‘MEMENTO MORI’

LONDONS REMEMBRANCER: OR, A true Accompt of every particular Weeks CHRISTNINGS and MORTALITY In all the Years of PESTILENCE Within the Cognizance of the BILLS of MORTALITY Being XVIII Years. Taken out of the Register of the Company of PARISH CLERKS of London, &c. TOGETHER WITH Several Observations on the said Years, and some of their Precedent and Subsequent Years. Published for General satisfaction, and for prevention of false Papers. By JOHN BELL Clerk to the said Company

LONDON: Printed and are to be sold by E. Cotes living in Aldersgate street, Printer to the Company of Parish Clerks, 1665.

To the Right Honourable Sir JOHN LAWRENCE Kt. Lord Major of the City of LONDON.

MY LORD,

SInce it hath pleased Almighty God, so to order it, that this present Visitation should happen under your Lordships Government of this great and populous City of London, I have taken the boldness to Dedicate this Treatise to your Lordship, as a Person to whose Care and Piety it seems but a fair respect and duty. It is, my Lord, a short Extract, and just Accompt of every Weeks Christnings and Burials in all the Years of PESTILENCE within the cogni­zance of the Bills of Mortality; being faithfully drawn from the Registers kept in the Common Hall of the Company of Parish Clerks: Which I hope will redound first to your Lordships satisfaction, and also all the Curious that desire to know the certainty and number of all those that died when Gods hand was upon us, by the most deplorable PESTILENCE. By which the World will have the means and benefit of correcting the Errours [Page] of divers Papers which have been lately Published by many confident and inconsiderate Writers upon that Subject. So having made this humble tender of my self and my weak Labours to your Honours exceptance, I shall be no farther troublesome, but with my Prayers for your Lordships wel­fare, and the protection of this famous City, I most dutifully subscribe my self

Your Honours humbly devoted Servant JOHN BELL.

To the READER.

Courteous Reader,

HAving observed with some trouble, the many and gross mistakes which have been imposed upon the World, by divers Ignorant Scriblers about the weekly Accompts of former Visitations; I thought it some part of my duty to rectifie those Errours, out of the undeniable Records of those times; and I have accordingly drawn from the Register of the Company of Parish Clerks an exact Com­putation since the year 1592. to this present year, to satisfie their curiosity that desire to be better informed, and to prevent the inconvenience of false Papers for the future. There have been several Pamphlets Printed upon this Argument, which have been all faulty more or less, and would not be worth the while to Descant upon; but there is one amongst the rest, which I cannot let pass without a mark, in regard that it bears the face of a Sober Discourse, and is Intituled, Reflections on the Bills of Mortality: In this Pamphlet the Reader will find a greater number set down in some years to die of the Plague, than the Clerks Register took notice of to die in all. I therefore have put this small Treatise to view for publick-satisfaction, and prevention of false Papers; which is the only intention of.

JOHN BELL.

Some Objections against the BILLS of MORTALITY Answered: As also a view of the Original and continued Bills of Mortality; Shewing by what ascents and steps they came to their present perfection. Together with an Accompt of 18. Years PESTILENCE.

SInce I have undertaken to say somewhat of the Bills of Mortality, I think it necessary to give an answer to those so generally reported Objections against it:

Obj. 1. That the Bill of Mortality is little worth, by reason the Sear­chers are generally old and simple women, and are not able to judge of, and distinguish between Diseases, and therefore cannot make a true Report to the Pa­rist Clerk.

Obj. 2. Admit the Searchers were discreet and knowing persons, yet the Parish Clerks neglect their duty, and do not at all return them; or not according to the Report of the Searchers.

To these I answer, that the Bill of Mortality is of very great use and necessity, and there­fore not to be slighted, since it so much conduceth to the Health of the City, and Preser­vation of the Members thereof, in that it giveth a general notice of the Plague, and a particular Accompt of the places which are therewith infected, to the end such places may be shunned and avoided.

True and undeniable it is, That the Searchers are generally ancient women, and I think are therefore most fit for that Office: But sure I am they are chosen by some of the eminentest men of the Parish to which they stand related; and if any of their Choosers should speak against their abilities, they would much disparage their own Judgments. And after such Choice they are examined touching their sufficiency, and sworn to that Office by the Dean of the Arches, or some Justices of the Peace, as the cause shall require.

As for the Clerks Returns, I dare affirm they never were more punctual in the Dis­charge of this their Duty then at this day. And truly both they and the Searchers have a great deal of reason to be very careful of what they make Report; they being both [Page] bound by their Oaths for the performance thereof; The Searchers to view and search the bodies of all persons Deceasing within their Parish; and to give a true Accompt to the Clerk of what Diseases the Parties Die. And the Clerk to return a just accompt (ac­cording to the Report of the Searchers) to the Common Hall of the Company of Parish Clerks, for the true making up of the Weekly Bill of Mortality. And I presume there cannot be a stricter Obligation then a sacred Oath to bind any person.

But to proceed, my purpose is to give you a just and brief Accompt of all the Week­ly Christnings and Mortality in all the Years of Pestilence since the beginning of the Bills of Mortality, accounting such for Plague Years, wherein the number of that Disease amounted to One Thousand or thereabouts: Together with some Observations on the Bills for the said Years, and their precedent and subsequent Years.

I shall begin with the year 1593. being the first year in which any Accompt of the Chirstnings and Burials was kept. I cannot find any Record of more antiquity then that of this Year in the Company of Parish Clerks Hall; nor can I give you a particular Accompt of the Christnings and Burials therein. But the General or whole Years Ac­compt I find Recorded in these Words, viz.

  • A Brief Report of all the Christnings and Burials within the City of London and the Liberties thereof, for one whole Year past; (that is to say) from Thursday at Noon the xxj of December, Anno 1592. unto the xx day of December being Thursday at Noon, Anno 1593. hath been buried in all 17844
  • Whereof hath died of the Plague 10662
  • Christned this whole Year, is 4021
  • Parishes Clear of the Plague 00

I shall now proceed to treat of the subsequent Year 1594. In which Year I find not only the General or whole Years Accompt, but also the Particular or Weekly Accompt, both of Christnings and Burials to be on Record. I shall not give you an Accompt of the Particulars in this Year; It (according to my Accompt) not coming within the compass of a Plague Year.

