An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

June 23. 1666. In Marshfield, another dismal Storm of Rain with Thunder and Lightning happened. There were then in the house of John Philips (he was Father of that John Philips who was slain by Lightning in the year 1658.) fourteen persons; the Woman of the house calling earnestly to shut the Door, that was no sooner done, but an astonishing Thunder-clap fell upon the house rent the Chimney, and split the Door. All in the house were struck. One of them (who is still living) saith, that when he came to himself, he saw the house full of Smoke, and perceived a grievous smell of Brimstone, and saw the fire lie scattered; though whether that fire came from Heaven or was violently hurled out of the Hearth, he can give no account. At first he thought ⟨p. 78⟩all the people present, except himself, ha• been killed. But it pleased God to revi•• most of them. Only three of them wer• mortally wounded with Heavens Arrows viz. the Wife of John Philips, and another of his Sons a young Man about twenty years old, and William Shertly, who had […] Child in his Arms, that received no hurt […] the Lightning when himself was slain. Th• Shertly was at that time a sojourner in John Philips his house; having been a little before burnt out of his own house. The Wife […] this Shertly was with Child and near her f•• time, and struck down for dead at present but God recovered her, so that she received no hurt, neither by fright nor stroke. Two little Children sitting upon the edge of a Table, had their lives preserved, though a Dog which lay behind them under the Table was killed.

June 23. 1666. In Marshfield, another dismal Storm of Rain with Thunder and Lightning hapned. There were then in the house of John Philips (he was Father of that John Philips who was slain by Lightning in the year 1658.) fourteen persons; the Woman of the house calling earnestly to shut the Door, that was no sooner done, but an astonishing Thunder-clap fell upon the house rent the Chimney, and split the Door. All in the house were struck. One of them (who is still living) saith, that when he came to himself, he saw the house full of Smoke, and perceived a grievous smell of Brimstone, and saw the fire ly scattered; though whether that fire came from Heaven or was violently hurled out of the Hearth, he can give no account. At first he thought