A short and pithy Discourse, concerning the engendering, tokens, and effects of all Earthquakes in General: Particularly applied and conferred with that most strange and terrible work of the Lord in shaking the Earth, not only within the City of London, but also in most parts of all England: Which happened upon Wednesday in Easter week last passed, which was the sixth day of April, almost at six a clock in the evening, in the year of our Lord God. 1580. Written by T.T. the 13. of April. 1580. AT LONDON, Printed by Richard johnes. 1580. ¶ To the right honourable my very good Lord, Philip Howard Earl of Arundel, etc. the testimony of a good conscience to Godward, continuance of bodily health, and increase of worldly honour. I Am not a little sorry, Right Honourable, that bearing a desirous mind of long time to present unto your view some argument of my good meaning towards you, the hap hath so fallen out, that nothing hath yet happened unto me that way, either worthy your honourable inspection, or answerable unto my desired expectation. Nevertheless, not through negligence to omit such opportunity as hath been offered, lest I might seem slow in performance, or careless in duty: and taking in hand by the importune motion of some friends, not now to hold my pen in silence in respect of so rare matter as hath happened of very late: such as it is, so small, and so slender, in most humble wise I present unto your honour. My right honourable good Lord, it is a short discourse of all Earthquakes in general, and also my poor judgement touching the marvelous visitation of God in the terrible Earthquake which was felt of late days amongst us. Which as I acknowledge to be but extemporal and weak, so do I submit it unto the controlment of better learned, leaving unto them both matter and liberty to judge and write thereof much more at large. And craving at your honour's hands some manner friendly entertaining of the same, if I may obtain it, I shall not only think my travel well employed, but that of duty I am farther indebted to make your honour, in respect of many great virtues that rest in the same, patron of some better labour hereafter. As knoweth God, to whom I commend you, and pray for you, to your best contentment and liking. Written at London this thirteenth of April 1580. By him that remaineth your honours evermore at commandment: T.T. ¶ A pithy discourse of the late Earthquake, on wednesday in Easter week, being the sixth of April. 1580. AMong the manifold signs and tokens, whereby it hath pleased our most gracious God, and merciful Father, in these the later times of the world, and very ripeness of our sins, to call us to repentance, we may not account as least this most dreadful & dangerous Earthquake, which unto the great terror of all good consciences befell of late unto the City of London, and as I suppose to the most part of this Realm, upon wednesday in Easter week, Yea, and out of the Realm to, in some countries lying Easterly. which was the sixth day of April. 1580. about six of the clock in the after noon. Whereof, to the intent so marvelous a judgement of the Lords may be known, to such as personally were not touched with the same, and also so wonderful a work may not want it due effect, where it shall be heard: I am resolved by his power, without whom we are able to do nothing: and by your patience, to whom perhaps this knowledge may be aveyleable, to set down somewhat briefly concerning the same in writing. 2. But before we enter any further into the bare bewraying of the matter, it is expedient that I discover unto you the causes, and substance of every Earthquake, Causes, and substance of Earthquakes, as they be naturally assigned. which I must be fain to borrow from the Profane writers, who have most diligently laboured in the search of natural causes, whereunto doubtless they could not so clearly have attained without the finger of God, which hath led men as well into the true contemplation of these matters, as of any other knowledge. And therefore following Aristotle as thief in this behalf: we must understand, that the efficient causes of an Earthquake are three, to wit, the Sun, the other six Planets, and a spirit or breath included within the vowelles of the earth: and the material cause one, which is an Exhalation, that is to say, a certain air, breath, or smoke drawn out of the earth, which of nature is hot and dry. How Earthquakes are engendered. 