Golgotha; OR, A Looking-Glass for London, and the Suburbs thereof.  
Showing the Causes, Nature and Efficacy of the present PLAGUES; and the most hopeful Way for Healing.  
With an humble Witness against the Cruel Advice and Practice of SHUTTING— UP unto Oppression. Both now and formerly experienced to increase, rather than prevent the spreading thereof.  
By J. V. grieved for the Poor, who perish daily hereby.  Prov. 22. 22, 23. 
Rob not the Poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the Afflicted in the Gate. For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoilt them.  Psal. 41. 1, 3. 
Blessed is he that considereth the Poor, the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.  
The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; thou wilt make all his bed in his Sickness.  
London, Printed for the Author, Anno 1665.   

GOLGOTHA: OR, A Looking-Glass for London, etc.  
WHoever would administer to the Cure, must first consider the Cause and Nature of any Visitation, and especially reverence any light given from God, who hath been pleased above all to appropriate this of the Pestilence as his immediate Sword: and hath acquainted the sons of men, as with the Causes, so with the dreadful Efficacy and Nature thereof, Ezek. 6. 12. & chap. 33. 27. & 7. 12. & 13. 15. and hath very expressly prescribed the Cure in its season, ver. 16. 2 Chron. 7. 14. signifying also when it will be so contagious and incurable, as the usual way prescribed shall not effect the recovery of either Son or Daughter, but him or them that find mercy so timely in a right spirit to apply the Preservative the Lord directeth; Jer. 14, 12. Ezek. 14. 16, 21. and his ways are everlasting, Hab. 3. 6. So that the present Age will experience the advantage of timely applying, or disadvantage of neglecting the ancient Advice of God, which having no Weekly Intelligencer, or skilful Physician, to set forth, for lack of knowledge the people perish, and the Plague doth double itself in defiance of all the Directions the most skilful Doctors do industriously divulge now daily in the world, and that Decree is verifying but the more apparently, Isa. 2. 17. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be laid low, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. And to that end therefore I shall endeavour to declare the Causes of the present Plagues.  

The CAUSES.  
To speak clearly hereunto, we ought wisely to consider the Constitution of the Country under Visitation, whether Profane or Professors, whether Egypt or Israel, or a mingled people much of the same spirit and path, who may be both then (however they differ in Profession) partakers of the same Plagues, Jer. 9 26. Rev. 18. 4. Or whether for different Causes. And first, for a people of an Egyptian oppressing spirit, at enmity with God and Christ, and Saints and Scripture, whereof this Nation under profession hath dreadfully abounded, exceeding Sodom in odious beastly enmity, and cruel Tumults and Decrees against the Lord's Name, Ways and People, fulfilling in their Confederacy therein the Prophecy, Psal. 83. to the full; Know ye for a certain, as you have lived after the manner of Egypt, so are you, and now will be more plagued after the manner thereof, till you in very good earnest let Israel go, Exod. 11. 1 & 12. 33. yea, till for your own safety you take the good counsel tendered unto you, Psal. 2. 10, 11. For certain I am, though some of God's Israel may fall by this Visitation, yet is the Lord hereby gone out further for Salvation with his Anointed, and this Pestilence is the Harbinger of that Saviour, and High-One, who will surely save his poor People from your fury; who came out to scatter them as with a Whirlwind, to fulfil the third of Habakkuk; and those of them whose habitation in this tempest shall be the Most High, shall only with their eyes behold and see the reward of the wicked, Psal. 91. 8, 9 It therefore concerns you his most proud vile Adversaries to see what this Angel did to Egypt, Exod. 9 13, 14, 15. compared with Psal. 78. 49, 50, 51. to Zidon, Ezek. 28. 23, 24. to the Assyrian, 2 King. 19 25. and will do to Gog, Ezek. 38. 22. and the Assyrian-like Adversary in the latter-day, Micah 5. 15. O it concerns you to bewail your oppression and hacred of the Upright, and to tremble timely unto true subjection to Him, who is measuring the Earth and driving asunder the Nations, and bringing the Tents of Cushan into affliction, before whom goeth this Pestilence, Hab. 3. 5, 6, 7. Your way is dark-and slippery, and the Angel of the Lord doth chase you, Psal. 35. 6. You shall go into the clefts of the Rocks, and into the tops of the ragged Rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his Majesty, Isa. 2. 21. Rev. 6. 16. Yea, flee ye afar off, live ye alene, there shall the Angel of the Almighty search you, Ezek. 33. 27. Amos 9 2, 5. This is the Word of the Lord against you, save only such as shall be reckoned Israel, by joining timely and truly to the Lord in the day of these destructions, Isa. 19 18.  
And in Israel the divers causes of this Visitation have been also signified plainly from their God: As,  
1. Neglect of his true Worship, Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, Exod. 5. 3. Leu. 26. 25. Deut. 28. 15, 21. and not being spiritual in them, 1 Cor. 11. 29, 30.  
2. False-Worship, or bringing into his Worship the detestible things of men's devising or invention, to the changing his Ordinances; Ezek. 5. 11, 12, 17. Isa. 24. 5.  
