THrée thinges there are, which in this Ile, within the space of 40. daies haue very extraordinarily, and wonderful­ly succéeded, that deserue likewise more then ordinary remembrance. Of the first, withal others that had an vse of their eye sight, I was for many nights togither an ey-witnesse, but not without great won­derment. Of the second, I was onely an ear-witnesse, and that with great thankfulnesse. Of the last, I was both an eare, & an eye-witnesse with great astonishment, séeing, and hearing the terrible lightning, and thunder, and an admirable effect of them both.

The two first, I will not handle so amply, because many others according to their places, and giftes, did with more deepe contemplation waigh the accidents themselues, and with consideration can more effectually remember, and de­liuer them to the glory of God, and the praise of his great power, and mercy.

Of the latter I will (God willing) bée more large, my place, and profession requiring thereof in this kinde a more ample testimony, then of any others present, from the bée­ginning of the accident, and action, to the end thereof.

The first therefore worthy of admiration, and so of com­memoration, was the streaming, flaming, & burning of the heauens for many nights togither, both before, at, and af­ter the time that that horroble, inhumane, and more then butcherly treason, (the like whereof was neuer heard of a­mong infidels) should haue béene executed, to the exting­uishing [Page]of the light, and taking away of the life of the whole state. The heauens as it were taking a bloudy, and firy impression, and blushing as it were at those most bloudy attemptes of cursed Caitifes, and of those furious flames which they most treacherously, were kindling, to the vtter ruinating of their deare coūtry and common wealth. Which great worke of God, although all did, or might behold, and see with wonderment, yet who could or did know the ende thereof, vntill in the ende the Lord himselfe made it knowne, and open to the view of all men? And now hauing opened it to all who is so blind, (asF I [...]s [...]phus in lib. de I [...]ae [...]. bel. 7. cap. 12. he saith, on the tokens that procéeded the taking, and ouerture of Ierusalem) neither hauing eies, nor soule, as not to see, that God hath a singular care of mankind, and doth euery where foreshew betime, what is most expedient for them? especially what care the Lord hath of Kings, and kingdomes, and of their regalty, and royalty? That the heauens doe euen take notice, openly foreshewe, and pub­likely bewray, the horrible treacheries, and conspiracies that shalbe in earth, and as it were vnder the earth in se­cret, desperately complotted, and contriued for the ouer­throwe, and ruine of their high estate, and soueraignety, whereon dependeth, as the life of the body on the head, the wealth, and happinesse of the whole common­wealth.

That he that seateth, and vnseateth Kings at his plea­sure, should so watch ouer their persons, and places, and watch them, that shall seeke by most vndutifull indignities to wrong their persons, and places, that where the earth cannot, the heauens shall hold out a light, and euen bring to light, those cursed complots, that are in obscurity most deuilishly hudled vp, against the Crowne and digni­ty of the Lords annointed.

Is it admirable in the eies of al men almighty God should so wōderfully tender y^e good of humane societies, especially of their heads, and gouernours, that the heauens, ouer­spreding [Page]the earth, should returne such a reflection of the actions done therein, as not to suffer vnreuealed, but pub­likely by flaming lights therein, to giue a light, to the search, and finding out of that, to their singular benefit, whereof otherwise to their Imminent danger, they are vt­terly ignorant, is this (I say) admirable in the eyes of all, & ought not euery one, and shall not all, both King and sub­iect, Prince, and people, head, and heart, make a holy, and happy vse of almighty God [...] this so wonderfull, and vn­speakeable goodnesse? God forbid else. The vse there­fore béeing manifould, I will heare drawe it to a double head: generall, particular. The generall doeth generally call vpon all men, that fith almighty God hath such a care of all, head, and body, crowne, and foote, that hee hath, and doth not onely inrich vs with infinit good thinges, pros­sperity, plenty, peace, (and what not?) all which we are al­togither vtterly vnworthy of: but hath, and doeth also day­ly preuent, and forestaie so many deserued euills, reuerting them vpon their heads, that are the instruments of ill: all of vs therefore should from the highest to the lowest, from his sacred Maiesty, that fitteth on the Throne, to the dra­wer of water, and hewer of wood know, and acknowledge with feare, and reuerence, the almighty presence, and pro­uidence of our good God, and alwaies to laud, and praise him for his goodnesse.

And for that wée are all forgetfull, and dull by nature, each one according to his place, and calling: to prouoke, and stirre vp on another, with that of the prophet, not for fashiō, but with affection. O come and let vs sing vnto the Lord, let vs heartily reioyce in the strength of our saluation. As this is the generall vse, so the particular is double, accor­ding to the double estate of men, for each King hath his vse, and euery Subiect his vse.

All Kings who acknowledge with reuerence, for their soueraigne the King of Kings, haue their vse of singular comfort, and courage euer to behaue themselues Kingly; not to congratulate this Estate, or that person at any [Page]time, by houering policie, and hidyng piety, considering the great founder, and when it pleaseth him confounder of all Estates. and persons, doth ouer shadowe, and shelter their thrones, and kingdomes: that so long as they serue him,Iob. 5.23. and forward his commands, their is no power there is no policy in earth, or in hell, that shall harme their Maiesties one hayre: for all the powers of the hea­uens, and of the earth, are combined, and confederated to­gither, for the maintainaunce, and vpholding of theyr thrones. But if any shal so far forget their allegeance to the highest, as to set themselues against his high commaun­ders on earth, he himselfe from heauen will sight against them; and cause all the rest of his creatures to crye out vp­on them, and to hale them on to due, and most deserued ex­ecution.