3. Thus it is not hard then, to describe the engendering of an Earthquake. For the earth is a dry body of it own nature, and as daily experience teacheth, it containeth within it great plenty of water. And when it is thoroughly heated by the beams of the Sun, and also by bodies of fiery substance, whereof it embraceth many: as Brimstone, and such like, partly by resolving the water into air, and partly by receiving the like into the empty hollowness thereof, it comprehendeth within it great store of spirit and windy matter, which being very subtle, swift, and vehement, wandereth here and there under the earth, striking the sides thereof with great force, and most times causeth the earth to quake and tremble, for that it seeketh issue continually to departed into it own place. 4. At sometimes therefore this spirit or Exhalation issueth wholly forth together: sometime by labouring it conceiveth fire, and breaketh out in flames: otherwhiles, some part of it remaineth behind, and is shut up again within the earth, and ministereth matter for a new effect. And farther, as the searchers of nature have reported of this kind of accident, Earthquakes commonly happen at night, or in the morning the Earthquake happeneth (for the most part) at a calm season, when as none or very small winds blow, specially in the night, and at the dawning of the day: for that accustomably winds use to rise at that time: or if in the day time it happen, than most at high noon, the Sun being then in greatest force, and driving down the Exhalations into the earth. 5. Moreover, the places most convenient and likely for Earthquakes, are cavernous and hollow places, where the earth is lose and false under foot, by reason of undermining or digging for Metal, Stone, Cole, or such like stuff, as upon Mendeepe, Newcastle, and sundry other places within this Realm. Also the hollow cliffs by the Sea side, where the water sometime freatteth holes in the banks, causing great pieces of the earth to fall in: As of late days it happened between Dover, and Folstone, & most grievously may be seen every day in experience, at the poor Town of Whytstable in Kent. And again, the Countries that are very full of great Hills and mountains: Wales acquainted with particular Earthquakes. so that (perhaps) the uplandish people of Wales are better acquainted with such effects than we are, as it standeth with good reason, and I have heard also some to report by trial and knowledge. 6 It chanceth also many times, that by reason of repressing this Exaltation, which is the material cause of the Earthquake, within the earth, there is heard a noise like the working of the Sea a far of, which, nevertheless, doth not always import an Earthquake: for that peradventure the Exhalation is not sufficient in quantity, or quality to shake the earth, but only it belloweth, or barketh at the departure: as a Gun being discharged giveth the bigger or lesser crack according to the quantity or ramming, more or less of the powder, & yet maketh some noise when it is discharged although the powder were not of sufficient force to make the piece shake, or recoil. 7. As touching other Accidents, that are noted over and above, to accompany and follow Earthquakes: Eclipses of the Moon import defect of heat. one is eclipses, of the Moon, another Exhalative impressions in the air. Whereof the one may import some defectt of heat, and then the cold bindeth up the pores of the earth, & causeth the winds most times to blow fiercely at such seasons: and the other giveth a taste of the plenty of hot and dry matter, which by probability is concluded within the earth, whereof that was some part which appeared, both which may minister great cause thereunto, as is already declared. And it is a thing specially and above all thing noted, that a little before, and even at the time of the Earthquake, the Sun is darkened without a cloud, which is long of the spirit that breaketh forth, which filling the air: taketh away the bright beams of the Sun from our sight, after the manner of a thin mist. 8. The morning is calm and cold before an Earthquake happen, by reason of the hot spirit or breath which is included within the earth: and also after the Sun set, the Sky is clear, for that the matter is soon dispersed: and often times there is seen in the Element a long narrow cloud stretched forth, which is the forerunner of an Earthquake. Some report that they saw this Cloud, although it were not generally marked. But to speak of some consequentes that do follow them for the most part, although God have his special work according to his good providence in them, yet are these such as the natural Philosophers have observed most often to ensue, & may not conveniently be omitted by me in this recital, for special purpose. 