The fiery trial no strange thing; delivered in a sermon preached at Charlestown, February…The fiery tryal no strange thing; delivered in a sermon preached at Charlstown, February…

FRIENDLY READER

The desolating Judgements by Water and Fire, with which God hath, and intends to cleanse the World; are in Scripture brought together, and made to illustrate each other. Wherefore be not offended at the remaining Page, as if its service were unseasonable, and out of place, whenas it relates (as well as it can) what the Gazettes report concerning the terrible INUNDATION that the Low-Countries lately smarted under; and which was looked upon as one awful consequent of the late formidable Blazing Star.

THe desolating Judgements by Water and Fire, with which God hath, and intends to cleanse the World; are in Scripture brought together, and made to illustrate each other. Wherefore be not offended at the remaining Page, as if its service were unseasonable, and out of place, whenas it relates (as well as it can) what the Gazetts report concerning the terrible INUNDATION that the Low-Countryes lately smarted under; and which was looked upon as one awful consequent of the late formidable Blazing Star.

Toward the latter end of January last, there having been for many days much Rain; and a violent Storm, sundry of the United Provinces, viz. Holland, Zealand, Brabant, Flanders, felt the direful effects thereof: For the Sea with wonderful impetuosity broke through and over the Banks, which those Low-Countries are defended with, unto the unexpressible Distress and Amazement of the Inhabitants. Many Villages were reduced to be wholly underwater: even in great Cities the Waters overflowed their Streets, and were divers foot higher than has been formerly known; so that Boats passed to and fro, where men were wont to walk. Persons we enforced to Barricado their Houses, and get into their upper Rooms; yea (in some places) to the tops of their Houses, where ('tis said) some were famished to death. In some Churches the Water was above eight foot high and Corps were taken out of their Graves, and carried away therewith. Hundreds of dead bodies were seen daily floating down the River, to Antwerp. Many stately Fortifications were spoiled, and strong Walls beaten down. Sundry Places now over thrown, cannot in many years be recovered; and some never. The losses of one City have been ged to amount to some Millions. The sufferings of Merchants cannot be related. Innumerable Cattle were destroyed. Some great Mens Estates were laid wholly under water: Noble and Wealthy Families are brought to Poverty: If we are not misinformed, above fourscore Lands and Polders have been over whelmed. And the Dutch have lost more by this Flood, than by all their late grievously expensive Wars. And (which is more tremendous) a vast number of People have lost their lives. In some Islands, most of the Inhabitants; and in one Polder no less than a thousand have been drowned. In one Land where about a thousand dwelt but one (like a Job's Messenger) escaped Death. Yea 'tis generally said; that near twenty thousand perished by this overflowing Scourge.