I Must begin with the Prophet Jeremies Complaint and wish: O that my Head were Waters, Ier. 9. & 1. and mine Eyes a Fountayne of Teares, that J might weepe day and night, for the manifold Sinnes of my Children the Citizens and Inhabitants of LONDON, and for the hea­uy hand of GODS Plague of the Pestilence thereon, for the same: I London, that haue beene styled by Strangers, Emporium celeberri­mum totius Orbis; The most famous Citie and Market­place of the whole World. By others styled, Trinobantum, 1. Troynovant or New Troy: by others, Augusta, 1. An Imperiall Citie▪ by all, euer held, Camera Regis, 1. The Im­periall and Royall Chamber of the Kings of this Nation, the Metropolis of this Land. I, I say, that euen the other day, was graced with my Royall Soveraignes Presence, and with my Sister Westminsters helpe, I contayned not onely the Courts of Iustice for the whole Kingdome, but the high Court of Parliament also, the Representatiue Body of this whole Kingdome: I London, I say againe, that yesterday also enjoyed all my Children the Citizens their presence, with free Commerce, Merchandizing and Trading with all [Page 2] Merchants of Christendome; yea, I may say, of the whole World, am now become the most forlorne place of the whole Kingdome: For, by reason of the Contagious Infe­ction of the Pestilence raigning within my Circumference and about my Skirts; First, my Gracious Soueraigne hath forsaken me, and high time it was, (considering the disaste­rous accident in his Majesties House at White-Hall) that his Sacred Majestie should abandon mee: for his Majesties Life and safety is more worth than many Millions of others his Subjects:
Yea,

But, I haue not onely lost his Presence, but the presence al­so of all the Nobilitie, and Gentry of this Land: also the Termes and Courts of Iustice haue suffered interruption by reason of my Visitation: the High Court of Parliament ad­journed and remoued farre away from me: but all this I must confesse not without just cause. That which grieueth me most & addeth to my Affliction, is, my natural Children the Citizens, all the wealthier sort, who haue sucked the best sap of their Estates from my Breasts, haue abandoned me in my greatest Affliction; and whom haue they left, but the poorest sort to defend and support me? And although I will be more charitable than to censure all such as fled from me: For, I hold it lawfull in time of Infection for men to lessen their Houses and remoue themselues and their Fami­lies with moderation: Yet as a Learned man hath lately counselled them, they shall giue me leaue to aduise them in the same words; Let not rich Citizens by fleeing (vnlesse they likewise flee from their sinnes) thinke to escape scot-free: So long as they carry their sinnes with them, the Lord will finde them out, and his hand will reach them wheresoeuer they are. And I adde thus much.

For mine owne part, although I will not deale so harshly [Page 3] with you as St. John the Baptist did in the Gospell, in ano­ther case, with the Multitude, in these words: O yee gene­ration of Ʋipers, who hath forewarned yee to flee, &c. Yet because I your Mother haue to deale with a Multitude also, let me aduise with you my Children in a milder manner, O yee Generation of Citizens, (beloued Londoners) Men, Fa­thers, Brethren, (yea and Sisters too) tell mee, who hath fore­warned you to flee from the Vengeance of the Pestilence? Yee may call to minde that Gods Plague of the Pestilence is cal­led in Holy-writ, the destroying Angell, and I must tell you that Angels haue Wings, and can flee faster than any of your Coaches can hurrie, or your Geldings can gallop; And doth not wofull experience tell you already since the begin­ning of this Visitation of the Pestilence, that some of you hauing sent your best-beloued before-hand into the Coun­trey: (as Wiues, Children) meaning to follow after your selues, and those your best and dearest beloued haue beene infected with the same Sicknesse before you could come, and some against you came vnto them: and others of you haue beene your selues arrested and surprised with the same before you could follow: How say you? Is not this true? And was not, I say, the destroying Angell quicker therein than either you, your Coaches or Geldings could bee? I say vnto you therefore againe, as I said before, (and I speake to all such as flee hand ouer head without taking counsell of God, &c.) Who hath forewarned you to flee from Gods Ʋenge­ance? First, what warrant haue you to flee? And I come vnto you more particularly, Art thou a Magistrate? Shew me thy warrant to flee, and who shall supply thy place to see Iustice executed? Art thou a Priuate man, rich and wealthy? who shall relieue the Poore in thy stead? Perad­uenture thou wilt answere me, that though thy presence be absent yet thy Purse is present: and if so thou canst say, and say truly, it is well. But alas, how many score I might say Hundreds of you haue gone; nor leauing nor sending any succour for the Poore? Insomuch, that I may say, yee haue [Page 4] left in a manner none but the Poore to relieue the Poore. 1. The poorer and meaner sort of House-holders (many whereof haue need of reliefe themselues) to relieue poore, aged, impotent, blinde, lame, sicke and diseased people: who daily die in the fields and streetes for want of succour and sustenance.

