Consider this particular, when apply'd to all the buildings in this immense city: and wonder and adore, that almighty providence, which overlook'd us, and prescrib'd the limits; so narrow, so precise; which sav'd us from universal havoc! II. Did we escape; how much happier are we, than the millions that have perished by the like calamity? _Josephus_ the famous _Jewish_ historian records, that about 29 years before our Saviour's birth, there happened such an earthquake in the country of _Judea_, that 30,000 men perished. In the fifth year of the reign of _Tiberius_, so dreadful an earthquake happened in _Asia minor_, that no less than 13 cities were destroy'd in one night; many of them great, and Royal: _Sardis_ in particular, said to be second to _Babylon_. In _A. D._ 66. Another earthquake happen'd there, which destroy'd _Laodicea_, _Hierapolis_, and _Colossus_. _A. D._ 79. Three cities in _Cyprus_ were overthrown. _A. D._ 114. The city of _Antioch_ suffered extremely; whilst the emperor _Trajan_ was in it. And in the 7th year of that emperor, nine several cities were destroy'd in _Asia_, _Greece_, and _Calabria_. To come nearer home, and our own times: In 1169, _Catania_ in _Sicily_ was destroyed, and 15,000 people killed. 1692, The whole city destroy'd and 18000 Inhabitants. 1456, At _Naples_ 40,000 perished by an earthquake. 1531, In the city of _Lisbon_, 1400 houses were overthrown there, besides many damaged. We know the miserable and deplorable catastrophe of _Port-Royal_, in _Jamaica_; which fell out in our own days. My blood shudders at the relation of it. And not many months ago, the populous _Lima_ in _America_, was wholly swallowed up. Have we not reason then to fear, for ourselves? 'Tis true, we have hitherto escaped. But can we tell how soon God shall let loose the avenging power of another; which may come, for ought we know, while we are speaking of it. And if it must come, happy may it be for us, that it finds us in this place, and so doing. III. And this brings us, to consider the uses of these admonitions; and to show, that they are the effects of the divine anger. _For the earth shook and trembled_, says the holy psalmist, _the foundation of the hills moved and were shaken; because he was wroth_. And here we cannot possibly have a stronger and more convincing evidence, of these convulsions of nature, being the immediate finger of God, than this single consideration. Let us but reflect on what has been said, in short; that these visitations only happen to great and populous cities, to great and eminent ports, and maritime _emporiums_ flourishing in trade, riches, and luxury.