I. AMong the several Plagues and Judgments wherewith the Al­mighty visiteth, and punisheth the Enormities and Sins of Man­kind, that of Earthquakes may be account­ed the most Dreadful and Tremendous, which in an instant swalloweth up thousands of people of all Qualities and Ages, toge­ther with the most superb and stately Edifi­ces that Pride and Ambition can raise, in a moment, even in the twinkling of an Eye, to convince men of the Greatness and Pow­er of the Supream Creator, and how vain it is to value themselves upon any mundane enjoyments; Of which we have lately had [Page 2]very astonishing Instances in several parts of the World.

II. But before I proceed to give a Relati­on of them, it may be necessary to discover the Natural Causes of this dreadful Con­cussion of the Earth, which the God of Heaven makes use of to signifie his Displea­sure for the provoking Crimes of Nation and People; Of which a Learned Divine gives the following account.

III. An Earthquake is a shaking of the Earth, occasioned by Wind and Exhalati­ons inclosed within the Caves and Bowels of the Earth, which can find no passage, or at least none long enough to discharge themselves, and therefore breaking forth with great force and violence, it sometimes shaketh the Earth, another while rendeth and openeth the same, sometimes casting up Earth a great height into the Air, other­while causing the ground to sink down a great depth, swallowing Cities, Towns, Palaces, Castles, yea prodigious high Mountains, leaving in the place nothing but deep holes, or long and unfathomable Lakes of Water.

IV. Authors Write differently of the se­veral kinds of Earthquakes, but they usually comprehend them under four; The first [Page 3]kind is when the Earth is shaken laterally or to one side, the whole force of the inclo­sed Wind and Vapours driving to one place, and there is no contrary motion to hinder it. This Wind, if it be not great, causeth the Earth to tremble like a man in an Ague Fit, and doth no more harm, but if it be strong and violent, it looseth the Foundati­ons of all Buildings though never so firm, overthrows whole Cities, and sometimes throws down great Hills, so that they over­whelm all the Valleys under them. The second kind is, when the Earth is lifted up with great violence so that the Buildings are like to fall, and instantly sink down a­gain, and this is caused by the force of the Winds which strive to get upward like Gun­powder, and finding some deliverance from confinement, the Earth falls down to its former place. The third sort is the opening rending or gaping of the Earth, which sinking down swallows up Cities, Towns, yea Rocks, Rivers and Flouds, and so that they never appear again; Nay the Sea in some places hath been drunk up, so that People have gone over on foot, till the re­turning Tyde hath covered the place with Water again. The last kind is, when great Mountains arise out of the Earth, or [Page 4]else when some part of the Land sinketh down, and instead thereof arise Rivers, Lakes or Fires, breaking out with Smoak and Ashes; Sometimes the bottom of the Sea is lifted up, whereby many Islands are made that were never seen before; Of which History gives large accounts.

V. If it be asked how such mighty Winds come to be under the Earth, the Philosophers answer, that the great Caves and Dens of the Earth being always full of Air, when the heat of the Sun resolves the moisture of the Earth many Exhalations are generated, both within and without the same: and the places being full before, can receive no more, unless some part be let our, so that in those Countries where the Earth hath but few Pores, or where they are stopt with moisture, it must necessarily happen, that these Exhalations striving to get out, must needs rend the Earth, or lift it up, either to get free passage, or to make room enough to abide within.

VI. It has been observed That there are usually several Signs and Presages of this terrible Calamity. As first the raging of the Sea when there are no Tempestuous Winds to move it, yea in the greatest Calm, which is occasioned by the Winds la­bouring [Page 5]to get passage that way, but being repelled, soon after shakes the Earth. Again the Water in the bottom of deep Wells is troubled and infected with a Sulphurous smell, from the pestilent Exhalations long inclosed within the Earth, which now be­gin to spread abroad; And hereupon, in divers places an Earthquake has caused abun­dance of Smoak, Flame and Ashes to issue forth, by reason that the vast quantity of Brimstone under ground is by the violent motion set on Fire and bursteth out, so that it is a wonder if after an Earthquake some grievous Pestilence does not follow, the whole Mass of the Poysonous Minerals within the Bowels of the Earth being by this furious shock blown abroad into the Air. Another presage is the calmness and coldness of the Air, by reason the Exhalation that should be abroad is within the Earth. Another is said to be, a long thin strake of Cloud seen when the Sky is clear after Sun set, which, they say, is caused by the Vapour or Exha­lation which is the matter of Clouds, being gone into the Earth. Others affirm that it is the Exhalation which issueth from some narrow passage out of which the rest of the Wind cannot come, and therefore soon af­ter by a sudden Eruption makes a broader [Page 6]way to deliver it self out of Prison. Like­wise the Sun appeareth dim certain days be­fore, because the Winds that should purge and dissipate the gross Air, which causeth this dimness, is inclosed within the Bowels of the Earth. Also the Birds perceiving a certain trembling and shaking at the Roots of the Trees, forsake them, and fit trem­bling on the ground. Lastly, there are heard before, at, and after an Earthquake great noises and sounds under the Earth, with terrible groanings and thunderings; Yea sometimes when no Earthquake follows, the Wind without any other effect finding a way to vent it self; Some of these are the general prognosticks and forewarnings of a dreadful Earthquake to follow.

VII. And certainly no other Calamity produces greater terror and astonishment in Mankind than this. For to have the Earth rock under one with that singular kind of motion which no humane art nor force can imitate, must needs be extream surpriz­ing; For though death may be familiar to some men in any other form, yet it appears very horrible to be buried alive, and to sink on a sudden into an unknown Grave they know not whether, perhaps they may fall into some dark Lake of Water, or it [Page 7]may be drenched in a River of fire, or be dashed on a Rock; for who can tell the dis­positions of the Caverns below, or what sort of the Apartments there are under the Surface of the Earth? We walk on the Bat­tlements of a marvellous structure, a Globe full of Tremendous secrets.

VIII. But though we have given some account of the Natural Causes of Earth­quakes, yet it is very apparent that many have been supernatural, and caused by the immediate hand of God, of which we find several instances in holy Scripture, that we might dread and tremble before the Almigh­ty who needs neither Vapours nor Exhalations to Execute his Vengeance upon incorrigible Offenders.

IX. The first of this kind that we read of was at the Promulgation of the Law at Mount Sinai, Exodus 19, 20. ‘And the Lord said unto Moses, go unto the People and Sanctify them to day and to morrow, and be ready against the third day, for then the Lord will come down in the sight of all the People upon Mount Sinai, and thou shalt set bounds to the People round about, saying, Take heed to your selves that ye go not up into the Mount, or touch the border of it, whosoever touch­eth [Page 8]the Mount shall surely be put to death; There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be Stoned or Shot through, whether it be Man or Beast, it shall not live, when the Trumpet soundeth long they shall come up to the Mount. And it came to pass on the third day in the Morning that there were Thunders and Lightnings and a thick Cloud upon the Mount, and the Voice of the Trumpet exceeding loud, so that all the People in the Camp trembled. And Mount Sinai was altogether on a Smoak, because the Lord descended upon it in Fire, and the smoak thereof ascended as the smoak of a Furnace, and the whole Mount quaked greatly. And all the People saw the Thundring and the Lightnings, and the noise of the Trumpet, and the Mountain smoaking, and when the People saw it they removed afar off. And they said unto Mo­ses speak thou with us and we will hear, but let not God speak with us least we dye. And Moses said unto the People Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your Faces that you Sin not.’ Thie happened in the year from the Creation of the World, 25 13.

X. Another terrible Earthquake we find recorded Number 16. ‘Now Korah, Da­than and Abiram, with certain of the Chil­dren of Israel, two hundred and fifty Prin­ces of the Assembly, famous in the Con­gregation, Men of Renown rose up, and gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation is Holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them, wherefore then lift you up your selves above the Con­gregation of the Lord. And when Mo­ses heard it, he fell upon his Face. And he spake unto Korah and unto all his Com­pany, saying, Even to Morrow the Lord will shew you who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near to him, even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near to him. This do; Take ye Censers, Korah and all his Com­pany. And put Fire therein, and put In­cense in them before the Lord to Morrow! and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth chuse, he shall be holy, Ye take too much upon you, ye Sons of Levi; seemeth it a small thing unto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the Congregation of Israel, to bring you near [Page 10]unto himself, to do the service of the Ta­bernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the Congregation to Minister unto them? And he hath brought thee near unto him, and all thy Brethren the Sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the Priest-hood also? For which Cause both thou and thy Com­pany are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron that ye murmur against him? And Moses sent to call Da­than and Abiram the Sons of Eliab: which said, we will not come up. Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that flourisheth with Milk and Honey to Kill us in the Wilderness, except thou make thy self altogether a Prince over us? Moreover thou hast not brought us into a Land that floweth with Milk and Honey, or given us Inheritance of Fields and Vineyards; wilt thou put out the Eyes of these men? we will not come up. And Moses was very wrath, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one Ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy Company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron to Morrow. And take every Man his Censer, and put [Page 11]Incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every Man his Censer, two hundred and fifty Censers; thou also, and Aaron each of you his Censer; and put Fire in in them, and lay Incense thereon, and stand in the Door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and the Glory of the Lord appeared unto all the Congregation. And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron saying, separate your selves from among this Congregation that I may con­sume them in a moment, And they fell upon their faces and said, O God, the God of the Spirits of all Flesh, shall one Man sin, and wilt thou be wrath with all the Congregation? And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, speak unto all the Congre­gation saying, Get you up from about the Tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abi­ram. And Moses rose up, and went un­to Dathan and Abiram; and the Elders of Israel followed him. And the spake unto all the Congregation saying, Depart I pray you from the Tents of these Wicked Men, and touch nothing of theirs least you be consumed in all their Sins. So they gat them up from the Tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abiram on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood [Page 12]in the Door of their Tents, and their Wives, and their Sons, and their little Children. And Moses said, Hereby shall ye know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works: for I have not done them of my own mind. If these men dye the common Death of all men, or if they be visited af­ter the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me. But if the Lord make a new thing, and the Earth open her Mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the Pit; then ye shall understand that these Men have provoked the Lord. And it came to pass as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was un­der them: And the Earth opened her Mouth, and swallowed them up, and their Houses, and all the Men that appertained unto Kerah, and all their Goods. They and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the Pit, and the Earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the Congregation. And all Israel that were round about them, fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the Earth swallow us up also. And there came out a Fire from the Lord, and consumed the [Page 13]two hundred and fifty men that offered Incense.’

Josephus in his History of the Antiquities of the Jews gives the following account of this dreadful Judgment; That Moses mak­ing a large Prayer, intermixt with Tears, while he was speaking, the Earth instantly trembled, and shaking began to move like a Billow of the Sea raised by the violence of Wind; at which all the People were sorely amazed, after which an horrible and shat­tering Noise was made about their Tents, and instantly the Earth opened and swal­lowed up both them and all that belonged to them, insomuch that nothing which was theirs remained to be seen; And the Earth in a moment closing again the vast gaping immediately was shut, so that there was not the least appearance of what had happened; Thus perished they all, leaving behind them an example of Gods Power and Judg­ment, and this accident was the more mi­serable in that there were none, even of their Kinsfolks and Allies that had compas­sion of them, so that the whole People for­getting what was passed, allowed Gods Justice with joyful Acclamations; esteem­ing them unworthy to be bewailed, but to accounted as the Plague and Perverters of [Page 14]the People. After this, saith he, there sud­denly appeared so bright a Fire that the like was never kindled by the hand of man, nor ever broke forth from the Bowels of burning Mountains, nor could proceed from any natural cause, but such as seemed to be kindled from Heaven, exceeding light and flaming, by the fury and violence of which those two hundred and fifty, together with Korah, were so consumed that there scarce appeared any relicks of their Carcases; On­ly Aaron remained untouched, to the end that it might appear this Fire came from Heaven. This was in the year of the World, 2515.

XI. A third tremendous Earthquake caused by the immediate Power of God without any apparent or natural Cause, and whereby the Israelites gain'd a great Victo­ry over the Philistines, is in 1 Samuel 14. ‘And it came to pass on a Day that Jona­than the Son of Saul said unto the Young Man that bare his Armour, come and let us go over to the Philistines Garrison that is on the other side, but he told not his Father. And between the passages by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines there was a sharp Rock on the one side, and a sharp Rock on the other [Page 15]side. And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his Armour, come and let us go over unto the Garrison of these un­circumcised, it may be that the Lord will work for us, for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or few; And his Armour-bearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine Heart, turn thee, behold I am with thee according to thy Heart; Then said Jonathan, behold we will pass over unto these Men, and we will discover our selves unto them, if they say unto us, Tar­ry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. But if they say thus, Come up unto us then we will go up, for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand and this shall be a sign unto us. And both of them discovered themselves to the Gar­rison of the Philistines, and the Philistines said; Behold the Hebrews come forth out of their holes, where they had hid them­selves, And the men of the Garrison an­swered Jonathan and his Armour bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said un­to his Armour bearer, Come up after me, for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. And Jonathan climbed [Page 16]up on his Hands and upon his Feet, and his Armour bearer after him, and they fell before Jonathan, and his Armour bearer slew after him. And that first slaughter which Jonathan and his Armour bearer made was about twenty men within as it were an half Acre of Land, which a yoak of Oxen might Plow. And there was trembling in the Host, in the Field, and among all the People: the Garrison and the Spoilers they also trembled, and the Earth quaked so that it was a very great trembling (a trembling of God.) And the Watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold the multitude melted away, and they went on, beating down one another. Then said Saul unto the People that were with him, Number now and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbred, behold Jonathan and his Armour-bearer were not there. And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the Ark of God; (for the Ark of God was at that time with the Children of Israel.) And it came to pass that while Saul talked un­to the Priest, that the noise that was in the Host of the Philistines went on, and in­creased; and Saul said unto the Priest, withdraw thine hand. And Saul and all [Page 17]the People that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the Battel: and behold every mans Swords was against his fellow, and there was a great discomfi­ture. Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the Camp from the Countrey round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in Mount Ephraim when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also follow­ed hard after them in the Battel. So the Lord saved Israel that day: and the Bat­tel passed over unto Beth-haven.’ This was about the year of the World, 2940. And Josephus thus describes this Battel; The Philistines had pitched their Tents on an pointed Rock which extended it self in length with three Angles, and was on each side begirt with a Bank, like a Wall or Fortification against the incursion of their Enemies; The place was fortified by Na­ture so that no man might ascend or attack them without much hazard; yet only Jo­nathan and his Armour-bearer, climbing upon their Hands and Feet invaded their Camp, and slew about twenty of them [Page 18]which filled their whole Army with terror and amazedness, who throwing away their arms, fled amain. Others being ignorant who were their Friends or Foes, invaded one ano­ther as Enemies, for imagining with them­selves that only two Hebrews durst never as­cend and enter their Camp, they addrest themselves to their mutual murder and slaugh­ter, so that some of them were slain, others fled to escape the Sword, and fell headlong down the Rocks; The terrible trembling and quaking of the Earth at the same time, being doubtless very contributary to their destruction.

XII. A fourth terrible Earthquake hap­pened from an immediate Divine Power, in the days of Uzziah King of Judah, of whom we read in the 2 Chronicles 26. (and this Earthquake is likewise mentioned by the Prophets Amos and Zachariah) ‘And Uz­ziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah who had Understanding in the Visions of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to pros­per. And he went forth and Warred against the Philistines, and God helped him against them, and against the Ara­bians, [Page 19]and the Ammorites gave him gifts, and his name spread abroad even to the entring in of Egypt, for he strengthned himself exceedingly.’ Moreover Uzziah had an Host of fighting men, and the whole number of the Fathers of the mighty men of valour, were two thousand and six hun­dred. And under their hand was an Army, three hundred thousand, and seven thou­sand and five hundred, that made War with mighty power to help the King against the Enemy. ‘But when he was strong his heart was lifted up to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and and went into the Temple of the Lord to burn Incense upon the Altar of Incense. And Azariah the Priest went in after him, and with him fourscore Priests of the Lord that were valiant men: and they withstood Uzziah the King, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee Ʋzziah to burn Incense unto the Lord; but to the Priests the Sons of Aaron that are consecrated to burn Incense: Go out of the Sanctuary, for thou hast trespassed, neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was wrath, and had a Censer in his hand to burn Incense, and while he [Page 20]was wrath with the Priests, the Leprosie even rose up in his Forehead before the Priests in the House of the Lord from be­side the Incense Altar. And Azariah the Cheif Priest, and all the Priests looked up­on him, and behold he was Leprous in his Forehead and they thrust him out from thence, yea he himself hasted also to go out because the Lord had smitten him. And Uzziah the King was a Leper unto the Day of his Death.’

Now though here is no mention made of the Earthquake that happened in his Reign, which is recorded by Amos and Zachariah as aforesaid, particularly by the last in Chapter 14. And ye shall flee like as ye fled before the Earthquake in the days of Uzziah; yet Josephus in his History of the Jews makes it very evident that it was at this time, and upon this occasion; Uzziah, says he, upon a certain solemn Feast day, wherein all the People were assembled toge­ther, attired himself in the High Priests Vestmente, and entred into the Temple to offer Sacrifice unto God upon the Golden Altar, notwithstanding the High Priest Aza­riah, accompanied with fourscore Priests prohibited the same, telling him, that it [Page 21]was not lawful for him to Sacrifice, since it was only allowed to those that were of the Posterity of the High Priest Aaron, whilst after this manner Azariah expostulated with him, commanding him to go out of the Temple, and not to invade the Ordinances of God; The King waxed wrath, and threatned to take his life from him, unless he kept himself quiet. Whereupon there fell a great Trembling and Earthquake, and the Temple cleft in twain, and a great light of the Sun entred thereinto, and reflected on the Kings Face in such manner that all his body was covered with a Leprosy: And before the City, in a place called Eroge, the half of a Mountain that stood to the East­ward brake and fell, and rolled and remov­ed for the space of four Furlongs, toward the Oriental Mountain where it rested; So that the publick ways were stopt and choak­ed up, and the Kings Gardens of Pleasure were wholly ruinated and disfigured. When the Priests beheld the Kings Face covered with a Leprosie, they told him what incon­venience had happened to him, and enjoyned him to depart out of the City, according to the custom of men that were polluted; Whereupon he wholly confused at so grie­vous an accident, and having no farther [Page 22]courage to reply, obeyed the command­ment that was given him, enduring a pitti­ful and lamentable punishment for being proud and presumptuous, in committing such Impiety against God. Finally he died through grief and discontent, and was Bu­ried in his own Garden. In the year of the World, 3194.

XIII. The next Earthquake that we read of, is that which happened at the death of our blessed Lord and Saviour, and was a very convincing demonstration of his Deity and that he was the Son of God. As we find in St. Matthew 27. ‘Now from the sixth hour there was Darkness over all the Land until the ninth hour. Jesus when he had cried again, gave up the Ghost. And behold the Vail of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom, and the Earth did quake, and the Rocks rent. And the Graves were opened, and many Bodies of Saints which slept arose. And came out of the Graves after his Re­surrection, and went into the Holy City and appeared unto many. Now when the Centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, saw the Earthquake and those things that were done, they fear­ed [Page 23]greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.’

And these prodigious effects that were produced upon our Saviour's Crucifixion, were acknowledged and attested as well by Heathens as Christians. At the time of his Death a very great darkness happened in the Day time, which continued from six a Clock till nine, and yet there was no Ec­clipse of the Sun, for it was at a Full Mood; so that it was Miraculous, and contrary to the Order of Nature, and only by the im­mediate Power of God, who deprived the Sun of its Light for that space of time. And therefore Dyonisius the Arcopagite being that Day in Athens, and seeing the Sun so dark­ned; and also knowing, as a Man learned in the course of the Heavens, that such an Ecclipse must needs be contrary to the Rule of Nature, spake with a loud voice, saying, Either the World is at an end or the God of Nature Suffers.

We like wise read of another Supernatural Earthquake at the Resurrection of Christ St. Matthew 28. ‘In the end of the Sab­bath as it began to dawn toward the first day of the Week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary to see the Sepulchre. And behold there was a great Earthquake; [Page 24]for the Angel of the Descended from Hea­ven, and came and rolled back the Stone from the Door, and sate upon it. His countenance was like Lightning, and his Raiment white as Snow. And for fear of him, the Keepers did shake, and became as dead men.’ This was in the year of the World 4036.

XIV. Lastly, We read of two Earth­quakes in the Acts of the Apostles, which can be attributed to no other cause but that of the Power of God, for the confirmation of the Gospel, and the Resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The first is in Acts 4.31. ‘And when they had prayed the Earth was shaken where the Apostles were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.’ The second is in Acts 17. ‘And at Mid­night Paul and Silas Prayed and Sang Praises to God, and the Prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great Earthquake, so that the Foundati­ons of the Prison were shaken; and imme­diately all the Doors were opened, and every ones Bands were losed. And the Keeper of the Prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the Prison Doors open, [Page 25]he drew out his Sword and would have Killed himself, supposing that the Prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice saying, Do thy self no harm; for we are all here. Then he called for a Light, and sprang in and came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas. And brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? and they said believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved and thy House. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his House. And he took them the same hour in the Night, and washed their stripes, and was baptized he and all his straight­way. And when he had brought them into his House, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his House.’ This was in the 55 year after our Saviours Incarnation.

XV. These are all the Earthquakes that we find mentioned in Holy Scripture, to have actually happened, but there are o­thers spoken of, which may be termed Me­taphorical Earthquakes, and may signify great Alterations and Commotions in the several States and Kingdoms of the World; wherein, by the shaking, moving, remov­ing, breaking down and dissolving the [Page 26]Earth, we may understand the Inhabitants of the Earth, and the punishments that God would inflict upon them for their repeated Sins and Provocations; such as these we find Isaiah threatning the Narion of the Jews withal, in the 29th Chapter of that Pro­phecy. ‘Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Hosts with Thunder, and with Earth­quakes, and great noise, with Storm and Tempest, and the flame of devouring Fire. And in Chapter 24. And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the Pit: and he that cometh out of the midst of the Pit shall be taken in the snare, for the Windows from on high are open, and the Founda­tions of the Earth do shake. The Earth is is utterly broken down, the Earth is clean dissolved, the Earth is moved exceedingly. The Earth shall real too and fro like a Drunkard, and shall be removed like a Cottage, and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and shall fall and not rise again.’