3. Unbelief, especially under signs of his Power and Presence; Numb. 14. 11, 12, 37.  
4. Carnal security, and Confidence in our own righteousness; Amos 9 10.  
5. Unthankfulness to the Lord under his Salvations; Exod. 30. 12.  
6. Pride, Sensuality and Violence, under Fullness and Prosperity; Ezek. 7. 10. to 16. chap. 33. 26, 27. Numb. 11. 33. compared with Psal. 78. 30, 31.  
7. Unprofitableness and impenitency under other Judgements, Jer. 24. 8, 9, 10. Prov. 29. 1.  
8. Fleshly confidence in the Numbers of Israel, 2 Sam. 24. 15.  
9 Wand'ring from the Lord after other lovers, provoking him with their Abominations; 1 Cor. 10. 8. Jer. 14. 10, 11. Ezek. 6. 9, to 12.  
10. Making false Refuges in times of Judgement, Jer. 42. 17, 22. compared with Isa. 30. 1. & ch. 31. 2, 3. Jer. 44. 12, 13.  
11. Discontent with the Lord's righteous Judgements on eminent Malefactors; Numb. 16. 41, 47, 48. And,  
12. Harkening to false Prophets, that abuse Promises to comfort the Impenitent, in want of humble and mournful subjection to the Lord's fore Judgements for sin, in bringing over them those that hate them, and attempts to deliver themselves from the Sword of the Enemy by any fleshly strength, without true repentance for the causes of their captivity; Jer. 27. 8 to 13. chap. 28. 15. & chap. 21. 4. to 9 compared with Isa. 22. 8 to 12.  
Moreover, the Pestilence is a sign of, and appointed to prepare for the near approaching Kingdom of Christ Monarchical in the Earth, Psal. 89. 23. Hab. 3. 5. Mat. 24. 7.  
Now in as much as all the aforesaid Causes for Sin have evidently abounded even in the Israel of God in this Generation, we have great reason to expect (however some may flatter themselves) that by this Angel Israel may lose Children, and in their prayer, Hos. 14. 2. Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously; may find it necessary to be brought upon a bed of visitation and dissolution too, to separate from them some beloved sin, which by no means short would be purged away, Isa. 22. 14.  
Hence God expostulateth with Israel, Amos 4. 10, 11. I have sent amongst you the Pestilence, after the manner of Egypt, etc. yet have ye not returned unto me. I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom, etc. yet have ye not returned unto me. Therefore will I do thus unto thee, O Israel; and because I will do thus unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. And indeed this is not only consistent with, but contained in the New Covenant, so to correct; if need be, to take away the heart of stone, and to make us partakers of his Holiness. And when I seriously consider what he did to his dear Moses, Eli, Job, David, Asaph, Hezekiah, Josiah, Asa and others, for less provocation, I fear much what the Lord may do with me and others of his Children, after so long Gentleness, Goodness and Forbearance, as necessary to vindicate his Name, which we have polluted before the Heathen to their hurt: Yea, O the Pride, Sensuality, Covetousness, Meanness, Indifferency, empty Formality and Fruitlesness in the Profession of the Worship of God▪ yea, Apostasy, Perjury, Treachery, Hypocrisy, and yet Impenitency under all, that might intercede against Israel to the day! What reason is there upon all, to sigh therefore, and smite upon the thigh before their eyes, as Ezek. 21. 6, 12. and to be apart in the Spirit of Grace and Supplication, as Zech. 12. 10. Yea, every one (though upon the highest mountains of Faith and Expectation) to be like Doves in the Valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity, prescribed of God for escape from the Pestilence and other calamities, Ezek. 7. 16. & 9 4. O therefore that poor sinners also with Israel may embrace the advice in Isa. 2. 10. to enter into the Rock, and there hide in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and the glory of his Majesty. And, as in ver. 22. to cease more from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of? Yet, as it becomes all humbly to do what they can in a day of such Calamity, I shall more particularly cast in my Mite towards the Cure of this Contagion, with my dissent from, and witness against two things directed by the Colledge-Doctors.   

The CURE.  
In speaking to the Cure, I shall first show what is not likely to effect it; 2dly, What is; and lastly, giving those that have worthily gone before me, their real due in the prescript of outward Medicines, I shall cast in my Mite of that sort also, in addition only to any thing I have seen, without detraction from any, or seeking gain, or the honour which is from men, I trust, but that which is of God only.  
It is not then first to look to the Physicians, how able or eminent soever, wherein good Asa failed, 2 Chron. 16. 12. and hath but too many followers. Neither would this sort at any time (and much less now) be, as other diseases, much abated by all the Doctors in the world, except to humbled souls, as Hezekiah, to whom then poor Isaiah went, and may go again successfully with his bunch of Figs, which gave a reverence to the use of outward means, but in the second place. Though (till God weary them with his hand) it's feared men will arrogate his Healings to their Art, when in tender mercy to his People, or for further probation, it may in a moment cease, or be abated, as at this time in Holland; not (I believe) as the effect of the Powder, nor Perfume, so much boasted of in every News-book, I am persuaded to further provocation and infection, which hath doubled weekly since the published stories of the infallibleness thereof, which consists (I fear) but in the filling the purse of some of the Projectors. And as to the public Order of the Colledge-Doctors, though I could wail over the view of those strong-scented Ingredients of Pride and Presumption in the latter part of their Epistle, as tending to the infection of themselves, beyond their skill to avoid or cure; and others that have them in too high esteem, to fulfil the Word of the Lord, Isa. 2. 17, 18. Yet I count myself, for my Country and Conscience-sake, obliged humbly to witness against two principal parts of their Advice only: with reverence indeed to most of their Prescripts, which yet exceed neither their forefathers, nor add much, if any thing, to the common knowledge, capacity and experience of an ordinary man, in this day of removing the face of the covering that hath been over the face of all Nations.  
