A help for the poor who are visited with the plague: to be communicated to them by the rich or, by any pious Christian, whose bowels of compassion are moved towards them, in the apprehension of their comfortless condition, and the great danger of their dying in their sins. Consisting of two parts. The first, shewing them their duty and concernment in this condition. The second, exhibiting certain forms of meditation, prayer and praise, suited to the beginning, continuance and issue of their visitation. Both composed out of compassion to the poor, who in this contagious sickness want the benefit of a spiritual physician (a wise and able minister to instruct them, and pray with them:) and designed to be a help and means to save their souls: ... By Thomas Willes, late minister of Shadwell.

The Second Duty.

LOok down upon your selves, and be deeply sensi∣ble of your sins. 'Tis sin that provokes God, and so procured all the evils that the Sons of men do undergo. Sicknesse is a scourge in the Hand of God, wherewith he chastises the Sons of men for their sins. David therefore in his sufferings, was very sensible of his sins. And therefore he thus addresses his supplication to God; Look upon mine affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Now the Plague is a special judgment

which God reserves (as it were) in his own hand, for the severer punishment of some more grievous and provoking sins. 'Tis Gods Visita∣tion, when he is provoked to wrath by mens sins; And have not you, think you, contribu∣ted to the measure of those sins, whereby the wrath of Almighty God hath been provoked, which is now poured out in this sore judgement of the Plague, upon the chief City of the Land? On then, labour to be sensible of, and deeply af∣fected with your sins, whereby you have provoked God to anger.

There are some special sins, for the punish∣ment whereof, God hath either inflicted or threat∣ned this very particular judgment of the Plague and Pestilence. And it much concerns you, both to search Gods Book, and to examine your selves, lest you should be found guilty of any of those sins; Some of them are these that fol∣low.

1. Neglect of the Worship and Service of God: especially when conjoyned with contempt of his Command, Exod. 5.3. Zach. 14.17, 18.

2. Obstinacy in disobedience. Obssinate refusal to hearken to, and to obey the Voice of God by his Ministers, Exod. 9.13, 14, 15. Deut. 28.15, 21. Jer. 14.10, 11, 12. and 21.5, 6. and 29.15, to 19. and 42.13, 17, 19, to the end; and 44.13, 15, 16, 17.

3. Incorrigibleness under former judgments; When men will not be reclaim'd by lesser judge∣ments, God sends greater. When men will not regard the frowns of Gods displeasure, they may

expect the strokes of his fury. The destroying Plague comes in the Reer of fore-running Punish∣ments, Lev. 26.21, to 25. Amos 4.6, to 10.

4. Prophanation of Gods Holy Ordinances; Particularly of the Sacrament of the Lords Sup∣per, 2 Chron. 21.12. to 15. 1 Cor. 11.20, 21, 30.

5. Ʋnbelief, distrust, and murmurring against Gods Providences, when he doth not afford us the visible means of that plenty and safety, sufficiency and security we desi••e, Numb. 14.11, 12, 26, 27, &c. 37. and 11.4, 5, 6, 33.

6. Murmurring against men, Magistrates, and Ministers, because of the evils inflicted by God, the just punishments of presumptuous and rebelli∣ous sinners, Numb. 16.41, 49.

7. Open and horrible uncleanness and whordom, Numb. 25.1, to 4, 9. with Josh. 22.17.

No wonder though God send the Plague for the punishment of a people among whom these Seven Abominations may be found, when it hath been inflicted, or is threamed for any one of them. And much more may it be expected, when God is continually provoked to this se∣vere Visitation, by mens Licentiousnesse, in all manner of evils and impieties. When all sorts of sins do abound amongst all sorts of men. See Ezek. 33.24, to 27. Heb. 2. throughout, and 3.1, to 5.

Now deal seriously with thy own soul, whoso∣ever thou art that readest these lines, and setting thy self, as in the presence of the All-seeing God, the Judge of the whole world. Consider,

Art thou not guilty of some or more of the fore∣mentioned sins? Hast thou not by thy personal Transgressions added to the Provocations of the people of the Land? And is it not meet that the most Holy and Righteous God should visit for these things? Is it not wonderful he hath not long before now cut off many thousands in his wrath? Hast thou not cause to admire his wonderful pati∣ence in sparing thee so long, and to adore his Ju∣stice in this his Visitation? Oh cast thy self down at the feet of an offended Majesty, and in a deep sense of thy sins, and provocations, cry out, I have sinned, I have sinned; Oh what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men?

Notes

• Psal. 25.18.
• Job 7.20.