Echos from the Sixth Trumpet, Title page – Preface
ECCHOES FROM THE SIXTH TRUMPET. Reverberated by A Review of Neglected Remembrances: Abreviating Precautions and Predictions heretofore publiſhed at ſeveral Times, upon ſundry Occaſions, to forewarn what the future Effects of Divine Juſtice would be, as ſoon as our Sinnes were full ripe, if not prevented by timely Repentance.
Moſt part of the Predictions have been already ſeen or heard verified, both by the Author yet living, and by many others, who obſerved at what Times, in what manner, upon what Perſons, and in what Places they were literally or Myſtically fulfilled.
Collected out of the ſaid Authors Printed Books, who conſcienciouſly obſerved on what Divine Propheſies the ſaid Predictions were grounded; as alſo GOD's late frequent intermixture of Judgments and Mercies, to reclaim this Generation.
The Firſt Part.
Matth. 13. 52.
Every Scribe which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a Houſholder, who bringeth out of his Treaſure things new and old.
Imprinted in the Year Chronogrammically expreſſed in this Seaſonable Prayer LorD haVe MerCIeMercy VponUpon VsUs.
A PREFACE to the following REVIEW, offering ſomewhat therewith conſiderable.
THis Preface, and the following Review, were not without good reaſon perſonated as written by a Third perſon; yet perhaps may make it queſtionable, Whether they were done by the Author of the Books abreviated, or by another hand; but that is not material: For, they expreſs nothing ſave what may be by him juſtified in every circumſtance; and therefore it ſhall ſo paſs. He was Thirteen years old when Queen Elizabeth reigned; and even at that time begun to obſerve both the Works of GOD, and the Actions ef Men; ſo continuing to do, from time to time, whereby (with GOD's gracious aſſiſtance) he was preſerved from groſly falling into, and perſevering in thoſe ſins whereto he was naturally prone; and came into the world at a time which gave him ſuch an Experimental knowledg both of GOD and Men, as he could not have had in many preceding Generations; for he hath lived to ſee Eleven Signal Changes, in which, not a few Signal Tranſactions Providentially occurred; to wit, under the Government of Queen Elizabeth, King James, Charles the Firſt, the King and Parliament together, the Parliament alone, the Army, Oliver Cromwel, Richard Cromwel, a Council of State, the Parliament again, and now King Charles the Second; during all which times, he lived in thoſe Places, and in ſuch midling Stations, between perſons of the higheſt and loweſt degree; exerciſed in Employments, which gave him opportunity to heed what was done, both by thoſe who were above and below him. GOD had alſo beſtowed upon him a Faculty, which (though it be deſpiſed, and he therewith but meanly endowed) would not permit him to be altogether idle or ſilent; for, it compelled him to a conſciencious exerciſe of his Talent, in that, which he thought required at his hand; and to take all occaſions from time to time happening, to commemorate, and offer to conſideration, thoſe things whereby GOD might be glorified, and his Countreymen benefited in ſome degree; which duty (though not ſo well as he would) he hath ſo well as he could proſecuted to this day.
He begun very early, by expreſſing and publiſhing thoſe Conceptions which the Affections and Inclinations of Youth had awakened in him; endeavouring to ſeaſon them with as much Morality and Piety, as Subjects of that nature are capable of; ſuiting them to capacities of young men, who delight to ſee their own Natural Paſſions repreſented as it were in a glaſs; wherein, they not onelyonly met with ſome better things then they looked for, but, with ſuch Notions alſo therewith mixed, as inſinuated into their hearts that ſeaſoning, which made them much delighted with his Poems, and rendred him ſo generally known, that many thouſands were deſirous to peruſe his future Writings, and to take better heed of that, whereof elſe perhaps they had taken little or no notice, though expreſſed by a more elegant and learned Author. It likewiſe encouraged him to aſſume all Occaſions to proſecute that, which might moſt redound to GOD's Glory, and the edifying of men in Faith and Righteouſneſs, though it were to his perſonal diſadvantage in carnal concernments. And GOD hath given him comfort therein, carrying him on hitherto through all difficulties occurring, though by impartially diſcharging his Conſcience in ſuch a mode as had provoked many powerful perſons to proſecute him with Indignation; for, his frequent reproofs have been very offenſive, notwithſtanding they were in general terms onelyonly, without perſonal aſperſions, and with as much charity, and tender reſpect to every mans infirmities, and unwilling failings, as to his own.
