The Observations of Mr. LILLIE; and many Famous and Learned Divines, touching the present Visitation of the PLAGUE of PESTILENCE; With a Prayer to be used in all Families, for sheathing of the Sword of the Destroying Angel, and to divert Gods heavy Judgments: As also several excellent Receipts & approved Medicines as well for curing the Plague, as for preventing the further Infection: As hath f [...]r [...]erly been approved of in the Year, 1625. when thirty five thousand four hundred and twenty eight died of the Pestilence; but by the blessing of God, and the singular operation and vertue of these following Receipts the Venome of this raging Distemper was expelled, and not one died; as appears by the Wonderful Miracle of Mercy recited in the Margent. With the number that now dies weekly of the present Visitation, both in City and Suburbs.
WHereas it hath pleased Almighty God to Visit this Metropolis with His present Judgments, and to streatch forth his hand of Indignation against us; let every one therefore endeavour b [...] Prayer and [...]upplication to amend his life, to become new Creatures, to reforme themselves of their wicked practises, and to [...]enounce all sinful wayes, to keep and obey Gods Commandements, and to prize the Holy Sabboth, and his blessed Ordinances; and that ye may all do, apply your selves to such Rules and precepts that may bring happiness to your immortal souls; and as the learned Divines, Mr. Lillie and several others observe the only Plague-Water for this present Infection, is, to cleanse and wash your hearts of all filth and wickedness, to humble your selves under this p [...]esent Judgment, and to forsake your sins; that so the Lord may be pleased to command the slaying Angel to sheath his word and to put th [...]se A [...]owes into the Quiver, which are now dispersed into several parts of the City; and as God was graciously pleased to make a miraculous [...] Pest [...]lence in the year 1625. when 35417 died of the Plague in London and the Liberties, and 54265 of other Diseases; & [...] the mi [...] of [...] desolation it pleased thee Lord most wonderfully to command health & salvation, and to restore us suddenly to joy and gladness▪ [...] let thy infinite mercies su [...]pass all our hopes; and be graciously pleased now againe to turn thy fury into Clemency and to [...] people, whose daily supplications we earnestly implore may be amongst all Families in manner and forme as followeth.
‘O Lord, God great Jehova [...], thou merciful [...]reat [...] of Heaven and Earth, we (most miserable and dejected sinners) here present our selves before thy Heavenly Throne, intreating thee to loo [...] [...] distressed offenders; we confes [...] we are unworthy of the name of thy Children we have [...]espised thy Love, and forsaken thy wayes, made slight of thy words and refused thy Chatisements, without thinking what we deserve; we have not feared thy Judgments, nor dreaded thy threatnings; we have not sought thy favours, nor listned after thy mercies; we have winked at our small sins, and smothered our great sins; we have drawn down thy Iudgments upon us and thou hast justly sent the Plague of Pestilence amongst us: Our sins are manifold, our transgressions without number, they have even sought for Vengeance, and now according to our deserts, thou hast sent the Destroying Angel to marke us out for Death. The graves seek to devour us, the Bells toal for us, Death and Time are agreed to carry us away; but in thy merciful help only there is hope, and on thee we depend for help: O help us good God▪ O spare us sweet Saviour and as thou didst spare in the time of King David, & Charged'st the destroying Angel to cease so we beseech thee now to spare thy people, cease thy anger, take we intreat thee this Plague of Pestilence from us, with-hold back thy wrath and as thou spared'st the repo [...]ing Ninivites, so make us repent, and save this City and Nation. O Lord help us unfeignedly to bewail our former life past, and seek effectual amendment for a better life hereafter, to which better life pre [...]tly bring us, Lord we beseech thee, and therein hold us for ever by the power of thy grace in Iesus Chaist, to whom with thee O Father, and the Blessed Spirit, be glory by us, for all thy mercies on us, now and ever, Amen.’
Certain approved Medicines for the Plague, both to prevent that Contagion, and to expel it after it be taken; as have been approved of in the year 1625. when Thiry-five thousand four-hundred twenty-eight died of the Plague in one year; as also in this present Visstation,1665.
- 1. A cheap Medicine to keep them from Infection is, Take a pinte of new Milk, and cut two Cloves of Garlick very small, put it in the Milk, and drink it every Morning fasting, and it preventeth Infection.
- 2. A posset-drink to remove the plague from the heart, that is, an Ale posset-drink with Pimpernel seethed in it, till it tastes strong of it▪ drank often, removes the Infection, though it hath got to the very heart.