But I shall note unto you, That the Bill of Mortality now in its Infancie, consisted but of 109 Parishes; which Parishes then were only Alphabetically set down, without making any distinction of the Out-Parishes from those within the Walls: whereas now it comprehends 130. and distinguishes the Parishes by the four Divisions of the 97. 16. 12. and 5. Parishes, as by the present Bills may appear. I shall next name unto you the Parishes then wanting.

In the now 97 Parishes within the Walls, wanted the Parish of St. James at Dukes-place. In the now 16 Parishes, being part within the Liberties and part without, wanted St. Bar­tholomew the Great, Bridewell Precinct, and Trinity in the Minories. Which four Parishes, I conceive, being all Precincts, came not into the Bill. The now 12 and 5 Parishes were then quite exempt. I shall now shew by what ascents and steps the Bills came to what they now are.

In the Year 1604 were added to the 109 Parishes, these here-under named, To the then 13 Parishes the 3 Parishes said to be wanting of the 16 Parishes, and these 8. viz.

  • St. Clement Danes
  • St. Giles in the Fields
  • St. James at Clarkenwell
  • St. Katherine Tower
  • St. Leonard in Shoreditch
  • St. Mary in Whitechappel
  • St. Martin in the Fields, and
  • St. Magdalen Bermondsey.

In the Year 1606 was added to these 8, St. Mary at the Savoy: and in the Year 1647 to them likewise was added St. Paul in Covent Garden, making their number the 10 Out-parishes. In the Year 1626, the Parish or Precinct of St. James at Dukes-place was added to the then 96 now 97 Parishes within the Walls: All which Parishes ever since their several additions, and the other ever since the Year 1604, brought to the Company of Parish Clerks Hall, not only the number of all the Christnings and Burials, but also an accompt of all the Diseases and Casualties, although no such accompt was published to the World until the Year 1629. In this Year also was added the City of Westminster, which brought in only the number of the Christnings, Burials, and Plague, without ta­king notice of, or specifying any other the Diseases or Casualties. And in the Year 1636, the Parishes of Hackney, Islington, Lam-beth, Newington, Rothorith, and Stepney, likewise brought in their Reports of the Christnings, Burials, and Plague, in like man­ner and form as the City of Westminster before is said to do.

In the Year 1660 the Bills were new modelled, and the accompt of all the Diseases and Casualties in the whole 130 Parishes, was brought in, and the 12 Parishes lying in Middlesex and Surrey, were made a Division in the fore-side Bill by themselves, and the 5 Parishes within the City and Liberties of Westminster were made a Division by themselves; whereas before they were intermixed with each other.

In the Year 1665 the Totalls of the Christnings were distinctly set down in the fore­side Bill under each of the 4 Divisions of the 97. 16. 12, and 5. Parishes respectively.

Thus have I given you a Brief accompt of the Additions of the several Parishes to the Weekly Bills: It now remains that I should shew you the several shapes or forms in which the Bills of Mortality have since their Original been presented to the World. And likewise for what reason the accompt of Burials were kept. I think I need not trouble my self herein, since that worthy and ingenious Gentleman, Captain John Graunt, in his Book of Natural and Political Observations on the Bills of Mortality, hath already so well described them: Wherein also he shews that the Bills of Mortality had their beginning in the Year 1592. it being a very Pestilential Year: and that the occasion of keeping the accompt of Burials arose first from the Plague in that Year.

I shall now return to speak of the Year 1603. And shall first observe unto you, that most of the Pamphlets and Papers yet extant concerning the Bills of Mortality, make mention of this Year for a very great Plague Year. But their Writers are either very ignorant, and set down their accompts at random, or else have lost a year; for they all make their Papers bear date March 17. 1603. and conclude that from thence to De­cember following, which must necessarily be in the Year 1604. there died of all Dis­eases [Page] 37294. whereof of the Plague 30561. I shall now make the falsities of their Pa­pers appear, by giving you the General, or whole Years accompt for that Year, as I find it Recorded in the form following; which will somewhat antidate their Papers, and yet not amount to the 33 part of the number they accompt the Plague to be therien

  • Anno 1603.
  • Anno 1604.

The whole Years Collection of all the Burials and Christnings, as well within the City of London and the Liberties thereof, as in the eight Out-Parishes ad­joyning to the City, and out of the Freedom: together with all at the Pest-house belonging to London, from Thursday the 21 of December, Anno Dom. 1603. to Thursday the 20 of December 1604. according to the Re­port made to the Kings most excellent Majesty, by the Company of Parish Clerks as followeth:

  • Buried this Year in the fourscore and 16 Parishes of London within the Walls 1798
    • Whereof of the Plague 280
  • Buried this Year in the 16 Parishes of London within the Liberties and without the Walls 2465
    • Whereof of the Plague 368
  • The whole summ of all the Burials in London and the Liberties thereof this year is 4263
    • Whereof of the Plague 648
  • Buried this Year in the eight Out-Parishes, and the Pest-house adjoyning to London, and cut of the Freedom 956
    • Whereof of the Plague 248
  • The Total of all the Burials in all the places aforesaid is 5219
    • Whereof of the Plague 896
  • Christned in all the aforesaid Places this Year 5458
  • Parishes that have been clear this Year 24
  • Parishes that have been infected this Year 96

I had likewise given you the particulars for this Year, but that according to my accompt it comes not within the compass of a Plague Year.

I deny not, but that there might be, and I believe was, a very grievous Pestilence which raged here in some part of the Year 1603. and that which confirms me most in this belief, is a Sermon preached by Bishop Andrews before King James at Cheswick the 20 day of August 1603. being said to be preached in the time of Pestilence: But I deny, and have already made it appear, that it continued not till March 1603. much less be­gan then.

Having now given you an accompt of the Errours of others Papers, by putting them in Competition with the Company of Parish Clerks Register, you may ask me, Why then I do not give you a better account of that Pestilential Year?

I answer, That in that Year the Parish-Clerks gave not in any accompt thereof; and although I think it not impossible, yet it is very improbable, that any particular man should give a just accompt thereof.

For the Bills of Mortality took their Original 21 Decemb. 1592. being part of the year in which raged the Great Plague, and continued until 18 Decemb. 1595. In which Year (the Plague ceasing) they were discontinued and laid aside as useless until the 21. day of December, Anno 1603. at which time they were again resumed and continued unto this Day.

Captain Graunt observes likewise, that the Bills were not resumed till after the Great Plague 1603.

I now proceed to give you a particular accompt of 18 Years of Pestilence, and shall first begin with the Year 1605 part, and 1606. being the first Year which I find the Particular or Weekly accompt of the Plague to amount to above 1000 in our Books, as in the Table following.