Length of time hath given him ſo many ſeveral occaſions to declare what he thought neceſſary or expedient, that his Publiſhed Poems and Writings amount now to about a hundred, beſides many never Printed; In which, though he hath expreſt much to the ſame purpoſe (in various forms and words) yet the ſame or like occaſions warrant the application of the ſame or like matter and words, as the practiſe of the holy Prophets and Apoſtles hath evidenced to be ſometimes neceſſary. For, that Medicine which operates not at one time, doth work effectually at another, on the ſame perſons, or upon thoſe of another conſtitution: Meats alſo, variouſly dreſſed, are pleaſing to their appetites, and well digeſted by their ſtomacks, who almoſt loathed them when often eaten cook't the ſame way. And ſo it is in this caſe. Wherefore he hath endeavoured to put his Matter into ſuch a dreſs (otherwhile in Proſe, and otherwhile in a Poetical Mode) that it may ſuit with vulgar capacities, and not be deſpiſed by the moſt Judicious; mixing ſo far forth as may be decent, Delight and Profit, according to this old Verſe, Et prodeſſe ſolent, & Delectare Poetae.
His preſuming to give counſel to them who neither deſire it, nor care for his advice, hath much offended many, and made them heedleſs of that which might have prevented their ſorrow; but it hath pleaſed and benefited ſome; and that makes him ſlight their Proverb, which forbids coming to give Counſel before we are called. And he hath nevertheleſs proſecuted the multiplying of Doctrinal Remembrances, Exhortations, Precautions and Predictions, (to prevent that which the neglect of them will produce) until they amounted to that numerouſneſs which appears in thoſe Books whereof this is an Abridgment. And by conſidering upon whoſe Promiſes and Threatnings they are grounded, he hath not been affraid to predict conditionally thoſe Mercies aud Judgments which are promiſed and menaced in thoſe Books here abreviated. And ſome will find, that which is not yet verified upon Wilful Delinquents, to be at laſt as truly fulfilled, as thoſe which they have ſeen; though the world hath made it one of her Principles to believe and profeſs, That Propheſying hath long time ceaſed; becauſe her wiſe men think as the Apoſtle Peter ſaid prophane men would do in the later times, who ſcoffingly ſay, Where is the Promiſe of his coming; for, ſince the Fathers fel aſleep, all things continue as they were from the Creation, 1 Pet. 3. 4. Indeed, Propheſying is at an end, as touching ſaving-Faith, or any new Fundamental Articles thereto pertaining. But, the Spirit of Propheſie, as foretelling what ſhall come to paſs in relation to thoſe Mercies or Judgments, which ſhall be the reward ef welldoing, and the puniſhment of evil-doers, in this life, is not taken away or ceaſed, as it hath been manifeſted in and by many, who have had in our dayes Revelations of ſuch things before they came to paſs, and have been living Witneſſes of their predicting them before-hand; as alſo of their being afterward fulfilled; and in particular, of that Judgment, whereby the glory of London was this year conſumed, (though that will not come into every mans Creed:) For, before the ſaid Fire, this Author was informed by a credible perſon, (who was afterward a great Sufferer thereby) of a Viſion repreſenting ſuch a Conflagration in London as there befel ſoon after. He himſelf alſo, had confuſed preapprehenſions of the like effect, when he ſent forth his Warning-piece to London, publiſhed 1662, occaſioned by a ſudden Fire in the Night at Lothbury, near the middle of that City, which then conſumed the Houſe of an eminent Citizen, with all the Inhabitants therein. Dr. Gell, a Learned and Conſcientious Preacher to this City, ſeemed alſo to have had the like impreſſions upon his heart, both by what he communicated to ſome Friends in private, and by a Printed Sermon of his, preacbed before the Lord Mayor upon that Text, Mat. 24, wherein the coming of the Son of Man, is parallel'd with the coming of the Flood in the dayes of Noah. The ſame Sermon contains a Narrative (which he averrs was atteſted by many Witneſſes) to wit, That about two years before his Preaching of that Sermon, The ſign of the Son of Man, even of Chriſt on the Croſs, wounded in his hands and feet, and Angels round about him, appeared at Frankendale in Germany, to the view of Thouſands, Three hours together at mid-day. Moreover it is credibly avowed, That a Book was brought to be publiſhed a little before the ſaid Fire, fore-declaring what we have ſeen come to paſs, and was refuſed by the Printer, becauſe not Licenſed; and that the ſame Printer being afterward buſie to help quench the Fire, and then ſeeing that ſame perſon paſſing by, told him, he ſuſpected his hand to be in the kindling thereof: Whereto the man anſwered, That had he been acceſſary to ſuch a a wicked Purpoſe or Action, he ſhould not have offered that to publication, whereby it might probably have been prevented; adding theſe words, That ere long there would be a more dreadful Execution by the Sword, then that was by the Fire; (which, whoſoever that man was, or upon what ground ſoever he ſpake, it may probably come to paſs) and a Famine follow that, if God ſhould deal with us according to our demerits.
