FEARFUL NEWS. Of Thunder and Lightning, with the terrible effects thereof, which Almighty God sent on a place called Oluestone, in the county of Gloucester the 28. of November last.  
Having prefixed before it, a short discourse, concerning two other admirable accidents that soon after ensued.  
Truly related by P. S.  
And dedicated unto the Kings most excellent Majesty.  
AT LONDON Printed by G. Elder, for Francis Burton. 1606.   

To the most puissant, potent, and Maiestious, my dread Sovereign james by the grace of God, of great Britain, France, and Ireland King defender of the Faith: the Great-Commaunder of the West, and Northwest parts of the World; Grace, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord jesus Christ, unto all happiness: in this life, godliness, and righteousness, and in the life to come, immortality and glory.  
MOst puissant King, my dread and dear Sovereign, in most humble and submiss manner, I your highness most dutiful, and loyal Subject, do herein present unto your excellent Majesty, the true report of a most fearful accident, which Almighty God the King of kings, and Lord of Lords, sent among us, your highness poor subjects at Oluestone in the county of Gloucester, on Thursday being the 28. of November last: whereof I (your Majesties said subject) was both an ear, and an eye witness. The powerful and admirable works of God are for none more fit, and profitable, then for the Kings of the earth, whom the God of heaven, hath substituted next under himself, to order and rule the several societies of men, in promoting piety, and preserving justice: forasmuch as next unto the word, and the appendances thereof, (the most effectual means) nothing doth, or can more effectually frame, or having framed, can more constantly continue them in the manage, and performance of all kingly duties, than the serious and often meditation of God's wonderful works, in the whole frame of the world, & the several parts, and portions of it. For as histories, which are the remembrances of time, and successes in time, are for all men meet, and commodious, but especially for Kings, Potentates, and great personages, their volumes being therefore well denominated, and called theirs; Principum bonorum, et heroum libri, good Kings, and great counsellors books: so the large volume of God's works are open, and set before all, but for none so fit, and profitable, as for their Majesties, that represent unto us the majesty and power of almighty God. That as the beams of God's glory shine in them, more than in others, so they before, and more than others should amire, and reverence the beams of his glory, and greatness in heaven, and earth, that hath made them so glorious and great on earth. And if the knowledge of all the great, and admirable works of God, be so necessary for all Kings, than the several events and successes that wonderfully, and extraordinarily fall our, & come to pass in their several territories, and kingdoms, are in no sort to be neglected, but so much the more to be remembered, and reverenced, as God hath therein come more nearer unto than, then unto others kings, & hath as it were spoken first, and more particularly unto them, that thereof they might make first & most especially unto themselves, a heavenly and christianly use: humbly, and hearty to commit, and commend themselves, and their estates, to his overswaying and all ruling providence; That beareth rule over the kingdoms of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 
Dan. 4.29.  And being thus devoted personally, they may with all devotion, and care, (according to the trust committed unto them) order and direct, all their subjects in the fear of the Lord; Who according to his will worketh in the army of heaven, 
Dan. 4.32.  and the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, nor say unto him what dost thou? Whereby both King, and Subject may know, and serve him, in whose hand is their breath, 
Dan. 5.23.  and all their ways.  
Wherein forasmuch (my dear Sovereign I speak it withal reverence of your excellent Majesty) as the best Kings have, and do sometimes show themselves forgetful, it were to be wished, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Georg. Codinus de efficial. palatii. Con. vulgo Cuciopal:  the like of that old honourable office, Of a King's remembrancer, were renewed, and restored, not so much to mind them of men's actions, and exploits, that have worthily or valiantly behaved, or carried themselves in peace or in war, that so they might receive deserved honour, and recompense: as often, and again to put them in mind of God's great, and wonderful works, that his Majesty might have his due praise, and glory never sufficiently to be remembered.  
But sith there is no such particular office, which was Functio optime instituta, male exercita, possime abolita, well ordained, ill ordered, and most wretchedly abolished; 
F. Junii not: in Curopalatem. pag. 313.  and that kings are left to be remembrancers unto themselves, as of many other things, so of the wonderful works of GOD, abroad or at home, and that it doth so highly concern your highness, to make a good use, of what hath so extraordinarily succeeded, within your majesties owns kingdom, which is not possible without direct notice. I have therefore thought it very dutiful, in the dutifullest manner, to make known to your Highness, and under your Highness, gracious approbation, to all your majesties subjects what, hath so wonderfully, and admirably fallen out, the time and place forementioned.  
Prefixing a remembrance, but in brief, of two other memorable, and most famous spectacles which within the space of forty days, have likewise been, to the admiration of the whole land. I wish also with the like commemoration, and praise of the Almighty power, and never failing goodness of our most gracious, and merciful God: Who for Christ his sake protect, and preserve your Highness, the Queen's Majesty, the young Prince, and all your highness royal offspring, and issue, all your majesties kingdoms, dominions, and faithful subjects, from the entrage of Satan, and all his limbs, specially from the bloody attempts of all Antichrists brood: most particularly from the desperate villainies of all shorelings shavelings, and jesuits, this ages (as they are, truly called) King-killers: long to reign over us, to the glory of Almighty God, and the joy, and comfort of all faithful and true hearted Subjects.  
Your highness most humble, and most loyal subject P. S.   

FEARFUL NEWS.  
