N00296:103
An essay for the recording of illustrious providences
An essay for the recording of illustrious providences: wherein, an account is given of many remarkable and very memorable events, which have happened in this last age; especially in New-England. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by Samuel Green, 1684
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
On the 28 of April A. D. 1664. A Company of the Neighbours being met together at the House of Henry Condliff in North-Hampton in New-England, to spend a few hours in Christian Conferences, and in Prayer; there happened a Storm of Thunder and Rain; and as the good Man of the House was at Prayer, there came a Ball of Lightning in at the roof of the House which set the Thatch on fire, grated on the Timber, pierced through the Chamber-floor, no breach being made on the Boards; only one of the jouy•es somewhat razed; Matthew Cole (who was Son in Law to the said Condliff) was struck stone dead as he was leaning over a Table, and joining with the rest in Prayer. He did not stir nor groan after he was smitten, but continued standing as before, bearing upon the Table. There was no visible impression on his body or clothes, only the sole of one of his Shoes was rent from the upper Leather. There were about twelve persons in the Room; none else received any harm, only one Woman (who is still living) was struck upon the Head, which occasioned some deafness ⟨p. 76⟩ever since. The Fire on the House was quenched by the seasonable help of Neighbours.
On the 28 of April A. D. 1664. A Company of the Neighbours being met together at the House of Henry Condliff in North-Hampton in New-England, to spend a few hours in Christian Conferences, and in Prayer; there hapned a Storm of Thunder and Rain; and as the good Man of the House was at Prayer, there came a Ball of Lightning in at the roof of the House which set the Thatch on fire, grated on the Timber, pierced through the Chamber-floor, no breach being made on the Boards; only one of the jouy•es somewhat rased; Matthew Cole (who was Son in Law to the said Condliff) was struck stone dead as he was leaning over a Table, and joyning with the rest in Prayer. He did not stir nor groan after he was smitten, but continued standing as before, bearing upon the Table. There was no visible impression on his body or clothes, only the sole of one of his Shoes was rent from the upper Leather. There were about twelve persons in the Room; none else received any harm, only one Woman (who is still living) was struck upon the Head, which occasioned some deafness ⟨p. 76⟩ever since. The Fire on the House was quenched by the seasonable help of Neighbours.