This Review is in the firſt place entituled, An Eccho from the Sixth Trumpet; becauſe, it alluſively reverberateth, and Ecchoes, as it were, to what was predicted ſhould come to paſs between the ſounding of the Sixth and Seventh Trumpet, upon pouring forth the Sixth Viol, the ſad Effects whereof are partly felt at this day, by many who conſider not from whence they proceed, that they might have been as effectual to make them happy, as they will alſo be to make them more miſerable both here and hereafter. Now if upon the whole matter it ſhould be queſtioned (as perhaps it may) upon what warrantable grounds this Author preſumes this Generation is guilty of ſuch and ſo many Provocations, as have rendred it liable to Gods Judgments conditionally predicted in his former Writings; he thereto anſwers, That beſide his perſonal knowledg thereof acquired by long experience, (and the witneſs which he believes the Spirit of GOD beareth in his heart thereunto) Common Fame is a good concurrent Evidence (eſpecially in this caſe;) for, though in many things Fame is a Lyar; yet in ſuch caſes as this, Vox Vulgi is Vox Dei, The Voice of the People is the Voice of GOD to their Conſciences, bearing witneſs againſt themſelves, as juſtly meriting all the Judgments predicted by his Prophets, againſt ſuch ſinnes as they have committed; and they alwayes carry in themſelves (though ſeldom heeded) their Accuſation and Sentence of Condemnation.
It is no marvel, if GOD's long-ſuffering is little regarded, whilſt he is ſlow to wrath, and executes fore threatned Plagues upon ſome Perſons and Places with leſs terror and ſeverity then upon ſome other, or upon the ſame perſons at other times: For, now when they came thick, fell heavily and more dreadfully upon them, than heretofore, the greateſt number are ſo far from being reformed; that they grow more impudent Malefactors, as it was predicted it would be in theſe laſt times, wherein they on whom the Viols of Wrath ſhould be poured forth, blaſphemed when they ſhould have repented. But this excuſes not thoſe whom GOD qualifies for ſuch Services (though they ſhall be bemired and rent in pieces by ſome) if they ſhall not ſeaſonably proclaim and reiterate Precautions and Exhortations as often as juſt occaſions are offered; and therefore this Review of Neglected Remembrances, is thought pertinent at this time, though they were heretofore ſcoffingly termed Propheſies, and will at this day be as little regarded by many; and it is hoped alſo, this labour will not be quite loſt, but have a kindly operation on thoſe who are not hardned into a final impenitence by cuſtomary ſinning, and wilfully deſpiſing GOD's Judgments and Mercies; and that they may be likewiſe helpful to prevent the like obduracie in thoſe who are not totally depraved.