As this is a kingly comfort and incouragement, to kings in their godly gouernment: so the second vse is loyall, & re­specteth the subiects in their faithfull obedience, to teach, and continue them in loyalty, and fidelity. Is the King sea­ted by the king of Kings in his throne, hath the Lord him­selfe thought him sit visibly to represent vnto thee, his in­uisible maiestie, and wilt not thou in the Lord yeeld vnto him feare, and reuerence? or darest thou soe, and worme of the earth, whatsoeuer thou art, lift vp I say, not a sword in thy hand, but a thought in thy heart against his sacred po­wer, and gouernment? When the Lord himselfe saith, This man, and his posterity shall raigne ouer thee, and the land of thy subiection, and shall rule this Empire, this Ile, these, and these people and nations, art thou sound, or wilt thou onely be appeacht for a traytor? not onely against the Crowne, and dignity, of thy earthly king, who hath power of this thy life, but against thy heauenly Soue­raigne, who hath power (after thy head is taken from thy shoulders, thy body vnbowelled, and quartered, and the parts of thy body imparted heere and there, as an horri­ble, and odious spectacle of thy disloyalty) to cast thee, bodye [Page]and soule into hell? Cannot thy house containe thee, with­in the bounds of fidelity? will not the loue, and credit of thy country, and kindred, the woefull outcries of thy sweet children, the pitifull lamentations of thy deere wife, if thou haue these; or otherwise the feare of imprisonment, the Rack, the Halter, and so at last the terrors of death it selfe, terrifie thee from treacherie? yet haue a regard to thy soule, set not light by that which is the price of the pretious bloud of the sonne of God. This thou hazardest, this without doubt thou wilt cast away, and cast thy selfe headlong in­to hell, if wilfully, and treasonably thou set thy selfe against him, whom the Lord hath set ouer thée, and the kingdome wherein thou art a subiect.

Subiect thy selfe therefore vnder the mighty hand of God, and of him whom that hand hath placed on the throne of the kingdome.

Consider with mee (saith he) who euer perisht being an Innocent? and consider with me (say I) who euer prospe­red being a traytor? Since the beastly Bull of Pope Im­pius Quintus; were there euer heard of so many, and so bloudy treasons against the sacred persons of two christian Princes, as against that most famous, & péerelesse Queene, that dead is, and his most excellent maiestie now liuing, & long may he liue, to the comfort of all true-hearted subiects, & to the confusion of all hollow-hearted Traytors. Amen, Amen.

In this succession of times, and treasons, we see by the admirable prouidence of our good God, what hath succée­ded.

And vnlesse the enemies themselues, had their consci­ences seard with an hot iron, and were vtterly giuen ouer to a reprobate sense, they must needs know and confesse, that hitherto they haue, and if they yet persist, still will as Giants fight against God.

Who to the praise of his glory, and their euerlasting shame, hath euer, (and I hope euer will) vnbowelled, and [Page]ript vp all their freasons and Traitors. But what shall I speake of Traitors, or to traitors, who will neuer make vse héereof, til the ladder, and halter by lamentable experi­ence teache them; to the turne whereof I leaue them, and turne to you that are true, and faithfull Subiects in déed, exhorting, and charging you in the name of God, by all meanes in these Traitorous times, to strengthen, and in­courage your selues in your faithfull subiection.

Remember the counsell of God by wise King Salomon, commaunding all Subiects,Eccl. 10.20 not to intertaine a disloyall thought against their King in their hearts, nor to speak ill in their priuy Chambers, for the foules of the heauen shall cary the voice, and the birds of the aire shall bewray it.

And if wée may not admit a disloyall thought into our hearts, against a bad, and a wicked King, how much­lesse may wée doe it, against such a King (as it hath pleased God to giue vs? (immortall thankes bée giuen his Maiesty for it) as is a patron, and patterne of goodnesse, and vertue to the hole land. Giue (saith our Sauiour Christ) to God that which is Gods, to Caesar that which is Caesars. If wée will yéeld to God his, wee must yéeld obedience to his word, inioyning vs to feare him, and to honour the King. If we will giue Caesar his, what is more due to the King then loyalty,Rom. 13.1.2.3. &c. and subiection? This béeing hearty, and inward, will questionlesse draw other duties willingly with it. Who thus béeginneth and continueth in fidelity, and dutifullnesse, especially in conscience of Gods commaund, the blessing of God shall go with him and his: contrarywise he that doth not, the cursse, and vengance of God will finde him out, and follow him at the héeles, and rather then he, & his desperate designes shall lie vnreuea­led, the heauens, the foules of the heauen, one, or other of the creatures of God, shall giue a light to the opening of it, to his eternal shame, and confusion.

And hitherto of the first admirable action, and accident: [Page]the second (wherof I now come to discourse) was the most horrible, bloudy, and barbarous treason, that euer was heard of, which the fore-remembred fiery, and bloudie streames did accompany, which by the singular proui­dence of God was detected, defeated, and diuerted to the vt­ter subuersion, & confusion of the wretched Traitors them­selues. It abhorreth me to vse more words of it & yet what words are able to expresse the horror of it? I will onely content my selfe, to make some good vse of this their damna­ble ill.