Our Calamitie extendeth yet further: For we that re­maine in about London, being for the most part, but poore I say our selues, and men of meane estates; some of vs ha­uing had our Houses visited, and so shut vp for a long space; and others of vs taking no money at all, neither for our Wares nor worke, the whole Countrie and Kingdome in a manner baulking vs, and refraining to send or buy any Wares of vs: and all this while, wee hauing our selues, wiues, children and seruants to care for, and to maintaine, and besides sitting at great Rents, (yea, and many of vs hauing vnmercifull Landlords,) and hauing no Rents nor Reuenewes our selues; nor other meanes to helpe vs, besides our manuell Trades, Occupations, and Shopkeeping. All which considered, was not, and is not our case lamentable?

And as a further Addition to our present Affliction; There are a Generation of Iustices of Peace, who deuised an vniust and vnpeaceable way to famish vs that remained; For, first, they hindred our London Butchers to come into their adjacent Townes and Hamlets to fetch Cattell, for our food: Secondly, they made Decrees, Orders, and In­hibitions, which they caused to be read publikely in Chur­ches, (and this their fact, because publike, will purchase ei­ther fame or infamie to posteritie:) that our Market-folke of the same Townes and Hamlets be restreyned, vpon pe­nalties, to bring vs into London fresh Victuals, (as Mutton, Veale, Butter, Egges, and the like,) for our Moneyes; whiles they themselues drinke their Wine and strong Beere in Bowles, (little thinking on the Affliction of Ioseph,) follow their sports; as Hawking, Hunting, Gaming, Bow­ling, and the like; and faring deliciously euery day: but let [Page 5] them take heed it fare not with them hereafter as it did with the rich Glutton in the Gospell. (who certes was a Coun­trie Iustice of Peace) for this their inconsiderate Crueltie: Insomuch, that were it not for the wonderfull prouidence of God, who feedeth the Rauens, yea, all the World (beyond the comprehension of their grosse capacities,) many thou­sands in and about this Citie that remaine, might haue fa­mished and starued. I doubt not but after this great Mor­talitie, some of vs shall Ʋuruiue to make our complaint vnto his most Excellent Maiestie of this their cruell Plot; but I doubt they will not easily answer it. The Prophet Isaiah hath a shrewd sentence against such vnjust Iustices: the words are these,Isai. 10. & 1. Woe vnto them that decree vnrighteous De­brees, and that write grieuousnesse, which they haue prescribed. And howsoeuer, because they cannot restraine vs from Charitie; We will and doe with our Sauiour Christ, pray, Father forgiue them they know not what they doe, and with holy St. Stephen, Lord lay not this (Crueltie) vnto their Charge.

