing of hands, the emblems of ſorrow and confuſion.
An unparallel'd fire it was, If we conſider the good things it conſumed, beyond all Arithmetick or Inventory: So great was the loſs cauſed by this fire, that many ages cannot recruit, what a few dayes ſubverted and deſtroyed.
And here we may take notice of the waſte and the ſpoil, that this fire made. In ſome places of this fired City, we Opes inſtabiles & caducae ſunt, & minimo vento, belli fl…mmâ, i…u naufragii, caſu furti, & cujuſlibet mutationis rerum humanarum ſtatu pereunt et difflantur.might ſee the richeſt wines licked up, which now could neither refreſh the heart of the ſorrowful, nor yet gratifie the exceſſes of the intemperate. In other parts of the City we might diſcern the oils ſwimming up and down the ſtreets, and that promiſe mentioned, Deut. 7. 13. fully inverted, The Lord now curſed both our wine and our oil. Now the oils made not our medicine, but our miſery, not our faces to ſhine, but our eyes to weep. Our rich houſhold ſtuff, invaluable wares, rare apparel, ſtuffed coffers, crammed bags, were ſpeedily and unavoidably turned into aſhes. How many Pſal 104. 15.precious Drugs and Odoriferous ſpices, made London a burnt ſacrifice, and went up in flames as ſo much incenſe, but not to appeaſe, but evidence Gods wrath. How many wholſome Medicines, powerful Antidotes, rich Cordials, rare compounds of the Apothecary ſerved only the fury of this fire, not to heal, but to heat it, and to turn it into a more violent flame. The riches of the ware-houſe, and the braveries Sard mapalus victus in Regiam ſe recepit, et extractâ, incenſâ que pyrâ, et ſa, et divitias ſuas in incendium mittit, hoc ſolo imit…tus virum. Juſtin.of the ſhop, the wealth of the coffer, and the beauty of the houſe, nay, the accurateneſs of the ſtructure did only ſupply theſe devouring flames. And as Sardanapalus made up his pile, and ſo burnt up himſelf and the pile together; ſo a great part of Londons wealth was conſumed, as in one common pile and heap. Here all forraign commodities met in the ſame waſte; nor were the Spaniſh wines too ſweet, nor the French linnens too fine, nor the Flanders Arras too rich, nor the Italian ſilks too ſoft, nor the Perſian Carpets too noble to be burned and conſumed. This tremendous fire did not only ſpoil London, but rob the creation. This noble City being the Mart where the riches of all Nations were braught: But the loſſes of London in this fire, are fitter for tears then deſcription.
And what loſs befell learning in this prodigious and deſtructive fire? Learning it is the eye of the world, the ſublimation Ars non habet inimicum, praeter ignorantem.of reaſon, the hand-maid of grace, and knows no adverſary but purblind ignorance; and no wonder if Beauty be not careſſed by a blind perſon. This admired learning, the glory of the old Philoſophers, the light and happineſs of later times, ſuffered an inexpreſſible loſs in this ſtupendious fire. Now learned Volumes which were brought forth by the acute pains and ſharp travels of the Authors, which coſt ſo much expence of time, and ſo much waſte of ſtrength, only gratified the rage of this mercyleſs Element of fire. The Libri curae ſunt etiam Paulo ipſi inſigniſſimo Apoſtolo, et ideò afferri jubet, et libros, et membranas, libros vetuſtiora volumina ab aliis conſcripta, membranas, co…ices recentio…s à ſeipſo conſcriptos. Alap.