The first respecteth the hellish Traitors, and hel-bounds themselues with all their complices: the second, all against whom that desperate, and diuellish proscription was made. For the wicked complotters themselues, and their wretch­ed complices, I meane al Papists, their former traitorly at­tempts, with this more then brutish, surpassing all others their bloudy, and t [...]kish enterprises: not [...]bly bewr [...]ieth the fruit of thei [...] Popish religion▪ and doeth notoriously pre­claime vnto vs, what we are to expect at their Traiterous hands, so long as they abide, and breath a [...]ng vs. Who so with attention readeth the histories either diuine, or pro­fane, he shall [...], tha [...] a [...] Godly pitty hath [...]l [...]aies accom­panied true piety, so idolatry, and cruelty haue commonly gone togither. And if euer any idolaters were famous, or rather infamous for truculency, and inhumanity, then without doubt the men eating Papists. I néed not instant héerein, that one bo [...]ne of the Acts and Monuments hath cased me of this l [...]bor, and doth entry where fore them for it. Neither is it any maruaile they so malice the booke, and the man for his booke, that they cease not to inueigh a­gainst his dead bons which if they were within their reach, as P. Phagius, and Bucers were, should not smell of the smoake, but smoake in the fire. Then which what can be imagined more cruell? what greater inhumanity can be deuised?

They are worse then the Lion, Woulfe, or Beare, of which, the worst preieth only on the dead flesh, but these after the flesh is rotten, cease not to prey on the dead bones. What maruaile, sith they pray to dead bones and stones, and what not? Idolatry, and cruelty may not, they cannot be at any time parted or diuorced.

As their cruelty is first noted, and but noted, because it is otherwise notorious in all m [...]ns eyes, if [...]euer before, yet now by their last more then heathenish, & brutish cruelty, so secondly let vs see; what we are to expect from their com­plices, so long as they continue among vs.

It is obserued as a singular point of wisedome, to fore­see what will fall out, the foole onely looking foorth right, and to that which is before his feete, not comparing times past, with the present; and both these, with that which is to come, thereby to prouide for his owne good, and preuent his owne harme, which if we wil do with wisdome, and circumspection, in this case of Iesus Christs most profest, and our heauy enemies the Papists, we may east­ly coniecture what their future, and after behauiour will be; by their former, and present, cruell, and Caniballike car­riage.

If a she Beare robd of her whelpes, or a hungry woulfe, will not prey on the silly Lambe she meeteth in her way, then may we trust the Popish crewe, and suffer them to continue, and range vp and downe among vs.

The shee woulfe of Rome, hath had heretofore, and now for their treasons is like to haue, such a losse of her whelpes; whether she, and hers yet liuing, will not seeke reuenge, I will not make question, least I should séeme to doubt, whether a Woulfe, be a Woulfe, and Rome the same to day that it was yesterday:Reuel. 17.9. for certenly so long as she pier­cheth on seauen hills, she will either ouercrowe the Kings of the earth, or séeke to plucke their Crownes from their heads,

And what she doth, shee will teach all her broode,Reuel. 17.16.17.18. Reuel. 18.6 Reuel. 18.6 eDut. 13.1 and chickens to doe, vntill the Kings of the earth, according to Gods fore councell, and iustice, and according to his com­mand in that behalfe, ioyne together, and execute the wrath of God vpon her, and her adherents. Which if al­mighty God, command them to doe in the head, I desire to know what they ought to do in the members? Euery profest idolater, by the lawe of God is to dye, but the Pa­pists are profest Idolaters: the assumption, or minor propo­sition will be doubted of; I will not therefore conclude, till I haue strengthened, and confirmed it, knitting it vp after this sort.

If Papists be the grosest idolaters that euer were, then idolaters, but the former is as true, as the seuen hild citty, is the seat of Antichrist, ergo the latter as she shall certen­ly be burnt with fire, for strong is the Lord God that will do it. The antecedent will not bee graunted mee: for the consequent; S. Iohn warranteth me: I therefore fortifie it thus. All they that worship so base a thing a [...] a peece of bread for the maker of heauen, and earth, idle Pic­tures, rusty nailes, rotten timber, and olde ragges, are the grosest Idolaters that euer were; but the Papists doe all these, therefore they are the grosest [Page]Idolaters that euer were. And now I conclude, Papists ought by the law of God to die. But me seemeth I see some man steppe forth, now I haue concluded pleading for Ido­latry, and Papistry, denying my proposition the ground­sell of all: and yet me thinketh it cannot stand faster then on the eternall, and vnalterable word of God. But sayth he, it is one of Moyses iudicialls. Is it indeed Moyses, and not Almighty Gods? He reioyneth therefore, yes, and those Iudicialls were temporary, and for the state of the Iewes, and taken away by the appearing of Christ. To this re­ioinder, I adioyne, that Christ sayth no such thing, but that he came, not to take away the law, but to fulfil the law. He came to destroy, and take away the works of darkenes, not to make a way for the workes of darkenes: which he must needs doe, if he should either take the sword out of the Magistrates hands, or giue it in his hand, there to suffer it rust in the sheath, and not draw it forth against offendors. And I pray you in good part, against whō should he vse it, if not against Idolaters, the greatest & notoriest Traytors against God, and his glory, that the earth yeeldeth?