And now let me your Mother come, and condole with you my Children the Citizens, and Inhabitants that re­mained in and about the Citie; resoluing to endure the heat of the Day of Gods Visitation: and againe, I wish the Pro­phet Jeremies Wish:Ier. 9. 1. For, goe we into the Suburbs, what doe wee heare but lamentable voyces and cryings of the visited Poore? O we are sicke, and we die, wee perish, for want of reliefe, meanes, and looking to? goe wee into the Fields-here lies one sicke and fainting with the same crie as before, there lies another dead: Come wee backe into the heart of the Citie, in one house sits one lamenting, O I haue lest my deare wife and fellow helper, dead of this heauy sick­nesse: in on other, O I haue lost my deare Husband, the staffe and stay of my life, and of my Childrens: in an other, Father and Mother lamenting the losse of their childe, their chil­dren, nay, I know some Rachels, mourning for their chil­dren and will not be comforted; in another, helplesse chil­dren [Page 6] lamenting the losse of both their Parents: in another place, whole Families swept away; Parents, Children, Ser­uants, and all: and at least-wise, in what street or Familie can we come? but we heare a voyce of mourning for one kinsman or kinswoman or other, in this or that place decea­sed of this deuouring disease:Iuly.—August.— Sure I am, that euen I, the writer hereof, (who euer I am,) am not without my share of cause of mourning in this kinde. But come we againe to the State of this Citie: In the day time, what else heare we almost but Bells ringing of Knells? and in the night season (when we should take our rest,) we are interrupted by the continuall tolling of Passing-Bells, and anon the ringing out of the same: In the day time also, how many both men and women haue beene seene suddenly to sinke downe in the streetes, and there drawe their last breathes? yea, some of them of good ranke and fashion: All which compelleth me, and I can no longer forbeare mee to borrow the very words of the Prophet Ieremies Complaint.Lam. 1. &. 1. How doth the Citie sit solitarie that was full of people? and how is she be­come as a widow? she that was great among the Nations and Princesse among the Prouinces, how is she become tributarie? shee weepeth sore in the night, and her Teares are on her cheekes: among all her louers shee hath none to comfort her, all her friends haue dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. Verse 4. And againe, The wayes of Syon do mourne, be­cause none come to the solemne Feasts: all her Gates are deso­late: her Priests sigh: her Ʋirgins are afflicted, and shee is in bitternesse: and further, let vs but turne the Name Ierusalem into London, how fitly doth the Prophets prosecution of the Complaint serue vs?Verse 7. viz. (London) remembred in the dayes of her affliction, and of her miseries, all her pleasant things that she had in the dayes of old, when her people fell into the hand of the Enemie, and none did helpe her; the Aduersaries saw her, and did mocke at her Sabbaths. Verse 8. Againe, London, hath grie­uously sinned, and therefore shee is remoued: all that honour her, despise her, because they haue seene her nakednesse: yea, [Page 7] she fighteth and turneth backward. Her filthinesse is in her skirts, shee remembreth not her last end, therefore shee came downe wonderfully: shee had no comforter, &c. It is worth your reading, to reade ouer that first chapter of the Lamen­tations, when you thinke vpon the present estate of deso­late London: especially, haue recourse vnto the 20. verse▪ and the latter end thereof.

I cannot yet forget the want of you my Children the In­habitants of London, for whose absence still the crie of the Poore ringeth the lowdest peale in mine eares: Put the case that the Magistrates now in place of Gouernment for this yeare, (whose liues are as deare vnto them as any of yours) I meane the right Honourable the Lord Maior, and the Right Worshipfull the Sheriffs, should flee from my Con­fines as yee haue done; what Ryots, Rapines▪ and vproares would be committed in and about the Citie? by a multi­tude of Sharkes, Shifters, Decoyes, Roarers and Robbers, that continually liue and lie lurking about the Citie, vpon the Ruines of other men: And may we not well remember euen since the beginning of this Visitation, and no longer agone but the last Trinitie Terme, what a horrible Ryot was begun in Holborne? when a companie of Swaggerers had combined to rescue a Gentleman, (bearing the name of L. L. a Nobleman) out of the Vnder-Sheriffs house, and what a deale of blood had beene like to be spent in the same businesse? had not the Sheriffs of London beene sent for speedily, who came with a strong Guard; at whose com­ming and presence the Rescuers betooke themselues to their heeles, and not one of them durst stand to it, or strike one blow more, though in enterchange of blowes before they came betweene the Rescuers and the Vnder-Sheriffs Offi­cers, there was some blood shed: All I say appeased at the presence of the Magistrate: and the Gentleman the Priso­ner, submits and commits himselfe into the hands of the Sheriffs of London: Who, had they beene absent out of London, which mischiefe I say had happened vpon that Ryot, [Page 8] I leaue wise men to iudge. And againe, since that time, when the Prisoners in the Kings Bench Prison combined to rescue themselues out of Prison, and to that end had gotten the Keyes and bound the Keepers: in which Ryot some blood was shed, and though some of the Prisoners enlarged themselues, yet other some for their labours lost their liues: but how much more blood had beene shed, and how many more had beene slaine, if some in Authoritie had not inter­posed their helpe, we may well guesse.