ſtores of the diligent Stationer, and the learned piles of the curious ſtudent, were martyred in theſe flames. In this flaming conqueſt fell many rare Authors in ſeveral Languages, in all Arts and ſciences, many admirable Tracts and Treatiſes of Theology, which is the ſoul of learning, and animates all other literature. In this rout fell the Fathers, who led the Van, the Schoolmen which were in the main body, and the Modern Divines, who brought up the Rear, and all theſe were arreſted by the flames, without bail or main-prize. The Popes pretence to the temporal and ſpiritual Sword, could not reſcue Pontifician writers, nor the Proteſtant priviledge of having truth on their ſide, could not prevail for ſaving their uſeful and learned Tracts from devouring burnings. One argument of fire anſwered all popiſh cavils and Pr…eſtant pleas. How many learned ſyſtems of Phyſick, Tamdiu diſcendum eſt nobis, quamdiu vivendum. Solon.Philoſophy, Law, Hiſtory, Mathematicks, beſides many precious Manuſcripts (till then preſerved, like ſo many leaves of the Sybils) were bu…yed in the ruine of London. The Polyglotte Bible, though ſpeaking in ſo many languages, yet could be underſtood in no…, nor be heard to obtain quarter from this fie…y ſlaughter. Quis …aliafando temperet à lachrymis? Who can be called off from pouring out water, as the Iſraelites at Mizpeh? Nay, the ſacred Scriptures eſcaped 1 Sam 7. 6.not this ruinous deſolation: Bibles were burned, though Mat. 5. 18.not an Iota of Gods word ſhall fall to the ground. Surely Jeſuitical rage and malice may be here eaſily diſcerned; though behind the curtain, and our bodies and Bibles were principally aimed at in this diabolical ſhot; and not unlikely, but he who plundred the Library at Heidelberg, envyed, and happily now hath martyred the Books at London. But Rom. 2. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 10.theſe ſecrets ſhall be canvaſſed and judged in the day, when we ſhall all appear before the tribunal of Jeſus Chriſt. But might it not here be expoſtulated, as once Abraham, Will Gen. 18. 23.the Lord deſtroy the righteous with the wicked? If wanton Poems, idle Romances, prophane Comedies, lying Legends, heretical Treatiſes, ſcandalous and pernicious Pamphlets, if theſe ſhall make a Bone-fire; yet muſt learned Commentaries, practical Tracts, ſelect Sermons, nay, bleſſed and heavenly Bibles be expoſed to the flames? Surely this was the emblem of the extreameſt wrath: For what is the conſequence of this Book martyrdom, but the putting out of one of the eyes of Religion, and to taſte of the ſeverity of that threat, the ſword: ſaith the Prophet, Zach. 11. 17. ſo we may ſay, The fire hath been upon our right eye. But in a word, we have loſt many precious treaſures in holy and good books in this prodigious fire; we have now four left to ſtudy.
1. The Book of the Creatures.
2. The Book of Providence.
3. The Book of the Scriptures.Pſal. 1. 2.
4. The Book of our own hearts. And in theſe ſtudies let us take up our delight, and let them be our meditation day and night.
And that which is very remarkable: The firing of London was not confined to the City, but the ſparks flew abroad, and ſcorched the whole Nation. Who had any conſiderable intereſt in England, and none in London? more or leſs? As all Rivers run into the Sea, and all the lines of the circumference meet in the Center, ſo did the intereſts of the moſt eminent perſons in the whole Nation meet in London: who had not a ſhare in this great ſhip which is now blown up? If the Tenant loſt his Goods, the Landlord loſt his Houſe; and they who had no immediate or perſonal intereſt, yet had they not relations, Parents, Brethren, Children, &c. engaged in the common loſs? The wound in the head makes the whole body ſick, and this is moſt true in our deplorable caſe; Nay, the intereſt of all Nations had ſome ſhare in Londons loſs, the Factors ſuffered in the Merchants damage, and forraign correſpondents were not a little diſadvantaged by the ſufferings of their Traders and Employeés in this famous City; the intereſts of all varieties in England were tyed together, like the tails of Sampſons Foxes, and firebrands were put into the midſts of theſe tails, to burn up the Judg. 15. 4.fruits of Divine bleſſing, and the labours of our ſelves and Progenitors. This ſtroke of Londons fire, was not only given to the head, but to the heart of England, and put an eclipſe upon the glory of all intereſts.
