Newcastles call, to her neighbour and sister townes and cities throughout the land, to take warning by her sins and sorrowes Lest this overflowing scourge of pestilence reach even unto them also. As also a direction, how to discover such sins as are the procurers of Gods judgments by divers methods. By R. Jenison, Dr. of D. Whereunto is added, the number of them that dyed weekely in Newcastle and Garth-side, from May 6. to December 31. 1636. Jenison, Robert, 1584?-1652. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A04379 of text S107703 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 14492). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 188 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 139 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A04379 STC 14492 ESTC S107703 99843399 99843399 8130 2240864670

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A04379) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 8130) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 742:10) Newcastles call, to her neighbour and sister townes and cities throughout the land, to take warning by her sins and sorrowes Lest this overflowing scourge of pestilence reach even unto them also. As also a direction, how to discover such sins as are the procurers of Gods judgments by divers methods. By R. Jenison, Dr. of D. Whereunto is added, the number of them that dyed weekely in Newcastle and Garth-side, from May 6. to December 31. 1636. Jenison, Robert, 1584?-1652. [34], 72, 95-251 [i.e. 271], [1] p. Printed for Iohn Coleby, at the signe of the Vnicorne neere to Fleet Bridge, London : 1637. P. 271 misnumbered 251. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Plague -- England -- Newcastle upon Tyne. -- Early works to 1800. eebo Newcastles call, to her neighbour and sister townes and cities throughout the land, to take warning by her sins and sorrowes. Lest this overflowing sc Jenison, Robert, 1584?-1652 1637 278 32061 617 0 0 0 0 14 1502.45 F The rate of 1502.45 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2009-06 Assigned for keying and markup 2009-07 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2009-08 Sampled and proofread 2009-08 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-09 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

Newcastles Call , To her Neighbour and Sister Townes and Cities throughout the land , to take warning by her Sins and Sorrowes .

Lest this overflowing scourge of Pestilence reach even unto them also .

As also a Direction , how to discover such Sins as are the procurers of Gods judgments by divers Methods .

By R. JENISON , Dr. of D.

Whereunto is added , the number of them that dyed weekely in Newcastle and Garth-side , from May 6. to December 31. 1636.

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

LONDON , Printed for Iohn Coleby , at the signe of the Vnicorne neere to Fleet Bridge . 1637.

and there told of the Meanes , both of the Safetie ; and also , Ruine of Cities and whole Kingdomes .

Be yee pleased now to take in good part , a word or two , spoken , I hope , not out of season , in the mournfull and sad condition of this my Mother and Nurse , — Foelix ●uicumque ●olore , Al●erius dis●es posse ca●ere tuo . in whose name I make bold to salute you all in the Lord , and to wish you the happiness to be warned in time by that bittercup of ours , wherin God , by Pestilence , seemeth to have begun to you all . The times require every ones helpe to seeke to quench this fire of wrath begun in the Land ▪ I heartily wish that manie others of much abler parts , would in this kind of popular and familiar Discourse and Exhortation put forth themselves , and stoope to such necessarie and edifying Arguments . For my part , as the case is , I , though the meanest of most , expect not who shall begin . God hath begun with us here : The Lyon hath roared — the Lord hath spoken , I cannot ( according to my abilitie , setting aside all respect of credit with men of the world ) but prophesie ; & that not by word here onely , but by writing ( such is my desire of the publicke good , and such is the occasion here offred by Gods beginning in this fierce manner with us . ) The benefit you may , by Gods blessing , and your own good indeavour , reap hereby , will be , either a prevention of and freedom to you , from this spreading evill ( which I chiefly by this Dedication do desire and intend : ) or a Direction how to carry your selves ( & that with comfort ) under Gods hand , if it reach also unto you .

〈◊〉 26.9 , ● . The truth is , When Gods judgments are in the earth , the inhabitants of the world ●ill ( at least should ) learne ●●ghteousnesse . The wise and just will so doe , Who wait for God in the way of his judgements . Amos 4.12 . opened . They will prepare to meet God , and to prevent judgments , which otherwise are threatned , and seeme to make towards them . How wee may prevent Gods judgments . Which they doe , or should doe by these meanes :

1. By taking warning by judgements inflicted on others , 1 Cor. 10.5 , 6 , 7-11 . Luke 13 . 3-5 . The want whereof God takes speciall notice of , Ierem. 3.8 , 9 , 10 , 11.

2. By doing that in our

4. By seeking , and obtaining the pardon of Sin , upon Repentance . Sinne once pardoned , is neve● more remembred or punished , Isa. 43.25 . Go●● so forgives , as hee als● forgets .

5. By mortifying such sinnes as raigne in us , or among us , Rom. 6.12 . Coloss 3.5 . &c. Seeing such exemplary judgements ; a Pestilence , war , &c. com●● not for smaller faylings but for sinnes against conscience , Rom. 1.18 . and fo● grosser evils , Ephes. 5.5.6 .

6. By newnesse of life and by bringing forth fruit meet for repentance — so w● escape wrath to come , and cutting downe , Math. 3.7 . 8-10 . By these meanes it will concerne you to prepare to meet God ; whom ●o you will find to meet you in mercy ; as the father of the Prodigall ran to meet his sonne , and to welcome him . Men have not heard — neither hath the eye seene , O God besides thee what hee hath prepared for him that waiteth for him : Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousnesse , those that remember thee in thy waies , Isa. 64.4 , 5.

Now because men are apt to make ill use of Gods judgements on others , to mis-judge them , and to harden themselves in their security , Four Con●usions ●ut of Luke 13.4 , 5. touching the use of Gods judgments on others . consider we what our Saviour teacheth us , Luke 13.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 - Think yee that these were Sinners above all men that dwelt in Ierusalem ? I tell you nay : but except yee repent , yee shall all likewise perish . Whence these Conclusions doe readily offer themselves .

1. Extraordinary , uncouth ( yea and sudden ) death doth sometime befall such as are not the greatest Sinners . I suppose those seventie thousand of Davids Subjects who died by Pestilence , among the other Tribes , were not greater Sinners than Ierusalem it selfe ; Vpon which , the Angell stretched out his hand to destroy it . Yea , the good King would make these ( in that case especially ) more innocent than himselfe , saying — Loe , I have sinned — but these Sheepe , what have they done ? when God shewed his severitie against Samaria and Israel , having removed them out of his sight ; and when the Tribe of Iudah onely was left and spared , 2 Kings 1● 18 , 19. Eze● 16.51 , ● . yet saith God to Iudah , — They are more righteous than thou .

2. On the other hand it is in thee my power , and that my name may be declared in all the earth .

●et . 2.9 . Howsoever , God Reserves the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished : ●●●s 17. ●● 31. hee hath appointed a day of purpose for them .

3. God ( in some cases ) respects his owne Glorie , more then mens deserts , & so spares them a while , though unworthie . See Deut. 32.26 . Ezek. 20.8 , 9-13 , 14-21 , 22.

4. Chiefly : God remembers his covenant and promise , who will reserve to himselfe a Church on earth in the greatest defections , provocations and destructions of his people : he will , Ezek. 14.19 , 20 , 21 and doth ever reserve a remnant ( who otherwise deserve ill at his hand , Ezek. 16.59 , with 60. ) See Isa. 6.13 . Rom. 3.3 . What if some did not believe ? shall their unbeliefe make the faith of God of none effect ? Si quoties peccant homines , & If God in generall defections and judgements thereupon , should consume in his wrath , all that deserve it , where should hee have a Church on earth to serve him ? hee must and will have some , in whom hee wil magnifie his mercie . It is of the Lords mercies ( said Ieremie in the time of the captivitie , when so many had perished ) that wee are not ( all ) consumed , because his compassions fa●le not . ●et . 2 . ● Here is no merit to bee pleaded in such case . ●om. 2.4 . Gods sparing mercies leade the way to his pardoning mercies . Hee often spares the unworthy , that they , overcome with his kindnesse , & 9 , 6. might relent , repent , seeke and find mercie , and that so his covenant and word might take effect in that remnant which is according to the Election of Grace . & 11.5 . Hence it is , that even among those in Ierusalem , on whom Gods irrevocable sentence of famine , Ezek. 14.19 , 20 , 21 , 22. noisome beasts , sword and pestilence had passed , yet a remnant was reserved , in whom God magnified his mercie , and for example of others . It were a happy thing , if such among us , as are either thus far spared , or have escaped , could see and make use of the mercie . This hath been done by others , why not now by us ?

Wee reade concerning Waldus ( from whom the Waldenses tooke their name ) Acts and M●●um . that making merrie with many of his rich neighbours , one of the company , suddenly fell downe dead : whereupon , hee apprehending Gods displeasure , tooke warning , gave himselfe to Reading , Almes , Prayer ; and exhorted others to the like .

The like might be observed in Mr. Gee , escaping in that deadly downefall of neere an hundred Papists in the Black-friers in London .

3. In case of Gods judgements on others , and our owne sparing , wee are neither rashly to censure them , nor hastily to justifie our selves as innocent . Christ himselfe , Isa. 53.3 , ● because of his sufferings , was esteemed stricken , smitten of God , and afflicted , and thereupon despised . Acts 28.4 ▪ So was Paul mis-judged , because of the Viper ; And the blind man , in that hee was borne blind . But Christ , though hee forbid not a wise consideration of Gods judgement on Sinners , yet corrects such rash censures as men readily use , and prescribes an Order , rather to begin at home , and not to secure our selves , knowing that God often judgeth some , 1 Cor. 11. ● 32. that they may not be condemned with the world . 1 Pet. 4.18 . Iudgement usually begins at Gods owne house , that others thence may learn , not to justifie themselves , but rather , not repenting , to expect like , or greater wrath .

4. Lastly , God warnes and cals all ( carelesse Livers ) to repentance , by his corrections and judgements on some , or else hee so summons them to like , or greater wrath . Except yee repent , yee shall all likewise perish .

1. It s a mercie when God makes others examples to us . The end of examples and Historie , is to make us wise and watchfull , lest wee bee made Examples and Histories to others . And among men , Executions are done for the living , not for the dead , who cannot be bettered by Example or Admonition , as the living may be .

2. Certaine destruction will befall such as take no warning by others . See Levit. 18 . 3-24.27.28 . 2. King . 17 . 6.7.8-18 . God lookes wee should profit by the example of his displeasure , even on enemies , much more on friends , both Forefathers , Ierm. 7.12.13.14 . Dan. 5.20.21 . 22 . 23-30.31 . 2 Kings 21 . 9-12.13 . and neighbours and equals . Not to take warning by such ( especially after so many other warnings , wherein God is not wanting to any of us now ) is a signe and fore-runner of speedy vengeance . So God looked that Iudah should have taken warning by Israels captivity — but his complaint is — yet her treacherous sister Iudah feared not , Ier. 3.7.8.9.10 . but went and played the Harlot also : — and yet for all this her trecherous sister Iudah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart , but fainedly . What hereupon followed ? King . 17.15 . Because Iudah ( which tribe onely now was left ) walked in the statutes of Israel which they made ; Therefore saith God , I will cast you out of my sight , Ier. 75. as I have cast out all your brethren , 2 King 21.13 . even the whole seed of Ephraim . And I will stretch over Ierusalem the line of Samaria , and the plummet of the house of Ahab . The like complaint of not profiting by others evils is made , Revel. 9.20.21 . and threatned , Amos 4.11.12 . I haue overthrowne some of you , as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah , and yee were as a fire-brand pluckt out of the burning , yet haue ye not returned unto me , saith the Lord . Therefore thus will I doe unto thee : that is , even overthrow thee , as Sodom was overthrowne : Now this accordingly came to passe for not taking warning in time , Lament. 4. as Ieremy lamenting , doth bewaile . What then remaines , but as it followeth in Amos , and as wee haue already directed , that wee in time prepare to meet God . To which end , and for our further warning and wisedome , I referre you as to the example of Gods displeasure , against this place of * * From May 6. till Decemb 31. 1636. there haue died of the plague within liberties 5027. without , some 500. ours , so to the insuing treatise it selfe , now published as for our owne , so also chiefly for your spirituall good , which is most heartily wished , and shall be still sought of God by him , who professeth himselfe at this time the Interpreter of New-castles good meaning towards you , and

Yours , and the Churches servant , R. I. New-castle , the 2. of Ianuary 1636.
The Contents . An Introduction to the maine Observation , with the occasion , and also cure of the Plague spoken of in the Text. Pag. 1. The maine Doctrine propounded . The parts and particulars of the Text. Gods wrath against sinners shewed . Mens sen●●lesnesse thereof bewa●led . 1● That the wrath spoken 〈◊〉 was Pestilence . That p●●stilence is an effect 〈◊〉 Gods wrath , and the●● not to be dallied witha● yet Gods displeasure m●● to be looked unto & pra●ed against , then the ●●stilence it selfe . That pestilence is from Go● Iustice and Wisdome , a●● not to be ascribed to a●other Authour or Instrument , neither much to be feared of the godly , to whom it may bee a mercie . 52 Pestilence is yet the fruit of mans sin . The sin of these Israelites here . All evill being for sinne , we are to justifie God , his truth and people , and to take all blame to our selves . 69 The maine Dutie concerning our speedy using of Meanes to pacifie Gods present wrath , urged and pressed by divers Motives in the Text. A●● first because this Pest●lence is wrath . 11 This Pestilence is senci●● wrath , wrath gone o●● and manifested , to t●● end that taking notice● Gods displeasure , we might with good hope , 〈◊〉 submission , seeke to paci●●● the same . 13 In that wrath is but go●● out , and this plague b● begun ( which therfore 〈◊〉 it may be staied from pr●ceeding , if we time● meet God in the way his judgements , so it will prove but the beginning of greater evils if we rerepent not ) we haue cause speedily to runne in with our Censers , and to prevent our own ruine . 144 This wrath and pestilence is from the Lord , & therfore howsoever his Prophets may be despised , yet God himselfe is not to be dallied withall , whose greatnes and terror should cause us seeke peace with him in time . 183 The Conclusion of the Motives urging a speedie performance of the dutie of Humiliation both publikely and privately , and that from the practise of the Heathen in case of Pestilence . 203 A Direction concerning the Means of pacifying Gods wrath : and that both Negatively , shewing what meanes wee are not , either to use at all , or not to rest in ; as also affirmatively , what are the true and only meanes and duties to be performed at such times . 219
Newcastles Call , To her Neighbor and Sister Towns and Cities throughout the Land , to take warning by her Sins and Sorrowes . NVMB. 16.46 .

— For there is wrath gone out from the Lord ; the Plague is begun .

CHAP. I. An Introduction to the maine Observation .

I Need not tell you why at this time I make choyse of these words to treat on . This Argument had not bin out of season , The occasion of this Argument . if wee had handled it before euer this plague of pestilence arrived our coasts , and when we only heard how it raged in Holland , and in other parts beyond the Seas . They there of the reformed Churches especially , are our brethren , & wee members with them of the same body mystical . And as we shold have sympathized more with them than we did , We should have taken warning by others , and our selves formerly . so wee should have taken warning by Gods heavy hand upon them when first the plague began with them , and wrath was gone out from the Lord . For this judgement of plague , as an Overflowing scourge of the Lord , ( as other like judgments are ) ends not commonly where it begins : neither should wee have made a covenant with death ( as if we had bin at agreement with hell ) to say in our security ( and it skils not whether wee say it in word or in deed . Esay 28 . 15-18 . ) When the overflowing scourge shall passe through , it shall not come unto us . At the first going out of wrath it concerned us to haue bin warned , and to have prepared to meete our God by true repentance , Amos 4.12 . and intreaties of peace : and when his judgements once began to bee in the earth , ●say 26.8 , 9 to haue learned righteousnesse . How much more now , when Gods bow is further bent , and his arrowe of Pestilence hath reached even unto us , shall I say of this nation only , nay to us of this sinfull place and Towne where we liue , and where ( after a pretty warning and summons given us a few moneths agoe when it arrived our a a At the North Shields in Octob. 1635. Port , and made its abode there a while chiefly , yet so as that it sent up the river to us some few messengers of death ) where I say , after some few moneths intermission , it hath broken out fearefully , May 6. 1636. and begins to spread like wildfire , mo perishing by it this first fortnight since it began , or was discovered amongst us , Namely , 114 persons . then either formerly with us , or yet with the great and mother-citie of London , in the first three moneths after it began with them some 11. yeres agoe ( though for number of parishes the disproportion bee thirtie to one : ) When God makes such speed at the first going out of his wrath here amongst us , 〈◊〉 others us now , will it not concerne us also to make speed and to hasten our repentance , yea not us only , but our neighbouring towns and cities , yea generally all townes and cities in these his Majesties kingdomes ? Who must ●ot be se●ure . For if yet we wil be secure , that will concerne us which long since was spoken to Ierusalem & Ephraim and to the scornefull men who ruled that people : Esay 28.1.3 , 4. first , woe to the crowne of pride , to the drunkards of Ephraim : The crowne of pride , the drunkards of Epharim shal be troden under feet : Verse 14. And the glorious beauty which is on the head of the fat valley shall bee a fading flower . Then , for their securitie thus they are threatned , ( and why not we now , of this place especially , being as proud , sensual , scornfull and secure as they ? ) your covenant with death shal be disanulled , 18. and your agreement with hell shall not stand ; when the overflowing scourge shall passe through , then ye shal be troden downe by it . 19. From the time that it goeth forth , it shall take you : for morning by morning shall it passe over , wherupon the Lord shewing himselfe strong on the behalfe of his servants , was ready to have consumed the whole congregation all at once as in a moment , but that they who were injuried interceded for them ; the effect of whose intercession was a Direction from God to the Meanes by which he would be pacified , which Moses receiving from God gives in charge to Aaron , ( herein a type of Christ ) that he would take a censer , 1 Thess. 1 10. and go quickly to the Congregation , and make an atonement for them : and why ? And the meanes used to stay it . was it not high time ? Yes assuredly ; for there was wrath already gone out from the Lord , the plague was begun : and ere hee could get into the middest of them and performe his office , there died of the Plague fourteen thousand and seven hundred ; Vers. 49. which meanes if it had not bin used in time , the whole Congregation had bin consumed .