Let vs come yet more particularly to the gouernment of this Citie, which is diuided into so many seuerall Wards: & euery Ward hath its particular Alderman to gouerne it, in seeing to the Orders and disorders in it. Now, the Alderman he fleeth into the Country, & for his excuse he saith, he leaues his Deputie behinde him: the Deputie he follows the Alder­man (if he be not gone before him) & leaues Constables be­hinde him, to see to matters: the Constables haply they fol­low the Deputie, and peraduenture they leaue the Beadle behinde them: Well, the Beadle he is left behinde for all: he sees many disorders and Ryots happen in his Ward: Now, I would faine know, who will obey a Beadle as a Magi­strate? or what power hath a Constable or Beadle to re­forme or punish without the Alderman, being the Magi­strate? Againe, the Constable or Beadle haply may be visi­ted with sicknesse; yea, peraduenture dieth: I would faine haue any absent Alderman answer what mischiefe against God and King may not be done in his Ward without any controll at all: And for those few worthy Magistrates that haue continued the heate of the Day with vs, see the bles­sing of God extended to them, in their calling: for all this time past of mortality, I haue not heard that scarce the head of any of them hath aked: Wee may well conclude there­fore that Magistrates, especially such as are in present go­uernment, and sworne for their yeare, may not flee from the Citie in time of greatest Contagion, though their liues bee farre more worth, for the Good of the Com­mon-wealth, [Page 9] than the liues of ordinary men.

And now I come to the Ministers of Gods Word: whe­ther they may flee, I meane such as haue the charge and Cure of Soules: (such also their liues are as deare vnto them as others, yea and of more value than other ordinary men:) yet they may not nor is it lawfull for them to flee in this time of Contagion: And I will send them to bee resol­ued of a Reuerend and learned Diuine,Doct. Hall, Epist. Decad. 4. Epist. 9. a man of their owne Coat and Calling, who hath long since written to conclude the vnwarrantablenesse of their flight in the time of the Pe­stilence, in these lines following:

‘How much better is it to bee dead, than negligent, than faithlesse? If some Bodies bee contagiously sicke, shall all Soules bee wilfully neglected? There can bee no time wherein Counsell is so seasonable, so needfull. Euery threatning findes impression, where the minde is prepared by sensible Judge­ments. When will the Yron hearts of men bow, if not when they are heat in the flame of Gods Affliction? Now then to runne away from a necessary and publike Good, to avoyd a doubtfull and priuate Euill, is to runne into a worse euill than wee would avoyd. Hee that will thus runne from Niniue to Tharsis, shall finde a Tempest and a Whale in his way. Not that J dare bee an Author to any of the priuate Ʋisitation of infected Beds: I dare not without better warrant. Who hath euer said wee are bound to close vp the dying eyes of euery de­parting Christian? And vpon what-euer Conditions to heare their last groanes? If wee had a word, I would not debate of the successe. Then, that were Cowardlinesse, which now is Wisedome. Is it no seruice, that wee publikely teach and ex­hort? That wee priuately prepare men for Death, and arme them against it? That our comfortable letters and messages stirre vp their fainting hearts? That our loude voyces pierce their eares afarre, vnlesse wee feele their pulses, and leane vp­on their Pillowes, and whisper in their eares? Daniel is in the Lyons Den; Is it nothing that Darius speakes comfort vnto him thorough the Grate, vnlesse hee goe in to salute him [Page 10] among those fierce Companions? A good Minister is the common goods, Hee is not his owne but the Peoples, hee cannot make his life peculiar to one, without iniurie to many. In the common cause of the Church, he must bee no niggard of his owne life; in the priuate cause of a neighbours bodily sicknesse, he may soone be a Prodigall. A good Father may not spend his substance on one Childe, and leaue the rest Beg­gers. If any be resolute in the contrarie, J had rather praise his courage, than imitate his practice. I confesse, I feare, not so much death, as want of warrant for death.’ And so much for that reuerend Doctours writing, a faithfull labourer in Gods Haruest: which I hope is vnanswerablie, enough to proue rhat Ministers may not flee from their Charges in time of the Pestilence.

