THis Preface, and the following Re­view, were not without good reason personated as written by a Third person; yet perhaps may make it questionable, Whether they were done by the Author of the Books abreviated, or by another hand; but that is not material: For, they ex­press nothing save what may be by him justified in every circumstance; and therefore it shall so pass. He was Thirteen years old when Queen Elizabeth reigned; and even at that time be­gun to observe both the Works of GOD, and the Actions ef Men; so continuing to do, from time to time, whereby (with GOD's gracious assistance) he was preserved from grosly falling into, and persevering in those sins whereto he was naturally prone; and came into the world at a time which gave him such an Experimen­tal knowledg both of GOD and Men, as he could not have had in many preceding Gene­rations; for he hath lived to see Eleven Signal Changes, in which, not a few Signal Tran­sactions Providentially occurred; to wit, un­der the Government of Queen Elizabeth, [Page] King James, Charles the First, the King and Parliament together, the Parliament alone, the Army, Oliver Cromwel, Richard Cromwel, a Council of State, the Parlia­ment again, and now King Charles the Se­cond; during all which times, he lived in those Places, and in such midling Stations, between persons of the highest and lowest de­gree; exercised in Employments, which gave him opportunity to heed what was done, both by those who were above and below him. GOD had also bestowed upon him a Faculty, which (though it be despised, and he there­with but meanly endowed) would not permit him to be altogether idle or silent; for, it com­pelled him to a consciencious exercise of his Talent, in that, which he thought required at his hand; and to take all occasions from time to time happening, to commemorate, and offer to consideration, those things whereby GOD might be glorified, and his Countreymen bene­fited in some degree; which duty (though not so well as he would) he hath so well as he could prosecuted to this day.

He begun very early, by expressing and pub­lishing those Conceptions which the Affecti­ons and Inclinations of Youth had awaken­ed in him; endeavouring to season them with as much Morality and Piety, as Subjects of that nature are capable of; suiting them to ca­pacities [Page] of young men, who delight to see their own Natural Passions represented as it were in a glass; wherein, they not onely met with some better things then they looked for, but, with such Notions also therewith mixed, as insinuated into their hearts that seasoning, which made them much delighted with his Poems, and rendred him so generally known, that many thousands were desirous to peruse his future Writings, and to take better heed of that, whereof else perhaps they had taken little or no notice, though expressed by a more elegant and learned Author. It likewise en­couraged him to assume all Occasions to pro­secute that, which might most redound to GOD's Glory, and the edifying of men in Faith and Righteousness, though it were to his personal disadvantage in carnal concern­ments. And GOD hath given him comfort therein, carrying him on hitherto through all difficulties occurring, though by impartially discharging his Conscience in such a mode as had provoked many powerful persons to pro­secute him with Indignation; for, his fre­quent reproofs have been very offensive, not­withstanding they were in general terms one­ly, without personal aspersions, and with as much charity, and tender respect to every mans infirmities, and unwilling failings, as to his own.

[Page] Length of time hath given him so many several occasions to declare what he thought necessary or expedient, that his Published Poems and Writings amount now to about a hundred, besides many never Printed; In which, though he hath exprest much to the same purpose (in various forms and words) yet the same or like occasions warrant the ap­plication of the same or like matter and words, as the practise of the holy Prophets and Apo­stles hath evidenced to be sometimes necessary. For, that Medicine which operates not at one time, doth work effectually at another, on the same persons, or upon those of another consti­tution: Meats also, variously dressed, are plea­sing to their appetites, and well digested by their stomacks, who almost loathed them when often eaten cook't the same way. And so it is in this case. Wherefore he hath endeavoured to put his Matter into such a dress (otherwhile in Prose, and otherwhile in a Poetical Mode) that it may suit with vulgar capacities, and not be despised by the most Judicious; mixing so far forth as may be decent, Delight and Profit, according to this old Verse, ‘Et prodesse solent, & Delectare Poetae.’