Three things there are, which in this I'll, within the space of 40. days have very extraordinarily, and wonderfully succeeded, that deserve likewise more than ordinary remembrance. Of the first, withal others that had an use of their eye sight, I was for many nights together an eywitnesse, but not without great wonderment. Of the second, I was only an ear-witness, and that with great thankfulness. Of the last, I was both an ear, & an eye-witness with great astonishment, seeing, 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 gifts, did with more deep contemplation weigh the accidents themselves, and with consideration can more effectually remember, and deliver them to the glory of God, and the praise of his great power, and mercy.  
Of the latter I will (God willing) be more large, my place, and profession requiring thereof in this kind a more ample testimony, then of any others present, from the beginning 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 heavens for many nights together, both before, at, and after the time that that horroble, inhuman, and more than butcherly treason, (the like whereof was never heard of among infidels) should have been executed, to the extinguishing of the light, and taking away of the life of the whole state. The heavens as it were taking a bloody, and fiery impression, and blushing as it were at those most bloody attempts of cursed Caitiffs, and of those furious flames which they most treacherously, were kindling, to the utter ruinating of their dear country and common wealth. Which great work of God, although all did, or might behold, and see with wonderment, yet who could or did know the end thereof, until in the end the Lord himself made it known, and open to the view of all men? And now having opened it to all who is so blind, (as 
* F I●s●phus in lib. de I●●ae●. bell. 7. cap. 12.  he saith, on the tokens that proceeded the taking, and overture of jerusalem) neither having eyes, nor soul, as not to see, that God hath a singular care of mankind, and doth every where foreshow betime, what is most expedient for them? especially what care the Lord hath of Kings, and kingdoms, and of their regalty, and royalty? That the heavens do even take notice, openly foreshow, and publicly bewray, the horrible treacheries, and conspiracies that shallbe in earth, and as it were under the earth in secret, desperately complotted, and contrived for the overthrow, and ruin of their high estate, and sovereignty, whereon dependeth, as the life of the body on the head, the wealth, and happiness of the whole commonwealth.  
That he that seateth, and unseateth Kings at his pleasure, should so watch over their persons, and places, and watch them, that shall seek by most undutiful indignities to wrong their persons, and places, that where the earth cannot, the heavens shall hold out a light, and even bring to light, those cursed complots, that are in obscurity most devilishly huddled up, against the Crown and dignity of the Lords anointed.  
Is it admirable in the eyes of all men almighty God should so wonderfully tender the good of human societies, especially of their heads, and governors, that the heavens, overspreding the earth, should return such a reflection of the actions done therein, as not to suffer unrevealed, but publicly by flaming lights therein, to give a light, to the search, and finding out of that, to their singular benefit, whereof otherwise to their Imminent danger, they are utterly ignorant, is this (I say) admirable in the eyes of all, & ought not every one, and shall not all, both King and subject, Prince, and people, head, and heart, make a holy, and happy use of almighty God● this so wonderful, and unspeakable goodness? God forbidden else. The use therefore being manifold, I will hear draw it to a double head: general, particular. The general doth generally call upon all men, that sith almighty God hath such a care of all, head, and body, crown, and foot, that he hath, and doth not only enrich us with infinite good things, prossperity, plenty, peace, (and what not?) all which we are altogether utterly unworthy of: but hath, and doth also daily prevent, and forestaie so many deserved evils, reverting them upon their heads, that are the instruments of ill: all of us therefore should from the highest to the lowest, from his sacred Majesty, that fitteth on the Throne, to the drawer of water, and hewer of wood know, and acknowledge with fear, and reverence, the almighty presence, and providence of our good God, and always to laud, and praise him for his goodness.  
And for that we are all forgetful, and dull by nature, each one according to his place, and calling: to provoke, and stir up on another, with that of the prophet, not for fashion, but with affection. O come and let us sing unto the Lord, let us hearty rejoice in the strength of our salvation. As this is the general use, so the particular is double, according to the double estate of men, for each King hath his use, and every Subject his use.  
All Kings who acknowledge with reverence, for their sovereign the King of Kings, have their use of singular comfort, and courage ever to behave themselves Kingly; not to congratulate this Estate, or that person at any time, by hovering policy, and hiding piety, considering the great founder, and when it pleaseth him confounder of all Estates. and persons, doth over shadow, and shelter their thrones, and kingdoms: that so long as they serve him, 
job. 5.23.  and forward his commands, their is no power there is no policy in earth, or in hell, that shall harm their majesties one hair: for all the powers of the heavens, and of the earth, are combined, and confederated together, for the maintenance, and upholding of their thrones. But if any shall so far forget their allegiance to the highest, as to set themselves against his high commanders on earth, he himself from heaven will sight against them; and cause all the rest of his creatures to cry out upon them, and to hale them on to due, and most deserved execution.  