But first, their Advice of observing Church-Orders for Prayer, as in former times, I desire may be carefully mingled with the Counterpoisons of the Scripture-discoveries already laid down concerning False-worship and neglect of true, as principal causes of Contagion, so as the former times they speak of may be explained to be such, as Phineas, Moses, and Samuel, Noah, Daniel and Job, David, Jehoshaphat, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, etc. or men of like spirit, influenced in Solemn Intercession acceptably to turn away Wrath from a provoking Generation; and no times wherein the wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the Land, which is on record to be to Visitation and Ruin, Jer. 5. 29, 30, 31. else their Direction is hereby dissented from.  
But secondly; I humbly descent also from their Direction for shutting-up unto such oppression and hazard of both sick and well, shut up, and others, as is unavoidable ruin to many after the manner thereof, and so an high provocation to him, who hath torn, and who only can heal; who hath smitten, and can bind up, Hos. 6. 1. and who visiteth with Pestilence (as I have showed) for violence, and (I fear) increaseth it for such continuance thereof.  
Now because some carelessly dream of Scripture-colour in the case, I shall show you first how cruelly remote it is from that case.  
2dly. How much it errs from that standing Rule amongst men, Mat. 7. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them: for this is the Law and the Prophets.  
3dly. What ill effects it naturally hath towards the increase of Plagues.  
4thly. Appeal to the experience of all, reflecting upon former and present times, both in this and other Neighbouring-Nations.  
First then, the Scripture-case is only in the Plague of Leprosy, when the party only apparently visited was to be viewed by the Highpriest, or his sons; and being found by him, or them, to be so, was in special oversight to be separated from the rest of Israel, and shut-up but for seven days, to be viewed then again by the Highpriest, etc. and if found whole, to be cleansed and restored presently, or otherwise so sequestered for seven days more, until such recovery, Levit. 13, at large, but not to be shut up after. And Hezekiah also being cured of his sore, on the third day was to appear in the House of the Lord, 2 King. 20. 5, 8. Nor is the Scripture colour for shutting-up one well-person, not the sick after such recovery, upon such weekly view of him, if the case in hand held parallel: but well saith the Scripture, The world by wisdom know not God, 1 Cor. 1. 21. and this their way of being wiser than God, is as the tender mercies of the wicked, Prov. 12. 10.  
2dly. It so errs also from that Rule, Mat. 7. 12. that I dare say the Doctors, and those who stand upon their Sword to execute this violent Advice upon the Poor so generally, would not be willing to be so done unto, or have their Wives and Children so dealt with in their calamity: And he that rolleth a stone so against the very nature of humanity, may fear it will return again upon him, Prov. 26. 27. Let me suppose thex case therefore to their consciences.  
Whether, if four or five, or more, of the skilfullest and hardiest of themselves, who have given this Advice as Orthodox, against so many thousand poor Innocents', were to be coobed-up in one of the poor houses, whereout but one died, and have with them an old woman, or some poor ignorant creature (a stranger to them, as is usual) for their Nurse, and a sturdy fellow without with an Halberd (or some stricter Watch, as they have advised for others) to have each of them no more than the Parish allows; and the Searchers, Chirurgeons, etc. they have allowed to visit others, to visit them: if in a month or forty days after the last man of them dies, at such a season, so used, they do not think in their own consciences, with all their skill, their carcases would all or most of them be carried away in the Night-Cart; which now (for fear thereof) are, many of them, got into their Country-Gardens, after their Epistolary Vapour and Cruel Direction aforesaid? How then may poor. Women with child, Widows, helpless, friendless, Fatherless and Sucklings, exposed (without such help, as many have been) and half dead before, it may be by the sudden death of their first visited nearest relation, escape the ruin of such further violence upon them?  
Again, I query; If one in the Parish-Meeting-place fall suddenly sick, or die, after sitting there in the crowd two or three hours amongst the multitude; were it not as equal the doors should be shut upon the Assembly, or they in their several houses shut-up, as that some Families (who were further off from the single sick person that died therein) should be presently so violently used and exposed? O surely, if we would not be so done unto, these ways than are unequal, and this violent course not like to abate our Plagues, but is rather a sign and earnest of further Wrath: And God by leaving the Nation to be in love with such unnatural Advice) is, it's to be feared, paving a way for his Anger, in that more general shutting-up, as a just Judgement upon many accounts, prophesied of such a provoking City, Isa. 24. 10, 11, 12. The City of confusion is broken down, every house is shut-up, etc.  