His presuming to give counsel to them who neither desire it, nor care for his advice, hath much offended many, and made them heedless of that which might have prevented their sor­row; [Page] but it hath pleased and benefited some; and that makes him slight their Proverb, which forbids coming to give Counsel be­fore we are called. And he hath nevertheless prosecuted the multiplying of Doctrinal Re­membrances, Exhortations, Precautions and Predictions, (to prevent that which the ne­glect of them will produce) until they amoun­ted to that numerousness which appears in those Books whereof this is an Abridgment. And by considering upon whose Promises and Threatnings they are grounded, he hath not been affraid to predict conditionally those Mercies aud Judgments which are promised and menaced in those Books here abreviated. And some will find, that which is not yet veri­fied upon Wilful Delinquents, to be at last as truly fulfilled, as those which they have seen; though the world hath made it one of her Prin­ciples to believe and profess, That Prophesy­ing hath long time ceased; because her wise men think as the Apostle Peter said prophane men would do in the later times, who scof­fingly say, Where is the Promise of his com­ing; for, since the Fathers fel asleep, all things continue as they were from the Creation, 1 Pet. 3. 4. Indeed, Prophesying is at an end, as touching saving-Faith, or any new Funda­mental Articles thereto pertaining. But, the Spirit of Prophesie, as foretelling what shall [Page] come to pass in relation to those Mercies or Judgments, which shall be the reward ef well­doing, and the punishment of evil-doers, in this life, is not taken away or ceased, as it hath been manifested in and by many, who have had in our dayes Revelations of such things before they came to pass, and have been living Witnesses of their predicting them before-hand; as also of their being afterward fulfilled; and in particular, of that Judg­ment, whereby the glory of London was this year consumed, (though that will not come in­to every mans Creed:) For, before the said Fire, this Author was informed by a credible person, (who was afterward a great Sufferer thereby) of a Vision representing such a Con­flagration in London as there befel soon after. He himself also, had confused preapprehensions of the like effect, when he sent forth his Warning-piece to London, published 1662, occasioned by a sudden Fire in the Night at Lothbury, near the middle of that City, which then consumed the House of an eminent Citizen, with all the Inhabitants therein. Dr. Gell, a Learned and Conscientious Prea­cher to this City, seemed also to have had the like impressions upon his heart, both by what he communicated to some Friends in private, and by a Printed Sermon of his, preacbed be­fore the Lord Mayor upon that Text, Mat. 24, [Page] wherein the coming of the Son of Man, is parallel'd with the coming of the Flood in the dayes of Noah. The same Sermon con­tains a Narrative (which he averrs was at­tested by many Witnesses) to wit, That about two years before his Preaching of that Ser­mon, The sign of the Son of Man, even of Christ on the Cross, wounded in his hands and feet, and Angels round about him, ap­peared at Frankendale in Germany, to the view of Thousands, Three hours together at mid-day. Moreover it is credibly avowed, That a Book was brought to be published a little before the said Fire, fore-declaring what we have seen come to pass, and was refused by the Prin­ter, because not Licensed; and that the same Printer being afterward busie to help quench the Fire, and then seeing that same person passing by, told him, he suspected his hand to be in the kindling thereof: Whereto the man answered, That had he been accessary to such a a wicked Purpose or Action, he should not have offered that to publication, whereby it might probably have been prevented; adding these words, That ere long there would be a more dreadful Execution by the Sword, then that was by the Fire; (which, whosoever that man was, or upon what ground soever he spake, it may probably come to pass) and a Famine follow that, if God should deal with [Page] us according to our demerits.