As this is a kingly comfort and encouragement, to kings in their godly government: so the second use is loyal, & respecteth the subjects in their faithful 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 himself thought him sit visibly to represent unto thee, his invisible majesty, and wilt not thou in the Lord yield unto him fear, and reverence? or darest thou so, and worm of the earth, whatsoever thou art, lift up I say, not a sword in thy hand, but a thought in thy heart against his sacred power, and government? When the Lord himself saith, This man, and his posterity shall reign over thee, and the land of thy subjection, and shall rule this Empire, this I'll, these, and these people and nations, art thou sound, or wilt thou only be appeacht for a traitor? not only against the Crown, and dignity, of thy earthly king, who hath power of this thy life, but against thy heavenly Sovereign, who hath power (after thy head is taken from thy shoulders, thy body unboweled, and quartered, and the parts of thy body imparted here and there, as an horrible, and odious spectacle of thy disloyalty) to cast thee, body and soul into hell? Cannot thy house contain thee, within the bounds of fidelity? will not the love, and credit of thy country, and kindred, the woeful outcries of thy sweet children, the pitiful lamentations of thy dear wife, if thou have these; or otherwise the fear of imprisonment, the Rack, the Halter, and so at last the terrors of death itself, terrify thee from treachery? yet have a regard to thy soul, set not light by that which is the price of the precious blood of the son of God. This thou hazardest, this without doubt thou wilt cast away, and cast thyself headlong into hell, if wilfully, and treasonably thou set thyself against him, whom the Lord hath set over thee, and the kingdom wherein thou art a subject.  
Subject thyself therefore under the mighty hand of God, and of him whom that hand hath placed on the throne of the kingdom.  
Consider with me (saith he) who ever perished being an Innocent? and consider with me (say I) who ever prospered being a traitor? Since the beastly Bull of Pope Impius Quintus; were there ever heard of so many, and so bloody treasons against the sacred persons of two christian Princes, as against that most famous, & peerless Queen, that dead is, and his most excellent majesty now living, & long may he live, to the comfort of all truehearted subjects, & to the confusion of all hollowhearted Traitors. Amen, Amen.  
In this succession of times, and treasons, we see by the admirable providence of our good God, what hath succeeded.  
And unless the enemies themselves, had their consciences seared with an hot iron, and were utterly given over to a reprobate sense, they must needs know and confess, that hitherto they have, and if they yet persist, still will as Giants fight against God.  
Who to the praise of his glory, and their everlasting shame, hath ever, (and I hope ever will) unboweled, and ripped up all their freasons and Traitors. But what shall I speak of Traitors, or to traitors, who will never make use hereof, till the ladder, and halter by lamentable experience teach them; to the turn whereof I leave them, and turn to you that are true, and faithful Subjects in deed, exhorting, and charging you in the name of God, by all means in these Traitorous times, to strengthen, and encourage yourselves in your faithful subjection.  
Remember the counsel of God by wise King Solomon, commanding all Subjects, 
Eccl. 10.20  not to entertain a disloyal thought against their King in their hearts, nor to speak ill in their privy Chambers, for the fowls of the heaven shall carry the voice, and the birds of the air shall bewray it.  
And if we may not admit a disloyal thought into our hearts, against a bad, and a wicked King, how much less may we do it, against such a King (as it hath pleased God to give us? (immortal thanks be given his Majesty for it) as is a patron, and pattern of goodness, and virtue to the hole land. Give (saith our Saviour Christ) to God that which is Gods, to Caesar that which is Caesar's. If we will yield to God his, we must yield obedience to his word, enjoining us to fear him, and to honour the King. If we will give Caesar his, what is more due to the King than loyalty, 
Rom. 13.1.2.3. etc.  and subjection? This being hearty, and inward, will questionless draw other duties willingly with it. Who thus beginneth and continueth in fidelity, and dutifullnesse, especially in conscience of God's command, the blessing of God shall go with him and his: contrariwise he that doth not, the curse, and vengeance of God will find him out, and follow him at the heels, and rather than he, & his desperate designs shall lie unrevealed, the heavens, the fowls of the heaven, one, or other of the creatures of God, shall give a light to the opening of it, to his eternal shame, and confusion.  
And hitherto of the first admirable action, and accident: the second (whereof I now come to discourse) was the most horrible, bloody, and barbarous treason, that ever was heard of, which the fore-remembered fiery, and bloody streams did accompany, which by the singular providence of God was detected, defeated, and diverted to the utter subversion, & confusion of the wretched Traitors themselves. It abhorreth me to use more words of it & yet what words are able to express the horror of it? I will only content myself, to make some good use of this their damnable ill.  
The first respecteth the hellish Traitors, and hel-bounds themselves with all their complices: the second, all against whom that desperate, and devilish proscription was made. For the wicked complotters themselves, and their wretched complices, I mean all Papists, their former traitorly attempts, with this more than brutish, surpassing all others their bloody, and turkish enterprises: notably bewrayeth the fruit of thei● Popish religion▪ and doth notoriously preclaime unto us, what we are to expect at their Traitorous hands, so long as they abide, and breath a●●ng us. Who so with attention readeth the histories either divine, or profane, he shall 〈◊〉, tha● a● Godly pity hath always accompanied true piety, so idolatry, and cruelty have commonly gone together. And if ever any idolaters were famous, or rather infamous for truculency, and inhumanity, then without doubt the men eating Papists. I need not instant herein, that one bo●ne of the Acts and Monuments hath cased me of this labour, and doth entry where fore them for it. Neither is it any marvel they so malice the book, and the man for his book, that they cease not to inveigh against his dead bons which if they were within their reach, as P. Phagius, and Bucers were, should not smell of the smoke, but smoke in the fire. Then which what can be imagined more cruel? what greater inhumanity can be devised?  

Corpora maegnanimo satis est prostrasse leoni,  
Pugna suum finem, cum iacit hostis habet:   

At lupus, et turpes instant morientibus ursi,  
Et quaecunque minor nobititate fera est.   

The Lion stout doth rest,  
when he hath field to geound  
His foe, when he lieth flat,  
an end of fight is found.  
