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

The Supreme cause of the flames and fiery streams, which brake forth from the Bowels of Mount Aetna, was the Lord, who is not only Ens Entium, the Being of Beings; but also Causa Causarum, the Cause of Causes; whatever was the second, God was the first cause all the works of Nature in the World, being effected by him who is the God of Nature, in and by him every thing hath as it's being, so also it's virtue and operation. It is said, Job 9. 10. He doth great things past finding out, yea and wonders without number; amongst the Mirabilia Dei, the wonderful works of God, this is none of the least; In Miracles God doth work more immediately, and in wonders God doth work more remarkably than in ordinary works. Moreover this Eruption of Fire, which made such a dreadful devastation of houses carried with it the plain face of a Judgement, and every judgement it is from God, as the Judge of the World; God is in no wise the Author of Sin, but he is the Author of all penal evil: the anger of the Lord did not only smoke, but break forth into a Flame; it was the breath of the Lord that did kindle this Stream, which overturned and swallowed up so many Habitations.

THe Supreme cause of the flames and fiery streams, which brake forth from the Bowels of Mount Aetna, was the Lord, who is not only Ens Entium, the Being of Beings; but also Causa Causarum, the Cause of Causes; whatever was the second, God was the first cause all the works of Nature in the World, being effected by him who is the God of Nature, in and by him every thing hath as it's being, so also it's vertue and operation. It is said,