This Review is in the first place entituled, An Eccho from the Sixth Trumpet; because, it allusively reverberateth, and Ecchoes, as it were, to what was predicted should come to pass between the sounding of the Sixth and Seventh Trumpet, upon pouring forth the Sixth Viol, the sad Effects whereof are part­ly felt at this day, by many who consider not from whence they proceed, that they might have been as effectual to make them happy, as they will also be to make them more miserable both here and hereafter. Now if upon the whole matter it should be questioned (as perhaps it may) upon what warrantable grounds this Author presumes this Generation is guilty of such and so many Provocations, as have ren­dred it liable to Gods Judgments conditio­nally predicted in his former Writings; he thereto answers, That beside his personal knowledg thereof acquired by long experi­ence, (and the witness which he believes the Spirit of GOD beareth in his heart thereun­to) Common Fame is a good concurrent Evi­dence (especially in this case;) for, though in many things Fame is a Lyar; yet in such cases as this, Vox Vulgi is Vox Dei, The Voice of the People is the Voice of GOD to their Consciences, bearing witness against themselves, as justly meriting all the Judg­ments [Page] predicted by his Prophets, against such sinnes as they have committed; and they alwayes carry in themselves (though seldom heeded) their Accusation and Sentence of Condemnation.

It is no marvel, if GOD's long-suffering is little regarded, whilst he is slow to wrath, and executes fore threatned Plagues upon some Persons and Places with less terror and severity then upon some other, or upon the same persons at other times: For, now when they came thick, fell heavily and more dreadfully upon them, than heretofore, the greatest num­ber are so far from being reformed; that they grow more impudent Malefactors, as it was predicted it would be in these last times, where­in they on whom the Viols of Wrath should be poured forth, blasphemed when they should have repented. But this excuses not those whom GOD qualifies for such Services (though they shall be bemired and rent in pieces by some) if they shall not seasonably proclaim and reite­rate Precautions and Exhortations as often as just occasions are offered; and therefore this Review of Neglected Remembrances, is thought pertinent at this time, though they were heretofore scoffingly termed Prophesies, and will at this day be as little regarded by many; and it is hoped also, this labour will not be quite lost, but have a kindly operation [Page] on those who are not hardned into a final im­penitence by customary sinning, and wilful­ly despising GOD's Judgments and Mercies; and that they may be likewise helpful to pre­vent the like obduracie in those who are not to­tally depraved.

Many who are forgetful or heedless of fore­warnings, Counsels and Precepts, which concern their present duties, are so much en­clined to listen after those Predictions which presage their happiness or unhappiness hereaf­ter, that, if the contrary were not apparent, it might probably be thought, they were less care­ful to secure their present, then their future enjoyments; for, they rake together all Pre­dictions new and old, which have a show of presaging that which they fear or hope for; entertaining each other at their Meeting-pla­ces, with mutual Repetitions of what they last heard to such purposes, how frivolous or impro­bable soever. This Vanity, the Seducer of Man­kind, and the Deceitfulness of mens hearts, makes use of to divert the prosecution of their Duties to GOD, to themselves, and to other men; and to frustrate those rational and sea­sonable Predictions and Precautions, which might have prevented the greatest Plagues conditionally menaced by the most holy Pro­phets. By delighting more to hear what is to come, then what men ought to do; they seem [Page] to think all good Counsels and Endeavours less pertinent to their cognizance and pra­ctise, than an unprofitable, uncertain fore­sight of what is but conditionally predicted, and shall onely come to pass according as the conditions are performed or neglected. But, toward the cure of this distemper, humane Prudence can extend no further than the circumference of its own Sphear.

Predictions expressed in ambiguous Terms, and having neither certain signification or de­pendance upon ought following or preceding, are ignorantly insisted upon as pertinent to those Persons or Places whereto they had pro­bably no relation. Such are many groundless Figments cry'd about the Streets, and pickt out of Gypsie-like Prognostications, to the abusing of ignorant people. Such are also the ridiculous Welsh Impostors, entituled Ta­liefen, the Fiction termed the Panther-Pro­phesie; and Mother Shiptons Prophesies, so called, are thought considerable by some who suppose themselves no fools; and hereby Pre­dictions and Premonitions grounded upon sound Reason, and Divine Truth, are unheeded or neglected.