The 18 Years of Pestilence, of which I give you a Weekly accompt, are these here­under written;

AnnoAnno
1605part, and16061639part, and1640
1606160716401641
1607160816411642
1608160916421643
1609161016431644
1624162516441645
1629163016451646
1635163616461647
1636163716641665

Instructions for the better understanding of the following TABLES.

THe 1 Column intimates to you the number of the Weeks, as the 1, 2, or 3. Week of the Year, beginning alwayes in December.

The 2. the several Dayes of the Moneth in which each Week expired.

The 3. the Totalls of the Christnings in each of the said Weeks.

The 4. the Totalls of the Burials.

The 5. the Totalls of the Plague.

And the 6. the Number of the Parishes infected.

I might also have added another Column to shew the Weekly Increase or Decrease of the Burials, but that is easily known by the number in the pre­cedent Week, therefore I think it needless.

I shall here also Note unto you, that what Observations I shall make in this small Treatise shall follow the Tables for the 18 Years.

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality, for the year 1605, and 1606.
WeeksDays of Mon.ChristnBuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 2610011655
2January 211715165
3913013844
41612413832
52314312164
63012410132
7February 612210555
81313111876
920126109126
102710211798
11March — 61109874
121312613797
13201231331411
1427134123178
15April — 3123114139
16101321452711
1717139129128
1824118110117
19May— 1921361710
2081161031311
211512894138
2222113132149
2329949897
24June — 5129112168
25121271121914
26191211191510
27261321262416
28July — 31091107512
29101111343318
30171151465022
3124961404626
32311321786629
33August — 71311816729
34141411977533
35211331898528
36281252078529
37Septemb. 412324111632
381113421610528
39181212149236
40251322048735
41October— 212125614140
42913421810638
431614222711737
442313122410938
453012422610134
46Novemb. 61361836827
47131251624120
48201211452811
49271431232213
50December 41551604517
51111351373820
52181361322815
53251341353819
The Totals661479202124 

A TABLE of all the Christnings and Mortality, for the year 1606, and 1607.
WeeksDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1January. 11171503818
281611152612
315118121168
422135106147
5291351342812
6February 51341583314
7121301472012
819140149179
926115120149
10March — 51471272013
11121331303014
12191461383313
1326133124229
14April — 2130123135
1591451382312
16161431462711
1723981332612
18301151254314
19May— 713094177
2014110128153
21211161262 [...]9
2228120116135
23June — 4104100114
241112890104
251811186142
26251221262110
27July — 2111112277
2891031173310
2916891543712
30231261525117
31301151564319
32August — 61121877719
33131021726921
34201341897632
35271241757126
36Septemb. 313023210536
371014924312138
381713726412436
392411930217755
40October — 115728315048
41811623011332
421511022311045
43221502158237
44291431986831
45Novemb. 51141966625
46121351865524
47191331484622
48261381302112
49Decemb. 31541261912
50101211222826
511712913175
522411512995
The Totals658280222352 
A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1607, and 1608
WeeksDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 3111814844
2January- 714912033
31412713044
42113313032
52816014122
6February 412411242
71112913200
8181 215066
92512411711
10March — 317112377
111016213633
121714313722
132414412754
143114411443
15April — 712614011
161415513443
172113616564
18281 [...]14743
19May — 51 [...]1 [...]573
201212 [...]14066
211910612577
222699138118
23June — 29 [...]133108
2491081391410
2516129122108
2623104133139
2730114116169
28July — 71071331612
29141191622617
30211131562416
31281302335025
32August — 410 [...]1644521
33111361917032
341813 [...]2037929
35251291977331
36Septemb. 113427512339
37815325013642
381515524810738
392215727314338
402912429614748
41Octob. — 612223910332
421314025813143
432014224712440
442715524110232
45Novemb. 313523610937
46101361897229
47171502056927
48241092057032
49Decemb. 11522409037
5081141946829
51151391977529
52221311905325
The Totals684590202262 

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1608, and 1609.
WeekDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 291171653921
2January. 51251895625
3121172016032
4191352268132
5261421976728
6February 21261875624
791382289033
8161362046226
9231521774626
10March — 21401733217
1191431844324
12161171663325
13231612306827
14301272368936
15April — 61362327337
16131522379334
17201432358640
18271052749939
19May — 4922529238
20111132428937
21189822 [...]9335
22251141946633
23June — 11071885227
248912156526
2515971583617
2622891534325
27291091824729
28July— 61401946026
29131021985729
30201041895821
31271352299141
32August — 312423910034
331011528012642
341712726410137
35249129615042
363112336417748
37Septemb. 713230014144
381410733515847
392110538621055
402813631114451
41Octob. — 512930615447
421212333517754
431914331313143
44261211995524
45Novemb. 21212378433
4691162246929
47161182346731
48231251875928
49301371815124
50Decemb. 71391391813
51141251502314
52211351482313
The Totals6388117854240 
A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1609, and 1610.
WeeksDays of MonChristnBuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 281391613923
2January- 41271683218
3111371441913
4181341593120
5251411522716
6February 11401402113
78170133119
8151301321814
922157149108
10March — 113314477
11814914265
12151501501716
132214713786
142912613976
15April — 515114088
1612155142139
17191331681511
18261351451410
19May — 31181602116
20101111301914
21171231311812
22241211281110
2331106128139
24June — 710014398
2514117158149
2621911772614
27281061622511
28July — 51181943815
29121181874518
30191101714520
31261221874017
32August — 21091874720
3391562345023
34161312507326
35231122086026
36301342949937
37Septemb. 61242869631
38131352728933
39201192568634
40271172547233
41October. 41412196327
42111432217935
43181221975932
44251341874928
45Novemb. 11141875823
4681521964019
47151471602216
48221361634219
49291421793919
50Decemb. 61401421512
51131481461210
52201141482617
The Totals678590871803 

