serve for a Glass to see our sins and what Judgments we may fear if they be continued in which are sins that bring Kingdoms and Cities to ruin Verse 8. For Jerusalem is ruined and Judah is fallen because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord to provoke the eyes of his glory O that Magistrates Nehemiah like would not any longer suffer the Sabbath to be openly profaned or things exposed to Sale in Londons late trembling Streets or Parts adjacent nor in the Land Where is Nehemiah's Courage Neh. 13. 15. In those days saw I in Judah some treading Wine-presses on the Sabbath and bringing in Sheaves and lading Asses as also Wine Grapes Figs and now in our Street-trade Apples Pears Plumbs c. on the Sabbath-day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold Victuals Verse 17. Then I contended with the Nobles of Judah and said unto them What evil thing is this that ye do and profane the Sabbath day Did not your Fathers thus and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this City yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath Verse 21. Then I testified against them and said unto them if ye do so again I will lay hands on you From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath day O that after such shakings of the City such things might be done no more on the Sabbath day O that no more Oaths on other days might be heard in our Streets and no more reelings by Drunkenness there least the Earth reel under us again O that there might be praying to and praising of God in all Houses that did shake and yet do stand That all Men of all Ranks Callings Qualities Rich and Poor Magistrates and Subjects Ministers and People Parents and Children Masters and Servants might search their hearts and ways see what is amiss and mend it what is good and continue and grow therein that God may be no more provoked dishonoured incensed against us but glorified pleased feared by us that his Anger might be turned away from us that instead of Judgments and Wrath his Blessings and Mercies might be poured upon us Amen THE CONTENTS 1. The Preface containing 1 The Suns miraculous 1. Standing still 2. Going back 3. Eclipse p. 2. to 8. 2 The Earths motion by Earthquakes The Copernican's Opinion of the constant motion of the Earth p. 8. The Testimony of our Senses of its natural resting p. 9 10. 2. The Parts of the Text. 1 The Earthquake p. 12. 2 The greatness of it 13. By 1. Shaking the Foundations of the Prison ibid. By 2. Immediate opening of the Doors 14. By 3. Loosing the Prisoners Bonds ibid. 3 The Suddenness of it 15. 3. Doctrines I. God many times works wonders for the deliverance of his suffering Saints in order to the propagating of the Gospel 15 16 17 II. God needs not length of time to do the most great and wonderful works The suddenness of the late Earthquake 18 19 20. III. Tho' an Earthquake suddenly come and quickly go nothing is destroyed thereby yet it is and may be truly called a Great Earthquake 8 Questions to such as thought the late Earthquake small 20 to 25 IV Tho' some Earthquakes have their natural Causes yet some do arise from the immediate hand and power of God 25. The Method 26 27 28. Earthquakes are either 1. Metaphorical 28. to 32. 2. Literal and Real These are 1 Supernatural 9 Instances An account of that miraculous Earthquake in the days of Uzziah and for what sin 32. to 47. Three Inferences 47. to 52. 2 Natural Their 1 Causes Material Efficient 52. to 58. 2 Description 3 Seven sorts By others reduced to three 58. to 61. 4 Six antecedent Signs 62 63. 5 Effects 1 Great Consternations Several Reasons os it in Earthquakes 64 to 79. 2 Precipitant flight 79 80. 3 Openings of the Earth ibid. 4 Subversion of houses c. 81 82 83 5 The change of the Channel of the Sea ibid. 6 Overthrow and removing of Mountains 84. 7 Infectious Diseases 84 85. 6 Adjuncts In 8 Conclusions 86. to 93 7 Inferences 12. for improving this great work of God 93. to 119. Gods sparing Mercy to London c in the late Earthquake set forth 1. By 18 Instances of dreadful devastations made by Earthquakes in several places in former Ages p. 119. to 123. 2. By the lamentable Ruins in Jamaica the Effects of the late Earthquake there described by Letters from thence 123. to 129 A Letter from a Minister in Kent giving some account of the late Earthquake there 129 130. An Earthquake in England An. 1580. much like to this so lately here 131 132 133 The Religious Zeal of Queen Elizabeth moved by that Earthquake to publish an Order commanding all Housholdders throughout the Realm to call together all in their respective Families and to pray with them every Evening before they went to bed 133. to 137. Three Years very remarkable for God's dealings with London in our days 1665. for the Plague 1666. for the Fire and 1692. for the Earthquake 138. to the end Earthquakes EXPLAINED AND IMPROVED ACTS XVI 26. And suddenly there was a great Earthquake so that the Foundations of the Prison were shaken and immediately all the Doors were opened and every ones Bonds were loosed WOnderful many wonderful things are done by the Lord of Heaven and Earth by reason whereof his People may in triumph and the Wicked in terrour say Who is like unto thee O Lord amongst the gods or mighty ones who is like thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises working wonders sometimes in the Heavens over our heads sometimes on and within the Earth under our feet In both the works of God have been so amazing that might fill the Inhabitants of Heaven above and of the Earth beneath with admiration of his Divine Perfections First God's works have been astonishing in the Heavens over our heads which because they are too high and above our present Theme and Subject I shall but briefly mention three of them and those concerning the Sun the great inlightener of this Earth whereof we are to speak 1. The standing still of the Sun It is the Doctrine of Aquinas That Motion doth as much belong to the Nature of Heaven as Immobility and Rest to the Nature of the Earth The Earth is a setled fixed Body and therefore it is an act of mighty power in God to shake it and to make it move but the Sun is as a Bridegroom coming out of his Chamber rejoycing as a strong man to run a race according to the ordinary Law of Creation and Government in continual motion and therefore a mighty work of God alone to cause its motion to cease and stand still The making of the Sun to stop which naturally cannot but move and causing the Earth to shake and move which naturally cannot but stand still is an effect of equal power The
again moving side-long to and fro Zanchy relates that this kind he saw at Ravenna when the Walls of the Chamber in the upper part of the House were moved out of their place and did so lean one way that they seemed as if they would fall but again they returned to their own place Oh this is saith he the great and wonderful Providence of God Seneca's Remark that in the Trembling Earthquake there is not so much danger as in the shaking or moving it upwards and letting it down nor so much danger in this as in the Inclining Earthquake because except the motion be speedily made back again from the side to which it leans to the other the fall and ruine will necessarily follow And these Earthquakes of these different and divers motions must proceed from different and divers causes Quest V. What are the usual Antecedent Signs os an approaching Earthquake given by Natural Philosophers which by Observation and Experience they commend unto us If these signs of Natural Earthquakes be sure and constant let it be considered and let us reflect whether any such were taken notice of by any before the late Earthquake in London and in other places if not either these Philosophers are under a mistake or we must judge that this late shaking of this City was from the more Immediate Hand of God if there were yet the presence and working of second and natural causes ought not to take us off from the minding and observing of the first for as much as all the second are at the Command Ordering and Disposal of the first and are all under the Government of the Providence of God and the Voice and Call of the first and second Causes is that we should