CHAP. II. The maine Doctrine propounded . The particulars of the Text laid open . Gods wrath against sinners shewed . Mens sencelessenesse thereof bewayled .

THese words are for our present use at this time , and chiefly teach us this maine Lesson :

When God manifests his displeasure against us for our sinnes , whether it bee by plague and pestilence or otherwise , we are spedily to use the meanes which hee hath appointed to stay and pacifie his wrath .

So it was here : Wrath is gone out , How it is raysed . therefore run in : or goe quickely to the Congregation , and make an attonement for them ; for wrath is gone out , &c. Which duty , though it then properly belonged to Aaron , a type as is said of Christ , who onely turnes away wrath , 1 Thes. 1.10 . and delivers us from wrath ( as present so ) to come ; and now in great part to the Ministers of the new Testament , who especially at such times as these must weepe betweene the porch and the Altar , ●oel . 2.16 . ●7 . & say , Spare thy people o● Lord , &c.

Yet it belongs to others also , as to Christian Magistrates , and generally to all and every one who in CHRIST professeth himselfe to be a Spirituall Priest . This point I shall presse and vrge by arguments fetched especially from the Text ; Therefore as Preparatorie thereunto , let us first ( but very briefly ) no●e and lay open some particulars of the Text.

The parts of the text . In which wee haue both a Maledy and a Remedie , Fire and Water , a Plague , and a Plaister ; 1. Malady . a Lumpe , boyle , rising and swelling of the Plague , and a lumpe of Figgs as a plaister for the same . 2. Remedy .

The former expressed by wrath and plague , is an effect both of their sin as the cause , and of Gods justice as the Author and inflicter of the same , it being said , wrath is gone out from the Lord : the latter is implied in the first word For : for wrath is gone out , therefore take a censer , and use the meanes to quench it . So that now wee have here 1. a Doctrine , concerning the just wrath of God against sinners : 2. Causes , reasons and grounds of it : and 3. The use of all , by way of Inference , which we must chiefly insist upon , though the former haue their speciall reasons and uses also .

1 The Malady . The evill is here called with respect to God , Wrath or hot anger ; with respect to man , a Plague .

1 Wrath. First , by wrath here we understand some judgement and effect of such anger and displeasure as is in God himselfe , What is meant by wrath . wherby being truely and inwardly displeased within himselfe with sinners , and alienated in his loue from them for their sinn , hee manifests so much by some reall tokens of the same .

Quest. 1. How is wrath in God . How is wrath in God ?

Answ. Not properly as an affection : though even so it was in Christ , God — Man ; yet without sinne or perturbation , and as pure water put into a pure and cleane glasse , which being jogged and moved retaines its clearenesse still , and not as commonly it is with us , who sin in our anger , through the muddinesse which i● in us through natural corruption . It is said to be i● God , in regard of that tru● displeasure and dislike o● our sin , whereby he truly hates it , and is contrary to it and to sinners , ready to extirpate both sin and sinners , yet without any perturbation , griefe , or disquiet within himselfe ▪ howsoever , what God speaks after the maner of men , we must understand so as becomes the high & holy majestie of God .

Quest. 2. How goes wrath out from God ?

Ans. How goes wrath forth from God . When hee manifests this his inward dislike of sin , and contrariety against sinners , by some outward token of his wrath , wherby he would be knowen to be displeased ; as on the other hand , Luk. 8.46 . vertue was said to be gone out of Christ , when his power and mercy was manifested in healing the woman ( which had the bloody issue ) of her plague , Mar. 5.30 33. which thing immediately upon her touching of him was made known unto her . So here ; therfore as men being angry , shew their anger by some evill lookes , words or blows , & deed● so God is said to bee ●●gry , and wrath to goe o● from him , when especialy he inflicts some punishment or calamity , wher●by he shews his dislike our sinne . So Math. 3. Rom. 3.5 . & 4.15 . & 5. ●

God is truly displeased with sin and sinners : why ? Now this may teacht● that sin is truly displeasi●● unto God , hee neither approoves of it , nor of us 〈◊〉 our sinne . The Reason is 1. sin is impuritie and uncleanness , and therfore 〈◊〉 that regard both sinn and sinners are most contrar● to his most holy nature● immaculate essence . 2. S● 〈◊〉 disobedience , and so op●●seth and withstandeth his holy will which is Soveraign : no marvell then if God oppose and resist such proud sinners , and walke contrarie to them that walke contrary to him . 〈◊〉 Sin , especially in these daies of grace , is unthankfulnes , and therefore justly hated of him . 4. In a word , it is dishonor to him , especially such sinnes as now are sinned , when all our sins are in a manner against all his attributes of goodnes , mercy , grace , justice , and against his works and manifestation of his attributes , as also again the light of his Gospel● of our consciences &c. 〈◊〉 regard whereof , no m●●●vell if hee both threa●●● sin in his Law , Gal. 3.10 . annexin● curse to the breach of 〈◊〉 and daily , even in this li●●● plague and punish sin a●● sinners .

To see what wee get by sin . Vse . See then what 〈◊〉 doe when we sinn again God : see what wee gai●● by doing our owne wi●● and following our ow● counsels contrary to God wee being our selves u●der his displeasure , we●● provoke a gracious Go● yea the great and drea●full Majestie of Heaven , and that to the confusion of our own faces . At this time hee manifests much wrath against us of this p●ace , as also in part , the whole kingdom ; for wrath is gon out from him against as , the plague is begun , and renued , Ann. 1625. after such havock as it hath formerly , not many yeares ago , made amongst us , especially in the Mother citie , but never the like with us to that it is like to doe now . But oh the stupidity , grosness , 2. To bewaile mens senselesnes under wrath . and senselesnesse of our hearts ! here I may take up Moses his complaint in like case , Who knoweth th● power of thine anger ? Psal. 90.11 eve●● according to thy feare , so●● thy wrath . Whose heart●● smitten with feare answerable to the terriblenes 〈◊〉 thy wrath , & by occasion of thy feareful judgment as yet they should bee who so feares thee fo●● this thy wrath , Deut. 13.11 Psal. 119.120 . Ion. 1.16 . Prov. 16.6 . as by it 〈◊〉 depart from evill ? for 〈◊〉 the feare of the Lord ( wher● it is indeed ) men depart 〈◊〉 evill : oh that this terro● of the Lord , ( wherby 〈◊〉 are even at this time ? some regard made to appeare before the judgement of the Lord , 3. To learn true wisedom & the feare of God from it . wh● now sets our iniquities before him , Psalm . 90.7.8 . 2. Cor. 5.10.11 . our secret sinnes in the light of his countenance , who are now consumed by his anger , and troubled by his wrath ; oh I say that this terrour of the Lord ) could drive every one of us to our dutie , as the terrour of the last judgement did Paul ; and could bring us in time to true repentance and humiliation of soule ! And here let us take up Moses his Prayer also , ( oh that wee did it with like heart and true desire ! Psalm . 90.12 . ) So teach us to number our dayes , that wee may apply our hearts unto wisedome : For indeed it is God only who by his Spirit accompaniing his Word and Iudgements , can free us from this stupiditie , and bring us to a due consideration of our wayes , and repentance for the same : then and not till then , Vers. 8. may wee with comfort , hope and good confidence make that his next petition ; Vers. 13. Returne , O Lord his long ? and let it repe●● thee concerning thy servants ( and so on as the●● it followeth . )

CHAP. 3. That this Wrath was Pestilence . That Pestilence is an effect of Gods wrath , and therefore not to be dallied withall : yet Gods displeasure more to be looked unto , and prayed against , then the Pestilence it selfe .

NOw this Wrath in particular , 2. It is a Plague which generally is a stroke . and with respect to man is here called a Plague , or a Stroke , from a word which signifieth to smite , and that to death : and so it signifieth generally any judgement of God which is to death : as a slaughter by the sword , and by hanging , Iosh. 22.17 . with Numb. 25.3.4.5 . And generally of Aegypts plagues it is said ; Exod. 9.14 . I will send all my Plagues upon thine heart . or Origen turnes the word Confraction or breaking : Confraction . and so the Greeke here , hee hath begun to breake , that is to destroy : whence Orige● notes that the wicked a●● as earthen vessels of dishonour to bee broken . An● doubtlesse the Lord by his judgements breakes i● upon his people like th● sea , and makes a brea●● among them as now by Pestilence , by which he● scatters us one from another , &c. But especially here Pestilence . And of this Plague by Pestilence wee understand the word here . This same word is used also by Moses , when hee speakes of the last Plague of Aegypt , Exod. 12.23.27 . the death of the first borne , wherewith God is said ( by his Angell ) to smite them . And that Angell is called a Destroyer : For as God by an Angell delivered his people out of Aegypt , Numb. 20.16 . so by an Angell hee destroyed their enemies , Hebr. 11.28 . So that it is very likely that those first borne were destroyed by Pestilence , to which I I conceive the Lord in Amos hath reference , when hee saith , I have sent among you the Pestilence after the manner of Aegypt . Amos 4.10 . Even so in the Pestilence which was in King Davids time , hee is called the Angell that destroyed the people . 2. Sam. 24.16 . Moreover , these Murmurers were threatned to bee smitten with the Pestilence , Numb. 14.12 . I will smite them , saith the Lord , with the Pestilence : now when ( after this threatning ) were they so smitten unlesse at this time It is not much materiall to our maine scope , whether this Plague here were the Pestilence , or no ; yet so we now take it , and doe observe , that the Pestilence is Wrath , Pestilence is an effect and signe of wrath in God . or a signe and effect of Wrath , and of Gods displeasure : Here wee see the one is explanied and expressed by the other : and this is the Observation hence to be made : yet it is not so much a signe of Gods wrathfull displeasure , to each and every particular person smitten by it ( seeing a child of God may both be smitten and die of it ) as to the Communaltie , to the Kingdome , Citie , To whom Towne or place where it is , in which a breach is made , as in Davids case . Yet here in my text , they were all guilty ; and for the most part the Pestilence , as well as the Sword , comming to avenge the quarrell of Gods covenant , ●ev . 26.25 . and to punish the disobedient and obstinate , its maine busines is with those against whom God hath the greatest quarrell .

It is no ordinary death . The Plague then is , and must be taken to be a fearfull signe of Gods displeasure and wrath : as it was said of the Aegyptians , H●● ( that is God ) cast upon them the fiercenesse of his anger , Psal. 78.49 . ●0 . 51 . wrath and indignation , and trouble , by sending evill angels among them . — Hee gave their life over to the Pestilence : and smote all the first-borne in Aegypt , &c. So Numb. 25.3 , 4 , -8.

This is not an ordinarie death , or death barelie , Why ? or a debt we owe to God and Nature , as an effect of originall Sin , or of Sin generallie ; but this , as the like deaths by Sword and Famine , is an effect of some great , speciall , spreading , and raigning Sins . In it is wrath ; and the face of an angrie God , may , & ought be seen in it .

For 1. 1. Gods hand is specially in it . Gods hand is more seen ( or to be seen ) in it . God is said To fall upon , or to meet men with Pestilence . ●xod . 5.3 . ●am. 24. And it s A falling into the hands of the Lord . In the place , Exodus 5.3 . as elsewhere , I know the Greeke and Chaldee translate the word there used ( Deber ) Death : yet that death is Pestilence ; for so the Holy Ghost puts it for Pestilence in Revel. 6.8 . from Ezek. 14.21 . So the Murraine or Pestilence on the cattel is said to be from the hand of the Lord . Exod. 9.3 .

2. It s full of wofull evill . Psal. ●1 . 3 . 2. Commonlie it is a grievous death ( as that a grievous Murraine , Exod. 9.3 . ) And the Psalmist cals it noysome , or rather wofull Pestilence , or Pest of wofull miseries or evils . Now what these evils are , who knows not ? Through the noysomnesse and contagion of it , it makes a man a stranger to his own house , to his dearest friends ; yea , as it were an enemie to them , and an instrument of death to wife , children , friends ; and it deprives a man of comforters in his greatest agonie and need ; and at length , of life , and of an Honorable buriall . It s an enemie of trading and civill commerce : it s commonlie accompanied with Famine , and followed ( where it workes not reformation ) with 〈◊〉 stung ( by Gods wise providence ) with this deadlie disease , so the whole point it selfe affords unto us a double instruction . Not to bee secure in time of pestilence . 1. Not to dallie with God , at such times especiallie as these : God is in good earnest with us , truly displeased with us , & with our waies , and would have us know so much , whilest hee manifests his wrath from heaven against us by Plague and Pestilence , which is one of his foure sore Iudgements , Ezek. 14.21 . whereby hee powres out his furie upon us in blood to cut off man and beast ( as wee have great cause to feare ) Verse 29. and which he would have us take not for an ordinarie death , but for a true signe of his Wrath , which hee would have us see in it , and accordinglie feare and tremble , and so worke out our Salvation , breaking off our Sins by Repentance and amendment of life , not making light thereof when his hand is so heavie upon us for the same . When Pestilence finds us in our Sin , it is a fearfull signe of heavie wrath from God ; but if it leave us in our Sin , then is it yet a more fearfull signe of Gods hot displeasure , for so it leaves us either to the Sword of mercilesse and everlasting destruction of soule & body , as the just and full desert and reward of our sinnes . Alas ! what is the plague , or any bodily evill to this , that we should be so much troubled with it , and use such meanes and care to prevent , or fly from it , and yet the mean while , be no whit at all , or very little touched with a sense or feare of the other ? And to seek Gods favour more then health or life . wheras a man may escape the danger of the Pestilence , and be free from it , and other bodily evills , and yet be and remaine under Gods heavie and sore displeasure , and so be liable to all plagues and punishments which his sinns deserve to be inflicted on him in this life , and in hell for ever ; as on the contrary one may bee smitten in body by plague and pestilence , as wee conceive King Hezekiah was , or by some sore , Isay 34 . 1-21 . Psal. 6.1 , 1 3. & . 9. & 38 , 1 , 2 , & . deadly or dangerous disease and sicknes , as David was , and yet be in happie and blessed estate and condition , as being in love and favour with God , though it may bee not alwayes in that fresh sense and feeling of it which he desires .

This made holy David in his sickness pray in this manner , and after this method : O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger , neither chasten mee in thy hot displeasure . Have mercy upon me O Lord , for I am weake : O Lord heale me , for my bones are vexed . Where though in the second place he prayeth for healing , yet firstly & chiefly he praies both against Gods hot displeasure , & for his mercy and favour . He by occasion of his sicknesse apprehends Gods displeasure & heavie wrath , as the just desert of his sinne , if God should deale with him in rigour , and accordingly is more affected in soule thorow a sense of Gods wrath , then in body , through the feeling of his disease or affliction : and therefore he praies not so much against the sicknes or evill which troubled him in body , which he tooke onely as a fatherly chastisement , and which hee could well indure , according to that of Christ , As many as I love , Revel 3.19 . I rebuke and chasten ; as against Gods wrath caused by his sinne , which he well knew to be intolerable , it being such , as when it lay upon Christ the eternall Son of God in our nature , who as our suretie , and in our stead tooke it upon him , made him cry out , My God , why hast thou forsaken mee ? Many of us never looke so farre as to the inward affection of anger in God ( though it bee not properly in him : ) if they had but the outward evill removed ( as now this of Plague ) they little regard Gods wrath and displeasure from whence it comes , or how contrary God is unto them , though they should utterly in soule and eternally be consumed by it ; for they would returne presently to , yea doe still continue in those sinnes which bring them under his curse and wrathful displeasure , making light account thereof , with Pharao sometimes desiring a removal of the evil which was upon him and his people , but never of the displeasure of God , or of the hardnesse of his heart and sin provoking God , unto which he presently returned . Such may haue the plague kept or removed from them now , and yet remaine under , and perish in Gods wrath and hot Displeasure temoprally and eternally , as did Pharao .

