Fire and brimstone from heaven, from earth, in hell, or, Three discourses I. Concerning…

We have read of a Deluge and Flood of Waters, which drowned the old World; and other lesser inundations which have drowned particular places; but I know not any History, which giveth relation of a Deluge and Flood of fire, such as this, which devoured and destroyed whatever lay in it's way. The late relation telleth us that wheresoever it passed, it left large heaps of it's congealed matter, with which it covered and burnt the Earth, melting the Walls of Castles and Houses, throwing down all before it, nothing being found able to resist it's force, or quench it's burning, Water being observed rather to add to it's fury: Where ever it hath passed, it hath left dreadful marks behind it, levelling some Hills, and raising others; so much changing the situation, that not the least trace of any place or Town, which was in it's way, remains, nothing being to be seen, but confused heaps of ragged stones, which yielding a ⟨p. 62⟩noisome fume strike terror and astonishment in all that behold it.

We have read of a Deluge and Flood of Waters, which drowned the old World; and other lesser inundations which have drowned particular places; but I know not any History, which giveth relation of a Deluge and Flood of fire, such as this, which devoured and destroyed whatever lay in it's way. The late relation telleth us that wheresoever it passed, it left large heaps of it's congealed matter, with which it covered and burnt the Earth, melting the Walls of Castles and Houses, throwing down all before it, nothing being found able to resist it's force, or quench it's burning, Water being observed rather to add to it's fury: Where ever it hath passed, it hath left dreadful marks behind it, levelling some Hills, and raising others; so much changing the scituation, that not the least trace of any place or Town, which was in it's way, remains, nothing being to be seen, but confused heaps of ragged stones, which yeilding a ⟨p. 62⟩noisom fume strick terrour and astonishment in all that behold it.

The first breaking forth of this burning Flood of Fire, was on the Monday te 11th. of March, which in it's progress divided it self into several lesser streams, and filled the whole Country thereabout with Fire and Brimstone, in many places where these streams did come great flames were seen to arise together, with thick smoke as from the moths of so many great Furnaces.