Repent and turn from those sins that have provoked him to such sore Displeasure to so great Wrath and Anger as to make the Earth to shake and tremble under us 1. One fore-going sign of an Earthquake they teach is a certain troubling of Waters in the deepest Wells and in Fountains having then a Tincture of a Sulphureous taste and an infected and stinking savour Because from the subterraneous commotions the Waters in the Wells must needs be troubled Therefore it is reported of Pherecides the Philosopher that by Water drawn out of a Well he fore-discerned and foretold the Lacedaemonians the Ruin of the City by an Earthquake 2. When the Sea doth suddenly swell not being caused so to do by Winds and Waves when the Air is still and calm and no blasts of Winds yet on a sudden the Sea swells and the Ships thereon do shake The reason is because then the Earth in the bottom of the Sea is moved 3. When Birds sit trembling on the ground forsaking Trees because they perceive a certain trembling shaking the Trees and the Roots thereof 4. When there are great and terrible sounds in the Earth and roarings and noises in the Caverns of the Earth 5. Dimness of the Sun for some days going before the Earthquake 6. Long and thin strakes of Clouds sometimes sooner in the day but chiefly after the setting of the Sun the Weather in other respects being clear But of all that I have discoursed with about the late Earthquake I have not met with one nor heard of any one that hath that spake any thing of any of these Signs before it happened nor that by recollecting of themselves do say since that they remember any such fore going sign that gave to them the least intimation of it and the general surprize of all by it generally acknowledging that the moment before they had not a thought of such a shaking to be so very near I leave to all to judge and to their own thoughts whether this Earthquake did arise from Causes in Nature or from the Immediate Power and Working of God the Lord of Nature And if we see the Immediate Mighty Finger of God in it to study and pray to know his Mind and Will by it or be moved by the moved Earth to conform move unto his Will revealed in his Word Quest VI. What are the Effects and Consequents of Earthquakes which make them exceeding dreadful where they come Reason may dictate to us what terrible Effects what dismal Work Earthquakes when they have a full Commission from God to execute his Wrath do make Our Ears have heard the Miseries of multitudes of Persons the overthrow and ruine of Towns and Cities and Countries But those that have seen them would speak of them more sensibly and set them forth more fully It might make our flesh to tremble to hear of the woful devastations that the trembling shaking and opening of the Earth hath caused in many Ages in many places but such as did see and feel and suffer by them have contended with the Earth whether it or they should tremble most Oh the Cries and Shriekings Oh the doleful Lamentations Oh what bitter Complaints have been poured out and wishes in vain have have been uttered in the time and places of devouring and desolating Earthquakes When we shall hear some of these effects tho' not written of according to the fulness of the Terror wherewith they are done let us sympathize with the poor miserable People yet left in Jamaica and pray that their Judgment might not come over to London nor Travel further to other places First Earthquakes cause great Consternation in the minds of Men and filâ— their hearts with fear When God makes the Earth to shake under them he makes their hearts to tremble within them When the Earth shakes and moves they cannot stand upon it without sear One Earthquake causeth many thousand Heart-quakes Did not many thousand People in London in its late Earthquake tho' through God's great Mercy so short feel great tremblings within themselves when they felt the Earth to shake under them and saw their Houses move this way and that way over them and could not teâ— whether they would stand or fall nay when so many thought and said them Houses would not stand but fall Were you not then under great Consternation when you thought those Houses yoâ— had slept in you must not only sâ— quickly dye in but be buried in them too That the Houses you had builâ— or rented to shelter you from Storms and Tempests should bring that Destruction upon you which many Storms and Tempests had not done Have not you of late years heard terrible and roaring Thunderings God thundering with a Voice which none can imitate Have you not seen great Flashings of Fire and Lightnings which made the Night like Day that you said you could see to take up a small thing from off the ground and were not you then glad you had an House over your head But when this late Earthquake was were not you afraid because you had an House over your head when you thought it would fall upon your head and whole body And when this Earthquake was did you not make as much hast to get
foundation But an Earthquake devours Houses and Inhabitants too doth not take them by tens or hundreds in a week as doth the Plague but sweeps all clean away in a few moments Doth War make great Devastations burn Towns and Cities throw down Castles yet it leaveth Ruins as Monuments that such Towns Cities Castles once were there But Earthquakes sometimes swallow up all and hide them in the bowels of the Earth and leaves no tokens whereby it may be known that such places that now are not once were Doth War destroy great numbers in the field yet some escape and none are buried till they are Killed But in Earthquakes they do not first die and then are buried but first are buried and then they die In Famine do People pine and languish This is most severe amongst the Poor whose little Money when things are excessive dear will not last to supply their want of Bread while the Richer sort as long as any thing is to be had for Money may get so much as to preserve Life tho' not to satisfie them to the full In Famine if they die they have longer time to think of Death and to prepare for Eternity But Earthquakes make no difference betwixt the Rich and the Poor but swallows up all and their Money too and this in a few Minutes and is not so long in destroying â—s the Famine is nor gives that time for preparation for another World but in a moment many go down into one common Grave Vse II. Wo then to wicked Men when God comes and shakes his Rod over â—hem whereby he makes the Earth to shake under them how sorrowful is your case how dreadful is your condition what comfort have you to support you in such terrour what refuge have you to flie unto when God shall enter into such a Judgment with you and contend with you by shaking the Earth under you if he proceed thereby to make the Houses fall upon you or the Earth to open under you which way will you look for help or hope or comfort above you behold there is an angry God a provoked Lord a righteous â—udge Round about behold your totâ—ering Houses your moving Walls threatning your Death by their fall Will you look downwards behold the Earth trembles its Pillars shake as being weary any longer to bear the burden of ungodly Men that walk upon it and you fearing when it will cleave asunder and swallow you up At such a time had you an interest in God as your reconciled Father in Christ as your Lord and Saviour in the holy Spirit as your Regenerator and Sanctifier what sedatenesâ— of Mind what composure of Spirit whaâ— stable hopes might you have of Heaven when the Earth cannot stand still for trembling what comfort against your fears what joy against your sorrows what remedy against your misery against which their seems to be no remedy might you have from your special relation to God as reconciled to you when he so terribly shews his anger unto others they are poor grounds oâ— consolation against the danger fears and terrours because of an Earthquake which Seneca prescribes in comparison of those that the Scripture to holy Men doth give Psal 46. 1. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble What then Verse 2. Therefore will not we fear tho' the Earth be removed and tho' the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea Verse 3. Tho' the waâ—ers thereof roar and be troubled tho' the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof Selah Verse 7. The Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge Selah Verse 8. Come behold the works of the Lord what desolations he hath made in the Earth Verse 11. The Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our reâ—uge Selah But alas this comfort in God's shaking of the Earth is none of yours because God is none of yours your shaking Houses are yours but what comfort have you in your Houses when you see them shaking Comfort they are then a terrour to you Why because the Lord of Hosts is against you the God of Jacob is not your Refuge in an Earthquake Selah Vse III. Admire and thankfully acknowledge the goodness greatness and power of God in the constant standing of the Earth except in Earthquakes that it remains stable and otherwise unmovable If an Earthquake be so terrible is not the usual steadfastness of the Earth the more comfortable if it did for the most part shake and tremble and sometimes only stand firm and fixt its standing still would be more observed and God more praised upon that account than now he is when for the most part it stands unmoved and but sometimes is shaken How seldom hath this one tho' it be a great thing been in our Minds and mentioned in our praises amongst the mercies God vouchsafed to the Inhabitants of the Earth when were our admiring thoughts imployed about this subject and yet if you saw a Ball stand in the Air not supported by nor hung upon any thing would not you stand and gaze and wonder at it how much more when this huge and vast Body of the Earth so weighty and ponderous in it self and bearing such heavy burdens that are upon it as vast quantities of Lead Brass Iron Stones c. hangs upon nothing Job 26. 7. And the Pillars of the Earth spoken of in Scripture are not to be understood of proper material Pillars for what should such Pillars stand upon but metaphorical whereas the true real Pillar of the Earth is the power of God Psal 65. 6. Which by his strength setteth fast the Mountains being girded with power So great a thing is done by his mighty commanding word Psal 33. 9. For he spake and it was done he commanded and it stood fast If a Feather light to a Proverb be held up and let loose in the Air it sinks and resteth not without it fall upon something to support it and yet this massie Body of the Earth without any other support than the power of God is born up stands fast and fixt and firm and bears us our dwellings without those fears that in an Earthquake do surprize and fill us Let this be thought on more and the power of God admired in it Vse IV. Such special and peculiar Earthquakes which God hath caused for special and peculiar ends improve to the obtaining of those ends All the Earthquakes in general do manifest the Glory of the power of God and God in them doth speak to Men on Earth They have a voice and we should have an hearing ear let 's not be deaf to the Instructions that God is giving of us nor dull to take out the Lessons he is teaching us Particularly some more observable upon more remarkable occasions such as these 1. The Earthquake there was at the Death of Christ The Jews hearts were stony and hard and did not fear noâ— tremble to shed the innocent
delivereth and rescueth and he worketh signs and wonders in Heaven and in Earth who hath deliveredDaniel from the power of the Lions Behold God can for he hath wonderfully delivered his Servants Three in a fiery Furnance that the fire did not consume nor singe them One in the Lions Den that they did not devour nor hurt him Paul and Silas out of Prison that they should be no longer confined there He can make the fire not burn combustible matter He can withhold Lions from what they might else have made their prey And he can cause the foundations of a Prison by an Earthquake to be so shaken that the doors might open and his Servants may come forth He can he hath and when he pleaseth he still will he hath delivered he doth deliver and we may trust to him according to the Promises that he hath made that he will still deliver us 2 Cor. 1 10. Doct. II. God needs not length of time to do the most great and wonderful works Suddenly there was an Earthquake God can make it move in an instant When its said God in six days made this World it 's not to be understood that he did need so many days to make it in It was his pleasure to take that time to finish beautifie and compleat it When God did create the Earth and brought it out of nothing it was suddenly done He did but speak Let it be and it suddenly started out of Nothing into Being Creation is an instantaneous action he that did so suddenly and so easily make it can as suddenly and as easily make it quake and tremble How suddenly did God make the Earth to quake where London stood and after his shaking of it through his great mercy yet doth stand When men thought of no such thing not the Student in his Study nor the Trader in his Shop nor the Workman at his Work nor the Drunkard at his Cups when none of these had any apprehension of it Suddenly The Student thought his Desk on which he was writing to be removing from him and when he drew it towards him it went back again several times the Trader suddenly seeth a motion in his Wares and the Workman the moving of his Tools without hands and the Drunkard thought indeed the Earth did stagger more than he many suddenly felt their Chairs to move under them and could not presently discern the reason but thought some living Creature had been under their Seats and did disturb them Suddenly many most that I have spoken with discerned a dizziness in their Heads and in the instant thought the motion was there not imagining any thing of the shaking of the Earth Suddenly they feared the falling of their Houses but at first particular persons thought there was some defect and fault in their own particular dwellings till they did perceive the motion was general and heard other say of their Houses as they found in their own and all this was suddenly done In a minute in a moment God can cause an unexpectected Earthquake Men must have time to do the smallest but God needs none to do the greatest work Doct. III. Tho' an Earthquake suddenly come and quickly go and nothing is destroyed thereby yet it is and might be truly called a great Earthquake It is expresly said in the Text this Earthquake suddenly came we do not read it lasted long nor that the Prison-house or Persons in it were destroyed or hurt thereby yet we read it was a great Earthquake When many Houses are swallowed up and many Men Women and Children as this present year in Jamaica are destroyed and go down alive into the Bowels of the Earth by opening of its mouth to eat them up as one morsel then Men will call it a great Earthquake But such a one as was so lately in London c. when not one House was destroyed nor one Person consumed seems to be so small especially now it is over and all safe as is not worth their observation for People now are as little concerned already as if it had not been or they had quite forgotten that it was But let such slighters of this laâ—e work of God and regardless of this Judgment and calling of it a little thing tell me 1. Was not this a great Earthquake that made so many Houses as be in such a great City as this to move and shake and tremble tho' they stood Is it not a great thing to make one of London streets and the Houses therein so to quake much more two or ten much more all and every one 2. Was it not a great Earthquake that did reach so far and extended it self so many miles at the same instant of the same day to so many places in England as we have heard 3. Yet more was it not a great Earthquake when it did enlarge it self and reached at the same time to so many Cities and Towns beyond the Sea Did God stretch out his Arm so far and do you look upon it as a little thing not worthy your observation remembring or spiritual improvement of it 4. If it were so small in your eyes what made so many to be in so great a consternation why did so many run out of their Houses and such as were sitting at their Tables hasten from their Dinners with their Napkins in their hands to get into the Streets why did