Shall Kings draw the sword which the Lord hath put in their hands and that most iustly, for the cutting off, of them that complot treasons against their owne persons, and shall they be lesse zealous in the Lords cause, then in their owne? But what speake I of the Lords cause onely, when in this case of the Papists, there is a double treason, first against God by their idolatry, next against the King by their disloyalty. This latter I affirme, & confirme it thus. Whosoeuer holdeth the Popes supremacie, is a Traytor to the King, but all Papists hold the Popes supremacie: My assumption will heere againe be baited at, I will ther­fore bar it thus. If euery Christian haue his name for that in trueth he acknowledgeth Christ his head, then euery Papista, Papist hath his name from Papa the Pope, for that he acknowledgeth him his head, but the former is true therefore the latter. So that if once I beare him say he is a [Page]Papist, I can truely say by and by he is a traytor. But wée will haue a shift for this, he is no Papist, if there be such danger in the notation of the name, but a Catholicke, I pro­mise you it is now well amended, as one washing off the filth of his face with inke.

From whence I pray you cometh this name? what soundeth it? After this sort, whosoeuer holdeth the Popes supremacie, is a traitor, euery Catholick holdeth the Popes supremacie: my assumption neede here no more words, for this very name selleth me, that he holdeth the vniuersali­ty of the church of Rome, and so the vniuersall authoritie of the Pope of Rome. And this will alwayes be the kee­ping of the dirige, a Papist, a catholick, a traytor, a traytor. But it may be our language is harsh, and barren, giuing gracelesse names to gracious men: will the smooth Latin, lend vs a couple of names in steed of them, to steed these men, for I would saine tid my selfe of them? What say you to Pontificius, and Papicola, will either of these better Papist, or catholick? Surely no; neuer a bar­rell better hearing: for when all commeth to all, either hée must forget his Papistry, or hee can neuer forgoe his trea­chery. Notwithstanding al this, if he wil continue a Papist, and so his treason, and so his double treason, first against god, next against the King, what remaineth but the re­ward of a treator. Yea but we cōdemne papistry of cruelty, and what were this to execute all Papists: first therefore we must know a difference betweene one that is foolishly Popish, and that smacketh of the corrupt dregs of Rome, and an other, that hath drunken of the wine of her fornica­tions, péeuishly popish, & a peruerse papist, a young Cubbe, and an old Fox, one that is créeping out of the shell, and a­nother that is fledge, for when I speake of a Papist, which instantly ecchoeth a traytor, & by and by calleth for a hal­ter, I meane such a one as is a true Papist, a Catholick, Pōtificius, Papicola, that hath the grounds, & is grounded in the fundamentall points of his rebellion, I should say his [Page]religion, for as sure as the Lord liueth, if he be a resolute papist, he is an absolute traytor to God and his King: & it was neuer heard of, that to execute him should sauour any way of extremity, and crulty, but of most iust seuerity. Nay rather to spare such a one, as a rotten member, to the vtter hazard of the hole body, may be well accounted in humanity & more then desperate folly. God almighty, in whose hād are the hearts of al men to turne them whether it pleaseth him, so in wisdome direct his vicegerents here­in, that they may in their seueral kingdoms, do that which may most serue for his glory, and the good of their seue­rall estates. Hitherto of the traitors, that did complot the former horrible treason, and their complices: now for the vse we are to make, against whom, and whose good, it was most deuilishly complotted, and desperately contriued.

Which is likewise double, the first, respecting Gods ius­tice, the second, his mercy. Concerning his Iustice, let vs know and remember with profit, that hee by the hand of these vniust wretches, shaking his rod vnto vs, did therby shew what we for our many sinnes had iustly deserued: Euen all of vs to feele, and see an vtter demolition, and desolation of our state, and common wealth.

For although these more then wicked traitors, had no iust cause, nor occasion to draw them on, but most desperately by the instigation of the deuill, and their deuilish madnes, were carried on headlong to attempt, and enterprise so horrible a treason, the like whereof no history doth affoord, as at an instant to kill the King, the Queene, the Prince, and all the flower of the Church, and common wealth, & that after a most hellish and fearfull manner, by blowing them vp in the aire, & so to leaue the commonwealth as a forsaken widow, prostituting her to be deflowred, defaced, and desolated by the bloody hands of bastard children at home, and the furious inuasions of forrein tirants, and so to make her a terror to herself, & a terrible spectacle of ex­treame misery, & calamity to the whole world: howsoeuer I say, they had no cause to do or attempt this, yet we may acknowledg, & confesse that by the iust iudgment of God, all this, and more (if more might bee) might haue come vp­on [Page]vs, and ouertaken vs. But almighty God euen in the midest of his iudgement, remembring mercy, did only shake the rod at vs, and then cast it into the fire. That so long as we liue, and our posterity after vs, in that cōmon wealth, which by the iustice of God wee had almost lost, but by his mercy yet possesse, & inioy, and I hope shal to the ende of the world, maugre the malice of the deuill, we may learne to feare Gods Iustice, to loue his mercy, and so for his iustice, and mercy, to feare, and loue him, and to praise him with the prophet in that excellent song. If the the Lord had not beene on our side (may wee now say) If the Lord had not bin on our side, when men rose vp a­gainst vs, and so forth to the end of that psalme. Who so maketh not these profitable vses, of this wonderfull deli­uerāce of the lord but runneth on in sin without remorce, let him remember what Christ said to the man deliuered from his malady, go and sinne no more, least a worse thing happen vnto thee. And here an end of the two first won­derfull accidents, I meane an end of my discourse thereof: but I hope the inhabitants of this land will neuer cease, with thankfullnes to God, to remember his iustice, and mercy therein neuer sufficiently to be praised.