3dly. It's full of evil effects, to the increase of Plagues, and that not only as it provokes God as aforesaid, but naturally distracts men, filling them with horror of heart, both those that are shut-up, and those that live daily in the fear thereof; Most that are shut-up being surprised, unprovided, unsettled in heart and house, needing then most the use of a sure friend, made for the day of adversity. Pro. 17. 17. An Interpreter, as Elihu speaks, Job 33. 23. one of a thousand, etc. and are under soul-sinkings, and none to succour them; their hearts die within them, as Nabals, upon this bad news; not a friend to come nigh them in their many, many, heart and house cares and perplexities, compelled (though well) to lie by, or upon the Deathbed (perhaps) of their dear relation, dragged away before their eyes, affrighted children howling by their side, fitted by fainting affliction to receive the impression of a thousand fearful thoughts of the long night they have to reckon before release, after the last of the Family, so dismally exposed, shall sink by degrees, one after another, in the den of this dismal likeness to Hell, contrived by the Advice of the English-Colledge of Doctors: no drop of water (perhaps) but what comes at the leisure of a drunken or careless Halbert-bearer at the door: no seasonable administration being at a certainty then for their support, and innumerable evils of this sort incident hereunto: whereof if the ear of any concerned were opened to the cry of the Poor herein, I could (upon knowledge) instance and give plentiful proof of one months' misery and ruin already hereby upon many, enough to make the ears of every one that heareth, tingle; and lay the blood of Innocents' at the door of the Devisers and Prosecutors of this Barbarism; who also hereby bring no small consternation hourly upon the minds of those who are at liberty thoughtful (to terror) whose turn may be next to fall out of the oversight of their nearest Friends, into the hands of the Halberd, Searchers and Chirurgeon, all strangers to them, so as it may be plague enough to be haunted with, under such distraction and affliction. Hence (I say) are a thousand thoughts created, to such, swoonding, faintings, fears, (fitting for infection naturally) as have occasioned some already to lose their precious lives, and many have hardly escaped the effect thereof; who otherwise would not so dread the Visitation, that yet sink down and shiver now through fear hereof, but upon the sudden sight of a House shut-up, and clusters of little Children and tender ones in their windows, who might more rationally continue well by separation as they are able, or might be advised by a more charitable care of them, than by such miserable, noisome, melancholy, close imprisonment, which exposeth the Well (shut-up) daily to destruction, and also doth really but prepare a more unquenchable stench, and fest to wreak out of the windows (whilst so shut up) and disperse itself into the City by a more violent concourse to them at the window (though less to their relief) and by opening the doors (upon such choaking-up) for the Searchers and Bearers of the Dead (so daily more prepared for them) and other allowed Visitors, whose walks are far more perilous than twenty times so many left open to keep themselves clean and at distance from the Sick and Dead, as else they would, to prevent their own infection.  
Yea, after the House is allowed to be open, and all that are left alive are well after this usage, both they and it are far more dangerous hereby to others, than before, they were crowded up so long to such a nasty and infecting station, being the natural and artificial way also hermetically to effect the most forcible and noisome putrefactions, when the Embryo shall be unsealed; common experience having proved it naturally less perilous to go to twenty visited, kept sweet and clean, than to two so noisomly exposed.  
To which I may add, that many for fear thereof do hide their Sores, and (after a Sweat or two) their Sickness also, and go daily about their business so long as they can stand, mingled to much more danger every way: Nor dare any do the office of a Nurse or Friend to those shut-up (however ne-necessary for the present distress) till help can be procured (whereby some have been neglected) because it is so pen●l, that they must be enclosed then themselves, how inconsistent soever to their charge and business, by which there comes no small inconveniency to the Sick, who are forced to take any ignorant Nurse (or worse) in haste, to their great hazard.  
But lastly, I appeal to the experience of this and other parts; how apparently did the hand of the Lord rest (as the ancient Citizens familiarly do observe) in the former great Plagues upon this City, when the people were wearied out of this oppression, under cause enough to mourn unto this day, over the cruelty every mercenary had opportunity to commit (as now) under colour hereof.  
Ireland also, about the year 1650, and 1651. (under a far greater Contagion) was made ashamed hereof, and forced to desist; and what should now encourage it, under a weekly doubling the destroyed, under (if not directly by) it, since the Doctors gave this Advice?  
And some affirm the Hollanders, from whence the Plague is so soon (it's said) departed, never practised it, but ordered the Inhabitants of houses visited, to walk and air themselves, with some mark of distinction, at times appointed: and yet I will show you a more excellent way for the quick and thorough Cure thereof, now positively, if it be not for too long oppression, transgression and impenitency irrecoverable, as in Jer. 14. 12. Ezek. 14. 16, 21. which God forbid.   

Now the Scripture-means for effectual healing, whilst it is called to day, are set down as followeth.  
First, For the Lord's faithful Remnant, grieved, as Lot, for the filthy conversation of the wicked, and for what hath been committed in the midst of Jerusalem, as Ezek. 9 to sanctify a solemn Assembly in the earnestness and humility, Joel 2. and seriously therein (and in secret) bring forth these sores before their Highpriest in quick and speedy intercession and application of the Blood of sprinkling, Numb. 16. 16, 46. Exod. 12. 7. 2 Sam. 24. 25.  
Secondly, In true sense of, and humiliation for, the Plague of their own hearts, timely to seek the face of God, and turn from the evil of their doings, 1 King. 8. 37. 2 Chron. 7. 13, 14. Ezek. 7. 16.  