so many run from their Shops what was the reason of the sudden common cry by so many one by one My House is falling and my House is falling and my Children above will be distroyed and yet I dare not go up to fetch them down 5. How little do you know if this late Earthquake had been a little more and had lasted a little longer a few minutes more how near you and your Houses would have been to a subversion and total overthrow or how near the trembling Earth might have been to opening and swallowed up both you and your Habitations For all that you know by this Earthquake you were upon the brink of ruine a little more might have brought you down and yet will you slight this work of God as if it were a small a very little thing 6. As small a thing as you look upon it to be could any man or men could all the mighty men upon the Earth have caused such a shaking and trembling of the Earth and all upon it Could all the mighty Captains Lord Generals Kings and Emperours with all their Armies have had such an Influence upon the Earth if they can batter down strong Walls and Cities and Castles with their Instruments of War yet can any of them or all of them cause such a shaking of the Earth as that so lately was do you ascribe great things to Men and call them so that are far inferiour to this and yet let this pass by with so little observation as if it were a work so small 7. If men could shake the Earth and your
the top to the bottom and the Earth did quake and the Rocks rent and the Graves were opened and many Bodies of the Saints which slept arose and appeared unto many Matth. 27. 45 51 52 53. Writers do affirm that by this Earthquake not only Golgotha but the whole City and the Regions near were terribly shaken and some that in Bithynia and in Thracia certain Towns were overthrown but how far this Earthquake was extended is uncertain 7. Amongst these also must be ranked the Earthquake at the Resurrection of Christ Matth. 28. 2. And behold there was a great Earthquake 8. Of the same Nature was that when the Apostles were praying the place where they were was shaken God giving them by this Miracle a Testimony that their prayers were heard Acts 4. 31. And when they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together The Greek word properly signifies to be moved up and down like the Waves of the Sea and is the same with that in the present Text where it is said by the Earthquake the foundations of the Prison were shaken which also I reckon to be of the number of those that are caused miraculously and immediately by God without those Causes that others are produced by What may be inferred and learn'd from this 1. May we not learn the certain Existence of the Deity Doth it not follow there is and must be a God if we may argue from an Effect to a Cause when there is an Effect that cannot be ascribed to any Creature must there not be a Being that is and is no Creature when things are done that are not done by finite power must there not be an infinite power by which they are done when there is no medium betwixt that which is finite and that which is infinite when any thing is effected of which no natural Cause can be named must there not be a supernatural Aaron at God's command stretched out his hand with his Rod and smote the Dust of the Earth and it became Lice in Man and in Beast all the Dust of the Land became Lice throughout all the Land of Egypt and when the Magicians did so with their Inchantments to bring forth Lice and could not did not these Magicians themselves say unto Pharaoh This is the finger of God Exod. 8. 17 18 19. When there have been such shakings of the Earth that no Man can say and prove what he saith that they were done by second Causes may not should not every Man say in these was the finger of God If you cannot gather there is a God by what he doth by Creatures cannot you conclude there is a God when things are done and not by Creatures 2. May we not learn that this God never wants means to effect whatsoever he pleaseth What he doth not do by second Causes he can do without them Jonathan when one of these Earthquakes happened said It is all one with God to save by few or by many 1. Sam. 14. 6. So it is all one with God to save by few or none and to do what he will with means or without them When he doth not shake the Earth by Causes got into its Bowels he can and hath shaken it without And indeed if he brought it out of nothing without any instrumental Cause for in Creation there can be none why may he not when it is created shake it till it tremble without any instrumental Cause cannot he that doth the greater do the less 3. Hath God made the Earth to tremble without any Natural Causes have not ungodly Men cause to tremble even then when there is no visible sign no reason from any Natural Causes to fear punishment and ruine Is not their own sin as meritorious of God's Wrath and sore Displeasure with the thoughts of God's infinite hatred of it and his Almighty Power to punish it a sufficient reason why they should fear and quake and tremble what tho' they live in such places and parts of the World that are not so subject to Earthquakes as some other places are Will they say First We live upon that part of the Earth that is only stony and hard and not soft and tender and therefore no fear the Earth should quake and tremble under us Secondly Will they say we dwell upon that part of the Earth that hath not those Caverns in which those Vapours that cause Earthquakes are generated therefore we are in no danger In the Body of Man winds and vapours are sooner and more stirred in the bowels and hollow parts thereof than in the hands and bones and more close and solid Members In subterraneous Caverns rather then in close and rocky places is the matter of an Earthquake but such is not that part of the World where we inhabit Thirdly Will they say we live in Inland Towns and not near the Sea which are most obnoxious to such Earthquakes because such places are more easily filled with Vapours therefore we need not fear Fourthly Will they say Let them live in fear of Earthquakes where the Earth they live upon is both soft and full of Caverns and near the Sea as most liable thereunto Let them quake when the Earth doth not because it is so subject in such places to such trembling fits but our Habitation is on hard and rocky solid places without such Concavities and in the midst of the Land remote from Sea and therefore secure enough Did you speak true before you were aware when you said you were secure Yes and let me add your heart seems to be more stony and rocky and hard than the place you boast you live upon as if God's Arm were so short he could not reach you as if your Mountain stood so strong it could not be moved nor shaken Do not you know have you not heard that God hath shaken the Earth by his own immediate hand without those Natural Causes and Rocks and Mountains too Fear to sin cease to provoke the Eyes of his Glory for he can reach you with his own hand and shake your strongest Tower by his own might without other Causes Quest III. What are the Natural Causes material and efficient of an Earthquake and how may it be described I. Concerning the Material Cause there are divers Opinions amongst Philosophers Seneca in his sixth Book of Natural Questions reckons up many Some say the Cause is from Water some from Fire some from the Earth it self and some from Spirits not Immaterial some in more of these and some in all of them Some of these Seneca doth confute and establisheth his own Opinion concerning Spirits That you may not mistake the word Spirit in this place which is taken otherwise than in Divinity as the Souls of Men and Angels are called Spirits let those that are not acquainted with the Philosophical Physical acceptation of it take this Explication of it according to Regius Exhalations or risings up are either from water and then they are called