- 3. Another approved remedy against the Plague, Take a sprig of Rue, otherwise called Herb-of-grace, and shred it, and put it in a Fig or two, and eat it every Morning fasting, it keeps the body from Infection, and purifieth the blood; withall, spare excess of drinking, especially Ale and Bottle-drink, and be very temperate in the Liquors, Tobacco is good every morning, and a great preservative against the Infection.
Amongst the many Prescriptions for the Cure of the Plague which we have publisted, this is very effectual, and if carefully observed (by Gods blessing). may cure many.
At the first taking of the Infection, or when they find themselves ill with the accustomed Symptoms, as in other highly malignant Feavers, let them empty their Stomack (if full or foul) with Carduus Posset in a large quantity, or warm water; and if need be, take a Clyster of Milk and Sugar. Then betaking themselves to bed, drink a good draught of warm Posset-Ale with a little Vinegar, and as much as a good Walnut of London- Treacle dissolved in it; or take the Treacle first, and drink the Posset-Ale after; and so without their Shifts let them sweat twenty four hours or more, renewing the Treacle and Posset-Ale every sixth or seventh hour, but in half the proportion; and in the mean while, let them be refreshed with Posset-Ale, or Grewel, or Oatmeal Caudle, or Broth in which Harts-horn, Mace, Marjoram and Marigold flowers are boiled: Besides, they may take two or three spoonfuls of Plague-water. At first also let large Blisters be raised under the Ears, near the Armholes and Groins, and kept running till the Distemper be over. Mithridate and Venice-Treacle are also very effectual [...]n like manner taken, but in half the quantity.
For Prevention, this:
Take a pint of Whitewine-Vinegar, two ounces of London-Treacle, mix them well in a Glass-bottle: take one good spoonful every morning and evening if you go ab [...]oad; or take half a spoonful of Bole-Armen▪ with two spoonfuls of Plague-water or Angelica water every morning. Take once a week three Pills of Ruffus at bed-time. Hold oft in your mouth Myrrh or Zedoaria. Take heed of heating the Blood any way. Avoid Fruits, especially Plums, Melons, Cucumers, &c. Keep to a spare and single Diet. This, under that great Preserver, Gods Protection, may be a good security.
An approved Remedy against the Pestilence be it never so vehement.
Take an Onion and cut him overthwart, then make little hole in each p [...]ece, the which you shall fill with fine Treacle, then set the pieces together again as they we [...] b [...]fo [...]e, then wrap them in a white linnen cloth. Puting it so to roast in the Embers and Ashes, then when it is roasted enough, press out all the juyce of it and give the Patient a spoonful thereof to drink▪ and so by Gods help he shall feel ease, and most undoubtedly be healed.
Bu [...]ied within the 97 P [...]rishes within the Walls,
- of all Diseases—93,
- Whereof, of the PLAGUE—23
- St. Andrews Holborn 35
- St. Bartholomew Great 4
- St. Bartholomew Lesse 0
- St. Brides Parish 7
- Bridewel Precinct 2
- St. Botolph Aldersgate 4
- St. Botolph Aldgate 1
- St. Botolph Bishopsgate 17
- St. Dunstans West 5
- St. George Southwark 2
- St. Giles Cripplegate 32
- St. Olaves Southwark 2
- St. Saviours Southwark 0
- St. Sepulchres Parish 48
- St. Thomas Southwark 2
- Trinity Minories 0
- At the Pesthouse 5
Buried in the 16 Parishes without the Walls, and at the Pesthouse, of the Plague—166
- St. Giles in the Fields 149
- Hackney Parish 0
- St. James Clerkenwel 10
- St. Katharine Tower 0
- Lambeth Parish 0
- St. Leanard Shoreditch 7
- St. Magdalen Bermend 0
- St. Mary Newington 0
- St. Mary Islington 2
- St. Mary whitechappel 6
- Redriff Parish 0
- Stepney Parish 2
Buried in the 12 out Parishes in Middlesex and Surrey of the Plague—176
- St. Clement Danes 19
- St. Paul Covent Garden 1
- St. Martins in the Fields 55
- St. Mary Savoy 4
- St. Margaret Westminster 26
- Whereof at the Pesthouse 4
Buried in the 5 Parishes, in the City and Liberties of Westminster, of the Plague—105
Buried
- of all Diseases—1006
- Plague—470
- Increased in the Burials this Week—322.
- Parishes clear—79.
- Infected—33
*⁎* In and about London, from the 2. of Decem. 1624. to the 23 of Decem. 1625. of all Diseases—63001. in London and the Liberties; Aug. 18. 1625. of all Diseases, 5205. of the Plague—4463. the same year; March 9. of all Diseases in London, and the Liberties in one week but—141. Of the plague none. A Miracle of Mercy: Glory be to the most HIGH.