Nor muſt the ſeaſon of this terrible fire be omitted, without a Selah, a note of obſervation: It was when we had few Friends at home, and many Enemies abroad; this fire was adding affliction to affliction: at the ſame time there was Lam. 1. 2.blood and ſlaughter abroad, when there was fire and flames at home. And no doubt but flaming London filled the inſultations Lam. 2. 13.of the Enemy; they, like Nero, were playing upon their muſical Inſtruments, when poor London was poſting Lam. 2. 2.to ruine: London had too much pride before the fire, and too little pity after it; ſhe might complain in the Lam 2. 16, 25.Churches language, Lam. 3. 14. She was a deriſion to the Inimici pleno oris, & gutturis victu devorant, & deglutire eccleſiam volunt. Orig.people, and their ſong all the day; and go on in her moans thus accented by the Prophet, Dan. 9. 12. God hath brought upon me a great evil, for under the whole Heaven hath not been done, as hath been done upon Jeruſalem. In this fire God ſtruck with both hands, with a forraign Sword, and a domeſtick flame: There was fear on our Coaſts, and fire in our Bowels; our Wound was open, and God pours, not ſuppling Oyl, or healing Balm, but corroding Vinegar into it; it was a ſign our Phyſician was angry.
And what vigorous interceſſions were made for London, both before and in the burning? What ſtrong cries were put up, that God would ſave dear London from Sword and fire? In the very heat of this Judgment, what wreſtlings with God for the abatement of it! and that in the midſt of judgment, Pſal. 101. 1.he would remember mercy! but God ſeemed here to take up his old reſolve, Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were Ezek. 14 14.in the City, they ſhould onelyonly deliver their own Souls by their Ezek. 14. 20.righteouſneſs; they ſhould not quench a flame, or ſave in houſe. O tremendous Judgment! Prayers could not divert the fire, nor Tears quench it: the flames were above our attempts, and the Lord was againſt our intreaties, he was Pſal. 80 4.now truly angry with our prayers, Pſal. 80. 4. When the Lord was ready to ſtrike Iſrael, prayers prevailed, and Moſes held his hand, Exod. 32. 14. And when the Angel was ready to ſtrike Jeruſalem, prayers prevailed, and God repents of the ſtroke, 2 Sam. 24. 16, 17. But no interceſſion can ſcreen London from the conſuming flames; but Divine vengeance rides triumphantly in the midſt of its ſpoyls, and Victories. The lifting up of hands could not prevent the falling down of houſes, but the Incenſe of Prayer was a vain and inſignificant Oblation, Iſa. 1. 13.
This dreadful fire blaſted London in all its varieties, it ſeized upon its Ornaments:
1. The Royal Exchange, which was matter of admiration to all, but eſpecially to ſtrangers. How many Forraigners, when they beheld this noble Structure, were ſtruck with amazement, As the Diſciples were in beholding the Temple, Mat. 24. 1, 2. In this famous Bourſe perſons met from all Exattempli fabrica, ab Herode, non ita pr…dem, nuro opere, et màximis ſumptibus exornata, et omnium oculos in ſe c…nvertebat, et intuentium animos in adm rationem raptebat. Ger.parts of the World; Spaniſh, French, Dutch, Portuguezes, nay, Turks, and others from the moſt remote parts of the Univerſe; here was the general Convention of Europe in their trafficking repreſentatives: As London was the glory of England, ſo the Exchange was the glory of London; Here were Factors for the Worlds commerce, here was the conflux of Trade and Merchandiſe, and it was full Sea every Noon: But this magnificent ſtructure is fallen into rubbiſh, and it is much to be ſuſpected, that it was over-laden with pride and fantaſticalneſs in the upper part of it, with craft and covetouſneſs in the middle part of it, with fraud and deceitfulneſs in the lower part of it; and therefore the Enſurance Office which was in it, could not enſure it from devouring Conſtabat ſtructura templi ex lapidibus candidis & fir…i…mi… m…gnitudine 25 c…bitoru… et 8 in al…. …. 12 in latitu…m. Joſ…phus.flames; And how did this flouriſhing Structure vaniſh on a ſudden, as if it had been only a bright apparition?