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality, for the Year 1624, and 1625.
WeeksDays of Mon.ChristnBuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 2316518300
23017621100
3January — 619922011
41319419611
52016024000
62717822600
7February 317817431
81016120452
91718121131
102419025211
11March — 318520700
121019621000
131717526243
142418722682
15311332431 14
16April — 7184239104
17141542562410
18211602302511
1928134305269
20May — 51582923010
21121403524513
22191823797 [...]17
23261454017816
24June — 21233956920
2591254349125
26161105101653 [...]
272311064023932
283012594239050
29July — 7114122259357
30141151741100482
31211372850181996
322815535832471103
33August — 412845173659114
341112548554 [...]15112
351813452054465114
3625135484 [...]4218114
37Septemb. 111738973344117
38811231572550116
39151002 [...]4816721 [...]7
40227519941551111
4129781236852153
42October 67783853899
43138581551191
44209165133176
45277737515447
46Novemb. 3823578941
4710853199235
4817882744822
4924832312716
50Decemb. 1931901512
51890181157
52159416865
The Totals69835426555417 
1624. 1625. A General Bill for this present Year, ending the 15 day of December, 1625. according to the Report made to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, by the Company of Parish Clerks of London, &c.
 Bur.Pla Bur.Pla. BurPla.
St. ALban Woodstr.18878St. George Botolph la.3019St. Martin Ludgate254164
Alhallows Bark.397263St. Gregory by S. Paul296196St. Martin O [...]gars8847
Alhallows Breadstreet3414St. Hellen13671St. Martin Outwich6030
Alhallows the Great442302St. James Dukes place310254St. Martin Vintry3 [...]9208
Alhallows Hony lane188St. James Garlick hith180109St. Matthew Fridayst.2411
Alhallows the less259205St. John Baptist12279St. Maudlin Milkstre.40123
Al halows Lumbardst.8644St. John Evangelist70St. Maudlin Oldfishst.225142
Al hallows Sta [...]ning183138St John Zacharia14397St. Michael Bassi [...]h [...]w199139
A hallows the Wall30 [...]155St. Katharine Colema.263175St. Michael Cornhill15979
St. Alpha [...]e [...]40190St. Katharine Creech.886373St. Michael C [...]ockedl.14491
St. Andrew Hubbard1461 [...]1St. Lawrence Jewry9155St. Michael Queen hith215157
St. Andrew Undershaf [...]19149St. Lawrence Poun [...]n.206127St. Michael Q [...]e [...]5330
St. Andrew Ward [...]obe373191St Leonards Eastchea.55 [...]6St. Michael Royal11161
St. Ann Aldersgate196128St. Leonards Foster la.2922 [...]9St. Michael Woodstr.18968
St. Ann Blackfryers336215St. Magnus Parish13785St. Mildred Breadstre.6044
St. Antholins Parish.6131St. Margaret L [...]thbur.11464St. Mildred Poultrey9445
St. Austins Pari h7240St. Margaret Moses3725St. Nicholas Acons3313
St. Barthol. Exchange5 [...]24St. Margaret Newsish12382St. Nicholas Coleabby8767
St Bennet Fink10857St. Margaret Pattons7750St. N cholas Olaves7043
St. Bennet G acechur4814St. Mary Abchurch9858St. Olave Hartstreet166195
S Bennet Paulswhar22613 [...]St. Mary Aldermanbu.12679St. Olave Jewry4325
St. Bennet Sherehog248St. Mary Aldermary9254St. Olave Silverstreet174103
St. Botolph Billingsga9966St. Mary Boshaw3519St. Pancras Soper lane178
Chriss Church611371St. Mary Boshaw2214St. Peters Cheap6844
St. Christophers4828St. Mary Colechurch2611St. Peter Cornhill31878
St. Clement Eastchea.8772St. Mary Hill15284St. Peter Paulswharf9768
St. Dinnis Backchurch995 [...]St. Mary Mounthaw7658St. Peter Poor5327
St. Dunstan East335225St Mary Sommerset270192St. Steven Colemanst.506350
St. Edmund Lumbard.7849St. Mary Staining7044St. Steven Walbrook2513
St Ethelborough20510 [...]St. Mary Woolchurch5835St. Swithin9960
St. [...]8945St. Mary Woolnoth8250St Thomas Apostle141107
St. Foster149102St. Martin Ironmongl.2518Trinity Parish14887
St Gabriel Fenchurch7154      
Buried within the 97 Parishes within the Walles of all Diseases— 14340. whereof of the Plague — 9197.
St. Andrew Holborn21901636St. Botolph Bishopsg.2334714Saviours Southwark27461671
St. Bartholomew great516360St. Botolph Aldersgate578307S. Sepulchres Parish34252420
St. Bartholomew less11165S. Dunstan West860642St. Thomas Southwark335277
St. Bridget14811031St. George Southwark1608912Trinity Minories13187
St. Botolph Aldgate25731653St. Giles Cripplegate39882338At the Pesthouse194189
Bridewel Precinct1131 [...]2St. Olave Southwark36892609   
Buried in the 16 Par shes without the Walls, standing part within the Liberties, and part without: in Middlesex, and Surrey, and at the Posthouse26972
Whereof of the Plague17153
St. Clement D [...]n [...]s128 [...]755St. Katharines Tower998744St. Mary Whitechap I33052272
St. Giles in the fields1333947St. Leonards Shoredit19951407St. Magdalen Bermon.1 [...]27889
St. James Clarkenwell1191903St. Martin in the fields1470973Savoy Parish25 [...]176
Buried in the nine Out Parishes in Middlesex and Surrey—12953 Whereof of the Plague—9067
The total of all Diseases, within the Walls, without the Walls, in the Liberties, in Middlesex, and Surrey: with the Nine Out-Parishes, and the Pest-house.54265
Whereof, Buried of the Plague, this present Year, is35417
Christnings this present Year, is — 6983 Parishes infected this Year, is—121 Parishes clear this Year, is1
A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1629, and 1630.
WeeksDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 2419814100
23118414500
3January 719615600
41419814000
52118015000
62820414700
7February 420315100
81120112400
91820116300
102517916200
11March - 421917000
121122016122
131818715341
142520517200
15April— 118916111
16820418322
1715203173116
182221818873
192919216532
20May— 6177196156
2113175194139
22201581872010
2327158209248
24June— 31801931710
25101591921913
2617126180138
2724174205198
28July— 11492092512
2981412174316
30151482505020
31221632294016
32291722797726
33August— 51402505615
34121422466519
35191842695414
36261632706722
37Septemb. 21592306619
3891672596325
39161752646818
40231682745722
41301652695622
42October 71862366626
43141662617328
44211912486022
45281642143416
46Novemb 41542422916
47111762152915
4818201200189
492521022676
50Decemb. 22062212012
5191501981911
521618721754
The Totals9315105541317 