XVI. And our blessed Saviour foretelling the destruction of the Temple, and what great Earthquakes shall be before it, and of the Signs of his coming to Judgment. St. Mat. 24. he says; ‘And ye shall hear of [Page 27]Wars and Rumours of Wars, For Nation shall rise against Nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom; and there shall be Fa­mines, and Pestilences, and Earthquakes, in divers places, and the Sun shall be dark­ned, and the Moon shall not give her Light, and the Stars shall fall from Hea­ven, and the Powers of the Heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the Sign of the Son of Man, and he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trum­pet, and they shall gather together his Elect from the four Winds, from one end of Heaven to the other.’

XVII. Such Metaphorical Earthquakes are those thought to be, which are Prophe­sied of in several places of the Revelations, as Chapter 6. ‘And I beheld when the Lamb had opened the sixth Seal, and lo, there was a great Earthquake, and the Sun be­came black as Sack-cloth of Hair, and the Moon became as Blood. And the Stars of Heaven fell unto the Earth, even as the Fig-tree casteth her untimely Figs, when she is shaken of a mighty Wind. And the Heaven departed as a Scrowl when it is rolled together, and every Mountain and Island were moved out of their places. And the Kings of the Earth, and the great [Page 28]men, and the rich men, and the chief Captains, and the mighty Men, and eve­ry Bondman, and every Freeman hid themselves in the Dens, and in the Rocks of the Mountains; And said to the Moun­tains and Rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the Face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the Wrath of the Lamb; For the great day of his Wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand.’ So in Chapter 8. ‘And the Angel took the Censer and filled it with Fire of the Altar, and cast it into the Earth: and there were Voices, and Thundrings, and Lightnings, and an Earthquake. And again in Chap­ter 11. And they heard a great Voice from Heaven saying unto the Witnesses, Come up hither, and they ascended up to Heaven in a Cloud, and their Enemies be­held them. And the seventh Angel sound­ed, and there were great Voices in Hea­ven saying, The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall Reign for­ever and ever. And the four and twenty Elders which sate before God on their Seats, fell upon their Faces and Worship­ped God, saying, We give thee thanks O Lord God Almighty, which art and [Page 29]wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken; to thee thy great Power and hast Reigned, ver. 18. And the Nations were angry, and thy Wrath is come, and the time of the Dead that they should be Judged, and that thou shouldest give re­ward to thy Servants the Prophets, and to the Saints and them that fear thy name small and great, and shouldest destroy them which destroy the Earth. And the Temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his Temple the Ark of his Testament; and there were Light­nings, and Voices, and Thundrings, and an Earthquake, and great Hail.’ Like­wise in Chapter 16. ‘And the seventh An­gel poured his Vial into the Air, and there was a great Earthquake, and there came a great Voice out of the Temple of Heaven from the Throne, saying, It is done. And there were Voices, and Thunders, and Lightnings, and there was a great Earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the Earth, so migh­ty an Earthquake and so great. And the great City was divided into three parts, and the Cities of the Nation fell, and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the Cup of [Page 30]the Wine of the fierceness of his Wrath, And every Island fled away, and the Mountains were not found. And there fell upon Men a great Hail out of Heaven, every Stone about the weight of a Talent: and men Blasphemed God because of the Plague of the Hail; for the plague there­of was exceeding great.’ These and such other Scriptures may denote the future Ca­lamities that will befal the Inhabitants of the Earth about the end of the World, and do also demonstrate the great power and alsufficiency of Almighty God, who as Job saith Chapter 9. ‘Is wise in Heart, and mighty in Strength, who removeth the Mountains, and overturneth them in his anger. Who shaketh the Earth out of her place, and the Pillars thereof tremble’

XVIII. Having given an account of the Supernatural and Metaphorical Earthquakes recorded in Holy Writ; I shall now relate those that are mentioned by other Histo­rians of the former and latter Ages, and likewise of some of the Consequents which have succeeded them as to Wars, Pesti­lence, Famines and other dreadful Cala­mities, and were judged to be the effects of them; wherein I shall be obliged to re­peat some of those already published in a [Page 31]Book called, surprizing Miracles of Na­ture, &c.

XIX. Before the birth of Saviour Plato mentions a wonderful Earthquake, where­by in a Day and a Night a vast Island with­out the Streights of Gibralter called Atlantis, and bigger than Asia and Africa together, was wholly overwhelmed, and afterward covered by a great Inundation of Waters, insomuch that on the Atlantick Ocean for a great while after no Ship could Sail, by reason that the same huge Sea by resolution of the Earth of that mighty Island was all turned into Mud. He also Writes, that by another terrible Earthquake the Continent of Africa was rent asunder, from Europe and Asia, as it is at this day, being now only connected by a little Neck of Land at the Red Sea. The famous Isle of Sicily was likewise formerly a part of Italy, and by an Earthquake divided from it. And our Island of Great Brittain is supposed to be broken off from the Continent of France by that means. Herodotus saith that Egypt in ancient time was a Gulph of the Sca, and by an Earthquake made a dry Land. The River Indus in Asia which receives fifteen others Rivers into it, altered its Channel and the neighbouring Countrey was turned [Page 32]into a Wilderness by a lamentable Earth­quake. Before the Peloponesian, or Civil Wars among the Grecians, one of their Islands called Delphos famous for the Oracle and Temple of Apollo scituated therein, was wholly ruined by an Earthquake, which was thought to portend those remarkable alterations which soon after happened in Greece. A little before the Wars between the Lacedemonians and the Ilotae, who were their Slaves and Bondmen in the Countrey of Laconia, there happened in the City of Sparta a most terrible and fearful Earth­quake, for the Earth in many places of the Countrey opened and fell in as into a bot­tomless Pit. The Mountain Taygetum shook so terribly that parts of Rocks fell down from it, and Sparta with two other Cities with the violence of it were thrown to the ground, five hundred Houses only except­cepted; And great flouds of Water follow­ing it, the Countrey was almost utterly de­stroyed thereby. Tyre and Sydon suffered exceedingly by Earthquakes, and an infi­nite number of People were buried under the ruins. And Strabo mentions a City sci­tuate about Sidon that was wholly swallow­ed up thereby. Pliny writes of twelve Ci­ties ruined in one Night, and St. Augustine [Page 33]is cited for what is more strange, That in a samous Earthquake a hundred Cities in Ly­bia were destroyed. In the Veliternean Fields the Earth rent asunder in such huge and frightful breaches, that Trees and whole Houses were swallowed up in them, and it Rained Bloud for two whole days together, about which time Hannibal re­ceived that notable overthrow by Scipio, which was the destruction of the famous Ci­ty and Republick of Carthage, and the Con­quest of that Country to the Romans. Tit. Livius. Hist. Josephus records that about twenty nine years before the birth of Christ, there happened a tremendous Earthquake in the Country of Judea, whereby divers Beasts were slain, and many People over­whelmed in the ruins of their Houses, and perished, to the number as some write of about thirty thousand.

XX. I now proceed, in a Chronological Order, to relate all the Earthquakes that have happened since our Saviours Birth, as I find them mentioned by several Authors, of which that which happened at his Cru­cifixion is said to be the greatest that ever was, which shook not only one part of the Earth as in other cases, but the whole Would trembled at once, if some famous [Page 34]Authors are to be credited. In the tenth year of Christ was a great Earthquake in Cyprus, that overthrew many Cities, and in his sevententh year thirteen Cities in Italy were destroyed, and the River Tyber over­flowed Rome. The effects whereof were thought to be, That Sejanus the Favourite to Tyberius was executed for his Ambition, his Son strangled, his Daughter first De­flowred by the Hangman, then put to death. Drusius is Poisoned; Tyberius turn'd Tyrant. In 59. was a terrible Ec­clipse of the Sun, so that the Stars were seen, Nero's Supper was burned with Light­ning, and a great Earthquake happened at Rome. At this time the Brittains slay se­venty thousand Romans, and Suetonius de­stroys eighty thousand Brittains as he comes from Anglesey. Rome is fired by Nero who rejoices in that Villany, he commits Incest with his own Mother, afterwards Murders and Rips her up to view the place where he lay before he was born. Cartismunda Queen of the Brittains rejecteth her Hus­band, the King of Scots takes her, and ba­ries her alive.

XXI. In the reign of Trojan the Empe­ror 105. there happened a most terrible Earthquake at Antioch which destroyed ma­ny [Page 35]Cities and People, and extended it self very far; Frightful Lightnings which made the Night as light as Day, preceded with dreadful Thunderbolts that threw down stately buildings, killed many men; Also strong and unusual Storms of Wind, after which were heard great and sudden Noises, the Sea wrought, the Waves swelled, the Earth was shaken, buildings trembled, o­thers were lifted up and fell down, whereby so thick a dust and darkness was raised that People could not see nor hear one another, nor scarcely breath: Trees were pluckt up by the Roots, and multitudes buried in the Ruins of their own Houses. After which came such violent heats that People not be­ing able to indure it, stript and hid them­selves naked under ground, where many were famished, by reason the continual shaking of the Earth so distracted them that they durst not come forth for relief. In 107. A very great Earthquake happened in Asia, with many Prodigious sights in the Air, as sighting of Men, &c. Another in Galatia and Rome where Lightning from Heaven consumed the Temple of their Gods, with strong unwonted Winds, and horrible Noises in the Earth. In 120. A great Earthquake in Nice; and two terrible [Page 36]ones in Palestina. Milk in a Prodigious manner rained in Rome, and a great Fire destroyed two hundred and forty Houses. In 162. A very great Earthquake in Bi­thynia; The Waves of the Mediterranean Seas in a Calm elevated themselves to the top of a Mountain far distant from it, and cast the foam a great way upon the main Land. At this time Mogul King of Scots growing odious to the Nobility for his Ty­ranny they Murder him. Smyrna in Asia is quite destroyed. The Emperor Commo­dus groweth rediculous, and the People taking notice thereof, he executed many of them, he is strangled by Martia his Concu­bine, and Pertinax succeeding, after having Reigned only eighty seven days is slain by the Souldiers.

XXII. In 244. The Sun was totally Ec­clipsed, and there was so horrid an Earth­quake, the Earth gaped so extreamly that certain Cities, together with their People, were swallowed up, and exceeding great darkness happened for many days together. Now the tenth Persecution began wherein one hundred forty four thousand Christians were put to Death in Egypt and seventy thousand banished, and many burned in an House in Nicomedia. In the year 300. [Page 37]there were great Earthquakes, by one where­of thirteen Cities in Campania were over­thrown, and another in Asia. A hand was seen in the Church of Lateran in Rome with­out a Body, which in the sight of many men writ upon the Wall these words, ‘ Hodie venenum in Ecclesia infusurus. To day is Poison poured into the Church;’ Which was thought to intend the extraor­dinary indulgence of Constantine the Great, and first Christian Emperor upon the Bishops, and his heaping Honours and Estates upon them, whereby they degenerated from their Primitive simplicity and humility. Soon after many Cities in the East fell to the ground by an Earthquake, and Neo-Caesa­rea was overturned and all its Inhabitants perished, except such as were saved by the Bishop in the Church. Dyracchium was demolished by an Earthquake, and Rome trembled for three Days and Nights succes­sively, and Antioch was indangered by an Earthquake of a whole years continuance. Rhodes and Sicily were likewise endama­ged thereby, and likewise Cilicia, and in­deed it was so general that all Europe and Asia were shaken at once.

XXIII. In 366. in the reign of Julian the Emperor, who was first a Christian and [Page 38]afterward revolted to Paganism, for which he was named the Apostate, and became a bitter Enemy to the Christians, and in de­spight and contempt of our blessed Saviour, who had Prophesied that the Temple of Jerusalem should be destroyed and never rebuilt, He impiously resolved to invali­date the same, and designed to build it Magnificently with excessive cost and char­ges, committing the care thereof to one Alypius, who did vigorously apply himself to the Work, being assisted therein by the Governour of the Province. But there brake out dreadful Balls of Fire near the Foundation of the Walls, which with their frequent Irruptions, made the Place unap­proachable, several Workmen being con­sumed by the Fire, and in this manner a full period was put to their further proceeding therein; But Niciphorus Calistus gives a more large and full Narrative thereof as followeth. The Jews, saith he, having got together as many as were skilful in the Art of Building, and having provided Ma­terials for it, and fully cleansed the place, they prepared Spades made of Silver, their charges being allowed out of the publick stock: with such Earnestness and Alacrity did they la­bour herein, that the very Women carried [Page 39]away the Rubbish in their Laps, and what­soever Jewels, or precious Ornaments they had, they expended on the business. When they had digged up the remainders of the old Building from the lowest Foundations, and had cleared the ground, so that ‘there was not a stone left upon a stone,’ accord­ing to our Blessed Lords Prediction, The next day coming to the place, there was a great Earthquake, insomuch that the stones were cast our of the Foundation, so that many of the Jews were slain, who either came to see the work, or had the oversight thereof. The Publick buildings which were nearest the Temple, were likewise loosned, and falling down with great violence, buried those who were in them in their ruines; some who attempted to fly away, were found half dead; others lost their Legs, Arms, Hands, and other Members, accord­ing as the force of that sudden accident seiz­ed upon them. The Earthquake was scarce over, but those who remained fell to work again. But when they attempted it the se­cond time, sudden flashes of Fire violently issued out of the Foundations, and other Fire fell furiously from Heaven, and destroyed more than before, consuming to Ashes the Hammers, Graving Tools, Saws, Hatchets, [Page 40]Axes, and all other Instruments which the Workmen had brought for their Service; the flames continuing a whole day together. When Cyril, who was at that time Bishop of Jerusalem, saw these things, he consider­ed in his mind the words of the Prophet Da­niel, to which Christ also had set his Seal in the Holy Gospel, and then told them all; ‘That now was the time, when the Oracle of our Saviour had its accomplish­ment,’ which said, That a Stone should not be left upon a Stone in the Temple; which when he had said, a dreadful Earth­quake assailed the remaining Foundations, and casting out all the rest of the Stones, dispersed them abroad, and a fearful Storm arose, which whirled in the Air many Thou­sand Bushels of Lime and Plaister, and sud­den flames of Fire flashing from beneath, burnt up in a moment an innumerable Com­pany of People, who were either labouring in the work, or coming to behold it. Thus did the wicked Julian fulfil Christs Pre­dictions concerning Jerusalem, by the same means whereby he designed to make them void.

XXIV. In 367. in the Reign of Valens and Valentinian Emperors of Rome, there happen'd such horrible Earthquakes through­out [Page 41]the Western Empire, as neither True Historians have related the like, nor Fables themselves represented to us. A little after the day dawned there was a great Tempest of Thunder and Lightning, which was fol­lowed by such a dreadful trembling of the Earth, that the Sea also was shaken there­with, and deserted the shore and its an­cient bounds for a great space, and the depths of its Channels were discovered; multitudes of Fish were seen to stick in the Mud, and many plowed Fields became Na­vigable, the inequality of the Seas bottom appeared, here Hills, and there Vallies which had never before seen the Sun, since, at the original of all things, they were first overwhelmed with the Flouds. Many Ships were left on the dry ground, and swarme of People flew thither to catch Fish; when suddenly the Sea, as disdaining to be imprisoned, returned to its former station with such impetuosity, that it over-ran its former bounds, and with the fury thereof overthrew a multitude of Towns and Hou­ses, with many thousands of People, and great numbers of Ships were overwhelmed, some of which, with the violence thereof, were blown upon the tops of Houses. Soon after a great Rebellion happened, and the [Page 42]Northern Nations came in like a Floud, and over-ran the Roman Empire, which was thought to be presaged by this lamen­table accident.

XXV. In 430. A great Earthquake ra­ged in divers places, and overturned many Cities, the Wall of Constantinople, though but new built, it threw to the ground with 57 Turrets; Also Stones of great bulk, lately placed there, fell down, many Town, were ruined. Yea some Authors affirm that it was so terrible as to affect almost the whole World, the Earth gaped and swallowed up many Villages; Fountains were dried up, and Waters brake forth in places formerly dry. Great Trees were torn up by the Roots; Heaps of Earth were so shaken to­gether that they were raised into Moun­tains. The Sea threw up dead Fishes, ma­ny Islands were sunk and overwhelmed, Ships sailing on the Sea were suddenly left on dry ground. In short many places of Bythinia, the Hellespont, and both the Phry­gin's were grievously distrest thereby. This disaster continued six months without inter­mission, and the People of Constantinople not daring to stay in the City for fear of the fall of their Houses, continued together with their good Emperor, and their Pa­triarch, [Page 43]in the Fields, instant in Prayers to the Almighty for the removal of so dread­ful a Judgment. After the danger was over, the Emperor repaired the Walls of Constantinople which were much endamaged thereby. This was judged a Sign of the Death of Theodosius which soon after follow­ed, and of several changes which happened at the same time in divers parts of the World.

XXVI. In 454. A great Earthquake at Rome, another at Vienna, Wolves and o­ther Beasts wander all the year through the City and devour men. An Earthquake in Russia, and at Constantinople, with two wonderful Blazing Stars. About this time the Brittains beat the Saxons, and drive them into the Isle of Thanet. The Jews Rebel in Egypt and Kill two hundred thou­sand Men, and forced those that survived to eat the dead. They slay two hundred and forty thousand in Cyprus, and at last are slain themselves. A great Famine in Constantinople. The Goths wast Thrace, Thessaly and Epirus: Gratian killeth thirty five thousand Germans; Maxinius slayeth Gratian treacherously, and possesseth Brit­tain, France, Spain and Africk. The Tem­ple of Apollo Daphneus is burnt. The Hea­then Temples are shut up by the Christian [Page 44]Emperors, and their Idols destroyed. In 458. A great Earthquake happened at An­tioch which the Citizens had sad cause to re­member. Before it began some of the Inhabi­tants were seized with an extraordinary madness, such as seemed to exceed the fury of Wild Beasts, and to be the presage of that Calamity which followed soon after; For about the Fourth hour of the night in September, almost all the buildings of the new City were overturned, which was well peopled and none of it forsaken or empty, be­ing curiously built by the Magnificence of divers Emperors, who strove to exceed each other in the adornment of it. The first and second Fabricks in the Palace were also cast down, the rest standing together with a Bath, which having formerly been neg­lected now when by the Earthquake the rest were choaked up stood the Citizens in very good stead.

XXVII. In the first Century was a ter­rible Earthquake in Arabia, and another in Palestina and a third at Constantinople for six weeks together. It rained Bloud in Pied­mont, and at York the Fountains ran Bloud: a Dragon and many Serpents were seen in the River Tyber. After this so terrible a Fa­mine raged in Brittain that the People as­sembled [Page 45]in great numbers to cast themselves into the Sea; A Plague so great in Rome that 800 men fell dead in an hour in the time of Procession. Brunchild, a Daughter of France, being found guilty of the death of ten Kings; She is tyed by the Hair of the Head and the Arms to Wild Horses, and torn to pieces. The Jews and Sama­ritanes Persecute the Christians, and burn their Churches in Caesaria.

XXVIII. In the sixth seventh and eighth Centuries, an Earthquake at Antioch; Ano­ther in Palestina, another in England and Normandy; a fiery Dragon was seen in the Skies, and divers other dreadful Prodigies. About the same time there was a violent Earthquake at Constantinople which lasted many days, and every hour the City suffer­ed extraordinary shocks. Many houses were thrown down, but the People betook themselves to Prayer, Fasting and Repen­tance, and the Almighty had compassion on them; Many Cities in the East were ruined by it, and the City of Alexandria was sore shaken therewith, which was the more asto­nishing because it seldom happens in those parts. Some years after, Constantinople was again shaken so violently that not only the Walls and Churches but all Greece [Page 46]trembled therewith. The Saracens about this Age, Besieged Constantinople for seven years and at last thirty thousand of them were slain. The King of Scots is slain by the Picts. A Pestilence in Constantinople, for three years, which devoured so many that the living were not sufficient to bury the Dead. Alphonsus King of Portugal kil­leth seventy thousand Moors and taketh, Lisbon from them. The Danes Invade Eng­land, but all of them almost perished. The Brittains Invade Scotland, Constantine their King was killed. The Saracens take Ar­moricum and many Captives; Lothair Wars with his Brethren, and an hundred thousand men are slain. In 801. while Charles the Great was in Italy there was an Earthquake with great noises, which shook all France and Germany, but especially Italy; it over­threw several Towers and even Mountains; and the Church of St. Paul at Rome was destroyed by it, whereupon Pope Leo III. appointed solemn Feasts and Processions. These Prodigies were followed with furious Tempests and Contagious Diseases which affected the Cattel throughout Italy; so that most of their Beasts died. A great Famine and Pestilence in France. The King of England is slain by the East Angles. The [Page 47]Danes enter the Thames with two hundred and fifty Ships, they take Canterbury and London, and expel the King.

