AMongst the rest of the sad and lamentable accidents, which have happened of late years, none so great and full of asto­nishment and terrour, as that which proceeds from the fu­rious and unspeakable flames of a firce and vehement fire; Indeed true it is, many poor souls have too: often, been exposed to the mercyless fury of fiery flames; that have [Page 4]hapned several ways. But the late sad and lamen­table Accident, which hapned in Loathbury it excee­ding deplorable the whole Family and all in the house being burnt to Ashes: for they had not been many hours (on Friday night, to Christmas time! in their beds, but the fire brake forth most vehemently, in the lower Rooms, and immediately took hold of the lower Seilings, and so to the rest, and in such a sad and lamentable manner, that in less then three hours time the whole house was burned down to the ground, and the people in it all perished in the flames, to the unspeakable grief and astonishment not only of their Relations, but of all good Chri­stians in general: Yet great was the good hand and Providence of God, towards a Gentlewoman who being there over night, was importuned to stay but she resused, and went home to Alderman Allens, A mercy never to be forgotten: otherwise; who knows, but that this Dear soul might have also Perished in the flames, as to her out ward Estate and Condition: But blessed be God for her Deli­verance, and the Lord grant she ma for ever walk answerably, to the honour and Praise of his great and glorious Name, for so high and signal a mercy: And truly, so great a mercy was it, to the families adjoyning likewise that every member thereof ought highly to praise the name of the Lord, and as long as they have a being in this life, to return humble thanks to the great Jehovah, their great & Omnipotent Preserver, who was pleased in great mercy to give a period to those destroying flames. For indeed so great & vio ent they were, that they [Page 5]seemed for a while unquenchable; notwithstanding the utmust endeavours of the good People there­abouts, for the allaying of them, who left no mean [...] unattempted after it was Discovered.

But it had taken too great a head, to the un­speakable grief of many before it was discornable, and had not providence so decreed, that a Woman (who sate up with a Child that was not well hear­ing as it were, a great eracking, and fearing that a Villain might be breaking into the house, looked out of a Chamber window, and espied a great light in the Merchants lower Rooms, as if there had been many hundred Candles burning in the Windows: whereupon, though much amazed, she cryed out, Fire, Fire, insomuch as the Coffee man looked also out of his Window, and immediately heard the doleful cryes, Lord have mercy upon us we are all undone: which was all the words that they were heard speak. This being about two of the Clock on Saturday morning, the 2 [...] of December. But before three or four, the merciless flames had brought that goodly building for the most part e­ven to dust and ashes, and all that was in it. So violent it was, that it burnt even like fire in an O­ven. And had it not been for the great dare and vigilancy of the manisold inslruments that God was pleased to raise, for the preservation of the adjoyning houses it had undoubtedly made great ruine thereof; but by the unwearied pains of ma­ny persons casting great store of water from the other houses upon the fire that burnt up so fierce­ly, it pleased God at last to allay the flames, & by [Page 6]long hooks, and other instruments, Mr. Teryls house and many others were preserved, but not without great damage to many; for so hot were the Brick wall, both on that and the other side of the way, that the people were fain to cast water thereupon, and to hang wet Blankets, Coverlids, and other things, both upon the out and insides to allay the heat, & to prevent the near approach­ing dangers; for so sad and dismall a thing is fire that where it breaks forth too violently great ca­lamities there ensues. It is indeed a good Servant but a bad Master; and from such a Ministring Spi­rit and the fury thereof Good Lord deliver this City.

Thus much for the Relation, as it was taken at first: That which further re­mains, is, A Relation (as it is reported) of the bloudy Villains and inhumane Wretches, that were Actors in this sad and lamentable Tragedy: six being taken (as it is said) and carryed to Chelmsford Gaol, being discovered on Friday last near Burntwood; as their quarrelling about sharing of their ill-gotten goods; and 'tis said, that these Villains having got privately into the house took an opportunity, when all was in bed and asleep, to cut the Maids Throats, gag [Page 7]and bind all the rest in their beds, ransack'd the house of all the Moneys and Plate they could find, and afterward, set fire on the house, lock'd the doors, and cast the Key o­ver the Wall. This, if true, is the most barbarous and inhumane Action that was ever heard of; and, no doubt, but a short time will make manifest the truth of all things. For have we not daily experience of many wonderful Discoveries; as that touching the Pewterer, who having got his Maid with Child, pretended to send her into the Countrey; but wickedly de­signed two Villains to murther her by the way; and leading her into a Wood, and stripping her naked, hung her up by the hair of her head to a Tree, gag'd her, and tyed her hands behind her; in which sad condition, she remained all night; but the next morning, a Drover coming that way, and the Swine running into the Wood, he espyed this sad Spectacle, cut her down, and put his Coat about her; which done, he ran [Page 8]to the next Town, raised the People; but she is since dead, and the Conspirators ta­ken, and committed to Newgate.