Here wee may try our selvs , Triall of our selves hence . whether at this time the Pestilence & outward evill which is amongst us , or Gods displeasure trouble us most . To make light of Sin , to continue in it now without due search and examination of our waies , or otherwise to justifie our selves in apparant evils , and not to reforme them to the uttermost of our power , is to make light of Gods wrath and not to feare it , but to procure new wrath , or at least , the con●inuance of the old . But how many such now have wee ? Oh , say they , the Plague and the evils accompanying it , are intolerable ; and oh that this fire were once quenched ! But in the mean time , the Sins which have provoked God to displeasure are loved , pleaded for ; at least , not forsaken , or put away , so much as in purpose of heart . Do such men feare Gods displeasure ? doth his wrath trouble them ? or doe they see & groane under his wrath , whilest they complaine of the outward evils , and pray for healing ? no alas ! this Plague is not seene as an effect & token of Gods wrath , but onely as crosse and contrarie to us in our health , life , friends , goods ; to our sinful associations & companying one with another ; whereas wee should look more to Gods wrath in the Plague , than to the Plague it selfe , or in any other respect : and in our praiers , and by our indeavours pray against wrath , and beg , and seeke mercie and forgivenes of our Sins more than life it selfe , craving still , and crying for mercie ; Mercie , mercie good Lord , nothing but mercie ; give and shew m● mercie , or else I die : what will health , freedom from pestilence , what wil wealth or life it selfe availe me , 〈◊〉 for want of mercie I peri●● eternallie ? Nay , I may have these and perish , Psam. 92.6 , 7. yea these may be given me , i● I still persist in my old sin that I may ( more certainlie ) perish . Now ô holie God , in wrath remember mercie : and give us thy servants , first aright to apprehend thy wrath now gone out against us , whilest the Plague is begun ; that wee may be fitted and prepared , both to beg and to receive mercie , that thou maist be glorified by shewing mercie , whilest we are ashamed , abashed , and truly humbled in the apprehension and acknowledgment of thy just wrath gone out against us , and manifested thus by Plague and Pestilence . Amen .

CHAP. IV. That Pestilence is from Gods Iustice and Wisedome , and not to b●● ascribed to any other author or instrument ; neither much to be feared● the Godlie , to whom 〈◊〉 may be a mercie .

Pestilence is onely from the Lord as Author . Exod. 4.11 . Isa. 45.7 . Amos 3.6 . NExt wee have to consider that this wrath and this Pestilence is go● out from the Lord .

The Lord then both & wil be known to be th● author and inflicter of th● ( as of all other like ) evill

1. Threatning . It is the Lord who threaneth it , as wee may se● Exod. 9.16 . Numb. 14.12 . and Levit. 26.25 . Deut. 28.21 . When yee are gathered together within your Cities , I will send the Pestilence among you . And saith Moses to the disobedient , The Lord shall make the Pestilence cleave unto thee untill hee have consumed thee .

It is the Lord also who sends it and inflicts it : 2. Inflicting it . as of Davids people it is said , So the Lord sent Pestilence upon Israel ; 1 Chron. 21.24 . and there fell of Israell seventie thousand men . And King Hezekiah being so smitten ( as most thinke ) saith Hee hath both spoken unto mee ( when hee said — Thou shalt die , Isa. 38 . 1-14 . and not live ) and himselfe hath done it . So Amos 4.10 . I have sent among you the Pestilence , &c. And Psal. 78.50 , 51. This is one of the foure sore judgements which God specially sends , Eze. 14.19 , 21. It is one of Gods arrowes , of which he saith , I will spend mine arrowes upon them ; Deut. 32.23 , 24. Psa. 91.5 . that arrow which flieth by day : — That flieth both swiftlie , and fetcheth , or reacheth those that would flie ( in their Sins ) farthest from it . The Chaldee calleth it , The arrow of the Angell of death . Yea , Homer , Iliad. 1. the Poet Homer ( an Heathen ) cals it an Evill arrow : And Euripides tels us that it is a Plague , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . calamitie or destruction sent of God . The Prophet Habakkuck trembling at Gods Majestie , saith , Before him went the pestilence , Habak. 3.5 . and burning coales ( or burning diseases ) went forth at his feet . Yea , little children , and prophane cursers wil tel you this plague is from God , whilest in the streets and elswhere , you may heare them curse and bid the plague of ( or from ) God , yea the hot plague of God , goe with such as they wish ill unto .

Now this is 1. It is from his 1. Iustice . from his Iustice , who as hee punisheth all sinne , even originall alone , with Death , so some sinnes with more grievous and remarkeable death , and with exemplary judgements . Howsoever God doth not inflict , either this or any of those other his sore judgements without cause , and so hee would be acknowledged , whilst hee concludes the mention of these inevitable sentences , Ezek. 14.21 23. saying : And yee shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done . Of which cause in us more in the next point .

2 Wisedome . 2. This is also from his wisedome , punishing sinne with sutable punishments : wee infect one an other by evill example , Retaliating sinnes with semblable punishments . communication , Company-keeping , though we call it good fellowship , by tempting and inticing one another to sinne , by unprofitablenesse in company , whereby wee edifie not one an other in the best things : so by excesse and abuse of Gods good creatures ; by Pride in apparell , and garishnesse , whereby we insnare and tempt others to sinne ; so by covetousnesse , and abuse of trading and such like : How wisely then , as well as justly doth God meet with us by such a judgement , as whereby wee infect one another in body , by our breathing , touching , and accompanying with them , and whereby hee breaketh those cursed knots of good fellowes : so whereby our very clothes in which we pride our selves doe infect our selves and others , to the apparant danger of life it selfe ; and whereby , through famine and poverty , which commonly accompany the Plague , our excesse , and abuse , both of Gods good creatures , and of trading by oaths , cousenage , false wares , at least covetousnesse ; and our pride and confidence in regard of our wealth , are justly met withall .

This consideration concerning the Authour of Pestilence , To looke chiefly to God . is of Vse to us , 1. to acknowledge Gods hand & providence in it , and not to ascribe it either to Chance , ( as the Philistines were ready to have ascribed the disease of Emerods , 1. Sam. 6.9 and that great death that did befall them ) or to second causes or instruments ( so as to rest in them , or to expect helpe from them : ) these are but instruments in Gods hand , And not 〈◊〉 the Instr●ment , whether they be Angels , by whom God often smites with Pestilence , Or occasion . as in the first borne of Egypt , and in Davids people ; or whether it be the Ayre which is infected , or any other Person or thing , which wee occasionally received infected , or by whom , or who it at first was brought to our Towne or place ; or whether the unseasonablenesse of the weather , helpe to continue or increase it . In all these and the like wee are chiefly to looke to God , and not either to complaine or cry out on , and curse such as by whom it might seeme first to bee brought unto us , ( though wilfull or rash spreaders of this infection , It is his hand which both wounds and must heale . should and ought both be inquired after , and severely punished ; ) or much to hope that when the dog-dayes end , or cold weather or winter approacheth , then wee shall heare no more of it , or at least have it to abate : no , no , wee must both looke higher , and expect helpe from an higher hand then all these : It is Gods hand that smites ( whosoever , or whatsoever be the rod , as Exod. 7.17 . compared with 19. and Esay , 10.5.6.7 . ( unto this hand wee must chiefly looke . This is the hand which is now stretched out against us , and which will be stretched out still , whilst wee turne not to him that smiteth , Isay , 9.12.13 . neither seeke the Lord of hosts .

2. This consideration , that this wrath and plague is gone out from the Lord , Comfort to Gods people in covenant with God . and is sent by him as the Author of it , may bee for the Comfort of all such , as whose God is the Lord , and generally of all such , as by true sorrow and penitencie by faith , by hearty confession of sinne , prayer and sacrifice shall seeke unto him , as did David : this being , even in this respect , one of Gods gentlest judgements ; such as holy David did chuse before sword and famine , 2 Sam. 24.14 . saying , Let us fall now into the hand of the Lord ( for his mercies are great ) and let me not fall into the hand of man . Oh beloved , wee have yet to deale with God , and not with mercilesse men , who have so long waited their time , and sought what by open violence ( as in their Spanish Navie and Forces in Ireland ) what by secret underminings , Pestilence is often a mercy to them . ( as in their Popish Powder-plot and secret workings ) to bring us under their tyrannie , and to judge us with their judgements . Great are the mercies of the Lord , that we are not as yet given into their hands , as too justly we deserve . Dying by it , as freeing them from greater evils . Now if God have a purpose to bring this extreamest of evils upon us of this place or nation ( and why should wee secure our selves in these our defections from him ? ) will it not then bee a mercie to such as are in Christ , to bee taken away by this more gentle correction , and hand of a mercifull God from greater wrath to come ? The Lord in mercie took away good King Iosiah , even by the sword , which he made use of to remove him from those greater and more spreading evils , which by the sword also were to befall his people and posterity ; for no sooner was hee so taken away by the sword of Pharao Necho , but his successours and sons , and Judah , after some bondage under Necho , were destroyed ( many of them ) by the bands of the Chaldees , of the Syrians , 2 King . 24.2 . Moabites , and Ammonites , but the land was wholly overrun , destroyed & captived by King Nebuchadnezzar . How much rather may he remove his chosen from the raging evills of the sword , and fury of the oppressour , by withdrawing them with his owne hand , and fetching them home to himselfe by this messenger of Death the plague ? 2 Chron. 7.13 . for what is pestilence else but a messenger of Gods sending ? now if God please to call home any of his children by it , why should they be afraid or too much dismayed ? true , it is a messenger of a grim countenance , and knocks at the doore somewhat fiercely , and so , before it bee acknowledged , or well considered of , it may terrifie a beloved heire : but when hee shall perceive it is no other but his fathers servant to fetch him home , and that from greater dangers where he is , the feare abates , and he goes with him cheerfully . In this case our chiefe businesse will be , to see that God be ours in Christ , and to make our peace with him . This once done , we need not fear what kind of death we die , seeing it befals us by the providence , appointment , yea , hand of our mercifull father : That which is sent in wrath to others , shall befall us in mercie ; as the same Red Sea which swallowed up the Aegyptians , And also 2 Living . afforded a safe passage to the Israelites towards the land of Canaan . Yea , for the present , Gods people find themselves more safe under his mercifull hand , than they can well hope to be under mans hand , when Gods hand shall be whollie removed .

CHAP. V. Pestilence is yet the fruit of Mans Sin . The Sin of these Israelites here . All evill being for Sin , wee are to justifie God , his truth and people ; and to take all blame to our selves .

Quest. BVt is not God a God of mercie , grace , and goodnes ? Our sinne the cause of our sorrow . Whence then is it that wrath , & hot anger is said to goe out from the Lord , and particularlie this of Plague or Pestilence ? We must therefore conceive , and may easilie imagine , that in case of gods wrath , and of the breaking out of Pestilence there is some great cause provoking him thereunto ; seeing he doth not afflict willingly , or from his heart , Lament. 3.33 . nor grieue the children of men . The great God herein is like the litle Bee , which yeelds hony of its selfe , but stings not till it be angred or provoked .

The first in this Text , provoking the Lord to this great wrath , was the peoples murmuring against Moses and Aaron , Psal. 41.42 . charging them with the death of those rebels , whom God destroyed justly for their sinnes , and their rising accordingly against them : which as it is in its owne nature highly displeasing to God who cannot indure his officers and faithfull servants should either bee envied and maligned , as these two were by Corah , &c. or repined at , when for their sake the Lord doth punish such as wrong them . So for the Circumstances of it , it became exceeding great ; for it is said , But on the morrow ( after Corah was swallowed up , and they were spared and escaped ) all the Congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses , The sin of these Israelites here , aggravated . & against Aaron , &c. Where 1. for time , it was on the morrow immediatly after their 1. former sinne . 2. God wrath executed on others 3. their owne sparing . 4 their former and but yesterdayes shew of repentance , or forsaking the tents of the wicked . 2. For the persons who sinned , they were 1. for qualitie , the children of Israel , from whom God had cause to have expected better things . 2. For number , All the congregation of them , it was a generall sin and conspiracie . 3. For persons agains● whom ; it was against Mos●● and Aaron : against Moses a Prophet & Prince , against Aaron the Priest of the Lord , both which had lately , yea and now made intercession for them : they were neither afrayde to meddle with such deare servants of the Lord , who prooved edge-tooles to them ; nor ashamed so ill to requite them for their love .

This was their sin . Our like Sins causes of our Iudgments now . And when our sins become like either for nature or for circumstances , we have great cause to looke for like wrath : nay if such sins , as envying , hating , and rising against Gods Ministers and faithfull servants , and if such circumstances of sin , 2 . 4● as to sinn upon sin , and to multiply transgressions to sin after examples of Gods wrath on others , after our owne sparing and deliverances , and after former shewes of repentance : If for men in covenant with God to sin against him , and to sin as it were by conspiracie and consent ; and if unthankfulnesse against God and his Messengers and Servants deserve wrath , and be followed with Pestilence , then no marvell if wrath be gone out from the Lord against us of this place , yea , and Nation , and if the Plague be alreadie begun amongst us , and so far proceeded as it is . But of the Sins more particularly for which wrath goeth out from God , and for which Pestilence is sent , I shall speake hereafter on some other Grounds of Scripture .

Here wee may observe in the generall , Sin procures wrath That mans Sin is the cause of his Sorrow . Love to Sin procures Gods anger against the Sinner : And as here , The Plague of the heart and soule brings Gods Plague upon the bodie . 1 Kings , 8.38 . Remarkable examples hereof we have in the Angels cast 2 Pet. 2 . 4● out of heaven for ever because of their Pride : in Adam cast out of Paradise ( and with him all Mankind ) for disobedience : Gen. 3.17 . in a whole world of men , Gen. 6. for violence , sensualitie and securitie : Math. 24.38 , 39. in Sodom and other Cities , destroied suddenlie for Pride , Ezek. 16.49 , 50. abuse of Gods good creatures , Idlenesse , and abominable Lusts : Lamen. 1.5 . in the Iewes , both in their first Captivitie , when the Lord ( so grievouslie ) afflicted them for the multitude of their Transgressions : 2 Chro. 36.14 , 15 , 16 , with 17 , &c. and in this their so fearfull dispersion and scattering whereby they are broken off , Isa. 50.1 . Rom. 11.20 . because of unbeliefe .

But leaving other evils , Specially Pestilence , which is both threatned , consider wee , that God doth 1 , Threaten pestilence for Sin , as Levit. 26.14 , 15 , 16-24 , 25. Deut. 28 . 15-21 , 22. Ezek. 6.11 , 12. Alas for all the evill abominations of the house of Israel : for they shall fall by the Sword , by the Famine , and by Pestilence . So heere , these Murmurers were first threatned with Pestilence for their unbeliefe : Numb. 14.11 , 12. and here in my Text , it was inflicted for their Sin , which is already mentioned . So then 2 , God doth also send , And inflicted for sin● and Inflict Pestilence for Sin : as see Exod. 12.29 . Psal. 78.50 , 51. Amos 4.10 . So David was met with for his pride , 2 Sam. 24.10 . And so now must wee take this Pestilence , and other like Sicknesses to be justly sent for our Sins : and why not the same , or like to the Sin of Irreverence among the Corinthians ; who , because they came to the Lords Table , and returned also from it , in their Sins , in their contentions , contempt one of another , dis-respect of their Teacher , Saint Paul , their ignorance , and other Sins , it is said , 1 Cor. 11.30 . For this cause many among you are sicke and weake , and many sleepe . Now this Sicknesse and death among them is not improbably , by some , thought to bee that of Pestilence .

Whence is this ? 1. This is from Such is the nature of Sin , The natur● of Sin . as that it being evill , Gen. 4.13 . can bring forth nothing but evill : therfore doth one and the same word in the originall include in the signification of it , both Sin and Punishment . So that he that will sinne , doth but hatch the cockatrice egge , & nourish a viper in his own bosom , which will be his destruction .

2. From God holinesse . Such againe is the Holiness and Iustice of God , that hee cannot spare obstinate Sinners without impeachment to his Iustice , Man himselfe being the Iudge to whom God seemes to appeale , saying , How shall I pardon thee for this ? Ierem. 5.7 . Seeing thou wilt neither seeke pardon , nor forsake thy Sin . Tell me , wouldst thou that I should violate my Iustice to spare thee in thy Sins ? How canst thou in reason expect it ? Will yee infect one another with your evill examples , and company-keeping ; by tempting and inticing one another to Sin , to my dishonour , and shall I still fit still and doe nothing ? shal not I send my plagues among you , to make you afraid one of another , and to sever you one from another ? Shall I not multiply my plagues till you , each of you see the plague of your owne heart , and seeke unto me for mercie , and for healing ? If otherwise , Ierem. 5.9 Shall I not visit for these things ?

