An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Likewise, August 23. 1682. A Man walking in the Field near Darkin in England, was struck with a Clap of Thunder. One who was near him, ran to take him up, but found him dead, and his body exceeding hot, and withal smelling so strong of Sulphur that he was forced to let him lie a considerable time ere he could be removed. It is reported, that sometimes Thunder and Lightning has been generated out of the Sulphurous and Bituminous matter which the fiery Mountain Etna hath cast forth, We know that when there is a mixture of Nitre, Sulph••, and unslaked Lime, Water will cause fire, to break out. And when unto Nitre Brimstone is added, a Report is caused thereby. And unquestionably, ⟨p. 111⟩Nitre is a special ingredient in the matter of Thunder and Lightning; This we may gather from the descension of the flame, which descends not only obliquely but perpendicularly, and that argues it does so not from any external force, but naturally, Mr. William Clark in his natural History of Nitre, observes that if the quantity of an ounce be put in a fire-shovel, and a live coal put upon it, the fire-shovel in the bottom will be red hot, and burn through whatever is under it; which demonstrates that this sort of fire does naturally burn downwards, when as all other fires do naturally ascend. For this cause Stella cadens is rationally concluded to be a Nitrous Substance; the like is to be affirmed of the Lightning. Hence also is its terrible and irresistible force. The Nitre in Gunpowder is as the aforesaid Author expresseth it Anima Pyri• Pulver••, Sulphur without Salt Peter has no powerful expulsion with it. The discharging great pieces of Ordnance is fitly called Artificial Thundering and Lightning, since thereby Men do in a moment blow up Houses, beat down Castles, batter Mountains in pieces. So that there is nothing in nature does so admirably and Artificially resemble the Thunder and Lightning, both in respect of the Report, and th• terrible, and sudden ⟨p. 112⟩and amazing execution done thereby: Flammas Jovis & sonitus imitatur Olympi: Hence as those that are shot with a Bullet do not hear the Gun, being struck before the report cometh to their Ears; so is it usually with them that are Thunder-struck, the lightning is upon them before the noise is heard.