The church and the bubonic plague in later Stuart England

As we saw last month, the church has not always responded to epidemics or pandemics well.

But one sterling occasion when she did was during the outbreak of the bubonic plague in southern England in 1665.

The impact of the plague

There were outbreaks of the bubonic plague in England a number of times during the 17th century: in 1603, 1625, 1636 and 1665, with at least 30,000 dying of the plague in London alone in 1603, and 35,000 in 1625, 10,000 in 1636 and 68,596 recorded deaths in 1665. By 1665 the city population of London had reached almost half a million and this means at least one-seventh died of the plague in 1665. The eminent Puritan author Richard Baxter reckoned in his autobiography that the number of dead was closer to 100,000 people, which would be about a fifth of London’s population. Richard Baxter noted, ‘It is scarce possible for people that live in a time of health and security, to apprehend the dreadfulness of that pestilence! … O how sinfully unthankful are we for our quiet societies, habitations and health!’

Baxter also noted that: ‘The richer sort removing out of the City, the greatest blow fell on the poor.’ This would be one negative effect that persisted into the 18th century when even though the plague was no longer present, thinking about the plague was still having a big effect on the English psychologically. And it was the poor who were regarded as the potential source of another outbreak: their very bodies were regarded as being prone to generating and spreading contagious disease.

Preaching the gospel

Baxter noted that ‘one great benefit the plague brought to the city’ was that nonconformist ministers who had been forbidden to preach since 1662 (due to the repressive government of Charles II), stayed in the city when most of the Anglican ministers fled the capital. Though forbidden to preach, these nonconformist ministers began to proclaim the gospel to all who would listen – and the churches were crowded. Before this they had been preaching in rented rooms – ‘secret narrow meetings’, Baxter calls them. But the plague, Baxter went on, ‘brought them … into public.’

Precious words of James Janeway

Among the ministers whom Baxter mentions being active in preaching during this time was a young man by the name of James Janeway (1636‒1674), whose sermons during this period were published after the plague as Heaven Upon Earth; or The Best Friend in the Worst Times (London, 1667). Among his emphases in these sermons was that men and women need to find succour in God as the friend of his people. In his words:

‘Another glorious effect of acquaintance with God, is, that it makes a man like God, which is the top of the creature’s honour. Company is of an assimilating nature. He that before was unholy, and like the Devil; by conversion to God, and converse with Him is made holy like God. …O how doth such a one shine! What a majesty, glory, and beauty is there in his face! … A full and perfect conformity and likeness to God is the very glory of glory… O why stand you then so far off from God! Come nearer Him, and the rays of his glorious Image will reflect from your lives; Be acquainted with Him, and you shall be like Him; keep much in His company by faith, secret prayer, and meditation, and you will be more holy, divine, spiritual.’

And that is still precious, and sweet, advice in our trying times!