Vapours or from the earth either which hath a fat or oiley moisture and then are called fumes or sharp tart moisture and volatile Salts and these they call Spirits And then saith That from these Vapours fat or oily Fumes and Spirits which being shut up in the deep and large Caverns of the Earth in great abundance and by some cause or other once or oftner kindled in one or more places ariseth an Earthquake once or often at several times which according to the variety of its cause maketh the Earth to tremble or to open whereby sometimes whole Cities and Countreys are either overturned or swallowed up Rohault in the third part of his Physicks gives this account If an hollow Place or Vault under ground should be filled with Exhalation very gross not much unlike to that which ariseth from a Candle newly put out and at once take fire by the spreading and dilating of it self it would raise and lift up the Earth above it much like to Gunpowder put into digged places that lifts up the Earth above it but afterwards when the Exhalation is scattered that which was lifted up by reason of its own weight must necessarily fall down and hence are these tremblings of the Earth yea it might so happen that many shakings may follow one foregoing if there be more hollow places that are near each other or any manner of way are so joyned as to make the one partake of what the other hath and the Exhalations filling them may successively take fire Yea there may be an hollow place under ground so large and the fall of the Region above it being like an Arch or a Vault so great that it might cleave asunder in the midst and gape whereby the adjacent parts are depressed and made much lower than they were before whence it appears how whole Cities by one only Earthquake might be swallowed up Aristole Lib. 2. Meteor proves that Exhalations are the cause of the Earthquake 1. From a similitude taken from Mens Bodies in which there are sometimes such Convulsions Shakings and Tremblings that many Men can scarce hold such a one the cause whereof are Spirits hot and dry In like manner when the vast Body of the Earth is moved it is to be referred to Exhalations which are hot and dry 2. Before an Earthquake there is something discerned as an ascending Fume resembling a long Line which Fume is the thinner Exhalation which begins to get forth but the rest of the Exhalations by reason of their greater density and straightness of the Passages are restrained within the bowels of the Earth from whence an Earthquake doth arise 3. He saith in his time there were some Earthquakes in Pontus before which the Earth did swell and at last did burst or was broke asunder which was a certain sign of Exhalations shut up and seeking their way out Derodon judgeth it more probable that Earthquakes do arise from a sudden inflammation of sulphureous Brimstone-like and bituminous something like Pitch or fat Slime Vapours which are kindled in the Caverns and hollow Places under ground not much distant from the Surface of the Earth which according as the Caverns are and as the matter of the Flame is more or less do variously operate for the most part they effect nothing if the Earth be more loose and hath breathing holes a◠which they may get out sometimes they move it more gently and make it tremble if the bulk above it be greater that this subterraneous Flame can assay attempt and do no more against it sometimes they shake and overturn by reason of their greatness and resistance of the parts of the Earth Zanchy although he embraceth Aristotle's Opinion yet saith it cannot be denied but that many Earthquakes have been caused by Fire shut up in the Caverns of the Earth seeking a passage out and he instanceth there was in the Mountain Vesuvius and another Mountain from which in his time fire brake out before which many days there were great and many fore-going Earthquakes He denyeth not but that also they may arise from Air shut up in the Earth seeking a passage out but cannot find it II. The Natural Efficient cause is the vehement striving of such Vapours in the Caverns of the Earth that they may get forth whereby they are carried upwards and downwards one while this way another that Besides what is said before an Earthquake is commonly thus described An Earthquake is a Meteor arising from abundant Exhalations shut up in the bowels of the Earth which while they seek a passage out that they may ascend but cannot find it cause the Earth to shake Quest IV. What are the several sorts or kinds of Earthquakes There is difference amongst Philosophers in this point some making two sorts or kinds of Earthquakes as Possidonius and Aristotle some three as Seneca and Zanchy Some seven which last they thus distinguish and nominate 1. An Earthquake of one sort is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or an Inclining Earthquake when the Earth is caused to incline one way like a Ship upon the Sea or a Boat on the River when laden more on one side than the other leans that way only where the greater weight and burden is laid In this kind of Earthquake a Room seems to be lifted up on one side and sink down or depressed on the other 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An Earthquake lifting the Earth upright and by and by letting it down again after the manner of boyling Water or waxing hot 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Earthquakes causing Chasmes Chinks Openings of the Earth making Breaches in it and tearing one part from another 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Earthquakes which by force break their way and the Vapours and Winds do get out of the bowels of the Earth which sometimes take with them Rocks or Mud or open a flowing Fountain where there was none before 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Earthquakes which by one motion inforcing or thrusting overthrow overturn whatsoever they come upon or rush against 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Earthquakes which make the Earth and things upon it to incline sometimes one way and then another back again without falling any way like the rocking of a Cradle by reciprocal motion or turning 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Earthquakes that come with a great noise roaring and bellowing much like to the lowing of Kine and sometimes like the vehement and fierce crying of Women Others reduce these to three 1. There is a trembling Earthquake when the Earth quivers like a man in a fit of an Ague This kind of Earthquake is when the Vapour in the Earth is not much 2. There is an Earthquake which moves the Earth upwards and then again downwards This by Aristotle's followers is called Pulsus like the beating of a man's Pulse 3. There is an Inclining Earthquake when the Earth is so shaken that the Houses may be discerned sometime to lean one way and then to return back
recorded of one that was Anno 160â— wherein Asia Hungary Germany France and Italy trembled almost in the same moment 4. Concl. Sometimes there may be an Earthquake in some particular place and not in others near unto it The Earthquake which shaked the Foundations of the Prison where Paul and Silas lay did not extend it self to other places God that can cause the Rain to fall upon one City and not upon another can make one City shake when he doth not another 5. Concl. The duration and continuance also of an Earthquake is uncertain Sometimes it may last but a Minute or two more or less sometimes it may continue Weeks Months Years as some Writers do affirm So some tremblings of the Earth continued after the great damage by the Earthquake in Jamaica in June last past If the Vapours shut up in the Earth be more gross they do more slowly evaporate or get out and more difficultly find their passage If they be more cold they are also more slow If they be in greater quantity the Earthquake may be of a longer continuance for much is not so soon evaporated as a little The Nature of the place also wherein an Earthquake is may cause the longer or shorter duration of it for if the surface of the Earth in whose Caverns the matter of the Earthquake is contained and shut up be more solid close and lesser holes chinks and pores be in it the Earthquake lasts the longer by reason of the more slow and difficult evaporation of the matter that causeth it 6. Concl. An Earthquake may in a few Minutes destroy and overturn multitudes of Houses and sweep away thousands of People Thus the Intelligence from Jamaica runs On the 7th of June 1692. about 12 at Noon happened here