An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Some Remarkable Land-floods, have likewise happened in New, England. Nor is that which came to pass this present year to be here wholly passed over in silence. In the Spring time the great River at Connecticut useth to overflow, but this year it did so after Midsummer▪ and that twice: For July 20. 1683. A considerable Flood unexpectedly arose, which proved detrimental to many in that Colony. But on August 13. a second and a more dreadful Flood came. The Waters were then observed to rise twenty six foot above their usual Boundaries. The Grass in the Meadows, also the English Grain was carried away before it. The Indian Corn by the long continuance of the Waters is spoiled: so that the four River Towns viz. Windsor, Hartford, Weathersfield, Middle-Town, are extreme sufferers. They write ⟨p. 330⟩from thence, that some who had hundreds of Bushels of Corn in the Morning, at night had not one Peck left for their Families to live upon. There is an awful intimation of Divine Displeasure Remarkable in this matter; inasmuch as August 8. a day of public Humiliation with Fasting and Prayer, was attended in that Colony, partly on the account of Gods hand against them in the former Flood; the next week after which, the hand of God was stretched out over them again, in the same way, after a more terrible manner then at first. It is also Remarkable that so many places should suffer by inundations as this year it hath been. For at the very same time when the Flood happened at Connecticut, there was an Hurricane in Virginia attended with a great exundation of the Rivers there, so as that their Tobacco and their Indian Corn is very much damnified. Moreover, we have received Information this Summer, that the mighty River Danow (the biggest in Europe) hath overflowed its Banks, by means whereof many have lost their lives. Also near Aix in France, there lately happened an unusual Flood, whereby much harm was done; and had the Waters continued rising but one hour longer, the City had probably been destroyed thereby. There was likewise ⟨p. 331⟩a sudden and extraordinary Flood in Jamaica, which drowned many (both Men and Beast) and was very detrimental to some Plantations there. They that came lately from thence, assure us that the Waters in some places arose an hundred and fifty foot. Such mighty Streams did the Heavens suddenly power down upon them.