Many who are forgetful or heedleſs of forewarnings, Counſels and Precepts, which concern their preſent duties, are ſo much enclined to liſten after thoſe Predictions which preſage their happineſs or unhappineſs hereafter, that, if the contrary were not apparent, it might probably be thought, they were leſs careful to ſecure their preſent, then their future enjoyments; for, they rake together all Predictions new and old, which have a ſhow of preſaging that which they fear or hope for; entertaining each other at their Meeting-places, with mutual Repetitions of what they laſt heard to ſuch purpoſes, how frivolous or improbable ſoever. This Vanity, the Seducer of Mankind, and the Deceitfulneſs of mens hearts, makes uſe of to divert the proſecution of their Duties to GOD, to themſelves, and to other men; and to fruſtrate thoſe rational and ſeaſonable Predictions and Precautions, which might have prevented the greateſt Plagues conditionally menaced by the moſt holy Prophets. By delighting more to hear what is to come, then what men ought to do; they ſeem to think all good Counſels and Endeavours leſs pertinent to their cognizance and practiſe, than an unprofitable, uncertain foreſight of what is but conditionally predicted, and ſhall onelyonly come to paſs according as the conditions are performed or neglected. But, toward the cure of this diſtemper, humane Prudence can extend no further than the circumference of its own Sphear.
Predictions expreſſed in ambiguous Terms, and having neither certain ſignification or dependance upon ought following or preceding, are ignorantly inſiſted upon as pertinent to thoſe Perſons or Places whereto they had probably no relation. Such are many groundleſs Figments cry'd about the Streets, and pickt out of Gypſie-like Prognoſtications, to the abuſing of ignorant people. Such are alſo the ridiculous Welſh Impoſtors, entituled Taliefen, the Fiction termed the Panther-Propheſie; and Mother Shiptons Propheſies, ſo called, are thought conſiderable by ſome who ſuppoſe themſelves no fools; and hereby Predictions and Premonitions grounded upon ſound Reaſon, and Divine Truth, are unheeded or neglected.
However, there is and ſhall be a Remnant preſerved, who can diſtinguiſh between ſerious and trivial Precautions; and to them, that which is here collected, will at ſome times be of good uſe, though the Author be yet in contempt, and in a ſuffering-condition. Let thoſe therefore, into whoſe hands theſe come, be pleaſed to accept and improve them as they find cauſe, giving praiſe to God, who vouchſafeth timely fore-warnings to all Places, Perſons and Societies in every Age; and Memorials of that which brings on Confuſion and deſtruction, to the glorifying of his Righteouſneſs, to the ſhame of preſumptuous Tranſgreſſors, and to make future times more cautious; ſpeaking as well by the ſimple and mean, as by the wiſe and honourable, in terms fitted unto every capacity; as alſo in ſuch various Modes as might rouze them up out of ſecurity. And, now of late, ſeeing both dreadful and calm Voices have been long ſlighted or neglected, he hath ſpoken to us by all the Elements; yea, by Peſtilence, Warr, furious Hurricano's, and devouring Fire, joined together in a terrible Conſort: To which is added a concurrent Preſage in the hearts of moſt men, portending a general Ruine, by their agreeing in that fear, how differing ſoever their, Affections and Judgments be in other things; and doubtleſs a final execution of Judgment is not far off, in regard their grand Affairs in moſt places, begin to reſemble the Conſtitution of that Senate whereof it was ſaid, That all the reſt of the Senators were ordered according to the pleaſure of one among them; he governed by his Wife, ſhe by her Childs Nurſe, and the Nurſe by her Nurſing.