However, there is and shall be a Remnant preserved, who can distinguish between seri­ous and trivial Precautions; and to them, that which is here collected, will at some times [Page] be of good use, though the Author be yet in contempt, and in a suffering-condition. Let those therefore, into whose hands these come, be pleased to accept and improve them as they find cause, giving praise to God, who vouchsaf­eth timely fore-warnings to all Places, Per­sons and Societies in every Age; and Memo­rials of that which brings on Confusion and destruction, to the glorifying of his Righte­ousness, to the shame of presumptuous Transgressors, and to make future times more cautious; speaking as well by the simple and mean, as by the wise and honourable, in terms fitted unto every capacity; as also in such various Modes as might rouze them up out of security. And, now of late, seeing both dreadful and calm Voices have been long slighted or neglected, he hath spoken to us by all the Elements; yea, by Pestilence, Warr, furious Hurricano's, and devouring Fire, joined together in a terrible Consort: To which is added a concurrent Presage in the hearts of most men, portending a general Ruine, by their agreeing in that fear, how differing soever their, Affections and Judg­ments be in other things; and doubtless a fi­nal execution of Judgment is not far off, in regard their grand Affairs in most places, be­gin to resemble the Constitution of that Senate whereof it was said, That all the rest of the [Page] Senators were ordered according to the plea­sure of one among them; he governed by his Wife, she by her Childs Nurse, and the Nurse by her Nursing.

According to our vulgar Computation, this is the Thousandth six hundred sixty and sixth year after our Saviour's Birth, and will questionless, be a signal year, according to the pre-conjectures of many; yet, not ex­tend to the total extirpation of his Malignant Kingdom, whose Reign is to end in the 666th year after he was compleatly enthroned upon the Seat of that BEAST, which was to con­tinue a Thousand years in a declining estate, until the Mystery of Iniquity should be rai­sed out of it to the full height; which time, (though they heeded it not) was mystically fore­declared in their own Numerals, which in an orderly conjunction, according to their simple valuation, extends no further than to make MDCLXVI, comprehending the whole term limited to the Fourth Monarchy, with what should arise out of it, from the highest exaltati­on both of the First and Second Beast. The highest pitch of the First, the Author believ­eth (as he hath frequently hinted in his Wri­tings published upon several occasions) was even then at full, when the Lord of Life was crucified under that Power; for, till then it flourished. The number of years comprehen­ding [Page] the Heathenish and Papal Antichristian Tyrany, being MDCLXVI in the whole, was not to be reckoned as beginning immediately after Christs birth, but after his crucifying or ascension; allotting the greatest Numeral M, to wit, a Thousand years, to the said First Beast, and DCLXVI years, to the Se­cond Beast, that being the number of the Name, or Power of that Mystical Man of Sin, whose Reign will probably determine in or about the Three or four and thirtieth year yet to come, if Chronologers have truly in­formed us of the times past; and History rightly stated the Progress of the Second Beast, to the height of his Power, that we may know from what year to begin that num­ber: But this is certain, though nor the year, nor the day can be precisely known, he hath not long to reign; for, all predictions will ere long end in one; and as it was said a lit­tle before the Flood, GOD will not much longer strive with Flesh; but, for the sakes of his Elect, shorten the time of Antichrist, which might else have been lengthned out to the end of 6000 years after the Creation, but that his fury will hasten his own destru­ction.

This—66th year shall be a preparative thereunto, though the Romanists insult, as if the Saints have mistaken the time of their Vi­sitation; [Page] for, the late Execution of Judg­ment by devouring Fire, (the like whereof (considering it was not accompanied with the Sword) was never, or very seldom heard of since the consuming of Sodom and Gomarrah) as are also other Epidemical Judgments, pro­secuted upon those of GOD's own House, not to destroy, but to purge it. When their fierce Trial hath consumed the Hay, Stubble and Wooden Structures, which they have erect­ed; when self-love, hypocrisie, the Reliques of Idolatry, and such other Babylonish Cor­ruptions (as of old, or newly crept in) are purged out; when the abominable Pride, Idle­ness and Excess, which have here abounded, to the parallelling of Sodom, (considering what they wanted of what we had) are con­sumed, which nothing can burn up, except such irresistable Fires as that of late, or somewhat thereto equivalent; and, when the Saints have drunk so much of this bitter Cup, as will suffice to cleanse them; Then shall the Scarlet Whore, and her vaunting Confede­rates, swallow down the Dreggs, finding themselves deceived in the expectation of those Consequents which their Emissaries have pre­dicted in silly Rimes dispersed since the said Fire, to insinuate that the Executions now in Act, will be destructive to them onely who are departed out of their Babylon, and protested [Page] against it. For, though the purifying of Gods Family is thereby principally intended, the same Judgments will have concurrent ef­fects from year to year, toward the compleat­ing of that, which will be the final Doom of Rome's Babylon, when 666 years, as afore­said, are determined after their Mysterie of Iniquity was at height.