9 Sometimes therefore, after an Earthquake great sloare of water hath broken forth of the earth, as being driven out by the Exhalation, Strange effects of Earthquakes. in so much that the Sea, and other Rivers have overflowed their banks, and procured certain particular Dilugies or drowninges of Towns and Countries. And many times by reason of the forcible bursting out of the spirit, mighty heaps of Stones have been thrown out of the earth, to the great admiration of the beholders. The Sea likewise hath been seen to rage's wonderfully, as if it had been moved by very fowl weather, and islands have been lifted up whereas were never any before, and main Landes divided where before was never Sea. And moreover, it hath been known, that an Earthquake hath continued the space of forty days, almost without intermission: yea, of two years, more or less about one place, which happeneth by reason of the multitude of the spirit, and strong resistance of the sides of the tavernous places wherein the spirit is contained. 10. To be short, the manner of the shaking of every Earthquake is of three sorts. Earthquakes shake in three sorts. For either it shaketh towards one side, and is like a certain trembling or rocking, & this is a token of great store of the Exhalation: or else it lifteth right up in the mids, & letteth fall again, after the manner of the Pulse, or other beating veins of the body, and this kind shaketh more, and is most dangerous, and testifieth that there was much more plenty of the spirit or Exhalation lying deep beneath in the bottom: or else it seemeth to be compounded of them twain, and at the same instant doth both rock and life up the earth together, and with the diversity of motion & dancing, as it were, it rattleth, and butteth the houses & buildings together, yet in such sort that none falleth, but the one is rather a stay unto the other, & this discovereth plenty of the substance after both the sorts placed, & moving. 11. Yet the end that any of these, yea the best, The best kind is bad enough. doth bring where there is store of the matter, & continuance of the action and conflict between the contained & the containing, is most dreadful quaking of the earth, trembling of houses, shaking of buildings, amazing of the people, & doubt of farther harms. But where it pleaseth God, that they rage with greater vehemency: there followeth far more outrageous miseries, as sudden overthrowing of houses & buildings, subversion of whole Towns & Cities, unprepared death of thousands of people, & sometime the utter subversion of whole Kingdoms & Nations. And this much sufficeth to be spoken of them in general. A conference of all the tokens aforesaid with our Earthquake. 12. Now therefore, if by your patience it may be granted, let us a while compare some part of these general tokens and Accidents, with this our particular Earthquake: since these for the most part, as I have said, are in sum, the observations of the learned in Philosophy concerning such matter: and so shall we be the better able to discern of this wonderful work of God, whether it be mere natural, or no: and also take the better occasion to report of every point thereof, according as I have been informed by persons of credit. For why? for mine own part, I must thus protest before the living God, whose matter we have in hand: that being not much past a pair of Butte lengths without the liberty bars of the City of London, walking with honest godly company, and to my liking, even at the instant of the quaking, as it should seem, neither they, nor I perceived any such thing at all. But the Lord hath his providence, and his works are marvelous. God worketh evermore by second causes unless he work miracles which are against the common course of nature. 13 But that the Sun, the Planets, and other Stars are the efficient cause, aswell of an Earthquake, as of the raising of a Comet, or any other fiery impression or Meteor considering the evident force of those heavenly bodies in daily experience, it is no marvel. For that he which is the cause of all causes, in all his works of nature hath made them his under Deputies, remaining nevertheless at his check, without any absolute authority of their own▪ These therefore (but especially the Sun) because of his great heat about and since the feast of Easter last passed, and chief since Wednesday and Thursday before Palm sunday in Lent, might somewhat seem to be of force to hasten the drying up of some small moisture. Howbeit, neither the one, nor the other can appear to be of such valour in reason, considering the great wet that hath fallen this winter, as to consume so great plenty of water, without some other natural cause be assigned, are the special provision of God admitted. 