Port-Royal a most terrible Earthquake It was most violent on the Harbour-side where the Houses all sunk down in a Minutes time from the depth of three to five Fathom Water in the Streets next the Wharf the Earth opened it self wide and deep and instantly gushed out an Inundation of Water so that many of the Inhabitants were drowned Some People being ignorant of the Nature of an Earthquake and what Destruction it may make in a few Minutes set little by the Mercy of being preserved at such a time and soon wear off the sense both of the Judgment and the Mercy because it lasted so short a space But tho' London was some days in being consumed by Fire when many Houses were preserved yet by an Earthquake in a few Minutes it might have been all destroyed The preventing whereof was the wonderful Mercy and Providence of God never to be forgotten 7. Concl. Sometimes an Earthquake may be once in some parts of the Earth and not return again sometimes it may repeat its course and often put the same places into many trembling fits When the shaking is over once the bitterness of God's Wrath and our Ruine might not be past if the shaking of London should be reiterated the latter might be more grievous than the former All these second Causes are ordered and over-ruled by the Providence of God All the Natural Causes of Earthquakes are subject to God's Power and are at his beck command and call therefore tho' London be safe after its late shaking yet let it not be secure for the same Hand and Power of God that did shake it once can again and throw it down 8. Concl. As all Places are liable to be shaken by the Mighty Power of God immediately or by Natural Causes at his Command so all or any Seasons of the Year might subserve his Providence and be the Season of an Earthquake's coming whether Spring or Autumn Winter or Summer Night or Day or hour of the Night or Day Tho' Naturalists that do eye the second Causes say they more usually happen in the Spring and Autumn but especially in the Autumn and in the Night and at Noon-day oftner than at other times But let the Inhabitants of this Earth fear and tremble before the great God of Heaven and Earth and not dare by their hainous and provoking sins to stir up his wrathful Indignation against them who can by Earthquakes make the Earth to tremble when and where he pleaseth Quest VIII What Inferences may be drawn from this Doctrine and what Vse should we make of it and of this great Work of God which we have lately seen and felt in shaking London c. Vse I. Earthquakes when armed with the Wrath of God and come with his Commission to destroy are one of the sorest Judgments whereby he executeth his great Vengeance and manifesteth his hot Indignation against sin and sinners upon Earth Our Lord Jesus ranks these with the most dreadful and terrible Judgments and Punishments that befall the World Luke 21. 10. Then said he unto them Nation shall rise against Nation and Kingdom against Kingdom II. And great Earthquakes shall be in divers places and Famines and Pestilences and fearful Sights and great Signs shall there be from Heaven Is War dreadful Ask those People whose Country is made the Seat of War Is Famine a sore and heavy Evil What think you when at such times Mothers have boiled their own Children and eat them 2 Kings 6. 26. As the King of Israel was passing by upon the wall there cried a woman unto him saying Help my Lord O King 28. And the King said unto her What aileth thee And she answered This woman said unto me Give thy Son that we may eat him to day and we will eat my Son to morrow 29. So we boiled my Son and did eat him Is the Plague a wrathful Visitation of God Those that are yet alive that were in London in 1665. may remember the Terror of it Is an Earthquake behind these for dread and horror Or doth it not in some respects go beyond them In War strong Castles Fortified places and firm Walls may keep out a Besieging Enemy which they cannot batter and overthrow in many Months and these overturned by an Earthquake in a few Minutes Doth the Sea rage and is tempestuous Mariners have their Ships and Men on Land have their Banks and Ports to secure them but an Earthquake tears up their Ports breaks down their Banks and makes way for an overwhelming Inundation and drowneth many Doth a consuming Fire burn and turn many Houses into ashes yet the Inhabitants by flight might save themselves But in an Earthquake whither will you run to escape the danger the fire on your House will not follow you into the street or fields but there the Earthquake might meet you Doth the Plague go through a City doth it go from House to House doth it climb up in the Windows yet you have your Antidotes against it and some escape being not infected and some infected do recover when it is most severe upon the People it leaveth their dwellings behind them when they fall into their Graves their Houses stand upon their old
the Earth in its trembling might have opened its mouth and swallowed you up alive into its bowels and from thence have gone to Eternal Torments From Pit to Pit From a deep Pit made by the Earthquake in the lower parts thereof into a bottomless-Pit prepared by a just and angry God to take Vengeance on Impenitent and Unconverted sinners to all Eternity Turn sinner turn or this God that can and hath by Earthquakes overturned Towns Cities Mountains will turn thee into Hell and now if thou wilt not fear to continue in a state of sin there thou shalt feel his Wrath and Vengeance for thy sin Vse VI. Evermore live in the fear of God and walk with Circumspection Care and Conscience in all the parts and passages of your Life Why so Because one way or other God may Suddenly call you out of one World into another out of Time into Eternity Death many ways might suddenly surprize you Have not you seen how suddenly an Earthquake may be How many alas how many at that time did the trembling Earth bear and weary of bearing them trembled under them as a Porter under a Load too heavy for him How many did it find in a way of sin Drinking to Excess Swearing without shame or fear and spending their precious time in Sports and Plays and Vanity What if God had commanded those Winds or Fires or Spirits and Vapours if it were from such Natural Causes that made the Earth to quake and your Houses tremble to open the Earth and break out where you at that time were sinning against him and swallowed you up Seriously think in what a woful case and practice it found you and be more wary for time to come You little thought of such a Work of God till it suddenly came Therefore where ever you are be careful to walk so holily and circumspectly as becomes those that know now how suddenly Danger Death and Damnation too else might come upon you Vse VII Let all and every one of us get and evidence our Title to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken You see there is no place in this World that is so stable but it may be shaken even those Houses that you do not call moveable Goods how moveable God can make them When you build on Earth you mind that your Foundation be good and firm and not sandy or unsound and if you built your House upon an earthly Rock tho' when the Wind blows and Rain descends and beat against it yet it stands but if an Earthquake come with a Commission from God to overturn or sink it your best Foundation cannot secure it But there is a City above that hath unshaken Foundations whose Maker and Builder is God Secure an House there not made with hands for that will be eternal There are Mansions above which are perpetual There are no Storms nor Tempests there are no terrible Thunderings and Lightnings there are no Rendings nor Shakings all sedate and calm all at quiet and rest all secure and safe No death or darkness no fears or tremblings no threatning or amazing motions tending to interrupt the Joys and holy Pleasures the Triumphant Songs of the Citizens of that City of the glorious Subjects of that abiding Kingdom Your House on Earth might be destroyed by War by Fire by an Earthquake but there are Mansions above not subject to be destroyed or spoiled by these or any other way Set less by these on Earth that have and may be shaken and more by that Kingdom that never hath nor shall nor can be shaken Heb. 12. 