This Author believes, That the Saints last Purgatory is now commencing, and that it is made signal by the Fire which in this year hath eclipsed the glory, and defaced the Beau­ty of London, which is to our Israel of GOD, the same which Jerusalem in Palestine was to his Israel at that time. London was the greatest, the most famous, and the most potent of all the Cities wherein the Protestant Reli­gion was visibly professed in opposition to the Papacy; and among other considerable cir­cumstances, that Mercy whereby the executi­on of Divine Justice was managed, during this years Visitation hitherto, do manifest, that they have a special relation to Gods In­heritance. The most Magnificent, and the Noblest part of this Ancient City was wholly and suddenly consumed; her sad Inhabitants looking on, were disabled to quench it, till it had destroyed (with many thousands of other Structures great and small) above a Hundred Temples and Oratories, besides Colledges, [Page] Schools and Halls; one of her Temples being reputed the greatest in Christendom, and wherein the Gospel had been preached, and GOD worshipped, and (though not at all times by all according to the purity of his Sanctuary, yet) by some with as much sincerity, (accor­ding to the degrees of their understanding) as by any other National or Congregational Assemblies; until Humane Authorities pre­sumed to set up their Posts by GOD's Posts, and Magisterially imposed more than was enjoyned or required by him; which presumption was aggravated by falling from their first love to Christ and their Brethren; which Love is the most signal mark of his Disciples; yea an over-peremptory and too stiff an adhering by all parties dissenting in Judgment, to their single Opinions as touching things indifferent in their own nature, hath partly (if not principally) occasioned that overflowing and complication of Plagues wherewith we are now afflicted throughout these three Nations, and in this our Head-City, in which (if we may believe Travellers) both her own Citi­zens, and Strangers were preserved in more safety by night and by day, and as well and civilly governed according to Moral Princi­ples, and External Forms of Piety, as in any City throughout the world, so great, and so populous; yet the fury of the late Fiery [Page] Storm most raged, and made the saddest spect a­cle, and the most deformed marks of Desola­tion, even in that part of this City wherein they lived who were then reputed among the most generous, the most civil, the most chari­table, and the most pious of her Inhabitants; and though the best men had not the least share in that Calamity, it was made tollerable by so many Mercies wrapt up therewith, as do evi­dence, that God had a considerable number ther­in, and that the generality were no greater sin­ners then they whose Dwellings escaped that Judgment. The Out-parts (except at the West end) were graciously spared, as Zoar was heretofore, for the sake of Lot, to be for the present time a Refuge both to them who were chased away by the Fire, and to their Brethren, whose habitations were preserved for their joint comfort; and of this Mercy the best and worst of men had equal portions, in some respects, because their time is not yet come, wherein GOD will be fully avenged on his and their Enemies.