2. Another Ornament of the City, (not to mention thoſe which are inferiour, and ſo innumerable) was the Guild-hall; and this Structure fell in the common ruine: this noble pile of building, ſo ancient, ſo uſeful, ſo majeſtick, ſo unparallel'd, was founded about 360 years ago (as ſome compute it) and how was it laid waſte in one day! This magnificent Hall was a place of Judicature, the honourable Nun… ſ…g…s eſt ubi Treſt ſuit. Virg.reception of the Magiſtrates of the City, and no leſs than nine Courts ſate in it in their ſeaſons; no Building did make London look more like it ſelf, viz. The Metropolis of three Nations, then this ſtately None-ſuch: It was our Engliſh Capital; and that it could not be preſerved, ſpake our provocation high, and Gods indignation hot. But our Londons Exchequer is wholly impoveriſhed of its beauty, and it is buried in its ruinous and ſilent aſhes.
This dreadful fire ſeized upon the conveniencies of the City. The Halls which belonged to the ſeveral Companies, theſe were decent and convenient places for the ſeveral Societies to meet in; here ſtocks were reſerved for the poor of the ſame Companies, and ſo ſeaſonable, and comfortable ſuccours were carefully provided to ſupply the decays which were incident to each Society in their ſeveral members. Many of theſe Halls were famous and eminent Structures, not to be parallel'd in any Nation: and here the ſeveral Societies Proprium eſt charitatis efficere, ut in ex…cendis offici is v…rtutum quatum cun que voluntarie, promtè, et del…ctabiliter operemur. Aquin.met to preſerve Love and Amity among themſelves; but this deſtructive fire levell'd theſe beauteous Buildings into rubbiſh and aſhes; and ſo the Lord in this Judgment, did not onelyonly blaſt the beauty, and ecclipſe the glory, but melt the cement and ſolder of London, and ſo untwiſt our ſocieties by deſtroying the places of their Convention. Now our Companies are ſcattered, and know not the places of their Courts or Feſtivals.
3. A rare conveniency of this City was the famous Sion Colledge, the eminent receptacle of Divines, where the Students Charitas eſt vinculum, quod conſtringit, & conjungit …es et perſonas diverſas inter ſe. Daven.had their Chambers, the Scholars had their Books, and the poor had their bread. This ſtately Edifice containing within the circuit of it, ſeveral Alms-houſes for the poor of both Sexes, the priviledge of a richly fraught Library, was in a few hours buried in its ruines. Indeed this was a place of ſuch Renown, that many were pleaſed to call London, the third Ʋniverſity of England. Here the Muſes, and the Graces dwelt together: and here Doctor White the Two eminent Divines.worthy Founder of, and Mr. Simpſon a bountiful Benefactor to this lovely Edifice, left their renowned Names to be venerated to Poſterity. But this inexorable fire had no pity upon the cries of the indigent Alms-folks, nor any reſpect to the pleaſing retirements of the induſtrious Student: Nor would it ſpare that rich Cabinet of Learning, the beautiful Library; nay the Chains by which the Books were fettered to the places, could not keep the multitudes of them from running into aſhes; but learned, and ſo precious leaves were blown down to deſtruction.