Vse . In our sufferings to justifie God , his truth and people . Now that Gods hand is so heavie upon us , wee 1. See whom to thank ; none but our selves , our pride , our unfruitfulnesse , our sensualitie , our securitie , our manifold defections from God , both in his truth and holinesse , have procured these to us . The evils wee doe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and that willingly , are the cause of all the evils wee suffer unwillingly . Howsoever , let us in this ( as in other evils ) ever justifie God , ●ament . 1.18 . take blame to our selves , and accept of the punishment of our Sins : which Lesson wee may learn of holy David , Psalm . 119. ●5 . who having by pride , vaine-glorie , and selfe-confidence , provoked God to smite his people with Pestilence , And to blame our selves . is yet soone touched in conscience ; and being tender-hearted , hee shewes himselfe also wise , to see the cause in himselfe , and unpartiall to judge himselfe , taking the whole blame and shame onely to himselfe , saying , I have sinned . 2 Sam. 2 . 10-17 . — Is it not I that commanded the people to bee numbred ? But these Sheepe , what have they done ? I have sinned greatly in that I have done . — I have done very foolishly . O worthy King ! O most worthy example , even for Kings and Magistrates to imitate .

It becoms us at this time every man to search and look into his own heart , to find out that Achan which troubleth the campe , that Ionah , who troubleth the sea , and causes such storms of wrath , that Sheba for whose cause God layes siege to our townes and cities . How this may bee done , or how we may find out our sinnes , as causes of present judgements , I shall indeavor hereafter to shew more fully . Onely now take we heed that wee doe not so far goe about to justifie our selves , as to translate the cause of our sufferings from our selves to other men , whether forefathers , Ezek. 18.2 . superiours , ( we being in a ranke of inferioritie ) Inferiors , ( if we be governors and Magistrates , who are ready to account and call the people accursed : David did not so , as wee have heard : ) Exemplarie judgements on a place befall chiefly for the sinns of exemplary persons : neither doth God shew himselfe Judge from heaven , till his Vicegerents here on earth , too much and too long neglect to execute his righteous judgements : or lastly , to the holy Prophets of God , 1 Kings 17.18 . Numb. 41. as King Ahab layd the famine upon Elias , and the rebellious Israelites here the death of the conspirators upon Moses and Aaron . Neither let us blame Gods truth and religion as causes of our sufferings , as did the idolatrous women of old , Ier. 44.18 . and as did the heathen in primitive times of the Christian church , Si coelum stetit , si terra movit , si fames , si lues , statim Christianos ad leonem acclamatur . Tertul. Apolog. cap. 39. proclaiming the innocent Christians guilty of death , as oft as therwas either drought , famine , earth-quake , or plague : yea , as some I doubt are readie now to charge the truth we maintain against outlandish 〈…〉 novelties with these present evils , and to threaten the state & kingdom with ruine : though neither state nor Church were ever blessed with more peace , plentie & prosperity , then when the ancient truth of God , and doctrine of our Church was more unanimously taught and maintained then now it is . We may rather retort upon them , Ierm. 4.21.22.23 . as Ieremy did upon those women : do not such things rather now come into remembrance with the Lord ?

Howsoever , be we sure wee doe not at unawares charge Gods justice in these our sufferings , whilest wee goe about to justifie either our Church and nation as innocent , guiltles , & never in better condition ; or our selves and persons , whilest wee will see and acknowledge no sinne ( at least by name or in particular ) by our selves : being ready to aske , Ier. 16.10 . Wherefore hath the Lord pronounced ( and done ) all this great evill against us ? or what is our iniquity ? &c. The Lord in no wise can indure such pride : for this layes the blame on God himselfe , and amounts to no lesse then horrible blasphemy : for in case of such common & remarkable judgements , either God or man must bee acknowledged unjust : but proud man will rather have God to bee thought unjust , then himselfe the sinner , and so going from one to one , we may find sin , it may be , in grosse confessed the cause of this & like judgements , but every man for his particular will bee without fault , and will be ready to justifie himselfe in his place , ranck and calling . Now then where must the fault lie , but in God himselfe ? what blasphemy is this against God ? when may wee once expect an end ?

2. Wee hence see how to get this wrath and great evill removed from us , or else sanctified to us : to see sinne and to purge it out , is the spirituall cure of this and all other evils , as wee shall see hereafter .

3. In the meane time wee not repenting , may foresee our owne utter ruine : wrath is now indeed gone out , but when will it take up ?

CHAP. VI. The main Duty , concerning our speedy using of means to pacifie Gods present Wrath , urged and pressed by divers Motives in the Text : And first because this Pestilence is Wrath.

NOw all I aime at from these severall points handled , and from this text , is by way of generall use , to inferre and inforce upon us the use of the Remedy , which we are taught from the first word For : wrath is gone out , the Plague is begun ; therefore run in with thy Censer , &c. Or take a Censer — and goe quickly , and make an attonement ; For there is wrath gone out from the Lord , the Plague is begun .

The maine duty of the Text hath beene named already in the beginning , which now must be prosecuted : and it is , The maine duty repeated , and urged . when God once manifesteth his wrath , ( whether it bee by Pestilence or otherwise ) all lawfull meanes are speedily to be used for the pacifying of the same . Meanes are speedily to be used , for the pacifying of Gods wrath . Aaron there , receiving his Injunction , presently obeyed and ran into the Congregation and made the attonement . The like did Moses ( not only here with Aaron , who perceiving God ready to destroy them all in a moment , presently fell upon their faces , and obtained this answer and direction ; an● consequently sparing , fo● the present to the most o● the Congregation , bu● else where ) when once h● perceived the Lords anger was kindled against the people for the golden Calfe , which they made and worshipped whilst he was absent from them , with the Lord in the Mount , Exod. 32.8.9 10 . 11-14 . he presently ( as it were ) caught hold on the Lords hand , which was lifted up against them , to consume them ; and besought the Lord , urging him with many arguments , 2. Sam. 24 . 16.17-25 Isa. 38 . 1.2.3-21 . so that hee repented him of the evill which hee thought to doe unto his people . King David smitten in his people by Pestilence , did likewise : so did King Hezekiah , smitten therewith , as is probably thought , in his owne person .

Now why wee at this time should doe likewise I shall endeavour to shew by such arguments , Why ? as the Text will afford ; and after that I shall direct generally to the Meanes and Remedies , which more particularly and severally I shall handle on other grounds of Scripture .

1. Why we are speedily and carefully to use all lawfull meanes to pacifie Gods wrath now gon● out by Pestilence against us of this place and nation , Foure motives from the text . the text will afford us foure Arguments , whilst wee shall consider that this Pestilence is 1. Wrath or a signe of Gods displeasure . 2. Wrath gone ●ut or manifested . 3. Wrath gone out , and as yet , but gone out and begun ; and therefore such as , first by speedy and timely repen●ance , and reformation may bee stayed from proceeding farther , or secondly , being not so stayed , will proue but the beginning of wrath , and will not end where it begins .

4. It is wrath begun and gone out from the Lord , and therefore such as can no way bee withstood , unlesse the Lord be ●acified .

1. Because Pestilence is a signe of Gods wrath . 1. Plague here is made an effect and signe of Gods wrath and anger : which therefore is not to be neglected , but to bee laid to heart and apprehended , yea and pacified in time lest wee perish by it . Here I may say , Bee wise O ye● Kings ; bee instructed ye● Iudges of the earth , serve the Lord with feare , and rejoyce with trembling : Psal. 2.10.11.12 . kisse the Sonne lest hee be angry , and yee perish from the way , when his wrath is kindled but a little , blessed are all they that put their trust in him . How unhappy dismall , dangerous at least and fearefull is the case and condition of such , as under such wrath remaine secure and continue unhumbled ? Is it not high time to looke out when wrath is gone out ? to look about us , when the sparkes of Gods vengeance flie so about our eares ? in a word to look to our selves and to our owne safety , when Gods heavy wrath is like to meet us at every turne ? why then doe we not in time humble our selves ? Which is as the sword of the Angell . Is not the destroying Angell gone out , and doe we not heare morning by morning , concerning this house and that ; yea , those many houses , where not a night or day passeth , Smiting in every house almost . but some one at least or moe are struck dead in it ? and will wee yet bee secure ? what are we doing ? what will we doe ? here I may say as Pharaoh his servants to him , Exod. 10.7 . know wee not yet that New-castle , that England , that such and such a Citie , ( now underwrath ) is destroyed ? how long shall this sword of the Angell devour ? And calling for our sinnes . How long shall our sinnes bee a snare unto us ? how long will it bee er● we let our sinnes goe , tha● we may serve the Lor● our God acceptably ? Fo● God now sends this Pestilence to us ( as formerly both the like and other judgements ) with this message ; Let your sinnes goe , that you may serve mee and not sinne : For otherwise , I will at this time send all my Plagues upon thy heart , and upon thy servants , and for now I will stretch out mine hand that I may smite thee and thy people with Pestilence , Exod. 9.13.14.15 . & 10.3 . and thou shalt bee cut off from the earth . How long wilt thou refuse to humble thy selfe before me ? even thus may God speak to Pride within us , to Selfe-love : let thy beloved sin goe , or I will fall upon thee with Pestilence , or with the sword . And now beloved , tha● this wrath is gone out already , why doe we not part with , and send away our sinnes , as at length Pharaoh was forced to let goe the people , and the Philistines the Arke : of whom ( to our shame ) we may learne what to doe for being forced by judgements to send backe the Arke , their Priests advised not to send it away empty , but in any wise to return God a trespasse offering , that so they might be healed , 2. Sam. 6.3 . and that it might bee made knowne unto them , why his hand was not removed from them : Thus , say they , which words are also appliable to us ) yee shall give glory to the God of Israel : peradventure hee will lighten his hand from off you , and from off your land . Vers. 4. & 5. Wherefore then doe you har●en your hearts , as the Egyptians and Pharao hardned their hearts ? when he had wrought wonderfully among them , did they not let the people goe , and they departed ? And is it not time for us to do likewise ( even to give glory to God , by taking shame to our selues , and by offering our sinne offering , no longer hardning our hearts , but letting our sinnes goe ) when the destroying Angell thus laies about him ? And it is as a Messenger from God . Here againe I may say our Enemy is gone out to seeke us , ( and who a greater enemy to sinners then God him selfe ? ) and will wee cast to meet him in our sinnes ? here are Gods Messengers , And as a storme . as it were Pursevants sent out with warrant to arrest us , and will wee not hide our selves ? here is Iudgement laid to the Line and Righteousnesse to th● Plummet , Esay 28.17 From which wee should hide our selves . and haile threatned to sweepe away the refuge of lies , and waters to overflow all our owne hiding places ( whereby wee secure our selves against the overflowing scourge ) and will wee not bee so wise as most of Pharaoh his servants were , who being told of stormes , Exod. 9.19.20 . of great haile in the field feared the word of the Lord , and made their servants and their cattle flee into the houses ? And shall we so little regard the word and wrath of the Lord ( now gone out against us ) as not to renounce all vain confidences and refuges of our owne , and to seeke forthwith by faith and Humiliation , Isa. 32.2 . to hide our selves under the wings of Christ , as under the shadow of a great rocke from the wind , Zephan. 2.1 , 2 , 3. As a roaring Lyon . and as under a covert from the tempest , that so wee may be hid in this day of the Lords anger , and prevent greater & fiercer wrath to come ? The Lyon also hath now roared after his prey , Amos 3.1 . and will wee not be afraid ? will wee not prostrate and humble our selves before him ? Prov. 19.12 . & 16.14 . The Kings wrath 〈◊〉 as the roaring of a Lyon ; yea , it is as a messenger of death , which yet wise men will pacifie : and will wee neither feare the wrath of God , nor goe about to pacifie it ? How shall hee not be unto us , ( as once to Ephraim ) as a Lyon , Hos. 5.14 . and a young Lyon ( which is more fierce ) to teare and goe away , to take away , and none shall rescue us ? Thus therefore speaketh this Lyon to us in mercie , Now consider this , Psalm . 50.22 . yee that forget God , least I teare you in pieces , and there be none to deliver .

Lastly , And as fire kindled . let us consider that this wrath of God is as Fire , and that wee now are under it , and that it is already kindled against us . Now who would set the Briars or Thornes against God ( who is this fire ) in battell ? I would , saith God , Esay 27.4 . even goe thorow them , I would burne them together . From which wee should withdraw fuell , Fire , wee know , is of a catching nature , and it lickes up every thing it meets withall , which is of a combustible nature , and growes more fierce where it finds such fuell to feed it . Now Sin and Sinners in their impenitencie afford matter and fuell to this fire of Gods wrath ( which therefore in hell burnes for ever . ) And will wee still by adding Sin to Sin , Seeking to quench it by teares of repentance . seeke to make this fire greater and fiercer ? Is it not yet big enough ? Will wee needs perish , and be devoured by it ? Why doe wee not rather draw buckets of water , and run in therewith to quench this fire , by shedding unfained , 1 Sam. 7.6 . Iudg. 2.4 . ● Ier. 9.1 , ● . and abundant teares of Godly sorrow and repentance for our Sins , and become weepers , and true mourners , still wishing wee could weepe more . Why doe wee not take hold on Gods strength ( even on Christ by faith in him , Esay 27.4 , 5. who was signified by the Arke of Gods strength ) that wee may make peace with him ? seeing hee hath both told us that Furie is not in him ; and promised , that thus seeking to make peace with him , Wee shall make peace with him , and hee will bee reconciled unto us .

Now would we see the proofe of this promise by and in Examples ? Examples of such as have turned away wrath . Learne wee then to avoid Gods wrath by faith , and humbling of our selves from the practise of good King Hezekiah , K. Hezekiah . who having offended by unthankfulness and pride , for which cause there was wrath upon him , 2 Chron. 32.25 , 26. and upon Iudah and Ierusalem , did yet humble himselfe for the pride of his heart , both hee and the Inhabitants of Ierusalem , so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the ●●ies of Hezekiab . The ●●●e wee learne from the example of Gods mercie to King Iosiah , K. Iosiah . because his heart was tender , 2 Kings 22 . 11-13 , 19 , 20. and be humbled himselfe before the Lord ( when he apprehended the greatnesse of his wrath , which was kindled against him and his people ) and wept before him : The Lord hereupon heard his prayer , and ●●ewed him mercie . Yea , see how graciously God dealt with King Rehoboam ( one , K. Rehoboa● . none of the very best ) who , 2. Chron. 12.6 , 7. being punished by Shishak King of Aegypt , for forsaking the Lord , repented ( both hee and his Princes ) at the pre●ching of Shemaiah ; a● humbled themselves , sa●ing , The Lord is righteo●● Wherupon they were delivered ( though not fro● the spoile , yet ) from destruction : for thus said th● Lord , They have humble themselves , therefore I 〈◊〉 not destroy them , but I 〈◊〉 grant them some deliverance , and my wrath sha●● not be powred out upon Ierusalem by the hand of Shishak . & 12. So when hee humble himselfe , the w●ath of th● Lord turned from him , th● hee would not destroy him altogether : and also in Iudah things went well .

Now why should not the present sence of Gods wrath , which is now gone out against us by Pestilence , worke like effects , and like humiliation in us ? which , doubtless if it doe not , wee must looke to perish in his wrath . And thus for the first Motive taken from the consideration of Gods wrath .

CHAP. VII . This Festilence is sensible wrath , wrath gone out and manifested , to the end that taking notice of Gods displeasure , wee might with good hope by submission seeke to pacifie the same .

WEe are now in the next place to consider that this Pestilence in it owne nature is an outward and sensible evill , God , in this Pestilence would be knowne to be angry ; that wee might seek to appease him . and therfore such as by which God calls us to repentance with hope of mercy , letting us know that he is angry , that so wee might search into our selves , and take notice of such sinns as have proved provocations of his wrath , might humble our selves before him for the same , and seeke his face and favour in the pardon of them , and so bee brought to know whom we have offended , to feare and to doe no more any such wickednes . It is such 〈◊〉 evill , as whereof the Lord would have us take speciall notice , for the prevention of greater evils & calamities : whereas if the Lord had a purpose presently or yet finally to destroy us all and every one , hee would leave us in our sinns without any further warning , give us over to our owne lustes without controle , Hee might give us over to hardnesse of heart , and to insensible judgements . and so deliver us up to the hardnesse of our own harts ; which is a greater judgement then to be deliuered up to satan , which some have bin , & yet ha●● come to repentance , as th● incestuous Corinthian : 1 Cor. 5.5 . with 2 Cor. 2.6 , 7. b● such as God delivers up●● hardnes of hart , are left● finall impenitencie , Prov. 5. in th● insensible chains & coa●● of their own sins , reseru● ( like the evil angels whi●● fell ) in everlasting chain● under darknesse , ( not as t●● former , 1 Cor. 5.5 . who are deliver●● to Satan for the destructio● of the flesh , that the spir●● may bee saved in the day 〈◊〉 the Lord Iesus , but to be brought forth ) Iude , ver. 6. unto t●● judgement of the great d●●

When our sinnes 〈◊〉 growne so full and so ri●● that God intends no me●cie for them , As he doth such as hee hates , and wil no longer shew mercie unto . then hee ●●aseth to punish sensibly , and leaves men to please themselves in their owne waies , without any shew of displeasure , and to dally with their owne death and destruction .