27. This word once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain 28. Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear Vse VIII Celebrate the Power of God and his infinite Greatness manifested in this his Work in shaking of the Earth Can Man do it Can Kings and Nobles do it With their mighty Armies can they do that which God by Winds and Vapours can at his pleasure do Job alledgeth this as an evident demonstration of his Power Job 9. 4. He is wise in heart and mighty in strength 5. Which removeth mountains and they know it not which overturneth them in his anger 6. Which shaketh the earth out of her place and the pillars thereof tremble And yet these Earthquakes that are so great the great God doth them with a abundance of ease Psal 104. 32. He looketh on the earth and it trembleth be toucheth the hills and they smoke O tremble before this God who if he casts but an angry look upon the Earth â—t falls a trembling if he touch the Mountains they smoke an angry look with his Eye a displeasing touch with his Finger causeth the one to tremble and the other to smoke What shall sinners then do when he shall lay upon them â—he heavy strokes of his Wrath and Vengeance to all Eternity Doth the Earth quake before him and the very Devils tremble at his angry Presence and shalâ— Mortal sinful Men be fearless of him The day will come and it is hastning when fear and terror and trembling shall seize upon them and they not be able to shake it off Vse IX God never wanteth ways and means to punish the Disobedience and Rebellion of sinners against him He caâ— make the Heavens above to punish theâ— by with-holding Rain from them oâ— by pouring out immoderate Shower upon them He can punish them by the Earth beneath And if there be nothing visible to plague and destroy them yet he hath his Armies and his â—â—ghty Host under Ground and in the bowels of the Earth which he can Master at his word of Command all stand ready to fight against them which caâ— slay them heaps upon heaps and bury them first and after kill them Vse X. Make your Peace with God that shews his Anger by these Earthquakes When he takes such a Rod into hâ— hand you might see displeasure in his face Let this late Work of God in shaking London and so many places in England and parts beyond the Sea be a warning to them all and oh that all would take this fair warning It is his Mercy that he doth warn before he strikes that with his Rod he doth correct before with his Ax he hews us down Do you think this came by chance and that by chance it did no more harm Did not God that gave Commission to it to shake London put into its Commission make it shake but not to fall And if God did send it is it not a discovery of his Anger Read again Psal 18. 7. Then the earth shook and trembled the foundation of the hills moved and were shaken Why Because he was wroth O labour by Repentance and Faith in Christ to turn away his Wrath lest he overthrow you in his Anger Vse XI What
may be some Security to a City against one Judgment might not be any defence against another When London had its old Houses built with Timber consumed by Fire to prevent such another desolation by devouring Flames Men have built with Brick and Stone that are not such combustible matter But as you have built with other Materials than before so God hath other ways to deal with you besides consuming Fire God hath shewn you he can make your strongest Buildings of firmest stone even your Royal Exchange to shake and tremble and Persons leave their Shops and hasten down and run crying home through fears that it would fall Let us never by such wilful great and hainous sins provoke God because we cannot by any means strengthen our selves against him For he that can shake Rocks and Mountains and throw them down can shake and cast down your strongest Buildings Psal 68. 8. The earth shook the heavens also dropped at the presence of God even Sinai it self moved at the presence of God the God of Jacob. Psal 114. 7. Tremble thou earth and ye sinners at the presence of the Lord. Vse XII Admire the sparing Mercy of God to London more than to many Places and Cities in the World Indeed by this late Earthquake many Towns and Cities besides London have been shaken and are spared which doth not make Londons deliverance to be less for God in sparing others might have brought London down But compare your Mercies for there are many in its preservation with the Desolations brought upon many Cities in former Ages and upon Port-Royal in Jamaica by Earthquakes and acknowledge God's mercy and his power in his late visitation of it his power in shaking it his mercy in preserving of it Consider this Providence seriously suffer it not to pass without due observation and think whether you may put a greater accent upon his Power or his Mercy in this Dispensation upon his Power in making it to tremble or on his Mercy that he did not make it sink or tumble down Did God by an Earthquake shake London and yet doth London stand God did shake it behold his Power It doth stand behold his Mercy Nay do not you see his powerful Mercy and his merciful Power his powerful Mercy in shaking it as a warning to you and his merciful Power in keeping it from falling when it was so shaken O write upon your Walls however engraven it on your hearts and memories My House was shaken with a◠Earthquake and yet it stands London sorely threatned and yet is spared It is by the distinguishing Providence of God that you have been visited in the same way as others have and yet are not overthrown nor swallowed up in the same manner as others are That you may be the more sensible of and so more thankful for God's great Mercy in sparing you in the day of his Power I will subjoin out of many some few Examples o◠God's sore displeasure and his severe punishing of others by Earthquakes collected out of History whereby your Mercy might be magnified in your eyes Josephus records That about 29 years before the Birth of Christ there hapned such an Earthquake in the Country of Judea that never the like was seen in any other place so that divers Beasts were slain thereby and many Men were overwhelmed in the ruins of their own Houses and perish'd to the number of ten others write thirty thousand In the fifth year of the Emperour Tiberius there fell out so dreadful an Earthquake that thirteen Cities in Asia were destroyed and overthrown thereby In the sixty sixth year after Christ there hapned such another Earthquake as destroyed three other Cities of Asia viz. Laodicea Hierapolis and Colossus Anno Christo 79. three Cities in Cyprus were overthrown by an Earthquake Anno Christi 114. the City of Antioch was much defaced by an Earthquake in which time the Emperour Trajan being there escaped the danger with much difficulty and Eusebius mentioneth another in the seventh year of Trajan which destroyed nine several Cities in Asia Greece and Calabria About the year 182. the City of Smyrna came to ruin by an Earthquake for the re-edifying whereof the Emperour remitted ten years tribute Anno Christi 1456. there perished about Puel and Naples in an Earthquake forty thousand People Anno Christi 1531. in the City of Lisbon about one thousand and four hundred Houses were overthrown by an Earthquake and about six hundred more were so sorely shaken that they were ready to fall and many of the Churches were cast to the ground Anno Christi 1400. there was such a terrible Earthquake at Lurr in Persia as overthrew five hundred Houses and 〈◊〉 Christ 1593. there fell out such another as overthrew three thousand Houses quashing to death three thousand Men in their ruins yea the Castle tho' built upon the top of a solid Rock groaned in the like affrighted downfal Before the Peloponesian or Civil Wars amongst the Grecians one of their Islands called Delphos famous for the Temple of Apollo therein was wholly ruined by an Earthquake which foreshewed those wonderful alterations which presently after befel Greece Anno Christi 1618. Pleurs a Town in Rhetia was in an Earthquake overwhelmed with an Hill which with a most swift motion oppressed one thousand five hundred men In the year 1509. there was a great and terrible Earthquake in