Nay this devouring fire attached the neceſſaries of the City:
1. The ſeveral Priſons, which bound Malefactors to their good behaviour, and pinioned them from rapine and violence: Apud omnes gentes carceres horridi longam mortem praeferebant, et apud Athenas Barathrum dicti fuerunt; et uſitatiſſimè ergaſtulum nuncupati ſunt, quia carcere vincti operari, et penſum perſolvere debebant. Alap. in Jer.This fire made the Saint weep, and the Thief rejoyce, expecting his Chains to be looſned and taken off, not by the File, but the flame; Theſe Cages of unclean Birds were opened, not by the innocency of the Priſoner, but by the indignation of the Almighty. We had taken our range in ſin, and God ſeemed to ſay, Let ſin take its range: God in this fire ſeemed to pierce Doves, and leave Vultures to the prey. Newgate, that colder Hell, was now opened; and Bridewel, that lenitive of the heat of luſt, was now broken up; the Debtors in Ludgate now paid their Debts, not by compoſition, but by conflagration; the death of London, not of themſelves, paid their Debts. And the two Counters where the Miſcellany of vice uſed to meet, gave up their dead in a fright from an approaching flame. Nay the Seſſions-houſe, that ſolemn Seat of Juſtice, and unbyaſſed Righteouſneſs, where ſin and villany received their juſt and due ſentence of condemnation, was turned into aſhes; That God ſeemed to ſpit in the face of our very Juſtice, as deſpiſing our Righteouſneſs; Our diſobedience to himſelf making him neglect our ſeverities to others: That God made a Goal-delivery not in love, but in wrath.
This prodigious fire ſeized upon the Sanctuaries of the City. Thoſe Reverend Structures, wherein many fervent prayers Inter judaeos oppidatim ſynagogae erant, in quibus Moſes et Prophetae per ſingula ſabbata perlegebantur. Acts 15. 21. Quin ergo in Eccleſia, omnia decentèr fie…i, et ſecundum ordinem, idcircò nec Chriſtus hunc ordinem turbare voluit, ſed doctrinam ſuam propoſuit in ſynagogis. Chemnit.have been offered up to God, many religious aſſemblies have been convened for holy worſhip, wherein many excellent and ſoul-converting Sermons have been preached and delivered; theſe ſolemn places of the holy congregation are now turned into a ruinous heap; ſo that now we may ſpeak in the Pſalmiſts language, Pſal. 74. 8. This fire hath burnt up almoſt all the Synagogues of God in the City: And ſurely whatever ſcorn many caſt upon theſe places called Churches, the uſual retirements of the Saints on Gods bleſſed day, to meet with their beloved; theſe being folded up in ruine, put an emphaſis upon divine diſpleaſure, the faithfull Miniſters of Chriſt never refuſing thoſe decent conveniencies to break the bread of life in: But our comly places for our ſacred aſſemblies are dropt into confuſion, and now there is no difference between the Pew and the Pulpit.
This dreadfull fire ſeized upon the Nurſeries of our City:
1. The Nurſeries of Charity, our Hoſpitals: the Renowned Chriſt-Church fell at this ſtrok, the worthy benefaction of our Engliſh Joſiah, the Excellent Edward the ſixth. Here Deus eſt herus noſter, nos coloni ejus; pauperes ager dei ſunt, ſemen eleemoſyna, quae fructificat uſ que ad Praemii meſſem. Alap.the Children of indigent Parents had cloaths for their backs, bread for their bellies, learning for their minds, and carefull Governours undertook, not onelyonly a pious but a parental charge. Rare was the contrivance, and quick the ſpring of this eminent and ſtupendous piece of charity. When poor Parents, which laboured under the affliction of dry breaſts, could bring their Children to Chriſt-Church Hoſpital, and then they were fully provided for, and lay not only in the boſome of a careful Governour, but oftentimes they fell into the lap of the Muſes, and many of them in their ſeaſons changed an Hoſpital for an Ʋniverſitie: But this famous John 5 2.Hoſpital for the moſt part is conſumed; this pool of Betheſda is in a great meaſure dryed up; and this Jonah's guord is withered, which kept many from the ſcorching of extreme poverty. Now we may take up that complaint of Jonah 4. 7.our Saviour, The Foxes have holes, and the Birds of the air have neſts, Mat. 8. 20. but the poor Hoſpital boyes have not where to lay their head, for their uſual neſt is burnt.