XXIX. In the Ninth, Tenth and Ele­venth Centuries, an Earthquake happened in Scotland, another in France, a very great one in Asia, and several terrible ones with mighty Whirlwinds in Germany; Al­so a great Earthquake in England, where five Suns appear at one; and afterward four Moons at once. Horrible groans and noises in the ground at Rome. Syracuse in Sicily was extreamly shaken with an Earthquake; A wonderful Hail at Oxford in England, with many other terrible appearances, as Fire rising out of the River Rhyne, and ma­ny places in Germany the Sun appears for certain days as if it bled. In the Reign of King William the Conqueror. 1086. hap­pened an Earthquake with a dreadful noise. In 1100 in the Reign of King Henry I. the Earth moved with so great violence in Eng­land, that many buildings where shaken down; and Malmesbury the Historian writes, That the House wherein he sate was lifted up with a double remove, and at the third time setled again in its proper place. In di­vers places a hideous noise was heard, and the Earth through several rifts cast forth [Page 48]Fire for many days together, which neither by Water, nor any other means could be supprest. In Lumbardy in Italy about the same time was an Earthquake which lasted above six weeks, and removed a Town from the place where it stood a great distance. Matthew Paris mentions another Earth, quake, and a great Darkness in England about twenty years after; And another in the Reign of King Henry II. in the Eastern parts of England, which threw down many Persons who were standing or walking, and made the Clocks to strike and Bells to ring in the Steeples. In 1179. on Christmas day at Oxenhall near Darlington in the County of Durham, the Earth was lifted up aloft like a Tower, and so continued all that day, as it were immoveable till Evening, and then fell with so horrible a noise that it affrighted the Inhabitants thereabout, and the Earth swallowing it up, made in the same place three Pits of a wonderful depth, which were afterward called Hell-Kettles. It is reported that Bishop Tonstal put a Goose into one of these Pits, having first given her a mark, and the same Goose was found in the River Tees, which if true, these Kettles have passages under Ground.

XXX. In 1180. an Earthquake ruined a great part of the City of Naples. Great Stones were Rained from Heaven, and a Hill of an immense magnitude is removed out of his place. The City of Catania in Sicily is destroyed with nineteen thousand People by an Earthquake. A multitude of Snakes were seen at Rome, a fiery Dart ran up and down in the Heavens, Women ap­peared in the Heavens of admirable shapes to the great amazement of the Spectators. About this time the Hungarians Invade the Empire of Germany, but are reconciled. The Bishop of Saltsburg calls an hundred thousand Hungarians into Bavaria, which are all slain there and the Emperors Eyes pluckt out. A great Famine in Germany and France. The Prussians Invade Poland, and fifteen thousand of them are slain, and twenty thousand made Prisoners. The Saxons Rebel against the Emperor, twenty six thousand of them are Drowned in a Pit­fall by the Stratagem of two Bishops in Hol­land as they came against the Earl of Flan­ders. Gonsalmus King of Spain Poisons King Sancho with an Apple. The Danes Land in Scotland and wast divers places, the Scots put them to flight. They Land in Kent and spoil the Isle of Thanet. The King [Page 50]of Denmark is slain by one of his Servants; The Danes being defeated at Oxford fly to the Church, and are there burnt. Otho Em­peror of Germany is Poisoned with a pair of Gloves. Pedro King of Spain taketh Oscu, and killeth thirty thousand Moors. The English Invade Normandy. Harold Earl of Caithnes in Scotland cuts out the Bishops Tongue for which the King puts out his Eyes, hangs him, and causeth his Male Children to be Gelt. The K. of Ioenium is swallowed up by an Earthquake, and in England many Buildings are thrown down by the same means, amongst which the Ca­thedral Church of Lincoln was rent in pieces.

XXXI. In 1222. There were such Earth­quakes in Italy and Lombardy, that the Ci­ties and Towns were forsaken, and the Peo­ple kept abroad in the Fields in Tents; ma­ny Houses and Churches were thrown down, much people thereby crushed to Death. The Earth trembled twice a day in Lombardy for fourteen days together; besides two Cities in Cyprus, and the City of Brescia were this year destroyed by Earth­quakes. In 1176. About the time that Adrian the Fourth was made Pope, was a dreadful Earthquake at Millain, and all [Page 51]the Country round about. A noise like Trumpets in the Air was heard in Italy, where was likewise a great Earthquake, another in England; and a third in Germa­ny. The Consequents were thought to be, the slaying of two hundred thousand Moors by the Spaniards about that time. The Pope giveth the Kingdom of England to Philip King of France, Excommunicating King John. The French strive to take pos­session of it, but the Flemish with the Eng­lish take three hundred sail of Ships from them, and burn an hundred more. The King of Arragon is slain. The King of Bulgaria plucks out the Emperors Eyes. The Infidels take Jerusalem and slay many Prisoners. The Turks win all the lower Asia from the Greeks. The Pope is slain by a Fall. The Emperor Kills fourteen thousand Bohemians. The King of England brings the Welsh under intire subjection.

XXXII. Remarkable is what is related by divers Authors, which happened in a Town called Hamel in the Dutchy of Brunswick in Germany in 1248. June 26. This Town being very grievously troubled with Rats and Mice, there came to them a Pied Coat Piper, who agreed with the Burgers that for so much Money he would quite [Page 52]clear them from those Vermine, nor would he demand it till a year and a day after. The agreement being made, he began to play on his Pipes, going from one Street to another, and all the Rats and Mice follow­ed him, whom he led to a great Lake hard by, where they all went in and were drown­ed, so that the Town was Infected no more. At the end of the year the Pied Piper return­ed for his reward. The Burgers put him off with slightings and neglect, offering him some small matter, which he refusing, and staying some few days in Town; On Sunday Morning at High Mass when most People were at Church, he fell to Play on his Pipes, and began another Tune, where­upon there followed him one hundred and thirty Boys out of the Town to a great Hill called Koppen, scituate on the Road hard by, when they approached the Mountain, it rent in twain and opening let him and the Chil­dren in, and then closed again, so that he nor they were ever seen after. This Hi­story is writ and religiously kept by them in their Annals at Hamel to this day, is read in their Books, and painted in their Win­dows, and their Churches; they date their Bills, Bonds and other Instruments in Law, From the year of the going out of the Chil­dren; [Page 53]Besides there is a great Pillar of Stone at the Foot of that Hill whereon the Story is Ingraven. It is also observed in the memory thereof, that in the Streets the Children passed out of, no Piper is admitted to live ever since, and if a Bride live in that Street, till she is come out of it no Dancing is to be suffered. Howel's Epistles, page 272.

XXXIII. In 1300. When the Turkish Empire began to be considerable, there was such an Earthquake at Rome as never was before, and forty eight Earthquakes happened in one year, whereby all Lombar­dy was shaken. A great Earthquake in London, which was especially felt on the Banks of the River Thames, which shook and threw down many buildings, and was the more terrible because the Western parts are less accustomed to Earthquakes, and there was little ebbing or flowing of the Sea observable as at other times, for about three months after. Another Earthquake did much mischief about Bath and Bristol, and two more happened in England not long af­ter. Also two in France and one in Savoy. An Earthquake at Rome in the time of Pope Boniface the eight, who fainted away for fear, and afterward published a Jubilee. [Page 54]In 1348. a terrible Earthquake happened at Constantinople, which indured six weeks, and reached in the extent of it as far as Hun­gary and Italy; Twenty six Cities were overthrown by it; Mountains were torn up by the Roots, and several Men, Women and Beasts by that strong Exhalation were turn­ed into Statues of Salt. In Persia five hun­dred Houses were thrown by an Earthquake in the City of Lair. In England for six hours together the Sun appeared as Bloud. In Germany was a very great Earthquake. Grashoppers cover Switzerland like Snow. At Oxford the Image of a Head spake thus, Caput decidetur, Caput Elevabitur, Pedes ele­vabuntur super Caput; The Head shall be cut off; The Head shall be lift up; The Feet shall be elevated above the Head. Which was thought to presage the Deposing and Death of King Richard II. At this time fifty thousand Christians were slain by the Turks in the Plains of Casovia. Scotland is wasted by the English. The Emperor Sigismond executed thirty two of the Nobles in Hun­gary. The Pope is imprisoned by the French King. A great Battle between King Henry the V. and the French, wherein they lost twenty thousand men, ten thousand be­ing killed upon the place, and as many [Page 55]made Prisoners. The French burn Rye and Hastings in Sussex, and Plunder the Isle of Wight. In Gaunt five thousand Houses were burnt; and seventeen Towns drown­ed in Flanders. A very great Earthquake in France, and Grashoppers destroy almost every green thing there. The World was shook with terrible Earthquakes, Cities, Castles, Villages and a multitude of People were swallowed up in the Caverns of the Earth: Many at Liege destroyed by Thun­der, while they were paying their Venera­tion to the Saints for safety. Mountains were cleft, and Rivers were dried up.

XXVIV. In 1456. There arose upon the Sea of Ancona in Italy, together with a thick Gloomy Cloud that extended above two Miles, a Tempest of Wind, Water, Fire, Lightning and Thunder, which peir­cing to the most deep Abysses of the Sea, forced up the Waves with a most dreadful fury, and carried all before it upon the Land, which caused so horrible an Earth­quake some time after, that the Kingdom of Naples was almost ruined, and all Italy carried the dismal marks of it; A Million of Houses and Castles were buried in their own ruins, and above thirty thousand Peo­ple crushed to pieces, and a huge Moun­tain [Page 56]overturned into the Lake de la Garde. Soon after was a dreadful Earthquake in Millain another in Hungary. In Poland there was seen (saith my Author) an Image of Christ crucified with a Sword to pass along the Air from West to South for two hours. In Germany Hailstones fell as big as Goose Eggs. At this time the Hungarians defeat the Turks, and take thir­ty thousand Captives from them. The Spa­nish Inquisition is first instituted in Castile against the Moors and Jews. The Jews are expelled Spain. The Turks expel the Christians from Adrianople. King Henry VI. is taken Prisoner at North-hampton: Great Inundations in England. The Sun is darkned without an Ecclipse.

XXXV. In 1509. Sept. 14. There happened a terrible Earthquake at Constan­tinople and in the Countrey thereabout, Ba­jazet II. being Emperor, by the violence whereof a great part of that Imperial City with many stately Buildings both Publick and Private were overthrown; and thirteen thousand People overwhelmed and slain; The terror thereof was so great that the People generally forsook their Houses, and lay abroad in the Fields; Yea Bajazet him­self, though very Aged, and sore troubled [Page 57]with the Gout, for fear thereof went from Constantinople to Adrianople, but finding himself in no more safety there than before, he left the City, and lay abroad in the Fields in his Tent. This Earthquake en­dured by the space of eighteen days, or as the Turks relate, for a month with little in­termission; which was then accounted omi­nous, as portending the miserable Calamities which afterward happened in the Ottoman Family. After this Earthquake ensued a great Plague, wherewith Constantinople was grievously Visited and almost depopula­ted; After the Earthquake ceased, the Em­peror imployed eighty thousand Men to re­pair it, who in four months time re-edified the ruins thereof with much Beauty and Magnificence. It is strange to Relate (saith my Author) that in this year 1510, there fell twelve hundred stones from Heaven, some weighing Sixty pound, others more. An Earthquake in Apulia whereby above Sixteen thousand Persons were overwhelmed, after which ensued a War betwixt the French and the Duke of Savoy which de­voured above a Million of Men. In Hol­land four hundred and four Parishes are drowned with all their People and Cattel. The Turks take Buda in Hungary. King [Page 58] Henry VIII. writes against the Pope; Car­dinal Woolsey dies: The English Clergy are fined and pay the King an hundred thou­sand pound for divers Misdemeanors. In 1531. In the City of Lisbon in Portugal a­bout fourteen hundred Houses were over­thrown by an Earthquake, and Six hun­dred more so sorely shaken that they were ready to fall and many of their Churches were cast to the ground.

XXXVI. In 1538. Mr. George Sandys gives the following Relation of a most re­markable Earthquake and Burning which happened near the City Puteoli with the new formed Mountain; For the famous Lake Lucrinus hard by, extended formerly to the deadly Sulphurous Lake Avernus, sup­posed the entrance into Hell by ignorant Antiquity, where they offered Infernal Sa­crifices to Pluto their God of Hell, and to the Manes or Ghosts of their deceased Friends, who were there said to have return­ed answers to what they have demanded of them: This place is now only a little watry plash choaked up by the horrible and asto­nishing eruption of a new Mountain, whereof as often as I think, I am apt to give credit to whatsoever is wonderful; For who is there in this place but knows, or who [Page 59]elsewhere will believe, that a Mountain should arise partly out of a Lake, and part­ly out of the Sea, in one day and anight to such an height, as to contend in altitude with the highest Mountains adjoyning, yet so it was: For Sept. 29. 1538. the Cour­trey hereabout having for several days be­fore been tormented with perpetual Earth­quakes, that no one House was left intire, but all Men expected an immediate ruin; After the Sea had retired two hundred Pa­ces from the Shoar, leaving abundance of Fish and Springs of fresh water rising in the bottom, this Mountain visibly ascended about the second hour of the Night, with an hideous roaring noise, horribly vomiting Stones, and such store of Cinders, as over­whelmed all the buildings thereabout, and the healthful Baths of Tripergula celebrated for so many Ages, consuming the Vines to Ashes, and killing Birds and Beasts; The fearful Inhabitants of Puteoli flying away in the dark, with their Wives and Children, naked, defiled, crying out and detesting their Calamities, Manifold mischiefs had they suffered by the Turks and Barbarians, yet none like that which Nature inflicted. This Mountain is to be seen at this day, the top whereof is above a Mile from the [Page 60]Foundation, the stones upon it are so light and pory, that they will not sink when thrown into Water; when it was newly raised, it had a vast number of Vents or Is­sues, some of them smoaking and likewise flaming, others disgorging little Rivers of hot water, keeping a dreadful rumbling, and many miserably perished who ventured to go down into the hallowness above; But that hollow on the top is now an Or­chard, and the Mountain throughout is be­reft of its Terrors, no more smoak, fire or flames issuing therefrom.

XXXVII. In 1571. Feb. 17. A prodigious Earthquake happened in the Eastern Parts of Herefordshire near a little Town called Kina­ston: About Six in the Evening the Earth began to open, and an Hill called Marcley Hill with a Rock under it, made at first a mighty bellowing noise which was heard afar off, and then lifted up it self a great heighth and began to travel; bearing along with it the Trees that grew upon it, the Sheepfolds and Flocks of Sheep abiding thereon at the same time; In the place from whence it first moved it left a gaping distance forty Foot wide and eighty Ells long, the whole Field was about twenty Acres. Passing along it overthrew a Chap­pel [Page 61]standing in the way, removed an Ew [...]-Tree growing in the Church yard from the West to East. With the like violence it thrust before it Highways, Houses and Trees, it made Tilled ground Pasture, and again turned Pasture into Village. Having thus walked from Sunday in the Evening till Monday Noon it then stood still, and moved no more; mounting to an Hill twelve fathoms high. The like prodigy happened about the same time at Blackmore in that County, where a Field of three Acres with the Trees and Fen­ces moved from their place, and passed over another Field, travelling in the Highway that goeth to Herne and there stayed. A great Earthquake fell out at Constantinople about this time, a while before a terrible Fire in that City which burnt the Gaol, and consumed seven hundred Prisoners. An Earthquake and Bowls of Fire in Carinthia. The Sun seemed to cleave in sunder. Corn rained from Heaven. An Earthquake and Inundation in Holland. At this time was the Swearing Sickness in England. Nine thousand French were slain at Dreux in Normandy, among whom the King of Navar. The Turkish Pyrates carry Six Thousand Captives out of the Isle of Gaul, near to Malta. A great Plague in [Page 62] England. Very great Thunder and an Earthquake in Spain.

XXXVIII. In 1580. April 6. being Easter Wednesday about six a Clock in the Afternoon happened a great Earthquake in England, which shook all the Houses, Castles and Churches every where as it went, and put them in danger of utter ruin; yet through the Divine Clemency it over­threw few or none, save certain Stones, Chimneys, Walls and Pinacles of high Buildings both in London and divers other places; and a Boy and a Girl being at Ser­mon among a great number of People at Christ-Church in Newgate-Street the Boy was killed outright with the fall of a Stone from the Roof of the Church; and the Girl so fore bruised by another that she dyed soon after. At York it made the Bells in the Churches jangle. This Earthquake had such influence upon the mind of the Peo­ple. ‘That a Prayer was Published by Queen Elizabeth to be used of all Hous­holders with their whole Family, every Evening before thy went to Bed, that it would please God to turn his wrath from us, threatned in the last terrible Earthquake.’ In 1581. Josephus Acosta relates, That in Peru in America there [Page 63]happened an Earthquake which removed the City of Augnangum two Leagues from the place where it stood without demolish­ing it, in regard the Scituation of the whole Countrey was changed. The same Author gives an account of another Earthquake in the same Countrey that reached three hundred Leagues along the Sea-shore, and seventy Leagues in Land; and levelled the Mountains all along as it went, threw down Citys, turned the Rivers out o [...] their Channels, and made an Universal [...]avock and confusion. All this he saith was done within the space, of seven or eight Minutes. Some time before this, above forty thou­sand People perished in an Earthquake about Puel and Naples.

XXXIX. In 1590. The Election of Pope Urban VII. was signalized by an Earth­quake which made Austria, Bohemia and Moravia to tremble, and was followed by an extraordinary Dearth; Gregory XIV. quickly succeeded and died in ten months. There was such a Famine and Plague in Ita­ly that year that above threescore thousand Persons died. In 1591. In St. Michaels Island in the West Indies, there happened an Earthquake which continued about six­teen days, to the extream terror of the [Page 64]French who inhabite there, especially when by the force thereof they perceived the Earth to remove from place to place, and Villa Franca their principal Town overthrown, the Ships that then road at Anchor in the Bay, trembled and quaked; insomuch that the People thought the Day of Judgment was come. In 1593. Another terrible Earthquake happened in Persia, which over­turned three thousand Houses in the City of Lair crushing to Death above three thou­sand Persons in their ruins; yea the Castle though built upon a solid Rock groaned under the like affrighting downfall. In 1614. there was a great Earthquake in Vercer, one of the largest of the Islands cal­led Azores, belonging to the King of Por­tugal, overturning in the City of Agra, eleven Churches, nine Chappels, besides many private Houses: and in the City of Praga hardly an house was left standing. Not long after so horrible an Earthquake happened in another of the Islands of Azores called St. Michael aforementioned, that not far from thence the Sea opened, and thrust forth an Island above a League and half in length at a place where there was above a hundred and fifty Fathom Wa­ter.

XL. In 1618. The Town of Pleurs in Switzerland was overwhelmed by an Earth­quake of which we have the following ac­count in the late Travels of a Reverend Di­vine in that Countrey. This place consist­ed in about two thousand two hundred Inha­bitants and magnificently built, for besides the great Palace of the Francken that cost some Millions, there were many other Pa­laces, erected by several Rich Factors both of Milan, and other Parts of Italy, who liked the Scituation and Air as well as the freedom of the Government of this place; so they used to come hither during the Heats, and here they gave themselves all the In­dulgences that a vast wealth could furnish; By one of the Palaces that was a little di­stant from the Town, which was not over­whelmed, one may judg of the rest; It was an Out-house of the Family of the Francken, and yet it may compare with many Palaces in Italy, and certainly House and Gardens could not cost so little as one hundred thou­sand Crowns. The Voluptuousness of this Place became very crying, and Madam de Salis told me, saith my Author, that she often heard her Mother relate some Passages of a Protestant Ministers Sermons, who Preached in a little Church which those of [Page 66]the Religion had there, and warned them frequently of the terrible Judgments of God, that were hanging over their heads, and that he believed would suddenly break in upon them. On the 25 of August 1618. an Inhabitant came and persuaded them to be gone, for he saw the Mountains cleav­ing, but he was laughed at for his pains; He had a Daughter whom he prevailed with to leave all and go with him, but when she was gone out of the Town with him, she called to mind that she had not lockt the Door of a Room in which she had some things of value, and so she went back to do that, and was buried with the rest; for at the hour of Supper the Hill fell down, and buried the Town and all the Inhabitants, so that none escaped. The fall of the Moun­tains did so fill the Channels of the River that the first news those of the Chavennes had of it, was by the failing of the River, for three or four hours there came not a drop of Water, but the River wrought for it self a new course and returned to them. I could hear no perticular Character of the Man who escaped, so I must leave the se­cret reason of so singular a preservation to the great discovery at the last day, of those steps of Divine Providence that are now so [Page 67]unaccountable. Some of the Family of the Francken, got some Miners to work under­ground to find out the Wealth that was bu­tied in their Palace; for besides their Plate and Futniture, there was a great Cash and many Jewels in the House: the Miners pre­tended they could find nothing: But they went to their Countrey of Tirol and built fine Houses, and a great Wealth appeared, of which no other visible account could be given but this, that they had found some of that Treasure.

XLI. In 1622. Was a great Earthquake in Italy; The shape of an Elephant was seen in the Air, and three Suns. Armies fighting, Monstrous births, Waters turned into bloud, unusual and impetuous Tem­pests which overthrew several Towers. At this time began the third Civil War in France, the Prince of Conde is taken and shot to Death with a Pistol. The Earls of Northum­berland and Westmorland rebel. The Po­pish Clergy are expelled Antwerp by the People. The Emperor Prohibiteth the Pro­testant Religion at Atken. The Spaniards Invade Ireland but are beaten thence. The Turks lose Alba Regalis and threescore thou­sand men. The Persians Invade Babylon and kill twenty thousand men. The King [Page 68]of France is slain. Nine hundred thousand Moors are expelled Spain. The Hollanders beat the Spaniards in the South Sea. The Tartars Invade Podolia, they burn four Ci­ties and four hundred Villages, and carry from thence a vast booty. The Jesuits and Papists are expelled the Netherlands. In 1627. An Earthquake happened in England and a great fiery Beam was seen in the Air in France. Six Suns in Cornwall at once, and five Moons in Normandy. In 1627. July 31. happened an Earthquake in Apu­lia in Italy, whereby in the City of Seve­rine alone ten thousand Souls were taken out of the World, and in the horror of such infinite ruins, and sepulchre of so many Mor­tals, a great Bell thrown out of the Steeple by the Earthquake fell so fitly over a Child that it inclosed him, and doing him no harm made a Bulwark for him against any other danger. Strange and wonderful were the Prodigies that were seen in Germany both in the Heavens, Earth and Waters, before the beginning of that Bloody War in those Countreys, and which plainly presaged the ensuing miseries and desolations which hap­pened there, and began about 1631. In which year, not long before the troubles of Naples, there happened a terrible Earth­quake [Page 69]in and about that City; and the Mountain of Soma after many terrible bel­lowings, vomited out burning streams of Fire which tumbled into the Adriatick Sea; and cast out an huge deal of Ashes. The like happened the year following with great damage and loss to the Neighbouring places both in Houses, People and Cattel. And in Apulia seventeen thousand Persons were destroyed by the same.