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1635, and 1636.
WeeksDays of MonChristn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 2423117000
23119517400
3January 721718900
41424217400
52122019000
62821417100
7February 422718300
81123416000
91820720300
102519823800
11March — 322119800
121023119400
131724418700
142421517700
153119319600
16April— 720219921
171422120542
182120420573
192827121043
20May— 519720643
21121992544111
2219171244228
23261602633811
24June— 21892765113
2591532756415
26161453258616
27231492576512
28301412738215
29July— 71522656416
30141422988618
312114635010819
322818336513629
33August— 415239418135
341116646524435
351816754628443
362516169038045
37Septemb. 116383553651
38815392156755
3915166110672860
4022172101864564
4129168121179657
42Octob.— 6170119579062
4313164111768259
442017485547652
452713377940458
46Novemb. 3153115675567
471016496663564
481714382751259
492416274740846
50Decemb. 116855029148
51817538514334
52151343247923
The Totals95222335910400 
1635. 1636. A General Bill for this present Year, ending the 15 day of December, 1636. according to the Report made to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, by the Company of Parish Clerks of London, &c.
 Bur.Pla. Bur.Pla. Bur.Pla
St. ALban Woodstr.4213St. George Botolph la.194St. Martin Ludgate519
Alhallows Bark.14232St. Gregory by S. Paul9939St. Martin Orgars202
Alhallows Breadstreet142St. Hellen292St. Martin Outwich173
Alhallows the Great12342St. James Dukes place4517St. Martin Vintry8521
Alhallows Hony-lane3 St. James Garlick hith371St. Matthew Fridayst.141
Alhallows the less478St. John Baptist194St. Maudlin Milkstre.9 
Alhallows Lumbardst.222St. John Evangelist1 St. Maudlin Oldfishst.7235
Alhallows Staining285St John Zacharies3914St. Michael Bassishaw459
Alhallows the Wall11140St. Katharine Colema.13573St. Michael Cornhill279
St. Alphage6211St. Katharine Creech.12937St. Michael Crookedl.338
St. Andrew Hubbard2610St. Lawrence Jewry263St. Michael Queen hith5217
St. Andrew Undershaf4411St. Lawrence Pountn.359St. Michael Queen111
St. Andrew Wardrobe12044St. Leonards Eastchea.102St. Michael Royal30 
St. Ann Aldersgate10468St. Leonards Foster la.9540St. Michael Woodstr.7421
St. Ann Blackfryers15359St. Magnus Parish4214St. Mildred Breadstre.246
St. Antholins Parish247St. Margaret Lothbur.26 St. Mildred Poultrey367
St. Austins Parish203St. Margaret Moses2411St. Nicholas Acons165
St. Barthol. Exchange.19 St. Margaret Newfish2812St. Nicholas Coleabby3712
St Bennet Fink257St. Margaret Pattons2311St. Nicholas Olaves216
St. Bennet Gracechur161St. Mary Abchurch242St. Olave Hartstreet6715
St. Bennet Paulswhat11249St. Mary Aldermanbu.3511St. Olave Jewry18 
St. Bennet Sherehog9 St. Mary Aldermary3912St. Olave Silverstreet3910
St. Botolph Billingsga.309St. Mary le Bow144St. Pancras Soper lane7 
Christs Church18370St. Mary Bothaw101St. Peters Cheap182
St. Christophers136St. Mary Colechurch101St. Peter Cornhill277
St. Clement Eastchea.183St. Mary Hill427St. Peter Paulswharf2912
St. Dionis Backchurch172St. Mary Mounthaw181St. Peter Poor15 
St. Dunstan East648St. Mary Sommerset8327St. Steven Colemanst.9229
St. Edmund Lumbard.152St. Mary Staining113St. Steven Walbrook8 
St. Ethelborough6127St. Mary Woolchurch185St. Swithin223
St. Faith3312St. Mary Woolnoth243St. Thomas Apostle278
St. Foster407St. Martin Ironmongl.8 Trinity Parish317
St. Gabriel Fenchurch145      
Buried in the 97 Parishes within the Walls, of all Diseases —4025 whereof of the Plague —1200
St. Andrew Holborn922419St. Botolph Aldgate1501735Saviours Southwark1269742
St. Bartholomew great248133St. Botolph Bishopsg.1239515S. Sepulchres Parish1327566
St. Bartholomew less4018St. Dunstan West24049St. Thomas Southwark214140
St. Bridget483153St. George Southwark1044514Trinity Minories4621
Bridewel Precinct5113St. Giles Cripplegate2374870At the Pesthouse10096
St. Botolph Aldersgate245125St. Olave Southwark1537847   
Buried in the 16 Parishes without the Walls, and at the Pesthouse— 12880 Whereof of the Plague— 5956
St. Clement Danes470117St. Katharines Tower577318St. Mary Whitechapel17661060
St. Giles in the fields863428St. Leonards Shoredit.767406St. Magdalen Bermon406203
St. James Clarkenwell649364St. Martin in the fields850294Savoy Parish10654
Buried in the nine Out-Parishes in Middlesex and Surrey— 6454 Whereof of the Plague— 3244
The Total of all Diseases, within the Walls, without the Walls, in the Liberties, in Middlesex, and Surrey: with the Nine Out-Parishes, and the Pest-house.23359
Whereof, Buried of the Plague, this present Years, is10400
The Totall of all the Christnings this present Year, is9522
Parishes infected this Year, is— 110 Parishes clear this Year, is— 12
A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1636, and 1637.
WeeksDays of Mon.ChristnBuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 221572636723
22915631810826
3January- 516233311833
4121572606621
5191722235118
6261992486924
7February 22132939225
891852709231
9161862507321
10231662183817
11March— 21862145725
1292042748829
13161932556729
14231772225725
153019429910130
16April— 61712508630
17131872356726
18201882528132
19271622649228
20May— 41682517231
21111632428529
22181572506627
23251722556723
24June— 11352326125
2581272185826
26151402239329
27221602468328
282914231413336
29July— 614730314134
301314525410932
312014826312536
32271432568627
33August— 31602236326
34101462286227
35171442134918
36241641783819
37311681702513
38Septemb. 71521813114
3914133171199
40211951501910
41281761672413
42October 5212135149
43122131641410
441919913595
452622515175
46Novemb. 2210169127
47920318695
481621019022
492321819053
5030214173118
51Decemb. 7227168108
5214229173108
The Totals9160117633082 