O Eternal God, creator of heauen, and earth, & in Iesus Christ my most mercifull father, I thy vnworthy seruant returne vnto thy diuine maiesty most humble and hearty thanks, as for all other thy vnspeakable mercies, so espe­cially for the great and wonderful deliuerance of my selfe, and many other of thy poore and sinfull creatures, from the rage, and force of the horrible thunder and lightning, which of late thou didst send amongst vs. The true report whereof, sith I am herein to deliuer to thy seruant King Iames, whom thou by thy almighty prouidence hast made thy vicegerent in this mighty empire, and so vnto thy people his subiects: so sanctify (good Lord) my memory, and meditation, and therewith all my report and relation, that the truth herein beeing effectually deliuered, it may redound to the glory of thy great name, the profit of thy beloued children, & the terror of thy profest enemies. Amen

Now I come to the third wonderfull, and terrible acci­dent, whereof I was both an eare, and an eye-witnesse.

First I will according to the truth, deliuer the report thereof, and next make such profitable vses, as so great, and wonderfull a worke doth require. First therefore where a report is to be made of an action done, the time, and place are of no small moment, for the euidence of the matter. The time therefore was on Thursday being the 28. of Nouem­ber last, about a moneth after y^e foresaid fearful flaming of y^e heauens, and most horrible treason complotted & detected. The place was at Ouelstone in the county of Glocester, scituated some eight miles from the famous citie of Bristoll, and two miles from Aust, which is well knowne, in regard of the often transportation, and passage there ouer the Ri­uer of Seuerne.

This for the time and place, when, and where this won­derfull worke of God, was by his al nighty hand wrought, and done: now for the action, and worke it selfe. The mor­ning of the foresaid day being lowring, and sad, did yet a lit­tle after eight, begin to smile, and looke some-what cheere­full toward the east: which was indéed but a smile, and for a very smal time, for euen anone before nine of the clock, the west as it were enuying the easts meriment, sendeth me vp with a strong winde, a most darke mantle, which ouerspred the whole heauens, as if the sunne had vpon some sudden feare, sodenly retired, and againe hid it selfe vnder our hori­son, giuing place to the darke night, to wrap vp all thinges in her black mourning gowne. So darke and blacke was it, that but for the note of the time, it was hard to iudge whether it were day, or night: yet after halfe an howre, or there about, this black maske was againe taken off, and the heauens begin to smouth vp, and cléere their countenance, the sunne sending forth from the south, his goulden raies for an howre and halfe: which the north disdayning with a most scornfull lower, thinking it selfe wronged, as the west did before, and terribly menacing the south (notwithstan­ding [Page]the winde stood betwene them to stay the quarel) with a most terrible and ougly visage. Neither was it satisfied with threatning lookes, but her fearefull forces come on a­maine, admitting yet betwéen, them & the sun, a short parle, made knowne by a goodly, and beautifull rainbow. The sight whereof did not a little comfort mee, notwithstanding y^e frowning face of the heauens, did otherwise pretend some fearefull euent: for beholding the worlds Sacrament, I remembred not onely that couenant of God, which it doth seale vnto, but his other couenant made with vs in Christ, whereby hée hath bound himselfe, and that with an oath, to be our God, and wee (euen as many of vs as by faith ap­prehend the force and fruit of it) to be his people. And that therefore though east, and west, north and south, heauen, and earth, should bee iumbled, and tumbled togither, yet the anchor of our hope, and happinesse, being cast within the veale, and founded on Christ the vnmoouable rock, could not faile, nor deceiue, nor be deceiued.

With this or the like meditation, I past from vnder the Canopy of the open heauens, vnder the roofe of the house.

Where after a very little while, being set at dinner, the terrible darknesse, that was in the North, so gathered on the south, that it became very darke, considering the time of the day, and the cléere light that was but a little before. But the thick cloudes had indéed their burden, wherof they hasted to be eased, for down falleth with a boisterous winde a very plentifull haile, which with the abundance (for it was better then halfe a foot thick on the ground, euery where after the tempest, which lasted a quarter of an houre or there about) and the winde made a very terrible rat­tle, which was accompanied with fearefull flashes of light­ning, and some thrée, or fower claps of more then ordinary thunder.

Whereof I tooke occasion of talke, to the gentle woman of the house, and her yong plants, which (being fiue sonnes [Page]with the sonne of a friend) sat at table with vs, to this effe [...] That the Atheists of the world, and such as did not know, acknowledge, and feare God, had great cause to be terrifi­ed, and to tremble, at such terrors of his: but for such as did truely feare God, they need not be appaled, or dismaid at it, considering they know [...], it came from God their grati­ous father in Christ Iesus.

She replyed with a remembrance of the day of iudge­ment, that if this, then much more terrible, would the daye of the Lord be vnto such, as did not know God in Christ, and in him, had a feeling of his fatherly loue.