Constantinople and the Countries thereabouts by the violence whereof a great part of the Walls of that City with many stately Buildings both publick and private were quite overthrown and thirteen thousand people overwhelmed slain therewith the terrour whereof was so great that Bajazet himself the great Turk and the People generally forsook their Houses and lay abroad in the Fields It endured for a month together with very little intermission after which ensued a great Plague whereby the City was for the most part unpeopled A little before the Wars between the Lacedaemonians and the Ilotae who were their Slaves and Bondmen in the Country of Laconia there hapned in the City of Lacedemon the most wonderful and fearful Earthquake that ever was heard of for the Earth in many places of the Country opened and fell in as into a bottomless pit the Mountain Taygetum shook so terribly that parts of Rocks fell down from it and all the City of Lacedemon with the violence of it was thrown down to the ground five hundred Houses only excepted An. Christ 1169. Febr. 4. there was such a vehement Earthquake all over the Island of Sicily that it was perceived in Calabria and the wealthy and stately City of Catana was so utterly destroyed by it that there was not one House left standing and above fifteen thousand Men Women and Children perished in the ruins thereof In the year of Christ 1631. not long before the troubles of Naples there fell out a terrible Earthquake in and about the City and the Mountain of Soma after many terrible bellowings vomited
apprehensive of an Eruption of Fire if so it will I fear be more destructive than the Earthquake Hath God been so severe with England with London in the late Earthquake do not your staâ—ding Houses declare he hath not that you are yet alive doth not this manifest that in that Judgment God remembred Mercy I had communicated to me a Letter sent by a Minister in Kent to his Father in London from which I will extract what concerns this late Earthquake that you may see the different Dealings of God with divers People and the Relation of this not like the former You have heard already perhaps of the Earthquakes being in Kent on Thursday last as well as at London and at other places but this may confirm you that it is true that it hath been here as we have been all Eye-witnesses and this particular true Account I can give you It shook Leeds Castle which is but half a mile from me so violently that all in the Castle even the Lady her self went out of it and expected its falling One of my Acquaintance was out in a Field at that time the ground shook so under him that he could not stand and being forced to lie down on the ground was so tossed up and down that he received several bruises It was very much at Maidstone the People generally leaving their Houses fearing they would fall upon their heads and it hath been in most places of the County which puts us all into a great Consternation but it lasted not above a quarter of aâ— hour But here is no downfal of Houses not of one Here is no Persons killed no not one No openings of the Earth no breakings in of Waters turning dry Land into a Sea Do not you see your Mercy in the late Judgment do you say or think God could not do to you as he hath done with others heretofore or to Jamaica of late instead of praising the Name of God do not blaspheme it God's gracious proceedings with England and therein with London should melt our hearts whilst his terrible dreadful Strokes beats others to pieces and finding one instance of an Earthquake in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth so much in gentleness like to this in our days shewing from Age to Age his Mercy to this Land as if loth to dedestroy it if Mercy may melt us mixt with Judgments to awaken us I shall add this before I do conclude in the words and syllables with which I find it published thus On Easter-Wednesday being the sixth of Arpil 1580. somewhat before six of the clock in the Afternoon happened this great Earthquake whereof this Discourse treateth I mean not great in respect of long continuance of time for God be thanked it continued little above a minute of an hour rather shaking God's rod at us then smiting us according to our deserts nor yet in respect of any great hurt done by it within this Realm for altho' it shook all the Houses Castles Churches and Buildings every where as it went and put them in danger of utter ruin yet within this Realm praised be our Saviour Christ Jesus for it it overthrew few or none that I have yet heard of saving certain Stones Chimneys Walls and Pinacles of high Buildings both in this City and divers others places Neither do I hear of any Christian People that received bodily hurt by it saving twâ— Children in London a Boy and a Girl being at Sermon among a great number of People in Christ's Church by Newgate-Market of whom the Boy named Thomas Gray was slain out of hand with the fall of a Stone shaken down from the Roof of the Church and the Girl whose name was Mabel Everite being sore hurt there at the same present by like casualty died within few days after But I term it great in respect of the universalness thereof almost at one instant not only within this Realm but also without where it was much more violent and did far more harm and in respect of the great terrour which it then struck into all mens hearts where it came and yet still striketh into such as duly consider howjustly God may be offended with all Men for sin and especially with this Realm of England which hath most abundantly tasted of God's Mercy and most unthankfully neglected his Goodness which yet still warneth us by this terrible wonder what for more terrible punishments are like to light upon us e're long unless we amend our sinful Conversation betimes This Earthquake made that Impression on the Minds of those that then lived that an Order of Prayer and a godly Admonition concerning it was appointed to be read for the turning of God's Wrath from them threatned by that terrible Earthquake by order given from the Queens Majesty's most honourable Privy Council to be used in all Churches and Housholds throughout the Realm Because this might serve for a Conviction of many prayer less Families amongst us that were so before the late Earthquake and are so still that are more fearless of God's displeasure then those that lived in times of lesser Light I shall insert so much of it as concern'd the Earthquake A Prayer to be used of all Householders with their whole Family every evening before they go to bed that it would please God to turn his Wrath from us threatued in the last terrible Earthquake Set forth by Authority WE most heartily and humbly beseech thy fatherly Goodness to look down from the Throne of the Mercy Seat upon us most miserable and sinful Slaves of Satan which with fearful and trembling hearts do quake and shake at the strange and terrible token of thy Wrath and Indignation appearing most evidently to us by thy shaking and moving of the Earth which is thy Footstool whereby if we be not utterly destitute of Grace we be warned that thy coming down amongst us to visit our sins in most terrible manner cannot be far off seeing thou treadest so hard upon this thy Footstool the Earth which we most shamefully have polluted and defiled with our most wicked sinful and rebellious Lives notwithstanding thy continual crying and calling upon us by thy Servants the Prophets and Preachers by whom we have learned to know thy will but have not followed it We have heard much and done little yea nothing at all but like most perverse and unthankful Children have made a mock of thy Word derided thy Ministers and accounted thy Threatnings trifles and thy Warnings of no weight or moment Wherefore we have justly deserved to taste most deeply of the bitter Cup of thy Anger and Vengeance by Wars Famine Pestilence yea and Eternal Death if thou shouldst not temper the rigour of thy Justice with the mildness of thy Mercy Turn this Earthquake O Lord to the benefit of thine Elect as thou didst when thou shooâ—â—edst the Prison loosedst the Locks Fetters and Chains of thy Servants Paul and Sâ—las and broughtest them out of Prison and convertedst their Keeper so