Though probably that Fire was both kindled and encreased by wicked hands, Divine Pro­vidence (who permitted those to be his Exe­cutioners) carried it on as well against the Wind, when it blew very strongly, as with it; and by taking away their hearts who were suc­cesfully active at other times in preventing [Page] such beginnings, permitted it to proceed so far: And when GOD's Fiery Messenger was in the height of his Career, bounded his rage at Pa­per-buildings, after it had broken irresistibly through thick and strong Edifices of Brick and Stone. It is considerable also, That this Fire was not permitted to extend into those Contiguous Buildings, Streets and Allies, wherein the greatest Oppressors, the most prophane, the most impudent, the most de­bauched, and the most irreligious persons were commonly famed to have their dwellings intermixt with such as were of a civil and pious conversation; for few or no places were then touched by the Fire, wherein either a publick Theater, or a common Gaming­house, or a notorious Brothel-house, or a May-pole, or a Popish Chappel was at that time standing, which it may be some think, so hallowed the places, that the Fire could not prevail against them; whereas it rather de­monstrates, That this Visitation extends pri­marily to GOD's own People; and that the utter extirpation of Antichrist, and his pro­phane Associates, is deferred until a time yet to come. Yet, in the mean while, (though few lay it to heart) GOD will inflict upon every particular Member of that wicked Society, in his generation, so much of their temporal dooms as will amount to the whole at their [Page] lives end; and therefore seeing their last doom (for ought they know) may be too mor­row, or this present hour, it will be dangerous to defer penitence, because they think the last day of Judgment may be far off. This, and the preceding Affirmatives will peradventure be distastful to those Time-pleasing Parasites, (as also to them who delight in gross flatteries) who preach Peace, and prognosticate glorious Consequences to the Proceedings of this Ge­neration. But the Wrath of such will not prevent the failing of their unwarrantable Expectations.

That, nothing contained in the following Review, may justly be suspected, as therein­to lately shufled, a Catologue of the Imprint­ed Books, out of which it was gathered as they come to hand, (being gotten together with much difficulty) shall be added in the close, with a direction to the pages wherein their abreviation is begun, corrected in those places, where faults have escaped at the Press, there being very many, by reason of the Authors not being present, and there are some such gross mistakes, that he could hardly make out his own meaning. It shall mention also the years wherein the said Books were the first, or a second time imprinted; in which it is to be heeded, that the Book-sellers usually post­date the first Impressions, that the Books may seem new a little the longer.

This is as much as shall be offered for a Pre­ludium to the following Review; concluded with humbly desiring their Prayers to whom this shall come, that this, and all the Au­thors endeavours may be sanctified to the glory [Page] of God, and to the rendring of his Judgments and Mercies effectual to the salvation of our souls, by true Faith, hearty Penitence and mutual love in Christ Jesus; and they are also desired not to impute to a corrupt self-end, his now purposed with drawing from this City: For, he hath been this Isles Remembrancer, and continued with this City both in her sicknesses and health, in War and Peace, almost sixty years together, (with a little ab­sence at some times) taking all occasions hi­therto offered, to remember her from time to time, of such things as he thoughts might pro­bably conduce to her welfare; insomuch, that he now knows not what he can say or do, more than he hath already said or done to that pur­pose; he not having so much regard vouchsafed for his good intentions, from any of her Chiefs, as might have been expected for penning one Speech to illustrate her Lord Mayor's Pa­geants; though he was often (for no ill-de­serving) a close Prisoner within her Jurisdi­ction, so despoiled of all whereby to clothe and feed him, that he had then perished, if a few Strangers, and some of her Midling and In­ferior Citizens had not by GOD's Mercy, been charitably inclined to compassionate his condi­tion: That Strait being still the same, and ma­ny of those now dead, some impoverished, and the remainder, for the most part, so scattered [Page] since the late Pestilence and Fire, that nor he nor they now know where to find each other without much difficulty; he being wearied, and almost worn out, is constrained to pre­pare a Retreating place for himself and his Consort, which he hath prepared at a lonely Habitation in his Native Countrey, (where he neither had, or look't for much respect) Thi­ther he resolves to retire with as much speed as he can, there to wait upon Gods future Dis­pensations during the remainder of his life, or until Providence otherwise disposeth of him; not doubting, but that he shall rest therewith gratefully contented, wheresoever it shall be, because he hath had assurance by many demonstrations of GOD's good will to the whole humane Nature, of a special love to him; and well knows his Eternal Mercy to be Infinite over all his works.