In the middest of our talke, behold, there flameth in a wonderfull flash of Lightning, seconded with as horrible a report of extraordinary Thunder, as I thinke any man liuing hath heard. It was not as the manner is of thunder, a ratling and rumbling noyse drawne in length, but as if a thousand tun waight had falne from a loft vpon a loft able to indure the weight of it, making a most inexplica­ble and vnspeakeable thumpe and hownce, to them that are vnder it. Such was the furious and fearefull report of this terrible clap of thunder, wherewith according to the infir­mity of this corrupt flesh, I was toucht, but not without assured hope in God, vsing the words of the Psalme. Powre out thy wrath, O Lord vpon the heathen, that know thee not, and vpon the kingdomes that call not on thy name.

The table beeing taken vp, and God for his mercies, praised, I betooke me euen vpon 12. a clocke to my schoole, where finding my schollers amazed with what had euen then past, I put them in mind of that I had spoken in the morning (for with our morning prayer, wee had the first Chapter to the Romanes read) concerning the two means whereby God maketh himselfe knowne vnto the world, his word, and his workes According to the present occasi­on, I vrged the second, which I had that very day deliuered out of those words of the Apostle, in the 20. verse, for the inuisible things of him, that is his eternall power & God­head, [Page]are seene by the creation of the world, béeing conside­red in his workes to the intent they should bee without ex­cuse.

But in the midst of my spéech, I heard the Belles knole extraordinarily, and sending one forth to enquire the occa­sion, he presently returned answer, the Steeple was a fire.

So concluding abruptly, and passing forth at doores, I sawe it was no false report of a fained fire. For behold, the force of Gods terrible voice, had shaken, rifted, and rent the Towre of stone, whereon the Spier of Lead of a great height stood toward the West, from the rest of the Bat­tlement, almost to the roofe of the Church. And as it appea­red afterward, all the west end of the Church was like­wise shaken, which was so much the more to be wondred at, as it beeing crusht in diuers places, as a rotten apple: it was onely so done within, and no appearance of it without: and of thrée great glasse Windowes that stand in that end, not one of them hurt by it, either in the Glasse or lights, Albeit the wall were shaken both immediatly aboue and vnder them, the stronger being hurt, and the weaker sca­ping harmelesse.

So powerfull and prouident is Almighty God, that he striketh and leaueth vnstriken where he will, and whom he will, that strength to him is weakenesse, and weakenesse to him is strength.

And although this Thundring voyce of Almighty God, did no where shewe so terrible an effect, as on and in the Church, yet without the Church, in the Field and in the houses neere, an extraordinary presence of his power, not without his mercie, was sensibly to bee perceiued by diuerse, whom it cast, one hither, ano­ther thither, and some downe, but hurt neither man, wo­man, child, nor any liuing creature els, for ought that I haue heard.

As this was the effect of the terrible Thunder, so [Page]his fearefull fire (the lightning I meane) had fiered the stée­ple, about thrée quarters of a yard beneath the foote of the barre, whereon the weathercocke pearcht, which fearefull fire, considering the powerfull hand that had kindled it, the matter whereon, and the bellowes which did blowe it, bée­ing at first a strong westerne wind, how it did rage, they may wel imagine that sawe it not, which they may farther vnderstand by this, that within the space of two houres, it did deuoure, consume, melt, and throwe downe al the tim­bers, lead, and irons that were from the top of the Stéeple, (being as I haue said of a great height) to the towre of stone, and in other thrée howres, did burne to the ground, melt, and cast downe with an vnresistable force, all the lofts, timbers, stockes, and wheeles of fiue very tunenable but often abused bells.

The Clocke, which before had notified pretious time, calling on men as it were to take time, and to take heede of the abuse of so excellent a treasure, was likewise hereby si­lenced. The Chancell, through the flered timbers and fire­brands, which fell from the Steeple, on the roofe of it, was fiered and defaced. As it was very probable, the Church would haue bene also with the like, had not the winde carri­ed the rage of the fire so much on the Chancell, which stood on the Eastside frō the church, which is seated on the west. But the fire it self did not much harme the church, the most hurt it receiued being great, was from the hands of men, who fearing what was likely, that the rage of the flames, would haue had the like force on the Church, as it had on the stéeple; sought to saue what might be. They ther­fore ript vp and cast out almost all the seates, and vncoue­red the three Iles of the Church in the middle, in hope to saue, if it might be, that halfe which was westermost, if the other halfe, next the steeple were fired. But their labour in­deed turned to losse, as it fell out, for God by his good pro­uidence, did not onely restraine the rage of the fire, from the Church which was on the West, but likewise frō the hou­ses [Page]néere, most admirably, especially, from the ministers which stood so [...]nder the mer [...]y of the fire, and the winde. that [...] thousand stakes of fire might be seene, to light a­ [...]ng his wood, on his hay, & corne mowes▪ and soon what­soeuer almost [...]as about his house, and yet so gratious is [...] are [...] onely, I think did him not [...] [...] of hurt. In the meane season, it [...] to r [...]ie [...] not withstanding this so mani [...]st [...] [...] ­ [...]able a toolke of God, in weath speaking vnto [...]n, [...] such sort, as you haus heard that sawe it not, and that [...] from heaue [...]t, of many that ca [...]e [...] scarce one [...], amōgst many, [...], [...] a [...]ishap is [...], what a mise [...] here, what [...] hap, what bad forfu [...]e, wish such heatho [...]ish speec [...], [...] the sphears of heauen were the wheeles of fortune, [...] the clouds, hayle; lightning, thunder, and alt the [...] God else, were but a cast a [...] hazard. So little we [...] they [...] ­rected est hee with the great power of God, or the [...] their owne great sinnes, yea I dare say (and yet I thinke before the Lord I say the truth more did truely for the pre­sent what they haue done since I know not) bewailt th [...] [...]o [...]e or their sweet ring of Bels, which the se [...]e [...]e wrath of God, would no longer suffer to [...]angle, then or­ther for their ignorance of God, and his goodnes, or their vnthankfulnes, or for any other sin, which was doth the cause of this, and is the cause of all other his iudgements. And least I should séeme to speake without booke h [...]r [...] I will alleadge that restimony, which is without exception, the greatest of al other, of the aboundance o [...]the heart, the mouth speaketh. The truth whereof not beeing doubted, then I say, it is an vndoubled truth I haue affirmed, for I heard with mine eares, diuers lament the death (as it [...]) of their Belles, but no one; there so much as mention, the guilt or punishment of sinne.

