The week wherein this most dreadful
distemper was first discovered, it carried
off nine persons, whereby the citizens
were so greatly alarmed, that an universal
dread diffused itself amongst people of all
ranks: but the week after, the number,
according to the bill of mortality, being
reduced to three, the fears of the citizens
were greatly alleviated.  The next week,
however, the number increasing to four-
teen, and progressively to forty-three, the
people were struck with consternation, and
many of then had thoughts of leaving the
city: but in the month of June, the number
having gradually increased to 470 a week,
the nobility, gentry, and principal citizens
fled for safety, all being instantly in an
amazing hurry, and the city emptying it-
self into the country, the streets and roads
were excessively crouded with carriages
and passengers.  In July the bill increasing
to 2010, all houses were shut up, the
streets deserted, and scarce any thing to be
seen therein but grass growing, innumer-
able fires made to purify the air, coffins,
pest-carts, red crosses upon doors, with the
inscription of Lord, have mercy upon us!
and poor women in tears, with dismal as-
pects, and woeful lamentations, carrying

Under these deplorable circumstances,
the citizens, when in the greatest want of
spiritual guides, were forsaken by their pa-
rochial Ministers, when those who had
been just before ejected from the pulpits,
considering their indispensible duty in this
dreadful visitation, were induced, though
contrary to law, to supply their place; up-
on which the people, laying aside the
distinction of churchmen and dissenters,
joyfully resorted to church, where the
concourse was so exceeding great, that
these non-conformist Ministers were fre-
quently obliged to clamber over the pews
to get to the pulpit; and if ever preaching
had a better effect than ordinary, it was
at this time, when the people listened
with the utmost eagerness, and attended