An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

In July 1654. A Man whose Name was Partridge (esteemed a very godly person) at Salisbury in New-England was killed with Thunder and Lightning, his House being first set on fire thereby, and himself with others endeavouring the quenching of it, by a second crack of Thunder with Lightning (he being at the door of his House) was struck dead, and never spake more. There were ten other persons also that were struck and lay for dead at the present, but they all revived, excepting Partridge. Some that viewed him, report that there were holes (like such as are made with shot) found in his Clothes, and Skin. One side of his Shirt and Body was scorched, and not the other. His House, though (as was said) set on fire by ⟨p. 74⟩the Lightning in divers places, was not burnt down, but preserved by an abundance of Rain falling upon it.

July 31. 1658. There happened a Storm of Thunder and Lightning with Rain, in the Town of Marshfield in Plymouth Colony in New-England: Mr. Nathanael Thomas, John Philips, and another belonging to that Town, being in the Field, as they perceived the Storm a coming, betook themselves to the next House for Shelter: John Philips sat down near the Chimney, his Face towards the inner Door. A black Cloud flying very low, […] of it there came a great Ball of Fire, with a terrible crack of Thunder; the Fire-ball fell down just before the said Philips, he seemed to give a start on his Seat, and so fell backward, being struck dead, not the least motion of life appearing in him afterwards. Captain Thomas who sat directly opposite to John Philips, about six foot distance from him, and a young Child that was then within three foot of him, through the Providence of God received no hurt, Yet many Bricks in the Chimney were beaten down, the principal Rafters split, the Battens next the Chimney in the Chamber were broken, one of the main Posts of the House into which the ⟨p. 75⟩Summer was framed rent into shivers, and a great part of it was carried several Rod from the House, the Door before Philips, where the fire came down, was broken.