I must now proceed to Physicians (with whom I include Chirurgions) whom,Ecclus: 38. I finde ordained of God, and we ought to honour them: but, wherefore ordained and to be honoured? Why, the same Diuine Author saith, euen for the vses which we may haue of them. 1. For the health of thy body: Are they therefore to flee from vs in the time of the Pestilence? Surely nothing lesse: for then we haue most vse, need, and necessitie of them: If therefore the Magistrate, that hath the care of the Common-wealth committed to his charge by the King: and the Minister who hath the care of mens Soules committed to his charge by God, may not (with a safe Conscience) flee in this time of contagious Sicknesse, as is before proued; I see no reason why the Physician, who hath the care of mens bodies, should flee and leaue vs destitute of his helpe, for which he was ordai­ned: Can he gather so much out of the time of a common Mortalitie, by his Fees of vs, that the ground will not hold him, but he is mounted on his Foot-cloth? and must he needs flee from vs, when we haue most vse and need of his company and his Counsell, when thousands are daily sicke, and many die for want of meanes? But me thinkes I heare Physicians answer, They leaue vs not destitute, they [Page 11] leaue vs inferiour foot-Physicians: Wee confesse, indeed, through the Prouidence of God we are not altogether de­stitute, God mouing the hearts of some Physicians and Chirurgions to stay amongst vs, in their Calling; but that is no thanke to them: for they flee, not regarding so many thousands they leaue behinde them, whether they sinke or swim, liue or die: but with what Conscience, considering the premisses I leaue to their owne considerations: How­soeuer, those Physicians and Chirurgions that haue in a con­scionable respect to their Callings,) more than in respect of gaine,) stayed with vs, giuen, and vsed their best counsell and endeuours to such as haue beene visited, this great Mor­talitie: they certes are the men that deserue the honour, which we are conselled to giue to the Physician: wee may make question whether such as are fled from vs, though ne­uer so braue and wealthy, deserue any of that honour, or no: Yea, in my iudgement wee owe those that haue stayed double honour.

Well, for all this that hath beene said or can be said, of Magistrates, Ministers, Physicians and Chirurgions; many of each neuerthelesse haue fled from vs, and their excuses and apologies are diuers and various: yet for the most part they jumpe in this one voyce and song; They flee, they say; for their Liues, from the danger of a Contagion: to which I answer, they were deceiued, for some of them, vpon my knowledge, haue fled for their Deaths: I will say no more vnto them, Sapienti verbum sat est.

And for such Magistrates, such Ministers, and such Phy­sicians as haue stayed and endured the heate of the day with vs: I shall not need to name them: I make no doubt but their names are taken in Gods Booke, who is able to re­ward the labour of their loue: My poore and vnworthy Prayer for them shall euer be, The good Lord requite them: and the Blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush bee with them for euer.

That priuate and ordinarie men may not take that [Page 12] libertie they doe, to flee in these times some leauing their Callings, some their Families, promiscuously and prepo­sterously, I haue said enough in the premisses to satisfie any reasonable men.