2. The Nurſeries of Learning fell in theſe flames. This fire Juli…nus Apoſtata Templa Gentilium aperuit, & Scholas Chriſtianorum clauſit; et dec…evit ut nulli Chriſtianorum liceret, aut ad …tes et ſcien… ſe ap…licarent, aut Scholas literarias intrarent. Pedr. de Mexia in Hiſtor. Imperial.of London, like the perſecution of the Apoſtate Julian, ſhut up our School doors; it deſtroyed the famous Merchant Taylours School, Pauls School, Mercers Chappel, and the School in Chriſt Church, thoſe Seminaries of earlier, and rudimental learning. By this fire, there was a Croſs went before our Alphabet. Religion and Learning are as the Sun and the Moon, the light and brightneſs of every place; but now the Cages are broken, and the young Birds are flown away: The younger Schollers have loſt their Schools, and the elder their Books. Schools are the Gardens where the tender Plants grow; and from them, the moſt profound Miniſters who watch over our ſouls, the beſt read Lawyers who defend our Eſtates, the ableſt Phyſicians who conſult the weal of our bodies, all receive their firſt rudiments: The faireſt Plants once grew in theſe Nurſeries of polite and profitable learning; and hence the deepeſt Schollars had their praeliminary knowledge. But theſe uſefull Structures are now rowled up in deſtruction; theſe Ʋniverſities initial are laid in aſhes; and now there is no difference between the Maſters desk and the Schoolars Forme. The breaſts of the Muſes which fed young and infantile Schollars, are now made dry by this deſolating judgement.
The fire ſeized upon the fences of the City. Now the gates of Zion mourn, Lam. 1. 4. And London feels the dint of Portae ſerviunt 1. Ad ſpeciem, et decorem. 2. Ad munimen, unde erunt altae, et munitae. 3. Ad Senatum et Judicia. 4. Ad omnem populi panegyrin et conventum.Babylons threat, Jer. 51. 58. Her high places ſhall be burnt with fire. God in this judgement ſpoyled the City, not only of its beauty and ornament, but of its ſtrength and ſecurity; we have not our Gates to keep him in, or to keep an Enemy out. Thus God will not have us ſafe; but when we have made our ſelves naked by our ſin, he will keep us naked by his judgements; God hath ſhattered our Gates in pieces, which was the peculiar prerogative of a City; London now in a great meaſure hath loſt its Name: God hath fired the lock of our ſtrength, and London cannot ſhake her ſelf as at other times.Judg. 16. 20.
Laſtly, That which accents this judgement is, the hand of the Lord was in it; Not only mans head, but Gods hand; ſuppoſing the Jeſuite and the Papiſt were in the Conſpiracy, Iſa. 10. 5. Mali ſunt virga furoris dei, quia deus iis non utitur, niſi valdè iratus, & eorum manu et opere indignationem ſuam aſſequitur, et peccata iniquorum ulciſcitur.yet they were the Rod of Gods anger, or elſe who took away courage, ſpirit, life and activity from the Citizens at that time? who melted their ſpirits like water, that they were as a Dove without heart? Hoſ. 7. 11. Who cauſed the fire to burn againſt, as well as with the wind? Nay, who determined the place where the fire began, in the midſt of Pitch, Tar, Oyl, Hemp, Powder, and all provocations of flames and ruine? Let us then take it for granted, ſome perfidious Engineer of Rome hatcht the plot, yet it could never have been fledged, had not Gods indignation given wing unto it.
And beſides all this, we muſt attribute to God the Soveraignty, and the dominion over the fire, as well as other Elements and Creatures; and here let us a little conſider the influence God hath over the fire.