14. Nevertheless, touching the plenty of water, that to the generation of an Earthquake is required, to be contained within the bowels of the earth: Matter left for another Earthquak unless the Lord's mercy be greater it cannot be denied, but there hath been great cause to think there was, and is yet sufficient for this or a far greater one yet to come, from which the Lord in mercy deliver us, if so be other causes also concur, and the Lord do consent thereunto. But indeed, I am rather induced to fear some unseasonable effects of the other smoke, or spirit which cometh from waters and moystie earth, and is called a vapour, and of nature is warm & moist, lest when we little fear, we find the distemperance thereof to our hurt in our fruits and Corn, and other necessary provision of the earth. Whereof if a man would set down an example, they may be frosts, or sleet in May, and hail in Summer, and towards Harvest, with such like. 15. But to proceed farther in our conference, whether this efficient spirit be wholly issued forth with the Earthquake, or be in part left behind to procure a news effect, or not, it resteth in God's knowledge, and I trust not 〈◊〉. But I hear not yet of any fiery flames that were seen to issue forth of the earth, the Lord be praised the more, for withholding that terror from us. And for mine own part, I am able to testify of the calmness of that time wherein the earth is said to have trembled, Some say that the earth was shaken again at midnight following. that if there blew any wind at all, surely it was but very little. Marry, in this point it differed from ●ecustomable time of the like Accidents, in that it happened not in the night time, which doubtless, would have been right grievous and terrible, although in deed it were in the evening and towards night, when as the Sun was past his force of heat, as going then to glade: which is also a point worthy the noting. 16. And as for any holes, caves, or hollow places which might minister occasion of conveyance or lurking of the matter of an Earthquake under the ground hereabouts, as yet I do not know, specially of any notable depth, such as are above mentioned or else are found in the parts of Italy, These are the causes of their hot baths, and medicinable waters in those Countries. or Sicily, and elsewhere, upon like occasion, or by the continual burning of the veins of Sulphur, Naptha, Bitumen, and Sea coals which are a kind of Bitumen: so that the air possessing the unsearchable hollow rooms, might in expectation bring forth this effect. Neither are the banks of the Thames so clyfty, & thereby hollow, that it might be that way feared. And as for Hills, Mountains, and Dales, The situation of the city of Londo in a most, rich, pleasant and fertile Leavell. the situation of London is so free from them: that I have heard some travelers say, that there is not a City in all Europe, that standeth upon a more rich, pleasant, and fertile level than it doth. 17. It may appear also, that the Philosophers admit the earth to bellow, roar, crack and make a noise, sometime without an Earthquake when as the Exhalation breaketh forth, and yet is not of force to shake the earth. How chanceth it then we heard no such matter, when as it appeareth, the efficient was of power to bring forth the effect? It must be answered, God's will was otherwise. For I hear no report of any such thing. Which if it had happened, would have added great terror to the fear that was otherwise procured by the shaking. Unless we should understand it to be verified by cracking & rattling of timber, posts, walls, and wenscots, which I suppose wanted not, but we may not so take their meaning, but rather of a voice like the roaring of the Sea, or stroke of a Gun, when as the Exhalation issueth out of the earth. 18. And as for other accidents, true indeed it is, that not long since we had an Eclipse of the Moon, to wit, In Eclipse of the Moon, the last of Janu. 1580. the one and thirtieth day of Januarie last past, about eight a clock at night, at what time, to speak more Mathematically, the furious planet Mars being found in the sign of Capricornus, in the fourth house, evermore foreshoweth and procureth Earthquakes within the time of that revolution, as the learned in those most excellent sciences do affirm. And touching the appearance of Exhalative impressions, which I term by that name, for that the substance of them is hot & dry, although they be not carried so high where they might be set on fire, which is to the top of the uppermost region of the Earth, and so take the name of fiery impressions. 