The Wolf and filthy Bears,  
do rend the dying beast,  
As each is cruel more,  
that is in courage least.   
They are worse than the Lion, Wolf, or Bear, of which, the worst prayeth only on the dead flesh, but these after the flesh is rotten, cease not to pray on the dead bones. What marvel, sith they pray to dead bones and stones, and what not? Idolatry, and cruelty may not, they cannot be at any time parted or divorced.  
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 than heathenish, & brutish cruelty, so secondly let us see; what we are to expect from their complices, so long as they continue among us.  
It is observed as a singular point of wisdom, to foresee what will fall out, the fool only looking forth right, and to that which is before his feet, not comparing times past, with the present; and both these, with that which is to come, thereby to provide for his own good, and prevent his own harm, which if we will do with wisdom, and circumspection, in this case of jesus Christ's most professed, and our heavy enemies the Papists, we may eastly conjecture what their future, and after behaviour will be; by their former, and present, cruel, and Cannibal-like carriage.  
If a she Bear robbed of her whelps, or a hungry wolf, will not pray on the silly Lamb she meeteth in her way, then may we trust the Popish crew, and suffer them to continue, and range up and down among us.  
The she wolf of Rome, hath had heretofore, and now for their treasons is like to have, such a loss of her whelps; whether she, and hers yet living, will not seek revenge, I will not make question, lest I should seem to doubt, whether a Wolf, be a Wolf, and Rome the same to day that it was yesterday: 
Revel. 17.9.  for certainly so long as she piercheth on seven hills, she will either overcrow the Kings of the earth, or seek to pluck their Crowns from their heads,  
And what she doth, she will teach all her brood, 
Revel. 17.16.17.18. Revel. 18.6 Revel. 18.6 eDut. 13.1  and chickens to do, until the Kings of the earth, according to Gods fore council, and justice, and according to his command in that behalf, join together, and execute the wrath of God upon her, and her adherents. Which if almighty God, command them to do in the head, I desire to know what they ought to do in the members? Every professed idolater, by the law of God is to die, but the Papists are professed Idolaters: the assumption, or minor proposition will be doubted of; I will not therefore conclude, till I have strengthened, and confirmed it, knitting it up after this sort.  
If Papists be the grossest idolaters that ever were, than idolaters, but the former is as true, as the seven held city, is the seat of Antichrist, ergo the latter as she shall certainly be burnt with fire, for strong is the Lord God that will do it. The antecedent will not be granted me: for the consequent; S. john warranteth me: I therefore fortify it thus. All they that worship so base a thing a● a piece of bread for the maker of heaven, and earth, idle Pictures, rusty nails, rotten timber, and old rags, are the grossest Idolaters that ever were; but the Papists do all these, therefore they are the grossest Idolaters that ever were. And now I conclude, Papists ought by the law of God to die. But me seemeth I see some man step forth, now I have concluded pleading for Idolatry, and Papistry, denying my proposition the groundsel of all: and yet me thinketh it cannot stand faster than on the eternal, and unalterable word of God. But saith he, it is one of Moses' judicials. Is it indeed Moses, and not Almighty Gods? He rejoineth therefore, yes, and those judicials were temporary, and for the state of the jews, and taken away by the appearing of Christ. To this rejoinder, I adjoin, that Christ saith 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 darkness, not to make a way for the works of darkness: which he must needs do, if he should either take the sword out of the Magistrates hands, or give it in his hand, there to suffer it rust in the sheath, and not draw it forth against offenders. And I pray you in good part, against whom should he use it, if not against Idolaters, the greatest & notoriest Traitors against God, and his glory, that the earth yieldeth?  
Shall Kings draw the sword which the Lord hath put in their hands and that most justly, for the cutting off, of them that complot treasons against their own persons, and shall they be less zealous in the Lord's cause, then in their own? But what speak I of the Lords cause only, 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 affirm, & confirm it thus. Whosoever holdeth the Pope's supremacy, is a Traitor to the King, but all Papists hold the Pope's supremacy: My assumption will here again be baited at, I will therefore bar it thus. If every Christian have his name for that in truth he acknowledgeth Christ his head, than every 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 bear him say he is a Papist, I can truly say by and by he is a traitor. But we will have a shift for this, he is no Papist, if there be such danger in the notation of the name, but a Catholic, I promise you it is now well amended, as one washing off the filth of his face with ink.  
From whence I pray you cometh this name? what soundeth it? After this sort, whosoever holdeth the Pope's supremacy, is a traitor, every Catholic holdeth the Pope's supremacy: my assumption need here no more words, for this very name selleth me, that he holdeth the universality of the church of Rome, and so the universal authority of the Pope of Rome. And this will always be the keeping of the dirige, a Papist, a catholic, a traitor, a traitor. But it may be our language is harsh, and barren, giving graceless names to gracious men: will the smooth Latin, lend us a couple of names in steed of them, to steed these men, for I would sane tid myself of them? What say you to Pontificius, and Papicola, will either of these better Papist, or catholic? Surely no; never a barrel better hearing: for when all cometh to all, either he must forget his Papistry, or he can never forego his treachery. Notwithstanding all this, if he will 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 condemn papistry of cruelty, and what were this to execute all Papists: first therefore we must know a difference between 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, peevishly popish, & a perverse papist, a young cub, and an old Fox, one that is creeping out of the shell, and another that is fledge, for when I speak of a Papist, which instantly ecchoeth a traitor, & by and by calleth for a halter, I mean such a one as is a true Papist, a Catholic, Pontificius, Papicola, that hath the grounds, & is grounded in the fundamental points of his rebellion, I should say his religion, for as sure as the Lord liveth, if he be a resolute papist, he is an absolute traitor to God and his King: & it was never heard of, that to execute him should savour any way of extremity, and cruelty, but of most just severity. Nay rather to spare such a one, as a rotten member, to the utter hazard of the hole body, may be well accounted in humanity & more than desperate folly. God almighty, in whose hand are the hearts of all men to turn them whether it pleaseth him, so in wisdom direct his vicegerents herein, that they may in their several kingdoms, do that which may most serve for his glory, and the good of their several estates. Hitherto of the traitors, that did complot the former horrible treason, and their complices: now for the use we are to make, against whom, and whose good, it was most devilishly complotted, and desperately contrived.  
