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HOw long was this goodly Cathedral in buil∣ding? How leasurely did it proceed? Insomuch that it became a Proverb, when men did any thing slowly, That they made Pauls-work of it: But so did not the fire, when it came to destroy it, but
consumed it presently, as if it had been but Jonas his gourd, which sprang up in a night. Dying Persons are oft-times very restless, they shift from one side of their beds to the other, and talk much of removing to other places. So, have I obser∣ved, this noble Structure, not long before its fatal period, to have shifted often. First it was a Church, then a Stable (as some were pleased to make it) within these few years (but the argument was far fetcht, if, they think, that because Christ him∣self did sometimes lie in a Stable and in a Man∣ger, that therefore, one and the same place might well serve, both for brutish and for sacred uses) Otherwhile (if not at the very same time) it was made a Court of Guard (without any intention, as I believe, to make it an Emblem of the Church Militant, or to exhibit any other religious myste∣ry.) And then of late, it wheel'd about again to its Primitive use, to be a place appropriated to Divine Worship. Few expected it would con∣tinue long a Stable, or a Court of Guard (for great alienations, like strong sticks that are much bent, do quickly start back again) but, when it became once more a Church, they that consider∣ed it had stood above five hundred years, from its first Erection (yea, and Conflagration) which lat∣ter was in 1087. after which it was soon built again, and did observe it to bear its years well, (as if it were at most but of a middle age) saw no cause to doubt, but it might last as much lon∣ger. But alas! How were they deceived? and How was its destruction at the very door! Sure∣ly Papists are deceived, in thinking Crucifixes to carry a safeguard and protection with them, con∣sidering, that this Cathedral was built in the fi∣gure
of a Cross, and yet, when Fire did appreach, had no relief by it. It had been a comfortable sight, to have beheld the first erection of that stately Church, considering the Scituation and Dedication of it, that whereas before, in the same place, stood a Temple Dedicated to Diama (and as is supposed, a Wood and Grove about it, devo∣ted to her use) there was then another in the room of it; the name whereof might speak the place alienated from heathenism to Christianity, from the service of a false goddesse, to the ser∣vice of the true God, and of his Son Jesus Christ. Twice hath that famous Structure been fired be∣fore (at leastwise part of it) both times by light∣ning, and thereunto exposed by the transcendent height of its Steeple. One of those times it burnt a great part of the City of London (if I mistake not;) and now, the City, by a kind of unintended retaliation hath helpt to burn it. Great pity it is to see so noble a building in the dust, and yet it is likely some will but little pity it, if not rejoyce in the ruins of it (especially its disaffected neighbours, whose houses that had wont to lean to the sides of it (like Vines climbing up∣on a wall) had at leastwise received sentence to be pulled down.) But should not men regard the honor of their Nation, whatsoever became of private interests?
One strange and remarkable passage that did re∣late to this Cathedral, I cannot but reflect upon, viz. The unheard of continuance of a certain dead Bo∣dy, viz. the Body of one Dr. B••aybro••k, some∣times Bishop of London, and Lord Chancellor of England, which was there interred above two hun∣dred years ago, and, as several that have seen it do
inform, was taken up since this fire, and found to retain much of it's manly shape, and most of it's external parts, to the amazement of such as beheld it, and did withall believe it to be indeed the Bo∣dy of the said Bishop. I shall not dispute, whether the dignity of his Person, as he was sometimes a Bishop, or as he was sometimes Lord Chancellor, or as he was both at once, were that which did con∣sign over his Body to so long an incorruption, (as if Corruption and Worms had been afraid to claim kindred of him, as of others): but, I think, rather than either, that this came to passe to shew the power of God, as to preserving Bodies from Corruption in the Grave, as well as those of the three Children, from being consumed in the fiery Furnace; and that of Daniel, from being devoured by the Lions, when he was in their Den.
But whilst this passage ministreth great wonder to all that see and hear of it, What is himself the better for it? For, had his Body been eaten by Cannibals, those Cannibals by Fishes, those Fishes afterwards by Men, those Men by Worms, yet, should it have been brought forth as perfect, at the Resurrection of the Dead, as now it is; yea, as it was then, when it was first committed to the Grave.
Now, as for re-building of that Cathedral, when I consider, how many Sons that Mother hath had, who in all Ages have been as kind and boun∣tiful to her, as could be desired; I doubt not, but the same principles and affections which led them to it in her prosperity, will prevail with them to be the same, now she lieth in the dust; commise∣ration towards her, and consideration of the ho∣nour of England, stepping in as further incentives
thereunto. May England (if the will of God be so) enjoy so much peace and plenty, and all the living Temples of God be so well provided for, that none may grudge that cost and charge, which is necessary to re-building Churches; not onely such, and so many, as may serve for indispensa∣ble use, but neither that also, which may rear up others, not only for use, but such as may be also, an outward honour and ornament both to the Church and Nation.