Thomas Vincent

Thomas Vincent (1634–1678) was an English Puritan minister and author. He was the second son of John Vincent and elder brother of Nathaniel Vincent (both also prominent ministers), and was born at Hertford in May 1634. After passing through Westminster School, and Felsted grammar school in Essex, he entered as a student at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1648. During 1665, the year of the Great Plague of London, he preached constantly in parish churches.

And if Monday night was dreadful, Tuesday night was more dreadful, when far the greatest part of the city was consumed: many thousands who on Saturday had houses convenient in the city, both for themselves, and to entertain others, now have not where to lay their head; and the fields are the only receptacle which they can find for themselves and their goods; most of the late inhabitants of London lie all night in the open air, with no other canopy over them but that of the heavens. DPP