XLII. In the year 1638. Six Suns were seen at once in Cornwall, and several Appa­ritions of men in the Heavens preparing to fight with each other; Also Navys of Ships were visible in the Sky. The Scots at this time make an Insurrection, the King goes in Person to appease them, they renounce the Bishops and Prelacy, and set up Presby­tery in Scotland. In this year 1638. hap­pened a Terrible Earthquake in the Island of St. Michael one of the Azores, or Terce­ra's belonging to the Spaniards in the Atlan­tick Ocean Westward. Upon June 26. this Island began unversally to quake and tremble, which continued eight days, so that the People leaving the Cities, Towns and Castles, were forced to live in the open Fields: After which this Prodigy succeeded; Six miles distant from the Hill or Pick of [Page 70] Camerine, at a place called Ferriera; where Fishermen with their Boats use to fish in Summer, they at this time caught such a multitude, that no Boat returned with less than Ten Thousand Fish. At this very place in July this very year, Fire broke forth with such unexpressible violence, notwithstanding the depth of the Ocean, which had been fathomed one hundred and twenty foot deep, that the very Sea it self was not sufficient to extinguish such mighty flames; The space of this boyling Fire was about two Acres, and the Fire arose with such mighty force, that it reached even to the Clouds, carrying with it Water, Sand, Earth, Stones and much other matter, which like Feather-Beds flew into the Air to the terror of the Beholders afar off, and fal­ling down again into the water, resembled a kind of Pultis or Frumentie; and had not the Wind by Divine Providence blown off from the Isle into the Sea, and thereby dri­ven back this outragious Fire, without doubt the whole Countrey had been utterly burnt up and destroyed by this formidable Combustion; soon after it cast forth stones of so vast a bigness, to the height of above three lances, that they seemed rather like entire Mountains than Stones, which in [Page 71]their fall meeting and dashing against others they broke into a Thousand pieces, with a terrible noise and ratling, which afterward being taken up mouldred into a black Sand. Moreover out of this vast quantity of mat­ter thrown out, a new Island arose, even in the midst of the deep Ocean. In the begin­ning it was not above five Acres, but increa­sing continually in four days after, it took up the length of five mile; so vast a multi­tude of Fish perished by this burning, that eight Ships of India could hardly contain them, and being dispersed about all parts of the Island were gathered together, and bu­ried in deep Ditches by the Inhabitants for eighteen miles round about to prevent any Contagion which might arise from them, but the Sulphur or Brimstone was smelt Twenty four Miles. This year the Hol­landers beat the Spanish Fleet upon the Coast of England.

XLIII. The same year 1638, the Learned Rircherus made a search and discovery into the burning Mountain of Vesuvius in the Kingdom of Naples, so famous for fiery ir­ruptions for many Ages, which being one of the most tremendous Miracles of Nature I shall relate in his own words; After so great dangers sustained by Sea and Land in [Page 72]diligently searching out the incredible power of Nature working in Burroughs and Passages under ground, I had a great desire to inform my self concerning Vesuvius. I went therefore to Porticus (the Porch or Entrance) a Town scituate at the Foot of of the Mountain, where hiring an honest Countreyman for a true and skilful Com­panion, and Guide in the way, not without a considerable reward, I ascended the Mountain at midnight through difficult, rough, uneven, and steep Passages; when I came to the top or mouth I saw what is horrible to be expressed; I saw it all over of a light Fire with a dreadful combustion, and stench of Sulphur and burning Bitumen; whereat being astonished, methoughts I be­held the habitation of Hell, wherein no­thing seemed to be wanting but the Appa­ritions of Ghosts, Devils and Damned Spi­rits; I then observed horrible bellowings and roarings in the Mountain, and unex­pressible stink, smoaks mixt with darkish Globes of Fire, which both the bottom and sides of the Mountain continually belched forth from eleven several places, and made me belch and ready to vomit; ‘O the depth of the riches of the Wisdom and [Page 73]knowledge of God! How incomprehen­sible are thy ways! If thou shewest thy power against the the wickedness of man­kind in such formidable and potentous Pro­digies and Omens of Nature: What shall it be in that last day wherein the Earth shall be destroyed by thy wrath, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat?’ In the morning as soon as it was light, that I might with the more diligence search into the Bowels of the Mouutain, I chose a place to set my feet secure upon, which was an huge Rock, plain on the top, where taking forth my Pantometer (or Universal Mea­sure) I took the dimensions of the Moun­tain, and found by Geometrical Computati­on, the compass of the Mouth to be almost three hundred paces; The Mountain was every where up & down cragged, and broken, yet no gradual declining, for any passage to the inward parts, but descended in its compass of an equal bigness like a Well, and al­though the bottom seemed narrower, yet I judged it only to proceed from the exceed­ing great depth and distance from our sight. In the very middle of the bottom Nature seemed to have made a Shop or Workhouse of Fire with everlasting gushings forth and [Page 74]streamings of Smoak and Flames, which seem to be employed for boyling of Sulphur, Bitumen and other Minerals in preparation for deadly ruins and slaughters afterward to be committed, since the Vapours contained therein not having room, endeavoured to free themselves with such great force and violence, accompanyed with horrible crack­lings and noise, that the Mountain seems to be tost with an Earthquake or trembling, upon which the higher and softer parts of the Mountain that are clung together of Ashes, Cinders, Rains and other refuses of Minerals being shook in pieces, and loosned by this quaking, and so falling like Hills into the bottom of this Hellish Gulph, cause such terrible noises as are often heard, which are so great and fearful as may daunt the most stout and couragious Spirit. The matter which was continually belched forth from the center or bottom of the Mountain made as it were a new Mountain, which had wonderful variety of Furrows or hol­low Channels, with various kinds of melt­ed Minerals, formed as it were by the inge­nious Pencil of Nature, sometimes of a greenish colour from Brass; then yellow from Sulphur, Arsnick, and Sandarack; presently after Red from Cinabar, Read [Page 75]Lead and Vermilion; afterward Black from Vitriol mixt with Water, or of an Ashy co­lour from the very Cinders. Thus far the laborious Kircher.

XLIV. Hear now what our ingenious Countryman Mr. G. Sandys relates of this fiery Mountain Vesuvius, it is scituate in Campania Faelix, about eight miles from Naples, which City hath received great in­juries and prejudices by its Cinders, and vio­lent throwing out of Stones even to its Walls and Houses; This Mountain has vast Foun­tains of Fire, and was heretofore high on every side before the inward parts were con­sumed; it usually utters smoak by day, but by night, Flames; its manner is to send forth a loud sounding or roaring noise and bellowing first, and then to belch forth a huge quantity of Cinders to the great danger of those who pass by, but if a vehement wind blow upon it, the Ashes or Cinders are rai­sed so high and driven so far in length, that 'tis certain they have sometimes been car­ried as far as Constantinople, though many hundred miles distance, and so affrighted them that they have all ran to their Pray­ers to implore the averting of Divine Wrath. The Mountain hath a double top, that to­ward the North ends in a Plain, the other [Page 76]toward the South aspires higher, which when covered with Clouds, prognosticates rain to the Neopolitans, in the top there is a large deep hollow in form of an Amphi­theater, in the midst is a Pit which leads in­to the Entrails of the Earth, the matter thrown up is ruddy, light and soft, the ut­termost brow of the Hill flourishes with Trees, and excellent Pasturage, the midst is shaded with Chesnut Trees and others, bear­ing divers fruits; The lower parts are ad­mirably clothed with Vines which afford the best Greek Wines in the World; It hath at divers times made dreadful Eruptions and Devastations which (as well as Mount Aet­na of which hereafter) have been accounted ominous, and to portend some woful Cala­mities to ensue.

But never any thing appeared so horrible (saith my Author) as what hapned in the Reign of the Emperor Titus eighty years after Christ, For then it disgorged such boyling Waves and Flouds of Fire as consumed the Neighbouring Cities; And then it was that Pliny the Second, that great searcher into Nature, and the famous Author of the Na­tural History, and then Admiral of the Ro­man Navy, being desirous to discover the reason thereof, was choaked and suffocated [Page 77]in approaching too near to discover so great a mystery of Nature, yet not wilfully I suppose, though some Authors assert that he threw himself into it, because he could not under­stand the natural cause of this mighty Con­flagration; At that time there issued forth so great a smoak that the very Sun seemed to be in an Eclipse, and likewise huge Stones, and such plenty of Ashes, that Rome, Africk, and Syria were even covered with them, and besides, Beasts, Fish, and Fowl which were destroyed, it overwhelmed Hercula­num and Pompeios two adjoyning Cities with Pumice Stones, together with all the People sitting in the Theater; There were also heard dismal noises all about the Pro­vince, and Giants of incredible bigness were seen to stalk up and down the top and ed­ges of the Mountains (if the Peoples fancies were not imposed upon by their astonish­ment) which extraordinary Accident was judged either a cause, or presage of a terri­ble Pestilence which reigned in Rome and Italy long after; Marcellinus the Roman Historian relates, That the Ashes of Vesu­vius transported in the Air, obscured and darkned all Europe, and that the Inhabi­tants of Constantinople were wonderfully af­frighted therewith, insomuch that their Em­peror [Page 78] Leo forsook the City, and that in me­morial of the same they celebrated yearly the 12 of November. It likewise burnt in the six year of Constantine the Fourth, and groaned, but ejected no Cinders; Platina, writes, that it flamed in 685. prognostica­ting the Death of Pope Benedict II. with the insuing Slaughters, Rapines, and Deaths of Princes; During the Papacy of Benedict VIII, and IX. it is said to have done the like, and though it hath made dreadful devasta­tions, yet the fruitful Ashes thrown about did seem to repair the foregoing losses with a quick and marvellous fruitfulness; At the foot of the Hill there are divers holes and vents, out of which exceeding cold wind, do continually issue, and which at Padua they let into their Rooms at pleasure, to qua­lifie the heat of Summer; In the year 1610. in February, Vesuvius began to flame, to the great affrightment of the Neapolitans, and solemn Prayers and Supplications being ordered, they went in Procession with the Head of Januarius their Patron, and the defender of their City carried before them; whereby the deluded people were persuaded that the destruction which hung over their heads was prevented. In 1631. was a new [Page 79]Eruption, and again in 1635. was an Earth­quake in Messina.

XLV. In the year 1638. likewise the industrious Kircher made a discovery of the Phlegrean, or Fiery Plains in the Fields of Puteoli near Naples, which being another wonderful Prodigy of Nature, may be worth relating; Passing by Naples (saith he) I could not let slip the opportunity of inquiring and looking into those Sulphurous Plains so much celebrated in all Ages; Having therefore gone through a Passage under ground, called the Groote, arched and made hollow, to the Mountain Pausi­lippus; not far from Puteoli, between the Jaws of the Mountains, a large Plain pre­sents it self to view, altogether dreadful and full of horrour, in length about twelve hun­dred Foot, in breadth a thousand; The whole Plain is surrounded with Hills of high and steep Rocks, which were formerly very lofty, but are since devoured by per­petual Fires; In the bottom little hills are seen to burn and flame, with a strong smell of Brimstone which is carried by the Winds through all the Neighbouring Regions, even as far as Naples; some parts of the Plain have an infinite number of holes, and are yellow with a Sulphurish matter; the [Page 80]ground wheh it is touched by those who walk thereon, sounds and rattles like a Drum by reason of the hollowness thereof: and you may feel as it were, not without astonishment, boyling Waters under your feet, and thick fiery fumes to hiss and flow from one place to another with a great crack­ling noise through the Pipes and Passages under ground which are made by these fiery Exhalations; the force of this is very great as you may experience by stopping any of these holes with an heavy stone, or the like; for then you shall observe the vio­lence of the smoak presently to throw it up, and belch it forth again; But an huge Laky Ditch in the same plain did wonder­fully affect me; It is full of boyling Wa­ters, very frightful for their blackness, that one would imagine it were a Kettle, or Cal­dron boyling with Pitch and Rosin; It is like­wise admirable that the swallowing Gulph casts forth these boyling Waters eight or ten foot above a Mans height, in the fashion of a spire Steeple, or Pyramid; In the Moun­tains and Rocks wherewith this Vulcanian Plain is incompassed, there are Passages like Chimneys, some whereof breath out a con­tinual Wind, with a terrible sound and rat­ling, and also with such strength, that if [Page 81]you cast a stone thereinto, it is struck back again to your hand with great fury; some of their breathing holes dart forth smoak mixt with flames; you would here think your self almost in the midst of Hell, where all things appear horrid, sad and lamentable, and you are even struck breathless with the stench of Sulphur, Bitumen, Napthe, and other Earths, Clays, Marls and Minerals, In 1640. all the Low Countreys and a great part of Germany were shaken by a sudden Earthquake.

XLVI. In 1650 about five a Clock in the Afternoon in the Countys of Cumberland and Westmorland was a general Earthquake wherewith the People were so affrighted, that many of them forsook their Houses, and some Houses were so shaken that the Chimneys fell down. The same year, 1650. the Island of Santorin, at the bot­tom of the Streights in the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Candia, had formidable Fires and Earthquakes. This Island was formerly called Thera, but now Santorin, and started up out of the Sea, for Baronius out of Pliny thus writes; In the year 726. a Vapour was seen to bubble forth out of a Chimney of Fire, between the Islands of Theresia, or Santorin from the very bot­tom [Page 82]of the Sea, which continued some days and the Fire and Smoak growing thicker by degrees, spread it self abroad with mighty flames, and with the vastness of its strength, it cast out huge Rocky Pumice Stones, and great heaps of other matter, which it car­ried through all Asia, Lesbos, and Abydus, and the Sea-Coasts of Macedonia, so that the whole Surface of the Sea was covered with these Pumices; But in the middle of so great a Fire, there was an Island made from the heaping up of that matter, and and joyned to the Island, called The Sacred, which never was in being before; There was likewise another Island next to this formed in 1670. not without great terror to those of Santorin; since the burning last­ed for a year, as some ancient People who saw it with their Eyes did lately testifie; But in the middle of this smaller new Island which is now called little Camena, there is to be seen at this very day an huge deep Ditch, which being narrow toward the bottom, grows bigger by degrees like a Funnel, out of which as out of a Chimney those mighty Stones and Rocks did burst forth, which being mixt with Cinders and Ashes composed the rest of that Isle.

XLVII. But if ever these Fires pent up in the Bowels of the Earth exercised their force, it was most remarkable upon Septem­ber 24. 1650. which shook the Island till the ninth of October, with such mighty and frequent Earthquakes that the People of Santorin fearing that their immediate ruin was approaching, were on their Knees night and day before their Altars; It cannot be expressed what an horror invaded all men; especially when those victorious Flames breaking through all Obstacles, strove to make themselves a way through the midst of the Waters of the Ocean about four miles Eastward from Santorin; For the Sea all on a suddain swelled Thirty Cubits upward, and extending it self wide through the Neighbouring Lands, overturned all in its way; Insomuch that it broke in pieces seve­ral Ships and Galleys in the very Haven of Candia, with its extraordinary violence, though fourscore miles distant from thence; The Air being darkned with those sulphu­rous stinking Vapours, put on innumerable Forms and Appearances, as of Fiery Lances, and Swords brandished and shaken, bright and glittering Arrows darting forth; Here terrible Serpents and Dragons seemed to be flying, There hideous Thunderclaps, Light­nings [Page 84]and Thunderbolts; And yet they could scarce see, for the Peoples Eyes were so hurt with those sharp, pricking sulphu­rous smoaks, and vapours that almost all became blind for three days, with such grievous pains in their Eyes, that they wept continually, and bewailed their most miserable Fate; But when their Eye-sight returned, they saw all their Silver and Gold, both Vessels and Garments, and Pictures, spread over with a yellow colour; and such a vast multitude of Pumice stones, did this fiery Gulph vomit forth, that it covered the Sea, so that they could scarce pass in a Vessel; It is most certain that they were carryed many hundred Miles, even to Smyrna and Constantinople, and all the Shoars and Coasts were filled therewith. The fury of this Burning was greatest for the first two months, which caused the Neighbouring Sea to bubble like a boyling Pot, and night and day huge Globes and Flakes of Fire, and exceeding thick Smoak mounted up to the Heavens; which if at any time it was carryed by contrary winds to any places near at hand, besides a most grievous stink, it brought certain destructi­on upon Birds and Beasts, yea, upon men themselves. As it happened in October and [Page 85] November this year, that fifty Husband­men miserably perished thereby, besides an innumerable multitude of Birds, Sheep, Oxen and Asses; The like happened to nine Marriners, who passing that way in their Ship by night, after three days were all found half burnt, and were buried in the Island Nio threescore Miles from Santorin; But the other four months (for it flamed six in all) though that Hellish Hearth or Furnace abated much of its vigour and fierce heat, and could scarce lift it self above the waves, yet it still seemed to cast out Pumice stones, and to be labouring to form a new Island, which though it does not yet appear above Water, yet in a calm Sea it is observed to be very shallow thereabout, the Water being in that place not above eight Cubits deep.

XLVIII. In 1657. The Spaniards felt a terrible blow in Peru, which if it were not a Mark of the Wrath of Heaven, (saith my Author,) was at least a Sign that the Earth is weary of them, especially in those parts where they have stained it with so much innocent blood. The City of Lima was swallowed up by an Earthquake, and Calao another City not far from it, was consumed by a shower of Fire out of [Page 86]the Clouds, eleven thousand Spaniards lost their lives in this calamity, and the Earth devoured an hundred Millions of refined Silver, which the lucre of the Spaniards had forced out of its Bowels. All the Moun­tains of Potosi from whence they dug their choicest mettal were levelled with the Plain, and no more hopes of Gold was left to their insatiable avarice.

XLIX. In 1660 an Earthquake happen­ed at Paris in France, and at the same time they had news that part of the Pyrenean Mountains had been overthrown some days before; They are certain Mountains that divide France and Spain; it did great mis­chief there, overwhelming some Medicinal Baths, many Houses, and destroying hundreds of People, only one Church which sunk into the Caverns below was thrown up again, and stands very firm, but in another place. This was looked upon as a great Miracle, especially by the French, who have dispu­ted with the Spaniard about this Church as standing on the Frontier Line, but now is removed near half a League within the ac­knowledged limits of France.

L. In 1665. There was a great Tem­pest accompanied with Thunder, Light­ning and an Earthquake in divers places in [Page 87] England, at which time the stately Spire of Trinity-Church in Coventry fell down and demolished a great part of the Church. The next year Sir Rob. Holms destroyed above one hundred and fifty sail of Dutch Ships at the Vly in Holland, and burnt the Town of Bandaris in the Island of Schelling, containing at least a thousand Houses. Sept. 2. about One a Clock in the Morning a sudden and lamentable Fire broke out in the City of London, beginning in a place called Pudding­lane, near New-Fish-Street which in four days time burnt down thirteen thousand two hundred Houses.

LI. In 1668 in Autumn, a great part of Asia, and some parts of Europe were in­fested with extraordinary Earthquakes; The Cities of Constantinople and Adriano­ple felt its sad Effects, but not with that violence and continuance as in other Places. In some parts of Persia it continued for above fourscore days; Torqueto and Bolio two considerable Cities, were by its great violence laid even to the ground, and all or most of the Inhabitants buried in the Ruins, above six thousand Persons perished in the first of them, and above eighteen hundred in the latter; And in all the adjacent Ci­ties it raged with extraordinary fury, de­stroying [Page 88]and ruining the Buildings, killing many of the People, and the rest were for­ced to quit the Towns, and take up their Lodgings in the Fields. About the begin­ning of August 1669. there came two Whales and a Grampas up the River of Thames, whereof one of the Whales, and the Grampas were killed, and the other Whale which was the bigger, returned back into the Sea.

LII. In 1669. there happened a most dreadful Earthquake and Irruption of Mount Aetna in Sicily, of which before I give a particular Account, it may not be unproper to describe the Mountain itself, as it has been related by divers famous Historians; Aetna or Mount Gibello, called by Pindar the Celestial Column or Pillar, is the highest Mountain in Sicily, from whence all the Island may be seen at once, and in a clear day the Eye may even reach Africa; it rears up its Top or Spire thirty miles into the Sky, and may be seen forty or fifty miles at Sea, but its compass is sixty, others say an hundred miles space, it appears East­ward with two shoulders, having an emi­nent head in the middle, The lower parts are luxuriously fruitful, and the abundance of fat oily matter which is cast out of it, [Page 89]makes the Soil thereof as well as of the whole Island Incredibly fruitful in the best Wine, Oil, Honey, Saffron, Minerals also of Gold, Silver, Silks and Allom, with variety of ex­cellent and delicious Fruits, and abundance of all sorts of Grain, so that it was called in old time, The Granary of the Roman Empire; The middle of the Mountain is woody and shady, the upper part rocky, steep, and almost covered with Snow; yet smoaking in the midst like many conjoyned Chimneys, and vomiting intermitted flames, usually discernable only of a night, as if heat and cold had left their Contentions, and im­braced one another, for though it continu­ally burns, with most fervent smoak and fire, yet round about the top are seen per­petual and most deep snows, the uppermost top is broken and cragged with unstable Cinders and Pumice stones, and cleaves open with a most vast Crater or mouth twelves miles in compass, which in a steep descent streightens it self narrower even to the bottom of Hell as it were; A most hor­rible precipice it is, exceeding formidable with flames and fumes from the very bot­tom and sides of the Mountain, with an horrendous roaring and bellowing not un­like the bursting forth of Thunders, so that [Page 90]the very imagination and thoughts of the Fire and Ruins so nigh at hand, cannot but at first sight amaze, and afright any humane Creature, and make him start from it, as from the Infernal Gulph of Hell; On one side within are most dark and dreadful Dens, one whereof is so vast, as to be capable to contain thirty thousand Men; In many places you may see the tracts and paths of huge Torrents of melted matter; in the ve­ry top, Snow and Ashes, or Cinders, as if they had concluded an Eternal Wedlock, are seen to overwhelm all things with a sad and doleful countenance, which are very dangerous to unwary Visitors, because un­der them there lye concealed deep holes, and devouring Gulphs, without bottom or end, which have swallowed up very many, com­ing unadvisedly too near without a Guide, and by their ruin have left warnings to others not rashly to venture upon these hid­den deceits which have cheated mortals of their Lives; in the utmost bottom of this Hellish Gulf the Fire is at no time extin­guished, but always sends forth either boyl­ing heat, smoak or flame, yet outwardly it begins to grow fierce and terrible only at certain intervals of time more or less accord­ing to the combustible matter heaped toge­ther; [Page 91]and by how much longer it hath ceas­ed, by so much it bursts forth with greater violence, and together with the Flame sends forth huge heaps of Sands, and Prodigious Stones of wondrous weight.