19 Concerning such, I say, and other Meteors, Of the strange exhalation seen in the air, the 5. of March 1580. I need not stand upon the recital of some that have been seen of late, which as I am credibly informed, have been many, and oftentimes seen by sundry. And I myself also, upon the fifth day of March last passed, being Satersday, almost at nine a clock at night, in the company of certain Worshipful Gentlemen, beheld a strange, and great exhalative impression in the Air, which in mine opinion was not fired, but very thin and clear, for I might very perfectly behold the fixed Stars through it. The situation thereof was stretching endlong from the East to the West, over the City of London, or somewhat more southerly, and the form thereof was as the shape of the lath of a Crossbow without a string, whose back bended towards the North, and the belly towards the South. At what time I saw it, it was in my judgement in the tenth house, & raised specially by Venus, or Mercury, or by some fixed Stars of their nature, and as I remember, the Lyra was not then far off, but by nine a clock or a little past, it was quite vanished. 20. Truly, I must needs confess, the sight thereof was rare, and which worthily drew the eyes of many into admiration of the spectacle, and from thence to lift their minds with thanks unto the wonderful Creator of all things. And for that I was known to have been sometime in place where learning is professed, some that stood by demanded mine opinion what it might be, & what also signify? unto whom I answered, that in my judgement, of nature it was an exhalation, & that otherwhiles it foreshowed the following of an Earthquake, The pre●age of this earthquake by the Author. but most commonly of fierce winds and drought, which howsoever they be presignified, the effect must be acknowledged to rest in God's hands only. 21. Another adjunct token likewise, which is the darkening of the Sun, The Sun darkened at the instant of the earthquake. without any cloud, or Eclipse at the instant of the Earthquake, was evident to be discerned, and is commonly reported by as many as made any observation thereof. And for my part, I durst also affirm the same to be true, although I acknowledge, as before, mine inexperience of the strange accident. Notwithstanding, I remember that the Sun shined not as we were walking, which was the time that the Earthquake happened. And to confer yet farther, indeed the mornings before were cold and nipping, and afterwards at night the Sky was fair and clear: but whether there appeared in the Element any long and narrow Cloud stretched forth in length, either before or after, I can not say. 22. Moreover, I hear as yet of no great and new eruptions of water by land or Sea, but it is certainly told, of the strange unquietness and working of the Thames at that time, without enforcement of wind or weather, Pherecydes. The islands thereon, Therea, and Egypt, cast up by earthquakes out of the Sea. The Island Atlantis drowned by an Earthquake. even unto the hazarding of the lives of some, who, God be praised for it, escaped in safety. But I heard none complain of the thickness of their pump or conduit waters, by which means Pherecydes once foretold of an Earthquake to come. Ne is there any speech of heaps of stones lately thrown out of the Earth and discovered, nor of the rising of any new-found islands out of the Sea, or fresh waters, as of the two islands of thereon, and Therea, in the time of Seneca: and before that of all Egypt, as grave Authors do insinuate: nor yet of the drowning of any Island or main, as it is written of Atlantis, in the Sea Atlanticum, which Sea afterward for a space was turned all into mud: nor yet of main lands rend asunder, as Europe was quite torn from Asia, saving for a little neck or portion whereby they hang together. 23. But for the shortness of the continuance of the Earthquake, we are of duty to yield most hearty thanks unto the Majesty of our most gracious God, who, contrary to the natural custom that some Earthquakes do bring, hath preserved us from so great dread and danger. The City of Constantinople was so wonderfully shaken with an Earthquake an whole year together, The City of Constantinople shaken with an earthquake. that the Emperor thereof, and all his people, were constrained to dwell abroad in the fields under tents and pavilions, for fear their houses & buildings would fall on their heads. But I can not yet hear otherwise reported by any, to make me conjecture that our shaking continued above the space of one minute, which is the 60. part of an hour. 24. And yet farther to follow a while mine own probable collection. I am induced to think, that this quaking was not at one instant in all places whereas it was felt, but rather came by degrees, and distance of time, after the manner of the beating of the pulse, which the Physicians call Serratilis, or Vermicularis. Doubtless the reports show this