London's dreadful visitation, or, A collection of all the bills of mortality for this present year : beginning the 27th of December 1664, and ending the 19th of December following, as also, the general or whole years bill / according to the report made to the King's most excellent Majesty, by the Company of Parish-Clerks of London, &c.

Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks

Date:: [between 1800 and 1899?]

Credit: London's dreadful visitation, or, A collection of all the bills of mortality for this present year : beginning the 27th of December 1664, and ending the 19th of December following, as also, the general or whole years bill / according to the report made to the King's most excellent Majesty, by the Company of Parish-Clerks of London, &c. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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TO THE READER. In the year 1625, the stroke of the Lords hand was heavy upon this City and Suburbs, which year was ever since called The Great Plague : Now though thou hast seen probably several Printed General Reports, given in by the Parish Clerks in that year; yet I am not able to recover all the particular Weekly Bills thereof; the sight of them hath been much desired these times; but it is beyond my power, as yet, to answer mens expectations. That Posterity may not any more be at such a loss, I resolved to communicate unto the Nation, these subsequent leaves: In all humility beseeching the Omnipotent, to conferr upon us, such an uniforme and cordial Bepentance, that every one of us may search out the Plague of his own Heart and Brain, and Purge our selves, by His gratious assistance, from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit; that so He may in the riches of His tender Compassion, return in favour to this sinful City, and restore Health to our Habitations: That neither the Physitians of our Souls or Bodies, may hereafter in such great numbers forsake us; and that neither my self, or any other of my Profession, may have occasion, for the future, to Print such Dreadful lines.

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