This Silence in God ( whilest he forbeares outward and sensible punishment ) is to the impenitent a Signe of the greatest anger that may be ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Arist. Rhet. 2. even as it is amongst men , where such as are soone angrie , and by anger doe shew their displeasure , are soo●est pleased and appeased ; wheras such as whose anger is turned into hatred , and who intend revenge , are ( like the sulle● curre which gives no warning by barking ) silent threaten little , conceale their hatred , but secretly and silently purpose and contrive mischiefe , and the utter ruine of the partie with whom they are displeased : Difference betweene Anger and Hatred . neither doe they care for being known to be the authors of such revenge : because they seek not the partie his good , or bettering , but his utter ruine and destruction whereas such as are onely angry , and doe not truely hate , will shew their anger ; as when a Father or ●aster , chides , threatens ●●corrects his Son or Ser●●nt , hee would have his child or servant know that hee is displeased , and for what , that so hee might be feared , sought unto , and more respected afterward , being ever ready , upon submission or amendment , to shew favour and friendlinesse . This difference the philosopher puts betweene Anger and Hatred . Arist. ut suprà And God himselfe seemes to doe somewhat like , ( yet without all Sin in himself , or wrong done any : ) Whom hee loves , and intends good to , hee chastens , namely , by some outward & sensible evils and corrections , as a loving father , ready to shew mercy upon submission & repentance ; he will not let them go on securely in sin without correction : ( though he also sensibly punish the wicked who receive no correction , neither will he suffer them to goe to hell without warning and correction ) But for such as long contemne warnings , and will not bee reformed by the word , or by sensible strokes , & lesser judgements , the Lord in greater wrath both gives them over , to do their owne wicked wils , and when so they do , he will no longer shew his anger , by using the rod sensibly ( though he be never more angry indeed then at such times : God never is more angry with Sinners then when hee shewes it least . ) thus leaving them insensiblie under his heavy wrath , and reserving them to certaine and inevitable destruction both temporall & eternall : one text and instance for many . In the Prophesie of Hosea thus we read , Hos. 4.12 , 13 , 14. My people aske counsell at their stockes , — for the spirit of whordomes have caused them to erre , and they have gone a whoring ( by Idolatry ) from under their God &c. Therfore your daughters shall commit whoredome , & your spouses shall commit adultery : I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredome , nor your spouses when they commit adultery . Thus they were left in their sinnes to finall impenitency , and to finall destruction both in this life , and for ever after .

This sensible evill is a mercie to us . How justly might God even thus have dealt with us of this place and nation , having especially so often before fairly and sensibly warned us ; and that , as by other corrections , so by this of plague and pestilence , but in vain , in regard of any amendment or reformation : oh what a mercy is it then for him yet once more to put us in mind of his displeasure and anger conceived against us , And should lead us to repentance . and not wholly to leave us in our sinns , to perish in them through our security , but , if it be possible , to awaken us to use the means by which we may prevent greater wrath , & without speedy amendment , inevitable destruction . And certainly , if this prevaile not with us to the amendment of our lives , we must take it as a neere forerunner of much heavier wrath : God wil not alwaies dally with us , or yet bee dallied withall : which we are further to consider in the next Motive .

CHAP. VIII . In that this wrath is but gon out , and this plague but begun ( which therefore as it may be staid from proceeding , if wee timely meet God in the way of his judgments ; so it wil prove but the beginning of greter evils if we repent not ) we have cause speedily to run in with our Censers , and to prevent our owne ruine .

LEt us now consider what cause we have to hasten our repentance from this that is he● 〈…〉 is gone out , 〈…〉 ●●●tance the pl●g●●● 〈…〉 ●●gun . Consider wee 〈…〉 that this wrath is but go 〈◊〉 out , this plague is but begun : it is not yet gone on so far , as it may and will , if it be not stayed in time : it is not yet consummate or ended : where it wil end , or what the end of it will be , who knows ? This affords us a double consideration , Seeing this Plague is but begun . first of Mercy , secondly of Iustice and Security , if wee meet not God by times .

1. Wrath is but gone out , 1. Gods mercy should move us in that it is but begun . the Plague is but begun : and therefore may be stayed if means be used in time . God in his wrath doth not ( yet ) destroy us all at once , as not these rebels heere , though hee threatned to consume them as in a moment . Verse ●5 . Moses and Aaron falling on their faces , And therefore may be stayed . obtained some respite for them then , as doubtlesse , Gods faithfull servants obtaine like mercie for us now . From this mercie and long-suffering in God it is , that wee are not all consumed , that we perish not all at once , that the punishment of our Sin is not like to that of Sodom that was overthrowne as in a moment , Lament 4.6 . and no hands stayed on her . The truth is , God ( some thirty yeares agoe ) in the powder Furn●ce prepared by the Papists for us , God destroyes us not in a moment all at once , as once hee threatned . did let us see both the extremity of their rage and wicked intentions toward us , as also the greatnesse of our guiltinesse , and how justly he might have given us then so long since into their hands , to have beene swallowed up quicke by them , when their wrath was kindled against us . Psalm . 124.3 . Hee was neere then to have consumed us all at once , when the fire like that of Sodome , should not have begunne in some remote place ( as when it takes in some one or few houses , in a towne or citie ) by which others farther off might have beene awakened , taken warning , and have provided for their owne safety at least , if not also have stayed the farther spreading and raging of it : no , it should have begunne and ended all at once , and at once made an end of all . Thus hee then might have delt with us , even destroyed us by that their mercilesse fire and sword , or by some other sudden vengeance , such as fell upon the host of the Assyrians , And as he delt with others . when the Angell of the Lord in one night destroyed an hundred fourescore and five thousand of the chiefe of them ; or as hee did the old World by water , or as he destroyed Pharaoh and his whole Army at once in the red Sea , or as it shall be at the last Iudgement . But see , instead of such sudden and universall destruction ( which being formerly so neere , may seeme in regard of our deserts , and for our great unthankefulnesse , and forgetfulnesse of that and other mercies , at this time to be much nearer : ) The Lord did not onely then respite us , but now ( when hee might justly give us over to their mercilesse hands , to bee judged with their judgement , that is , to bee consumed at once in their boundlesse rage ) hee keeps the rod in his owne hand , and begins as it were at an end of us , smites some few ( in comparison of all ) and so gives warning to the rest , hovering as it were , Hee expects wee should meet him a far off . and standing at our gates , at our neighboring townes and cities , expecting what we will doe to stay his wrath , hearkning and listning , as it were , to heare what wee will doe , what we will say to him , whether wee will repent us of our wickednesse , saying , What have we done ? As hee meets us in our wayes of sinne . or whether wee wil turn to our course , as the Horse into the battell , without all feare of his wrath ; as once hee did with the Iewes : Ier. 8.6 . in effect telling us it is much what in our power ( and so asking us ) whether he shall proceed in wrath against us , or no ; whether this Plague now begun shall presently end , or else proceed and make an end of us also ; notwithstanding our present seeming safety , in places remote from the infection , or whilst wee have removed and fled bodily from the same .

This is a mercy then not to be neglected , that God gives us space and time to consider what we will do , that hee gives us warning of his approach , letting us know that hee our Iudge hath begun to ride his circuit , As hee met with Balaam . and is on his way already , and hath sent out the destroying Angel before him , with a sword of Pestilence in his hand , to meet us in our sinfull wayes , standing in our way for an adversary against us , as once against Balaam in his way of ambition and covetousnesse being gone out to withstand us ( as once him ) Numb. 22.22.32 . because our way is perverse before him . Oh that wee were not in this case more stupid & blind then Balaams Asse ! which saw the Angell of the Lord standing in the way , and his sword drawne in his hand , and turned out of that way , or would not go on but fall downe to the ground under Balaam . Oh that the Lord would at length open our eyes , as he did Balaams , to see the Angell of the Lord standing in our way ; whatsoever it be , whether that of Covetousnesse , or whether it be Pride , Ambition , Malice , hatred of the good , defection from the goodwayes of God , wearying of his yoke and Gospel , sensualitie and love of pleasure , selfe-confidence , and carnall security , feeding and feasting without feare , profanation of Gods name . Assuredly God by his sword and judgement is comming towards us , and threatens us ( who once were as a fire-brand pluckt out of the burning ) to overthrow us , Amos 4.11.12 . as he overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah ( that is all at once and suddenly : ) And shall wee not take that spoken unto us ( seeing we yet have not returned unto him ) which he graciously spake to Israel , Because I will doe this unto thee , prepare to meet thy God ô Israel , ô England , O sinfull towne , citie , or place , will we yet sit still , and settle on our lees through security , and suffer the Destroyer to enter into our windowes , our houses , our bed-chambers ; yea our beds and bosomes ? will wee not run out with intreaty of peace , fall downe before him , and make supplication to our Iudge ? Let us not at least come behind Balaam , who at length seeing the Angel & his sword drawn in his hand , bowed downe his head , Numb. 22.31.34 . and fell flat on his face-saying , I haue sinned ; now therefore if it displease thee , I will get mee back againe . This he said , but it was not altogether in that sincerity , seeing his heart still went after his covetousnes ; which his hypocrisie wee must take heed of : but bee ashamed to come behind him and his Asse ( which also fel down before the Angell ) in humility , whilst we neither ( upon this occasion ) do or professe halfe so much . Now that the Angell discovered himselfe unto Balaam , and hee hereupon humbled himselfe , it was a mercy to him ; for otherwise , Verse 33. the Angell had slaine him . And as hee met with Ionah . Ionah 1.1.2.3 . &c. So the Lord in like mercy ( and with an intent to bring to repentance & reformation ) met with Ionah by stormes and tempests at Sea in the way of his disobedience , and ( as I may cal it ) non-residence : with Moses in the Inn , With Moses . in the way of Neglect , whom by the way in the Inn , the Lord met and sought to kill him , for not circumcising ( through too much respect to his wife ) his sonne in time . And doubtlesse , And the Iewes . this is a mercy if we could see it , when God by any judgement stands in our sinful waies , and as the Prophet speaketh , Hedgeth up our way , Hos. 2.5 , 6 , 7. that wee should not find our paths , &c. As Beastes are kept within their owne Pastures by sharp and thornie hedges , least they breake out and lose themselves : so the Lord , when we are ready to goe astray from him , proves , in regard of some afflictions which he sends , as a thornie hedge to us , so that wee cannot offer to goe on in sinfull waies , or to breake our bounds , but wee runne upon the thornes , And with Paul . Act. 9.5 . and kick against the pricks , as it was told to Saul ( or Paul ) when Christ met with him in his way of Persecution , and strucke him to the earth . It was happy for Saul that God went out thus and me him . And so it will be our happinesse , if whilst God meets us by Pestilence in our evill waies , as once hee met King David in the way of his Pride , and selfe-confidence , and vaine-glory , wee would consider our waies , which proove thus bitter and crosse to us , and speedily turne from them , lest wee meet with destruction in the same , or goe on therein to perdition .

Wee may say , and that truly , that God now meets with us ( by this sword , o● arrow of pestilence ) in ou● way of Sinfull companying one with another , wherby wee infect one another i● soule by good fellowship , 〈◊〉 wee call it , by potting , b●zeling , gossiping , excesse i● feasting , excesse of wine● revellings , banquetings &c. So hee now meet with us in the way of ou● Idle discourses , and unsavourie communication , an● unprofitablenesse in companie , of uncleane behaviour and adulteries , of unlawful mariages , of needlesse intertaining of Gods enemies and unnecessarie acquantance and familiaritie wit● ●●em . So , in our way of ●orldliness , covetousness , ●nd abuse of trading , de●arring us of free and safe ●●ading or commerce one with another : and so in ●he way of our other Sins . And will wee yet Goe on ●owardly every one of us in ●he way of his owne heart ? Will it not now concerne ●s to consider every one ●is owne Sin , seeing wee ●annot goe on therein , but wee must meet with the Destroyer , It will concerne us to meet him in time , as the forenamed did ; and hee with ●s , and so Wee perish in the way , one of his Pride , another of his Vncleannesse , a third , of his Prophanenesse , Superstition , Disobedience , Perjurie , or other S●n.

Were it not better for us with Balaam to say ( b●● with better sinceritie ) If 〈◊〉 ( my way ) displease thee , Balaam . will get mee backe againe ▪ with Ionah , Ionah . to set ou● selves to our charge with out feare of man , Moses . or lo● of ease : with Moses , to obey Gods command and ordinance , not caring whom we displease whilst wee please him ; and to Circumcise ( as he his Son ▪ so wee ) our hearts : The Israelites . with the Israelites to say , I wil● goe and returne to my firs● Husband , for then was a better for mee than now : 〈◊〉 will goe no more a who●ng after the world , no ●ot for a world , &c. And ●●stly with Paul , trem●ling and astonied to say , ●ord , what wilt thou have ●ee doe ? and accordingly ●esolve to do it . Or should ●ot wee ( so many of us ●s seeme , as yet furthest ●rom danger ) while this ●reat King is gone forth ●o make wa● against us , ●eeing wee are not able to ●eet him in our Sins that ●ommeth against us , And ●hile hee is yet a great ●ay off , — send an Embas●age , and desire Conditions ●f Peace of him , as the ●ounsell is given in another case ? This Embassage is our Prayers and Teares , Luke 14.31 , 32. and the Sacrifice of a broken , contrite , an● also new heart ; herein also imitating the wisedom● of Iacob , And as Iacob , who knowing h● Brother was offended 〈◊〉 him , as hee was on h●● way , Gen. 32 . 3-6-9-13 , &c. sent Messengers t● Esau , and also presents , 〈◊〉 soone as ever hee hear● that his Brother was comming against him , to mee● him , and foure hundre● men with him : but firs● he earnestly prayeth un●● God for his deliverance all which was done with good successe . And Abigail . Even 〈◊〉 wise Abigail no soone ●nderstood that evill was ●etermined by David a●ainst her Husband Nabal ●nd all his houshold , 1 Sam. 26.17 , 18 , 19-23 , 24 , &c. but hee made haste and tooke 〈◊〉 present , and sent it away ●efore her — and when she ●aw David , Shee hasted , ●nd lighted off the Asse , ●nd fell before him on her ●ace , and bowed her selfe to ●he ground , and by good words and intreaties shee ●acified his wrath for the present , and found that favour with him , that not ●ong after hee made her his wife . Oh happy wee , Prov. 22.3 . if wee could be so wise , as fore-seeing the evill , to hide our selves in time ; to acknowledge Gods mercie , in giving us such fair warning a far off , and t● make use of it .