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality, for the Year 1639, and 1640.
WeeksDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf
1Decemb. 1921919732
22618014342
3January- 221017285
4921718422
51618617822
62318918111
73020122000
8February 621321311
91321521733
102022925711
112722422211
12March— 524923332
131222926333
141922423243
152623023644
16April— 223924732
17918823111
181620920844
192322521922
203021323933
21May— 721721253
221422021963
2321194219137
2428198193104
25June— 4209224198
26111652383410
2718180236156
2825175207259
29July— 2193213267
3091792092611
31161572253012
32231892504111
33301812375217
34August— 62102666819
35132152988121
36201953209824
37272093368925
38Septemb. 32193439827
391021933110524
40171933319825
41242103329423
42October 11973146922
4382013146327
44152172945519
45221582604218
46291812462413
47Novemb. 51922101712
48122002403317
49192012282312
5026234224138
51Decemb. 320822096
521020021964
5317245271105
The Totall10850127711450 
A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1640, and 1641.
WeekDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 2423537444
23120232232
3January- 721022032
41418419441
52120622254
62821021833
7February 422221422
81123023566
91823021953
102522 [...]25932
11March— 422823221
121120924222
131820523332
142522123433
15April— 122822684
16821827253
171521622943
182223426777
192919322576
20May— 6208241128
21132042541310
22201912341110
23271922451610
24June— 31682892713
25101913002013
26171382681911
27241742561510
28July— 11713053315
2981613042817
30151633114217
31221903765616
32291834587428
33August — 521246710025
34121795078028
351919255813130
362620361013935
37Septemb. 220170318336
38920265918538
391620665219738
402321066023950
413017663020450
42Octob.— 720265423949
431419660423454
442119851818448
452817446414436
46Novemb. 417740810631
47111833377925
48182093166120
49252232964416
50Decemb. 21982794117
5192092451510
52161902461710
The Totals10370182913067 

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1641, and 1642.
WeekDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 23213208159
2301962675123
3January. 62132532614
413193202119
520180208148
6272352343116
7February 32132142915
8102592502314
917215187147
1024210231269
11March— 32372391710
12102322321811
131720621455
1424203219135
15312212041711
16April — 72112132313
17141911902011
18212112052210
19282112392011
20May — 51932412115
21121982302911
22192012452515
23261742172715
24June — 21742113716
2591652082514
26161572022315
27231772781410
2830167264157
29July— 71701631812
30141651652412
31211921702412
32282001872918
33August — 42131853013
34112352244814
35182352244818
36252192365813
37Septemb. 12372276020
3881882747021
39152182796623
402222835110323
412920636212633
42Octob.— 62053318324
43132352818129
44202273159829
45271902755123
46Novemb. 31982755122
47101862323715
48172173034621
49242192561310
50Decemb. 12232501913
518228250189
52151812471210
The Totals10670121671824 
A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1642, and 1643.
WeeksDays of MonChristn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 22209267109
22917419986
3January- 5210248107
412207248116
519200273117
62623425787
7February 2215234117
8920726586
91619521611
102322524422
11March— 221423143
12919726485
131621121132
142321422422
153021621895
16April— 618621297
171323020364
182021424777
192718825054
20May — 418523397
2111155223137
2218211299159
23251692 [...]32
24June— 11832 [...]33
25817124332
2615180 [...] [...]2
2722135205 [...]2
2829154219 [...]2
29July — 6142209 [...]4
3013196 [...]4396
31201 [...] [...]76
3227156 [...]118
33August— 31 [...] [...]886
34101992 [...]92714
35171562952411
36241703082613
37311752852816
38Septemb. 7133313318
39141523025220
40211423286115
41281843185112
42October- 51993547321
43121783145918
44191563446718
45261573877320
46Novemb 21573095922
4791692615618
48161442722711
4923154238148
50301722271410
51Decemb. 7163232146
52141762111510
The Totals941013202996 

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality, for the Year 1643, and 1644.
WeeksDays of Mon.ChristnBuriedPlagueInf
1Decemb. 211572152512
22811617686
3January- 4180194188
411156192105
518168199199
6251572161 [...]8
7February 118121375
8816417655
91516421676
1022174189169
112917019775
12March— 715820343
131415817173
142117419455
152817615853
16April — 414817086
1711169189179
1818162158178
1925122175177
20May — 21851831711
219182191149
22161402112712
23231522244016
24301631983416
25June— 61251552414
26131131632013
27201382072014
28271162252915
29July — 41372221710
30111541823218
31181571984018
32251352044421
33August — 11432746124
3481262154817
35151162555820
36221222196728
37291322376724
38Septemb. 51362668529
39121322598527
40191312316628
41261502447628
42October 31682909534
43101582315828
44171432253617
45241582661811
46311612282312
47Novemb. 71712462512
4814168200158
492117216444
5028171186157
51Decemb. 51751821110
521216416822
531915618365
The Totals8104109331492 
A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality, for the year 1644, and 1645.
WeeksDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 2615116844
2January 214617486
3918120211
41618318133
52316015211
63018917155
7February 616515875
81316517244
92016316654
102715816243
11March — 615716122
121319116644
132016120065
142714417611
15April — 318018285
161015516122
171717318744
182416217266
19May— 112818632
20814516433
211511716044
222211918633
232913315421
24June — 515015222
2512144164154
261911714964
2726140146188
28July — 3122151157
2910135170246
30171342142610
31241342164115
32311272356221
33August— 71582427422
341414484610826
352112938012425
362812940814232
37Septemb. 417338915131
381115032511736
391816935910734
402515133912233
41October— 21863099829
42919132811428
431619133111531
44231722435725
45301352616322
46Novemb. 61372666721
47131632584221
48201622231710
49271532532013
50December 4154222128
5111137234139
521815320596
The Totals7966114791871 