LIII. These Fires have broke forth in several Ages of the World, to the great ter­ror and destruction of the Inhabitants, and all the adjacent Countries; As in the year of the World 2600. when the Posterity of Janus went to seek new Colonies, they first entered Sicily, where at that time there was so great a burning of the Mountain, that the new Planters leaving the Island for fear of Desplation, went to seek new habitations in Italy; after them followed the Sicaneans, who were likewise driven away from these Eastern Parts, to the Western by these dreadful Aetnean burnings. In the year 3180. and for above four hundred years after, this Mountain was all on fire with three huge burnings. A little after the Mountains raging anew, it is said to have drawn Pythagoras himself into the highest admiration; Also in the Reign of Hiero, at which time Histories deliver that Empedocles an Observer of the Mountain was destroyed. In the time of Julius Caesar, about fifty years before Christ, Diodorus relates, That [Page 92] Aetna, raged most violently, which they said portended the Death of Caesar; It is reported to have been so great, that the Sea, with its fervour and boyling heat burnt the very Ships, even as far as the Vulcanello's All the Fish being destroyed and boyled to death; yea within twenty years, the Moun­tain burnt four times. In the Reign of Caius Caligula forty nine years after Christ, the Mountain raged so, that the Emperor at that time in Sicily was so affrighted, that he betook himself to safer stations; yet they relate, that the Emperor Adrian out of the greatness of his mind did ascend the Moun­tain very far, to consider more nearly such great Miracles; In several Ages after, it made woful irruptions, as from the year 1160. to 1169. all Sicily was shaken with huge Earthquakes, and the Mountain Aet­na foaming mightily, overthrew all the cir­cumjacent places with incredible Desolation, with the ruin of the Cathedral Church of Catania about ten miles distant, in which Abbot John and his Monks were overwhelm­ed; Many other fearful burnings have hap­pened since time, but none more horrible for its mighty devastations than that in the year 1669. The Earl of Winchelsea late Am­bassador at Constantinople, in his return [Page 93]from thence, visiting Catania, was an Eye­witness of this Prodigious Judgment, where­of he gave the following Account to King Charles the second, as soon as he came to Naples.

LIV. Mount Aetna, or Monte Gibello, a Mountain so Renowned throughout the World for its height and greatness, but more for those Prodigious Flames, Smoak, and Ashes which it hath cast out from the top of it, whilst the other parts are continu­ally (even in the midst of Summer) co­vered with Snow, has been for many Ages observed once, or sometimes oftner, in the space of about fifteen years to throw up more than ordinary Flames with much Smoak and Stones, and great quantities of Ashes; which (though terrible to the Neighbouring Towns and Villages) was yet wont, in little time to abate of its fury, and prove but seldom more injurious to the Country near it, than by communicating largely its ashes, which though for the pre­sent it did somewhat incommode them, they had afterwards a considerable com­pensation in the product of their Lands, [Page 98]which by this means was rendred more fruitful. But on Friday the 18th of March 1669. the Sun was observed before its set-setting to appear of a pale and dead colour, which (being contrary to what it ever be­fore appeared to us) struck no small terror into the Inhabitants, all Objects appearing also of the same colour, with a paleness re­ceived from that of the Sun: The same night happened in this City as well as the whole Countrey hereabouts, a terrible and unusual Earthquake, whose strong and un­equal motions joyned with horrible Roarings from Monte Gibello exceedingly frighted the the Inhabitants, but was so extraordinary violent in the Countrey adjacent, that the People were forced to abandon their Houses, and to fly into the Fields to avoid the danger threatned them from the falling of their Houses. The Village of Nicolosi was of all others the most dreafully handled by this furious Earthquake, the Houses and other Buildings being shaken all in pieces, and buried in their own Ruins; the poor Peo­ple (who had preserved their Lives by a timely flight, with such little of their goods as their hasty fears would permit them to carry out with them) continued a Night or two in the Fields, beholding with grief [Page 99]and astonishment the ruin of their habitati­ons: but observing that by these violent concussions, the Earth began to open in several places, and to threaten them with inevitable ruin, they fled, though with much trouble and amazement to this City. These shakings of the Earth being so fre­quent and violent, that the the People went reeling and staggering, with much diffi­culty supporting one another from falling, insomuch as what with their want of sleep, the pains they were forced to take in travel­ling, and the great terrors imprinted on them by what they had seen and suffered, they appeared at their arrival in this City as so many destracted People wholly insensible of what they did.

This dreadful convulsion of the Earth was immediately followed on Monday March 11. about Ten at Night by Three Terrible Eruptions, much about the same time, and a little distance one from the other.

These said Eruptions were observed to be on the side of Monte Gibello, about two Miles beyond the Mountain called Montpi­leri, from whence with a terrible noise it threw up its flames with much fury and vio­lence about a hundred yards in height; its [Page 100]noise not roaring only inwards from the belly of the Mountain as before, but vio­lently cracking like peals of Ordinance or Thunder, from the side of it, throwing out vast stones, some of them 300, pound weight, which being (as it were) shot through the Air, fell several miles distant from the place, whilst the whole Air was filled with Smoak, burning Cinders, and Ashes, which fell like a fiery rain upon the Countrey. In the mean time issued from the side of this Prodigious Mountain a vast Torrent of Melted and Burning Matter, which like an Innundation, Drowned, as in a Flood of Fire, the Countrey on this side of it. This Burning River ran down upon the Mountain Mentpileri. which, opposing its direct course, it divided it self into two streams, which encompassed the said Mountain; one of them taking its way by La Guardia, the Convent of St. Ann and Malpasso: the other by the Towns of Montpileri, and Falicchi which in few hours were wholly destroyed and lost, not so much as any sign of them remaining, with several lesser Villages and Farmes, and with them the famous Image of the bessed Lady of the Annunciata; which, though highly Reverenced throughout the whole Island, [Page 101]esteemed the wonder of Sicily and the whole World; and to which the People with much Devotion resorted in Pilgrimage from the remotest parts, was also swallowed up and consumed by this dreadful Torrent.

This Fiery and Burning Deluge imme­diately spread it self to above six Mile in breath, seeming to be somewhat of the colour of melted and burning Glass; but, as it cools, becomes hard and Rocky, and every where in its passage leaves Hills and Pyra­mids of that matter behind it.

At the same time Monte Gibello from its top raged with dreadful Flames, which with its noise and Concussions of the Earth which still continued, added not a little to the Terror of the People, who ran with Cries and Lamentations about the City and Country, expecting nothing but to be swal­lowed up or consumed by Fire, having no other apprehensions but of Death, and a General Conflagration. The two Torrents of Fire came forward, destroying all things in their way, and by Wednesday, March 13th. had on the West side branched it self into several Streams, and over-ran Cam­po Rotundo, St. Pietro, and Mostorbianco, with La Potielli, and Sr. Antonino; and on the East-part rain'd the lower part of [Page 102] Mascalucia, and Le Placchi, taking its way towards this City.

On Thursday the 14th, the Wind came Eastwards, on which fell abundance of Rain, which abated not the Progress of the Fire; which on the East-side had from Mascalucia made its way to St. Gio­vanni di Galermo, the lower part whereof it destroyed; and passing on, seemed to threaten this City on one side, as did that on the West-side the other. As the Fire approached, the Religious every where appeared with much Devotion, carrying in Procession their Reliques, especally those of St. Agatha, the famous Martyr of Catania, in which they reposed no small confidence, followed by great multitudes of People, some of them mortifying themselves with Whips, and other signs of Penance, with great Com­plaints and Cryes, expressing their dreadful expectation of the Events of those Prodigi­ous fiery Inundations.

Whilst the People were thus busied in their Devotions, and astonisht by their Fears, News was brought to the Magi­strates of the City, that a considerable num­ber of Thiefs and Robbers had taken the opportunity of this general destraction, to [Page 103]make a Prey of the already distressed Peo­ple, and that they had murdered several of them for their Goods; and that it was to be fear'd, that the City of Catania it self, might run some danger from the great num­bers of them which were about the Coun­try, and from thence took their opportu­nities to get into the Town. Whereupon, Consultation being had for the prevention of farther mischief from them, the Comman­der of the Castle was ordered with a consi­derable number of Horse, and a Party of Spaniards, to secure the Countrey and City against these Robbers; who immediately sent out several Parties with his Provost-Marshal, with Order to seize upon all sus­pected Persons, and such as were not able to give a good account of themselves: And for such as were taken in the Fact Robbing, to Execute them by Martial-Law, without any farther Tryal; and accordingly caused three pair of Gallowes to be set up for their speedy Execution; one before the Gate Di Aci, a second in the Market-place, and a third before the Gate Della Decima, set­ting strong Guards upon the Gates of the City, and causing all suspected Houses to be searched, an Account to be given in of all Lodgers, and such Persons to be secured [Page 104]as could any ways fall under a Suspition. The poor People out of the Countrey being by this Prodigious Calamity stript out of all their Estates, and reduced to great extre­mity, fled most of them for refuge and re­lief to this City, with great Lamentations, moving the Charity of the Magistrates, who were readily inclined to give them the best assistance they were able; and the Ci­tizens moved by their Complaints and Sufferings, freely open'd their Doors, filling their Houses with as many of those distressed People as they could possibly receive; the Bishop and all Persons of Quality and Estate, contributing largely for their support, till better Order could be taken for the dispo­sing of them.

The City of Messina also, and several o­ther Cities (informed of this extraordinary Calamity) sent hither large Supplies of Provisions offering their best assistance to this place, in case of extremity. All the Elements seemed at this time to make War upon us, and to conspire together for the punishment of the Inhabitants; The Air was continually darkned with Clouds and Smoak, agitated by great and violent Winds, and oftentimes showred down great Rains, insomuch as the Sun from the be­ginning [Page 105]of these Eruptions, very seldom appeared to us, and when it did, (with extraordinary paleness,) for a little time only and (as it were abhorring so dread­ful a Spectacle) soon hid its face again un­der a thick Cloud.

The Sea ran much higher than it was wont to do, and by its extraordinary Roar­ing, and in some places overflowing its Banks, added not a little to our Consterna­tion. The Land every where infested with Thieves, insomuch, that till by the extraordinary care taken by the Magistrates and Officers, severe execution was done upon such as were apprehended in the Fact, no person was able to stir abroad without danger of his Life; whilst the Fire by this prodigious overflowing of the Moun­tain, threatned to take possession of all.

On Friday the 15th. the stream of fiery Matter which destroyed the lower part of St. Giovanni di Galermo divided it self in­to two parts, one of its branches taking its way toward Mosterbianco, the other threat­ning the City of Catania, but this last was observed to move with more slowness than before, having in 24 hours time scarcely gained 20 paces.

On the 18th. being Monday, the Tor­rents being still seen to draw nearer and nearer to this City, the Senate with Mon­segnior Cambuchi the Bishop of this place, followed by all the Clergy Secular and Re­gular, and an infinite number of People went in a solemn Procession out of this City to Monte de St. Sofia, carrying out with greatest Devotion their choicest Relicks, and upon an Altar erected in view of the Mountain, exposed them, where they cele­brated Mass and used the Exorcismes accus­tomed upon such extraordinary occasions, all which time, the Mountain ceased not as before with excessive roaring to throw up its Smoak and Flames with extraordinary violence, and and abundance of great stones; which were carried through the Air, some of them falling within their view, though at ten miles distance from the Eruption; the Ashes which proceeded from thence were scattered in great abundance, as well on this City as on the Country adjacent, every where in the Fields with Cinders, and the heat of the said Ashes destroying the Grass, which obliged the People to drive away their Cattel to a farther distance, which would otherwise have perished for want of food.

These streams of ruin daily crept nearer and nearer to this City, but by uneven and irregular motions, according as it was more or less supplyed from its fountain; but on We dnesday the twentieth we perceived that that branch of it which seemed most to threaten this City from St. Giovanni di Galermo was wholly extinguisht, and the other which bent its course toward Moster­bianco ran but slowly, and gave us some hopes that its fury was also near spent, but the other Torrent which had before over­flown Mosterbianco, continued its motion with as much violence as ever, being in breath above a Musquet shot over; but in probability could not easily overflow to the Westward which was defended by its Rocky scituation; another branch which ran by Santo Pietro was observed to be much larger than the rest, and its stream more quick and active, but meeting with some opposition in its way, it made some stop, only sending out a Rivulet toward the Eastwards about three or four yards wide, of its most subtle or active matter, which directed its course towards a small Village about a Furlong distant from its main stream; another Branch threatned Campo Rotundo, but bent its course West­wards [Page 108]towards the Farm of Valcorrente, where its Fiery body was scattered into several deep and rocky places, without any considerable damage.

About this time we had hopes that the violence of this Eruption had been over, the Mountain not throwing out its flames with that violence as before, and its noise and roaring in a great measure ceased.

Those who at nearest distance took a view of the Mountain, informed that the top of it, was fallen in, and the Mountain suppo­sed to want near a Mile of its former heighth; that the largest of the Mouths from whence these fiery streams were vented, was about half a mile in compass; but the view of this dreadful Inundation carried so much terror in it as they were not able to express; from all these Mouths were vomited Rivers of a thick and fiery substance of stone and me­tals melted, whose depth was various accor­ding to the several places it filled in its pas­sage, in some places four, in others eight, twelve or fifteen yards and upwards; its breadth in some places six miles, in others much more; its flame like that of Brim­stone, and its motion like that of Quick­silver; advancing ordinarily very slowly, unless where it was provoked by the addi­tion [Page 109]of a fresh Torrent or some considerable descent. Wheresoever it passed, it left large heaps of its congealed matter, with which it covered and burnt the Earth, melt­ing the Walls of Cistles and Houses, throw­ing down and consuming all before it, no­thing being yet found able to resist its force, nor any thing able to quench its burning, water being observed rather to add to its fury; wheresoever it has passed, it has left its dreadful marks behind it, levelling some hills and raising others, so much changing the scituation, that not the least trace of any Place or Town remains, nothing being to be seen but confused heaps of ragged stone, which yielding a noisome fume, strikes terror and astonishment into all that behold it.

On Friday the 22. the Mountain again roared with much loudness, and threw up from its Mouth a vast quantity of matter, which formed two large hills higher and larger than that of Menpileri, with a large bank of the same matter to the Eastward, sending down a violent stream of its liquid matter towards Malpasso, much enlarging the former Current, and passing thence to Campo Rotundo and Santo Pietro compleated the ruines of those Towns, driving furious­ly [Page 110]towards Mosterbianco; the other stream by Santo Giovanni de Galermo being wholly diverted and extinguisht. From this time till the 25th, the Mountain continued silent, but then it burst out again with more force than ever before, its noise much louder, like Peales of Ordnance, and so forcible and lasting, as for twenty four hours it caused a shaking and trembling in our Buildings, the Air so filled with Smoak and Ashes, as darkned the Face of the Sky. The Birds and Fowl about this time, either through want of Food, or illness of Air, which was corrupted with the noisome smells arising from these Burnings, were observed to lye dead in all places.

On the 28th. the Grand Current was advanced near the City as far as the old Ca­puchins, which struck so great a Terror into the People, that most of them left the City, only some Officers remaining with such per­sons as were under their command, who have secured and sent away the Magazine, and all the Artillery from the Castle.

LV. A Latter Relation from Catania, of April 27. gives this further Account, The dreadful Inundation from Monte Gibello having destroyed many Castles and Towns, with an infinite loss, and utter ruin to the [Page 111]Inhabitants, arrived lately with a renewed Force at Mostor-bianco, which it has wholly ruin'd, from thence passing on to Albanelli, in four days space destroyed all the Gardens and Vineyards with sixty three thousand Vines. On Wednesday April 16. With an Impetuous Fiery Torrent it came towards Sardanello, where all the remainder of the Inhabitants of this City were Spectators of it, which resembled a River of melted and burning Brass, about ten Ells wide, running with swiftness to the Arch of Marcus Mar­cellus, a famous Piece of Antiquity, and passing under it, ruin'd about six Ells of it, which was the breadth of the Current in that place: from thence it ran to Madonni di Monserrato, which it wholly destroyed: then falling down to Madonna delle Gratie, it entred in at one Gate, and passed through another, without any considerable hurt, and running through the Gate Della Decima, filled all the Plain Di Schiara Viva, where it was above six Ells deep. Then taking its way towards the Bulwark, on the Sea­side, under the Castle of this City, it ran by, two Ells deep into the Sea; in which, (to the great wonder of all that saw it) it has made its Progress a mile in length, and as much in breadth, and is drawing towards [Page 112]the Gate of the Channel, which gives us great Apprehensions, least it may that way Invade the City it self: Nor is there less dan­ger on the side Del Tindaro, where there runs a great Torrent of the same Active matter, which draws near, and seems to threaten the Walls, and is in that place about a mild in breadth, having overflow­ed and destroyed all the Gardens, from the Gate Della Decima, as far as Madonni delli Amellati.

The names of the most considerable Towns and places ruined and destroyed by the dreadful Earthquakes and Irruptions were, The Town of Nicolosi, wholly ruin­ed; Badara and Tre Castagne the greatest part destroyed; The Towns of La Guar­dia, Malpasso, Campo Rotundo, Potielli, St. Antonino. St. Pietro, Masterbianco, Mont­pileri, La Anunciata, Falicchi, Placchi, all wholly overflowed consumed, and lost in this fiery Inundation with all the Lands be­longing to them, no foot-steps of them re­maining; The Towns of Masculucia, and St. Giovanni de Galermo ruined in part; The large Gardens and Vineyards of Alba­nelli overflown and destroyed: The famous piece of Antiquity of Marcus Marcellus, much ruined; Madonna de Monferrato de­stroyed, [Page 113]besides many Castles, Farms, and other Places, which have run the same For­tune, whose names we for brevity pass over.

LVI. West of the Isle of Sicily in the Tuscan Sea, within sight of Messina, and one hundred and fifty miles distant from Mount Aetna are the Aeolian Islands, so called from Aeolus King thereof, who first taught the use of the Sail, and by observing the Fire and Smoak which ascended from these Islands, (for heretofore they all fla­med) was from thence fabled to be the God of the Winds; These were anciently seven, but are now eleven Islands, of which Lipa­ris is the greatest, being ten miles in circuit, the Fire went out here about an Age ago, So that at this day Strombolo only burns, (though another called Vulcaeno smoaks con­tinually) It was formerly called Strongile, but by corruption Strombolo from the round­ness thereof, for it seems like an high round Mountain in the Sea, out of the top where­of issueth continually a flame like a burning Beacon, and exceeding clear, so that by night especially it is to be discerned a won­derful way, A place so full of horror to the neighbouring Islanders, that the more igno­rant Papists are made to believe it is the ve­ry [Page 114]Jaws of Hell it self; The aforenamed Kircher made Observation of this Mountain likewise, which he thus relates; That on a certain day viewing Strombolo very curiously, about threescore miles distant, he observed it to be more than ordinarily furious, for it appeared wholly overwhelmed with Fire in so great plenty, that it seemed to belch out flaming Mountains, a most horrendous Spectacle; And then, saith he, I heard a strange kind of dull murmur from the Mountain so far off, which seemed to come towards us under the Earth, till it reached the subterrancous place where we stood, and there uttered such horrible Thundrings within the Earth, with such formidable Earthquakes, that none of them were able to stand on their Feet; After the violence was over, getting up again with unspeak­able Consternation, they beheld the de­struction and lamentable subversion of the famous Town of St Euphemia three miles off, which happened at that instant, the City being wholly swallowed up, for seek­ing for the Town, they found instead there­of, what is wonderful to be related, nothing but a dark stinking Lake sprung up in its place, they could find no men nor Inhabi­tants; Thence passing on their Journey, [Page 115]they found nothing else for Two Hundred miles, but the Carcases of Cities, horrid ruins of Castles, Men stragling up and down in the open Fields, and through hor­ror and famine pining and withering away.

LVII. In April 1669. The Mountain Ve­suvius aforementioned cast up more Smoak and Ashes than formerly, and for several Nights the neighbouring places were much affrighted with the great Flames which issu­ed from it, accompanied with unusual noi­ses; At the same time they write, That the Vice-Roy of Sicily having compassion upon the miserable condition of above thirty thousand poor People, who by their Flight had saved themselves from the Fire of Mount Aetna aforementioned, which had destroyed seventeen or eighteen Towns or Villages, and by the daily approaches to the City of Catania, seemed to threaten it with inevitable ruine, so that the Inhabi­tans were leaving the place; And that he thereupon sent one of his Officers to take order for the maintenance of those distressed Creatures, and disposing of them into pla­ces of safety. June 20. this year at Jnspurg in Germany, a little after Noon, there was a very violent Tempest with extraordinary [Page 116]Hail, Rain, Thunder and Lightning, ac­companied with an Earthquake, which had such terrible Effects at Schnatz a Town about three miles distant from Jnspurg, where the Emperor of Germany had some Silver Mines, that the River which runs through it overflowing, drowned all the adjacent Fields, driving down, and destroy­ing above thirty Houses, endamaging many more, and drowning above two hundred People.

