From reviewing the now poverty-striken people 'in this calamitous condition I return'd with a sad heart to my house, blessing and adoring the distinguishing mercy of God to me and mine, who in the midst of all this ruine was like Lot, in my little Zoar, safe and sound.' The plague and the fire were held to be the visitation of God's anger, and Evelyn evidently thought the heavy punishment richly merited.

'Oct.
10th.

This day was order'd a generall fast thro' the Nation, to humble us on ye late dreadfull conflagration, added to the plague and warr, the most dismall judgments that could be inflicted, but whiche indeed we highly deserv'd for our prodigious ingratitude, burning lusts, dissolute Court, profane and abominable lives, under such dispensations of God's continu'd favour in restoring Church, Prince, and People from our late intestine calamities, of which we were altogether unmindfull, even to astonishment.' Like Wren and Hooke, Evelyn submitted a scheme for the rebuilding of London upon an improved plan, but the new city was formed mainly upon the old lines.
Meanwhile the Dutch fleet was lying off the mouth of the Thames.

Though England then happily produced all the food she required, yet the city became 'exceedingly distress'd for want of fuell' because of the traffic up and down the estuary being interrupted.

Hence Evelyn was appointed one of a Committee to search the environs of London and find if any peat or turf were fit for use.