God he kindles the fire, Job 15. 34. He blows up the firſt ſpark. As wicked men are ſtubble to him, Iſa. 5. 24. ſo the whole world is as thatch, and he can when he pleaſeth ſet it Gen. 7. 23.all in a flame. He that drowned the world with water, he can eaſily conſume and deſtroy it by fire.
God inflames and increaſes the fire, Pſal. 18. 8. He creates the firſt ſparke, and then blows it into a flame. If Nebuchadnezzar Ezek. 21. 31. Ezek. 30. 8. Dan. 3 19. Ezek. 30 16.can heat the furnace ſeven times hotter then it was before, how much more can the great Jehovah enrage the conflagration, and turn the fire of a houſe or a hamlet into the fire of a City?
God terminates the fire. And he who ſaith to the proud waves, hitherto ſhall ye go and no further, ſpeaks the ſame Job 38. 11. Iſa. 29. 6. Ioel 1. 19.language to the devouring flames; the moſt raging and triumphant fire ſhall not exceed its limited Commiſſion.
God divideth the fire, Pſal. 29. 7. That it ſhall burn this way, and not another; Gods pity can ſoften the beam, and his wrath can ſear the rafter, that the fire ſhall not catch the Pſal. 29. 7.one, but ſeize upon the other; the fire only ſeizeth upon thoſe precincts which God hath deſigned to the flames.
God makes the fire deſtructive, Ezek. 15. 7. It ſhall burn and conſume, and there ſhall be no remedy; the paſſion and heat of the fire is from the anger of the Lord. That the fire Ezek. 15 7.is mercileſs, is becauſe God is full of indignation.
And God can make the fire beneficial; that it ſhall not rage but relieve, and that it ſhall warm and not deſtroy; he makes Exod. 13. 21▪ Dan. 3 25. Hoſ. 11. 8. Numb. 11. 33.the fire to purge, and not to puniſh. Thus the Pillar of fire was Iſraels guide, and the fiery furnace the three Childrens Arboret; his repentings can kindle, as well as his wrath: and he can be a wall of fire about us for our ſecurity, as well as ſend a judgement of fire among us for our calamity.
God amplifies the fire, and makes it not only a domeſtical, but a popular and national judgement; the ſpreading of the Ezek. 30. 14. Amos 3. 6.fire for general loſs and epidemical ruine, is from, and onelyonly from the Lord; the Village is ſet on fire, and the City by the ſame hand. Man in his moſt extreme malice ſhoots with wet powder, if God counter-mand, but his anger makes effectual every deſtructive deſign.
God permits the fire, Jer. 39. 8. He ſuffers an inſolent Enemy, or a perfidious miſereant to turn Cities or Houſes into flames. The Souldiers fire-brand, by which was fired the famous Temple of Hieruſalem, was commiſſionated by a divine command. And God reſtrained Popiſh cruelty which was nouriſhed and evidenced in the Gunpower Treaſon.
God can ſtop the fire, Dan. 3. 27. and alter the very nature of it. The flames ſhall not be our ſcourg…, but our ſhelter, and become our walk, and not our woe.
God can make uſe of the fire, as his particular inſtrument to afflict a ſinfull Nation or City, Amos 7. 4. And thus he did to London. Whatever miſcreant made the ball, God threw Zach. 1. 18.the fire, and turned this famous, but ſinfull City, into aſhes. This then is the ſharpneſs of this judgement; the hope of Iſrael, and the Saviour thereof, Jer. 14. 8. hath laid London waſte, and to accent his wrath, he did it upon his own bleſſed Ier. 14. 8.day; and will you know the reaſon, it was ſuggeſted in the beginning of the Chapter: We made light of his Sabbath by our vanity, looſneſs and prophaneneſs, and God hath ſet a mark upon it, by firing on this day one of the beſt Cities in the world: We forgot his Memento by which he prefaces and begins his Commandment for the Sabbath; and therefore Exod 20. 8.we ſhall feel his Memorandum even unto future Generations.