According to our vulgar Computation, this is the Thouſandth ſix hundred ſixty and ſixth year after our Saviour's Birth, and will queſtionleſs, be a ſignal year, according to the pre-conjectures of many; yet, not extend to the total extirpation of his Malignant Kingdom, whoſe Reign is to end in the 666th year after he was compleatly enthroned upon the Seat of that BEAST, which was to continue a Thouſand years in a declining eſtate, until the Myſtery of Iniquity ſhould be raiſed out of it to the full height; which time, (though they heeded it not) was myſtically foredeclared in their own Numerals, which in an orderly conjunction, according to their ſimple valuation, extends no further than to make MDCLXVI, comprehending the whole term limited to the Fourth Monarchy, with what ſhould ariſe out of it, from the higheſt exaltation both of the Firſt and Second Beaſt. The higheſt pitch of the Firſt, the Author believeth (as he hath frequently hinted in his Writings publiſhed upon ſeveral occaſions) was even then at full, when the Lord of Life was crucified under that Power; for, till then it flouriſhed. The number of years comprehending the Heatheniſh and Papal Antichriſtian Tyrany, being MDCLXVI in the whole, was not to be reckoned as beginning immediately after Chriſts birth, but after his crucifying or aſcenſion; allotting the greateſt Numeral M, to wit, a Thouſand years, to the ſaid Firſt Beaſt, and DCLXVI years, to the Second Beaſt, that being the number of the Name, or Power of that Myſtical Man of Sin, whoſe Reign will probably determine in or about the Three or four and thirtieth year yet to come, if Chronologers have truly informed us of the times paſt; and Hiſtory rightly ſtated the Progreſs of the Second Beaſt, to the height of his Power, that we may know from what year to begin that number: But this is certain, though nor the year, nor the day can be preciſely known, he hath not long to reign; for, all predictions will ere long end in one; and as it was ſaid a little before the Flood, GOD will not much longer ſtrive with Fleſh; but, for the ſakes of his Elect, ſhorten the time of Antichriſt, which might elſe have been lengthned out to the end of 6000 years after the Creation, but that his fury will haſten his own deſtruction.
This—66th year ſhall be a preparative thereunto, though the Romaniſts inſult, as if the Saints have miſtaken the time of their Viſitation; for, the late Execution of Judgment by devouring Fire, (the like whereof (conſidering it was not accompanied with the Sword) was never, or very ſeldom heard of ſince the conſuming of Sodom and Gomarrah) as are alſo other Epidemical Judgments, proſecuted upon thoſe of GOD's own Houſe, not to deſtroy, but to purge it. When their fierce Trial hath conſumed the Hay, Stubble and Wooden Structures, which they have erected; when ſelf-love, hypocriſie, the Reliques of Idolatry, and ſuch other Babyloniſh Corruptions (as of old, or newly crept in) are purged out; when the abominable Pride, Idleneſs and Exceſs, which have here abounded, to the parallelling of Sodom, (conſidering what they wanted of what we had) are conſumed, which nothing can burn up, except ſuch irreſiſtable Fires as that of late, or ſomewhat thereto equivalent; and, when the Saints have drunk ſo much of this bitter Cup, as will ſuffice to cleanſe them; Then ſhall the Scarlet Whore, and her vaunting Confederates, ſwallow down the Dreggs, finding themſelves deceived in the expectation of thoſe Conſequents which their Emiſſaries have predicted in ſilly Rimes diſperſed ſince the ſaid Fire, to inſinuate that the Executions now in Act, will be deſtructive to them onelyonly who are departed out of their Babylon, and proteſted againſt it. For, though the purifying of Gods Family is thereby principally intended, the ſame Judgments will have concurrent effects from year to year, toward the compleating of that, which will be the final Doom of Rome's Babylon, when 666 years, as aforeſaid, are determined after their Myſterie of Iniquity was at height.