But ( which is the second consideration ) where th●● mercy is neglected , Otherwise fear wrath . & tha● no man speakes aright , saying , Ier. 8.6 . What have I done ? 〈◊〉 man repents him of hi● wickednesse , This plague is but begun . but every ●n turnes to his course , as the barr'd horse rusheth ( without all fear ) into the battell ; where men go on frowardly in the way of their owne hearts ; Esa. 57.17 . there they run upon their owne ruine , as it is said , the simple passe on and are punished . Prov. 22.3 . In this case then ( of our impenitencie and obstinacy in sinne ) we must know againe , And will prove but a begining & harbinger to greater evils . That wrath is but gone out , the plague is but begun ; that is , what we suffer now , is but the least part of that which wee may and must expect , as elswhere it is said , Math. 24.7 , 8. There shal be famines , and pestilences , and earthquakes in divers places : all these are ( but ) the beginning of sorrowes . Esay 28 . 15-18 . This overflowing scourge will not here stay , 〈◊〉 shall passe through , and ●ome even unto us , and we shall bee troden downe by it , ●hough we secure ourselvs ●ever so much , and make ●ur covenant with death , & ●ake lies our refuge , & under falshood hide our selves , that is , though we trust to our vaine confidences , and secure our selves from such things ( as our wit , wealth , friends , confederates , places of refuge , &c. ) which wil all faile us in our greatest need , and proove rods of reed unto us ; the plague is yet but begun and gone out ( especially in regard of the whole nation ) and we who will not now be warned when we heare of it a farr off , shall have this arrow of God to reach even to us , and to smite us thorow the liver : there shall be yet greater wrath , and the later the greater ( whe● repentance intercedes not ) as wee are told of seven Angels having the seven last plagues , Revel. 15.1 . in which is filled up the wrath of God . Where we take no warning by beginnings , there the lesser judgment is but a presage of much greater , As to Famine . whether in the same kind or some other . Famine commonly accompanieth the Pestilence , Anno 1630. as it did but of late yeares most grievously in Cambridge , and as it should much more have prevailed with multitudes of the poorer sort among * * Of Newcastle . 1636 us , were it not ●hat by Gods blessing and ●he care of our Magistrats in disposing the revenues of our Chamber weekly , in great summes for their reliefe ; as also by their and other Inhabitants free loanes , & some good help and assistance made freely by kind neighbours , they were competently provided for ; not the sick or infected only , but such as are impoverished throgh want of imployment in their manuall Crafts and Calings ; yea , after pestilence , where it doth no good neither workes any reformation , there followe● commonly some greate● judgment and destruction● As wee see in Pharoah an● his people , against whom God came , as by divers lesser plagues , so at length by the death of the First-borne , But especially to the Sword . which wee shewed ( probably at least ) to have beene by Pestilence : but when after that stroake , Pharoah still hardned his heart , and pursued Gods people , the Lord met with him in the Sea , which swallowed him and his whole armie up all at once most fearfully . So it was with Ierusalem of old , as God did fore-tell , and threaten them by Ieremie , ( and it is good for us to observe Gods method in his dealing with others , and to take warning therby : Ier. 21.6 , 7. ) I will smite the inhabitants of this city , both man and beast ; they shall dye of a great pestilence : And afterwards , saith the Lord , I will deliver Zedekiah King of Iudah and his servants , and his people , & such as are left in this citie , from the pestilence , from the sword , ( that is , some lesser hurt by it from the king of Aegypt ) and from the famine , into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon , and into the hand of their enemies , and into the hand of those that seeke their life , and hee shall smite them with the edge of the sword ; hee shall not spare them , neither have pitie , nor have mercy . Pestilence is the last of Gods mercifull rods . And thus I may call Pestilence the last of Gods mercifull rods , which if it be neglected , it serves for our further conviction , & to make way for mercilesse judgements , and for the justification of his severitie in them ; seeing wee take no warning by this his last triall of us : Which neglected , is for conviction . For what may we expect , if when God himselfe comes apparantly against us , and stands in our way , wee submit not to him by humbling our selves , but will on as it were in despite of him : as wee resist him , he will resist us , and become a consuming fire unto us , as hee saith , Esa. 27.4 . who would set the briars and thornes against mee in battle ? I would goe through them , I would burn them together : but of this more in the last motive . Only now consider , And foreruns greater evils , wee that where beginnings of wrath ( as of fire ) and former and lesser strokes and judgements are neglected , there at length a heavier weight of wrath followes , yea utter destruction : lesser judgements neglected , are but threatnings and fore runners of greater , & as the laying of the Axe to the root of the trees ; or as the lopping of them and digging at the roots of them ; after which if they continue still barren and unfruitfull , then followes that irrevocable sentence , Luke 13.7 . cut it downe . Whatsoever judgements haue gone before , they are all as nothing , and make way for greater to follow , as the lesser wedge for the greater . Thus said the Lord to Israel of old ; Isa 9.12 , 13 , 14. The Syrians before , and tho Philistines behind , and they shall devoure Israel with open mouth : for all this his anger is not turned away , but his hand is stretched out still ; for the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them , neither doe they seeke the Lord of hosts : Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tayle , branch and rush in one day . So hee had almost done with us , as is said in the Powder Furnace , And so calls on us in time to turne to the Lord . yet hath beene graciously pleased both to respite us then , and since to come towards us leisurely by slow paces , and approaches . Now seeing wee will not seeke to pacifie him at the first going out of wrath , & when the Plague is , as yet but only begun , what may we expect but that , having already sent the Pestilence into the land , Ezek. 14.19 , 20. hee poure out his fury upon it in blood , to cut off from it man and beast , as hee threatned his people , and when no Intercessor should be accepted for them .

Let us of this place especially thinke of this now , On us especially of this place . when God at the first going out of his wrath among us , makes greater speed then ordinarily hee hath done here , yea or else where in our land formerly in any one place : Anno 1624. 1625. so that in the mother citie eleven yeares agoe , there died not so many of the Pestilence in their 120. parishes within and without the liberties , for the first 3. moneths ( though before all was done , it became the greatest that any man living could remember , and greater I take then their generall bill , for the yeare would make it , unlesse you will allow above eighteene thousand to die , ( in plague-time ) of ordinary diseases in one year . ) I say there died then not so many there in the first three moneths ( by their bils ) as with us in our foure parishes , within the space of fourteene or fifteene dayes , S. 114. and that only within liberties . And considering how since it increaseth , rageth rather , runs & spreads like wild-fire , will ●it not concerne us then to use speed ? which if Aaron had not done here , ( who being commanded to goe quickly unto the Congregation , did run into it ) what had become of the whole Congregation ( consisting of divers hundred thousands ) which God threatned to consume as in a moment , when for all his haste , running in at the first going out of wrath , and at the very beginning of the Plague , before he got to doe his office , and make the atonement , there were dead fourteene thousand and seven hundred ? how soone , yea how justly might God make a speedy riddance of us all , by this or some other worse plague , if his patience were not much , yea infinitly more then our haste ? Let us therefore take that ( or the like in effect ) spoken to us , which was spoken by the Lord to his people of old , when for their sinne hee justly plagued them : Exod. 32.35 . Yee are a stiffe-necked people , I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment , and consume thee : therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee ( that is , betake thy ●elfe to fasting and to ●rayer ) that I may know ●hat to doe unto thee : This was accordingly , and ●orthwith done by them . Now for us I advise , that what we doe , it bee done ●peedily , yea and diligently , Ezra 7 . 2●-23 . as King Artaxerxes decreed in a like case , for why ( saith hee , though an heathen ) should there bee wrath against the Realme of the King and his Sons ?

Doubtlesse , this motion and pace of Gods justice being naturall to him , ( as well as that of mercy ) is swifter at the later end than at the beginning , and I am afraid wee shall so find it 〈◊〉 we take not our time out 〈◊〉 hand for prevention . Nearer sudden destruction w● of this nation cannot be ( to escape ) then we were : Novem. 5.160 5. suffer we once his long patience to turne into fury , and then expect wee no after-warnings : some one blas● of hellish , popish sulphurous malice , or some one stroke of divine justice some other way , shall doe the deed , and dispatch us all at once . But of this point of doctrine , & of the proceeding of Gods wrath against obstinate , obdurate and impenitent sinners , even till he utterly destroy and consume them , I have selfwhere treated largely . * * Prognosticks Divine : or Treat : on Esay 9.12.13 . My conclusion here shal be ●y wish , The Lord in mer●ie avert and turne such ●eavie wrath from us , by converting and turning us , by the power of his grace , unto himselfe . Amen .

CHAP. IX . This wrath and pestilence is from the Lord , and therfore , howsoever his Prophets may be despised , yet God himselfe is not to bee dallyed withall , whose greatnes & terror should cause us seeke peace wit● him in time .

A fourth Motive to speedy repentance , is to consider God the Author of this plague . THe fourth and last Motive from the text , i● briefly to bee considere● from the Authour of th● wrath , which is here sai● to bee gone foorth from th● Lord . It is the Lord the● we have to deale withall and who now hath to de●● with us : therfore it is no● to dally with him . Wee may perhaps presume o● impunity from men , whe●● we offend them , and hope by gifts , friends , flatteries , and fained submission to asswage their displeasure , or it may bee when Gods faithfull servants discover ●ur sins , Who confirmes the word of his Servants . & denounce judg●ents against us for the ●●me ( though they doe it ●ccording to Gods word , ●et ) wee can count their ●ords but winde , and ●●ēselves lying Prophets , ●r otherwise to speake as ●et on by those wee alike ●●ate : or we threaten and ●ome even with them for ●heir boldnes & sauciness , ●●r at least wee can with●raw our selves from them , ●nd heare them no more , ●nd so at once seeke their ●isgrace , as not worthy ●o be heard , and keep our ●elves ( as wee thinke ) out ●f the lash of their words . But what ? can we thus d● with the Lord himselfe when he comes to perform the word of his servants , Psal. 149.7 , 8 , 9. 〈◊〉 execute vengeance upon th● heathen , and punishmen● upon the people , to bind the●● Kings with chaines , an● their Nobles with fetters 〈◊〉 yron : to execute upon the●● the judgment written ? who as he will do nothing ( in th● kind ) but hee revealeth h● secret unto his servants t●● Prophets ; Amos 3.7 . so he confirme●● the word of his servan●● ( both in good and evil ) a●● performeth the counsell 〈◊〉 his Messengers . Men ma● then belie the Lord , Isa. 44.26 . an● say it is not he , neither sh●●● evill come upon us , neither ●●all wee see sword nor fa●ine : Ier. 5.12 , 13 , 14. And the Prophets 〈◊〉 all become wind , and the ●ord is not in them — But what saith the Lord for the ●ncouragement of his ser●ant Ieremy : And will bee acknowledged to bee the author , as of other evils . Because yee ●●eake this word , behold I ●ill make my words in thy ●outh fire , and this people ●ood , and it shall devoure ●hem . Loe I will bring a na●ion upon you , &c. It is good for us then ( if wee ●ave neglected the word of Gods servants former●y ) not to neglect the performance of it by God himselfe , but to become wise for after times : who among you will give eares this ? Isay 42.23 , 24 , 25. who will hearken a●● heare for the time to come●● who gave Iacob for a spoile● and Israel to the robbers ? did not the Lord , he again●● whom wee have sinned ? Therfore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger &c. Oh let it not be sai● of us as there it followeth ▪ And it hath set him on fire round about , So of Pestilence . yet hee knew not ; and it burned him , ye● hee la●d it not to heart . Far bee this stupidity from u● at this time . Let us consider then that this wrath i● gone out from the Lord . 〈◊〉 is hee against whom wee haue sinned , and whom wee haue provoked , and ●●erefore there is no dal●ing with him , as is said : 〈◊〉 is hee himselfe that ●●mes against us ; Habak. 3.5 . Before ●m goes the Pestilence , and ●●●rning coales ( or diseases ) ●●e forth at his feet . Now ●●e we stronger then hee ? ●●e wee able in our sinnes 〈◊〉 stand in his way ? hee ●●th already , often before ●●d now also sent the Pe●●lence among us after the ●anner of Egypt — yea he ●●th overthrowne some of 〈◊〉 , as God overthrew So●om and Gomorrah , and ●ee were as a fire-brand ●uckt out of the burning : ●t have yee not returned to me , Who is mighty in strength , and not to be dallied withall , or withstood . saith the Lord : No● heare what God saith us as once to Israel : The●●fore thus will I doe un●● thee , O Israel , O Englan● ô citie , ô towne : ( how even as unto Sodom , th● was overthrowne as in moment ) and because I wi●● doe this unto thee , Amos 4.10 , 11 , 12 , 13. prepare● meet thy God O Israel . Th●● is our duty then , of whic● wee also formerly heard but why are wee thus t● prepare ? that followes For loe , he that formeth th● mountaines , and create● the wind ( or spirit ) and d●clareth unto man what is h● thought , that maketh th● morning darkenesse , an● treadeth upon the high places of the earth , the Lord , the God of hosts is his name . Where hee invests himselfe with many titles of greatnesse , power , yea and terrour , and all to inforce the aforesaid duty of repentance and humiliation upon us , letting us know who it is that ●hreatens us , who it is that ●s gone out against us ; no ●ther then this mighty God , this Lord of hosts , who hath all creatures in ●eaven and earth at his ●ommand , and ready to ●xecute his vengeance , ●nd righteous judgements ●n all impenitent sinners ; so that when once hee shewes his displeasure , it s in vaine either to seeke shelter or help from them , or not to feare vengeance from them , as instruments of his wrath , whose are the mountaines , the wind , and all other creatures : so that the mountaines shall no● save nor hide from hi● wrath , when it is on●● gone forth in fury ; as i● Noah his flood , Neither is there any fleeing from him . when the highest hils , and mo●● towring mountaines coul● not shelter them that fle● thither for refuge , but th●● the waters of his wra●● did overtake and swee● them all away : and 〈◊〉 wind , which God sent out shall meet with disobedient Ionas , who would have fled from Gods presence , and the storme shall teach him obedience . Nay , we know God can , and often doth arme base and weake creatures , against proud and impenitent sinners , yea their owne friends and confederates ( in whose helpe and assistance they trust ) nay sometimes their owne selues against themselues , as * * On Amos 4.12.13 p. ●26 . &c. & 156. &c. In l. 3. Iob. 9.4 . elswhere I shew more largely .

He is mighty in strength ; who hath hardned himselfe against him and hath prospered ? And it would be observed , God to humble us shewes his power . that when God calls men to humiliation for their sinnes , hee often shewes his power and terriblenesse by some , not onely description of it ( as when he humbled Iob , by asking him , Iob 40 . 6.7-9 — Hast thou an arme like God ? canst thou thunder with a voice like him ? and by shewing him his great power in the Behemoth and Leviathan , Both by words and workes . or in the Elephant and Whale : the effect whereof in Iob was an humble submission of himselfe unto God ; Iob 42.1.2.3.4 , 5 , 6. ) but by workes o● his power , as by sending thunder , stormes , & grea● raine , by which he● brought his people of old to confesse their sinne in asking them a King , in distrust , and with rejection of Gods government : 1. Sam 1● . 16.17.18.19 . so by a great raine which hee sent , the better to prepare the people to repentance , and reformation of their wayes , Esia 10.9 . when Esra had assembled them to that end . It is said , — All the people sate in the street of the house of God trembling because of this matter , and for the great raine . Yea , God would so haue prepared us of this nation , as may bee remembred , by sending very * * Iuly 16. being Saturday , 1625. fearful thunder and raine , a little before the * * Iuly 20. first day of that solemne humiliation injoyned some eleven years agoe . And what may we think God would haue had us doe , as then , so when before that hee met with us ( or was making towards us ) in our way of Security by the Spanish Armado , Ann. 1588. and mighty Navie by sea , and by the popish and hellish Plot of powder : Ann. 1605. and so in our way of excesse by scarcity and famine : and in the way of our other many sinnes by this heavie judgement of Pestilence , both formerly and now . Shall wee yet prooceed on in our former security , excesse , and all our other provocations of the divine Majesty ? will wee needs try our strength with him ? Behold , saith God , the flight shall perish from the swift , Amos 2.14 15.16 . and the strong shall not strengthen his force , neither shall the mighty deliver himselfe , neither shall hee stand that handleth the Bow — And he that is couragious among the mighty , shall flee away naked in that day , saith the Lord . The like may the Lord now say to us , concerning whatsoever it is wee place our confidence in , whether we harden our selues against him in our pride and obstinacy , or whether we hope to escape this his hand by fleeing from places infected ; Instead of fleeing from him . no , there is no flying from him in our sinnes , neither any resistance of him , whither shall wee flee from him ? hee is a consuming fire to sinners , Hebr. 10. Isa. 42 25. yea a fire round about circling you in : which way soever you runne , it is still into the fire , and your name shall bee as Pashurs was , Ier. 20.1.2.3 Magormissabib , Feare round about : And how shal wee withstand or resist his power ? And of resisting him . Shall wee not perish by his hand ? Is he not the Lord of Hosts ? Who would set the Briars and Thornes against him in battel ? Isa. 27.4 . would he not go through them , and burne them together ? What then is to be done ? We are in time to seeke to appeaze him . Let us not with Adam , thinke to flee from God , but to him by humble submission : If we flee , let it be from his Iustice to his Mercie : If we flee not to his Mercie , goe whither we will , we fall upon his Iustice : Appeale we then from God , just to the same God , mercifull and gracious in Christ : By the examples of for it is the same God that smites in his wrath , and who must heale in his mercie . Shim●i ▪ Or if not this ; then let us consider whether we be able to meet this great King comming against us in blood , and in furie ; if wee be not ( and who is ? ) then , as hath been alreadie said , Luke 14.31.32 . while hee is yet a great way off , let us send an Embassage before us , and desire conditions of Peace , and make peace with him , for which we have his gracious promise ; Isa 27.5 . and herein follow wee the wisedome ( as of Iacob and Abigail , 2 Sam. 19 . 1●-19 . &c. so ) of Shemei meeting David with a present , and humble intreaties and confessions , after hee saw him returned as reinvested in his Kingdome : And so of Rahab , Rahab . who hearing of Gods mightie workes in Aegypt , Hebr. 11. sought peace long before with Gods people : which in her was a worke of Faith : The Gibeonites . as in the Gibeonites , of Wisedome , who hearing of the fame of the God of Israel , and of that hee did in Aegypt , sought peace with Ioshua , had it , Iosh. 9 . 3.4-6-9.10.11-15 . Iosh. 11.19 20. and so saved their lives ; which all the rest refusing to doe , as hardning themselvs in their own strength , they all perished . And a like fearfull signe and presage of destruction it is now to so many of us , as , when Gods Wrath is gone out against us , and the Plague is begun , doe neither seek peace with God , nor yet will accept of it , being offred to us : Surely it is of the Lord to harden such mens hearts , that they should ( as it were by their obstinacie in Sin ) come in battell against him , that hee might destroy them utterly , and that they might have no favour , but that he might destroy them , as was said of those Kings of Canaan , who neither sought , Deut. 20.10.11.12.13 . & 17. nor accepted such conditions of Peace as were offered them .