But now, beloued Londoners, let vs come and search the cause of this contagious Pestilence, which causeth your fearefull flight: Surely, it is nought else but our sins which haue incensed the heauy wrath of God: And which I may reduce these seuen Heads following; Swearing and blasphea­ming: Prophaning and not sanctifying the Sabboth: Adulte­rie and Fornication: Drunkennsse and Gluttonie: Oppression and Extortion: Contempt of Gods word and Sacraments: To which I may adde, Pride and fulnesse of Bread, and Con­tempt of the Poore: (I pray God the other not to be named sinne of Sodome be not also perpetrated in some corners and Sinkes of this Citie:) which sinnes now reigning, I briefly display as followech; First, for Swearing, doth any Age or any Record make mention of the like swearing and taking the most sacred Name of God in vaine, as in now a­dayes, by Men, Women, and Children? yea, many Chil­dren no sooner taught to speake, but they learne also to sweare by the most sacred name of God; before they know God: nay, there are a sort of swaggering Swearers, who thinke themselues not Masters in their (cursed) Art of swea­ring, till they haue deuised, and doe vse some new Oathes and manner af Swearing: (O fearefull!) so as I may say for this one sinne, the Land mourneth: for this sinne, this Citie now mourneth: Commendable and agreeable to Gods word, was that pious Statute Enacted last yeare by the worthy House of Parliament against Prophane Swea­ring: though by negligence of men I feare it taketh not so good effect to restraine that sinne as was hoped: For what reformation can we see?

Secondly, for the Saboath day, commonly called the Lords day, what Feastings, what Gamings and vnlawfull Recrea­tions? what slie and secret Reuellings and haunting of [Page 13] Tauerns and Taphouses? more than Gods house, on that day, by many loose people? what Surfetting and Drunken­nesse, on that day? some eating and drinking on that day so much, that either they sleepe it out at home, or if they come to Gods House they sleepe out the time of diuine Seruice and Sermons: Insomuch, as I may say, they haue polluted the Lords Sabboths: which also is an other cause of Gods heauie Visitation of this Citie, at this pre­sent.

Thirdly, for Adulterie and Fornications, they haue beene, and I feare me are so common, especially about the skirts of this Citie, as if there were neither Lawes of God nor Man against them: insomuch, as I may be bold to say they haue beene so openly and commonly vsed in some places, as if they had beene allowed and countenanced by Authoritie: Yea, there are a company of swaggering Whoremasters a­bout this Citie, who not content with their ordinarie pro­stitute Strumpets▪ but will brag and boast of their abusing this and that mans Bed infamiliarity with his Wife: and of their deflowring of this and that Maide: who haply are honest Women, and chaste Maides, that neuer had any ac­quaintance at all with such Companions: This sinne there­fore I may as boldly say, is another cause of Gods Visita­tion of this Citie.

Fourthly, for Drunkennesse and Gluttonie, they abound, as if they were vncontrollable sinnes, nay, as if they were no sins at all: many taking such libertie in Drinking, that they thinke they are not truly merry, vntill they be verily drunke; and they being friends one with another, cannot (as they say) loue each other, except they be drunke together: and such when they are told of it by any true Friends indeed, such, as feare God, they are ready fearefully to plead for their Drunkennesse, &c. We call such Drunkards, Beasts, but certes they are worse than Beasts, for what dumb Beast is there that vseth to be drunke? This sinne therefore must needs be another cause of Gods Visitation of this Citie.

[Page 14] Fiftly, for oppression of the Poore, and the couetous ex­tortion of many griping Vsurers, and Lease-munging Landlords, the carefull complaint of many poore Prisoners and Tenants, both Men and Women, in and about this Citie, doth cry lowd in the Lords eares, and proclaime this Sinne: Yea, how many a sad weeping and mournfull Countenance haue I, and may wee daily see of Men and Women, especially at the Quarter dayes (as we call them) that are subiect to viperous Vsurers and vnconscionable Land-Lords? This sinne therefore is vndoubtedly no small cause of this Gods heauy Visitation.