This Author believes, That the Saints laſt Purgatory is now commencing, and that it is made ſignal by the Fire which in this year hath eclipſed the glory, and defaced the Beauty of London, which is to our Iſrael of GOD, the ſame which Jeruſalem in Paleſtine was to his Iſrael at that time. London was the greateſt, the moſt famous, and the moſt potent of all the Cities wherein the Proteſtant Religion was viſibly profeſſed in oppoſition to the Papacy; and among other conſiderable circumſtances, that Mercy whereby the execution of Divine Juſtice was managed, during this years Viſitation hitherto, do manifeſt, that they have a ſpecial relation to Gods Inheritance. The moſt Magnificent, and the Nobleſt part of this Ancient City was wholly and ſuddenly conſumed; her ſad Inhabitants looking on, were diſabled to quench it, till it had deſtroyed (with many thouſands of other Structures great and ſmall) above a Hundred Temples and Oratories, beſides Colledges, Schools and Halls; one of her Temples being reputed the greateſt in Chriſtendom, and wherein the Goſpel had been preached, and GOD worſhipped, and (though not at all times by all according to the purity of his Sanctuary, yet) by ſome with as much ſincerity, (according to the degrees of their underſtanding) as by any other National or Congregational Aſſemblies; until Humane Authorities preſumed to ſet up their Poſts by GOD's Poſts, and Magiſterially impoſed more than was enjoyned or required by him; which preſumption was aggravated by falling from their firſt love to Chriſt and their Brethren; which Love is the moſt ſignal mark of his Diſciples; yea an over-peremptory and too ſtiff an adhering by all parties diſſenting in Judgment, to their ſingle Opinions as touching things indifferent in their own nature, hath partly (if not principally) occaſioned that overflowing and complication of Plagues wherewith we are now afflicted throughout theſe three Nations, and in this our Head-City, in which (if we may believe Travellers) both her own Citizens, and Strangers were preſerved in more ſafety by night and by day, and as well and civilly governed according to Moral Principles, and External Forms of Piety, as in any City throughout the world, ſo great, and ſo populous; yet the fury of the late Fiery Storm moſt raged, and made the ſaddeſt ſpect acle, and the moſt deformed marks of Deſolation, even in that part of this City wherein they lived who were then reputed among the moſt generous, the moſt civil, the moſt charitable, and the moſt pious of her Inhabitants; and though the beſt men had not the leaſt ſhare in that Calamity, it was made tollerable by ſo many Mercies wrapt up therewith, as do evidence, that God had a conſiderable number therin, and that the generality were no greater ſinners then they whoſe Dwellings eſcaped that Judgment. The Out-parts (except at the Weſt end) were graciouſly ſpared, as Zoar was heretofore, for the ſake of Lot, to be for the preſent time a Refuge both to them who were chaſed away by the Fire, and to their Brethren, whoſe habitations were preſerved for their joint comfort; and of this Mercy the beſt and worſt of men had equal portions, in ſome reſpects, becauſe their time is not yet come, wherein GOD will be fully avenged on his and their Enemies.
Though probably that Fire was both kindled and encreaſed by wicked hands, Divine Providence (who permitted thoſe to be his Executioners) carried it on as well againſt the Wind, when it blew very ſtrongly, as with it; and by taking away their hearts who were ſuccesfully active at other times in preventing ſuch beginnings, permitted it to proceed ſo far: And when GOD's Fiery Meſſenger was in the height of his Career, bounded his rage at Paper-buildings, after it had broken irreſiſtibly through thick and ſtrong Edifices of Brick and Stone. It is conſiderable alſo, That this Fire was not permitted to extend into thoſe Contiguous Buildings, Streets and Allies, wherein the greateſt Oppreſſors, the moſt prophane, the moſt impudent, the moſt debauched, and the moſt irreligious perſons were commonly famed to have their dwellings intermixt with ſuch as were of a civil and pious converſation; for few or no places were then touched by the Fire, wherein either a publick Theater, or a common Gaminghouſe, or a notorious Brothel-houſe, or a May-pole, or a Popiſh Chappel was at that time ſtanding, which it may be ſome think, ſo hallowed the places, that the Fire could not prevail againſt them; whereas it rather demonſtrates, That this Viſitation extends primarily to GOD's own People; and that the utter extirpation of Antichriſt, and his prophane Aſſociates, is deferred until a time yet to come. Yet, in the mean while, (though few lay it to heart) GOD will inflict upon every particular Member of that wicked Society, in his generation, ſo much of their temporal dooms as will amount to the whole at their lives end; and therefore ſeeing their laſt doom (for ought they know) may be too morrow, or this preſent hour, it will be dangerous to defer penitence, becauſe they think the laſt day of Judgment may be far off. This, and the preceding Affirmatives will peradventure be diſtaſtful to thoſe Time-pleaſing Paraſites, (as alſo to them who delight in groſs flatteries) who preach Peace, and prognoſticate glorious Conſequences to the Proceedings of this Generation. But the Wrath of ſuch will not prevent the failing of their unwarrantable Expectations.
GOD's Promiſes and Threatnings, unto all
Predicted are, with a Conditional
Expreſs or Tacit; and (although they ſeem
Pronounced abſolutely, at ſome time)
May be reverſible according to
Our Faith, and acting what we ought to do:
For, we are taught by many Preſidents,
That, like Proceedings will have like events,
Till ſomewhat interveneth to diſpenſe
Judgment and Mercy with a difference.
