B [...]fore I mention any further concerning this strange and sudden Accident, which hath so lately befaln at Hereford, and that this Re [...]l and Au­the [...]tiq [...]e Tru [...]h may not seem doubtful, I shall put the Read [...]r hereof in minde to take notice and remember the several Disasters that hath befaln, not long since in, and about London, which I need not here to declare, yet none so wonderful, or worthy of observati­on as this; but let it not seem strange, for we [Page 2]know, and often read, that the Lord doth some­times manifest his will unto the World in Won­ders and Signes, thereby in some part to shew his Omnipotency, and let them know that he is still the Almighty God, and that he sees and knowes all our ways, how slight so ever we make there­of: Then how can we praise him sufficiently, when he hear of this strange Disaster that did so lately befal at Hereford, in that he was pleased to keep the like from us here in London, we being as sinful as any: But he that is all Mighty and all Powerful, is also all Goodness and all Merci­ful, whereon depends the best hopes of all good Christians.

And now to descend to the subject I was be­fore speaking of, which was of the violent Tem­pest and terrible Earthquake, &c. that hapned at Hereford, be pleased to observe the true Relation thereof, which is thus:

ON Tuesday last, being the first of this pre­sent October, 1661. about 2 of the clock after Noon, there hapned a great and violent storm to arise, to the amazing and astonishing of all the inhabitants: The first beginning was with a most terrible Winde, which continued for [Page 3]the space of 2 hours, with such vehemency, that it forced the Tiles off the Houses, insomuch, that none durst come out at their doors; in the midst of which storm, was blown down the Steeple of a Church, and many brave Houses, the falling whereof hath killed some persons, but what they are, or whom we yet know not.

Then the Air began to be darkned, but sud­denly clearing again the people began to look ab [...]oad; and so continuing for a while, all assu­redly thought the storm to be over, but contrary to their hopes, about 6 and 7 of the clock in the Evening, their Ears were solicited with unwonted Claps of Thunder; and, more to augment their fear, presently fell such Hail-stones, that the like was never seen in any Age before, each Hailstone being about the bigness of an Egge, which seve­ral Gentlemen of quality affirm, [...]ere present in London, who certifie, that they destroyed the Cattle in the Field, and did much other harm.

Then followed a terrible and fearful Earth­quake, which continued almost for the space of half an hour, which so amazed the inhabitants▪ that they thought the last Day had been come; and immediately appeared a great brightness, as if it had been Noon-day, but was presently over­cast [Page 4]with a thick Black [...] [...], out of which appeared a perfect Armes and Hands; in the Right-hand was grasp [...]d a great broad [...]word, and in the left a Cup, or Boul, as they conc [...]ived, full of Blood.

Having glutted their eyes with am [...]zement, and filled their hearts with great fear with be [...]ol­ding these prodigious App [...]rit [...]ons more [...]o a­stonish both them and us, appeared to their eyes a piece of Corn ground, ready to mow, and a Sythe lying by, from whence they heard a most strange and loud voice, which sa [...]d; Woe, [...]oe to thee, and to the inhabitants thereof, fo [...] he co­meth that is to come, and ye shall all see him

At the conclusion of these words, the people made a grievous cry, as indeed they m [...]ght, a [...]d many Women that were wi [...]h Child, through ex­tream fear, fel in travel, but none so wonde [...]f [...]l to be taken notice of, as M [...] Margaret Pesm [...]re, the Clerks W [...]fe of the To [...]n who for the space of twenty Weeks, wanting her bodily [...]ealth, had sought for cu [...]e of the Doctors: This Margaret Pelmore at that very instan [...] [...]ell in travel, being exceedingly affrighted, and brought forth 3 Male Children, who had all t [...]eth and spake as soon as they were born. The first said, The Day is ap­pointed [Page 5]which no Man can shun. The second demanded, Where would be found sufficient a­live to b [...]ry the Dead? And the 3d said Where will there be Corn enough to satisfie the Hun­gry and n [...]e [...]y.

As s [...]on as they had spoken these words, they all immedia [...]ely gave up the Ghost and died, to th gre [...]t astonishing and amazing of all present, and the Mother of the said Children doth at this time lie Distracted and raging in such extream manner that none can tell, as yet, whether she will live or die!

The truth whereof is witnessed by

• Churchwardens.
  • Francis Smalman,
  • Henry Cross,
• Peter Philpot, Constable.
• Nicholas Fanch,
• James Tulley,
• George Cox,
• John Groom,
• Robert Maurice,
• Thomas Welford:

And divers others.