Sixtly, for Contempt of Gods word and Sacraments, and the faithfull Ministers thereof, this manifestly appeares by the small reformation of mens liues, especially with the prophane multitude, who giue no eare nor regard to heare the sacred word of God, which ought to be heard as it is Preached, in season and out of season: and for their persons that are the sincerest, and most zealous Preachers, euery foule mouthd Rabshecay hauing his tongue set on fire by the flame of Hell, hath the most odious termes and aspersions to cast vpon them and their doctrine, though it be the mes­sage of Christ, and they the Messengers thereof: And for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, a Reuerend and zea­lous Diuine hath deliuered publikely, and is perswaded, that this present Pestilence was sent, and did begin about Easter last, when a multitude of miscreant people came vn­prepared and vnworthily, hand ouer head, to receiue the Sacrament, viz. Such as were Swearers and Blaspheamers; Sabboth-breakers: Common Whoremongers and Whores; Panders and Bawdes: Drunkards and Epicures, or Belly-gods: Oppressours, and Couetous wretches: Contemners and Scoffers of Gods word and his Ministers, yea, of the Sacrament they came to receiue: which they came to re­ceiue only for fashion sake, or else because they would not be lyable to the Law, penall in that kinde.

Seuenthly, for Pride; this Luciferian Sinne hath infected [Page 15] the Citie as much, if not more, than the Plague, at this present: And though by the hawtie lookes of Men and Women, we may iudge and discerne too much of the Pride of their hearts, yet because God is the tryer of the heart, I leaue that; and come to the horrible Pride and and prodi­galitie, more apparant, in Apparaill: For, wee haue seene Merchants and their wiues apparelled like Princes: wee haue seene ordinary Tradesmen and their wiues like No­blemen and great Ladies. Knaues, Cheaters, and Cunny-catchers, clad like Knights: Lawyers like Lords; Taylours like Theeues: Shoomakers in Sattin: Tapsters in Taffety; Horse-scoursers and Hostlers wearing gold lace: Nay, I haue seene a Coblers Daughter attyred like a Merchants Daughter: a Kitchen-maide wearing a silken Cobweb­lawne Ruffe: and it is not ordinary to see Seruingmen in siilken Stockings, and Prentices weare farre better clothes than their Masters? And this sinne of Pride, the premisses considered, we may perswade our selues, that it is in a higher degree than the Pride of Sodome: Which Sin there­fore must needs be one speciall cause of drawing downe Gods Vengeance of this present Pestilence.

And lastly, for fulnesse of Bread, and Contempt of the Poore, because I haue spoken of them in the Premisses, though I could speake much more, yet I desist to display them further.

There is another sinne lurking, nay, too apparant, in and about this Citie, which is the pride of the Clergie, many Ministers and their Wiues, (who should be Lamps of Hu­militie:) the which I heard a zealous Preacher of Gods word deliuer publikely, hee was perswaded was not the least cause of incensing Gods wrath of the Present Pesti­leuce: for me therefore, Satis superque.

In respect of which heynous sinnes before named, the Prophet Zephanies Denunciation, or Gods by his mouth, and complaint, may be fitly applied to London in these words following;

The Prophet Jsaiahs saying and accusation may also bee verified and applyed to this Citie, in these words fol­lowing:

And the same Prophet Isaiah, prosecuteth his Complaint, which wee may still apply to London, in these words fol­lowing:

‘The Lord will enter into judgement with the Ancients of his people,Isai. 3 & 14. and the Princes thereof: For yee haue eaten vp the Vineyard, the spoyle of the Poore is in your Houses. What meane yee that yee beat my people to pieces, and grinde the faces [Page 17] of the Poore, saith the Lord God of Hosts? Moreouer, the Lord saith; because the Daughters of Zion (London) are haughtie, and walke with stretched forth Neckes, and wan­ton Eyes, walking and mincing as they goe, and making a tin­kling with their feete, &c.’And so vnto the latter end of that third Chapter, obseruable and worthy your reading, with Chapter endeth in these words;And her Gates shall lament and mourne, and shee being desolate, shall sit vpon the ground.