CHAP. X. The Conclusion of the Motives , urging a speedie performance of the duty of Humiliation , both publikely and privately ; and that from the practice of the Heathen , in case of Pestilence .

WHat now remaines ( the Premises considered ) but that we , everie one in his place , set our selves to our duty . The Authors wish , that all would seek to appeaze this wrath . It is our case now : our Sins have provoked God , and he is ready to consume us all as in a moment : yea , wrath is gone forth from the Lord , the Plague is begun among us . Wee have the Lords direction alreadie what to doe , ( which wee shall consider hereafter ) as Moses here had . How then is it to be wished that Moses did command Aaron to runne in with his Censer , that Authoritie , and the supreme Magistrat● did injoyne the Priests of the Lord , Aaron and his Sons , speedily , without any longer delay , to run in ; and that they , and all other , whether Magistrates or other , that have any Incense or other Sacrifice to offer , would accordingly , speedily perform their Office , and use all possible meanes , with like haste , to stay the further proceeding of this great wrath of God : Both Magistrates . The Magistrate by speedy execution of Gods righteous judgements on the wicked , with noble Phineas ( which , Psal. 106.30 . if it either had beene universally and unpartially performed ; or yet were so done , we never needed to feare such wrath from God , or the continuance of it : Ministers . ) The Priest , and Ministers of the Lord , with Prayers and solemne Supplications in the publicke Assemblies , and with godly Instructions , Admonitions , and Directions given the people ; yea , and the people , and generally all , by unfained Humiliation of themselvs , And others and Reformation , in some good measure , of things amisse , and by such means as shall , upon other Texts and Grounds of Scripture more particularly and fully be named , if God will .

Such things should be done I know , during the time of Gods patience , for the prevention of his judgements : As the Israelites in Egypt , having cause to feare Gods plagues for their Idolatrie in Aegypt , Ezek. 20.7 , 8. sought to turne them away , namely Sword & Pestilence , and to prevent them by Humiliation & Sacrifice ( though not within the land of Aegypt for speciall reason , Exod. 5.3 . Exod. 8.25 , 26 , 27. ) Yet if the Plague , and breaking out of wrath prevent our Humiliation , And that speedily . we must deferre our Humiliation no longer : otherwise , how soone may this spreading evill , and overflowing Scourge , or some other judgement sent to back it , in Gods just wrath make an end of all ( save that God will have a remnant in whom hee will glorifie his Mercie , and preserve his Church . ) This is as the breaking out of fire : or overflowing of waters , unto which , way and passage is not long to be given , least the evill , which at the first , by a timely care , might have beene prevented , grow so great , that it exceed the power and strength of man , to withstand or resist it .

Whatsoever wee then doe in this kind , Lest wee come too late . it would bee done speedily , and in time , otherwise wee may come too late , even when neither our own , nor other mens prayers ( though never so holy ) will be accepted for us , and when God will not be intreated for ●s . See this in Gods dea●ing with the Iewes : Pray ●ot for this people for their ●ood , Ier. 14.11.12 . said the Lord to Ieremie . When they fast , I will not heare their cry , and when they offer a burnt offering , and an oblation , I will not accept them : But I will consume them by the Sword , and by the Famine , and by the Pestilence . Ezek. 14.19.20 . So in Ezekiel : If I send a Pestilence into that land , and powre out my furie upon it in blood , to cut off from it man and beast : Though Noah , Daniel and Iob were in it , as I live , saith the Lord God , they shall deliver neither cleave unto the Lord according to his word in a perpetuall covenant . This the Lord expects from the whole nation , when his wrath is but toward them : Zephan. 2.1 , 2 , Gather your selue together , yea gather together O nation not desired before the decree bring forth , before the day passe 〈◊〉 the chaffe , & 3. before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you , before the day of the Lords anger come upon you . Howsoever , if this be no● done publickly , it must no● be neglected in private by the meeke of the earth Seeke yee the Lord all y●● meeke of the earth which haue wrought his judgements : seeke righteousnesse , seeke meekenesse : it may be yee shall be hid in the day of the Lords anger .

It is a wonderfull thing , Examples to move us , that now when Gods anger is so manifested , and his wrath revealed from heaven , men should so little seeke to pacifie his wrath , and should shew themselves so little touched with these evident tokens of his displeasure , never much seeking the meanes by which the cause of his wrath against us might be made knowne unto us , nay wholly impatient of such discovery when by Gods faithfull messengers it is in some good measure made . Both of the Godly ,

Shall I send such to the godly examples of good and holy King David , 2 Sam. 21.1 , 2 , &c. who in a famine of three yeares enquired of the Lord for what and whose sinne it was sent , which , when it was told him , hee punished , and so put away the evill ? or of tender-hearted Iosiah , who conceiving by the booke of the Law , that wrath was due to his people , and towards them , presently dispatched honourable messengers to Huldah , 2 Chron. 34.19 , 20 , &c. 〈◊〉 prophetesse to enquire o● the Lord for him and the people , concerning the words of the book which hee caused to be read in a solemne assembly , and renued his Covenant with God ? If such examples prevaile not with us , let us receive reproofe & shame ( in this our sloth and negligence ) from the example of the very heathen . And of the Heathen . Illiad . 1. Homer the Poet brings in Achilles advising the Greekes , Who have , in case of Pestilence , sought to their Gods by solemne Supplications . in a time of a sore Pestilence , to enquire the cause thereof from God by some Prophet , or Priest , or Dreamer of dreams . ( These being footsteps of those three waies , by which Israel of old had Oracles , or answers from God ; namely by Dreames , by Vrim , that is the Priest , with Vrim and Thummim , Numb. 27.21 . and by Prophets , see 1 Sam. 28.6 , 7.

Liv. l. 3. And Livie tels us , that in case of common plague ( or other danger ) the Romans were by publick authority called out , — Ad id quod sua mala quemque coge●ant . and commanded with their wives and children , to make supplication to their gods , for , & according to that , which their owne proper sins and evils compelled them : and thus filling all their Temples , Stratae passim matres criminibus Templa verrentes , v●● niam Irarum coelestium , 〈◊〉 nemque pesti exposcunt ; their Matrons prostrate on the ground , & sweeping their Temples with the haire of their head , sought pardon , And Sacrifices of their children . and the favour of their offended & angry gods , and an end to be put unto the Pestilence . Many such like things hath Livie concerning their Supplications , even for many daies together , upon occasion of war , ●nd publike evils and dangers , as I shew * * A word in Season or Englands Summons , on Iosh. 7. ver. 8 , 9. Virgil : Aeneid . lib. 4. & lib. 3. elswhere . So Virgil : — Principiò de●ubra adeunt pacemque per a●as exquirunt . And elsewhere , — Exorant pacem Divum : id est , inquit No●ius , propitiationem .

The first thing they use to doe , is to frequent their Temples , and from Altar to Altar to seeke Peace , that is Propitiation . So Plautus . Plaut. in Mercator : Act. 4. sc. 1. So the Carthaginians , when they were plagued with Pestilence Aris impuberes admoveru● pacem Deorum sanguine c●rum exposcentes , Iustin : lib. 18. as Iusti● relates ; That is , as th● Scripture expresseth th● like practise of the degenerate Iewes , Psal. 106.37 . They sacrif●ced their sons and daughter unto devils , seeking atonement with these their go● by the blood of their chi●dren : of which practise 〈◊〉 the Heathen , in sacrifici●● their children to the devill ; ( in case especially of distresse ) more * * Israels Idolatry , in sacrificing their children , &c. on Psalm . 106.37 . elswhere .

Now shall the Heathen ●n case of Pestilence , desire to know from God the true cause therof , that they might offer him acceptable Sacrifice , and shal they accordingly by solemne Supplications , and all expressions of sorrow and humilitie , seeke the favour of their gods , & that with the blood of their onely children ; and shall wee Christians , in like case of Pestilence , be so far from searching into the true causes of the same , as to take it ill , and not willingly of his wrath , and averting of his judgements . If now wee aske what these Meanes or Remedies are ( as it is most needfull wee be aright directed herein ) I shall endeavour at this time , at least in the generall , to shew . And because we are all of us apt to use such such meanes as most agree with our owne liking and fancies , I shall strive to give satisfaction in this point , both negatively and affirmatively .

1. Let us generally know that the meanes of pacifying Gods wrath , Difference of meanes . are no meanes of our owne prescribing , or which mans wisedom directs unto . There are meanes I know which may & ought be used , in case of Pestilence ( as of other publick evils ) but ought not to be rested in : there are againe Meanes which are meerly of mans devising ; and therefore such as may neither be rested in , nor so much as used , especially so as man prescribes them , being in that regard lesse or more sinfull and unlawfull . Lastly , there are meanes of pacifying Gods wrath , and of avoyding his judgements , or at least of escaping the evill , sting or hurt of them , which may and ought bee used , yea & being rightly used may be rested in , so far as a blessing , by vertue of Gods promise , may be expected from God one way or other .

1. Some meanes may be used but not rested in . 1. The common rule of the world , as also of Physicians in case of Pestilence , is to flee , or to withdraw a mans selfe quickly from places infected , Pestis tempore fuge citò , procul , ●ardè revertaris . Marsil . Ficin . Epidem . antidot . cap. 1. yea to remove farre off , and not to returne hastily , but at leisure . This I deny not to be lawfull , yea necessary , where , and so far as mens callings , especially publicke , will permit them . How farre publicke persons , especially Ministers , who take themselues charged with cure of soules , whether from God alone , or from man also , may withdraw themselues in case of grievous and raging Pestilence , Flight o● removall from pla●● infected . I rather leave to casuists and their owne consciences to determin . Conscience I suppose will not so farre , and so soone dispence with some in this case as man will . Yet how farre God and conscience will dispence with humane fears , where hee either denies such a measure of faith , or would overcome al feares and yet not presume , or where hee both opens a way , ●●w far a ●●ister ●●ing ●eerly a Lecturer ) may flee . and some other way cals a man out , and restraines him for a season , from the ordinary and appointed place of Gods worship and exercise of his function ; or how farr such an one having otherwise no pastorall charge , may both with faith and a good conscience , during apparant hazard to his person , withdraw himself , and so reserve himselfe to better times , meerely out of respect to their good , who for the present seeme a while neglected ; I leave this also to others judgement , least in mine owne case I may seeme too partiall , who hitherto have been as much , if not more guided by the judgement , yea importunitie also of many godly and unpartial Christians ( and so , I take , by direction from God ) then by mine owne , either judgement , or will at the first . Onely Davids case is made by many heere considerable of all Christians , whether Teachers or others ; who , in time of pestilence was directed by God to purchase Ornans threshing floore , 1 Chron. 21 . 14-18 , 19 , - 26-28 , 29 , 30. and there to build an Altar , and there to sacrifice ( for the present ) and that acceptably whilst that hedg or breach is not made up , it s in vaine to think , by bodily flight , to escape or flee from Gods wrath , when it is once gone out . We must either humble our selves for our Sins , Which is , to leave their Sins behind them . or never account our selves safe by fleeing . Pestilence is sent for our sins , to separate betweene us and them : therefore , if yee will flee , either leave your Sin behind you as a Sacrifice to that destroying Nemesis , or to Gods vengeance , or looke not to escape . Redeeme the life both of body & soule by parting with your Sins , even such as are dearest most delightsome , most gainefull , or otherwise advantageous to you in worldly respects . And imitate herein the wisdom of the Beaver , which , hunted for his stones ( which formerly have beene accounted of more price than his skinne or wooll now ) and finding himselfe hotly pursued , bites off the same , and leaves them to the Huntsman , as a ransome of his life . Now it is not our life which this Nimrod and pursuer , the Pestilence , comes for ; it is only our right eye of offence , or our right hand or foot , that is , som sin or lust yet unmortified , which is as deare to us as our right eye , or as gainefull as our right hand , or as usefull otherwise in our sinfull aymes , as our right foot . Let us but mortifie these , and utterly , in purpose of heart , resolution of will , and in a true hatred , abandon them , then may wee with more comfort and confidence flee from the contagion of pestilence , and more securely cast our selves into the armes of Gods providence ; but not till then . It will little avayle us to be spared and respited a while , seeing God , when we thinke all perils past , Otherwise there is no fleeing from Gods wrath . can either call us to an after reckoning in the same kinde , or in some other . Looke we into the same Chapter , and wee shall see this verified . The whole Congregation of the children of Israel had made themselves some way guilty in the rebellion of Korah , insomuch as God was ready to have consumed then in a moment , Numb. 16.21 , 22 , had not Moses and Aaron interceded and prevailed for many of them ; Well , the Congregation ( according to Gods appointment ) get them up from about the Tabernacle of Korah , 24 , 26 , Dathan and Abiram , 27 , on every side : after which the earth opened her mouth and swallowed these up — who perished from among the Congregation . 32 , 33 , 34 , Now all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them : for they said , lest the earth swallow us up also . Thus they flee further off , and seeme more safe then before . Yea , but they repented not of their sinne , by which they had deserved like destruction : they left not their rebellion behind them when they fled : and therefore though thus farr they were safe , yet obserue what presently followes ; And there came out a fire from the Lord , 35 , and consumed the two hundred and fiftie men ( who were Princes of the assembly — men of renowne ) that offered incense . verse 2. Loe these gained but little ( but even a little time ) by their fleeing from the former judgment : And what did many of the rest of them , who also fled from the opening of the earth , and escaped this fire ? first it is said , verse 41. On the morrow all the Congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron : Loe , they carry their old sinne of murmuring with them , and this brought new wrath upon many of them ( al deserving it ) even the Plague in my text , 45 , in which there died foureteene thousand and seven hundred , 49. after which , the rest returning to their murmurings and other sinnes , were all destroyed in the wildernesse , Num. 21.6 . what by fiery Serpents , what by other plagues . & ch. 25.9 . God hath variety of plagues to meet with sinners , with whom it shall be , As if a man should flee from a Lyon , Amos 5.19 . and a Beare met him , or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall , and a Serpent bit him , concerning whom the Lord thus threatens : I will slay the last of them with the sword : & 9.1.2.3.4 . hee that fleeth of them shall not flee away ; and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered : though they dig into hell , thence shall mine hand take them : though they climbe up to heaven , thence will I bring them downe : And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel , I will search and take them out thence , and so on . Thus saith the Lord by Isaiah : Isa. 24.17.18 . Feare , and the pit and the snare are upon thee , O Inhabitant of the earth : And it shall come to passe , that hee who fleeth from the noise of the feare shall fall into the pit , and he that commeth up out of the midst of the pit , shall bee taken in the snare . The truth is , when God will accomplish his fury , ( as certainely hee will o● all obstinate and impenitent sinners : ) It is not farnesse off from places o● danger which will secure a man : Ezek. 6.12 . & 7.15 . Hee that is farr of shall die of the Pestilence and he that is neere shall fa●● by the sword , and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine .

Thus wee see , whils● men by occasion of God judgements , as now this e● Pestilence , doe not humble themselves for the●● sinnes , there is no safety to them by fleeing : which I have the more largely handled , because this is that we most usually , both flee to , and also rest in . The like I may , and doe say concerning Antidotes , Preservatives . Powders , Drinkes , and whatsoever other outward and lawfull meanes are used as Preservatiues against the Pestilence ; and so concerning the diligence and ●are of Magistrates , As also the care of Magistrates in outward things . in keeping the unclean from the ●leane , in providing for ●he reliefe of the poorer ●ort , of such as are infe●ted or so suspected , & the ●ike . This , though otherwise commendably practised , yet is not enough , it is not to be rested in , unlesse withall , and in the first place or chiefly other meanes ( such as shall bee named ) be used . Care in the one is not so commendable , as negligence in the other is represensible and blame worthy . All such outward meanes used , i● but a beginning at the wrong end , and from effecting perfect and sound cure , especially if men care rest there , & nothing else be done for the pac●fying of Gods wrath .

4. Riches are of little use here . 4. To tell rich men the world , that the wealth will not secure them from Gods wrath , whilst they live in sinne , in oppression , in riotous courses , or the like , without repentance , I hold it needlesse . I suppose their owne consciences tell them so much ( unlesse wholly besotted : ) man perhaps by gifts and bribes may bee pacified , as Esau towards Iacob , &c. but not God : when God hath to doe with rich men ; Ezek. 7.19 . They shall cast their silver in the streets , and their gold shall be removed ( or be for a separation or uncleannesse : ) their silver and their gold shall not bee able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord . Great men then , in their sinnes are no more secure or safe from wrath then others .