Moſt part of what this Author did predict,
Hath variouſly already took effect:
And, if ought is deferred, or abated,
Of that which was by him prognoſticated
Againſt this Generation, or this Place,
'Tis meerly an effect of GOD's free-grace,
By him vouchſafed, for their ſakes, by whom
A ſeed muſt be preſerv'd till he ſhall come,
Whoſe coming, & whoſe reign will put an end
To all their ſufferings, who for him attend
In faithful patience, and he will enable
To bear mean while, what ſeems intolerable.
That, nothing contained in the following Review, may juſtly be ſuſpected, as thereinto lately ſhufled, a Catologue of the Imprinted Books, out of which it was gathered as they come to hand, (being gotten together with much difficulty) ſhall be added in the cloſe, with a direction to the pages wherein their abreviation is begun, corrected in thoſe places, where faults have eſcaped at the Preſs, there being very many, by reaſon of the Authors not being preſent, and there are ſome ſuch groſs miſtakes, that he could hardly make out his own meaning. It ſhall mention alſo the years wherein the ſaid Books were the firſt, or a ſecond time imprinted; in which it is to be heeded, that the Book-ſellers uſually poſtdate the firſt Impreſſions, that the Books may ſeem new a little the longer.
This is as much as ſhall be offered for a Preludium to the following Review; concluded with humbly deſiring their Prayers to whom this ſhall come, that this, and all the Authors endeavours may be ſanctified to the glory of God, and to the rendring of his Judgments and Mercies effectual to the ſalvation of our ſouls, by true Faith, hearty Penitence and mutual love in Chriſt Jeſus; and they are alſo deſired not to impute to a corrupt ſelf-end, his now purpoſed with drawing from this City: For, he hath been this Iſles Remembrancer, and continued with this City both in her ſickneſſes and health, in War and Peace, almoſt ſixty years together, (with a little abſence at ſome times) taking all occaſions hitherto offered, to remember her from time to time, of ſuch things as he thoughts might probably conduce to her welfare; inſomuch, that he now knows not what he can ſay or do, more than he hath already ſaid or done to that purpoſe; he not having ſo much regard vouchſafed for his good intentions, from any of her Chiefs, as might have been expected for penning one Speech to illuſtrate her Lord Mayor's Pageants; though he was often (for no ill-deſerving) a cloſe Priſoner within her Juriſdiction, ſo deſpoiled of all whereby to clothe and feed him, that he had then periſhed, if a few Strangers, and ſome of her Midling and Inferior Citizens had not by GOD's Mercy, been charitably inclined to compaſſionate his condition: That Strait being still the ſame, and many of thoſe now dead, ſome impoveriſhed, and the remainder, for the moſt part, ſo ſcattered ſince the late Peſtilence and Fire, that nor he nor they now know where to find each other without much difficulty; he being wearied, and almoſt worn out, is conſtrained to prepare a Retreating place for himſelf and his Conſort, which he hath prepared at a lonely Habitation in his Native Countrey, (where he neither had, or look't for much reſpect) Thither he reſolves to retire with as much ſpeed as he can, there to wait upon Gods future Diſpenſations during the remainder of his life, or until Providence otherwiſe diſpoſeth of him; not doubting, but that he ſhall reſt therewith gratefully contented, whereſoever it ſhall be, becauſe he hath had aſſurance by many demonſtrations of GOD's good will to the whole humane Nature, of a ſpecial love to him; and well knows his Eternal Mercy to be Infinite over all his works.
Though Lot a while in Zoar ſtai'd,
There long to abide he was afraid;
And many now begin to fear
There will be little ſafety here;
Becauſe they ſee, hear and believe
What makes them both to fear and grieve.
Yet, in his place let each man ſtay
Until God calleth him away,
By ſtraitning of his path-wayes here,
Or, by enlarging them elſewhere.
And, let him careful be, that whither
He moves, he bears not our ſinnes thither;
For, to what place ſoe're we go,
The ſame ſinns bring the ſame Plagues too.
And, there is means of ſaving-Grace
For Penitents, in ev'ry place.