Which is likewise double, the first, respecting God's justice, the second, his mercy. Concerning his justice, let us know and remember with profit, that he by the hand of these unjust wretches, shaking his rod unto us, did thereby show what we for our many sins had justly deserved: Even all of us to feel, and see an utter demolition, and desolation of our state, and common wealth.  
For although these more than wicked traitors, had no just cause, nor occasion to draw them on, but most desperately by the instigation of the devil, and their devilish madness, were carried on headlong to attempt, and enterprise so horrible a treason, the like whereof no history doth afford, as at an instant to kill the King, the Queen, the Prince, and all the flower of the Church, and common wealth, & that after a most hellish and fearful manner, by blowing them up in the air, & so to leave the commonwealth as a forsaken widow, prostituting her to be deflowered, defaced, and desolated by the bloody hands of bastard children at home, and the furious invasions of foreign tyrants, and so to make her a terror to herself, & a terrible spectacle of extreme misery, & calamity to the whole world: howsoever I say, they had no cause to do or attempt this, yet we may acknowledge, & confess that by the just judgement of God, all this, and more (if more might be) might have come upon us, and overtaken us. But almighty God even in the midst of his judgement, remembering mercy, did only shake the rod at us, and then cast it into the fire. That so long as we live, and our posterity after us, in that common wealth, which by the justice of God we had almost lost, but by his mercy yet possess, & enjoy, and I hope shall to the end of the world, maugre the malice of the devil, we may learn to fear God's justice, to love his mercy, and so for his justice, and mercy, to fear, and love him, and to praise him with the prophet in that excellent song. If the the Lord had not been on our side (may we now say) If the Lord had not been on our side, when men rose up against us, and so forth to the end of that psalm. Who so maketh not these profitable uses, of this wonderful deliverance of the lord but runneth on in sin without remorse, let him remember what Christ said to the man delivered from his malady, go and sin no more, lest a worse thing happen unto thee. And here an end of the two first wonderful accidents, I mean an end of my discourse thereof: but I hope the inhabitants of this land will never cease, with thankfulness to God, to remember his justice, and mercy therein never sufficiently to be praised.  
O Eternal God, creator of heaven, and earth, & in jesus Christ my most merciful father, I thy unworthy servant return unto thy divine majesty most humble and hearty thanks, as for all other thy unspeakable mercies, so especially for the great and wonderful deliverance of myself, and many other of thy poor and sinful creatures, from the rage, and force of the horrible thunder and lightning, which of late thou didst send amongst us. The true report whereof, sith I am herein to deliver to thy servant King james, whom thou by thy almighty providence hast made thy vicegerent in this mighty empire, and so unto thy people his subjects: so sanctify (good Lord) my memory, and meditation, and therewith all my report and relation, that the truth herein being effectually delivered, it may redound to the glory of thy great name, the profit of thy beloved children, & the terror of thy professed enemies. Amen  
Now I come to the third wonderful, and terrible accident, whereof I was both an ear, and an eye-witness.  
First I will according to the truth, deliver the report thereof, and next make such profitable uses, as so great, and wonderful a work 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 evidence of the matter. The time therefore was on Thursday being the 28. of November last, about a month after the foresaid fearful flaming of the heavens, and most horrible treason complotted & detected. The place was at Ouelstone in the county of Gloucester, situated some eight miles from the famous city of Bristol, and two miles from Aust, which is well known, in regard of the often transportation, and passage there over the River of Severne.  
This for the time and place, when, and where this wonderful work of God, was by his all nighty hand wrought, and done: now for the action, and work itself. The morning of the foresaid day being lowering, and sad, did yet a little after eight, begin to smile, and look somewhat cheerful toward the east: which was indeed but a smile, and for a very small time, for even anon before nine of the clock, the west as it were envying the easts merriment, sendeth me up with a strong wind, a most dark mantle, which overspread the whole heavens, as if the sun had upon some sudden fear, suddenly retired, and again hid itself under our horizon, giving place to the dark night, to wrap up all things in her black mourning gown. So dark and black was it, that but for the note of the time, it was hard to judge whether it were day, or night: yet after half an hour, or there about, this black mask was again taken off, and the heavens begin to smouth up, and clear their countenance, the sun sending forth from the south, his golden rays for an hour and half: which the north disdaining with a most scornful lower, thinking itself wronged, as the west did before, and terribly menacing the south (notwithstanding the wind stood between them to stay the quarrel) with a most terrible and ugly visage. Neither was it satisfied with threatening looks, but her fearful forces come on amain, admitting yet between, them & the sun, a short parley, made known by a goodly, and beautiful rainbow. The sight whereof did not a little comfort me, notwithstanding the frowning face of the heavens, did otherwise pretend some fearful event: for beholding the world's Sacrament, I remembered not only that covenant of God, which it doth seal unto, but his other covenant made with us in Christ, whereby he hath bound himself, and that with an oath, to be our God, and we (even as many of us as by faith apprehend the force and fruit of it) to be his people. And that therefore though east, and west, north and south, heaven, and earth, should be jumbled, and tumbled together, yet the anchor of our hope, and happiness, being cast within the veal, and founded on Christ the unmovable rock, could not fail, nor deceive, nor be deceived.  