LVIII. In 1682. Aug. 25. The Moun­tain Vesuvius did cast out Fire accompanied with a most terrible and hideous noise, which from an hour after Sunset on Saturday, till three a Clock next morning was so great, that it caused a kind of Earthquake, the houses in that City being plainly observed to shake; The Mountain likewise cast out Ashes in great abundance, which were dis­persed many miles by the Wind, and the Sunday, all the Streets of Naples were co­vered with them, as if it had been a deep Snow. These Prodigies very much terrified the People, and Publick Prayers were made for appeasing the Wrath of Heaven; It is added, That many great Coals of Fire fell also, the dread whereof wrought so much upon the Inhabitants, that they removed to [Page 117]other Cities; That the terrible Earthquakes have thrown down near three thousand Buildings all about the foot of the Mountain, and it roared so loud as to be heard forty miles distance in a still night. The same year an Earthquake happened in France and Switzerland, which affected all the Cities and places for many hundred miles about.

LIX. In 1685. a very wonderful Pro­digy happened in France, which though it may not seem so properly inserted among these Relations of Earthquakes, yet the strangeness and reality thereof, may excuse the account I shall give of it; and not be­ing generally known may be the more ac­ceptable. It is notorious to all Christen­dom that the French King, after a multi­tude of Infractions of his most solemn Edicts, Oaths and Protestations for securing to the Protestants of his Kingdom the free exercise of their Religion, began about the year 1684. openly and without the least provo­cation, to use all manner of Cruelties to­ward them, to oblige them if possible to renounce their Faith and Profession, de­claring, ‘That he would no longer suffer any Protestants in his Kingdom, but that they must resolve either to change their Religion or else to suffer the utmost Tor­ments [Page 118]that could be inflicted upon them.’ In prosecution of this inhumane resolution, Dragoons were imploy'd, first to seize the Goods of those that continued constant in their Religion, after which they proceeded to further cruelties, hanging some Men and Women up by the Hair of the Head or the Feet within their own Chimneys, smoaking them with Wisps of Wet Straw; Others they threw into the Fire, and pluckt them thence half roasted; They tied them on the Rack, and poured Wine down their Throats till the same had deprived them of their reason, and then made them say, They would be Catholicks. They stript them stark naked and Larded them all over with Pins from Head to Foot. They kept them from sleeping seven or eight days and nights together. They tied Parents to Bed-posts and ravished their Daughters before their Eyes. They pluckt off the Nails from the Hands and Toes of others, with most in­tolerable pains, and after these and a thou­sand other indignities, if they still refused to abjure the Truth, they threw them into close, dark, and stinking Dungeons, exer­cising upon them all manner of Barbarities. Their Ministers were banished, their Church­es demolished, their Houses pluckt down [Page 119]their Wives and Children seized and put into Monasteries, and several suffered most cruel Deaths.

Among the banished Ministers was the famous Monsieur Jurieu, who retiring into Holland, writ several Pastoral Letters to the Poor Persecuted Protestants in France for the strengthening and confirming them in the True Faith of Christ, and for reducing those who through fear of trouble and danger had seemingly reconciled themselves to the Ro­mish Church, and were afterward termed New Converts. In one of these Letters Monsieur Jurieu gives a very surprizing Re­lation of Songs and Voices which were heard in the Air, the year 1685. of which I shall give an account in his own words.

The Historians of all Ages have been of opinion that the great Revolutions which have happened in the Societies of men have been preceded by the extraordinary Events, such as Earthquakes, Signs in Heaven, and Prodigies on Earth, of which I could give an infinite number of matters of Fact, very well attested, which have been Presages of Events little less considerable than those at present in the World; and though it seems to me that Earthquakes have their Natural Causes, and so have Famines Pestilences and [Page 120]Wars; nevertheless Jesus Christ puts these among those things which are to presage his coming; Not that I believe all Ecclipses and all Earthqukes are Presages, but there are such circumstances of time and place and concomitant signs in some, that no man I think without rashness can deny but the pro­vidence of God doth dispense them to strike the minds of Men with astonishment, and make them attentive to his Judgments; and among other times this year 1685 has been as abundant in Prodigies as any for a long while; wherein we have heard of no­thing but extraordinary Storms, Fires fal­ling from Heaven, others coming out of the Earth, of Signs in the Air, and Insects of unknown shaps which have been believed to have fallen from Heaven; And particu­larly the Singing of Psalms and Voices in the Air.

It is near a year since we first heard any Speech concerning it, and they told us that these Singings had been heard in Bearns, the first Province whether the Dragoons were sent. Behold our Witnesses, every one will judge of what worth they are Monsieure Magendy Pastor of the Church of Orthez having been questioned concerning this Affair has interrogated divers Persons, ac­cording as it appears by his Cirtificate.

Monsieure Garsin another Minister of the said Church of Orthez, declares what follows.

One Peter Mauperg of the said City of Orthez Signed the following Certificate.

One Monsieur Bergerit hath declared under his Signet this which follows.

John de la Bordette hath declared under his Sig­net that which follows.

Madamoiselle Deformalagues hath declared under Signet in these words.

I shall next insert the Memorial of Monsieur de Brassalay, a Gentleman of Honour, and acknowledg­ed such by all that know him. ‘Some days before the Interdiction of the Churches of Bearn, there [Page 129]were many Persons that heard the singing of Psalms in the City of Orthez. The first that heard it was Lichagaray Brunier a Lawyer, revolted some years since, the most malignant of the Persecutors, and who continually stir'd up troubles to those of the reformed Religion. He rose from his Bed to tell the Curate that there was an Assembly of Peo­ple who sung Psalms without the City. He also went to a Serjeant named Gowlan to conduct him to the place where he thought to surprize them, but this Popish Serjeant having laid his Ear to the Window, said there was nothing to be done, for he plainly perceived the singing was in the Air. Afterward it was often heard for above a month by divers Persons, both by night and day, Among others M. Canneille an Elder of the Church of Orthez protested to me that sitting reading on the Rivers Bank about a mile from the City, he heard a great singing of Psalms on that side the Church stands, which is in the midst of the City, and not at all doubting but it was an ordinary Assembly met together to Evening Prayers, which was then very numerous because of the ha­zardous conjuncture, and consisted at the least of two or three thousand Souls, he hastned thither, and heard a great singing of Psalms all along till he was entered into the City, but finding the Doors shut, the Neighbours told him that it was not yet the hour of Prayer. It is to no purpose to alledge that they sung in some Cavern or Cave, for there is nothing but Houses, Vineyards, Mea­dow and Fields thereabout, and the strict prohi­bition against the Protestants singing of Psalms, under very severe penalties, makes it highly im­probable. Moreover this Elder told me that he never heard more lofty singing in the Church.’ [Page 128] [...] [Page 129] [...] [Page 130]This Monsieur Brassalay declared as a most certain truth in the presence of many honest men.

After the Church of Orthez was razed to the Ground this singing ceased till about October fol­lowing, and then was again heard by most of that City, and by many that came out of the Countrey to Market and staid till night on purpose. It ordi­narily happened about the same hour, between eight and nine at night, some heard the words o­thers the Tune of the Psalm, and there is scarce a House in Orthez of which some of the Family hath not heard it. Monsieur Brunier aforementioned went one night with two or three others to the usually place without the City, and they all three heard the singing for a long time over their heads the Tune of the 138 Psalm, whereof they could hear distinctly these words.

Dr. Faur a Physitian and Magistrate of the City another Papist, heard it divers times, but their malice made them say they were Sorcerers and De­vils. A young Damsel of Moncade heard this sing­ing being in her Bed; She arose and caused above 50 persons to go out, who having heard it, fell on their Knees, and wept through the joy they con­ceived to hear such incomparable melody in the Air, which continued above half an hour. The place of this singing was raised above the City, even as a very high Mountain, and the People [Page 131]heard this singing over their heads, as if it had been in the Clouds. I have heard an honest man make this Relation, who poured out tears when he spake of it. The same thing I heard from other places. To conclude it is impossible to doubt of a truth which the far greatest part of the Inhabitants of Orthez are able to certify. And to which the Par­liament of Bearn have also given their Testimony by a Decree which forbids men to go hear these Psalms, or to say they have heard it on the forfei­ture of 500 Crowns, and the Consuls of Orthez published these Ordinances in their City.

The same thing hath happened in Cevennes. As this Countrey is full of Mountains where there are Eccho's which multiply and return the voice, and as Night Assemblies have continually been made there, where they sing Psalms with aloud voice, therefore the relations of singings may seem the more doubtful. But the Affair of Orthez which is a Countrey close and without Mountains being well proved, I see no reason (saith Monsieur Juvieu) to question that of Cevennes, and shall therefore with­out scruple produce the Certificates which come from that Country.

The first runs thus.

The second Ceatificate.

The third Certificate.

The fourth Certificate is the Extracts of two Letters written to Lansunna to Mademoiselle Louise des Vignoles, by her Cousin M. Jane des Vignoles. Dated Jan. 3. 1686. ‘How happy are you my dear Cousin that you can Pray and Sing the Prai­ses of God in Publick, when in the mean time so many good Souls have their Souls stopped, and dare not discover what passes in their mind; But as to the Business of Singing the Praises of God, it is necessary that I speake to you of the Miracle which makes so much noise in this Coun­trey, which is that since the entire loss of our Churches and our Pastors, there has been heard in the Air Voices and Sounds of Instruments very melodious, and that which is most extraordinary is, that many Persons distinguish the Tunes of the Psalms; and I can assure you of the truth thereof, since I my self have distinguished more than thirty; It has been told me that my Bro­ther (M. de Mont Vaillant) distinguishes them all perfectly well. Can you imagine that we hear these Voices Night and Day, and that we can so much as doubt that they are Troops of Angels which God sends to us for our consolati­on, to assure us that he hath not utterly forsaken us, and that our deliverance is at hand; God grant that we may make profit by these things. I had forgotten to tell you that the noise of a Drum is here heard so clearly that no Body can doubt thereof, no more then about the Sing­ing of Psalms; for there are so many Persons of [Page 135]good understandings convinced thereof, that we ought to give up our selves to the power of Truth. I do avow that the thing passes all ima­gination, but be assured that all care imaginable has been taken to prevent delusion.’

To conclude, saith my Author, how ought we distressed Protestants to give thanks to God that he approves our Worship by a sign so considerable? Let not our Enemies tell us that all this is nothing but delusion, for all Illusions come from the Fa­ther of Lies, and who hath the Praises of God in in horror and detestation; In short, behold this Event as a happy Presageope, God will not suffer our Voices nor our. Songs to die: The Angels have taken them up, and will shortly restore them that we our selves made sound them forth in the Air: The time of our deliverance is at hand, and the Spirit of Life will return, when the Spirit of Repentance and Piety is re-entred into our Souls.

LX. In 1687. Octob. 20. The London Gazett gives a sad Relation of another Earthquake in the Kingdom of Peru in America, whereby the City of Lima was totally overthrown, and not one House left standing, burying many of the Inhabitants un­its ruins; At the same time Callao, Fanette, Pisco, Chancay, Los Florillos, &c. Most of them Sea­port Towns were destroyed by an Inundation of the Sea, which carried several Ships above nine Miles into the Countrey; and great numbers of People and Cattel were drowned, there being found when the water fell, at one place near the Sea­side above five thousand People, dead, and every dry more were found; so that no account could be given of their number.

LXI. In 1688. A dreadful Earthquake hap­pened at Naples in Italy, which was attended with [Page 136]the rage and roarings of Mount Vesuvius; of which the London Gazett gives likewise the follow­inwing Account in a Letter from that City; Da­ted June 8, On Saturday June, 5. about the twenty second hour happened here a terrible Earth­quake, though it lasted not long, which fright­ning the Inhabitants out of their Houses with the terror of an inevitable destruction, they betook themselves to the Plazza's and open publick pla­ces of the City. The old College of the Jesuits was ruin'd by it, also the great Chappel of their New Colledge, together with three other Chap­pels adjoining, Three of the Fathers were killed there, besides manness hers whose numbers are not yet known: The Front of another great Church of the Jesuits opened in many cracks, and the great Tower or Steeple seemed ready to fall. In the Theatins Convent of the Holy Apostles, a whole Dormitory fell down, besides other considerable damage they received: And the magnificent Arch erected before the Church of St. Paul, be­longing to the said Fathers fell, together with those great and ancient Columns that formerly made part of the Temple Castor and Pollux; there there remaining only four of them standing, and those in a tottering condition; Out of these ruins there have been already dug 19. Persons that were dead, and there was reason to fear that the mischief might have been much greater, it being so near to a publick Market where there were great throngs of People. The Walls of the great Church of St. Dominick opened in many places; and great part of the Refectory fell down, as also part of adjoyning Palace, where many were kil­led; several other Churches of Augustins, &c. were ruined; and in short there is scarce a Palace or [Page 137]House that has not received some considerable damage. This occasioned very devout Processi­ons of Persons of all Ranks. The next day was another great Shock which threw down many of the Houses that were before the most weakned; and Yesterday there was another perceived, but without much damage; but this day we have felt nothing of it; However the Processions continue in great numbers, and the Persons of Quality are all retired from hence. In the Neighbourhood of Ʋdico, a City sixteen Miles distant from hence, a mountain opened, and a Courier from Benevento a City belonging to the Pope, brings an Account that it was all ruined, and that of Six thousand Inhabitants there were but few left alive; The Arch-bishops Palace there was thrown down, and the Arch-bishop himself drawn out of the ruins, being hurt in his Head and Arm. And there are Ac­counts of the like damages in several other places.

In a Letter from Rome June 12. 1688. There was this further Account; We have had nothing considerable to entertain us here this Week but the sad Relations of the terrible Earthquakes at Naples, and several places about it. It happened at Naples on Sunday last about 21. hours and a half (which at the same instant was perceived by a great many here) On Sunday too it returned. Several Churches, Palaces, and Houses are ruin'd, among the rest the famous Church of the Jesuits, reckoned the finest in Italy, is all tumbled down, except the Walls and the High Altar. The par­ticular number of those killed and buried in the ruins is not known. The last Letters say, many of the Inhabitants sie abroad under Tents, in Couches, &c. and continually Prayers, Processi­ons, publick Penances, &c. are performed; and [Page 138]every one runs about crying Miserecordia, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; Three Ships were Sunk in the Harbour, and the Water in the Wells rose many handfuls. Benevento is almost totally ruined and of ten thousand Inhabitants, they say there re­mains scarce six hundred alive. Cardinal Ʋrsini their Arch-bishop was taken out of the Ruins alive, but hurt. Several other Places and Seats are quite ruined and most of the Inhabitants swallow­ed up. This City and the Countrey hereabout just felt the Shock but received no harm. The damage is said to be above fifty Millions.

LXII. In the same year and Month, 1688. The London Gazett gave an Account of a dreadful Earthquake and Fire at Smyrna; In a Letter from an English Gentleman at Constantinople, Dated July 8. 1688. As followeth. On June thirty be­tween 11. and 12. at Noon there happened at Smyrna a violent Earthquake, which in a Minute threw down many, and shattered all the Houses in that City; It reached all the adjacent Parts, and Motelone and Scio, where it did some small harm: and at the same time that day it was felt here, though the force of it being spent by the distance, it was not generally taken notice of. About four hours after the Earthquake, a Fire broke out in the Frank-Street from an House called the Geno­vese-House, which by the strength of the Wind, and in that Consternation, having no opposition soon consumed the Frank-Street and all the Town, except the Skirts and the Houses on the side of the Hill, which stand scattering and not contigu­ous. The most moderate computation of People destroyed is 5000. Some make it double the num­ber, of which 400. Jews, and one of the most famous Chaccham Rabbies of the East, Aaron [Page 139]Aben Haim, who as he was much reverenced by them in his life, so particular lamentations are made here for his Death. The Metropolite of Smyrna with some Papa's, went to the Church to Prayers, and were killed by its falling on them. The Patriarch also of Alexandria had the same Fate. And many poor People were buried in the ruins before they could get help. Of the French Nati­on, only the Consul was killed. Of the Dutch one Merchant: And of the English three, and several others were bruised and hurt, but not dangerously. The Consul and half of the Nation, it being Sa­turday, were abroad, but perceiving the Earth­quake came immediately to the City, and all went aboard their Ships in Port. In the interim be­twixt the shock of the Earthquake, and the break­ing out of the Fire, great quantities of Goods were saved. So that the English as to their loss in Merchandise have escaped much better than the Dutch, who had no Ships in Port. All the lower Ware-houses in Viserchan are saved, but those a­bove Stairs, either by Windows left open, or by the Fire getting in at the Clefts of the Walls suf­fered much and are most fallen. The Castle at St. Giacomo-Point is quite sunk under ground. A Capigee Bassa is sent from hence to Smyrna to look after the Grand Seigniors Interest in taking the Estates of those dead without Heirs, which will add affliction to affliction, but the publick necessi­ties here are great. And the Lord Ambassador of England has sent down an Officer, with com­mand from the Grand Visier to be assisting perti­culary to our. Nation in looking after their con­cerns.

LXIII. In December following several Earth­quakes happened about Naples and Beneventum, [Page 140]but without such unfortunate Accidents as atten­ded them some months before. Nevertheless that accident being fresh in memory, it is not to be imagined in what a consternation the People were, and how they fell to their Prayers in several Churches. The Monks in those quarters made use of the opportunity to preach, That the end of the World was at hand, and for that reason endea­voured to a waken the People to give Alms. But in regard (saith my Author) that the People are not now to be imposed upon as formerly, when they used such ways to rear those costly Founda­tions that are scattered over all Europe, they re­solved to keep what they had; not finding the Monks made better use of their Money than they themselves could do.

I suppose it will not be deemed presumption to assert, that these dreadful shakings of the Earth, did seem plainly to presage those Convulsions that happened soon after, and may presignify good as well as bad Events; Not only the happy Revo­lutions in these three Kingdoms, but also the hor­rid ruins, devastations, and miseries which the am­bition and barbarity of the French King has occa­sioned lately in Christendom, and which do still continue.

LXIV. Dismal was the Calamity and Judgment which befel the Inhabitants of the Island of Jamaica in the West-Indies upon Tuesday June 7. 1692. by a dreadful Earthquake. For about eleven a Clock in the morning the Earth suffered a great Trepidation, which in a minutes time was increa­sed to that degree that several Houses began to rumble down, and in six or seven minutes or a quar­ter of an hour at the most, made terrible havock and devastation. It threw down almost all the [Page 141]Houses, Churches, Sugar-works, Mills and Bridges through the whole Country. It tore the Rocks and Mountains, and threw them into the Sea, but Port Royal had much the greatest share in this astonish­ing Judgment of God. The Minister of that place relates, That the same Morning he had been at Prayers in the Church, which he never neglected, to keep up some shew of Religion amongst a most ungodly, debauched People, and was gone to a place hard by the Church where the Merchants use to meet, and where the President of the Coun­cil was, designing to dine with one Captain Ruden, but his House upon the first concussion sunk first into the Earth and then into the Sea, with his Wife and Family and some others that were come to dine with him, but the Minister staying some time with the President, escaped the danger, yet soon after they found the ground rowling and moving under their feet; Lord Sir, says the Minister, What's this? He replied very composedly, being a sober grave man, It is an Earthquake, be not afraid it will soon be over, but it increased, and they heard the Church and Tower fall, upon which they ran to save them­selves. The Minister quickly lost the President and made toward Morgans Fort, which being a wide open place he thought to be securest from falling Houses, but as he came near, he saw the Earth open and swallow up a multitude of People, and the Sea mounting in over the Fortifications; He then laid aside all thoughts of escaping, and re­solved to make towards his own Lodgings, and there to meet death in as good a posture as he could, and in his way was forced to run through two or three very narrow streets, where the Houses and Walls fell on each side of him, and some Bricks came rowling over his Shoes, but none hurt [Page 142]him. When he came to his Lodgings he found all things safe, not a Picture, of which there were se­veral fair ones in his Chamber, displaced. He went to the Balconey to view the street in which his House stood, and saw never an House down there, nor the Ground so much as crackt. The People see­ing him there, cryed out for him to come down and pray with them. When he came into the street every one laid hold on his Cloths and embraced him, so that with their fear and kindness he was almost stifled. He persuaded them at last to kneel down and make a large ring, which they did, he pray'd with them near an hour, when being almost spent with the heat and the exercise, they brought him a Chair, the Earth working all the while with new motions and tremblings like the rowling of the Sea, insomuch that when he was at Prayer he could hardly keep himself upon his Knees. By that time he had been about half an hour with them, aggravating their sins and provocations, and feriously exhorting them to repentance, there came some Merchants of the place who desired him to go aboard some Ship in the Harbour & refresh himself having got a Boat to carry him off, so when he came to the Sea, he saw it had swallowed up the Wharf, with all those goodly brick Houses upon it, most of them as fine as those in Cheapside, and two intire Streets beyond that. He walked upon the tops of some houses that lay level with the surface of the Water, from whence he gotfirst into a Canoo, and then into a Long-Boat, which put him a Board a Ship called the Siam Merchant, where he found the President safe, who was overjoyed to see him, they could not sleep that night for the returns of the Earthquake, almost every hour, which made all the Guns in the Ship jar and rattle. The next day [Page 143]he went from Ship to Ship to visit those that were bruised and dying, and to pray with them, and like­wise to do the last Office at the sinking of several Corps that came floating from the Point. The shakings of the Earth still continued with Thunder and Lightning and foul Weather, and the People continued still as desperately wicked as before, for that very day this terrible Earthquake happen­ed, as soon as night came on, a Company of lend Rogues called Privateers fell to breaking open Warehouses and Houses deserted. To rob and rifle their Neighbours whilst the Earth trembled under them, and some of the Houses fell on them in the Act, and those audacious Whores that remained upon the place were as impudent as ever. He went again ashoar to pray with the bruised and dying people, and to Christen Children, where he met too many Drunk and Swearing, he did not spare them, nor the Magistrates neither, who had suffer­ed wickedness to grow to such a height. In the last Sermon he preached in the Church, he plainly re­presented to them the danger of their impenitence and wickedness, with so much zeal and earnestness that many now confessed, It was more like a Pro­phecy than a Sermon. He says he had many times before, an impulse upon his Spirit to Preach those things which he never premeditated at home, and could not, he thought, do otherwise. The morn­ing of this dreadful day was very fair and clear, affording no suspicion of the least evil, but in the space of three minutes about half an hour after eleven in the morning, Port-Royal the fairest Town of all the English Plantations the best Emporium and Mart of that part of the World, exceeding in its riches, plentiful of all good things, was shaken and shattered to pieces, and sunk into and covered [Page 144]for the greatest part by the Sea. Few of the Houses that stood were left whole. So that by their falling, the opening of the Earth, and the Inundation of the Waters, it is reckoned there were lost fifteen hundred Persons. The Sunday after, the Minister Preached to them in a Tent, not daring to venture among the shattered Houses, the People were over­joyed to see him among them, and wept bitterly when he Preached to them. It was a sad sight to see all that Harbour, one of the fairest and goodliest in America, covered with the dead bodies of Peo­ple of all conditions, floating up and down without burial; for the great and famous Burial-place cal­led the Pallisadoes, was destroyed by the Earth­quake, and the Sea washed the Carcasses of those that were buried out of their Graves, their Tombs being dashed to pieces by the Earthquake, of which there were hundreds in that place. Multi­tudes of Rich men were utterly ruined, whilst many that were poor, by watching opportunities and searching the wrack'd and sunk Houses, even almost while the Earthquake lasted, and terror and amaze­ment was upon all the considerable People, have gotten great riches. From St. Anns there was news that above a thousand Acres of Wood-land were turned into the Sea, and carried with it whole Plantations, but no place suffered like Port-Royal, where whole streets were swallowed up by the opening of the Earth, and the Houses and Inha­bitants went down together. Some of them were driven up again by the Sea which arose in those breaches and wonderfully escaped. Some were swal­lowed up to the neck, and then the Earth shut upon them and squeezed them to death, and in that manner several were left buried, with their heads above ground, only some Heads the Dogs had [Page 145]eaten. Others were covered with dust and Earth by the remaining People to avoid the stench Great bellowing and noises were heard sometime after in the Mountains, which made them appre­hensive of an Eruption of Fire; but thanks be to God, no ill Event hath yet succeeded.