to be true. For coming from the East parts where it seemed to begin, & to rage's most fiercely, as with them in Kent, & so proceeding to the West, it was felt at Rochester & Gravesend about v. a clock, at London almost at vj. at Stanes & Windsor almost half an hour after that, & so, by likelihood it proceeded farther that way, perhaps according to the stretching forth of the strange exhalative impression, whereof I made mention before, & so bended Northerly according to the proportion of the belly of the same. 25. But to determine of the three sorts of quakings felt commonly at the trembling of an Earthquake, and to say precisely which of them this ours should be, Earthequakes God be thanked, rare in England. perhaps had it pleased the Lord to have made me as well partaker thereof in sense, as doubtless I must be in signification, I might somewhat have conjectured. Although this Accident be rare, & I pray God may be rarer, happening scarcely with us in an hundred, yea, in a thousand year. But as I may probably guess by others relation, surely it seemed to be the mixed kind, for that it was perceived to rock and lift up both at one instant, and yet God be thanked, no houses nor buildings known to have fallen, which may the better be so, for that in this mixed kind, as the expert in those Sciences write, the one part is a stay unto the other. 26. And although by our former reasons it may apeere, that the matter of the Earthquake was but small that caused but so short a motion, yet am I persuaded that the same was general unto all England and Scotland to, & so to the whole Island of Britain, This earthquake at the least general to all Britain. with no more hurt doing, I trust, or rather less, than with us here. But where in former times and foreign Lands it pleased God to let them rage with greater fury, there what grievous outrages have ensued, ancient Histories make mention. The City of Rhodes was wonderfully shaken with an horrible Earthquake. Rhodes, xii. Cities in Asia, Campania, Naples, Basil, Castles almost an hundred, the Alps and Rome, some shaken, some overthrown with Earthquakes. Twelve ancient Cities in Asia were overthrown, & some also swallowed up into the earth. Campania, and Naples in Italy were sore affrighted, and molested. The City of Basile in Germany was mightily shaken, and Castles and fortresses to the number almost of an hundred, were upon the shore of the Rhine utterly overthrown. The hugy Alps have trembled with the like, and Rome hath not once nor twice assayed, and escaped that danger. 27. Indeed the suddenness and strangeness of the thing was such, that it took divers men in divers actions, and brought them into sundry considerations of the matter. Some doubtless at their prayers, and hearing godly Sermons, Happy are they whom the Lord shall find welldoing. whom, as men, it must needs amaze, or bring into a muse. Some at the Tavern, and upon their Alebench, and therefore might well suspect that it was long of their liquor. Some in earnest conference of worldly affairs, and so peradventure they took small or no regard at all of it. Some in idleness alone, and those of likelihood it might sorely abash. Some at game, and therefore not much moved. Some at common Plays, who as I understand, were horribly troubled. Some in wanton talk and disport, whom it might well affright. Some perhaps worse occupied, whom I would counsel to be more careful of the Lords sudden visitation. Some fast a sleep, and therefore senseless: and some walking the streets and fields, or carried on Horseback, or in Couches, and therefore not able to discern of any such matter. 28. Some that were above in their Chambers, Conjectures of those things that happen most commonly. judged that some violence had been done to their houses beneath. Some that remained below, found fault with tumbling and trampling above. Some imputed the rattling of wainescots to Rats and Weesels: the shaking of the beds, tables, and stools, to Dogs: the quaking of their walls to their neighbours rushing on the other side. And as their opinions were sundry, so were their speeches thereupon diverse, until a common conference being had, they were resolved upon their common case & danger. For many not trusting to their own judgement, and partly also moved with fear, ran out into the streets to know if the like had happened unto others. 