With this or the like meditation, I passed from under the Canopy of the open heavens, under the roof of the house.  
Where after a very little while, being set at dinner, the terrible darkness, that was in the North, so gathered on the south, that it became very dark, considering the time of the day, and the clear light that was but a little before. But the thick clouds had indeed their burden, whereof they hasted to be eased, for down falleth with a boisterous wind a very plentiful hail, which with the abundance (for it was better than half a foot thick on the ground, every where after the tempest, which lasted a quarter of an hour or there about) and the wind made a very terrible rattle, which was accompanied with fearful flashes of lightning, and some three, or four claps of more than ordinary thunder.  
Whereof I took occasion of talk, to the gentle woman of the house, and her young plants, which (being five sons with the son of a friend) sat at table with us, to this effe●● That the Atheists of the world, and such as did not know, acknowledge, and fear God, had great cause to be terrified, and to tremble, at such terrors of his: but for such as did truly fear God, they need not be appalled, or dismayed at it, considering they know●, it came from God their gracious father in Christ jesus.  
She replied with a remembrance of the day of judgement, that if this, then much more terrible, would the day of the Lord be unto such, as did not know God in Christ, and in him, had a feeling of his fatherly love.  
In the midst of our talk, behold, there flameth in a wonderful flash of Lightning, seconded with as horrible a report of extraordinary Thunder, as I think any man living hath heard. It was not as the manner is of thunder, a rattling and rumbling noise drawn in length, but as if a thousand tun weight had fallen from a fit upon a fit able to endure the weight of it, making a most inexplicable and unspeakable thump and hownce, to them that are under it. Such was the furious and fearful report of this terrible clap of thunder, wherewith according to the infirmity of this corrupt flesh, I was touched, but not without assured hope in God, using the words of the Psalm. power out thy wrath, O Lord upon the heathen, that know thee not, and upon the kingdoms that call not on thy name.  
The table being taken up, and God for his mercies, praised, I betook me even upon 12. a clock to my school, where finding my scholars amazed with what had even then past, I put them in mind of that I had spoken in the morning (for with our morning prayer, we had the first Chapter to the Romans read) concerning the two means whereby God maketh himself known unto the world, his word, and his works According to the present occasion, I urged the second, which I had that very day delivered out of those words of the Apostle, in the 20. verse, for the invisible things of him, that is his eternal power & Godhead, are seen by the creation of the world, being considered in his works to the intent they should be without excuse.  
But in the midst of my speech, I heard the Bell's knoll extraordinarily, and sending one forth to inquire the occasion, he presently returned answer, the Steeple was a fire.  
So concluding abruptly, and passing forth at doors, I saw it was no false report of a feigned fire. For behold, the force of God's terrible voice, had shaken, rifted, and rend the Tower of stone, whereon the Spier of Lead of a great height stood toward the West, from the rest of the Battlement, almost to the roof 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 wondered at, as it being crushed in divers places, as a rotten apple: it was only so done within, and no appearance of it without: and of three great glass Windows that stand in that end, not one of them hurt by it, either in the Glass or lights, Albeit the wall were shaken both immediately above and under them, the stronger being hurt, and the weaker scaping harmless.  
So powerful and provident is Almighty God, that he striketh and leaveth unstriken where he will, and whom he will, that strength to him is weakness, and weakness to him is strength.  
And although this Thundering voice of Almighty God, did no where show so terrible an effect, as on and in the Church, yet without the Church, in the Field and in the houses near, an extraordinary presence of his power, not without his mercy, was sensibly to be perceived by diverse, whom it cast, one hither, another thither, and some down, but hurt neither man, woman, child, nor any living creature else, for aught that I have heard.  
As this was the effect of the terrible Thunder, so his fearful fire (the lightning I mean) had fired the steeple, about three quarters of a yard beneath the foot of the bar, whereon the weathercock perched, which fearful fire, considering the powerful hand that had kindled it, the matter whereon, and the bellows which did blow it, being at first a strong western wind, how it did rage, they may well imagine that saw it not, which they may farther understand by this, that within the space of two hours, it did devour, consume, melt, and throw down all the timbers, lead, and irons that were from the top of the Steeple, (being as I have said of a great height) to the tower of stone, and in other three hours, did burn to the ground, melt, and cast down with an unresistible force, all the lofts, timbers, stocks, and wheels of five very tunenable but often abused bells.  