Thirdly, More truly to set their hearts on God, and make the Most High their habitation, Psal. 91. 9, 10, 14. and to try the truth hereof as followeth.  
1. By Faith in Christ Jesus, John 14. 6. to 11.  
2. By their Sovereign Love, 1 John 4. 12, 16.  
3. By their unfeigned obedience, 1 John 3. 24. but more particularly,  
1. To make him more their place of residence and safety, as men do their habitation, Psal. 31. 2. & 71. 3.  
2. Their place of retirement, and rest from disturbance, Psal. 37.7. Prov. 24. 15. Isa. 32. 18. Psal. 116. 7.  
3. To have their conversation more in God, as Rev. 13. 6. Phil. 3. 20. that men may know were to find Professors more at home.  
4. To be feeding more in him, John 6. 56. and entertaining their acquaintance there, Cant. 4. 11. Psal. 145. 1, to 11. & 66. 16.  
5. To be working in him, hiding themselves, and placing their safety and treasure in him, more, John 3. 21. Psal. 91. 1, 2. Col. 3. 3. Mat. 6. 19, 20, 21.  
O this life of thus inhabiting God, Christ lived; and this manifests Saintship and sincerity in all ages, Psal. 90. 1. & 140. 13. And wander from hence, have much exposed God's own People, Jer. 9 6. & 50. 6, 7.  
But this Life in God now, is, both an earnest of our habitation at hand, where neither sin nor sickness shall a●oy, 1 Cor. 5. 1,6. and is such a present refuge and safe shelter, as either this Pestilence shall not come at all, or coming shall not be a Plague, but lose its hurtful nature, to such as do dwell in, or now truly and timely shall make refuge unto, and reside in him, as their habitation, Psal. 91. 1, to 10. Deut. 33. 27. Psa. 23. 4, 5, 6. Job 5. 22, 23. Rom. 8. 38. 1 Cor. 3. 21.  
On then that poor souls, who have no refuge but Country-Houses now, when they will meet with sorrow enough, as Amos 9 1. would in the encouragement of the New-Covenant, by the New and Living Way, hasten for refuge unto this safe Habitation, Heb. 6. 18. Yea, O that that may be now fulfilled, which is written Psa. 22. 27, 28, 29, 30. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the kindreds of the Nations shall worship before thee; for the Kingdom is the Lords, and he is the Governor among the Nations etc. Run ye then out of the World whose works will be burnt up, ye Righteous, into your Strong Tower! Turn ye to the Strong Hold, ye wandering Children, hasten into your Habitation, Prov. 18. 10. And ye Visited ones of God, happy may ye be by this Visitation, O that you may experience, through Grace, as Hezekiah, that herein is the life of your Spirit, Isa. 38. 16. and be able, as Job 10. 12. to say with thankfulness, Thou hast vouchsafed me life and favour, and thy Visitations have preserved my Spirit; and as Psa. 119. 67, 71. experience the good hereof, Behold, happy is the man who to this end is corrected of the Lord: for he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole, Job 5. 18. Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to hide Pride from man, to bring back his soul from the Pit, to be enlightened with the light of the Living, Job 33. 17, 29, 30. Indeed I could dwell on this direction for our Cure, for the sake of my own soul, and for the sakes of my poor Countrymen, of every sort, beyond what this Paper may contain, and bring you a most rare Experiment of one that made Jerusalem run with blood, and was almost as profound to slaughter, as poor M. G. B. who yet found safety in refuge hither in his distress; though I confess under less light and warnings by Signs and Wonders, yet also, being under less stumblings by Professors, I retain my hope that God may yet show Mercy, even to such as him, making speedy refuge hither: And I could give blessed precedents also to encourage poor wand'ring Children, who have played the Harlot after many Lovers, to return now quickly to their Habitation, as Jer. 3. 1. But thou hast played the Harlot with many Lovers, yet return unto me saith the Lord▪ Only acknowledge thine iniquity, etc. ver. 13. towards which I will 〈◊〉 give you a fourth Scripture-direction for Cure.  
Fourthly then, That the Lords People also humbly accept the punishment of their iniquity, considering Ezek. 14. 23. and declare also all their Abominations, even before the Heathen, under the hand of the Almighty, Leu. 26. 40, 41. Ezek. 12, 16.  
And lastly, To wait in hope on God for special execution of Judgement in general defilement and defection, Num. 25. 8. compared with Psal. 106. 30. and Jer. 5. 1. Amos 5. 15. And in all, with bowels of compassion to poor Infants that know not their right hand from their left, at midnight to awake in the sense of their calamity, as Lam. 2. 19 Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the Lord; lift up thine hands towards him, for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every Street. For with the Merciful, thou wilt show thyself merciful, etc. Psa. 18. 25. And to you that fear his Name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings, Mal. 4. 2. EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS, COME QUICKLY, Amen.   

A little Mite added, to the multitude of outward means, published by many others, towards Cure and Prevention of the present PLAGUE.  