By a second Letter from another worthy Divine and a Minister of the parish of Vere in that Island, some Leagues from Port-Royal; we have this fur­ther Relation of that tremendous Judgment, Da­ted June 30. 1692. On Tuesday June 7. about 11. in the morning it pleased the Just God to visit us with a terrible Earthquake, which continued with much violence and terror for about a quarter of an hour, as most say, but in my opinion not a­bove 6. or 7. minutes, in which time it overthrew all the Brick and Stone Buildings in the Countrey, whereof several in my own Parish, which now are either levelled with the ground, or standing Mo­numents of the wrath of God, so shattered and torn that they are irreparable; while these were tumbling, the Earth opened in my Parish in mul­titudes of places, and though their dire Chasms spewed out Water to a considerable height above ground, in such quantities in some places that it made our Gullies run on a sudden, though be­fore exceeding dry, insomuch that some were a­fraid of being overwhelmed at once by the River and Sea joyning together to swallow up the Coun­trey; these gaping mouths being no less than 12, 20. or more foot deep under the Earth, and above two miles up in the Countrey, especially nigh the River in the purest mould, which had not Clay nor other consolidating Matter beneath to oppose the force of the Fountains of the Deep breaking up: for where that was, we do not find any cracks of [Page 146]the Earth at all: And yet it pleased God that we in this Parish have escaped the danger much bet­ter than our Neighbour Parishes; for happening to content our selves with mean and low-built Houses, generally of Timber and Boarded, or with Cratches set deep in the ground and plaistred, such Houses are generally standing. So that we have means to assist one another, whilst in other parts hundreds of Souls are cast out of their dwel­lings, and have not a place to hide their Heads in, except in Booths and Tents which they have since built to shade themselves from the Sun. Our noted Town of St. John de la Vega: Or, The Spanish Town is utterly down to the ground, and its Church de­voured in the same Ruins; Our Magazine and on­ly Store-House of Port-Royal is three parts swal­lowed up in the Sea, Ships and Shallops now riding at Anchor where great numbers of fine Fa­bricks stood not long since. Many eminent Mer­chants worth thousands, have scarce any thing left but the blue Linnen on their backs; several are dead, either overwhelmed with their Houses, or drowned in the Sea, which flowed in suddenly up­on them. For while they fled from the Sea, the Earth devoured them in her gaping Jaws, or they were killed with the falling Houses; and while they fled from the gaping Chasms of the Earth, or the tottering buildings, the Sea met and swept them away. A whole Street called the Wharf, (where most of the noted Merchants lived, and where much of the Planters goods were landed, for conve­nience of Sale and Shipping; particularly Sugar and Cotten) sunk at once from one end to the other with a general crack at the very begin­ing of the Ear thquake, together with two Forts Guns, &c. thereon; and all that were upon or nigh [Page 147]it perished in an instant without warning: and soon after while the People were in the greatest horror and consternation imaginable, not knowing whither to fly for safety, two or three more Streets in their whole length rottered and fell, and were immediately funk, ground and all together deep into the Sea, as far as the Jews Street; All the Upper part of the Town, with the Church, and all above the Pallisadoes is under Water, even the very Pallisadoes it self where their burying place was, is now no longer Earth but Sea; and the dead Corps floated from thence to all parts of the Harbour. The Houses that yet remain are ma­ny of them so rent and torn, and others so deep­ly sunk into the Water, even up to their Balco­nies, that they are unserviceable. The Wall at the Pallisadoes is utterly ruin'd, with the Port thereto belonging; and though Morgans Line, and Walkers Fort yet stand, they are sorely shaken and rent, and so sunk they are not tenable, the whole place that is yet above Water sinking daily by those Earthquakes we have ever since had; sometimes 4, 5, 6. times, more or less in 24. hours. I my self while I am now writing, expecting when the Earth will tremble under me, though in other parts of the Countrey through Gods mercys we do not hear of any further damage since the first. The reputed number of the Dead, (for perhaps there will never be an exact Account) is reckon­ed about 1500 persons, besides Negro's, who are thought to be 6. or 700 more, a multitude of whose Black Corps floated many days from one side of the Harbour to the other, which caused such an intollerable stench that the dead were like to destroy the Living; till at last some were sunk, and others dispersed by the Sea-breeze.

Imediately upon the Cessation of the Earth­quake, your heart would abhor to hear of the Rob­beryes and Violences committed in an instant upon the place, by the vilest and basest of the People. No man could call any thing his own, for they that were strongest and most wicked seized what and whose they pleased without regard to the Owners, Gold and Silver, Jewels, Plate or Goods was all their own if they could lay hands on them. No­thing but breaking open Houses, rushing into Shops, and taking from the owners what they pleased even before their faces; Yea Robbing them of Money and goods in the open Street, as they were carrying them to other places for secu­rity: whilst others in Canoes, Wherries, Ship­boats, &c. were plundring Chests, Boxes, Scrip­tores, &c. of what they could find in them upon the Water: Even the very Slaves thinking it their time of Liberty, committed many barbarous In­solencies and Robberyes, till they were supprest by the Death of some and punishment of others. And indeed our first fears were concerning our Blacks, those irreconciliable and yet intestine Enemies of ours, who are no otherwise our Sub­jects than as the whip makes them, who seeing our strongest Houses demolisht, our Army broken, and hearing of the destruction of our greatest de­pendency the Town of Port-Royal, might in hopes of Liberty be stirred up to rise in Rebellion against us; which is a War always the more terrible, by how much there is no quarter given in it, but they kill and slay all the Whites, Men, Women and Children that they can Conquer; But God be praised those fears are now blown over. Many days did these Depredations last, especially upon the Water, where the dead were Rob'd of what [Page 149]they had about them, some stript, others search­ed, their Pockets pick'd, their Fingers cut off for their Rings, their Gold Buttons taken out of their shirts, and then they were turn'd adrift again. From thence was taken all manner of stores that would swim, every one taking that for his own which he could lay his hands on, as Pork, Beef, Mackril, Saltfish, Coaca, Candle, Soap, Wine, Beer, Brandy, and a vast deal of other things, not to be thought of, or reckoned up. So that the richest became poorest, and the meanest of the people were inriched by the losses of others, to estimate which seems as difficult as to reckon the number of the People lost, and destroyed.

Port-Royal in its flourishing condition was a fa­mous Empory and Mart Town for the West Indle's and the Archinto being setled there, a very large share of the riches of Mexico and Peru were brought thither, and vast sums of Coin and Bullion yearly transported for England, to the great inriching of the Jamaican Merchants and Factors, so that it was hard to compare what was lost, but many think, at least, the value of four hundred Thousand Pound at Port-Royall only; Yet in the midst of this woful Ca­lamity, some People were miracolously preserved from Death, being swallowed down into the Bowels of the Earth alive, yet spued up again and saved by the violent Eruption of Water through those Gaps, Others, as themselves affirm, (if they were then capable of knowing what was done to them,) were swallowed up in one place, and by the rushing of the Waters to and fro, by reason of the Agitartion of the Earth at that time; were cast up again by another Chasm at places far distant. But the general means of Preservation was by Peoples flying as fast as they could toward the back Sea side, or speedi­ly getting aboard the Ships in the Harbour, which were croud­ded with Men, Women and Children: Among others a Man of War, the Swallow then in Harbour was so damaged by the fall of the Houses that she became utterly unserviceable, and Twelve Shallops were sunk by the same means.

Likewise Ligania, the first and principal Town for Plant­ing, and imitating if not exceeding, the stately Buildings of [Page 150] Port-Royal, is now brought to most terrible Desolation, and its fine New Built and yet Unfinished Church buried in the same ruin with the Houses. Above which place the Costly Blue Mountains lift up their heads, but are now so rent and torn, that they are fearful to behold and stand like lasting marks of Divine Wrath; which hath also happened in other parts of the Countrey which is very Hilly in the middle, so that by the fall of a Mountain into the Channel of the River which supplies both this Town and Port-Royal, with Water, the River became dry for sixteen hours together, to the terror of the Inhabitants, fearing the Desertion as well as Desola­tion of the place, till it afterwards Run again as formerly, and they were informed of the cause of the Stoppage of the Water for so long a time.

This, among other reasons, was the Cause why the Peo­ple that were saved at Port-Poyal were almost perished for Thirst in their deep Extremity; their own Water-casks being either ruined or swam away into the Sea, and no Boats to fetch any in that Dismal Consternation, or otherwise im­ployed to save Peoples Lives, or to get Plunder. Or if any did go, there was no Water to be had; so that it was hard to be gotten and very dear, many paying great rates only to quench their Thirst. And yet for all these Woful Dis­asters, great Numbers of People are not all Reformed of their Wickedness which brought them upon us, but there is the same Whoring and Drinking, the same Cursing and Swearing, if not worse, than formerly; So that we have cause to fear the Judgment of Sodom may be our next punishment.

In the midst of our Distress it pleased God to give us a Signal Victory over our Enemies the French, who happened at that time to make the Sharpest Attack upon us since the War, having Landed, as we hear, Two Hundred men on the North side of the Island, which is but weakly furnisht with men, where they intrenched themselves, but were shamefully beaten out by a Vigorous Attack in the Night by a Party of about Thirty Men, who Slew Seven or Eight out­right, and the rest flying to their Boats, Thirty of them were drowned; While in the mean time our Fleet, which was set out on purpose, persuing theirs, we took one Shallop, and made them desperately blow up their great Ship; such as were saved remaining our Prisoners, and others fled home to give an Account of their overthrow.

To conclude, God in his Displeasure remembred Mercy, for though such Numbers perisht at Port-Royal, where they were thronged together in an Isthmus of Land; yet I cannot hear of fifty Persons both Whites and Blacks that were lost be­side throughout all the Island.

Other Letters add these particulars; That this terrible Earthquake came from the North, and attacked Port-Royal on the Harbour side, on which was the Wharf the whole length of the place, where stood the Kings House, a Bastion of 207. Guns, Carlile Battery of 119. Guns, and the Houses of the greatest Merchants; All those Sunk down in a moment from three to five fathom of Water. Some were sunk in their Houses, others buried in the Rubbish, some who were got in­to clear Water and could Swim were carried away with drifts of Timber and tops of Houses, driven by a steering carreer and there perished. Nothing else was seen but the Dead and Dy­ing, nothing heard but Shrieks and Cries, the Living were covered with Wounds, Bruises and Blood; The Thunder Roared over their Heads, the Earth Trembled under their Feet, the Rocks and Mountains were rent in sunder, and Fire­bals fell by day and night from Heaven, so that the most hardened Atheists might have considered that there was a God who Governed the World. In short (says my Author) it is impossible for Tongue to speak or Pen to write the Sor­rows and Terrors of that day, of which I my self, who escaped to a Miracle, was an Eye-witness.

Because some may be desirous to know the Names of those that perished in this terrible Calamity, I thought fit to give an Account of them who were of most note (though doubtless great numbers were lost of which no publick notice has been given.) Attorney General Musgrove, Provost Marshal Reeves, Captain Ruden who with his Wife and Family, with several others in it sunk first into the Earth, Captain Agar, Dr. Boy, Capt. Waile, Capt. Warder and his Family; Mr. Nushall and his Family, Mr. Crosts Family, Mr. Alcoks Family, Capt Wilison and his Son, Dr. Trapham a Phisician by hanging by hands upon the Rack of a Chimney, and one of his Children hanging about his Neck, were both miraculously saved in a Boat, but his Wife with the rest of his Children and Family were all lost; so was Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Gifford, Mrs. Enllers Mr. Fyrme, Mr. Brown, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Reeves and his wife, Mr. Pryer, Mr. Lambspert. Mr. Atwell, Mrs. Rad­burn and her Family, Mr. Ryvers and his Family, Mrs. [Page 125] Eeylin and her Child, Mrs. Elizabeth Beckford, Sir Jame Cos [...]ybyes Daughter, Mrs. Dowingtons Child, Capt. Cunnings Capt. Tokely, Capt. Martin, Capt. Woody, Mr. Nash, Mr. Meares, Mr. George Philips, Mr. Norbery's Wife, Mr. Jona­nathan Wood, Mrs. Corbet, Collonel Read, Collonel Reeves's Lady, Mr. Magirah, Mr. Joys Child, Mr. Diggins. Cap. Watson, Mr. Stockton and Family, Mr. Ralph Knights Wid­dow and Neice, Mrs. Sweeting, Mrs. Susanna Cdrson, Mr. Keene, Mr. Hellinwood and Family, Mr. John Lake and Wife, Mr. John Perks Wife and Child, Mr. Hayward and Family, Mr. Dean, Mr. William Turner, Mr. Watts and Mr. Beckfords two Daughters.

LXV. In the same year 1692. Sept. 8. an Earthquake was felt in London, and in several parts of Essex, Kent, Sussex, Hamp­shire, &c. as Sheerness, Sandwick, Deal, Maidstone, Poris­mouth, &c. the People leaving their houses in many places least they should fall on their heads, but it lasted only a mi­nute. It shook Leeds Castle in Yorkshire so violently that all in the Castle, even the Lady her self went out of it, and expect­ed its falling. A Person being in the Field hard by, the ground shook so under him that he could not stand, and being forced to lye down on the Ground was so tossed up and down, that he received several bruises. At Maidstone in Kent the people generally got out of their houses fearing they would fall. It happened at London about four minutes past two, and was felt in most part of the Durch and Spanish Netherlands, as also in Germany, France, &c. The account from Holland runs thus. On Sept. 8. between two or three a Clock in the Afternoon all Holland was sensible of a trembling of the Earth which lasted about three minutes. The shog, or joiting, which it caused three times one after another, was not violent, for it did no damage, but it was plainly perceptible and very much alarm'd the People: At Middleburg in Zealand it continued for some time, and caused the Earth to move so much, that the people was forced to hold by what was next in the Street, and it was feared that the Steeple of the great Church by its motions, would have fallen, it causing the Bells both there and at the Hague to jahgle, and the Ships at Sea were sensible of it.

The Gazaet relates, that our Gracious Sovereign King Wil­lium being encamped at Grammen in Flanders at the same time there happened an Earthquake which lasted near a minute, and was very sensible to the whole Camp. The King was then at Dinner in an old decayed House, which shaking very much, and every one apprehending it was ready to fall, His Majesty [Page 153]was prevailed with to rise from Table to go out of the House but the surprize was soon over.

An ingenious Gentleman has made observation that this Earthquake affected places most on the Seacosts, and near great Rivers, which seems to favour the opinion of another learned Person, That Water and not Wind is the cause of Earthquakes, which the Ancient Philosophers did also assert. And therefore saith he, the excessive Rains which fell that Summer, in far greater quantity than what the Earth could possibly receive, being shut up in the hollow Caverns and Bowels of the Earth, and striving to get out again, may have caused these Univer­sal shivering Fits in our European parts: and there is this Argu­ment to corroborate this Conjecture, for that very great Earth­quakes indeed, are many times attended with violent Inunda­tions, the Rivers being swell'd with the Water which the Earth has let out. Another odd accident that followed this Earthquake was the effect it had upon the Spa Waters in Ger­many, which are so famour and so wholesom, and are now be­come much more improved since that happened. Spa is a Bur­rough in the Countrey of Liege, where there are several Mi­neral Fountains, to which a great number of people resort at all seasons of the Year. Among all the Springs belonging to that noted Burrough, that in the middle out of which the Bottles are fill'd that are sent over all Europe every year, is changed after a very extraordinary manner. The source of it is as big again as it was, and the Water which before was seldom clear is become extreamly Limpid, and is of that strength that the Bottles if they be stopt immediately after they are hil'd, break all in pieces, which never happened till since this late Earth­quake. The rest of the Springs are also become much clearer and better. This will be a subject for those to exercise their Pens, who make it their business to dive into the secrets of Nature.

This Earthquake went not beyond 52 Degrees and 40 Mi­nutes of Northern Latitude. How far it reached South and East is not yet certainly known. It has been traced beyond, Paris to the 48 degree of North Latitude, and beyond the Rhyne on the East to Franckfort, so that 260 Miles square were shaken by it. The time of its happening here, and beyond the Seat seem to vary some minutes, but that may easily be ac­counted for, by the difference of Meridians. So that the in­flamed Damp; saith Mr. Ray, which caused this Earthquake was lodged sleep in the Earth, the Caverns that contained it passing under the bottom of the Sea.

The same year, 1692. Oct. 15. about three a Clock in the Morning they felt an Earthquake at Bale and Schaffouse in Swit­zerland, which was very violent as to the motion, but did no harm at all.

LXVI. I have already given an Account of divers Earth­quakes and Irruptions of the dreadful Burning Mount Aetna in Sicily for many years past, but that which lately happened in this unfortunate Island is of so astonishing a Nature that it may be more easily imagined than exprest, and which can hardly be parallel'd in any former Age; Both for the sudden­ness of it, and the mighry defolations it did produce? This tremendous Eauthquake (a greater than which we read not of either in Ancient or modern History) Was upon Jan. 7. 1692, At which time about ten at night, Mount Aetna began to roar in a most horrible manner, which usually presages some dis­mal Calamity to ensue. Its loud bellowings continued for two days. and then began to cease and fall lower; and about an hour after the People of Catania. which was nearest to the Mountain felt a trembling under them for near three Minutes, during which no noise was heard from Mount Aetna, so that it only affrighted the Inhabitants: but within a Minute after the Roaring of the Mountain was redoubled with infinite ter­ror, and the top thereof appeared all in Flames, and the West Wind carried away a great quantity of burnt Ashes; This trembling of the 9th. was felt in the Cities of Mineo, Palaonia, Ragosa, Licodia and most of the South parts of Sicily at the same instant with that of Catania. But the most tremendous shake of all happened on Jan. 11. which affected the whole Island in a more or less degree, even from Messina North, to Cape Coio the farthest Southern point of Sicily; and though it continued but Six Minutes, yet made horrible Ravage through­out the whole Countrey. Under which dimal Calamity the Ancient City of Catania, pleasantly Seated, and full of Inha­bitants of Quality, with an University, and about 24000. People, in a Minute was sunk out of sight, with a noise as loud as if thousands of Cannons had been discharged at once; and some Moments after, to the East where the City stood, a little Mountain, advanced it self several times a considerable height above the surface of the adjacent ground, but soon after became likewise iuvisible. The dismal bellowing of Mount Aetna was louder both before and after, and appeared more than ever in Flames; Yet a few Minutes after Catania was swallowed up, there was neither Flames visible, nor for five or [Page 155]six hours any Roarings to be heard. After which it began to rage and throw out more Black and Smoaky Flashes than at any time before. These particulars were observed by some Fishermen who happened at that time to be in their Boats in the Bay to the South, and within three Miles of the City, who expected every moment to have been swallowed up by the wonderful Agitation of the Waves; But upon the sink­ing of the imaginary Mountain aforementioned the Sea be­came instantly Calm; It is computed that not above 2000. of the Inhabitants of this City escaped, and those of the Gentry, who by the shake of the 9th. instant, and the hideous roaring of Mount Aetna the 11th. in the morning, which is the usual presage of some dismal Tragedy were frighted away; all the rest of the People perishing in this lamentable ruin. In the place where Catania stood some heaps of rubbish and a great Lake of Water appear at a distance.

Some Letters add, That just as the Earthquake in Catania began to be perceived, the Sea retired about two Miles from the Shoar; which put the People into such a terrible fright, that every one betook himself to what he thought might best secure him from this dreadful Scourge of Heaven; Away they flew to the Cathedral where one of the Cannous carryed about the Reliques of St Agatha the Patroness of that City, but neither the Reliques nor the Prayers of the Patroness could prevent the impending stroke, for the whole City was destroyed in a moment after, and all the People there­in.