And if they that were present spectators, and had a sp [...] ­all interest as it were in so manifest, and publicke a pre [...] ­ [...]ent [Page]of Gods wrath reuealed from heauen, made so little vse of it, what great cause is there, some speciall vses be [...] ript vp, as well for them that are nere, as for them that are farder of: I come therefore to the vse. Which is double first, in regard of places, secondly of persons, for places it beeing a towre, and a Steeple of great height, proudly as­piring as it were, and aduancing it selfe in the apre, that was thus fearefully strucken with the piercing force of thunder and lightning, as it many times hath falne out [...]nes the tower of Babell began to bee founded, that God writeth confusion on models erected with ambition, it is a document to all places to take heed of the like ambitious fully, least they haue the like pernicious fall. It is fayned of [...], that it creepeth at first on the ground, but at last it r [...]steth on the top of high topt turrets, but for the fame of Gods wrath lighting on places, most while it ariseth from the ouerturning of that, which hath beene turretted & rai­sed vp alost. That where the proud spiers seems to threaten the heauens, they are by the heauens ouer topt, and turned topsey turney to the ground. And as this is exemplisted in proud towers, and turrets, so may it bee in trees, that pee­ping out of the earth, wil at the length aduance themselues so haughtily, as if they disdained the drops that come from the clouds should light on their crownes. But it is in vaine to speake of the places without the persons, for though god write confusion on them, they know not ne feele their owne pride or perditiō; which lighteth on them, not for any sin of theirs, for they are vnreasonable and vnsensible, but for the sin of mens persons, whō God hath indued with rea­son & vnderstanding, & vnto whō he hath cōmitted y^e domini­on & vse of his other creatures, for the abuse wherof he doth in iustice, not onely sometimes set the stampe of his wrath vpon their persons, but more often in mercy doth spare their persons, & brand it in the other creatures, that he hath giuen for their profit or pleasure. I come therefore to the personal vses hereof, which shalbe threefold, according to mens thrée­fold estate, highest, lowest, or betwéene both.

Men of the first order, and ranck, I do most humbly in­treat [Page]often and againe to remember, who hath so highly aduanced them, and whereunto; for the forgetfullnesse of these two points, is followed with an impotency of mind, y^e archenimye of moderation, & the most potent procurer of the hasty downfall of their high estate.Prou. 8.15. For if they did euer remember of whom they hold their places, and of what importance, that it is the sonne of GOD by whom kings raigne and statesmen decree iustice, by whō princes hold their principality, and all the good Iudges of the earth: and as by the sonne of God they are placed, the importance of their places to bee such, as Moyses the best commaunder, on that euer was, groned vnder the burden of it: and Salomon maketh it a matter of impossi­bility, for any man to discharge it,1. King 3.9 without more then hu­mane ability. If they did remember (I say) these things to­gither with the peril, whereto great men in that they are great, are subiect, could pride so haue preuaild with many of them as it hath, as Pharoah, Nebucadnezar, Herod, & not onely with such bad gouernors but with the best like­wise, as Dauid and Hezechiah? Which desease the Lord who knoweth the hearts of men, foreseeing how it would infect, did before hand prescribe a diet, and gaue an an tedate, which may be there more fitly & profitably seene then here remembred. And sith it is the Lords prescription,Deu. 17.19.20. it is not without manifest danger to be neglected, but to be vsed of men in highest places, as they loue their own health and happines. A word to the wise, I will therfore conclude, this first vse, vnto men of the first roome, as Kings, their great councellers and assistants, with the speach of the Kingly prophet Dauid; and leauing them vnto the grati­ous blessing of God, most humbly take my leaue.Ps. 138.4. All the Kings of the earth shal praise thee O Lord: for they haue heard the words of thy mouth. And they shall sing of the waies of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord is great: for the lord is high, yet be beholdeth the lowly, but the proud he knoweth a far of. Now I descend to men of y^t secōd rāck & order, who are as models of means state, neither so high, that they stād to the mercy of euery threat of y^e ayre, nor so low, that they are subiect to euery inundation of the water.