And now let mee come againe to yee beloued Londo­ners, that fled from me your Mother; Tell me, haue not yee your parts and shares in these reigning sinnes of this Citie before named? Surely, such of you as haue not, and haue your Consciences to beare you witnesse that you are guiltlesse, it is well for you: But then tell me, which of you, euen the best of you, can say but you haue beene slacke and backwards in performance of Holy duties to God, and just duties to your Neighbour? If there bee any such a­mongst you, I dare pronounce them guiltlesse and Righte­ous Persons, that need no Repentance: But otherwise, yee that did and are runne away, must all ioyne with vs that remaine, in Repentance and Humiliation to God, before wee can looke that God will with-hold his hand and cease the Plague wholly: To which end take this Counsell in briefe from me your indulgent Mother following;

Let him and her that hath beene accustomed to Swearing sweare no more: but rather let your yea, bee yea, and your nay, nay: and so let euery one speake truth to his Neigh­bour: And consider who hath said, The Curse of God shall not depart from the House of the Swearer.

Let euery Sabboth-breaker learne from him that hath commanded it, to keepe holy the Sabboth day: that you may be the better prepared to celebrate an euerlasting Sabboth with God in his Kingdome.

Let all Adulterers, Fornicatours, Whoremongers, and Whores, learne to possesse their Vessells in Chastitie: [Page 18] considering your bodies are (or ought to be) the Temples of the Holy Ghost: and remember who hath said, Whore­mongers and Adulterers the Lord will surely Iudge.

Let all Drunkards and Gluttons, leaue their Drunken­nesse and Gurmandizing, considering who it is that hath denounced, Woe to them that rise early, and sit vp late to drinke, and that are mightie to drinke Wine and strong drinke: And remembring what became of the rich Glutton in the Gospell.

Let euery Oppressour and Grinder of the Faces of the Poore, repent them of their sinnes, and consider the third Chapter of Jsaiah, before recited: and with Zacheus, let them learne to make Restitution; and consider who hath said, Let him that hath stolne steale no more, &c.

And for Viperous and gryping Vsurers, let them often reade and meditate on the 15. Psalme.

Let all Contemners of Gods Word, his Sacraments, and faithfull Ministers thereof repent, and learne to receiue the Food which is able to saue their Soules, with all meeke­nesse: and to haue the Ministers thereof in due reuerence for their Message sake.

Let all Proud and high-minded People, learne of St. Paul, Coloss: 3. & 12.

Nay, let them learne of a greater than Paul, euen of our Sauiour Christ himselfe, Matth. 11. & 29.

To conclude, let all sorts of Men and Women; Rich and Poore, old and young, forsake their sinfull courses, and striue to finde out the Plague in their owne hearts: whether sinnes of heart, or sinnes of life, sinnes of commission or omission, and turne vnto the Lord with true Repentance: & according to Iohn Baptists Counsell, Bring forth fruits meet for Repentance: Yea, let vs with the Apostles in the Gos­pell cry, Is it I Lord? Is it I? &c. Nay, let vs euery one say, Is it not I Lord? Js it not J? &c. And so hand in hand, Let vs all approach the Throne of Grace by heartie and fer­uent Prayer, and neuer giue ouer importuning the Lord, [Page 19] vntill he be pleased to hold the hand of the destroying An­gell, and cause him to sheath his Sword: and so this grie­uous, fearefull, and deuouring Sicknesse of the Pestilence, (as it is wonderfully asswaged) shall cease from this Citie, To which end I your indulgent Mother haue collected these ensuing Platformes of Prayers, to helpe those that cannot otherwise poure out their soules vnto Almightie God in Prayer. Which I wish may yield some profit and comfort to euery honest-hearted Christian, that shall view and make vse of them, in these sad times of Mourning and Humiliation. Amen.

And aboue all, beware of Securitie, now GOD hath, for the time, so much and mercifully withdrawne his hand.