Under the same dismal Calamity fell the Ancient City of Syracuse, so famous in History that it was formerly reckoned one of the greatest in the World; having for many Centuries been the Metropolis of a Renowned Republick, and still re­tained some marks of its prestine Grandeur, seated in a Rich and pleasant Soil, with a strong Castle, and about 16000. In­habitants. By the Earthquake of the 9th. many principal Houses and most part of the Castle were torn in divers places, and the next night it was again shaken with so terrible a storm of Wind, that the great Bell in one of the Churches made a noise by the violent Motion of the Steeple. Many were kil­led by the Tempest, and the rest fled out of the City for safety in the Night, and so escaped the horrible devastation of the 11th, wherein two thirds of the buildings were thrown down, and above 7000. People buried in the Rubbish; a great number were digged out of the Ruins, but so bruised that there was little hope of their Recovery. The Chief Ma­gistrates [Page 156]and People of Condition fled for security into the great Church, but there met with Death by the fall of the Stone-Roof and Steeple at once.

Neither did Noto though built upon a very high Bock, al­most inaccessible on all sides but one narrow way, and a City which formerly contended with Syracuse for dignity, partake of a less dismal fate. It has one of the largest and best Har­bours in Sicily, and is the Key of the Countrey on that side; and though the hardness of the Rock whereon it stood seem'd to secure it, yet the trembling of the 9th did very much affect it, and on the 11th laid it in heaps in a minute, all the Inha­bitants, except some few who fled from thence on the 9th were buried under the ruins of their own Houses, being reckoned about 7000. a part of a Church, and very little more, remaining standing in the whole Town Augusta, a City in a Peni-insula, on the East of Sicily, with a large pros­pect to the Sea, safe Harbours and considerable Trade, was much damaged on the 9th instant and about 600 People kill'd by the downfal of the Houses. The next day the shake was renewed, which caused most of the Gentry to fly to the Castle for security, but there being terrible Lightning, a Magazine of Powder took Fire and about 1100 Persons who sought for safety were slain there in the destruction of the Castle which was blown up in the Air, and the following day the rest of the Town and the remaining Inhabitants by another dread­ful shake, were utterly destroyed and buried in rubbish, so that of 6000 People none were left alive. Lentini the ancient Lecotium, a Town of about 3000 Families was burnt to the ground on the 11th and nothing to be seen but several great heaps of Earth in the beautiful Lake upon which it stood, the Water whereof is now become brackish, and of a bituminous tast, which was before very clear. And great quantity of Fish are found dead on the shoar. Calatgirmie a Town well built of Free-stone, by the shake on the 11th had a fifth part of the buildings and two Monasteries demolished, but of 7000 People 5000 made their escape. Mineo was striken both the 9th and 11th, of the former the Heavens were sealene with­out the least Cloud, but on the latter there was a terrible storm of Lightning and Thounder for six hours together. At both times several houses and a large Church were overthrown, and it was judged about 4000 People perished. The shake of the 11th did likewise greatly shatter the Cathedral Church of Monreal, one of the most famous structures in the World. The Dome above the high Altar falling, [...]ied in pieces four [Page 157]curious Brass Pillars, and many Images of Saints of rare work­manship. Part of the Archbishops Palace was burnt with Lightning, and some few of the Inhabitants were killed by the fall of Houses. Parermo, where the Viceroy of Sicily keeps his Court, received some damage in its Cathedral, and another Church was ruined, which obliged the Viceroy, his Family, and the Archbishop to go aboard the Galleys in the Harbor, where they expected death every moment from the violent motion of the Waves, some part of the great Mole being shat­tered, yet not above 100 People were killed in this famous City, who lived in a Suburb built of Wood. The Town of Pasceni of about 200 Inhabitants was so entirely ruined, that not one house or person was saved. The spacious Valley ad­joining, which was formerly full of excellent Vines being turned into a new Lake, whose Water is brackish and like Brimstone. In Patuzolo a place of about 1000 people all were swallowed up. Furla another Town of about the same number of Souls, had the like fate, and the Rocks adjacent which for­merly were white as Marble, are now black and as if burne with Fire and Gunpowder, and the Fountains of fair Water are become muddy and tast of Brimstone. Sciorti a bigger Town than the three last, was totally demolished and the Inhabi­tants which were reckoned about 2000 so utterly destroy'd that none were left to tell the news. No more than there were at Militello, where of 6000 People no one is left to give tydings how or when its calamity happened The Countrey People who dwell in the Mountains about it affirm that for three days be­fore they could not discern the Town by reason of a thick Fog which surrounded it, but that on the 11th in the morning it was no more to be seen. A great part of the Mountain on the North side is torn asunder, and the one half overwhelmed the Town, leaving a deep Gulph betwixt that and the other part of the Mountain.

Luechela had better fortune for of 2000 near half escaped, having happily had warning by some former shakes, and by the Earths swallowing up an old Castle which stood on a rising ground two miles from thence, in a minutes time, no sign of its station remaining, but instead thereof a vast quantity of Wa­ters issued out, which in a little time made a large Lake. Upon sight whereof half the Inhabitants of this Town fled from thence, and the rest with all the buildings were utterly destroy'd. Palonia another small Town received much da­mage by the fall of a Church one of the beautifullest in Sici­ly, which was shattered to pieces on the 11th, and the Dome [Page 158]falling crushed to Death 300 Persons and the Priest that was saying Mass, most of the remaining Inhabitants got into the Fields, and many other Houses did not fall, so that the loss was not so great as in other places. Buchino another large Vil­lage also, escaped without much slaughter of People, though most of the Houses fell, at Seodia a Village about the same bigness 150 people were kill'd by the fall of the Church, and the buildings much shaken. Likewise a Lake about a mile thence, which was two miles about, and very deep was on the 11th wholly swallowed up by the opening of the Earth in the middle of it, and the Channel left dry Land, which still con­tinues. Chirramonte another Village, was utterly overthrown and 3 or 400 hundred of the Inhabitants buried in the ruins. Monterusso was shaken, but 200 people flying to the Castle for security were with that buried in the ground, and a Pool of faltish Water arose in the place. Vizzini a fine Town built on the side of a Hill of the hardest stones like marble which seem­ed to ensure it from such accidents, yet felt some shakes on the 9th, which affrighted the Chief Inhabitants, so that they lived in Tents in the Fields, but hearing no more the next day, they returned home on the 11th in the morning and in a few hours the Town and themselves consisting of about 3500 Souls, were swallowed up in the Earth. Modica a large Village was the only place that was utterly ruined by the shake of the 9th, and that so very suddenly that of about 1400 People not one was left alive. A River about two miles from thence was overwhelmed by the fall of a Mountain, but afterwards found a new passage underneath it, as hath likewise happened to di­vers other Rivers in Sicily, the Earth being thrown over them like a Bridge or Vault. Bisenti another Village lost 200 Per­sons and some few houses were snaken down. A little Town called Francofome built most of Timber, though not much da­maged by the Earthquakes, yet a dreadful storm of Thunder and Lightning for three days together burnt down the spire of the Church Steeple, which was of Wood covered with Lead. The Nunnery of the Carmelites was almost ruined, so suddenly that five Nuns were smothered in Bed. But not above 12 or 14 Houses more burnt.

The Town of Carlontoni was shaken on the 9th, and some Houses and People were destroyed, which so alarmed the Bishop and Magistrates that they persuaded the Inhabitants to go into the Fields; About four a Clock next day most of them with the best things they could carry away deserted the Town, and the Morning after the whole Town was over­turned [Page 159]in a momens, and of 4000. People not above 800. were killed, by reason of their happy removal. Ragusa a re­nowned City for Scituation, Buildings and all other Humane Delights, had a great share in this common Calamity. On Jan. 8. it had several shakes with a terrible storm of Thunder and Lightning, but on the 11th. the Town House, a stately Building with, two Churches and divers Houses were destroy­ed; One of the best Streets in the Town, inhabited by Rich Merchants and Tradesmen, sunk into the Earth in a moment leaving a mighty Chasma or Gaping in the place; One of the Churches sunk also, but the other fell down, the modestest Calculations reckon eight thousand People slain, most of them of principal Quality. Within this Gap the tops of some Houses are visible, from whence proceeds a Noxious Sulphury smell. In Scodia only the Bishops Palace, newly built was overturned and 24. Persons were buried in the Rubbish, the Bishop him­self being absent, the rest of the Town escaping. Specasurno another considerable Town was shaken the 9th, whereby the Convent of the Capuchint was destroyed. All the next day so horrible a storm of Thunder and Lightning happened as is not to be exprest or imagined, whereby the Town-House a very fine structure, and some other Buildings were ruined; which frighted a few of the Inhabitants into the Flields, but the next morning in one Minute the whole Town was laid in vast heaps of Rubbish, and the Fresh-water Lake a Mile off was made almost dry Land, the remaining Water being Black and Brackish, the Fish wherewith it abounded lying all dead on the Shoar; The Inhabitants that perisht were accounted at least 3500. and about 300 saved themselves by going away the day before. The Town of Scichilo suffered 20. shakes succes­sively on the 8th, each greater than the other; and on the 11th. in less than two Minutes was wholly brought to desola­tion, and vanisht out of sight, a stinking Pool of Water suc­ceeding, wherein the Cathedral of St. Stephen and part of St. Salvator Steeple appears above Water. It was judged to con­tain about six or seven Thousand People of which, it is thought not one made their escape; An old strong Castle at the East­side of the Town likewise fell, and thirty People perisht there­in. At Cafamero a Village of 200. Houses the People were so affrighted at the shake three days before successively, that on the 11th, most of them fled to the Church to beg the a­sistance of St. Katherine of Sienna in a Chappel held venerable among them, but there they met with death altogether, the Roof of Lead falling and crushing 200, of them in the Church, [Page 160]and about 20. more were killed in the Village. In Cafamero only the Timber Houses suffered and about an hundred Inhabi­tants were destroyed, the rest flying into the Fields. In the little Town of Giamontano about 400. Persons perished in that Quarter of the Town next the River, the other part escaped. In the Tower of Livodia, all the Timber Houses and three hundred of the Inhabitants were destroyed, the Cathedral was burnt down by Lightning, and likewise the famous Pine-Trees on an Hill near ajoyning. The large Town of Ja [...] was so shaken that by the fall of Houses and two Churches in the time of Mass above 2000. People perished. The Village of La Motta famous for the Summer Houses of the Citizens of Palermo, was wholly overthrown, a pond of water now filling up the the place and about 200 People were thought to be lost. Lastly M [...]ssina a great and famous City for Buildings Trade and Riches, was so sensibly shaken on the 9th. that above half the Inhabitants abandoned it, and retired into the Fields; The rest imployed themselves in Prayers and Vows, and the Churches were filled with multitudes of all Ages; Fourty Eight hours Prayers were Ordered, and many Relicks were carried in Pro­cession through the Streets. On the 11th. Twenty Six Palaces, and many Timber Houses were overturned, and the whole City so fearfully shaken that every one expected present Death, and the Archbishop and the other Priests having given the People Absolution they all endeavoured to avoid the pre­sent peril by flying into the Fields where yet they suffered much by the horrible Thunder, Lightning and Rain which con­tinued three days together, so that they were obliged to set up Tents for security; So that few were killed, but most of the Churches much damaged.

Neither was there security from this terrible Visitation of God, even upon the VVater, several small Ships and vessels being cast away all along the Coast by the fury of the VVaves; the Tydes being three foot higher in most parts than was ever known before. The damage and loss in this terrible sudden and surprizing Desolation in Money, Goods, Houses and Lands is unaccountable; The least that has been computed amounts to the value of six Millions of Ducates, and an 100 years will scarce repair the damage: But the greatest loss was of People, of whom there perisht by this dreadful Judgment at least an Hundred and Twenty Thousand Souls, besides a multitude maimed and wounded by the fall of buildings which died afterward, and may be reckoned Twenty Thousand more.

In short amore Astonishing, a more Universal and more Swift Destruction was never known; And Sicily that was one of the most Beautiful, Rich and Fruitful Islands in the World, is now an heap of Rubbish, and a continued Desolation.

LXVII. I have before menrioned some of the Natural Causes of Earthquakes, and the Philosophers of Italy are apt to assign the Causes of this astonishing Calamity to proceed from the unseasonable Summer preceeding, and that the many great Rains and Heats which often succeeded each other in Sicily the last year might occasion great store of vapours to en­ter into the Bowels of the Earth, which afterward dilating themselves for want of room forced their way into the Air with the destruction of all that opposed them. But these are only the guesses of short-sighted Men, for the hand of Heaven seemed visible in this terrible Devastation; And as I have be­fore related some of the Presages that usually preceed such sweeping Judgments; so the Prognosticks which ushered in this horrible desolation, and of which there were a Multitude of Witnesses; may be judged intimations, and Effects of the Divine Vengeance these following being very remarkable; That in June the Summer before Mount Aetna's Roarings and Noise was extraordinary dreadful, which is always reckened the forerunner of some Irruption, either of the Mount it self or some part thereabout; And May 15. preceeeding, two hours before Sunset the Sky being Clear, the Heavens suddenly appeared all in Flames, without either Lightning or Thunder, which continued about a quarter of an hour; And at the same time two Rainbows were seen in the Air directly above the City pointing as usually toward the Earth, and a third with the points upward toward Heaven, being all three extream bright; and that which occasioned astonishment in the Specta­tors, and made it really Supernatural, was, that during the whole time of the appearance of the Rainbows, not the least Cloud was visible in any part of the Horizon; In July follow­ing in one of the Churches of Carania, Father Baletti a Per­son much Reverenced by the Common People, lay buried. whose Tomb was much adored, and daily Prayers and Offer­ings made at his Shrine; It happened that one merning when the Doors of the Church were opened, the Image of this Saint which was erected on his Tomb, was fallen flat on the ground. It was thought at first to be a common accident, but being again set up in its place for seven or eight nights together it was found constantly fallen on the ground, and at last was sorted to be said flat upon the Tomb; where it continned till [Page 162]the ruin of the Church and City together; The People were taught to believe. that about an hundred twenty years since, a Flood of Brimstone and Fire breaking out of Mount Aetna, and approaching with great fury and the destruction of all in its passage toward the Gates of Catania, the Citizens expecting nothing but immediate Ruin from it, this Holy Man by his Prayers and Exorcisms put a stop thereto in the presence of all the People, and thereby prevented the approaching desolation. Again in February before, about Sunset the Counntrey People about Alari a small village within three Miles of Catania ve­rily thought they saw that Village all in Flames which shewed at first but little, yet in a quarter of an hour all the Houses seemed on a light Fire; which appearance continued about six minutes, and then seemed to decay for want of Fuel. The Peo­ple that saw it ran with all speed thither to help to quench it, and all along the Road they imagined it increased, but being come thither they found all but an Apparition, or rather Prog­nostick of the Calamity that some Months after befel the place.

LXVIII. This terrible Earthquake communicated it self to the Island of Malta on the one side and to Calabria on the other. All the account we have of the Desolations in the for­mer, is in a Letter dated from thence Jan. 16. 1692. publish­ed by Authority. They began to perceive it on the ninth, and next day they felt five or six shakes, and on the 11th about 3 afternoon it was so violent and lasted so long that the Inhabi­tants believed the whole City would have been instantly de­stroyed, the Bells of the Metropolis of the Island rung, the Roof of the Church of our Lady de Pelay was thrown down, with part of that of St. Laurence. The Church and Colledge of the Jesuits also suffered very much, but the Cathedral and the Church of la Gusmane received the greatest damage, and are so ruined that they can hardly be repaired, The rest of the Churches and most of the Houses are extreamly shattered and deferted by the Inhabitants. The Great Master of the Order was then abroad a hunting, with a great number of other Per­sons, who were all in danger to have been buried in the Gulph that was made in the midst of a Rock almost under their feet. It is reckoned that the losses occasioned by this Earthquake in the Isle of Malta amount to two hundred thousand Crowns. The Grand Master having understood what had happened in Sicily, and that their principal Cities from whence they had their sustenance were ruined, he instantly dispatcht away se­veral Galleys laden with Corn to relieve those wretched People [Page 163]but arriving at the Port of Syracuse there were such mighty Thunders and Lightnings that they could not enter in. They went back to Sea and staid for better weather, and then made a second attempt, but there arose so violent a Wind that they were forced to return for fear of being caft away.

LXIX. The Monthly Mercury gives an account that toward the end of September 1693. Another great Earthquake hap­pened at Catania, and the Parts adjoining, but, the damage that ensued was very small, Nevertheless it was observed that during the most violent shakes the top of Mount Aetna was considerably sunk. The Duke of Canastra Vicar General who was then about Catanea, sent certain Persons to view the Mount, who perceived that the top was fallen in above 600 foot within the compass of about 2000 feet, and that all the Earth was tumbled down into the gaping Chasm which was about six miles in circumference. At the same time all the Fountains of Taurmina and parts adjacent dried up, and the Earth opened at the foot of an Hill which is about a mile di­stant, and out of it issued forth five or six Torrents of Sul­phurous Waters of different colours. These new Accidents have put the trembling Inhabitants of Sicily into fresh Conster­nations of some impending mischief ready again to overwhelm them.

LXX. I shall conclude these Relations with some natural Re­flections of an ingenous Author. ‘These two or three years past (saith he) have been general for Earthquakes they have been felt all over Europe, as well as in America. Some have been of opinion that the Earth was a great Animal, and that the shivering of some Ague Fit was the Cause of his trembling. The greatest part of the Heathen Philosophers accused the Stars of these disorders. But to speak one word of the Causes of them, I say there are two which are Natural, the subte­raneal Fires and Winds are the first cause. The Bowels of the Earth are full of Mines of Coal, Sulphur and Salt Petre, and when it happens that one Stone falling upon another strikes Fire by Collision, those combustible matters being kindled, and the Winds blowing up the flame, they cause most terrible overturnings of the Earth, unless they find Outlets as in Aetna, Vesuvius, and other Mountains of the same Na­ture. The second natural cause proceeds from the Water that is under the Earth, which undermining the Foundations that support the subterraneal Vaults which extend themselves for several Leagues together in divers parts, these Vaults depri­ved of their usual support overpressed by their own weight, sink [Page 164]down, and all of a sudden impetuously pushing forward the Air and the Water enclosed in the Earth, give the upper part such violent and hoistrous jolts as quickly overturn the weak­er structures of human Art, which must of necessity give way to those more than Gygantick Impetuosities, that rend and shatter the more solid frame of Nature it self. And of this there is no question to be made, considering what so many Authors have written of the vast Regions that are under the Earth, they say, that there is in the Island of Malta a Hill within the Concavities whereof inhabits a famous Plantation of People that have no other day but what they see through the Clefts of the Rocks, this place is called Gaar Kebir, or the Great Cavern. In the Territory of Viterbo in Tuscany there is a large subterraneal Burrough called Meonia, over which there are Meadows, through which you shall see the smoak of that B [...]rrough arise. But all this is nothing in com­parison of what Martin Martinius relates in his Chymical Atlas. He reports that there is a Mountain in China which is full of great Concavities in several places, which are as it were bored through, and serve as Roads from one Province to another. That there are within this Mountain Lakes, Ri­vers, Fish, Meadows and Animals of several sorts, and that it would require half a years time to survey and describe all these Caverns.’

LXXI. To close all with some Moral and Divine Reflections. Who doth not start at the thought of such tremblings of the Earth, as we have already given large accounts of? In what condition can a man be safe (saith Seneca, speaking of Earth­quakes) ‘when the World it self is shaken, and the only thing that passes for fixt and immoveable in the Universe, trembles and deceives us? Whither shall we fly for security if where­soever we are the danger be still under our feet? Upon the cracking of an House every man takes himself to flight, and leaves all to save his life, but what retreat is there where that which should support fails us, when the soundations not only of Cities but even of the World it self opens and wavers, what help or what comfort where fear it self can never carry us off? An Enemy may be kept at a distance with a Wall, a Castle may put a stop to an Army, a Port may protect us from the fury of a Tempest. Fire it self doth not follow him that runs away from it, a Vault may defend us against Thun­der, and we may quit the place in a Pestilence, there is some Remedy in all these evils. Or however, no man ever knew a whole Nation destroy'd by Lightning. A Plague may un­people [Page 165]a Town, but it will not carry it away, there is no Evil of such an extent, so inevitable, so greedy so publick­ly Calamitous as an Earthquake. For it does not only de­vour Houses and single Towns but ruins whole Countreys and Nations either overturning or swallowing them up, with­out so much as leaving any Footstep or Mark of what they were. Some People have a greater horror for this Death than any other. To be taken away alive out of the number of the living. As if all Mortals by what means soever were not to come to the same end, death, and it is not to be re­garded whether I am crushed to death by one Stone or by a whole Mountain. Whether I perish by the fall of an House or fall under the burthen of the whole Earth, whether I be swallowed up alone or with a thousand more for Company. We should therefore arm our selves against that blow, which can neither be avoided nor foreseen. It is not the abandon­ing those places that we find infested with Earthquakes which will secure us, for there is no Place can be warrant against them. What if the Earth be not moved? It is moveable, for the whole body of it lies under the same Law and exposed to danger, only some at one time and some at another. As it is in great Cities where all the Houses are subject to ruin­tho' they do not all fall together. So in the body of the Earth, now this part fails and then that. Tyre was former­ly subject to Earthquakes. In Asia 12 Cities were swallow­ed up in one night. Achaia and Maccdonia have had their turns, and now Compagnia. The Fate goes round and strikes at last where it hath a great while passed by. It falls out: oftner, 'tis true, in some places than in others, but no place is totally free and exempt. And it is not only men, but Ci­ties, Coasts, nay the shores and the very Sea it self that suf­fers under the dominion of Fate. And yet we are so vain as to promise our selves some kind of assurance in the goods of Fortune never considering that the very ground we stand upon is unstable, and it is not the frailty of this or that Place, but the quality of every spot of it, for not one inch of it is so compacted as not to admit many causes of its Resolution. And though the Earth remain entire, the parts of it may yet be broken.’

Thus the three Heathen Philosophers strove to sortifie them­selves against these calamities which they judged inevitable, not considering them as punishments of their sins and enormi­ties inflicted upon them by Divine Justice. Hear now what Christians who are instructed in a better School say of them.