Sad and Lamentable NEWES FROM SUFFOLK, BEING A True and Perfect Relation of the great Thunder-Claps, and Lightning, that fell upon the House of Mr. Absolon at Wangford, where Mr. Torril, Mr. Blowgate, Mr. Brome, Mr. Lemon, and divers other Gen­tlemen were Drinking of HEALTHS.

AND The manner how the said Thunder-Claps rent and tore the House in divers places, striking divers of the aforesaid Gentlemen Lame, Senseless, and carrying of Mr. Blowgate out of the Parlour to the top of the Room, and casting of him upon a Table.

AS ALSO, The striking of Mr. Torril Dead, the hair of his head being almost all burnt of with the Light­ning, his legs somewhat bruised, and his head, face, and body, changed black.

Attested by the Fore-man of the Jury, Mr. John Gibson, who on Thurday was sevennight was summoned upon the Crowners Quest.

London, Printed for George Horton, 1661.

Sad and Lamentable NEWES FROM WAINFORD IN SƲFFOLKE; B [...]ing a true Relation of the great and terrible Thunder-Claps that fell upon the House of Mr. Absolon, where divers Gentlemen were a Drinking.

THE greatest thing that we can desire, (next the glory of God) is our own Sal­vation; and the sweetest thing we can de­sire, is the Assurance of our Salvation. [Page 4] In this life, we cannot get higher, than to be assured of that, which in the next life is to be enjoyed.

All Saints shall enjoy a Heaven when they leave this Earth: Some Saints enjoy a Heaven, while they are here on Earth. That all might enjoy two Heavens, is the project of this Discourse; and that this project may be published, some cautionary motions we shall here lay down, for preventing of excesse in Drinking; conside­ring the late sad and heavy Judgements that be­fel divers Gentlemen in Suffolk, as they were Drinking of healths at Wainsord; the manner thus,

AT Wainford in Suffolk, at one Mr. Absolon's house, the last of July, Sir John Row, Mr. Tor­ril, Mr. John Lemon, and his Bro­ther Mr. Brome of Henham, and his Brother Bartholomew Blowgate, Mr. Robert Brown servants to the said Sir John Row, with divers other Gentle­men, on purpose met to Drink out a Barrel of March Beer, about four of the Clock in the afternoon the same [Page 5] day, there happened a very terrible Clap of Thunder, the force thereof fell upon the House of the said Mr. Absolon, where the above-named Gentlemen were a Drinking, and broke down many of the Tiles of the House, and one Spar, and severall Studs, and Glass-windows of the House, and broke one Bed-stead in the Parlour chamber, the Room over which these Gentlemen were Drinking in, and fell down into the said Par­lour where the said Gentlemen were, and struck most of them lame, and senselesse, some of which remain very ill at this time, as Barth. Blowgate, who were took up to the top of the Room, and thrown upon a Table; but above all, the aforesaid Mr. Torril, sitting right against the Window where the force of the Thunder came in, was [Page 6] struck dead, the hair of his head being almost all burnt off with the light­ning, his legs somewhat bruised, his head, face and body as black as any hat, or other thing whatever.

The dead body, and Relation a­foresaid, I was on Thursday last both an Eye and Ear-witness thereunto, be­ing summoned upon the Crowners Quest, and ferved as Fore-man in the Jury.

John Gibson.

Thus having given you a true Relation of this great and wonderful Thunder-clap, be pleased to take this by way of admonition.

That, having seen the salvation of God exceed­ing great, it will be allowed us, to be exceeding glad of his Salvation; an excess of gladness is al­lowed, but not of Drunkenness; O let that be ab­hored. Wine or Beer in a Drunken excess, it in­flames the heart, intoxicates the Brain, and turns all Fanatick.

You must, you'l say, drink the Kings Health; but tell me, is it congruous in cups of excess to drink the Kings health, when he preserves his health by little drinking?

[Page 7] Again, beware of Execrations and Oaths, least their sinful provocations out-cry our lowdest ac­clamations.

No, no, let us rejoyce with Temperance and de­votion, as well as with chearfulness, and exultati­on; as good Christians, as well as good Subjects, and indeed we are no longer good Subjects, than we are good Christians; and with the Ensignes of joy and jubilation, let us all heighten the joyful shout of a King amongst us.

But still let me mind you to preserve your Mo­ral Temperance, the better to perform your Loyal Exultations; that rejoycing for your King, you may do it in the Lord; and then I am sure it will be very much our Gracious and Dread Soveraigns joy, to hear that we have so rejoyc't.

And let this the devotion of some have the imi­tation of others, to work this effect of grace upon the hearts of men, to melt them to Loyalty and Alle­giance, which certainly will be as joyfully welcom to every conscientious, and loyal Subject, as are the refreshing Streams to the thirsty Traveller, in the dry and parched Desert. For that God hath tutored us by affliction, to melt in Simpathies of compassion; and we have learnt this Lesson of Christian Experi­ence, that there is no greater joy then the Souls Conversion, no truer Honour, then Errours retra­ction, and no firmer Tie then Loves Communion.

FINIS.

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