God's Terrible Voice in the City

by Thomas Vincent

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1811. Not illustrated. ... but it is ever to be lamented, that the magnifi-, cent, elegant, and useful, plan of the great Sir Christopher Wren, for re-building it, was totally disregarded, and sacrificed to the selfish views of private property. London, however, arose from its ashes with new the streets were no longer narrow and inconvenient, the houses were no longer suffered to be built of wood, and the phigue which till then had paid it frequent visits, left not a pestilential symptom in the city; evincing the truth of that common though just remark in the history of human affairs, that those incidents which are regarded as the heaviest misfortunes in their event, prove favourable and necessary circumstances to future happir ness. Till 1630, little deserving historical notice occurred ; but the City, impatient at the slowness of the court in the popish plot, remonstrated strongly to the king, which so highly offended him, that he declared their priviliges forfeited, and their charter at his disposal. On the accession of James II. he singled out one of the aldermen as a sacrifice to Popery, but on the intention of the Prince of Orange to grant the nation assistance against the introduction of Popery, being known, the Icing displayed his cowardice. Prompted by fear, he sent for the lord mayor and aldermen, and promised to restore their charter in its full extent, which he accordingly did on the 6th of October, 1688. As the citizens had contributed very much to therevolution, they had little difficulty in getting a. full confirmation of their rights and priviliges* i'om William and Mary. With the exception of the act for building fifty new churches, nothing of import occurred in Anne's reign. The year 1720 was remarkable for tha most extraordinary bubble ever heard of in ...

Genres: Theology

236 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2001

Reviews

[angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 -> Interesting but very repetitive by 170 pages in. Lads, just make sure you aren't sinful or we're all gonna die of plague and fire again alright ye? x

[Ashley Davidson-Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is quite interesting, but when reading it, the reader must always stay focused on the time period that this book was written in. Given the author lived during the 1600's, and religion was the center of life for most people, the entire book is based on the author's stern belief that the plague of London and the subsequent fire, both of which devastated London in human lives lost and buildings, homes, stores. etc., was the result of God causing them to happen because man had turned away from Him. The author's all encompassing belief that no matter what happens, either good or bad, is because God designed it that way to either reward good and devout people, or to punish sinners who had turned away from Him. The entire book is basically a hell and brimstone or come to Jesus or else moment.

Though in today's world, few people would believe that God ordered the London plague and fire, you still understand that this man truly, truly believed that and he wanted everyone to understand the magnitude of what was happening. He wanted the plague and fire to stop and was worried about what would be next if people did not turn their hearts and minds back to God. I felt his sense of helplessness, his sense of morality, his sense of fear, his sense of hopelessness because these two horrific events happened in such quick succession and he wasn't able to believe that it just happened, just because really bad things happen sometimes.

If you are not a religious person at all, you will probably have a difficult time getting through this book. If you can look at it purely from a historical standpoint and understand that religion dominated everything in 1600's and you are reading it because you love history and historical books, then you will probably be fine. However, be forewarned. It is overwhelmingly biased.

The real downside of the book is the print quality. It was reprinted by Forgotten Books and the quality is quiet bad in many places, so much so that at times I could not make out the words or even whole sentences. The book cover and pages are in great condition, though.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book, especially for these times.
This was written by the Puritan Thomas Vincent in the aftermath of the 1665 Great Plague and 1666 Fire of London. He explains God's providence, proclaiming it is God's judgment on London.
He provides the various sins and also the responses that God requires.
This would definitely not be politically correct, but truth of God's word is not politically correct.
This book is immensely practical and filled with Bible passages/references.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is about walking closer to God in holiness.

[Michael Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really helpful book for 2020 dealing with Covid-19.