Who as they stand betwéene two, so they must make this vse to take héed, especially of two faults, enuy toward their superiours, or disdaine to their inscriours. Enuy nor emulate they must not any way their superiours, nor the highest places possest by the highest personages, sith it is the good will of God to erect both.

The places are of great importance, possessors of them are subiect to much perill, as the high stéeples to the force of all blustring stormes. They watch when others sléepe, they fast when others eate, they carke when others are secure, they beare the wood, and others warme themselues by the fire, they sowe the corne and others reape the haruest, yet al this while for recompence, their places, persons, and liues, are aimed at, that their estates are beleigered with millions of miserable labours, and feares of extreme losses. In the meane season, thou doest sléepe when thou wilt, eate what thou hast, rest secure, warme thée, sow and reape, & though these be great blessings, to these is added hearts ease, if God giue thée a heart to conceiue thine owne good. Thou what­soeuer thou art of this order, hast the goulden meane, if thou demeane thy selfe accordingly, the goulden meane I say, which Agur the sonne of lakeh, did so importune the Lord for.

Read the place with attention, I leaue the search and swéetnesse of it, to thy selfe and thine owne experience. In the meane time, as men of the second ranke must for many respects, without enny but with singular submission, & reuerence, demeane themselues to them that are aboue, so they must auoide all disdaine and contempt of them that are belowe.

This latter they will the sooner be drawne to do, if they remember the double accoūt they are to yéeld, of the which, the one though for a time delaid neuer faileth. If they wrong, despite, or despise their inferiours, they shal answere to their superiours on earth, who with King Dauid sing of mercy, and iudgement: of mercy to the mercifull, of iudge­ment [Page]and iustice to the cruell. But if either by their owne ability of friends, money, flattery, or any other indirect meanes: or the inability of the oppressed, not able to com­plaine, or follow it; they foredoe, and foregoe this account in earth, yet certenly they shall not faile to come before the heauenly iudge, who telleth them plainely before hand, whereto they shall trust. He that despiseth the poore repro­cheth him that made him. And thinkest thou hee will beare reproches at thy hands, & not pay thee home? Or wilt thou not remember that the law of God, and nature, will con­demne thée, if thou hurt him, whom both of them command thée to helpe? I might heere open a sea of reasons, and al le­gations in this behalfe, to diswade men from contempt, & disdaine of the meanest, and to perswade them to pitty, and compassion. But one shall be to them and me, insteed of all. It is taken from that solemne manner of procéeding in generall conuocation, of all before the great iudge, at the fearefull day of iudgement, when Christ shal denounce that terrible doome (Depart from me ye cursed into euer­lasting fire, prepared for the deuill and his angells) not a­gainst them onely that haue pluckt the meat from the hun­gry, taken away drinke from the thirsty, wrongd the stran­ger, drawn vniustly the skinne as it were ouer mens eares, and so afflicted their soules and bodies, for there is no in­quiry nor question made of them, being Ipso facto condem­ned to hell: but this heauy doome they shall also haue, that haue not fed the hungry, giuen drinke to the thirstie, lod­ged the straunger, cloathed the naked, visited the sicke, and such like. Thou seest how the case stādeth, weigh the truth by the aucthority; and practise it for thy owne safely. So in the name of God, I exhort thee not to enuie, but to honour thy superiours, not to despise but to helpe thy inferiours, of whom commending thée to Gods grace in Christ Iesus, I come now briefly to speake. These therfore to the 2. for­mer estates, are as poore cuttages to the highest [...]urrets, as mold-hills to the mighty mountaines, the shrubbes to the [Page]Cedars of Libanon. Yet though they be such, the highest a­mong men, may not set them at naught, nor the second sort little account of them. Forasmuch as the lower they stand, and the lesse able they are, to help and right themselues, the more doth the Lord tender their case, and the more seuerely wil be reuenge their wrongs. But they haue a fault, which if they would amend, notwithstanding their pouerty, they might be passing happy, and that is impatiency. Men in the highest places, except god grace them, extraordinari­ly labour of impotencie of mind, and cannot beare their e­states, or their estates abide with them for pride: and men of the lowest places, except God comfort them, exceedingly labour of impotencie of mind, and cannot brooke their pla­ces, for want of patience. Whereas this beeing possest, they would not onely comfortably indure, the indifferent calami­ties of their estate, but by their hearty and humble prayers vnto God (as in duty they are bound) ease much their superiours, those especially y^t are in y^e highest places, most traueld and troubled, and therefore néeding most the assistance of their godly praiers. The God of patience, grant this vnto them, and so vnto all estates, conditions, and sorts of men, so to carry, demeane, and behaue themselues, as in his glorious presence, who wil blesse all them that feare him both small and great.Ps. 115.13. Here an end of y^e threefold vse deliue­red, to the thrée estates of men, concerning the third wōder­full worke of God, and so of the three admirable actions: Which beeing three, and all very extraordinary, are a suf­ficient testimony against all, that hearing thereof, will not yet in time repent and amend their liues, but haue their eares and hearts so shut vp, and hardned against the power of God, reuealed both in his words and works; that nothing wil deterre them from sinne, and draw them to godlines, til Christ come frō heauen, with thousand thousands of angels, in flaming fire to iudge the world:Reuel. 22. which as it hasteth, so hasten Lord Iesu, for thy promise sake: surely I come quickly, Amen Euen so come Lord Iesus. Amen.