NOw seeing so grent a plenty of outward means already prescribed by the College in general, and some of their number, and others in particular, amongst whom one Mr. Dixon hath in an ingenious way performed the office of a real Neighbour, according to Luke 10. 36. I shall but humbly cast in a mite only of such things as I have observed to be very effectual in the like, and this Contagion, which I have not yet seen published; And first for the plenteous use of Spirit of Sulphur, which I advise all to have by them, it being not above three shillings the ounce, and is ve●y specific to remove Malignity, to open great Obstruction, quench choler, strengthen the Spirits, and further Sweat, and the effect of other Antidotes, if plenteously and rightly used.  
I advise then, that the general Posset-drinks both for Sweat, and in stead of Julips, may be made hereof thus; Take White-wine, a pint, and Spirit of Sulphur, forty drops; mix them, set on three pints of Milk, and when it boyles up, pour in the White-wine and Spirit, it will make your posset, wherein you may boil the ingredients for Sweat, directed by the Doctors, or Mr. Dixon, etc. Butter-bu●-root especially, and cast in half a drachm of whole Cochinel; strain it and give, to cause Sweat plentifully, after a dose of Mitridiate, or Venice-Treacle, or thirty drops of Spirit of Hartshorn in the first draught thereof.  
Also for Julip, either the plain Posset before mentioned (before the other ingredients be in it) or without the Wine, take sixty drops of Spirit of Sulphur; with it only you may turn three pints of Milk to a clear Whey, stirring it gently; sweeten it with syrup of Citron, or Oranges, or Woodsorrel, or a Syrup made of Sage-flowers, or Marigold, made by a strong infusion, in their own distilled Waters, or in borage, or Bawme-waters, the Marigolds for the Syrup being first bruised, with which this Whey may be sweetened: 'Twill be very pleasant and profitable drink for refreshment.  
Salt of Sage especially, or of Hartshorn, or Ivory, twenty grains of either of them in Broth, expel malignity wonderfully: and by such helps added to the usual Antidotes with proper Cordials and outward applications, God hath comforted me with the Lives of many, in appearance past hope; and I dare do no less now, than call upon the skilful, as the Disease is extraordinary, timely to reinforce the ordinary means of their practice to their uttermost capacity, to reach the head of the Malignity within the bound of discretion (though out of Old form) the neglect whereof will be as hazardous as the handsing these edgetools on the other hand ignorantly.  
Jellyes of Hartshorn and Ivory made in White-wine and borage, or Pippin-water, or the like, are needful often; and for Broths, Capon or Cock, rather than Chicken in this case, and with the help of Cordial and Aromatic Herbs also, (with coolers) as Marigolds plenteously, Sweet Majorum, Bawm, Time, Rosemary, with Woodsorrel; and in all Pimpernel, and the roots of Butter-but, which an eminent Doctor who outlived his Brethren and the sore long Plague in Ireland, thought he could not too often commend unto me upon his observations. Sheepshead-broath above all was in esteem there, (perhaps as more appropriate to the parts affected) though they had Chickens enough.  
The Rich in every draught may drink twenty grains of Pearl, and ten grains of Confectio de Hyacintho, from the first assault of their natural Spirits, besides their Sweat-drivers.  
And the Poor be refreshed aswel with a draught of French-Wine and Water, boiled with a blade of Mace, and an ounce of burnt Hartshorn, or clear Sack-Posset-drink, made with a quarter of a pint of Sack, and ten drops of Spirit of Sulphur to a pint of Milk.  
In their Broth also of Sheepshead (if they take my advice) a spoonful of Vinegar sometimes may do well, or four drops of the spirit of Sulphur, about which the extravagant boast of Mindererus in his 18th Book de Pestilentia, may (with my own long experience of it) excuse a sober commendation: Of which, and Spirit of Vitriol, he thus speaketh; There is no Putrefaction whose neck they break not, no Infection which they do not overcome; no pravity of Humours but they can conquer: Verily, to deal clearly, if I should be forbidden or hindered from the use of Vitriolated Medicaments, I should never come to cure the Plague, or always without my weapons.  
I have also long used, and commend this Tincture, having found much good thereby: Take Salts of Sage, Hartshorn, Ivory, Wormwood and Rosemary, equal parts of each; put them into a Glass, pour into them Spirit of Sulphur six ounces, Spirit of Vitriol two ounces; shake them often, and let them stand for use close waxed. Of this or the like (as you can get them) in dangerous obstructions, turn Posset-drinks as aforesaid, with eighty drops to two quarts of Milk. Of late, since the Contagion, Ladded to my Glass as much Cochineel as it will drink▪ and to the end that all my Spirits might not be sucked up, I added two parts of sage water: a good spoonful hereof readily turns three pints of Milk; but because the Curd steals away the best of the Cochinel, I order the Posset to be made first of white-Wine, and then mix the Tincture therewith. But these are my private Improvements of proper materials, which I mention for an example, to encourage a little beyond old Authors.   

In Swellings and Carbuncles.  