29. I am assuredly informed, Bells knowling alone. that aswell elsewhere as in London, the very shaking caused the Bells in some Stéeples to knoll a stroke or twain. The tops of half a dozen chimneys in London were cast down: many stone works and buildings, for that they would not yield, are shrewdly shaken. And to add also the most grievous chance of all, I trust, that have yet happened, or by God's grace are like to be heard of, Alack therewhile, Two children sore hurt, whereof one died presently. was the fore hurting of two poor Children, by the fall of a stone from the roof of Christ's Hospital Church in London: whereof the one being a Boy of the years of sixteen, was slain presently, and the other being a Girl about the same age, and dangerously bruised, is yet living and like to recover & who were both servants in one house, unto john Spurlinge a shoemaker, dwelling in S. Botulphes parish without Aldersgate nigh London. 30. Now, perhaps some would expect at my hands, that I should set down my judgement farther concerning the efficient causes, & also the consequents of this Earthquake by the position of the Heavens and aspects of the Planets, and fixed Stars, for that present time: which now I must needs omit for brevity sake, till some other time more convenient. And if likewise I were farther demanded, what mine opinion is concerning this Earthquake, This earthquake not altogether natural. whither I think it altogether natural, or not? Surely, I am otherwise persuaded, and so I judge many other to be, that have entered into the deep consideration thereof. But let it be, as it is, surely it cannot be without the special finger of God, whither it be for our comfort, or terror, as every man's conscience shall bear him record, although I am sure there be none that can excuse themselves of sin. 31. But whether the Angel of the Lord in passing by us in visitation, The Angel of the Lord thought to pass by in visitation. hath shaken our habitations with his presence, as some have reverently judged: or in respect of the ripeness of our sins, our most merciful God hath caused the earth to tremble, to the intent to move us to repentance, as it may well be conjectured: Let us not stay, I beseech you in the bowels of his dear Son Jesus Christ, every one to power out his complaint before the fountain of mercy, and to call upon him to turn from us those plagues of Pestilence, Sword, & Famine, which by such quakings are evermore foreshowed, and our sins do worthily deserve. For to admit that it proceeded but of a mere natural cause, so great and so many are the poisons, The corruption of metals able to infect man, beast, and foul. corruptions, cankers, and rusts of metals and mineral bodies within the earth, that the venomous air that issueth forth from them by the eruption of the exhalation in an Earthquake, is of sufficient force, without the special providence of God to the contrary, to infect and suffocate both Man, Beast, and Fowl, immediately. A comfortable conjecture of the Lords mercy and love towards us 32. But shall we now again conjecture somewhat unto our own comfort, and not altogether unprobably? Since at all times these one and twenty years and upward, during the reign of our most dear and dread Sovereign, and most gracious Queen Elizabeth, the Gospel hath been sincerely and truly preached unto us, and that now during this time of Lente last passed, and since Easter, not only in her majesties Court, but also in her imperial City of London, as also in all other places of her dominions, most choice men for godliness and learning have been appointed to sow the seed of life, and to open the way unto the kingdom of Heaven: what if in token of consent, good liking, and conclusion of that which hath been so manifoldly spoken, the Lord would vouchsafe to give a nod with his head, whereat, as the holy Ghost speaketh by the mouth of the Prophet David: All the earth doth shake, and the hills do smoke, and the whole frame of the world is moved? 33. Nevertheless, if the guiltiness of our own consciences cannot so content us, but that, as rightly we ought, Conscientia mill teste●. we be put in mind of most just punishment for our offences: doubtless I am most inclined unto that persuasion, which with all my heart I wish we all followed, & that with speed. And herein I pray you let no man flatter or falsely persuade himself with a natural cause, or with the mischance of two poor children's death, for that shall not serve when the time cometh. For, was their death casual think you? I know it was not, The Eirle died the Monday after, being the eleventh of April. since there falleth not a poor Sparrow to the earth without the providence of God. Or were they the greatest sinners in the company? God knoweth, their years may somewhat answer for them, & I think they were not, more than they upon whom the Tower fell in Siloa. But surely if we repent not, we shall all likewise perish. 