The Clock, which before had notified precious time, calling on men as it were to take time, and to take heed of the abuse of so excellent a treasure, was likewise hereby silenced. The Chancel, through the flered timbers and firebrands, which fell from the Steeple, on the roof of it, was fired and defaced. As it was very probable, the Church would have been also with the like, had not the wind carried the rage of the fire so much on the Chancel, which stood on the Eastside from the church, which is seated on the west. But the fire itself did not much harm the church, the most hurt it received being great, was from the hands of men, who fearing what was likely, that the rage of the flames, would have had the like force on the Church, as it had on the steeple; sought to save what might be. They therefore ripped up and cast out almost all the seats, and uncovered the three Isles of the Church in the middle, in hope to save, if it might be, that half which was westermost, if the other half, next the steeple were fired. But their labour indeed turned to loss, as it fell out, for God by his good providence, did not only restrain the rage of the fire, from the Church which was on the West, but likewise from the houses near, most admirably, especially, from the ministers which stood so ●nder the mer●y of the fire, and the wind. that 〈◊〉 thousand stakes of fire might be seen, to light a●●●ng his wood, on his hay, & corn mows▪ and soon whatsoever almost ●as about his house, and yet so gracious is 〈…〉 are 〈…〉 only, I think did him not 〈…〉 〈…〉 of hurt. In the mean season, it 〈…〉 to r●●ie 〈◊〉 not withstanding this so manifest 〈◊〉 ●●●●●able a toolke of God, in wealth speaking vnto●●●n, 〈◊〉 such sort, as you haus heard that saw it not, and that 〈…〉 from heavest, of many that ca●●e 〈…〉 scarce one 〈◊〉, amongst many, 〈…〉, 〈◊〉 a ●●ishap is 〈◊〉, what a mise●●●●●● here, what 〈◊〉 hap, what bad forfu●●e, wish such heatho●ish speec●●●, 〈◊〉 the spheres of heaven were the wheels of fortune, 〈◊〉 the clouds, hail; lightning, thunder, and alt the 〈…〉 God else, were but a cast a● hazard. So little we●● they corrected est he with the great power of God, or the 〈…〉 their own great sins, yea I dare say (and yet I think before the Lord I say the truth more did truly for the present what they have done since I know not) bewailt th●●o●e or their sweet ring of Bells, which the se●●e●e wrath of God, would no longer suffer to ●angle, than orther for their ignorance of God, and his goodness, or their unthankfulness, or for any other sin, which was doth the cause of this, and is the cause of all other his judgements. And lest I should seem to speak without book h●r●●● I will allege that testimony, which is without exception, the greatest of all other, of the abundance o●the heart, the mouth speaketh. The truth whereof not being doubted, than I say, it is an undoubled truth I have affirmed, for I heard with mine ears, divers lament the death (as it 〈◊〉) of their Bells, but no one; there so much as mention, the guilt or punishment of sin.  
And if they that were present spectators, and had a sp●●●all interest as it were in so manifest, and public a pre●●●ent of God's wrath revealed from heaven, made so little use of it, what great cause is there, some special uses be● ripped up, as well for them that are near, as for them that are farther of: I come therefore to the use. Which is double first, in regard of places, secondly of persons, for places it being a tower, and a Steeple of great height, proudly aspiring as it were, and advancing itself in the apre, that was thus fearfully strucken with the piercing force of thunder and lightning, as it many times hath fallen out ●●nes the tower of Babel began to be 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, lest they have the like pernicious fall. It is feigned of 〈◊〉, that it creepeth at first on the ground, but at last it roasteth on the top of high topped turrets, but for the fame of God's wrath lighting on places, most while it ariseth from the overturning of that, which hath been turretted & raised up aloft. That where the proud spiers seems to threaten the heavens, they are by the heavens over topped, and turned topsy-turvy to the ground. And as this is exemplisted in proud towers, and turrets, so may it be in trees, that peeping out of the earth, will at the length advance themselves so haughtily, as if they disdained the drops that come from the clouds should light on their crowns. But it is in vain to speak of the places without the persons, for though god write confusion on them, they know not ne feel their own pride or perdition; which lighteth on them, not for any sin of theirs, for they are unreasonable and unsensible, but for the sin of men's persons, whom God hath endued with reason & understanding, & unto whom he hath committed the dominion & use of his other creatures, for the abuse whereof he doth in justice, not only sometimes set the stamp of his wrath upon their persons, but more often in mercy doth spare their persons, & brand it in the other creatures, that he hath given for their profit or pleasure. I come therefore to the personal uses hereof, which shallbe threefold, according to men's threefold estate, highest, lowest, or between both.  
Men of the first order, and rank, I do most humbly entreat often and again to remember, who hath so highly advanced them, and whereunto; for the forgetfulness of these two points, is followed with an impotency of mind, the archenimye of moderation, & the most potent procurer of the hasty downfall of their high estate. 
Prou. 8.15.  For if they did ever remember of whom they hold their places, and of what importance, that it is the son of GOD by whom king's reign and statesmen decree justice, by whom princes hold their principality, and all the good judges of the earth: and as by the son of God they are placed, the importance of their places to be such, as Moses the best commander, on that ever was, groaned under the burden of it: and Solomon maketh it a matter of impossibility, for any man to discharge it, 
1. King 3.9  without more than human ability. If they did remember (I say) these things together with the peril, whereto great men in that they are great, are subject, could pride so have prevailed with many of them as it hath, as Pharaoh, Nebucadnezar, Herod, & not only with such bad governors but with the best likewise, as David and Hezechiah? Which disease the Lord who knoweth the hearts of men, foreseeing how it would infect, did before hand prescribe a diet, and gave an an tedate, which may be there more fitly & profitably seen then here remembered. And sith it is the Lords prescription, 
Deu. 17.19.20.  it is not without manifest danger to be neglected, but to be used of men in highest places, as they love their own health and happiness. A word to the wise, I will therefore conclude, this first use, unto men of the first room, as Kings, their great counsellors and assistants, with the speech of the Kingly prophet David; and leaving them unto the gracious blessing of God, most humbly take my leave. 
