An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Other Remarkables besides those already mentioned, have happened in this Country, many of which I cannot here insert, as not having received a full and clear account concerning them. Nevertheless, such particulars as I have by good and credible hands been informed of, I shall further add. And let it be here Recorded, that we have seen diverse Tempests in New-England, which deserve to have a Remark set upon them, in respect of some notable Circumstances wherewith they have been attended. I have not ⟨p. 312⟩heard of any Storm more dismal than the great Hurricane which was in August 1635. the fury whereof threw down (either breaking them off by the bole or plucking them up by the roots) thousands of great Trees in the Woods. Of this some account is given by Mr. Thacher, in the first Chapter of our present Collection. And I must confess, I have peculiar reason to commemorate that solemn providence, inasmuch as my Father and Mother, and four of my Brethren were then in a Vessel upon the Coast of New-England, being at Anchor amongst the Rocks at the Isles of Shoals when the Storm began; but their Cables broke, and the Ship was driving directly upon a mighty Rock, so that all their lives were given up for lost, but then in an instant of time, God turned the Wind about, which carried them from the Rock o• Death before their eyes: This memorable providence is mentioned in my Fathers Life, both in that Edition published in this Country, Page 21,22. And also in that published by Mr. Clark in his last Volume of Live Page 131. Wherefore I shall not here further enlarge upon it. In the Year 1659 near the Town of Concord in New-England, there happened that which is somewhat rare and therefore to be reckoned amongst Remarkable ⟨p. 313⟩Accidents. In the Month of February, it having rained a great part of the day, at night it froze extremely, so as that many Limbs were broken off from many Trees by the weight of the Ice, caused by the sudden freezing of the Rain upon the Boughs. It was somewhat formidable to hear the crackings made a good part of the night, by the falling of so much Wood (thousands of Cords) as was by that means occasioned. Of later years several places in this Country have been visited with strange and awful Tempests. That was very Remarkable which happened in Cambridge in New-England, July 8. 1680.