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unhappy condition of those that would be left in it。
This hurry of the people was such for some weeks that there was no
getting at the Lord Mayor's door without exceeding difficulty； there
were such pressing and crowding there to get passes and certificates
of health for such as travelled abroad； for without these there was no
being admitted to pass through the towns upon the road； or to lodge in
any inn。 Now； as there had none died in the city for all this time； my
Lord Mayor gave certificates of health without any difficulty to all
those who lived in the ninety…seven parishes； and to those within the
liberties too for a while。
This hurry； I say； continued some weeks； that is to say； all the month
of May and June； and the more because it was rumoured that an order
of the Government was to be issued out to place turnpikes and barriers
on the road to prevent people travelling； and that the towns on the
road would not suffer people from London to pass for fear of bringing
the infection along with them； though neither of these rumours had
any foundation but in the imagination； especially at…first。
I now began to consider seriously with myself concerning my own
case； and how I should dispose of myself； that is to say； whether I
should resolve to stay in London or shut up my house and flee； as
many of my neighbours did。 I have set this particular down so fully；
because I know not but it may be of moment to those who come after
me； if they come to be brought to the same distress； and to the same
manner of making their choice； and therefore I desire this account
may pass with them rather for a direction to themselves to act by than
a history of my actings； seeing it may not he of one farthing value to
them to note what became of me。
I had two important things before me： the one was the carrying on
my business and shop； which was considerable； and in which was
embarked all my effects in the world； and the other was the
preservation of my life in so dismal a calamity as I saw apparently
was coming upon the whole city； and which； however great it was； my
fears perhaps； as well as other people's； represented to be much
greater than it could be。
The first consideration was of great moment to me； my trade was a
saddler； and as my dealings were chiefly not by a shop or chance
trade； but among the merchants trading to the English colonies in
America； so my effects lay very much in the hands of such。 I was a
single man； 'tis true； but I had a family of servants whom I kept at my
business； had a house； shop； and warehouses filled with goods； and； in
short； to leave them all as things in such a case must be left （that is to
say； without any overseer or person fit to be trusted with them）； had
been to hazard the loss not only of my trade； but of my goods； and
indeed of all I had in the world。
I had an elder brother at the same time in London； and not many
years before come over from Portugal： and advising with him； his
answer was in three words； the same that was given in another case
quite different； viz。； 'Master； save thyself。' In a word； he was for my
retiring into the country； as he resolved to do himself with his family；
telling me what he had； it seems； heard abroad； that the best
preparation for the plague was to run away from it。 As to my
argument of losing my trade； my goods； or debts； he quite confuted
me。 He told me the same thing which I argued for my staying； viz。；
that I would trust God with my safety and health； was the strongest
repulse to my pretensions of losing my trade and my goods； 'for'； says
he； 'is it not as reasonable that you should trust God with the chance or
risk of losing your trade； as that you should stay in so eminent a point
of danger； and trust Him with your life？'
I could not argue that I was in any strait as to a place where to go；
having several friends and relations in Northamptonshire； whence our
family first came from； and particularly； I had an only sister in
Lincolnshire； very willing to receive and entertain me。
My brother； who had already sent his wife and two children into
Bedfordshire； and resolved to follow them； pressed my going very
earnestly； and I had once resolved to comply with his desires； but at
that time could get no horse； for though it is true all the people did not
go out of the city of London； yet I may venture to say that in a manner
all the horses did； for there was hardly a horse to be bought or hired in
the whole city for some weeks。 Once I resolved to travel on foot with
one servant； and； as many did； lie at no inn； but carry a soldier's tent
with us； and so lie in the fields； the weather being very warm； and no
danger from taking cold。 I say； as many did； because several did so at
last； especially those who had been in the armies in the war which had
not been many years past； and I must needs say that； speaking of
second causes； had most of the people that travelled done so； the plague
had not been carried into so many country towns and houses as it was；
to the great damage； and indeed to the ruin； of abundance of people。
But then my servant； whom I had intended to take down with me；
deceived me； and being frighted at the increase of the distemper； and
not knowing when I should go； he took other measures； and left me；
so I was put off for that time； and； one way or other； I always found
that to appoint to go away was always crossed by some accident or
other； so as to disappoint and put it off again； and this brings in
a story which otherwise might be thought a needless digression； viz。；
about these disappointments being from Heaven。
I mention this story also as the best method I can advise any person
to take in such a case； especially if he be one that makes conscience of
his duty； and would be directed what to do in it； namely； that he
should keep his eye upon the particular providences which occur at
that time； and look upon them complexly； as they regard one another；
and as all together regard the question before him： and then； I think；
he may safely take them for intimations from Heaven of what is his
unquestioned duty to do in such a case； I mean as to going away from
or staying in the place where we dwell； when visited with an
infectious distemper。
It came very warmly into my mind one morning； as I was musing on
this particular thing； that as nothing attended us without the direction
or permission of Divine Power； so these disappointments must have
something in them extraordinary； and I ought to consider whether it
did not evidently point out； or intimate to me； that it was the will of
Heaven I should not go。 It immediately followed in my thoughts； that
if it really was from God that I should stay； He was able effectually to
preserve me in the midst of all the death and danger that would
surround me； and that if I attempted to secure myself by fleeing from
my habitation； and acted contrary to these intimations； which