34. The judgement, if we perceive it, God's judgements already begun. is already begun at the house of God, what favour then shall others look for? If it have ha●ned thus in the green tree, what shall become of the dry? Good brethren, let us look to this gear, that the Lords mighty hand light not upon us unlooked for. The Axe is not only set to the root of the tree, but it hath now hewn many strokes, and some of the branches are fallen already. The Lord is coming in majesty to judge the Earth, and to avenge himself upon his enemies, and doubtless he is not far of. Our strange and hot and dry tokens seen of late time, as the wonderful blazing Star, and the rare exhalations, show that he w●l come shortly to consume all with fire. But how unprovided he shall find us: the sudden coming upon us of this Earthquake doth declare. All people exhorted to amend their excesses. 35. Now I beseech you again, let every man call himself to an account, and look narrowly into his own life. Let the Blasphemer cease to abuse the Lords name and power, to his damnation: Let the Adulterer leave of and sin no more: Let the Usurer take heed how he can answer the Lord for his Brother's hurt: Let the Murderer remember that Abel's blood crieth for vengeance: Let the malicious man know that the Lord searcheth the heart and reins: Let the Glutton learn that the holy Ghost forbiddeth him to make his belly his God: Let the Drunkard begin to abhor the danger and abomination of intemperance: Let the covetous person perceive that the rust of his money shall consume his flesh: Let the hollow hearted Christian and subject, unto God, and his Prince, understand, that as the hollowness was the cause of the shaking of the Earth, even so for his false and hollow hearts sake, the Lord will shake him from out his beloved flock of Israel, and cast him into that woeful place, judas and julian, great Masters to Traitors and Atheists. where he shall receive his reward with Dissemblers and Hypocrites, and with Traitors and Atheists, together with their great Masters, judas and julian, that lie perpetually tormented in unquenchable Hell fire. 36. And last of all, let the worldly man consider, what certainty he hath in his riches, or assurance in any thing upon the earth, when as even that also is subject to shaking and moving, whereon he reposeth his felicity. And although the wit of man have devised remedies against the threatenings of Heaven: yet when the earth quaketh, where shall he repose himself in safety? Augustus Caesar had a Den made under the ground to shroud himself in from the rage of thunder, Augustus Caesar's den against thunder and lightning. which remaineth yet to be seen nigh Rome. But indeed, there is no fléeinge from the face of the Lord, who, as the holy Psalmist sayeth, where ever we go to hide ourselves, is present with us: whether we ascend into Heaven, or go down into Hell, or take the wings of the morning, or dwell in the uttermost parts of the Sea, or cover ourselves in the darkness: for light and darkness are all one before him. 37. To conclude, I would wish that men lived not altogether in security, as though it were no strange thing that had happened. But first, that they remained in assurance of God's good will if they be thankful as well for the free gift of his lively word and Gospel, as for the life, reign, and welfare of our natural Sovereign Queen Elizabeth, whose days the Lord for his mercy continue long time over us in all happiness. Secondly, I would exhort that Sermons were diligently resorted unto, and public prayers made for all persons, specially for our virtuous Prince, as S. Paul willeth us, her honourable Counsel, Bishops, Nobility, all Magistrates, and the whole Clergy. Thirdly, I counsel that there be special care had unto bodily health, chiefly being now the most seasonable time of the year, wherein the physicians counsel may be taken and presently executed, for the avoiding of farther peril impending. And last of all, under God I assure us, that if we live in his fear, Unto them that live in the fear of God, all things happen for the best. and in the love of his word, and in dutifulness to our good Queen, and in loyalty to our Country, and in charity one with another, we shall not need to fear the force of any foreign foes, nor the terror of any Earthquake, nor the infection of any pestilence, nor stand in dread of any thing that the enemy can devise against us, but the Lord abiding always on our side, surely there is nothing shall, or can hurt us. Which he grant for his mercy sake, to whom be all honour and glory, now and ever more. Amen. Revelation. Cap. 22.20. and 16.15. Come Lord jesus. I come quickly. Behold, I come as a thief. Happy is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and men see his filthiness. FINIS.