THe lamentable and dreadful Fire at Northam­pton, cannot e're this, but be noised all over England; but the Pamphlets and Narratives that have been hitherto published of this Tragical subject are so unfaithful, or at best imperfect, that I thought my self oblieg'd to undeceive and satisfie the world with this short and true accompt therefore.

It began on Munday the 20th. of September, 1675. about Noon, at a poor Womans house near Castle­hill, on this manner. The Woman fetching a whisp of Straw to kindle her fire, and going in a Doors with the straw lighted, the sudden violence of the wind blew it out of her hand, and seizing the roof of her Cottage, that had no Chamber over head; blew it immediately into a flame; insomuch, that within half [Page 2] an hours time the fire had diffused it self above a mile from the place where it first begun, and in five hours space above three parts in four of that most spacious and beautiful Town reduced to ashes; five inhabi­tants likewise were swallowed up in its suddain and merciless flames; viz. one man, one Woman, and three children, besides many Cattle, Horses, Cows, Swine, &c.

The names of the principal places, streets, and Lanes that were burn'd are as followeth: St. Mary­street, the Horse-Market, Kings-head-lane, Gold-street, Wool-Monger-street, Kings-well-street, part of Bridge-street, Cobs-lane, Crosby-Lane, Cow-lane, Rotten-Row, St. Gyles's-street, Farm-Lane, Abbington-street, Cock-Lane, Ditus-Lane, New-Lane, Ship-street, the drapery, called, The Womans-Market, Shoo-makers-Row, the Butchers shops, called, The guts, the Market-hill and Cross, Mercers-Row; most of these streets and Lanes are burned down to the ground, only in some of them here and there a house standing, & as for the Church­es, though there were four in the Town, yet three of them were placed so in the out-skirts of it that they all escaped those sacrilegious flames; onely the lar­gest and most beautiful of them, viz, that of All-hol­lows, standing in the heart of the Town was utterly demollished, not only the leads, but the very bells melting with the fervency of the heat. The loss in general has been computed by very knowing persons, and adjudged to amount to above eight hundred Thousand pound.

[Page 3] This short and faithful relation is able to give satis­faction to all that knew that antient and famous Cor­poration upon which onely account I published this Narrative. As for those that enquire after such cala­mitous accidents, meerly because they are new, I re­gard them not, for my design herein, is rather to in­cite men to charity, than gratifie them in their curio­sity; and I intend not so much the satisfaction of those that are not concern'd, as the consolation of those that were any way sufferers in that dreadful fire, to peruse the following pages: to which end I intreat them that were made publick meerly for their sakes; and as for those that are onely fellow sufferers with them; as Christians, and particularly of the same Nation; it will well become such to have charitable thoughts of them, and towards them, not to condemn them be­cause they are punished, but as time and ability shall serve to receive and assist them according unto their powers.

And for the use that all in general may make of this sad Judgement, it will be this; namely, That we turn to the Lord in time, and by a holy complyance with his commands and obedience to his will to di­vert the wrath of God, who to the incorrigible and disobedient is like to prove a consuming fire, and will at last assuredly cast them into everlasting burnings.

For if the sight of the Dreadful flames did amaze the beholders, how may it put us in mind of the saying of the Apostle Peter, in the 10th. verse of the third Chapter, and the second Epistle: But the day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night, in the which [Page 4] the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the Element shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all Holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the E­lement shall melt with fervent heat; nevertheless, we according to his promise look for a new Heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, for here we have no continuing City, therefore look for one to come; to set our affections on things below, we see how suddenly the Lord can sweep them a­way; it will be wisdom to hearken to that saying in Scripture. Lay up for your selves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can corrupt, nor t [...]ves break through to steal, for where your treasure is there will your hearts be also, and for an expedient and counsel to those that have suffered this great loss by Fire, let them consider these rules following, as the best and surest way to get Riches in this world, and lay up treasure in heaven.

First, let your first and principle care be to get hea­ven and the grace of God that may make you meet to enjoy his Kingdom, and when you do this God will not only give you Heaven when you Dye, but will add also as much of this World as he seeth to be good for you, Matthew 6. 33. Seek you first the [Page 5] Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given [...] you.

Secondly, Imbrace [...]y faith, and settle your Love upon Jesus Christ, he promiseth to fill there treasures that love him [...] 9. 20. 21.

Thirdly, Repent of your sins and turn to the Lord then, though you be brought low he will build you up again, Job 27. 23, 24, 25. If thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy Tabernacles, then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the Gold of Opher as the stones of the Brooks, the Almighty shall be thy de­fence and thou shalt have plenty of silver.

Fourthly, Walk in the fear of God, and be care­ful to keep his commandements, Proverbs 22. 4. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and ho­nor, and life.

Fifthly, Follow your imployments with diligence, there is a blessing of God goeth along with dilligence and industry in your calings, but the hand of the dilli­gent maketh rich.

Sixthly, seek after Knowledge, and manage all your affairs with Wisdom and discretion, Prov. 24. 3 4. Though wisdom is an House builded, and by understanding it is established, by knowledge shall the Chamber be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Seventhly, Be faithful and upright in all your deal­ings, for the upright shall have good things in pos­session, the faithful Manshall abound in Blessings, [Page 6] Psalm 112. 3, 4. Wealth and riches shall be in his House, unto the upright ariseth light and darkness.

Fifthly, Shun those vices that bring men to pover­ty, and hinder their thriving in the world, such as pro­digallity and love of pleasure. He that loveth plea­sure shall be a poor man, he that loveth wine and oyl shall not be rich.

Ninthly, be liberal to the poor, there may be a li­beral soul where there is but a small estate, and the more liberal any man is the more likely he is to be a Rich man.

Tenthly, and Lastly, Be content with what God giveth you, and then though you have never so little you are a Rich Man, the first of Timothy, the 6th. Chapter, and 6 and 7 Verses. But godliness with con­tentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world; and it is certain we can carry nothing out.