In ordinary Swellings the Doctors have directed many apt Poultices; I remember their Emollient with Mallows, etc. I used to make at the learned direction of the eldest of them, and other learned Physicians, twenty four years since, in my Apprenticeship, but always with Saffron, which perhaps is forgot: I am sure it would help Suppuration, and ripen speedily, and cherish the Rising. But they do well to refer much to Chirurgeons herein: And the Ancient had need to give the younger Chirurgeons good Instructions in Cases that have not come in their time. The Irish Chirurgeons (at last, in the failer of other Applications) used to launce a multitude every morning with good success; which I advised lately to some that do well, when certainly ripened; but lest they should be too quick or slow, requires their skill to judge, and conscientious care, as they are tender of Lives. But Mr. dixon's Soap-Poultice with Figgs, I hope may be effectual, and save them much labour; and I take leave to advantage it with an offer of Salt of Tobacco, where it may be had, in the room of Bay-Salt, and abundance may be made thereof quickly; by which, or only mixed with Emollients and Suppurators, I have sucked out incredible quantities of the thinner matter presently, and the very root, or last core, soon after, when it hath lain very deep in the flesh: But sometimes the Patient hath not been able to sleep for the anguish, in which case the Poultice, with Mallows, Lilly-roots, Figs, Lintseed, with Hogs-grease, or Palmoyl; may be laid by night, and the other again in the morning: or white Bread and Milk, with a Lilly-root and Oil only, with advantage, to give ease for necessary rest.  
The Patient must be sure to keep his Bed carefully till the Sore have run two days at least. I have known strong-men cast away by rising against advice, before the Swelling be perfect; and greatest care must be used in the coming out of Sweat, with a comfortable draught before; and before the dressing the Sore, especially if lanced, which may then best be tented with fine Sponge, to keep on the running, pressed in melilot and Basillicon, but not made too big, to put the Patient to pain when it swelleth; which a discreet Chirurgeon can easily avoid: But in meddling with such Wound, for feat of accidents, he must not be absent from the party too long, or give notice where he may certainly be found to give timely ease.  
If a Looseness happen in Spots, or whilst a Swelling is rising, or before it be discharged, let the party presently take two drachms of Diascordium, or Diascordium and Conserve of red Roses, of each one drachm, and Mithridate half a drachm; to which also may be added true Bowl, or Confect de Hyacintho, ten grains: Also in his Drink boil good store of burnt Hartshorn, and some Bolaustins.  
And if the Swelling be too sluggish, or by any accident threaten to retire, it might be worth the expert Chirurgeons consultation, whether the applying a Cupping-Glass to it without scarification, might not advantage a Cataplasm or Dyacilon cum Gummis thereon after, to certain effect.  
The party visited, may do well to have the Epispastick-Plaister always by him, to apply in divers parts before the Swelling begin to arise; else it's rational not to come too nigh it (if there be need of them at all) left the Blister detract from the Swelling, and cause it to fall. For example, If the Swelling arise in the Armpit, to lay no blistering application above the elbow; or if in the groin, not above the knees, etc.  
And if any inconveniency be sensibly found in the use of the Sharp-drink, so frequently as aforesaid, which will soon then, be felt, by the intolerable sharpness of the Urine or Siege, you may a●ay, or wholly suspend a day or two, and use Emulsions and softer Julips; sweetened also, with Conserve of Red-Roses, strained; in case of Cholerich looseness, applying still, suitable Sweat-drivers, alone or mixed, at discretion. To which end, I would advise all to have by them at the rate of every six in a Family, these quantities at least of these common things following, viz. Mithredate and London-Treacle, of each four ounces; Venice-Treacle and Diascordium, of each two ounces; Conserve of red Roses and Woodsorrel, of each four ounces; Spirit of Sulphur (set out of the way of children and liquorish ignorant ones, that they taste not of it) one ounce: the Plague-water of Mathias, or at least Treacle-water, half a pint; Syrup of Woodsorrel, as much: the Plasters to raise Blisters at first sickening, four ounces; and as much melilot to dress them.  
By which plain and cheapest things, they may have something material at hand for sick and well to preserve, till they can apply to their Physician, for want of which it hath gone ill with some shut-up suddenly.  
But I desire none to follow any Direction of mine, that do not first consider humbly the causes of Visitation, and above all, apply the Blood of Sprinkling, and all other helps, as purchased thereby; and beware lest they render their Cure impossible through impenitency: Likewise if they first endeavour to set their house and heart in order, they might more sweetly rest, and make the Cure the more easy in their sickness.   

For Prevention.  
A multitude of Antidotes are fairly set down by the Physicians, but in all (though but that common one of Conserve of Woodsorrel and Mithridate, or Venice-treacle; yea in ordinary morning's draughts) I commend the use of true Spirit of Sulphur. Yet because the Pill Rufus hath so good report by the College, and is especially again commended by Dr. Middlethwite's print for weekly use, with reverence to them, who may (perhaps) use it themselves, and for the weak stomach sake of such as cannot well digest dirt, and then wonder what ail them; I desire it may be washed in Spirit of Wine, by the art of their Apothecaries, who know there is cause through the shameful adulteration of the chief materials thereof.  
Take then Myrrh six ounces, Aloes half a pound, Mastic four ounces, Saffron two ounces; infuse them apart in Boultheads in Spirit of Wine close stopped in Balne●, till the Wine be tinctured of a deep colour, then pour the tinctured-Spirits from the ingredients, and add more Spirits to the feces until it will yield no more tincture; then filture all the Tinctures through a brown paper, put it then into a glass body with head and cooler on it, and so distil off the Spirits gently; and when a Film cometh on it, take off the head, and stir it to a due consistence.  