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality, for the year 1645, and 1646.
WeeksDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 2512520564
2January. 114321722
3816117100
41513824122
52216520000
62916020211
7February 514619200
81215218853
91915717111
102612815511
11March — 515417054
121214619752
131915818633
142615315855
15April — 212819022
16916721043
171617320486
182314220965
193015517254
20May — 713718664
211413020495
222113419953
232814222153
24June— 415320595
2511126170136
26181302252210
2725135261107
28July — 21282232510
299124235289
30161293065016
31231493645814
32301313418222
33August— 614338410630
341315241913231
352015547219543
362715951720740
37Septemb. 314955423848
381014244414942
391716445515734
402413444317543
41October— 114432211438
42814134111524
431515332010631
44221412936722
45291572455222
46Novemb. 51632755517
47121592002713
48191512263718
49261452233416
50Decemb. 31432243216
51101402122612
52171491852910
The Totals758335322436 
A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1646, and 1647.
WeeksDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf.
1Decemb. 221521972715
2291471661611
3January- 5151182107
41216119766
519192206189
6261392011612
7February 215118497
89138164139
91617820422
102314920511
11March — 215718943
12915919922
131615119854
142316322543
153016213374
16April — 61522251410
171314420194
182014422365
192715418075
20May — 414216733
2111130185114
221812917655
232511915911
24June — 1130197127
25810715874
2615125181179
2722118187168
282912119799
29July — 61482684712
30131473179720
312015139012821
322714736315133
33August — 310643620931
341013643919129
351714252024831
362415643416128
373115745020835
38Septemb. 711954626745
391414243018440
402113749421542
412814143221241
42Octob. — 516040318338
431214535917249
441915336716338
452613333111434
46Novemb. 213130412035
4791122658423
48161332796626
49231222616024
50301211821812
51Decemb. 7117231179
52141111721511
The Totals7332140593597 

A TABLE of the Christnings and Mortality for the Year 1664, and 1665.
WeeksDays of Mon.Christn.BuriedPlagueInf
1Decemb. 2722929111
2January. 323934900
31023539400
41722341500
52423747400
63121640900
7February 722139300
81422446211
92123239300
102823339600
11March— 723644100
121423643300
132121136300
142823835300
15April — 424234400
161124538200
171823734400
182522939821
19May — 223738800
20921134794
211622735332
2223231385143
2330229399175
24June — 62344054376
251320655811212
262020461116819
272719968426720
28July — 4207100647033
2911197126872540
30181941761108954
31251932785184368
32August — 12153014201073
3381784030281786
34151665319388096
352217155684237103
362916974966102113
37Septemb. 5    
3812    
3919    
4026    
41Octob.— 3    
4210    
4317    
4424    
4531    
46Novemb. 7    
4714    
4821    
4928    
50Decemb. 5    
5112    
5219    
The Totals—    

OBSERVATIONS On the BILLS of MORTALITY For the 18 Years: And on some of their Precedent and Subsequent Years.

HAving now finished the Tables for the 18 Years, and given you a just and faithful accompt of all the Christnings and Burials in eve­ry particular Week, I shall make some few short Observations on the Weekly and General Bills therein, and on such other years, on which they have dependency; I mean some of their precedent and subsequent Years.

Observ. 1.

That the Weekly and General Bills in the year 1593. did bear date from Thursday to Thursday, as by the General Bill for that year (which I have here­in before inserted, may appear,) and that they continued that course until the year 1629. In which year, and ever since, they bare date from Tuesday to Tuesday: But both then and now, the Weekly Collections or accompts of Christnings and Burials, began the Bill in December, and the whole years ac­compt, or General Bill, concluded the year in the same Moneth following; whereas all the Papers that make mention of the Great Plagues in the years 1592. 1593. 1603. and 1625. bear date the 17 of March in all the said years, and accompt from thence; still making that day Epidemical, as well as the Year Pestilential. But I think it very strange, nor do I believe that the 17 of March in all the said years did fall out to be on a Thursday: but I conceive, that what is contained in them, was gleaned from some false scattered Papers, printed in [Page] some of those years, and I presume it will not be strange to such who shall live to see another year of Pestilence, to see the same poyson extracted from the many false Papers printed in this year.

Observ. 2.

That in all the years of Pestilence I ever read of, there died of that Distem­per both Males and Females, except in the Plague in the time of King David, and in that of Senacheribs Camp; in both which there died none but Men, as I shall shew you hereafter.

Observ. 3.

That in all the years of Contagion or Plague, the numbers of other Diseases encreased much, notwithstanding many of them turned to the Plague.

For although the Plague be a great Receptacle for other Diseases, yet the contagion of the Air introduceth many more than the Plague receiveth. And Captain Graunt observes, That a disposition in the Air towards the Plague, doth also dispose Women to Abortions.

Observ. 4.

That in the year 1625. there died in all 54265. whereof of the Plague 35417. of which number of the Plague 20455. died in the Moneth of August. I am of opinion that this year was not only the greatest year of Pestilence, but also the most sickly year that ever the Bill of Mortality took notice of. And I think I need give you no other reason therefore, than what I have already gi­ven in my 3. Observation. This great Mortality and Pestilence continued on­ly this year, whereas it is seldom known, but that other, either precedent or subsequent, accompany years of Pestilence with the like Contagion; which to this hapned nothing so: For in 1624. its precedent, there died but 11. which number of the Plague for one whole year is no more than there have usually died of that Distemper in healthful years. Nor was the subsequent year 1626. so Pestilential as to be termed a Plague year, there dying but 134 of the Plague therein.

Observ. 5.

That the greatest number of the Plague in the year 1636. hapned to be in September; and so likewise in most of the 18 years: in the precedent year to this, there died none of the Plague, although both it, and the subsequent year were Plague years.

Observ. 6.

In the year 1664 part, and 1665. the Plague began with the first Weeks Bill for the year, in December, at St. Giles in the fields, when as but one had died of the Plague in 24 weeks before, and but 6 in the whole year: it en­creased nor until the 9 day of May. From which time it continued and increa­sed, so that in 16 weeks it run up from 9 to 6102 in one week: which number of the Plague much exceeded the total number of any one week in any year of Pestilence whatsoever, which I ever read to have happened within this City.

I come next to shew you the Cause of the coming of the Plague, which I shall briefly do in the words of our famous English Oratour, Bishop Andrews.

The Plague (saith he) is caused by Gods wrath against Sin, There is wrath gone out from the Lord, and the Plague is begun (saith Moses) Numb. 16.46. So it is said, God was displeased with David, and he smote Israel with the Plague. So that if there be a Plague, God is angry; and if there be a great Plague, God is very angry, &c. Ask the Physician the cause of it, and he will tell you the cause is in the air; the air is infected, the humours corrupted, the Conta­gion of the sick, coming to and conversing with the sound, and they be all true causes.

But as we acknowledge these to be true, That in all Diseases, and even in this also there is a natural cause, so we say there is somewhat more, somewhat Divine and above Nature; as some­what for the Physician, so some work for the Priest, and more too (it may be) for whosoever doth not acknowledge the finger of God in this sickness, over and above all causes Natural, looketh not deeply enough into the cause thereof.