Ps. 138.4.  All the Kings of the earth shall praise thee O Lord: for they have heard the words of thy mouth. And they shall sing of the ways 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 that second rank & order, who are as models of means state, neither so high, that they stand to the mercy of every threat of the air, nor so low, that they are subject to every inundation of the water.  
Who as they stand between two, so they must make this use to take heed, especially of two faults, envy toward their superiors, or disdain to their inscriours. Envy nor emulate they must not any way their superiors, nor the highest places possessed 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 subject to much peril, as the high steeples to the force of all blustering storms. They watch when others sleep, they fast when others eat, they cark when others are secure, they bear the wood, and others warm themselves by the fire, they sow the corn and others reap the harvest, yet all this while for recompense, their places, persons, and lives, are aimed at, that their estates are beleigered with millions of miserable labours, and fears of extreme losses. In the mean season, thou dost sleep when thou wilt, eat what thou hast, rest secure, warm thee, sow and reap, & though these be great blessings, to these is added hearts ease, if God give thee a heart to conceive thine own good. Thou whatsoever thou art of this order, hast the golden mean, if thou demean thyself accordingly, the golden mean I say, which Agur the son of lakeh, did so importune the Lord for.  
Read the place with attention, I leave the search and sweetness of it, to thyself and thine own experience. In the mean time, as men of the second rank must for many respects, without enny but with singular submission, & reverence, demean themselves to them that are above, so they must avoid all disdain and contempt of them that are below.  
This latter they will the sooner be drawn to do, if they remember the double account they are to yield, of the which, the one though for a time delayed never faileth. If they wrong, despite, or despise their inferiors, they shall answer to their superiors on earth, who with King David sing of mercy, and judgement: of mercy to the merciful, of judgement and justice to the cruel. But if either by their own ability of friends, money, flattery, or any other indirect means: or the inability of the oppressed, not able to complain, or follow it; they foredoe, and forego this account in earth, yet certainly they shall not fail to come before the heavenly judge, who telleth them plainly before hand, whereto they shall trust. He that despiseth the poor reproacheth him that made him. And thinkest thou he will bear reproaches at thy hands, & not pay thee home? Or wilt thou not remember that the law of God, and nature, will condemn thee, if thou hurt him, whom both of them command thee to help? I might here open a sea of reasons, and all legations in this behalf, to dissuade men from contempt, & disdain of the meanest, and to persuade them to pity, and compassion. But one shall be to them and me, instead of all. It is taken from that solemn manner of proceeding in general convocation, of all before the great judge, at the fearful day of judgement, when Christ shall denounce that terrible doom (Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels) not against them only that have plucked the meat from the hungry, taken away drink from the thirsty, wronged the stranger, drawn unjustly the skin as it were over men's ears, and so afflicted their souls and bodies, for there is no inquiry nor question made of them, being Ipso facto condemned to hell: but this heavy doom they shall also have, that have not fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, lodged the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and such like. Thou seest how the case standeth, weigh the truth by the authority; and practise it for thy own safely. So in the name of God, I exhort thee not to envy, but to honour thy superiors, not to despise but to help thy inferiors, of whom commending thee to God's grace in Christ jesus, I come now briefly to speak. These therefore to the 2. former estates, are as poor cuttages to the highest ●urrets, as mold-hills to the mighty mountains, the shrubs to the Cedars of Libanon. Yet though they be such, the highest among men, may not set them at nought, nor the second sort little account of them. Forasmuch as the lower they stand, and the less able they are, to help and right themselves, the more doth the Lord tender their case, and the more severely will be revenge their wrongs. But they have a fault, which if they would amend, notwithstanding their poverty, they might be passing happy, and that is impatiency. Men in the highest places, except god grace them, extraordinarily labour of impotency of mind, and cannot bear their estates, or their estates abide with them for pride: and men of the lowest places, except God comfort them, exceedingly labour of impotency of mind, and cannot brook their places, for want of patience. Whereas this being possessed, they would not only comfortably endure, the indifferent calamities of their estate, but by their hearty and humble prayers unto God (as in duty they are bound) ease much their superiors, those especially that are in the highest places, most traveled and troubled, and therefore needing most the assistance of their godly prayers. The God of patience, grant this unto them, and so unto all estates, conditions, and sorts of men, so to carry, demean, and behave themselves, as in his glorious presence, who will bless all them that fear him both small and great. 
Ps. 115.13.  Here an end of the threefold use delivered, to the three estates of men, concerning the third wonderful work of God, and so of the three admirable actions: Which being three, and all very extraordinary, are a sufficient testimony against all, that hearing thereof, will not yet in time repent and amend their lives, but have their ears and hearts so shut up, and hardened against the power of God, revealed both in his words and works; that nothing will deter them from sin, and draw them to godliness, till Christ come from heaven, with thousand thousands of angels, in flaming fire to judge the world: 
Revel. 22.  which as it hasteth, so hasten Lord jesus, for thy promise sake: surely I come quickly, Amen Even so come Lord jesus. Amen.  
Hallelu-iah.