Now this Pill in Surfeits is excellent, and where there is needof Purging, safe; in violent suspicion of Malignity, having in addition to the three Ingreedients of Rufus, the cordial friend of Spirit of Wine, and Mastic, to bridle it; and eminently in that, there is so little lucid Aloes of the four sorts that is vended by the Druggist, and so much earth and dirt (to the disadvantage of Pills) both in it and ordinary Myrrh, hereby separated from it, the terrene and spurious corruption removed, being as much almost in bulk as all was at first, though spiritless and good for nothing but its centre the Earth, which should not therefore encumber any corner of a wise-man's stomach.  
Besides, this child is not only as nobly descended, but of age to speak for itself sufficiently, and hath done good service to many hundred surfeited, crude and phlegmatic stomaches more certainly.  
Two or three Pills at night going to bed, and a draught of warm Broth in the morning before you go abroad, will make you in love therewith, and you will find the difference, if you still should be minded to try both for experiment.  
A Pill for a Child suspected to have the Worms, or to have been surfeited with Fruit, or that hath a crude phlegmatic stomach, is very excellent, in Syrup of Violets at night going to bed; and what Pill can be better for old people on young, who are weak, consumptive, sickly, and obstructed? but I publish it now rather, for fear of grosser and dul●●● Purging at such a time (of surfeiting, etc.) by the very materials thereof, and hope young Physicians will beware of any violent Purge in symptoms of Pestilence, by which some have been lately purged away by them unawares, and others hardly recovered: but this can scarce have an evil effect; for though it work not, it will leave nothing behind; yea, they will find good, that may never feel any motion thereof.  
For such as cannot take any thing more medicinal, a little Conserve of Roman-Wormwood, or of Woodsorrel alone, in a morning; or to have two ounces of Juniper-berries, and a little Sage in each Kinderkin of Beer, is profitable. The English in Ireland found much benefit by the moderate use of Angelica and Wormwood-Waters after meals, and with a Toast in a spoonful in the morning: those, and Juniper-water so taken, maybe profitable to cold stomaches, especially in Winter; or Coffee, received with thanksgiving (as I fear it too seldom is) is exceeding wholesome for moist constitutions, though the tippling, tattling, waste-time, and wantonway therein, is a high provocation to wrath from God, a stage of wrong to men, whereby also Professors shamefully neglect their Families and their own poor Souls to mourn at the last, as Prov. 5. 11, 12, 13.  
French-Wines, especially advantaged with Marigolds, Clove-gilliflowers, Juniper-berries, Sage-flowers, Bawm, Rosemary-flowers, Spanish-Angelica-roots, roots of Sinkfoyl, or of Burnet, Zedoary, Orris, tops of Wormwood, or the like (as the party may affect, and is able to attain) may be very useful, with moderation, at meals, etc. the cask or bottle being first smoked well with Sulphur, and Vinegers of Elder-flowers, Juniper-berries, Marigolds, Clove-gilli-flowers, Sage-flowers, Cowslip, Taragon, Mint, Barberries, tender shoots from the Orange-seeds, etc. to take in Broth; or with Meat, with their substances, except the Juniper-berries, which being put into the Vinegar whole, may be taken out, and new ones put in, to carry about and ear, as the Doctors direct.  
Issues for corpulent and rheumatic persons, men, women and children, were never more necessary, and were used much to good advantage by the English in the Irish Infection, fo● want of which many suffer more than an aching-head.   

of SMELLS.  
Of Smells those are certainly best, that being taken inwardly, are proper for the heart and head (the chief Seat of the malignity) and suppress vapours too; the chief are these: Chemical Oils of Rhue, Wormwood, Hartshorn, Amber, Thime or Origany, Rosemary, Chamomile, Castor, Juniper-berries, the stinking Oil of Sulphur, Castor & Camphir, etc. and that of Tar is a toy now in fashion; but sweet-scented Pomanders were exploded of the learned Physicians long since, as a costly mischief, many ways inconvenient; Nor can any of the former in an Ivory-box more mischieve the brain by heat, (as Pomander-men prate) yet the use of any are best avoided, except for the present passando by Annoyance; because by much use they open the pores, and fit the more (as they that come out of clear air to stinking and thick) to receive in ill scents, longer than they hold the other to their nose. And of all fumes (if I may not countenance the idle use thereof) I might affirm and demonstrate Tobacco to be the best; because it doth not vanish away quickly, but possesseth and keepeth the place, out of which it driveth other anoyances: wherefore Gunpowder, more quickly vanishing through its nitral part, after long use of it in Ireland, was left, and Tobacco stood in lasting esteem; as also Brimstone by itself, which will abide, whereas the Saltpeter-puff is gone in an instant, and makes the Air so thin, as way is sooner made thereby also for Infection, if you stir abroad: whereas experience shows that Tobacco, where it is smoked much, will furnish a Room for continuance, and they that take it will stink of it long.  
I will now end this Subject, with a word of advice to remove a very noisome cause of Infection, viz. the multitude of dead Dogs and Cats, that float on the River, and lie on the Shoar, as Wind and Tide serveth, one of which is more infectious than as hundred alive; which some already have sadly experienced, and it's feared more will daily, unless timely removed.   
FINIS.