2. 2. Some meanes are neither to be rested in nor used . Of the second sort of meanes , the popish manner of pacifying Gods wrath , is first briefly to be noted , and to bee taken heed of . They seek to pacifie the wrath of God by workes of penance of their owne devising , as by whipping of themselves , ● . As pop●sh works of penance going barefoot , or on bare knees , by wearing hairy shirts , going on pilgrimage and the like . So by offering summes of money at such or such religious places , &c. of some of which their Councell of Trent saith , Sess. 14. cap. 8.9 . that there was never any safer way found out in the Church for the averting of Gods vengeance ; as I find observed also by an other on this my text .

2. 2. Heathenish sacrif●ces of chi●dren . Much lesse will heathenish practises ( too much imitated of old by Gods people ) stay Gods hand when it is stretched out . For wee heard how the heathen in case of Pestilence , & of Gods displeasure , did betake themselves to their Idole gods , not with prayers only and supplications , prostrating themselves , & with other sacrifices , but with the sacrificing of their owne children .

But of this later sort of meanes , the Lord may , and doubtlesse will say to hypocrites , When yee come to appeare before me , Isa 1 12. Ier. 7.21.20.23 . who hath required this at your hand to tread my courts ? And — put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices , and eate flesh : for I spake not unto your fathers , nor commanded them , concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices : no ? who did then ? but this thing commanded I them ( that is , this thing chiefly without which , the other was but as a dead carkasse ) saying , Obey my voice — and walke yee in all the wayes , that I have commanded you , that it may be well unto you .

3. 3. Meanes to be used on which we may expect a blessing . If then indeed wee would be aright directed what to doe at such times , when wrath is gone out against us , let us receive our direction from God himselfe , and from his word , where he makes his mind known unto us , for otherwise , Rom. 11.34 . Who hath knowne his mind ? Such is our blindnes and ignorance , that we cannot know what service is pleasing to him , unlesse he himselfe make his will knowne unto us . As then we cannot see the light of the Sun by any other light than that which the Sun it selfe affords us ; no more can wee know what will please or appease him being angry , further than he hath been pleased to make it known unto us . And this is but reason : for wee expect the like from our owne Servants , that they doe what service wee appoint them , and as we will have them doe it , and not what , and as they please themselves .

These are such as God himselfe directs unto . Now God , partly by Precept , & by way of Condition , partly by way of Reproofe , whilest he complaines of the neglect of what he expects , ( besides the examples and practise of his Saints on earth in like case ) lets us know what we should doe when his hand is gone out against us , whether by Pestilence , as now with us , or otherwise . To which end I shall set before you some pregnant places of Scripture scatteringly , out of which wee will bring the chiefe duties to a Method , Here propounded , 1. Sea●●●r●●ly which here we will onely propound , ( not lading this Text with more then it will naturally beare ) but prosecute , if God will , on more proper and particular Grounds of Scripture .

Heare then , first how God answers hypocrites , According to severall texts of Scripture . and such as pretend themselves to be willing to be at any cost , and to doe any thing to please and appease him when hee is angry . Michah . 6. ● . 7 . Wherewith shal I come before the Lord , and bow my selfe before the high God ? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings , with calves of a yeare old ? Will the Lord bee pleased with thousands of rammes , or with ten thousands of rivers of oyle ? Shall I give my first borne for my transgression , the fruit of my bodie for the Sin of my soule ? Now heare Gods answer : Hee hath shewed thee O man what is good , Verse 8. and what doth the Lord require of thee , but to doe justly , and to love mercie , and to walke humbly with thy God ; ( or to humble thy selfe to walke with thy God . ) And then it followes , ( shewing this was to be done especially when God shewed his displeasure against them . ) The Lords voice cryeth unto the Citie , Verse 9. and the man of wisdome shall see thy name : heare yee the rod , and who hath appointed it .

See againe what God requires of us in such case of his judgments , whether threatned or inflicted . — I will reprove thee saith God , &c. Psal. 50.21.22 . Now consider this , yet that forget God , lest I teare you in pieces , Hagg. 1 5.6 . &c. And elswhere , Consider your waies : yee have sowne much , and bring in little ; ye eat , but ye have not enough , &c. thus saith the Lord of hosts ( againe ) consider your waies . Mich 6.7 .

Consider againe , upon what condition God promiseth mercie , and deliverance from captivitie : If they shall confesse their iniquitie , Levit. 26.40.41.42 . and the iniquitie of their fathers , &c. And that also they have walked contrary unto mee , and that 〈◊〉 also have walked contrary unto them , & have brought them into the land of their enemies : If then their uncircumcised harts be humbled , & they then accept of the punishment of their iniquitie : then will I remember my cocovenāt with Iacob , &c. and I will remember the land .

Now , upon consideration , and confession of sin , the Lord looks also , we should turne to him , by true and heartie Sorrow and Repentance , according to that his exhortation by his Prophet Ioel ; Therefore also now , Ioel 2.12.13 saith the Lord , turn you even to me with all your hart , and with fasting , and with weeping , and with mourning : and rent your heart and not your garment , and turne unto the Lord your God . The want hereof , in time of Gods judgments , the Lord both complaines of , and also further threatens : — For all this , Isa. 9.12 , 13. his anger is not turned away , but his hand is stretched out still : for the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them , neither doe they seeke the Lord of Hosts . Amos 4.10 , 11 , So elswhere , I have sent the Pestilence among you , after the manner of Aegypt , your young men have I slain with the Sword , &c. yet have yee not returned unto mee saith the Lord — & 12. Therefore thus I will doe unto thee , O Israel : and because I will doe this unto thee , prepare to meet thy God , O Israel .

In turning to God , hee would have us turne from our wicked waies , and seeke his face and favour , not returning again to our former evill waies , but renuing , and also keeping our Covenant of Faith , Obedience , and a more holy walking with him than formerly , taking it ill when it is otherwise . Ier. 8.6 . I hearkned and heard , but they spake not aright : no man repented him of his wickednesse , saying , What have I done ? Every one turned to his course , as the horse rusheth into the battell . Therefore , that hee may shew us mercie , hee will first have us Cast away from us all our transgressions , Ezek. 18.31 . whereby wee have transgressed , and make us a new heart , and a new spirit . Otherwise , he should seeme to favour us in our Sins : Therfore , when God meant to deliver his people out of the hand of the Philistines , he thus speaks to them by Samuel the Prophet , If yee doe returne unto the Lord with all your hearts , 1 Sam. 7.3 , then put away the strange gods , & verse 4 , 5 , 6 , and Ashtaroth from among you ; and prepare your hearts unto the Lord , and serve him onely : and hee will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines . This they did , and withall , wept abundantly , fasted , and prayed , and confessed their Sins , and were accepted . So before the Lord would grant de●iverance by Gideon , hee would have him Destroy Baals altar which his fa●her had , Iudg. 6.25 , 26. and cut downe the ●rove that was by it , and ●uild an altar to the Lord .

The reason is , God will ●hew mercie , favour and ●eliverance to none in ●heir Sins . Hee heares not ●inners ; Yet he also looks , that in our afflictions wee doe call upon him ; Psal. 50.15 . Call upon mee in the day of trouble ; I will deliver thee . And , Iam 5.13 . Is any among you afflicted ? Let him pray .

Now with our prayers , and purposes of reformation wee must renue Covenant with God , and bee carefull for ever after to performe it . This we are taught by the godly example of Nehemiah and the Iewes ; who , by the mouth of the Levites , having made a religious confession , as of Gods goodnesse , so of their wickednesse ; and having in the●● owne persons separate● themselves from all strangers , Nehem. 9.1 , 2 , 3 - and confessed their Sins , they conclude all by ●ntring into solemne co●enant with God , saying ●n their great distresse in which they were , & 38. And be●ause of all this , wee make a sure Covenant , and write it , ●nd our Princes , Levites ●nd Priests seale unto it . And the rest of the people — who had understanding , & chap. 10.28 , 29 , 30 , &c. separated themselves from the people of the lands , unto the Law of God , clave to their Brethren , their Nobles , and ●ntred into a curse , and into ●n oath , to walke in Gods Law — and to observe and ●oe all the Commandements of the lord . Now the points of their Covenant were ▪ Not to joyne in marriage with the people of the land , not to buy ware or victuall on the Sabbath day , and to charge themselves yearely with the third part of a sh●kell for the service of the house of God , and concerning first fruits and othe● offerings .

Thus King Hezekiah when the wrath of th● Lord was upon Iudah an● Ierusalem , and that he ha● delivered their fathers 〈◊〉 trouble , 2 Chron. 29.8 , 9 , 10. &c. Now , saith he it is in mine heart to make covenant with the Lo●● God of Israel , that his fier●● wrath may turne away from ●s . Oh worthy example , See also c● 30.6 , 7 , 8. ●ven for the best & grea●est Christian Kings , in ●●ke case to imitate .

But what ? doth God ●ooke that , in case of evils 〈◊〉 troubles of the Church ●nd Common-wealth , we ●nly mind our own good ●nd safety ? no : hee will ●ave us also , according to ●ur severall places , cal●●ngs , gifts , to become In●●rcessors to him for others ●lso , and to helpe to turne ●way wrath from others , ●nd our selves . This God ●●oked for ( though in ●●aine ) of his people , and ●his he lookes for from us now : Ezek. 22.30 . And I sought for 〈◊〉 man among them ( saith the Lord ) that should make 〈◊〉 the hedge , and stand in the gap before me for the land that I should not destroy it but I found none : therefore haue I poured out mine indignation upon them , 31. I ha● consumed them with t●● fire of my wrath ,

2. According to Method . From these places 〈◊〉 Scripture wee see wh●● kind of duties the Lo●● expects from us , when ●vill is upon , or yet but ●●wards us ; and what he 〈◊〉 this time of Pestilen● expects more especiall from us of this place ; y●● and nation generally , eve● from such as being otherwise of the same body of our Church and nation , are yet free from the infection of this noysome disease . Which duties I may , The meanes appointed of God to be u●ed in case of Pestilence , &c. are by God himselfe brought to foure duties . for method and memories sake , reduce unto those foure which God expects from us in case of Pestilence as necessary conditions , without which severally and joyntly in some good manner performed , we can expect no hearing of our prayers , nor healing either of our soules in and by the pardon of our sinnes , or of our land and place ( in mercy at least ) by taking away this plague . The words runne thus , which God utters by way of answere to King Solomons godly & wise prayer , at the dedication of the Temple ( which was a type of Christ in our nature , in whom onely & for whom all prayers are savingly heard . 2. Chron. 7.13.14 . ) If I send Pestilence among my people : if my people which are called by my name , shal humble themselves and pray , and seeke my face , and turne from their wicked wayes ; then will I heare from Heaven , and will forgive their sinne , and will heale their land .

The duties here are foure : 1. Selfe-humbling . 2. Prayer . 3. Seeking of Gods face and favour , in and by prayer , more then any thing else : seeing many pray against the outward evill of plague , who not caring much for Gods displeasure , otherwise never seeke his face . 4. Turning from sin . Vnto these foure all ( or most of ) the forenamed duties are reducible : which foure also may bee reduced to these two heads : Turning first to God , secondly from sinne . In one word there is required Turning or Conversion , which according to the two termes or points , 1. to what or whom , and 2. from what or whom , is a conversion or turning , first , to God and his wayes , secondly , from our owne sinfull wayes .

The first three Duties belong to our turning unto God . 1. Selfe-humbling . 1. Selfe-humbling : Now to selfe-humbling , there are three things required , if they may not be called parts thereof .

Vnto which belong 1. Conviction . First , Conviction upon a due Consideration : 1. Of Gods Iudgements upon us , in the 1. Author . 2. End . 3. Nature . 4. Cause , which is our sin : and so 2. Consideration of our sinne , or sinnes , as Causes of the evill which is incumben● upon us : which is a very large , usefull , and fundamentall point to consider of .

2. Confession of sinne found out .

3. Contrition , 2. Confession . or true inward and hearty Sorrow expressed outwardly by all fit and lively signes of it , as by fasting , weeping , Outwardly expressed , by al signes of Humiliation . prostration of the body , vile apparell , and the like , which may testifie truely without dissimulation , the inward condition and state of the soule , which not excluding the former two , may more properly come under the name of Selfe-humbling .

2. Prayer . 2. The second dutie is Prayer , and Invocation of Gods name .

3. Reconciliation with God . 3. The third is , Seeking of the face of God , and Reconciliation with him .

4. Turning from our wicked wayes , which implyes , 1. Reformation of life . 4. The fourth dutie is a Turning from our wicked wayes : which implyes , 1. Reformation of our lives and of things amisse and out of order , by bringing all right againe , both in matter of Doctrine , and of life , according to the only rule of Gods word . 2. Renuing of covenant . 2. Renuing of our Covenant with God by solemne promise , vow , 3. Keeping of covenant . why not Oath ? at least serious purpose and protestation . 3. Ratifying and confirming of the same by a speedy and also constant performance of Covenant , without returning to our former evill wayes and provocations againe .

With all these we must all of us , ( as God may require it at our hands , according to our several places and abilities , or as wee are in favour with his heavenly Majestie ) labour to become Intercessours , To which add 5. Intercession for others , or a standing in the gap , which must be done , 1. By Magistrates . and to stand in the gap for the land , or place where wee live , to turne away wrath from it : which must bee done

1. By Magistrates , chiefe and subordinate , who must both inquire into offences and punish the same . Good Magistrates have a chiefe stroke in keeping off , or in removing of wrath from a people . God never publikely judgeth by Pestilence or otherwise , but Magistrates first neglect their dutie in judging . If they did unpartially execute Gods judgements , God would not so immediatly with his owne hand judge us , or give us into the hand of mercilesse men , to bee judged with their judgements .

2. By Ministers . 2. By the Ministers of the word : who must stand in the gap , by a right discovery of sin and danger , and many other waies , and not bee like the Prophets of Israel , which were like the Foxes in the deserts : ye have not , saith the Lord , Ezek. 13 . 4●.5 . gone up into the gapps , neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel , to stand in the battell in the day of the Lord : yet thus much the Lord requires of his Ministers .

3. By All : 3. By all How ? which wee must all strive to doe , making up the hedge ( for our selves and others . 1. By rightteousnesse . )

1. By becomming righteous our selves , Iob 22.30 . Gen. 18.32 . and by seeking righteousnes , Zeph. 2.3 .

2. Mourning . 2. By mourning for and bewayling the sinnes and dangers of the time and place where wee live , Ezek. 9.4 .

3. Prayer . 3. By earnest prayer and intercession : so Abraham prevaled for Lot , Gen. 18. Lot for Zoar , Moses for the Israelites often , Iob for his friends , and David and his Elders for Ierusalem ; the destruction of which , after the death of seventy thousand else where , was by his repentance and intercession prevented , 1. Chron 21.14.15 . &c.

These particulars are large , and must bee handled , God assisting , on their severall and more proper grounds of Scripture : I will not farther burthen this short text with them , contenting my selfe onely here to point unto them , seeing the text it selfe implyeth the use of such meanes as God hath appointed for the pacifying and averting of his wrath . Now the Lord give us hearts , wisedome and grace to make use of these meanes in time , both for his glory , and our own safety , bodily and spiri●uall . Amen .

FINIS .
The number of those that died at New-castle , within the liberties , from the 7. of May , till December , 31. of the Plague , as followeth . 1636.

MAy 7. to 14. 59. May 14. to 21. 55. May 21. to 28. 99. May 28. to Iune 4. 122 Iune 4. to 11. 99. Iune 11. to 18. 162. Iune 18. to 25. 133. Iune 25. to 2. of Iuly . 172. Iuly 2. to 9. 184. Iuly 9. to 16. 212. Iuly 16. to 23. 270. Iuly 23. to 30. 366. Aug. 30. to 7. 337. Aug. 7. to 14. 422. Aug. 14. to 21. 346. Aug. 21. to 28. 246. Septemb. 4. 520. Septemb. 4. to 11. 325. Septemb. 11. to the last of December . 908. The totall is , 5027.

Buried in Garth-side in New-castle this present yeare , 1636. as followeth .

May 30 to Iune 6 10 Iune 6 to 13 24 Iune 13 to 20. 19 Iune 20 to 27 34 Iune 27 to Iuly 4 40 Iuly 4 to 11 75 Iuly 11 to 18 66 Iuly 18 to 25 60 Iuly 25 to August 1 60 Aug. 1 to 8 29 Aug. 8 to 15 17 Aug. 15 to 22 18 Aug. 22 to 29 13 Aug. 29 to Septem. 5 14 Septemb. 5 to 12 11 Septemb. 12 to 19 7 Septemb. 19 to 26 4 Septemb. 26 to Octob. 3 6 October 3 to 10 2 October 10 to 17 ● October 17 ● The totall is 515.