That the Plague is a thing causal and not casual, may appear by the Latine word Plaga, which properly signifieth a stroke; which necessarily inferreth a cause; for where there is a stroke, there must be one that striketh. Thus much of Bishop An­drews.

Now if there be a cause we shall do well to consider what that cause may be. In the Plague in Aarons time, the peoples Rebellion was the cause. In that in Phineas his time, Fornication was the cause. In that in King Davids time, Pride was the cause; his heart was lifted up to number the people. And in that in Senacheribs Camp, his Blasphemy by the mouth of his servant Rab­shakeh was the cause. Thus we see four Plagues and their Causes; Now I shall say somewhat of their causers. The two first of these were caused by the people, the other two by Kings. In the two first I observe that the Scri­pture makes mention only of the number of the people, without particularising what they were that died, whether Men, Women, or Children, or all of them. In the two latter it makes mention of Men only; first in King Davids time of Threescore and Ten Thousand men; and in Senacheribs Camp of One Hundred Fourscore and Five Thousand men: and I believe that in the two last none but men died, for King Davids sin was numbring the men, the women were not numbred. And in Senacheribs Camp, the Scripture sayes plainly, that those that died were mighty men of valour, Leaders and Captains in the Camp of the King of Assyria, 2 Chron. 32.21. And I believe that few or no women followed the Camp so far. And although frequently in Scri­pture where men are spoken of, women are included, yet I presume that in both these they were wholly exempt.

From hence I observe, that all the Plagues wherewith it hath pleased God to visit this Nation, were drawn down upon it by the sins of the people, and not by any particular act or crime of any the Kings thereof; for I cannot find, nor do I believe, that any one hath read of a Plague within this Nation which spared either Sex or Age.

Now to look home to our selves: Let us consider for which of these four causes, or whether for all of them, God is pleased to afflict us with the present raging Pestilence.

Although I am confident this Nation is sufficiently guilty of all of them, yet [Page] I am of opinion that more particularly this Judgment is laid on us for the first of them, the sin of Rebellion; which extended much farther than that of the Israelites against Moses and Anton; for they only murmured, they touched not the life of either of them, and yet God plagued them for it. Our Rebelli­on extended to the height of Rebellion, even to the taking away the life of the best of Kings, his late Majestie of ever blessed Memory, whose blood doubtless doth uncessantly cry to the Lord for Vengeance.

For if the Lord punished the sin of Saul a King so severely, for shedding the blood of the Gibeonites, who were his Vassals and Slaves, Hewers of Wood, and Drawers of Water, that neither the lives of himself and his three sons, who fell all in one Battel, in one day; nor the three years of Famine in the Land, could appease Gods wrath therefore, but that the blood of seven more of Sauls sons must do it.

May not then this Nation justly expect Gods greatest judgments to fall on the people of it, for shedding the blood of their lawful Soveraign? For their sin herein was as much greater than Sauls, by how much a lawful and good King (over three so fair, large, and populous Kingdoms) is greater than a Vassal or Slave.

And because Murther of all sins is the most hainous in the sight of the Al­mighty, but especially the Murthering of Kings and Nobles, therefore God punisheth it with one of his severest punishments, I mean with the Plague: for God himself accounted three dayes Pestilence equal to three Months flying before the Enemy, or three years of Famine.

Some may Object, and say, That it is a vain and ridiculous thing to imagine this present Plague to be inflicted upon us for a thing so long past.

I answer in the words of the Psalmist, Psal. 9.12. When God maketh inqui­sition for blood, he remembreth them. When God will make inquisition for blood, there is none can tell; but when he doth, then he will not fail to re­member them that shed it.

This When, hath not at any time since the death of our late Martyred Sove­raign, come so near as now; and therefore I cannot choose but take particu­lar notice of it. For God doth not alwayes make inquisition for blood so soon as it is spilt, but many times a great while after: as may appear by the Gibeonites, for Saul slew them in his life time, in favour of the men of Israel [Page] and Judah; and yet God sent a Famine of three years in the time of King David, after Sauls death; for that a full satisfaction for their blood was not then made by the blood of Sauls Family. And when David asked them, what he should do for them to make an atonement to the Lord: they (though slaves) asked neither silver, nor gold, nor Liberty, but seven of Sauls sons, whom they hanged to cease the Famine.

Thus much then for supernatural causes: I shall now proceed to give you some Causes natural.

The first and great Cause natural, is the infection of the Air, and the Rule and Raigning of the Plannets over mens bodies: from which proceeds the Contagion of Converse. And I conceive that the contagion of the Air doth arise from the unseasonableness of the weather; for the weather hath been very seldom, since the beginning of the Plague, sutable to the season of the year, but the Air hath been close and obnubulated, insomuch that the Sun hath not had the full power to do its Office; which is, to exhale all Foggs and malign Vapours, &c. arising from terrene bodies, which corrupt and infect the Air.

The second is the inclination of mens bodies to receive and retain the sup­pressions of the Air.

And mens bodies are most inclineable to it when they are disordered by immoderate eating or drinking, by heats or colds, &c. And it is thought by some, that things eaten long since may in some measure be introductory to it. For some Physitians are of opinion, that the unwholsom meat (by reason of the great Rot among Sheep) eaten by the Poor last Year, may now cause so great a Malignity, as to prove contagious.

Now the first and great Antidote and Preservative against the Plague, is hearty Repentance and fervent Prayer. For Prayer upon Repentance is of all things most powerful with God; the many and mighty effects whereof, the Holy Scriptures do abundantly declare.

I shall give one instance of the excellency of it briefly, as I had it related to me by a worthy Gentleman, my very good Friend, as followeth.

Many years since, it pleased God to afflict the Kingdom of France with a Contagious sneezing, that might justly be termed epidemical: for in a short [Page] space it swept away many thousands of people. And the King then Regnant took all possible care to abate it, by convening all the learned Doctors in his own Nation, together with the assistance of some from Neighbouring Na­tions: and all to small purpose, for all Philosophie Physical could by no means abate it. At length they fell to their Devotions, and in a very short space it pleased God to cease it; which hath procreated a good Ceremony amongst them ever since used, that when any man sneezes, all the Company put off their Hats and pray, Dieu vous assiste, which is, God help you, the Lord bless you.

The second, or mean Antidote and Preservative against Infection, is to take the advice of some learned Physician, whether Galienical or Chymical, and to do thereafter.

FINIS.

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