An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

He saith, that two Scholars of Wadham College, being alone in a Boat (without a Waterman) having newly thrust off from shore, at Medley to come homewards, standing near the head of the Boat, were presently with a stroke of Thunder or Lightning, both struck off out of the Boat into the Water, the one of them stark dead, in whom though presently taken out of the water (having been by relation scarce a minute in it) there was not discerned any appearance of Life, sense or motion: ⟨p. 119⟩the other was stuck fast in the Mud (with his feet downwards, and his upper parts above water) like a Post not able to help himself out; but besides a present astonying or numbness had no other hurt: but was for the present so disturbed in his Senses that he knew not how he came out of the Boat, nor could remember either Thunder or Lightning that did effect it: and was very feeble and faint upon it (which though presently put into a warm Bed) he had not throughly recovered by the next night; and whither since he have or no, I know not. Others, in another Boat, about ten or twenty yards from these (as by their description I estimate) felt a disturbance and shaking in their Boat, and one of them had his Chair struck from under him, and thrown upon him, but had no hurt. These immediately made up to the others, and (some leaping into the Water to them) presently drew them into the Boat or on shore; yet none of them saw these two fall into the water (not looking that way) but heard one of them cry for help presently upon the stroke, and smelt a very strong stinking smell in the Air; which, when I asked him that told it me, what kind of stink? he said, like such a smell, as is perceived upon the ⟨p. 120⟩striking of Flints together.

He saith, that two Schollars of Wadham Colledge, being alone in a Boat (without a Waterman) having newly thrust off from shore, at M•dley to come homewards, standing near the head of the Boat, were presently with a stroke of Thunder or Lightning, both struck off out of the Boat into the Water, the one of them stark dead, in whom though presently taken out of the water (having been by relation scarce a minute in it) there was not discerned any appearance of Life, sense or motion: ⟨p. 119⟩